CNemo Double Haul 55L Assessment

Backside Line

The Nemo Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel and Tote is our high decide for the greatest duffel due to this bag’s excessive versatility and glorious packability. That’s as a result of, along with providing 3 ways to hold it, it’s principally a two-in-one: it capabilities as a extra conventional duffel when the highest is clipped all the way down to the perimeters however extra like an enormous gear hauler when the gaping mouth is left broad open.

It’s a contact costlier than common, however you’re additionally getting extra in your cash: a succesful duffel and a tote with a powerful capability. So those that usually journey, may use a high-quality duffel bag, or those that are vulnerable to lugging a number of cumbersome gear to and from the automotive and the campsite, will get loads of use out of this bag.

Carry Consolation

The Nemo Double Haul will get high marks for carry choices and luxury. It options 3 ways to hold the duffel: seize handles on high, over-the-shoulder straps, and backpack straps. None are detachable, however additionally they don’t get in the way in which of packing or whereas carrying utilizing the opposite choices: the backpack straps snap neatly towards the bag and the tote straps tuck into their very own stash pockets.

On one tenting journey, we discovered that when absolutely loaded and in tote mode, the over-the-shoulder straps weren’t padded or tremendous cozy for prolonged carry, however given we weren’t planning to haul cumbersome gear very far or for very lengthy; we’re OK with that. In any other case, backpack straps have been greater than practical and we dug the semi-rigid seize handles on high of the duffel that made it straightforward to haul the complete bag.

Compressibility & Packability

Regardless of the semi-stiff trusses within the sides and high of the duffel, we have been stunned at how small this bag folds away when not in use. The truth is, it stuffs properly right into a separate and included storage pouch, so that you received’t must dedicate a big nook of your closet to storing baggage. It’s additionally out there in a number of capacities.

However even when it didn’t pack down that small, we’d nonetheless be head-over-heels for these trusses that provide simply sufficient construction to maintain the mouth of the bag broad open for supreme packing ease. Because the mouth is about the identical measurement as the bottom and there’s no flap or lid to get in the way in which, it’s delightfully straightforward to fill it with packing cubes filled with clothes or awkwardly formed gear like tents and sleeping baggage. We did simply that in a visit to Utah’s San Rafael Swell. As a bonus, two compression straps assist maintain contents in place and secured.

Sturdiness

We dragged this bag on cross-country street journeys, tenting journeys, and left it out within the rain, and it’s hardly worse for the damage. After weeks of testing, there are solely minor scratches and the bag, on the entire, appears principally unscathed save for just a few scuffs.

We now have no concern that the burly zippers and pulls on the primary compartment will give out anytime quickly. he handles and webbing really feel extremely robust, even when slinging the duffel over our shoulders and tossing it into the again of a automotive on a street journey across the Pacific Northwest

Climate Resistance

The one grievance now we have about this duffel is that it’s not completely waterproof. After we set it out within the rain for an hour with a dry serviette inside, about ¼ of it was damp after we checked the inside. Not the worst leakage we’ve ever seen, however actually not the most effective, both.

That’s largely as a result of whereas the primary Bluesign Permitted outer material could also be tolerably water-resistant, the zippers usually are not. No storm flap protects these zippers, so water can leak in over time. Most of our gear stayed dry throughout temporary drizzles or mild splashes, however if you wish to ensure the contents by no means see a drop of precipitation, you would possibly contemplate packing all the pieces in water-resistant packing cubes or dry baggage.

Group

Relying on what you’re packing and the place you’re headed, chances are you’ll choose one additional giant, spacious compartment for cumbersome or oddly sized gear like tents and camp chairs, or chances are you’ll choose to maintain issues extra organized by way of accent pockets, compression straps, or separate compartments. The Nemo Double Haul can do each.

Whereas there aren’t any giant pockets to stash soiled boots, there are two exterior pockets for quick-grab entry to smaller gadgets, plus two extra stash pockets the place the over-the-shoulder straps get tucked away when not in use. There are two compression straps, although, which make it attainable to cinch down tender gadgets in the event you’ve overpacked a bit.

Ought to You Purchase the Nemo Double Haul?

Whereas the Nemo Double Haul is probably not for everybody, it’s going to enchantment to a complete lot of adventurous vacationers. That’s largely attributable to its multi-functionality. When one bag can function each a travel-friendly duffel and an enormous gear-hauling tote, what else do you want?

It’s additionally an impossibly straightforward bag to pack and compress in duffel mode, so those that are inclined to overpack a smidge will definitely discover it useful. In Tote mode, it’s massively helpful for carting 70+ liters of substances, making it greater than a useful instrument for carting gear to campgrounds, wrangling street journey gear, and even simply containing blankets and s’mores elements for yard campouts. 

The one of us who might not discover it an ideal choice are these on the lookout for one thing extra climate resistant or a less complicated, mono-purpose design.

What Different Duffels Ought to You Contemplate?

Should you’re unsure the Nemo Double Haul is best for you in any of the out there sizes, chances are you’ll need to contemplate one of many different stand-out duffels we’ve examined.

The North Face Base Camp Gear Field Assessment: Searching for extra of a gear hauler than a conventional duffel? Take a look at The North Face Base Camp Gear Field. It is available in a number of sizes and provides a superb strategy to retailer gear at busy base camps or behind a car for lengthy street journeys or overlanding. It folds flat when empty and stacks simply when full. 

Gregory Alpaca Broad Mouth Duffel Assessment: Much like the Nemo Double Haul in perform however totally different sufficient in design to be intriguing is the Gregory Alpaca Broad Mouth Duffel. It doesn’t fold down as small when empty, however the semi-rigid sides keep open for straightforward packing; it capabilities as a duffel and equipment hauler, and denser partitions maintain gear protected.

Patagonia Black Gap Assessment: For a extra conventional duffel, contemplate the traditional Patagonia Black Gap. The massive single opening, restricted pockets, and several other carry choices make it a stable alternative for a lot of vacationers.