Morgan Scott January 28, 2020 More Carry

10 Best Made in USA Duffel Bags Available Right Now

Morgan Scott January 28, 2020 More Carry

“Buy once, cry once”

This is the mantra of those who prefer to spend a little bit more for something constructed with quality and durability in mind.

A made in USA duffel bag embodies just that; great craftsmanship, premium materials and classic designs. In the end you can’t go wrong with a bag that took a little extra care to make.

Sometimes they can be pricier than many imported duffel options but American made bags are true representations of the “buy once” way of life.

Don’t worry – we included a few affordable options too like the Step 22 Adventure Duffel and Recycled Firefighter Battalion Barrel that can be purchased for under $100. But we also don’t shy away from the premium options either.

With that in mind, let’s dive-in with our picks for the best American made duffel bags available right now.

Filson Rugged Twill Duffle Bag

Filson Official

Filson offers a true “buy it for life” bag with their Rugged Twill Duffle. These American made duffel bags are constructed of 100% cotton twill; a rugged water resistant material that can withstand stand years of heavy use. Filson’s inclusion of leather straps and brass hardware add another level of durability. Plus these duffel bags just look great thanks to their timeless design. Made for travel, outdoors and everyday use – the Filson Rugged Twill Duffle bags come in different sizes and colors so you are bound to find one that fits your needs.

Features at a glance:

Best for: travel, outdoors, everyday
Available in Small (33L) and Medium (43L) and Large (75L)
Made of water resistant Rugged Twill and Birdle Leather
Interior stow pockets

Step 22 Classic Adventure duffel

Step 22

Step 22 proves that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to get a quality American made duffel bag. At under $100 the Classic Adventure duffel offers a versatile back-to-basics design that is tough enough to be loaded into the back of a truck or act as a trusty travel companion on your next trip.

The Classic Adventure Duffel is available in two sizes: a moderate 33 liters and the larger 50 liters for even more storage. Each duffel is crafted out of hardwearing Cordura or Ripstop nylon depending on the color you choose. And Step 22 even adds DWR weather resistant coating and reinforced stress points for even more durability and peace of mind.

Features at a glance:

Best for: travel, outdoors, everyday
Affordable Made in USA duffel
Made of DWR (water resistant) coated Cordura or Ballistic Nylon
Volume: 33L or 50L

Mission Workshop Transit American made duffle bag

Mission Workshop Transit Duffle

Mission Workshop

The Mission Workshop Transit Duffle may be the last duffel you will ever need thanks to its versatile design and rugged construction. Loaded with interior and exterior pockets, the Transit duffle allows for plenty of ways to organize your travel and daily essentials with ease. Useful pockets include an internal padded laptop sleeve and an external quick-stash pocket for glasses and other small items.

A cool design element in the Mission Workshop Transit is how you can carry the duffle in four different ways: one-handed carry with top grab handles, shoulder carry with adjustable shoulder strap, on a bike rack with the included attachment straps and as a backpack with a backpack harness that can be purchased separately.

Features at a glance:

Best for: everyday, travel
Choose from HT500 Nylon, 500D Cordura and waxed canvas color options
“Guaranteed Forever” covered by Missions Workshop’s lifetime warranty
Volume: 31 liters

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SealLine Pro Zip Waterproof Duffel

Buy on Backcountry Buy on Amazon

Tough as nails, completely waterproof and a repairable construction – this is the SealLine Pro Zip duffel in a nutshell.

This waterproof duffel is made for those who want a top-of-the-line duffel performance duffel without compromise. Each Pro Zip is made with heavy-duty PVC-free waterproof materials, RF welded seams and waterproof YKK zippers for a fully submersible design.

Along with premium materials, the SealLine Pro Zip also features versatile carry options. Removable shoulder straps let you carry the Pro Zip in backpack-mode while the four side handles makes hauling the Pro Zip a breeze. If you are looking for a a premium American made duffel bag that will get the job done then the SealLine Pro Zip may be just the ticket.

Features at a glance:

Best for: outdoor and travel
Made in U.S.A
Waterproof submersible design
Volume: 40L, 70L and 100L options

Rogue Industrues Mount Blue Made in USA Duffle bag

Rogue Industries Mount Blue Leather Duffle

Rogue Industries

When people think of American made products they think of quality craftsmanship that is built to last a generation (or two). And we definitely think the Rogue Industries Mount Blue Leather Duffle fits that bill. The duffle is made out of Bourbon top grain leather that is destined to look better the more wears in and the antique brass hardware gives the Mount Blue a touch of timeless sophistication that can only come with a well-made product.

If you are looking for a premium American made leather duffel bag from a small business who doesn’t believe in cutting corners then the Mount Blue Leather Duffle absolutely deserves your attention.

Features at a glance

Best for: travel
Handcrafted in Maine
Two-way carry: Removable shoulder straps
Premium top grain leather duffel Made in USA

Arktype Boltpack - Made in USA Duffel Bag

Arktype Boltpack Duffel Pack

Gallantry

Arktype offers an American made duffel bag for those who like to stay active with their Boltpack duffel pack. Designed for gym use, the Boltpack is made of rainproof ballistic nylon that ensures easy commutes to and from your workout. Loaded with special pockets for water bottles, shoes and daily essentials the Arktype Boltpack is a great example of duffel bag design done right.

