HikingThe North FaceDuffel bag
The North Face Base Camp Duffel review: big, bold, and built for abuse
A British-tested brute of a duffel bag — rugged, roomy, and refreshingly simple. Don't expect fancy features, but do expect it to outlast everything else in your kit room.
By Adrian Wilson
✓ Top Pick
The North Face Base Camp Duffel (95L)
RRP~£135Weight1.84 kgVolume95L
The good
✓ Incredibly tough build
✓ Huge 95L capacity
✓ Weather-resistant design
✓ Grab handles on all sides
✓ Packs down flat when empty
The not-so-good
✗ Sweaty and uncomfortable as a backpack
✗ Minimal internal pockets
✗ Heavy when empty
At a glance
| Brand | The North Face |
| Model | Base Camp Duffel |
| RRP | ~£135 (95L) |
| Weight | 1.84 kg (95L) |
| Volume | 95L |
| Material | 1000D recycled polyester + 840D ballistic nylon base |
| Best for | Travel, hauling gear, car camping, expedition travel |
| Not for | Hiking, backpacking, mountaineering |
Overview
The North Face Base Camp Duffel is one of the brand's most iconic pieces. You've probably seen it slung over shoulders in airports, strapped to roof racks, or nestled beside climbing racks at the crag. It's designed as a rugged expedition-style hauler for carrying lots of gear — and handling the scrapes, knocks, and soaking rain that often come with that task.
We tested the 95L version, which weighs around 1.84 kg and retails around £135 — not exactly lightweight, but par for the course in this category. In the world of expedition duffels, the Base Camp sits firmly in the "classic tank" category. Against rivals like the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 100L and Osprey Transporter 95, it holds its own for durability and sheer simplicity — though it can't quite match the comfort or organisation of those options. But that's kind of the point. This bag isn't trying to do everything. It's designed to carry your gear, take a beating, and keep coming back for more. If you need both hauling and storage, it pairs brilliantly with the Base Camp Gear Box.
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How we tested
We've been using the Base Camp Duffel (Large) across months of UK-based adventures. It's become our go-to duffel for shifting bulky gear — from car camping setups to mountain photo shoots. We've loaded it up with multiple tents, sleeping bags, pads, boots, waterproofs and more, essentially packing everything four people needed for a multi-day trip. It's been chucked into boots, dragged through damp woodlands, hauled onto shoulders and bounced off gravel car parks. Despite all that, it still looks almost new — a few scuffs, but no tears, frays or zip failures.
Features and performance
Materials and durability
The Base Camp Duffel uses 1000D recycled polyester with a phthalate-free PVC coating, backed by 840D ballistic nylon on the base. In plain English: it's thick, rubbery, and built like a brick outhouse. Even when dragged through the dirt or wedged under wet boots, it shrugged off everything we threw at it. The materials give it a semi-rigid structure, which helps with packing and stacking — but also contributes to the weight.
Main compartment and organisation
The main compartment opens via a D-shaped zip, protected by a weather flap. It's not fully waterproof, but it'll survive a fair soaking without issue. Inside, there's a single mesh pocket in the lid and a small sleeve at one end. That's it — no dividers, no clever compartments, just a huge cavern of space. We actually liked that. Bring your own packing cubes or dry bags, and the flexibility makes it ideal for mixed-use travel.
Carry options and additional features
The removable backpack straps allow you to throw it on your back when needed. They're padded — just — and do the job for short distances. But there's no back padding, no ventilation, and it sits tight against your spine, which gets sweaty fast. It's fine for a train station dash or campsite wander, not for a long trail.
Around the body you'll find four compression straps, daisy chains for lashing extra kit, and grab handles on all sides. These seem like small things, but they make a huge difference when you're wrestling a 95-litre sack into the back of a van. There's also a water-resistant ID window on top for travel tags, and the whole thing folds into a mesh stow bag for easier home storage.
"It became the bag we reached for whenever things got messy, bulky, or chaotic. It swallowed gear like no one's business."
Quick tipPair with the Base Camp Gear BoxWe used the Base Camp Gear Box and Duffel together from the boot of the car — the box stored frequently accessed items; the duffel swallowed everything else. It's a brilliantly simple basecamp system.
Performance in UK conditions
Across every trip — from the Lake District to Scotland — the Base Camp Duffel did exactly what it promised. Whether loading up for a weekend away or needing to shift gear between campsites, it soaked up kit like a black hole. Even stuffed to bursting, the zips held firm, the seams didn't flinch, and the straps didn't dig painfully into hands.
Comparison with rivals
The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 100L offers better organisation and carry comfort, but costs more and doesn't have quite the same indestructible reputation. The Osprey Transporter 95 is more backpack-oriented and better on the back for longer carries. Against the Base Camp Gear Box, the Duffel carries better but stores worse — they complement each other perfectly.
Our verdict Not elegant. Not clever. Just built to outlast everything else in your kit room. The North Face Base Camp Duffel isn't trying to impress you with sleek design or clever compartments — and honestly, that's why we like it. It's refreshingly honest. It's a big, burly bag that does exactly what it says on the tin: hauls loads of gear without fuss. Over months of testing, it became the bag we reached for whenever things got messy, bulky, or chaotic. For anyone who travels by car, plane, or train and needs a tough, roomy bag that can take a beating, this is in its element. Pair it with the Base Camp Gear Box for an unbeatable mobile basecamp setup.
FAQs
How comfortable is The North Face Base Camp Duffel as a backpack?Only moderately. The removable backpack straps are handy for short hauls, but the lack of back padding and ventilation means it quickly gets sweaty and uncomfortable when fully loaded. It's fine for a short carry, but not designed for hiking distances.
How durable is The North Face Base Camp Duffel?Extremely. Built with thick recycled fabrics, bombproof stitching, and weather-resistant zips. After months of abuse — including dragging through muddy woodlands and heavy loading — ours still looks near-new.
How much can you carry in The North Face Base Camp Duffel?At 95 litres, you can easily pack gear for multiple people. We managed tents, sleeping bags, pads, boots and waterproofs for four people in a single load. It's perfect for car camping, expedition travel or gear-heavy hobbies.
Is The North Face Base Camp Duffel worth the money?If you value ruggedness and simplicity, yes. It's not cheap, but the build quality and brand reputation make it a smart long-term investment. For frequent adventurers who prioritise durability over organisation features, it's a great buy.
