Whats a good large duffel bag for airports?

North Face Base Camp duffels, in various sizes. Extremely durable; fabric is reminiscent of whitewater raft material . Whether you can withstand the looks and huge logo is personal preference. Pricey, yes, but it'll probably be the last duffel you buy.

The first ascent ones look similar, and just as promising, but no experience.

As to whether they will get targeted for theft based on their appearance/branding…beats me, but I've never had a problem. I suspect that the Louis Vuitton roller from that guy in first class would be far more appealing than my duffel.

FYI, the size small TNF duffel works very well as a carry on, and fits in overhead.

An old Army duffel bag, or a flight/parachute bag if you can find 'em. Tough as all get out, and not what most people are looking to steal. You don't even mind taking a magic marker and putting your name on the side in big, block letters. You can find them at surplus stores and such.

My Patagonia 120L Black Hole Duffel swallows up my 4500 cu in pack, boots, ice axe, you name it.

Has survived several flights onboard American and Southwest airlines unscathed.

The black is fairly subdued with a tone on tone logo on the side. Nice beefy zippers and straps so it can be carried thru an airport like a backpack.

You can put a small lock thru the holes on the end of the zippers, though this is really only a deterrent.

I got some Kelty duffles from Sierra Trading Post for a good price and because they have no wheels or padding, they don't eat into the 50-pound allowance and they wedge into a rental car trunk MUCH better than a roller duffles.

11-pound roller duffles made more sense in the 70-pound-bag days, IMNSHO.

You know it's worth $2000. I know it. But a minimum-wage TSA screener or airport baggage handler probably doesn't. Thefts from luggage are up this last decade in part because TSA and the airlines can point fingers at each other and claim it isn't their problem.

A retired-young dot-com friend travels a LOT to icy high-lattitude places and absolutely has had camera gear stolen from checked bags. But we're talking book-sized bits that go for $5000. The newest stuff that decently fenceable.

But lay it all out, take a photo beforehand. Do it again before you leave the airport. Maybe put a printed inventory right on top. Doesn't even have to be up to date, it just has to look like you know and can prove every little bit in there.

I HATE when I've got things packed and padded the way I want and then TSA reshuffles it all with no regard for sharp corners, fragile stuff, frozen fish, etc. But you do, too.

I use Manhattan Portage basic duffle bag (not too expensive), reinforced inside with scraps of cardboard. I think you can find a travel insurance that will cover the theft, lost baggage for less than $50-100 premium.

http://www.redoxx.com/Aviator-Duffel-Bags/150/150/dept

I really like these, they are super durable, relatively inexpensive, come in various sizes, don't look too fancy and made in Montana.

Only negative is that they don't have attachments for shoulder straps. If you want those take a look at their expedition luggage line.

Have a look at this one – varying sizes available. Bomber.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/recreation/travel-urban-packs/spandura-duffel-medium

Also, never personally tried but have heard amazing things about Kifaru duffels. I do, however, own a kifaru pack and can vouch for the companies attention to detail and bomb-proof construction. Their packs survive getting dropped out of planes…literally.
http://www.kifaru.net/duffels.html

Kelty makes some good ones that are very durable and heavy. Eagle Creek makes some good ones that are also very durable and heavy. Outdoor Products makes some good ones that are not so durable or heavy. I have some of each in different sizes, including one that is large enough that I can climb inside it and zip it closed.

A good idea is to get a sheet of corrugated cardboard and put it inside the bag. That serves to protect the contents slightly from the average airport gorilla baggage handler, especially if you have any pointy things inside.

–B.G.–

I have a Rab duffel bag I use, I wrap valuables up in clothing

Check out Wild Things’ duffel bags

Wild Things bags are great. Also the Patagonia Black Hole though I'm not sure it's still made.

the wt burro bag and the pata black hole. they are both right around 20-years old and have some scars from a lot of millage, but they are both bullet-proof and refuse to die. one of the things that sets the black hole apart is a floating divider with separate zipper that allows you to completely separate wet/dirty clothing into a vented side of the bag. that feature has come in very handy. when buying any large duffel for air travel(unless you don't care) make sure its dimensions don't throw you into the over-sized (i.e. very expensive) luggage category. last time i checked the limit was l+w+h=61".