Best Packable Duffle Bag for Travel

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If you’re planning to do a little shopping on your trip, TFG readers suggest bringing along an extra bag, and not just for souvenirs. These packable duffels come in handy for all kinds of travel needs. Check out their picks for the best foldable duffel bags!

Cute duffel bags are becoming a favorite travel accessory, but you might be wondering, do you really need one? For many travelers, the answer is yes!

Duffels come in handy as an extra bag for bringing home souvenirs, organizing overflow items, or even reworking your packing strategy for the flight home. They’re a smart backup to have on hand, especially if they’re lightweight, compact, and spacious enough to carry more than they appear.

The TFG community are pros when it comes to travel gear, and they’ve shared their favorite packable duffels that strike the perfect balance between style, function, and convenience.

Whether you’re shopping for souvenirs or simply want a flexible option for your return trip, avoid any baggage stress with these packable duffels that fold flat when not in use and springs into action when you need it most.

Want to become a packing pro? Our Stop Overpacking Ebook is the guide for you! 

What’s the Best Carry On Duffel Bag for Travel?

Shop: Amazon

Editor’s Pick: Wandf Duffel Bag Carry On

Whether you’re looking for a compact day bag or a larger piece to haul items home, the Wandf is a popular lightweight duffel bag packable in your carry-on that many readers recommend. Weighing just over 1 lb and made to withstand the wear and tear of travel, the Wandf duffel is waterproof, tear-resistant, and wearproof.

After testing several packable duffels during my multiple international moves, this one became my go-to. I’ve used the 40L, 50L, and even the 120L versions, and have been consistently impressed by how durable they are for the price.

The 40L model became my favorite, I even snapped a photo with it on one of my trips! I loved using it to fly to the U.S. with just my carry-on, then unfold the duffel for the return leg to accommodate all my purchases. The built-in trolley sleeve was a lifesaver.

Readers agree. One traveler shared, “I’m in Paris right now and we packed this for our return trip. It has a strap that can go on your luggage for transport.” Another chimed in from Italy, saying, “This bag unfolds into a duffle and I’m impressed with the quality. Also, I like the slit in the back to attach to my suitcase.”

Whether you’re planning to carry-on or check luggage on the way back, the Wandf duffel offers a smart, space-saving way to adapt to your travel needs, and might just become your new favorite too.

Find our why our readers think the Wandf is the surprising winner in the world of duffles in our review! 

Shop: Samsonite | Kohl’s

Samsonite Foldable Duffel Bag

The Samsonite Foldable Tote-A-Ton Duffel lives up to its name as a spacious, featherweight duffel that’s perfect for travelers who always end up bringing more back than they left with. Weighing just 0.84 lbs when empty and made from durable 600 denier nylon polyester, this foldable duffel is an ideal backup bag for overflow packing.

What makes it especially appealing is how much it holds without weighing you down. As one reader puts it, “This one is huge, but lightweight, and has been a workhorse! We’ve used it for years… hauling home clothes while packing purchases in our sturdier suitcase.”

Shop: Nordstrom | Macy’s | Baggallini

Baggallini Carryall Packable Tote

Lightweight and easy to pack, the Baggallini Foldable Carry-On Tote Bag is a versatile travel companion that works beautifully as a personal item that fits under most airplane seats. Equipped with multiple pockets and an expandable design, it offers surprising storage space for its slim profile.

The built-in trolley sleeve adds convenience, letting you slide it over your suitcase handle for hands-free travel through busy terminals. Available in a range of sleek, travel-friendly colors, this tote adds a functional and fashionable edge to your packing strategy.

Shop: Eddie Bauer | Macy’s

Eddie Bauer Duffel Bag

The Eddie Bauer Stowaway 45L Duffel is a compact powerhouse. Made from ultralight ripstop polyester and finished with StormRepel RP technology, so you’re covered whether you’re navigating rainy streets or hanging out at the beach.

A built-in trolley sleeve makes it easy to slide onto your suitcase, and the cleverly designed “shoe compartment” keeps footwear separate from your clean clothes. Despite its large capacity, it folds down small enough to stash in a pocket or suitcase, making it a great backup option.

