8 Travel Bags Suitable For Your Next Overlanding Adventure

A travel bag becomes a vital tool that holds the key to convenience, organization, and preparedness.

From rugged terrains to unpredictable weather conditions, a well-designed travel bag is essential for keeping supplies, gear, and personal belongings secure, easily accessible, and protected throughout the overland expedition.

7 Key Features That Make A Travel Bag Ideal For Overlanding:

1. Durability
2. Storage Capacity
3. Weather Resistance
4. Versatility
5. Security
6. Accessibility
7. Comfort

Whether embarking on a short weekend trip or a long-term adventure, investing in a quality travel bag is a wise decision that ensures a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. We take a deep dive into eight travel bags that are worthy options for your next adventure.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 60L

Highlights: This travel duffel is equipped with a 100% recycled polyester ripstop outer shell and features a weather-resistant, abrasion-resistant TPU-film laminate. The main compartment can be accessed through a generous sized opening. To aid in organizing belongings, there is an additional zippered side pocket that can also be reached from the outside or inside of the bag and mesh pockets.

The bag offers versatility in carrying options, with padded and detachable shoulder straps, as well as reinforced haul handles. Exterior daisy chains are reinforced to provide a myriad lashing options for extra gear. It is available in various sizes and a wide range of colors to suit individual preferences.

Weight: 2 lbs. 9 oz.
Dimensions: 26.7” x 15.7” x 11.8”
Capacity: 55L
MSRP: $169
URL: patagonia.com

OVR’s Opinion: The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is widely recognized as one of the most iconic and timeless options available. Its enduring design and sturdy materials that include YKK zippers and 500D CORDURA fabric make it a reliable choice for travelers.

Our personal experience with the previous version of the Blackhole was nothing less than perfection – other than its peeling glossy outer coating. Even after many years of use, Patagonia exchanged it for their latest model without any issue. We appreciate Patagonia’s excellent service and dedication to environmental causes.

The duffel is crafted from fabric that is certified as bluesign approved, guaranteeing the highest level of safety. This certification ensures that the manufacturing processes and materials used prioritize resource conservation and minimize negative impacts on both people and the environment.

Mystery Ranch Road Tripper

Highlights: The Mystery Ranch Road Tripper is a full-featured, padded travel bag. The bag’s unique design is built to travel from home to the front seat of a car while providing many utilitarian features to stay highly organized and mobile. The bag has two, full-length, front external pockets with multiple mesh divider pockets for organizing smaller items and a large, main padded compartment with three dividers to custom organize your kit.

The bag is designed to be within an arm’s reach to transport gear safely and securely and can be secured to the passenger seat via a pass-through webbing loop to secure to the seat belt. Morale patches can be attached via the silicone logo on a loop panel for additional personalization. There are also two external stretch-woven water bottle pockets. A removable and adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to transport along with top handle.

Weight: 3 lbs. 2 oz.
Dimensions: 10.75” x 18” x 12.5”
Capacity: 32L
MSRP: $199
URL: mysteryranch.com

OVR’s Opinion: This is bag was built with daily travel and excursions in mind. This can become an essential grab and go bag with all of organizational and protective attributes featured. The unique features that make it easy to secure to a passenger seat makes this the ideal solo road trip companion. After securing it with the seat belt the top of the pack can be hung on the headrest keeping the interior open and accessible.

The interior compartment is easy to configure and customize to fit a variety of things from tools to snacks. The bag is plenty durable with padded sides and bottom and rigid enough to stand up right even while empty. The interior MOLLE accessory panel conveniently keeps things in place and readily accessible.

Thule Crossover 2

Highlights: This is a compact and durable travel companion designed to make your journeys hassle-free. With its sleek design and innovative features, this carry-on bag is ideal for frequent travelers who prioritize convenience and organization. The bag boasts a compact size that meets most airlines’ carry-on size restrictions, ensuring easy maneuverability through airports and overhead compartments. It offers a generous main compartment with zippered mesh compartments.