Features at a glance:
Best for: gym, everyday
Made of rainproof 1680 ballistic nylon and internally lined with ripstop nylon
Includes ventilated pocket for laundry or shoes
Tons of pockets and organizers.
Volume: 30L

Flowfold Nomad Packable Duffel

Buy on Amazon

An American made duffle bag under $100? Flowflold makes it happen without skimping on quality, materials or craftsmanship. The Nomad is a 24 liter travel duffle made for those on the move. These travel duffels are made ultra-lightweight weather resistant material and topped off with YKK water repellent zippers for maximum protection against the elements. Add in a lifetime warranty and you have a workhorse duffle that can be taken anywhere life leads you.

Features at a glance:

Best for: travel, everyday
TSA approved carry on size
Made of tough and lightweight abrasion and weather resistant materials
Packable design allows you to fold bag into its own side pocket
Volume: 24L

Filson Medium Weatherproof Duffle - leather duffel bag made in USA

Filson Weatherproof Leather Duffle Bag

Filson Official

Those looking for the very best American made leather duffle bags will love what Filson has to offer with their Weatherproof Leather Duffle. Filson describes this bag as “heirloom quality” and we couldn’t agree more. This duffle bag is made of premium vegetable tanned leather; a naturally weatherproof and rugged leather that can take a beating while aging gracefully. What we love about this duffle is that its only going to look and feel better over time – making it a true lifetime purchase.

Features at a glance:

Best for: travel
Made with North American vegetable tanned leather
Premium brass hardware and Bridle leather trim and handles
Volume: 43L

Tom Bihn Road Buddy Duffel

Tom Bihn

Arguably one of the best travel duffle bags on the market today, the Tom Bihn Road Buddy offers a versatile workhorse with tons of compartments for organizing and a generous main compartment large enough for most trips. Best part? This duffle bag was made in the USA. The Road Buddy comes in two sizes; 36 liters and a the larger 60 liters and both have the same jam-packed features for storing everything from clothes to toiletries and tech.

Features at a glance:

Best for: travel, everyday
Made of extra tough 1050 ballistic nylon
Tons of exterior and interior pockets for great organization
Available in multiple colors and sizes – Medium (36L) and Large (60L)

Killspencer duffle

Killspencer

If you are looking for a premium American made leather duffel bag then look no further than Killspencer. Made of top quality full-grain leather, the Killspencer Duffle offers a sophisticated yet versatile way to carry your essentials on short weekend trips or to the gym. While the outside sports a clean and minimalist aesthetic, the inside is filled with practical features like waterproof lining and an extra zipper pocket that will make this your go-to duffle again and again.

Features at a glance

Best for: travel, gym, everyday
Full leather duffel Made in USA
Fire retardant interior with waterproof black lining
Spacious enough for the gym and short weekend trips

What to look for in your next duffel bag

Everyday Duffel Bag

Everyday carry duffel bags are usually small to medium in capacity and feature smaller compartments for everyday items like wallets and tech. This is a good choice for work carry where you may need to bring a change of clothes and other bulkier work gear.

If you find yourself carrying lots of smaller items then we recommend going with a business casual backpack instead so that you can keep all of your smaller items organized.

When it comes to materials – you can go with a premium material like leather, suede or waxed canvas for a more refined look. These materials are great for work carry and add a bit of sophistication to an otherwise casual accessory. Materials like ballistic nylon and cordura are tough anti-abrasion materials that can withstand tougher environments and will have more color options than leather duffels.

Gym Duffel Bag

Gym duffel bags can be found in small to large capacity and have enough room for a change of clothes, shoes and gym equipment. Going with a gym duffel is a great choice if you need to carry bulkier items like towels, boxing gloves or other equipment.

A good gym duffel bag will have enough pockets for organizing things like water bottles, snacks and your personal items. Another feature to look out for are a breathable laundry or shoe compartment that allows you to keep dirty items separate.

With a gym duffel bag, you are going to want to stick with tough materials like ballistic nylon and cordura that are anti-abrasion and high-wear. Luckily, these materials are popular among American made duffel bags and you should have no problem finding a bag that will hold up over time.

Travel Duffel Bag

Usually medium to large capacity, travel duffels allows you to pack multiple days of clothes and gear into just one bag. Going with a well-made travel duffel relieves a lot of worry about rough luggage handling as you’ll know your bag will hold up just fine. Cordura and Ballistic nylon are always clear choices if you want the toughest duffel for frequent traveling.

For a more refined look leather is always the best choice. A high quality full grain or vegetable tanned leather bag will ensure maximum toughness when handling. Leather also has the ability to absorb superficial scratches and blemishes and still look great. American made leather duffel bags are our top choice for business travel or for those who just want an elevated look while on the move.

Outdoor Duffel Bag

Outdoor duffel bags can be medium to large in size and are great for hauling on camping trips or on jobs that require lots of outdoor activity. We recommend focusing on a duffel bag that is weatherproof, made of tough materials and is comfortable to handle.

As for materials, look for a bag that is water resistant. We recommend TPU coated nylon and cotton twill as a good choice for protection from the elements. Zippers should also be water resistant for that extra protection of your contents inside.

In addition to being water resistant you should also consider toughness and anti-abrasion when choosing an outdoor duffel bag. Nature can be harsh and you want to make sure the bag you choose is resistant to scuffs, scratches and tears. Leather, cordura and ballistic nylon are great choices for a bag that will hold up wherever you roam.

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