Shop: Travelpro

Travelpro Foldable Duffel Bag

Whether you use the Travelpro Essentials SparePack Foldable Duffel for souvenirs, laundry, or gear that didn’t quite fit on the way out, it’s the perfect just-in-case bag when you need it most. Weighing only 0.8 lbs and made from high-density polyester, this duffel offers a smart balance of strength and portability, with a sleek design that doesn’t scream “spare bag.”

With a convenient luggage strap that slides over your suitcase handle, you can move through airports hands-free, making this lightweight duffel not just a backup, but a true travel essential.

Shop: Nordstrom | Eagle Creek

Eagle Creek Lightweight Packable Duffel

If you’re looking for a truly lightweight backup bag, the Eagle Creek Packable Duffel is hard to beat for packability and performance in one ultra-convenient package. Weighing less than 5 ounces and packing down to the size of your palm, it’s a minimalist traveler’s dream.

When expanded, it offers an impressive 30 liters of space, making it a surprisingly roomy option for everything from day trips to extra storage on the way home. One TFG reader shared, “I needed a duffel bag to travel to East Africa and this was an excellent packing option,” highlighting just how travel-ready it is, even for international adventures.

Shop: Amazon

The Foldie Foldable Travel Bag

The Foldie Foldable Travel Bag earns its top spot with our readers thanks to its smart balance of durability, packability, and everyday practicality. Weighing just 1.1 lbs, this lightweight duffel is water-repellent and designed to handle the bumps and spills of travel.

A generous 40-liter capacity and thoughtful details make The Foldie especially travel-friendly, including handy pockets that help keep smaller items organized instead of getting lost in the main compartment. Whether you’re using it as a gym bag, a weekend duffel, or an overflow bag for souvenirs, this reader-favorite option is as versatile as it is easy to carry.

Shop: Amazon

Gonex Foldable Travel Duffel Bag

This lightweight duffel from Gonex is a budget-friendly option that stands out thanks to its thoughtful design that makes packing, and unpacking, a breeze. Available in five different sizes and a wide range of colors, this duffel works just as well for weekend getaways as it does for longer trips or as a packable backup bag for the journey home. 

Multiple interior and exterior pockets, including a separate shoe compartment, offer plenty of space for organizing essentials, while the adjustable and removable shoulder strap allows you to carry it comfortably in a way that suits your travel style. There’s also a handy back sleeve that slides over luggage handles, making airport navigation a breeze.

Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway 55L Duffle

Why Travelers Swear By Packable Duffel Bags

If you already have the perfect functional luggage setup, you might wonder, why add a duffel bag to the mix?

According to TFG readers, the answer is simple: flexibility. A packable duffel gives you the freedom to shop, collect souvenirs, or reorganize your packing without stress.

These bags are also great for short excursions during longer trips, like day outings or safaris, when you don’t need to lug your full suitcase. One reader shared her clever strategy: “I am planning on filling my bag up with clothes and packing it inside my carry-on, then checking it for the return trip and packing my Christmas market purchases in the carry-on.”

Another reader offered a similar tip: “I put a foldable backpack or bag inside my carry-on. Then I just check the carry-on and carry my necessities for the flight on the way home in the smaller bag. That way, I can bring all my purchases home without worrying about weight or whether they are liquid.”

From practical overflow storage to packing hacks for souvenirs and gifts, there are so many smart uses for a lightweight, packable duffel. And when they’re this compact and easy to carry, why wouldn’t you bring one along?

Compass Rose Carryon Size Packing Cubes: Slim Size Cubes | Medium Size Cubes

How to Organize Items in Your Luggage

Packing cubes can help organize items within your regular luggage and even in your duffle. We designed our own brand of slim packing cubes, with a unique color and numbering system, so it’s easy to remember where you’ve packed everything which is illustrated in the video below.

Learn our hacks with packing cubes in the video above!

We also put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!

What do you think is the best duffel bag for travel? Share and comment below!

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