The North Face Base Camp medium duffel bag review
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Cost
★★★★☆
Performance
★★★★☆
Overall Score
★★★★☆
Overall Score ★★★★☆
Verdict: Balancing a new premium colour scheme with practicality, the North Face Base Camp Medium Duffel Bag is a rugged, stylish, and highly functional travel bag at a good price.
With its roots in expedition-grade durability, this 71-litre duffel is built for adventure, whether you're travelling by plane, train, or heading off-grid.
The standout feature of this edition is its New Taupe Green / Smokey Brown / Utility Brown colourway. Earthy, understated, and rich in tone, the palette evokes a sense of refined utility. It’s a premium look that subtly hints at its outdoor heritage without shouting for attention. The matte finish and tonal contrast between the muted greens and browns give the bag a military-inspired, tactical feel, perfect for travellers who want something that looks rugged but feels elevated.
Functionally, the Base Camp Duffel is engineered for resilience. Constructed from water-resistant, laminated ballistic nylon, it can take a beating, making it ideal for everything from airport baggage handlers to bumpy 4x4 rides. The iconic cylindrical duffel design is simple yet cleverly thought out. A single D-zip opening runs across the top of the bag, giving you wide access to the main compartment. The zip is tough, lockable, and shielded with a weather-resistant flap, offering peace of mind whether you’re tossing it in an overhead locker or strapping it to the roof of a Land Rover.
For hands-free carrying, the bag comes with detachable, adjustable alpine-cut shoulder straps, converting it into a backpack when needed. The straps are padded for comfort but slim enough to stash away if you’re checking it in. There are also twin side haul handles and grab loops at both ends, so you can manoeuvre it easily from any angle.
Inside, there’s a zipped mesh pocket under the lid for smaller essentials and compression straps to keep your gear in place. The structure holds its shape just enough to make packing simple, yet it’s flexible enough to squeeze into tight spaces.
Overall, The medium North Face Base Camp Duffel in this colourway is a travel companion that doesn’t compromise, rugged enough for the road, refined enough to carry with confidence. Whether you're packing for a weekend break or a longer expedition, it’s a bag that makes a statement of capability and style.
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