The exterior of the bag incorporates multiple pockets and compartments, including a spacious front panel with an RFID blocking pocket to protectto safeguard your identity and personal information. Additional compartments are built to hold a laptop, tablet, and even a padded pocket that can keep fragile glasses intact. The bag is also able to convert into a backpack for even more versatility when on the go. Available in multiple colors.

Weight: 4 lbs.
Dimensions: 8” x 14” x 21.7”
Capacity: 41L
MSRP: $300
URL: thule.com

OVR’s Opinion: This is a reliable and well-designed travel companion for those on the go. Its compact size, generous storage capacity, and organizational features make it suitable for both business and leisure trips. With its durable construction, smooth maneuverability, and added security measures, this carry-on bag is a practical and stylish choice for travelers seeking convenience and peace of mind.

The dedicated compartments for electronics make it convenient for those that work from the road and the crush-resistent pocket is a nice touch for those that travel with fragile items such as sunglasses. This is a true hybrid travel bag that can be carried like a duffel, backpack, or that can easily attach to roller luggage. While the pricepoint is on the higher end, you get a lot of bang for your buck given the amount of use this bag provides.

Filson 48 Hour Tin Cloth Duffel

Highlights: This duffel bag is a rugged and versatile travel companion that combines durability, functionality, and timeless style. Designed for those who appreciate quality craftsmanship and reliability, this duffle bag is built to withstand the demands of short trips or weekend getaways. The bag is constructed with Filson’s signature Tin Cloth fabric, a heavyweight and water-repellent material, that offers exceptional durability and protection against the elements. The fabric is highly resistant to abrasion, ensuring that it can withstand rough handling and harsh environments.

The spacious main compartment provides ample room for essentials, making it ideal for short trips. The bag features a large U-shaped opening, allowing for easy packing and access to your belongings. Inside, there are two interior zippered pockets to keep smaller items organized and easily accessible. Two sturdy top handles provide comfortable grip, as well as an adjustable and removable shoulder strap for convenient hands-free transportation. Available in four colorways.

Capacity: 34L
Dimensions: 19” x 7” x 11.5”
Weight: 3 lbs. 13 oz.
MSRP: $495
URL: filson.com

OVR’s Opinion: For those looking for a more refined and handsome option this duffel is a great option. The bag is not only built to last but also exudes a timeless and classic style. Its rugged construction, attention to detail, and functional design make it a reliable and stylish choice for travelers who value both durability and aesthetics. While it may be the most expensive bag in the group, it should last a lifetime.

Mountain Hardware Camp 4 Duffel

Highlights: This is a versatile and durable duffel designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. With its spacious storage capacity and thoughtful features, this bag is perfect for camping, hiking, or any outdoor excursion. The bag offers ample storage space with a large main compartment and multiple external pockets. It provides plenty of room to pack gear, clothing, and essentials for extended trips.

Designed for comfort, the Camp 4 bag incorporates padded shoulder straps to convert into a backpack along with a contoured, foam-padded shoulder strap that can be removed if not in use. Organization is offered with various pockets and attachment points to keep your gear organized and easily accessible. An external pocket can stash away footwear and also reverses to stow away the entire duffel. Various colors and sizes are available in the design.

Weight: 1 lb. 15.7 oz.
Capacity: 45L
MSRP: $130
URL: mountainhardwear.com

OVR’s Opinion: This is a well thought out packable travel duffel that can easily be kept with your vehicle and easily added to your travel collection. The bag is at a affordable price point for most people.

We appreciate the internal cinch closure pocket for added organization to keep dirty clothes separate from clean clothes. The external grab handles make it easy to always have a point of carry with or without using the removable shoulder straps. The pack does fold up nice into a small packable size, but does take some effort to pack up neatly.

