$149

by Ted Alan Stedman

Shana Novak

1. Remarkable for its smart blend of features, capacity, ergonomics, and durability, this 9.9-pound duffel hits the sweet spot for most travelers. Its shell—420- and 630-denier nylon, with 1,680-denier ballistic-nylon reinforcements at crucial wear points— is a suit of armor. Add a tough back panel, bumper, and wheel chassis, and you've got a high-value/low-price rig that just might outlast you.

2. I packed this thing 25 times during a walking tour of England. The 6,000-cubic-inch main compartment ate gobs of clothing and gear. Little stuff stayed in four zippered sleeves inside, including two easy-access ones behind the front door. Outside, a single zippered compartment was perfect for maps and other essentials. And I was indebted to the hazmat locker up top for isolating my fouled boots.

3. Three padded haul handles let you hoist the load duffel-style or by the ends, great for navigating tight squeezes or schlepping off-road. The external cinch system compresses the load from the sides and front, making for an extremely tight and stable package. Rolling is à la Cadillac, thanks to a firm telescoping trolley handle and huge treaded wheels with sealed, squeakless bearings.

9.9 lbs rei.com

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