Approximately 90% of the time, my family and I travel carry-on only, with 22″ wheeled luggage. However, for that 10% of the time we check a bag, we want a workhorse of a duffel that’s also easy to pull and transport.
- 400D Two Tone Nylon.
- 840 Denier Nylon.
- Retractable Handle.
- Nylon Softside Rolling.
The High Sierra AT8 wheeled duffel upright fits the bill, and served me nicely during an industry-related trip when I needed to bring a lot of gear back home with me.
I love that this duffel fits a ton at 32″, but isn’t wide and bulky. Instead, it’s quite streamlined with a slim, tall design, and I can easily navigate from rental car or shuttle van to airport with the wheels and carry handle.
You get a multi-compartment design with the AT8, in the aforementioned 32″ length with a 2″ expansion gusset. The main compartment is a large, drop-bottom section, which opens like a butterfly opening.
Then there are two side-loading water resistant gear compartments (perfect for shoes, extra cords and toiletries, and anything you need to grab-and-go, plus a front panel area with waterproof zipper and a fleece lined pocket for electronics and anything else that needs more pampering.
I’m not about to put my laptop or tablet into a bag that will be checked, but I did use that compartment for my extra pair of sunglasses and electronic cords and gizmos. I loved that you can open the top and access your main compartment without completely unzipping everything.
It’s easy to walk with the AT8, which is essential. The telescoping handle has a soft gel-bottom grip, which is a nice touch, and the whole bag tilts sharply when pulled, which puts less strain on the arm than I anticipated.
You get grab handles on the top, side, and bottom, and there are backpack straps should you want them (hidden away when you don’t). The AT8 felt too big for me to want to carry like a backpack, but I was glad the option was there, in case of any need. The whole duffel weighs 11 pounds.
- 400D Two Tone Nylon.
- 840 Denier Nylon.
- Retractable Handle.
- Nylon Softside Rolling.
If you like the design of the AT8 but want a carry-on option, it does come in a 22″ size, as well as a 26″, if you want a checked-luggage option that’s smaller than the tall 32″. It comes in only one color–black with ‘zest’ accents, which is a citrus yellow–and is a very affordable $219 for the 32″.
Pick it up at High Sierra, eBags, or Amazon for a few bucks less.