Customer Reviews The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Small

i own two previous model nf duffels i like them so much i got the small in black.. the bag is great, durable, weather resistant. i noted the newer model only comes with the backpack straps for carry, no duffel straps or shoulder sling strap. its tough to carry as a backpack as it is a duffel. i purchased a separate shoulder strap from a dif outdoor store which makes it easier to carry away from the body. the bag can be carried short distance as a backpack. Its great for gear, the small size is convenient as a carry on.. only complaint is the straps..

I bought this product because every description on every web site says how tough and durable they are. Backcountry uses descriptors like "bombproof" and "withstands a lifetime of abuse". I wanted something big, tough, easy to haul, and fairly weatherproof. On the very first flight, this duffel came into baggage claim with slight tearing in the outer layer. Definitely not what I expected after the first use. Have used it many times since that first trip and it is still my go to, but I was definitely disappointed that it did not even hold up to one encounter with the baggage handlers.

Really like the bag as long as somebody carries it for me. The bag itself is well made and love the cinching options. The reason for my review is to tell you the shoulder straps are awful!! They don't have nearly the amount of padding that is needed to carry this bag. The straps don't lock together which would be really helpful to take some of the weight off and to keep the straps from slipping. I can't even take this bag on vacations without hesitation if I know I will be carrying it around a lot.

It's a little small for what I'd expect from a bag that sizes 'large'. Except for that the quality and lightweightedness are irreproachable

i saw this bag in a sports experts and i loved it except for the color options. why don't they have black or even grey without the pink fluff? looking around for other options.

This bag is a nice bag... However, there are no pockets inside or outside Very Expensive and nothing to write about

Great material but doesn't fulfill the purpose if you are looking for a duffle bag. It turns out that the only option to carry this bag is as a backpack. No option to carry it over the shoulder or just by hand like you would do with a normal duffle bag.

I have owned many NF duffels and the small base camp bags are fantastic. Unfortunately as you get into the larger bags the materials don't get any stronger, and because of this tearing is common. I have had two of the 95L bags and both have ripped when transporting on international flights. I do a lot of global flying and a durable bag is a must.

Bag is a nice design. Minus teo major flaws. No shoulder strap or hand carry handles. This should not be called a duffle but rather a large bookbag. Not sure when or why it was changed. But the bag would be much better if it had those two straps along with the bookbag carry straps it already comwa with

This is a new design of the classic NF duffle. But I can't understand why they call it a duffle anymore as it lacks two very fundamental basic aspects of a duffle. You should be able to carry a "duffle" by either a shoulder strap that attaches to the two opposite ends of the bag or, as an alternative, grab the duffle by the two handles in the middle of the bag and clench this with one hand. This bag used to have both; now it has neither. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. You can either use it as a backpack, which is not the best use of the design, or you can grab it by a single handle on the side, which makes for awkward unbalanced carry. I bought one from an online retailer and could not figure out how to carry it like a duffle - you simply can't.

I bought this for a Christmas gift for my son last year. I didn't unfold it and take it apart when I received it. I would have returned it if I had. The description stated that there was a shoulder strap. It only has backpack straps, which are awkward for side carry. I was expecting a regular duffel shoulder strap. There aren't handles on the top for carrying either, and the zippers don't work smoothly. The material is substantial, but I expected a better bag for the price and based on the description.

North face, why would you get rid of the handles? it wasn't broken but you fixed it. Terrible

I regret this purchase. I have an older model that has hand straps, but for some reason this one does not. It only has the backpack straps. Most people (myself included) carry duffels by hand, at least occasionally. But you can't do that with this bag. Only lug it around by the backpack straps. I wish I had the old model back with the hand straps.

Love the idea of these bags. Have a medium, large and XL. Nice and light to travel with and room for everything. That comes with a catch though as they wear out pretty easy after a few trips through the airport. Definitely not waterproof. Last trip to tofino to surf I had the bag in the back of the truck while it was raining. I was hoping things would stay dry but they didn't. Would love to have a duffel that's actually waterproof.

I bought my back 5 days ago, I was quite excited to use it, as it looked like it will work perfectly for my needs ( safety) (zip to my back) but as soon as a packed the bag and tried it out to feel the weight on my back. I started noticing that it is pulling apart slowly at the seams where the straps attach. Now my flight is tomorrow, and I'm not sure if it will survive it. I cannot decide whether to buy another bag or to give it a chance but then arrive on the other side, stuck, with a torn and useless bag

Whoever removed the duffel straps from the duffel bag should simply be let go from your design team. I have searched everywhere for an older version and ended up buying a Patagonia.

The bag was perfect in all ways except... it has a shiny GOLD interior. This is not stated anywhere in the description. For such a bold (i.e. tacky) color choice, this should be shown in the pictures.

Please Go Back to the old design! Don't fix what isn't broken.

Most disappointed in this duffle. On the second airline trip, the end of the bag had 4 tears down to the mesh lining. So much for indestructible. While I'm a big North Face fan, this is definitely not the quality I've come to expect.

By changing the design they have ruined otherwise an almost perfect bag. There is no strap to carry it on your shoulder. There are no holes to attach a padlock. TNF - what have you done?

I bought this bag 10 days ago, took it on one flight, and it already has a rip in it! Poor quality! I bought it to easily carry around as I like the look of the bag and the idea of using it as a backpack in lieu of a shoulder strap for a duffel bag. It is just not made well. It gets scuffles and black marks easily and obviously the quality is not there if it cannot even make it through one US flight without the material ripping. Poor quality for a company like The North Face. Now I have to waste my time to drive 40 minutes to return it because I'm not keeping this bag.

Whoever thought it was a good idea to change the handle design should be fired. This new bag design is the New Coke of duffles. Do not buy until they correct this error in judgement and give the consumer a useful bag with decent carrying handles. I'll be buying something else.

I was attracted by the videos and pictures from the description, but it turns out totally different with the product. The hand strap above the shoulder strap is totally missing, and the side zippers are also missing. the product is definitely another version of the bag. Quite disappointed to be honest.

I've been the happy owner of a TNF duffel for many years - Fantastic duffel bag! But I recently ordered a new one as supplement, and realized that you on the new model for some reason have removed the two carry handles in the sides, which means that it is has become very difficult to carry the bag by hand. OK, I admit, the shoulder straps are improved - but that does not make it up for the loss of carry handles... Seems to me, you have turned your world-class duffel into a not too successful mix between a travel bag and a backpack. I've now returned the bag, and will try to look for an old model (or another brand) instead. Any change we can get the carry handles back?

I have two and I need more. I can't believe that you have removed the longer side handles. This makes the bag useless for carrying large, heavy loads. I have no idea who you surveyed before making this change to a classic, essential piece of gear. Just hang out at an airport any place with mountains and the choice is clear. Please fix this. In the mean time, I'll be looking for an older version. If you have one, please direct me to the place to buy it.