Long-term test of the North Face travel bag
10.11.2016
Translation: machine translated
I bought a North Face travel bag almost two years ago. It has already accompanied me on many different trips and has proved to be extremely helpful in one situation or another. You can read in this article why I love it so much and why everyone should have one of these bags.
Features
You can carry the duffel-like bag from The North Face in two ways. Firstly, there are two small loops on the bag, which you can use to carry the "Base Camp Duffel" like a conventional travel bag. Secondly, you have the option of strapping the bag to your back like a rucksack using the integrated shoulder straps. This is particularly practical if you are carrying the bag around with you for a long time and don't want your arms to fall out after five minutes.
One of the key arguments in favour of the Duffel is the material used, which is almost indestructible. The bag is made from thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and ballistic nylon. This means it can even survive a fall from a mountain. The biggest weak point in travel bags is usually the zip. Not so with the Base Camp Duffel. No matter how many times I filled the bag to the top and had to close the zip under pressure, the bag coped without any problems. According to the manufacturer, the seams and zip are not waterproof. However, I never once had the problem of water getting inside the bag. Whether in rain, snow or even mud.
Now we come to the storage space. It's big, really big (95 litres in my version). I'm always amazed at how much stuff fits in there. The bag actually consists of just one large compartment, which in my opinion is a great advantage as no space is lost to unnecessary compartmentalisation. There is only a small document compartment in the lid, which can be closed with a zip. I usually need this compartment for smaller items that I want to have to hand quickly. Smartphone, wallet, paperback, etc. The newer models of this bag (mine excluded) in sizes M and L also have a side pocket at the top. To keep the bag as compact as possible, there are four compression straps on the sides. These straps can be used to manually adjust the storage volume. The more you tighten them, the less storage space is available. This makes the duffel comfortable to carry on your back, even when it is only half full.
Application
I use this bag for all sorts of things. It's perfect for travelling by plane or road trips, as it's easy to stow away and doesn't give up the ghost even if you treat it roughly. I once had it with me on a long snowshoe hike and realised that it is less suitable for this. You can use the bag as a rucksack, but the shoulder straps cut in on longer hikes, which makes it less comfortable to carry. However, the carrying comfort is perfectly adequate for hitchhiking or short walks. Depending on what you need this bag for, you can choose from different sizes. If you only need it for going to the gym, the smallest version will suffice. If you prefer to go diving or play ice hockey and need a lot of space, it's worth opting for the larger versions. Personally, I have the L size with a capacity of 95 litres. For longer trips, where I have camera equipment and tripods with me as well as my clothes, I make full use of the capacity. However, it is too big for smaller trips or weekend trips. I would recommend sizes S or M for this purpose.
Various sizes and colours
Conclusion
As you can probably tell from the text, I am an absolute fan of this product. The bag fulfils my expectations in every respect, if not more. The material used does what it promises and is reliable even in extreme situations. Although the price is rather high, it is definitely justifiable. With this product, you get a bag that will last for decades and give you many years of pleasure. The only disadvantage is the lack of comfort of the shoulder straps on longer hikes. However, this is not what is primarily required of a travelling bag. Definitely a purchase recommendation from my point of view.
What else might interest you:
Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.
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