Customer Reviews The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Small

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!

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 have been a huge fan of TNF bags, in fact own 15 TNF bags in total. I purchased the TNF Black / Night Green bag. I love everything about it except the change in style of grab handles. I am a woman traveller and while it might not matter to most, not all duffel bags are suited to women especially when it comes to weight distribution on a bag. I am not entirely convinced on this new system, I prefer the old handles, which is the only reason I am rating it a 3 otherwise it would be a 5.

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.

The old style small base camp duffle with the side straps was so much more convenient for daily use and for travel! Please bring them back!

The previous version of this bag had handles to life the bag with. This version doesn't have main lift handles OR a shoulder strap. So even though people say it's a great gym bag, it's awkward to carry. It has to be carried on an angle from one of the edge handles or worn as a backpack. Why would they remove this feature? If this is a duffle bag, it needs to have handles to carry it!!

If you're used to the quality of the larger duffel bags, this one may be a disappointment. The main zipper chosen for the XS is a very small coil that makes it hard to open and close, particularly at the corners where the zipper makes a 90 degree bend. Even though it seems durable, it's almost certain to blow out quickly because of the force needed to get it around the corner. And if you get one like mine, where the zipper is sewn too close to the lid at that point, the zipper stops mid-pull every single time. TNF should have stuck with a larger zipper. This bag will be going back.

New design without handles is weird. For a duffel bag It's a must. Have prevoius model in different sizes, M & L, and was Looking for XS now when I realized they took away the handles and made it a weird back pack. For Me - no buy

Totally don't understand why you took a great small duffel bag and cut the handles off and made it a kiddie backpack -- All I can think of is some urban dude whose only experience traveling is on his/her I pad who came up with this genius mov. You made a huge mistake --So go back and fix it -- already went to Patagonia --How many more people are you going to drive away-- or don't you care ??