![]() I’ve tossed in ice axes and ice tools, drug it on the concrete ad smooshed it at the bottom of my over-filled RAV4. In my own experience, the Big Joe has held up well to both abuse and weather. Similarly, a The North Face Base Camp duffel has two weights, 1000D and 810D. Does that mean the Big Joe’s fabric is weak? No, but it does mean that there are stronger fabrics out there. However, by contrast, the equivalent Patagonia duffel bag is a 900D weave. It’s puncture- and abrasion-resistant, so ready for abuse. The Big Joe comes in at 410D, which is an incredibly strong weave. In terms of durability, this duffel is quite durable but there are, technically, some more durable bags out there. Kudos to Big Agnes for making a versatile product. You have two straps and a ton of lash-in points, and it’s really up to your own creativity. Some abrasions on the 410D fabric and PU coating Another option is to sling the straps vertically, up and down the length of the bag, and wear it as a backpack. That’s particularly nice if you’ve packed something delicate down in your clothes, like a camera, and want to hold the contents in place. Or, you can pop them off and stretch them across the bag to work as compression straps. For example, they can be used like normal carry straps, where the two pads velcro together to be slung on a shoulder. The Big Agnes system uses two removable straps that can be used in a couple of different configurations. They work well and they’re fairly comfortable, but they’re not exactly versatile. For example, other companies who have made similar duffels have dedicated, pop-out backpack-carry straps. I particularly like what Big Agnes was able to do with a pretty simple strap layout. It’s big, it’s waterproof, it’s durable, it has pockets, and you can do fun things with the straps. However, above and beyond that, it would be nice to have a couple of extra qualities: how about a little bit of organizational features, and maybe some versatility in the strap design? That, it seems to me, would take a duffel from good to great. Enter the Big Agnes Big Joe. ![]() That may or may not have happened last weekend on the way back from Mt. Part of the ‘durable’ thing has got to be durable waterproofing, since half the time my gear winds up in the back of a buddy’s Tacoma driving through a rainstorm on I-90. In my mind, the basic categories for a duffel should be how much junk you can cram in them, and how durable they are. Ready to go! Versatility + Durability = No Liability Highly water resistant TPU laminated YKK zippers.Non-PVC, TPU coated fabric allows for fusion welding which eliminates the need for additional adhesives.Lock-compatible zippers for securing your things during travel.Adjustable padded straps can be configured as backpack straps or shoulder straps.Zippered interior pocket with exterior access.Flush side-carry option makes for easy maneuvering.Top-loading zip design allows for ease of access to the entire bag as well as allowing the bag to stand upright when packed.So, I did – on a trip to Mexico this April. I wanted to test Big Agnes’s offering, the Big Joe 110L. But the new wave of ultra-burly, brand-emblazoned duffels is just as popular with expeditionists as it is high schoolers on spring break. Previously they were thought to be un-sexy, the lesser counterparts to various rolling, excessively-strapped ways of toting around a load of belongings. The Road Tripper is made with a high tenacity fabric and goes everywhere your gear goes.It seems to me that duffels have been making a comeback in recent years. Compartments and pockets help to keep you organized. A large opening with a top-loading zipper makes packing awkward shaped gear easy and finding your headlamp at the bottom, quick. The Road Tripper is a lightweight travel or car camping duffel bag made for keeping all your gear organized in one durable, easy to access carry-all.
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