I’ve found the workhorse of all duffels! The Big Agnes Big Joe has become my go-to bag for all things messy, rugged, outdoorsy and practical. This tarmac waterproof bag can withstand anything!
The Big Joe comes in three sizes (45L, 80L, and 110L), with multiple strap options to allow you to heft it to your shoulder when it’s too heavy to carry as a regular duffel or grab from the side if it’s carrying a lighter load. It stands upright, and is a top-loading bag with a cavernous opening, which makes it easy to stash stuff quickly and find it just as fast. While the bulk of the bag is one big section, you do get a zippered interior pocket that’s accessible from the outside.
The welded seams mean you can leave the Big Joe in a drizzle on the airport tarmac without worry or toss it in your car rooftop cargo box and know everything will stay dry. Right now, we’re using ours to store our car emergency supplies in the back of our SUV, such as our jumper cables, extra blankets, water bottles, flashlights, and the like. We can leave it all in the car and know it’s staying dry. We’ve also used the Big Joe on camping trips to store pillows, sleeping bags, and other items we want to keep clean in a dirty campsite.
We haven’t traveled by air with it yet, but you could check it and know it will take the beating it will be subjected to without being fazed. I love that there are lots of additional webbing loops to utilize on the outside, so it can carry even more than what it can hold in volume. It’s made of 420D high-tenacity nylon, with 3 line rip-stop fabric that’s puncture and abrasion resistant.
It comes in gray, black, and a bright lime, for $109-$159, depending on size choice. Pick it up at Big Agnes or Amazon!