The North Face Base Camp Voyager Evaluation

Backside Line

Many customers will possible discover The North Face Basecamp Voyager fairly the Goldilocks possibility for a lot of adventures: excellent. It is available in a number of sizes, has one exterior pocket that expands to suit a pair of soiled footwear or related, and has a repositionable inside divider that helps preserve gear separate and arranged on the within. 

The lid, with its padded pocket, provides a handy and accessible place to slip a laptop computer and the stashable pack straps when not in use. We examined it on fast weekend journeys and to maintain bike gear contained at the back of the automotive when rolling out to trailheads in Utah. We liked the straightforward accessibility and performance of this duffel.

The bag is much from waterproof like different duffels we examined, however that’s hardly a dealbreaker. These on the lookout for a reliable, versatile duffel with organizational choices will discover this a strong possibility.

Carry Consolation

We love useful carry choices, and The North Face Base Camp Voyager has sufficient to fulfill the pickiest amongst us. There are solely two–stowable backpack straps and seize handles on high. Because of the addition of snug and padded duffel handles on all 4 sides, there have been loads of methods to hold it. We wish to see an over-the-shoulder strap added on for good measure.

The carry choices that do exist are greater than sufficient for many conditions. The pack straps are minimally padded in order that they’re tolerably comfortable when the bag is absolutely loaded (although they is perhaps much less so with bigger variations of the bag crammed with extra weight). The straps unclip from the underside and tuck right into a low-profile sleeve within the lid. The grip wrap across the seize handles on high isn’t padded, however we didn’t thoughts with a bag this small, particularly when carting it quick distances.

Compressibility & Packability

When it got here to packing this duffel, the method was a delight. The lid opens broad, unzipping on three out of 4 sides. The opening is about the identical measurement as the primary compartment. That made it straightforward to load up with clothes or gear with or with out packing cubes.

There’s no inside compression, however the duffel does fold down, which makes it straightforward to retailer when not in use. There’s a detachable inside divider that makes it straightforward to maintain issues sorted whereas packing and unpacking.

Sturdiness

Once we put this duffel by means of sturdiness testing by tossing it down stairs, dragging it across the yard, and throwing it across the again of a car, it was by no means the more serious for put on. It hardly even scuffed – it simply received a bit of soiled. Nevertheless it was straightforward to scrub because of the sturdy TPU-coated recycled materials that the physique of the bag is fabricated from. A padded backside provided a little bit of peace of thoughts when setting the bag down extra aggressively than we supposed, and the padded lid provided a extra protecting place for a laptop computer.

Sturdy zippers on the primary opening felt like they may face up to years of use, although the zips on accent pockets had been a bit extra normal in measurement and should not maintain out for as lengthy, however time will inform.

Climate Resistance

Sadly, the weatherproofing on this duffel left a lot to be desired. After an hour within the rain, many of the within the bag was damp, and the paper we positioned inside to check for water fastness was absolutely saturated. This means that regardless of a beneficiant storm flap over the primary zipper compartment, loads of water nonetheless managed to search out its approach in.

We’re not saying that will cease us from recommending this bag – we don’t typically make a behavior of leaving our duffel out in inclement climate. When you do, the poor climate resistance is definitely one thing to think about, particularly if you happen to plan to retailer your laptop computer within the lid pocket.

Group

One factor we particularly appreciated about this duffel was its organizational options. For starters, it’s the one duffel we examined with a devoted laptop computer sleeve that matches a typical 15” laptop computer. That sleeve is just minimally padded, although, and makes the bag a bit uncomfortable to hold as a backpack when there’s a pc in there, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a helpful factor to have.

Then there’s all of the pockets, 5 in complete. Two inside mesh zip pockets preserve small objects like headlamps and sunscreen straightforward to search out, there’s a bigger mesh pocket on the underside of the lid for bigger objects like gloves or hats, and there are two exterior zipper pockets. One, we discovered, is best for small objects like hand heaters, and the opposite suits a pair of footwear or equally sized objects, which suggests you possibly can preserve soiled gear separate.

However our favourite characteristic is perhaps the detachable and repositionable divider in the primary compartment that allows you to create separation from clothes and equipment, clear and soiled, or two individuals’s using attire.

Ought to You Purchase The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel?

The North Face Base Camp Voyager duffel is a greater than succesful possibility for touring close to and much, with clothes or gear, throughout the nation or all over the world. And given its efficiency and capabilities, it’s a reasonably good worth for the cash.

In spite of everything, it has a number of organizational pockets for soiled gear like boots, accent pockets, and that helpful detachable and repositionable divider in the primary compartment. It will not be very climate resistant, however these not overly involved about taking their duffel out in additional than a lightweight drizzle shouldn’t have something to fret about.

It’s an amazing selection as a weekend bag for brief journeys, conserving gear sorted and separated on afternoon outings, and the bigger variations are excellent for longer journey, particularly if you happen to’ll be carting round a laptop computer. That mentioned, if you wish to guarantee all of your items keep dry it doesn’t matter what climate could roll in, there are definitely extra waterproof choices on the market. And if you happen to plan to do numerous carrying it round in your again for lengthy durations of time, there are extra snug choices out there.

What Different Duffel Luggage Ought to You Take into account?

When you’re undecided the The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel is best for you in any of the out there sizes, it’s possible you’ll need to contemplate one of many different stand-out duffels we’ve examined.

Patagonia Black Gap Evaluation: For a extra conventional, waterproof duffel, contemplate the traditional Patagonia Black Gap. Its sizeable single opening, restricted pockets, and several other carry choices make it a strong selection for a lot of vacationers.

Cotopaxi Allpa Duo Evaluation: One giant principal compartment and detachable shoulder straps make this duffel much like the Base Camp Voyager, however as an alternative of enormous facet pockets, it has a separate compartment on the underside for soiled garments.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Evaluation: Made from extremely sturdy supplies and good giant pockets for cumbersome gear like boots or helmets, this bag remains to be straightforward to pack, lots spacious, and comfy to hold.