Dakine Ranger 90L

Highlights: The Dakine Ranger Duffle 90L is a high-capacity duffle bag designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and travelers. With its large storage capacity, durable construction, and convenient features, this bag is ideal for extended trips and adventures. Organization is provided in a spacious main compartment with ample room to pack - gear, clothing, and equipment. The large U-shaped opening allows for easy access to the contents, making packing and unpacking a breeze. The bag also features a zippered end pocket and an interior mesh pocket, providing additional storage and organization options.

Durability is a key feature, constructed with rugged materials that can withstand the demands of outdoor use and ensures everything can stay protected even in wet conditions. The padded bottom provides extra protection for belongings and ensures stability when placing the bag down. The bag is available in a few colorways. Additional sizes are also available.

Dimensions: 29” x 17” x 13”
Weight: 2 lbs. 5 oz.
Capacity: 90L
MSRP: $165
URL: dakine.com

OVR’s Opinion: While, the brand may be more known in the action sports world, Dakine has made quality products for years. The Ranger Duffle is an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers due to its versatility and durability. It’s a lightweight option that is easy to collapse and bring with you or simply to stow away to have on hand. The price feels right for the size and the quality. We found it to be comfortable and extremely easy to use.

Peak Design Travel Duffel 35L

Highlights: The Peak Design Travel Duffel is a versatile and thoughtfully designed bag that combines functionality, durability, and style. It is specifically crafted for travelers who value organization and easy access to their belongings. It features a spacious main compartment with ample space for clothing, gear, and other travel essentials.

The bag also includes dedicated compartments for a laptop, tablet, and smaller items like chargers and cables. Designed with convenience in mind there are multiple carrying options including comfortable and adjustable padded shoulder straps that can be configured for backpack-style carrying, detachable and padded handles and side grab handles for quick and easy lifting. Available in two colorways as well as a larger 65L size.

Dimensions: 22” x 14” x 10”
Weight: 2 lbs.
Capacity: 35L
MSRP: $140
URL: peakdesign.com

OVR’s Opinion: The Peak Design Travel Duffel is a well-designed and feature-packed bag that caters to the needs of modern travelers. Its spacious interior, organizational features, versatility in carrying options, and compatibility with Peak Design accessories make it an excellent choice for those who value functionality and style.

The 35L size is international carry-on approved making it extremely travel friendly. We also appreciate the company’s lifetime guarantee. This is a great bag overall for those looking for a reasonably priced and modern designed travel bag with versatility. If you’re already using the Peak Design ecosystem of products this is a no-brainer to add to the collection.

Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag

Highlights: This is a highly reliable and durable waterproof bag designed to keep your gear dry in wet and rugged environments. Whether you’re embarking on a kayaking expedition, hiking through rain-soaked terrain, or simply need a reliable dry storage solution, this dry bag offers outstanding protection for your belongings.

The bag’s fully welded seams further enhance its waterproof capabilities, offering maximum protection against water intrusion. The roll-top closure system is both simple and effective. By rolling down the top a few times and securing it with the buckle, you create a watertight seal that keeps moisture out. This closure mechanism also allows for easy access to your gear when needed.

The bag features a oval-shaped base that maximizes packing efficiency and allows it to stand upright when filled, making it easier to organize and access your belongings. Available in a range of sizes, from 5 liters to 65 liters and multiple colorways.

Dimensions: 6.6” x 5.6” x 12.7”
Weight: 4.8 oz
Capacity: 35L
MSRP: $40
URL: seatosummit.com

OVR’s Opinion: While this isn’t a traditional travel bag, the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag is a great solution for those that are planning adventures on a boat, kayak, or through wet weather conditions. Weighing less than 5 oz, this lightweight bag also packs flat and is extremely easy to store and travel with. It makes a great companion when paired with other gear or even Sea to Summit’s Hydraulic packing cubes.

The integrated lash points make it perfect for adventures on kayaks, SUPs, bikes, UTV’s, and other adventure vehicles. For those that enjoy adventure sports where dirt, mud, and water are present this is an affordable solution to keep things clean and dry.

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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 04. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.