Backside Line
The Nemo Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel and Tote is our high decide for the greatest duffel due to this bag’s excessive versatility and wonderful packability. That’s as a result of, along with providing 3 ways to hold it, it’s principally a two-in-one: it capabilities as a extra conventional duffel when the highest is clipped right down to the perimeters however extra like a large gear hauler when the gaping mouth is left vast open.
It’s a contact dearer than common, however you’re additionally getting extra on your cash: a succesful duffel and a tote with a powerful capability. So those that usually journey, might use a high-quality duffel bag, or those that are liable to lugging a number of cumbersome gear to and from the automobile and the campsite, will get loads of use out of this bag.
Fast Specs

Nemo Double Haul 55L
Greatest Total Duffel
CleverHiker Ranking:
5.0/5.0
Value:
$180
Weight:
3 lb. 1 oz.
Capability:
55 L
Dimensions:
23 x 13 x 10 in.
Execs
- A number of carry choices
- Straightforward to pack by way of a large mouth
- Sturdy
- Inside compression
- Packs down into its personal pouch
- Carry closed or open as a gear hauler
- Pack straps by no means get in the best way
Cons
- Not fully waterproof
- Floppy sides when empty
- No facet seize handles

Carry Consolation
The Nemo Double Haul will get high marks for carry choices and luxury. It options 3 ways to hold the duffel: seize handles on high, over-the-shoulder straps, and backpack straps. None are detachable, however additionally they don’t get in the best way of packing or whereas carrying utilizing the opposite choices: the backpack straps snap neatly towards the bag and the tote straps tuck into their very own stash pockets.
On one tenting journey, we discovered that when absolutely loaded and in tote mode, the over-the-shoulder straps weren’t padded or tremendous comfortable for prolonged carry, however given we weren’t planning to haul cumbersome gear very far or for very lengthy; we’re OK with that. In any other case, backpack straps had been greater than useful and we dug the semi-rigid seize handles on high of the duffel that made it simple to haul the complete bag.

Compressibility & Packability
Regardless of the semi-stiff trusses within the sides and high of the duffel, we had been stunned at how small this bag folds away when not in use. In truth, it stuffs properly right into a separate and included storage pouch, so that you received’t must dedicate a big nook of your closet to storing baggage. It’s additionally obtainable in a number of capacities.
However even when it didn’t pack down that small, we’d nonetheless be head-over-heels for these trusses that supply simply sufficient construction to maintain the mouth of the bag vast open for supreme packing ease. Because the mouth is about the identical dimension as the bottom and there’s no flap or lid to get in the best way, it’s delightfully simple to fill it with packing cubes filled with clothes or awkwardly formed gear like tents and sleeping luggage. We did simply that in a visit to Utah’s San Rafael Swell. As a bonus, two compression straps assist hold contents in place and secured.

Sturdiness
We dragged this bag on cross-country highway journeys, tenting journeys, and left it out within the rain, and it’s hardly worse for the wear and tear. After weeks of testing, there are solely minor scratches and the bag, on the entire, appears largely unscathed save for a number of scuffs.
Now we have no concern that the burly zippers and pulls on the principle compartment will give out anytime quickly. he handles and webbing really feel extremely robust, even when slinging the duffel over our shoulders and tossing it into the again of a automobile on a highway journey across the Pacific Northwest

Climate Resistance
The one grievance now we have about this duffel is that it’s not completely waterproof. After we set it out within the rain for an hour with a dry serviette inside, about ¼ of it was damp once we checked the inside. Not the worst leakage we’ve ever seen, however actually not the perfect, both.
That’s largely as a result of whereas the principle Bluesign Permitted outer cloth could also be tolerably waterproof, the zippers are usually not. No storm flap protects these zippers, so water can leak in over time. Most of our gear stayed dry throughout temporary drizzles or mild splashes, however if you wish to be certain that the contents by no means see a drop of precipitation, you would possibly contemplate packing all the things in waterproof packing cubes or dry luggage.

Group
Relying on what you’re packing and the place you’re headed, you could choose one additional massive, spacious compartment for cumbersome or oddly sized gear like tents and camp chairs, or you could choose to maintain issues extra organized by way of accent pockets, compression straps, or separate compartments. The Nemo Double Haul can do each.
Whereas there aren’t any massive pockets to stash soiled boots, there are two exterior pockets for quick-grab entry to smaller gadgets, plus two extra stash pockets the place the over-the-shoulder straps get tucked away when not in use. There are two compression straps, although, which make it attainable to cinch down mushy gadgets when you’ve overpacked a bit.

Ought to You Purchase the Nemo Double Haul?
Whereas the Nemo Double Haul will not be for everybody, it is going to attraction to an entire lot of adventurous vacationers. That’s largely on account of its multi-functionality. When one bag can function each a travel-friendly duffel and a large gear-hauling tote, what else do you want?
It’s additionally an impossibly simple bag to pack and compress in duffel mode, so those that are likely to overpack a smidge will definitely discover it helpful. In Tote mode, it’s massively helpful for carting 70+ liters of substances, making it greater than a useful instrument for carting gear to campgrounds, wrangling highway journey gear, and even simply containing blankets and s’mores components for yard campouts.
The one people who could not discover it an ideal choice are these searching for one thing extra climate resistant or a less complicated, mono-purpose design.

What Different Duffels Ought to You Think about?
Should you’re undecided the Nemo Double Haul is best for you in any of the obtainable sizes, you could wish to contemplate one of many different stand-out duffels we’ve examined.
The North Face Base Camp Gear Field Evaluate: In search of extra of a gear hauler than a standard duffel? Take a look at The North Face Base Camp Gear Field. It is available in a number of sizes and affords a superb option to retailer gear at busy base camps or behind a automobile for lengthy highway journeys or overlanding. It folds flat when empty and stacks simply when full.
Gregory Alpaca Broad Mouth Duffel Evaluate: Just like the Nemo Double Haul in operate however totally different sufficient in design to be intriguing is the Gregory Alpaca Broad Mouth Duffel. It doesn’t fold down as small when empty, however the semi-rigid sides keep open for simple packing; it capabilities as a duffel and equipment hauler, and denser partitions hold gear protected.
Patagonia Black Gap Evaluate: For a extra conventional duffel, contemplate the traditional Patagonia Black Gap. The big single opening, restricted pockets, and several other carry choices make it a strong selection for a lot of vacationers.
