Farden 50-Liter Duffle Bag

Will be used for road trips and carry-on travel for business and leisure. I like the simplicity and versatility of duffels, and prefer carrying to wheeling luggage. I don't typically hike around with my main luggage so strap comfort is not a top priority, but it was definitely considered. I was using a Marmot 50L duffel before that was even more barebones (and horribly uncomfortable), and this is a nice upgrade. Pros: - Overall design is great and flexible for different uses. The single zip and compression system make packing easy and the size adaptable. - Love the boxy geometry -- Note that the dimensions are misleading: the bottom panel is about 20×15 inches, which I think is good, not too long such that it loses its shape, and I like the width. My personal preference is to always have a bigger bag and under pack then a smaller pack stuffed to the brim - Very spacious, enough for a week-long business trip that nests my minimal laptop bag inside and it's easy to get out for security - Quality feels solid - More comfortable than other duffle-backpacks I tried - Coal color looks great: monochromatic, muted, and professional, but more interesting than black ballistic nylon. - Fabric is burly and feels nice to the touch - Holds its shape surprisingly well, likely due to the padding and stouter geometry - Side pocket is great for toiletries - I probably won't need it much, but the stowable straps are nice Cons: - Material attracts lints and hairs easily - I used an anti static spray which seemed to help a bit - They should have lined the front pocket and entire inside (top paneling is not) and put the same internal pockets all the way around, or mirrored the shoe/laundry pocket on the top (for a toiletries kit) because why not, symmetry is nice - On the logo side of the bag, I would have liked to see webbing/lashing points (or even some nylon loops on the panel seams) so that I could easily rig a water bottle pocket or stuff pouch: flexibility is nice - Expensive duffel, all metal hardware all around and more thoughtful zipper pulls (e.g. like those metal rings I've seen FR use) would be appreciated - Dedicated grab handle on the top would be nice Summary: If you love simple and high quality bags and are willing to spare some comfort (vs. a backpack) just because you love the design, this is a great choice. Definitely wait for a sale, though.