Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Summer 2018.
Perfecting the duffle bag has long been the quest of purveyors of outdoor equipment. It must not only protect our clothes and a medley of gear, but also be durable enough to survive the rigors of real-world travel. During the past few decades, we’ve tasked the duffle with additional responsibilities: lashing it to our vehicles or motorcycles, doubling as a backpack, and keeping our socks dry in foul weather.
Last year I picked up a Velomacchi Speedway Hybrid 50-liter duffle and have since utilized it during a variety of trips. My first impressions were that the 1000D exterior fabric and rubberized YKK #10 zipper would do a great job of keeping my clothes dry, and they have. Dual compression straps cinch things down enough for the Speedway to be used as a carry-on, and also proved lashing points for securing it to the back of a bike or on a roof rack. The sturdy shoulder harness, which is wide enough so as to not cut into my clavicle, features cam-lock adjusters and a magnetic sternum strap. I like that both the shoulder and carry straps tuck neatly into pockets, thus reducing the possibility of snagging. Velcro pockets frame both sides, and the zipper’s T-handle is easy to grasp with gloved hands.
$279 | www.velomacchi.com
