Backside Line
The Nemo Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel and Tote is our prime choose for the finest 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 mainly a two-in-one: it features 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 broad open.
It’s a contact costlier than common, however you’re additionally getting extra on your cash: a succesful duffel and a tote with a formidable capability. So those that commonly journey, may use a high-quality duffel bag, or those that are vulnerable to lugging plenty of cumbersome gear to and from the automotive and the campsite, will get loads of use out of this bag.
Fast Specs
Nemo Double Haul 55L
Greatest General Duffel
CleverHiker Ranking:
5.0/5.0
Value:
$180
Weight:
3 lb. 1 oz.
Capability:
55 L
Dimensions:
23 x 13 x 10 in.
Professionals
- 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 way in which
Cons
- Not fully waterproof
- Floppy sides when empty
- No facet seize handles
Carry Consolation
The Nemo Double Haul will get prime marks for carry choices and luxury. It options 3 ways to hold the duffel: seize handles on prime, over-the-shoulder straps, and backpack straps. None are detachable, however in addition they don’t get in the way in which 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 totally loaded and in tote mode, the over-the-shoulder straps weren’t padded or tremendous cozy 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 have been greater than practical and we dug the semi-rigid seize handles on prime of the duffel that made it straightforward to haul the complete bag.
Compressibility & Packability
Regardless of the semi-stiff trusses within the sides and prime of the duffel, we have been stunned at how small this bag folds away when not in use. Actually, it stuffs properly right into a separate and included storage pouch, so that you received’t need to dedicate a big nook of your closet to storing baggage. It’s additionally accessible 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 broad open for supreme packing ease. Because the mouth is about the identical measurement as the bottom and there’s no flap or lid to get in the way in which, it’s delightfully straightforward to fill it with packing cubes stuffed with clothes or awkwardly formed gear like tents and sleeping baggage. We did simply that in a visit to Utah’s San Rafael Swell. As a bonus, two compression straps assist preserve contents in place and secured.
Sturdiness
We dragged this bag on cross-country street 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 just a few scuffs.
We now 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 sturdy, even when slinging the duffel over our shoulders and tossing it into the again of a automotive on a street 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 most effective, both.
That’s largely as a result of whereas the principle Bluesign Accredited outer material could also be tolerably water-resistant, 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 transient drizzles or mild splashes, however if you wish to ensure that the contents by no means see a drop of precipitation, you would possibly take into account packing the whole lot in water-resistant packing cubes or dry baggage.
Group
Relying on what you’re packing and the place you’re headed, chances are you’ll choose one further massive, spacious compartment for cumbersome or oddly sized gear like tents and camp chairs, or chances are you’ll 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 objects, 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 potential to cinch down gentle objects if you happen to’ve overpacked a bit.
Ought to You Purchase the Nemo Double Haul?
Whereas the Nemo Double Haul is probably not for everybody, it’ll attraction to an entire lot of adventurous vacationers. That’s largely because 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 straightforward bag to pack and compress in duffel mode, so those that are inclined to overpack a smidge will definitely discover it useful. In Tote mode, it’s massively helpful for carting 70+ liters of substances, making it greater than a useful software for carting gear to campgrounds, wrangling street journey gear, and even simply containing blankets and s’mores elements for yard campouts.
The one of us who could not discover it an ideal possibility are these on the lookout for one thing extra climate resistant or a less complicated, mono-purpose design.
What Different Duffels Ought to You Contemplate?
For those who’re unsure the Nemo Double Haul is best for you in any of the accessible sizes, chances are you’ll need to take into account one of many different stand-out duffels we’ve examined.
The North Face Base Camp Gear Field Evaluate: On the lookout for extra of a gear hauler than a standard duffel? Try The North Face Base Camp Gear Field. It is available in a number of sizes and gives a wonderful strategy to retailer gear at busy base camps or behind a automobile for lengthy street journeys or overlanding. It folds flat when empty and stacks simply when full.
Gregory Alpaca Huge Mouth Duffel Evaluate: Just like the Nemo Double Haul in operate however completely different sufficient in design to be intriguing is the Gregory Alpaca Huge Mouth Duffel. It doesn’t fold down as small when empty, however the semi-rigid sides keep open for simple packing; it features as a duffel and kit hauler, and denser partitions preserve gear protected.
Patagonia Black Gap Evaluate: For a extra conventional duffel, take into account the basic Patagonia Black Gap. The massive single opening, restricted pockets, and a number of other carry choices make it a stable alternative for a lot of vacationers.