We research, test and evaluate outdoor gear based on a number of factors, including our writers’ experience and expertise, trusted user reviews and more. We may earn a commission when you make a purchase through our links. See our editorial policy to learn more.
There’s something spontaneous about the duffle bag: it can be the very spark of a weekend trip or a previously unexpected jaunt about town.
It can also be an essential staple of your daily routine, the thing that gets you to work and gym and forest and back with ease and style.
Many of today’s duffles are made with the latest trends in fabric, design and innovation, but in our book you can’t go wrong with the old-school stylings of canvas and leather.
Together, these materials make for a classic travel product that’s been used for decades, and if you take any of these brands up on their wares, yours will likely be around for decades to come.
Here’s a look at our favorite canvas and leather duffle bags from more than 20 brands across the country, from larger outfits like Tanner Goods to small mom-and-pop makers like Peg and Awl.
Mt. Drew Duffle, United by Blue
Since 2010, United by Blue has removed more than 1 million pounds of trash from oceans and waterways around the world, and they’ve hosted more than 200 cleanups in 27 states.
Fortunately for the planet, their work isn’t done, and every product sold means another pound of trash removed by the certified B-Corp. If you’re looking to add to the impact, check out the Mt. Drew Duffle, an 83-liter behemoth that packs down like something much smaller.
The top-zip closure makes it easy to pack in and out, and comfortable veg-tanned leather straps make it easy to lug around. The duffle’s angular structure and bottom brass feet keep it safe and sturdy during transport, and if things get weird, the 18-ounce canvas helps keep the elements out.
It’s well-built, polished enough for the most formal trips and backed by the company’s ironclad guarantee on production and manufacturing.
Check Current PriceUpgrade Pick: The Rambler, Bradley Mountain
We’re not mad if canvas and leather doesn’t bring to mind the sunny shores of San Diego, but that’s exactly where Bradley Mountain goes to work each day. Their handmade Rambler duffle is everything good about this material combination, from the aged patina of their 19.8-ounce waxed canvas to the striking hue of their Bridle leather straps.
At 24”, the Rambler is roomy enough to handle extended trips, and looking through Bradley Mountain’s Instagram feed, there’s no shortage of places they’ve been. An antique brass zipper and copper-brass accents give this duffle just enough styling to stand out while still maintaining its clean, simple aesthetics.
We’re huge fans of their waxed canvas backpacks, and the Rambler has the same quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail you’d expect from their backpack line.
It’s available in field tan, charcoal, drab and black, using a slightly heavier canvas than their Biographer or Daypack. “We tout ourselves as a leather and canvas goods company,” says founder Tyler Axtell. “We love those materials because of the life they get over time. Our specialty is bags and we are trying to make a bag that is going to last.”
To back it up, Bradley Mountain offers free lifetime repairs on all their bags, but chances are good you’ll never need it.
Check Current PriceRelated read: 12 Best Slip-On Shoes & Sneakers For Men
Duffel No. 4, Fjällräven
The Kanken backpack may be Fjällräven’s trendiest product, but don’t sleep on their Duffel No. 4, a bag inspired by their first duffle made in 1974. Compared to the larger options here, it’s downright compact – under 19” – and offers a clean, athletic styling that’s a great alternative to more traditional, heavier waxed fabrics.
The No. 4 is made with G-1000® fabric, a polyester-cotton blend that’s become a signature of Fjällräven’s product line. It’s water-resistant, ideal for windy and rough conditions and ventilates well, something that can be an issue with thicker canvas. Natural-colored leather straps complement bold colorways – 12 total available – and the company’s arctic fox polishes the exterior.
In the spirit of Fjällräven’s focus on sustainable, functional and performance-based products, the No. 4 clocks in at less than 1.5 pounds while still managing a 30-liter capacity. That’s a win-win in our book.
Check Current PriceCanvas and Leather Traveler Duffle, Will Leather Goods
When Will Adler started Will Leather Goods, it was to prove that everyone “has the right to leave a dent in the universe.” He made his dent in the canvas and leather world with the Traveler Duffle, a full-grain leather and 18-ounce canvas carryall that’s easy on the eyes and won’t take any guff.
Testing and research from Will claims that the bag can support weights up to 206 pounds, which means you could fit several small people inside without breaking the leather straps and alloy-riveted stress points. Of course, you’d have to pack said people down pretty tight to get them into the bag’s roomy 20-inch width, but that’s another matter.
Unlike most of the bags here, the Traveler goes heavy on the hide: the bottom, exterior pockets and top liner all make use of Will’s premium veg-tanned leather. It comes with a lifetime guarantee and interestingly enough, two travel pillows that are much cooler looking than they sound.
It’s available in black/brown and tobacco/saddle, and both styles have just enough grit, style and smoothness to do the job for work, play and everything in between.
Check Current PriceNomad Duffle, Tanner Goods
When it comes to canvas, Tanner Goods is like that older guy around your neighborhood who smokes cigarettes and drives a fast car, but doesn’t drive too fast through the neighborhood because he knows it’s full of kids and everyone’s generally nice and considerate around these parts.
That’s a long way of saying we’ve admired Tanner Goods for some time now, and for good reason. Their canvas line is more or less an apex predator, sitting at the top of the canvas food chain and looking down while everyone else fight for scraps. If that’s enough analogy for you, well, that’s on you good reader.
Their Nomad Duffle is a 22” zip-top bag constructed with 18-ounce filter twill canvas and English Bridle leather, finished with brass hardware and the company’s trademark minimalist branding. But that’s their confidence in action: the bags speak for themselves, and those in the known can spot a Tanner Goods bag from several yards away, easily.
