Customer Reviews The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Extra Large

excellent size and compartments

Overall, this is a really good bag. I like that it's waterproof and it can take a beating without getting beat up. It's really durable. And it comes in a wide range of colors. I use this for a gym bag to hold all of my weightlifting and power-lifting gear. I also will use it for weekend trips, etc. I would suggest two improvements to this bag. First, the straps could really use some work. Not the shoulder strap (that's fine), but the straps used to support the bag. They're REALLY flimsy and they twist too easily, which means you end up with a hard, thin, twisted cord instead of the wider strap that it should be. I'm always having to stop and untwist the straps, which is really annoying. That's how I discovered that the straps are not as easily adjustable as they should be for a bag at this price, which surprised me. The second recommendation I would make is to add another panel pocket inside the bag. My bag only has one small zipped pocket, and it's one the "lid" of the bag. I wish there was a second zipper panel inside along the sides somewhere because when I carry my bag (which is always full of gear) everything goes to the bottom of the bag. So when I need to find something, I have to pull everything out of the bag until I put my hand on what I'm looking for. Another inside pocket would make it much easier to organize the contents of the bag. Other than the sub-par straps and my desire for another pocket, it's a great bag that I think will hold up for a long time.

I bought one in Medium... way too big as carry on, can any one confirm if the S is carry on compatible? Thanks!

I bought one in Medium... way too big as carry on, can any one confirm if the XS is carry on compatible? Thanks!

This is a fun duffle bag in so many style and size options. I'd love them all. I prefer duffles over suitcases as they are lighter and more stuffable ;) This would also make a great gym bag, ski bag, or for any other reason you could dream up!

Great bag, I ordered black but shortly after I got it, noticed they have even more great colors now for the small. Wish I had waited a week! This version is different that prior years as noted. Still no snap off straps which would be helpful. The video on the site looks like the straps snap off but nope. There are NO cay handles like old year....saw one complaint about that. Not that big a deal as the backpack straps can be used for 'hand' straps to carry the bag. Seems that hand straps and backpack straps would be a bit 'too many straps' but I never had the old bag so who know I have some packing cubes that i'll use to help keep the contents relatively in order otherwise it's one big open compartment and there would be significant shifting. No lock holes on the zippers but if you have the travel locks that have the wire loops like I do, they will still work.

The 50L size bag is perfect. I love that it is water resistant and has the capability to be a backpack - extremely helpful. However, I will say the zippers are a little subpar. It is actually difficult to zip/unzip the main pouch, which is a little annoying when you need to go in and out of the bag on vacation. Also, I will note that dirt/sand does cling to the material and is not easy to brush off. Overall, a good bag but could use some improvements!

This product is great but it's also not so great. The ability to carry this as a backpack is the obvious plus. However, the straps used to do so are awkward and clunky. They get in the way trying to get into the bag and is the main reason I returned the item. Also, why no shoulder strap for a duffel bag? Or at least some loops to attach one? If you're looking for a traditional duffel bag, I would not recommend. I'm giving 4 stars because it is a high quality bag, compressible, and has multiple uses (durable weekend bag, airline personal item) and there is a niche for people who want to use it.

Wished the size S had handles to hold and a shoulder strap.

I have this bag in large, it has carry handles, and its rugged and practical - awesome! I've been monitoring the small size for over 2 years now, waiting and waiting for TNF to listen to feedback that this bag needs carry handles. The bag is currently stating that its a 'new arrival', so I guess that means I'll have to wait another year to see if they can address this. A duffle style bag is primarily a hand carried item, with the shoulder straps adding another option; it's not the other way around. Bring back the handles!!

Not sure why they updated the larger bags but not smaller. Please add the carry handles back on the small sized bags! And why does it have to be an option between grab handles and duffel carry handles? Leave all 4 grab handles and add the duffel straps back. Also the grab handles on the sides are really sturdy and padded and nice but the ones at the ends are flimsy and even thinner than the previous model. Make them the same.

I like the haul handles/loops but they don't replace the need for wrap around handles. The side and end mounted handles add to the ability to grab/drag/lash but aren't as comfortable to walk with and don't support a loosely packed bag.

I wanted to like it. As a duffle bag this bag is awesome. I wanted to use it as my carry on (S size) to avoid issues and extra time spend with check in bags. So my intended use of it as a replacement for backpack. This duffle shoulder straps buckles do not hold in place causing straps to slide wide open (and because they are quite long) bag become very wobley on your back and almost impossible to carry this way. Other then that it's perfect. So if you intend to use it as backpack look somewhere else

Firearm cleaning a safety materials.

