10 Best Made in USA Duffel Bags Available Right Now
“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 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:
Nutsac Duffel Bag
Constructed to be tough as nails with a water resistant waxed canvas exterior, the Nutsac Duffel bag leaves little to be desired for those looking for a rugged American made duffel bag.
The Nutsace Duffel was designed as a versatile solution for work or play and you can see this in its clever pocket placement. The roomy main compartment is accompanied by three internal slip pockets for organization plus additional pockets can be found on either side of the bag for convenient quick-access storage. The generous storage options makes this duffel a great fit for everything from weekend travel to work and gym days.
Best for: Travel, Gym, Work Carry
Made in USA
Made from water resistant waxed canvas and leather sourced from New England
Mission Workshop Transit Duffle
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
Flowfold Nomad Packable Duffel
An American made duffle bag under $100? Flowflold makes it happen without skimping on quality, materials or craftsmanship. The Nomad Packable Duffel 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
BAGS USA Made in USA Duffel
BAGS USA proves that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to get a quality American made duffel bag. At under $50 this 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 trusted companion on gym days.
Each BAGS USA duffel is crafted out of hardwearing 400D nylon and includes a removable shoulder strap for easy carry.
Features at a glance:
Best for: gym, travel, everyday
Made in Huntington Beach, California
Dimensions: 19” x 10.5” x 9”
Made with tough abrasion resistant nylon
Duluth Pack Round Duffel
When people think of American made products they think of quality craftsmanship that is built to last a generation (or three). And we definitely believe the Duluth Pack Round Duffel fits that bill.
Each Duluth Pack Round Duffel is made with rugged water resistant 15oz canvas and is backed by a lifetime warranty for peace of mind. If you are looking for a premium American made duffel bag from a small business who doesn’t believe in cutting corners then the Duluth Pack Round Duffel absolutely deserves your attention.
Features at a glance:
Best for: travel, gym, everyday
Handcrafted in Duluth, Minnesota
Volume: 47L
Premium canvas duffel Made in USA
Duluth Pack Small Safari Duffel
Duluth Pack offers an American made duffel bag for those who looking for a handsome heritage design that never goes out of style. The Safari Duffel is crafted with outdoor-specific YKK zippers and 15-ounce canvas that only looks better with age. An 18-liter capacity makes it the perfect size for daily carry or weekend adventures alike.
Features at a glance:
Best for: everyday, travel
Rugged canvas construction with leather details
Volume: 18L
Handcrafted in Duluth, Minnesota
Mission Workshop The Drift
The Drift is a laptop tote for those who expect more from their carry - a durable quality construction, special laptop, tablet and phone pockets and multiple modes of carry thanks to its removable adjustable shoulder strap.
When it comes to the very best American made duffle bags, Mission Workshop deserves a seat at the table. And although The Drift isn’t exactly like a traditional barrel duffel bag, its top-notch construction and innovative design makes it one of our top picks.
Features at a glance:
Best for: everyday, outdoor, gym, travel
Made with either high-tenacity nylon, Cordura Nylon or Polyant X-Pac fabric (color dependent)
Tons of pockets for tech
Volume: 28L
Tom Bihn Road Buddy Duffel
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
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.
