I stepped into a friend’s atmospheric cabin in the shadow of Mt. Rainier as the last of winter’s snow melted in the shade of innumerable fir trees. I received a text message from my friend, an accomplished and respected industrial designer, saying that he had left a few cool things on the sofa beside the fireplace for me to put to the test. To my surprise, a collection of Bubba Goose bags was waiting for me to enjoy. I have great friends! Nearly a year since that blissful weekend, we have traveled across the US and Mexico with our Defender, and the Bubba Goose bags have been our constant, reliable, practical, and stylish companions. In this Field test, we will have a close look at the features and performance of the medium HD Duffel in Coyote color, a large Duffel in Natural/Wolf Gray color, and a Wolf Backpack in Wolf Gray color.
Bubba Goose Design, founded in the summer of 2022 by Delian Scudder, has at its core an innovative approach to creating robust and sustainable products. With two decades of product development experience for the US Military and the outdoor industry, Scudder has leveraged his expertise to launch a brand that, according to the Bubba Goose website, stands for quality, sustainability, and local production. Made in the USA, in Seattle to be precise, at the heart of Bubba Goose Design’s philosophy is the commitment to using high-quality, locally sourced materials. The company employs fabrics upcycled from the military and outdoor industries, ensuring that each piece is not only durable but also environmentally friendly. This commitment is embodied in their flagship product, the Bubba Goose Duffel—a bag that combines military-grade resilience with cutting-edge design.
Bubba Goose Duffel
The Bubba Goose duffel is crafted from 1,000 denier DuPont Cordura and reinforced with Kevlar-reinforced nylon laminate, materials chosen for their proven durability and performance in harsh conditions. This duffel bag features a minimalist design that emphasizes functionality and durability. It is equipped with exterior Velcro patches, a Texas-origin leather shoulder strap liner, webbing, buckles, and two robust YKK coil center zippers. Despite its rugged build, the bag remains surprisingly lightweight at just 1.1 pounds.
The Bubba Goose duffel stands out for its aesthetic appeal as it looks like a premium product, even from afar. Also available in colors like black and coyote, it offers a stylish yet understated look that appeals to both outdoor enthusiasts and urban adventurers. As far as duffles go, the Bubba Goose Duffel in large is not a large duffel, that said it is large enough to carry a weekend worth of summer clothing and still be TSA carry-on compliance. This compact efficiency is achieved by a combination of design and materials; the Cordura base material is almost thin enough to be translucent (in the wolf gray color) but has proven to be as tough and hardy as any thicker material that we have tested in the past. Additionally, the straps and handles are minimalist and add no significant volume to the duffel at all. If anything, my only gripe with the duffel and heavy-duty duffel below is that the slim shoulder strap is less comfortable than a broad shoulder strap for long walks with a heavy load. * After publishing this article the Bubba Goose owner, and chief designer, reached out to inform us that he is working on a wide duffel shoulder strap retrofit that will be offered at no cost for Bubba Goose duffel owners.
$140 | Duffel
Bubba Goose HD Duffel
If you need a heavier-duty duffel, the Bubba Goose HD Duffel in Coyote is a robust, medium-sized bag designed for heavy-duty use. This duffel features a waterproof, sustainable X-Pack RX30 shell and a reinforced base with two layers of military-spec 1000 denier Cordura. It includes a foam insert for added rigidity and padding.
The bag is equipped with extra-heavy-duty military webbing for the handles and shoulder strap, ensuring strength and comfort. An oversized YKK zipper designed for snag-free operation with gloved hands and a large exterior velcro patch for personalization with IDs or patches enhances its utility. The HD duffel is remarkably similar to the Bubba Goose duffel, except that it is intended for rougher use, and the duffel is not a slouch by any means.
$200 | HD Duffel
Bubba Goose Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack by Bubba Goose Design is a versatile backpack available in three sizes—narrow, regular, and wide. Designed for both everyday use and outdoor adventures, this pack is crafted from US-milled military-grade 1000 denier Cordura fabric and reinforced nylon laminate, ensuring durability. It features a lightweight design under 2 pounds, large exterior pockets for easy access, and a comfortable fit adjustable for a range of body sizes. The pack includes an internal neon green signal panel for visibility, enhancing its utility in various environments. Hand-sewn in Seattle, it combines functionality with rugged style.
The portage straps can take a bit of getting used to as they are designed to be highly adaptive and robust while retaining the minimalist style of the Bubba Goose duffles. The backpack can easily store a surprising amount of gear, and the two large front pockets are more than adequate for carrying larger gear (water bottles, tech, etc.) that might otherwise need to be stored within the main compartment. The main compartment is easily accessed thanks to the longitudinal front zipper.
$220 | Wolf Pack
Overall, we are impressed by the practical design and robustness of the Bubba Goose duffel and backpack. The materials used are as tough as advertised and seem nearly impossible to stain or discolor, and the clips and latches have a premium feel and function. Given the high quality of both the materials and design, these bags are well worth the asking price, which is significantly lower than similar products we have tested.
Read More: eBike Buyers Guide
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