The North Face Base Camp Voyager 42L Duffel Review

Bottom Line

Many users will likely find The North Face Basecamp Voyager quite the Goldilocks option for many adventures: just right. It comes in several sizes, has one exterior pocket that expands to fit a pair of dirty shoes or similar, and has a repositionable interior divider that helps keep gear separate and organized on the inside. 

The lid, with its padded pocket, offers a convenient and accessible place to slide a laptop and the stashable pack straps when not in use. We tested it on quick weekend trips and to keep bike gear contained in the back of the car when rolling out to trailheads in Utah. We loved the easy accessibility and functionality of this duffel.

The bag is far from waterproof like other duffels we tested, but that’s hardly a dealbreaker. Those looking for a dependable, versatile duffel with organizational options will find this a solid option.

Carry Comfort

We love functional carry options, and The North Face Base Camp Voyager has enough to satisfy the pickiest among us. There are only two–stowable backpack straps and grab handles on top. Thanks to the addition of comfortable and padded duffel handles on all four sides, there were plenty of ways to carry it. We would like to see an over-the-shoulder strap added on for good measure.

The carry options that do exist are more than adequate for most situations. The pack straps are minimally padded so they’re tolerably comfy when the bag is fully loaded (though they might be less so with larger versions of the bag filled with more weight). The straps unclip from the bottom and tuck into a low-profile sleeve in the lid. The grip wrap around the grab handles on top isn’t padded, but we didn’t mind with a bag this small, especially when carting it short distances.

Compressibility & Packability

When it came to packing this duffel, the process was a delight. The lid opens wide, unzipping on three out of four sides. The opening is about the same size as the main compartment. That made it easy to load up with clothing or gear with or without packing cubes.

There’s no internal compression, but the duffel does fold down, which makes it easy to store when not in use. There is a removable interior divider that makes it easy to keep things sorted while packing and unpacking.

Durability

When we put this duffel through durability testing by tossing it down stairs, dragging it around the yard, and throwing it around the back of a vehicle, it was never the worse for wear. It hardly even scuffed – it just got a little dirty. But it was easy to clean thanks to the durable TPU-coated recycled material that the body of the bag is made of. A padded bottom offered a bit of peace of mind when setting the bag down more aggressively than we intended, and the padded lid offered a more protective place for a laptop.

Sturdy zippers on the main opening felt like they could withstand years of use, though the zips on accessory pockets were a bit more standard in size and may not hold out for as long, but time will tell.

Weather Resistance

Unfortunately, the weatherproofing on this duffel left much to be desired. After an hour in the rain, most of the inside of the bag was damp, and the paper we placed inside to test for water fastness was fully saturated. This indicates that despite a generous storm flap over the main zipper compartment, plenty of water still managed to find its way in.

We’re not saying that would stop us from recommending this bag – we don’t often make a habit of leaving our duffel out in inclement weather. If you do, the poor weather resistance is certainly something to consider, especially if you plan to store your laptop in the lid pocket.

Organization

One thing we especially appreciated about this duffel was its organizational features. For starters, it’s the only duffel we tested with a dedicated laptop sleeve that fits a typical 15” laptop. That sleeve is only minimally padded, though, and makes the bag a bit uncomfortable to carry as a backpack when there’s a computer in there, but it’s still a handy thing to have.

Then there’s all the pockets, five in total. Two internal mesh zip pockets keep small items like headlamps and sunscreen easy to find, there’s a larger mesh pocket on the underside of the lid for larger items like gloves or hats, and there are two exterior zipper pockets. One, we found, is better for small items like hand warmers, and the other fits a pair of shoes or similarly sized items, which means you can keep dirty gear separate.

But our favorite feature might be the removable and repositionable divider in the main compartment that lets you create separation from clothing and gear, clean and dirty, or two people’s riding apparel.

Should You Buy The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel?

The North Face Base Camp Voyager duffel is a more than capable option for traveling near and far, with clothing or gear, across the country or around the world. And given its performance and capabilities, it’s a pretty good value for the money.

After all, it has several organizational pockets for dirty gear like boots, accessory pockets, and that handy removable and repositionable divider in the main compartment. It may not be very weather resistant, but those not overly concerned about taking their duffel out in more than a light drizzle shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

It’s a great choice as a weekend bag for short trips, keeping gear sorted and separated on afternoon outings, and the larger versions are perfect for longer travel, especially if you’ll be carting around a laptop. That said, if you want to ensure all your goods stay dry no matter what weather may roll in, there are certainly more waterproof options out there. And if you plan to do a lot of carrying it around on your back for long periods of time, there are more comfortable options available.

What Other Duffel Bags Should You Consider?

If you’re not sure the The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel is right for you in any of the available sizes, you may want to consider one of the other stand-out duffels we’ve tested.

Patagonia Black Hole Review: For a more traditional, water-resistant duffel, consider the classic Patagonia Black Hole. Its sizeable single opening, limited pockets, and several carry options make it a solid choice for many travelers.

Cotopaxi Allpa Duo Review: One large main compartment and removable shoulder straps make this duffel similar to the Base Camp Voyager, but instead of large side pockets, it has a separate compartment on the bottom for dirty clothes.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Review: Made of highly durable materials and nice large pockets for bulky gear like boots or helmets, this bag is still easy to pack, plenty spacious, and comfortable to carry.