I use this pack for my clothes, personal items etc when camping. I do love the design but does need interior pockets. And the zipper leaks badly.......not water resistant. If the zipper didn't leak I would have rate this pack higher and consider buying it again. Thanks

This duffel bag is among the best! We all know this. It lands among the top bags in the industry on every review list. The quality is there. The features are there. Everything about the bag is perfect, except with this updated version of the bag, TNF removed the duffel straps, and went with only backpack style straps. This change doesn't make any sense at all to me. Bring back the duffel straps, and you've got the perfect bag.

I fly often and while I have plenty of large suitcases, I was missing a smaller duffle bag for shorter trips. As I've taken this bag on a few trips the past few weeks, it did not fare well for a variety of reasons. The main reason is the bag gets marked up quickly. I took this bag on 3 different flights. Every time I went to pick it up from baggage claim the bag arrived more scuffed and dirtier than before. Upon arriving at the hotel, I would wipe it off and about half of the black marks would come off. However, the next trip they were all back again. Obviously it's not North Faces fault that airport baggage handlers are rough, however this bag has no ability to withstand airport conveyor belts or rough airline handling. I wish I had purchased a dark color. I've owned this bag for a month, but after only 3 airport trips it looks like I've had it for years. Would recommend buying a dark color if you plan to travel via air with this bag.

Seriously, how many user complaints about the lack of top handles or a shoulder strap will it take before North Face listens? It's great that the Base Camp has backpack straps so that it can be carried on the back, but that should be a bonus, not the only practical way to carry this bag single-handed. That's the only issue that's stopping me from buying the small Base Camp "duffel". Otherwise, it's a great size and bag for overnight or weekend trips, especially since it's almost a perfect fit for a carry-on.

I could not use this bag. It was too small for what I was wanting in a bag so i ended up returning it and getting small. I only write this review to warn others that the XS (OS) is VERY small and probably only could fit small items in it at a time. Unless you have a child using this or a specific use case I'd recommend getting the small base camp. My daily camera bag seems like it has a larger footprint than this bag.

Overall, this is a great and tough bag. But there's one major flaw: the removal of the top handles/straps in this latest design. By removing those, this bag is no longer a duffel bag; it's a backpack, but the only way to load and unload items into it is via the main compartment zip, which when positioned as a duffel bag is considered the "top", but when used as a backpack, would be the "front" (as positioned against the back of the person wearing it). And now there's no practical or comfortable way to one-hand hold this bag without tipping it over either to its side or on its end, so even though the contents are loaded duffel bag style, carrying it will tip it over and potentially shift the contents to one side/end or the other. Please bring back the top handles. This bag in small is a great size for a carry-on, but is not practical to use as a travel bag (or even as a normal duffel bag while on the move) without the top handles, as it limits the quick and ease of access to the contents due to having to carry it as a backpack.

I have bought 5 of these bags (2-small and 3-medium). Both as gifts and for myself. Those 2 sizes are perfect for the overhead compartment on an airplane. I will buy more once you add the handles back on all four sides. Honestly the longer duffle bag straps just get in the way. The smaller handles never get in the way and I love the backpack straps.

This will be my main bag for traveling. It holds 50 cubic liters, but I would seldom fill it full. If stuffed full, it might not qualify as a carry-on at a combined set of linear inches of 47 (45 the usual max for carry-on). It's sturdy and will not tear from baggage handling.

Good size and style. Would be Great if the xsmall had top carry handle for easier transport.

This bag is extremely well made, material and stitching. Can't say enough how well-made it is. Perfect size also for carry-on. Easily can be used for a week trip. So the downsides? It is missing a shoulder strap and also middle handle. I know they redesigned this bag, but those are really big misses now. Very bulky to handle through an airport without the shoulder strap or middle handle to quickly grab and go. Because of this I opted out of this bag for recent travel. I instead went with Best American Duffel 3.0 bag and it is better made, American made, and extremely user friendly in all regards. Better cinch straps, arguably better bag material also. Check that bag out as part of your choice considerations. It is not 100% waterproof, but though will likely last a lifetime. North Face needs to bring back the shoulder strap and middle strap for this size of bag. Once they do, it will be hard not to reconsider.

the zipper is horribel, i dont know if IT is just my bag, but i hate the zipper!