The Nomad is made in the US, available in field tan, obsidian and space blue, and is unofficially guaranteed to make you look like you know what you’re doing in life, even if you have no clue.
Check Current PriceImOut Duffel Bag, Frost River
We’ve all had weeks that make us say: we out. Frost River did us all a favor by making a bag that expresses this sentiment perfectly. Their ImOut Duffel Bag is all the excuse you need to get away for the weekend, and it’s available in three sizes, from 19” to 24” depending on how long you’re looking to roam.
Shoulder strap options and monogramming help customize this bag to fit your needs, and you’ll find the 18-ounce canvas hardy enough for the roughest travel. Leather accents and solid brass hardware give the ImOut a decidedly classic look without falling into the traditional blandness of some travel bags.
Frost River offers a lifetime guarantee on hardware and craftsmanship, and they’ll repair bags from regular wear and tear at an affordable price.
Check Current PriceWeekender, Peg and Awl
Reading Peg and Awl’s about page, you get the feeling you’ve drifted into some half-dream land where anything is possible, and by anything we mean mostly things made from wood, canvas and leather. “Ghosts linger and invisible hands shake the visible,” writes Margaux Kent. “We are makers. In Philadelphia. Still.”
Their Weekender embodies the same whimsical vibe, but it’s also a down-to-earth, practical carryall that’s ideal for quick weekends away. Its 19-ounce waxed body is available in coal, moss, slate and four other colorways, and there’s a good possibility that each will lead you to taking up poetry if you’re not careful.
Minimal packaging and branding make this an ideal choice for the less is more crowd, and each bag is slightly unique, using leather from “deadstock to well-worn WWII gunsling” and a variety of colored zippers.
Check Current PriceThe Hudson Waxed Canvas Duffle, Sturdy Brothers
There are weekenders, and there are duffle bags meant for trips that don’t necessarily have an end date. Enter: the Hudson from Sturdy Brothers, a 30” two-tone beast made from nutmeg and navy waxed canvas.
These guys do it right, with a YKK zipper, copper rivets and natural leather straps that’ll hold just about anything you throw in. The nutmeg canvas is one color that accentuates the lines, creases and wear of your bag, so no need for souvenirs – your bag’s patina will keep record of everywhere you’ve been.
If you’re not in the market for one of their duffles, check out their waxed canvas aprons, perfect for any workshop or studio.
Check Current PriceWilliam Waxed Canvas Duffle, Go Forth Goods
If you’re a fan of The Hudson bag but looking for something smaller, the William duffle from Go Forth Goods offers much the same aesthetics in a more compact package. Its 19-ounce waxed canvas is available in field tan, navy and mod-green, and either colorway looks stunning with its veg-tanned belt straps.
It’s a simple bag that doesn’t offer a lot in the way of pockets and organization, but if you’re anything like us, you dig the simplicity of minimal (one) pockets. Each duffle is handmade to order within a few days and Go Forth offers free customized initials on the leather straps. Its carry-on size is ideal for short trips, but at 24” it’s big enough to pack whatever clothes, shoes and accessories you need.
The bag’s made in Marietta using leather sourced and tanned in the US, and it’s backed by Go Forth’s lifetime guarantee on craftsmanship.
Check Current PriceWaxed Canvas Duffle Bag, Red Clouds Collective
Portland-based Red Clouds Collective embraces the collective part of their label: among them are “woodworkers, motorcycle mechanics, skateboarders, and photographers.” You, sirs, have our attention.
Their duffle is a boxy number made from 18-ounce Martexin canvas, Hermann Oak veg-tanned leather and carefully placed brass rivets. The bag resembles a tool box more than a military-style carryall, making it great for weekends out and errands around your hometown.
It’s handmade to order in the Pacific Northwest and available in black or brush brown.
Check Current PriceTwain 22″ Waxed Canvas Weekender, Korchmar
If the Twain has a time-honored vibe to it, consider that Korchmar has been in business since 1917. In a sea of young brands, this family-owned business from Cincinnati has maintained a level of success and quality that’s more than impressive.
Unlike many cylindrical duffles, the Twain has a body that clamps down at the ends, giving it structure and room to hold your stuff, but making it flexible enough to get thrown around a plane, train or automobile. Full-grain leather trim offers a solid contrast to the olive waxed canvas, and antique brass hardware gives the bag a clean, subtle polish.
The Twain features Korchmar’s signature interior liner, with enough pockets to keep you well-organized on the road. It’s made in the US and covered by a five-year guarantee on craftsmanship and manufacturing.
Check Current PriceField Duffle, Mission Mercantile
One of the first things you might notice on Mission Mercantile’s Field Duffle is the leather label embossed with the brand’s distinct handshake logo. To them, that handshake means more than just branding – it’s their belief that in days of yore, a “handshake was more binding than a contract.”
That’s how they approach making their Field Duffle, a classic canvas-and-leather bag that salutes brands like Filson, Orvis and Eddie Bauer. Its timeless sportsman-influenced design is updated with sturdy hardware, a comfortable body and impeccable stitch-work.
Metal feet on the bottom protect the canvas from wear and tear, and if anything goes wrong in the way of craftsmanship, it’s protected by a lifetime guarantee on manufacturing and defects. These guys – and their hardy duffles – are old-school and don’t care who knows it.
Check Current PriceDiscover More Gear
Sign up for Weekend Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel and gear ideas every week.
Seen in: Bags & Backpacks, Gear
