changing up how we pack using large duffels

[Honu]

OK as I have said before in other posts we are trying to go smaller lighter

we recently got some Helinox chairs and this last week got a chance to use them ! and they are great !
the one other thing we did was change how we carry and pack our gear

we had a couple duffel bags but also bought two XL TNF base camps and will be buying two more for the kids (they used our older style bags)
inside we now have our own sleeping bag and our own chair eno hammock etc.. and of course clothes shoes etc..
this way we can toss 4 packs on the roof all with light easy to manage stuff inside
kinda tired of the 4 sleeping bag bags and 4 pad bags and 4 loose chairs along with our 4 clothes bags !
so from 16 smaller bags to just 4 larger ones
we did try a large bag to hold the sleeping bags and another for the pads ? but still more a pain then you have empty bags to deal with ?
also when the bags are out the duffel bags are easy to look through for what clothes we want which are all now in packing cubes !


granted I used to stuff the sleeping bags and pads into spots in the back of the car after packing to fill in holes ! but that was kinda a pain and again way more work !
want to get our camp spread down to a few easy to pack and load items as possible

worked out great this last weekend !!

I did look/think about the watershed bags but wanted the larger D style opening of the TNF BC bags also they have a good rep !
also wanted something in camp that is easy quick to open close get in and out of rather than just on roof !
plus chances are will want my bags clean since we handle them so much getting in and out ?
might end up with a large thule box or something to put them in for easier and dust free storage and %100 water proof system and easier than straps

my next attack point is our kitchen setup ! not the IGT end that is solid and worth its weight in gold ! but the pans dishes and that stuff

also this was the first trip where I used all soft bags for things that go inside the car rather than Pelican cases I usually use
allowed me to get a bit more inside the car for sure and had no worries about them being damaged !

I know some others have done this method also ?

just curious what others have done this pack method of a single large bag for most of the stuff ?

 

[southpier]

I tried duffle bags but always stuffed too much into them and the weight became prohibitive to schlepp around. even got to the point of cutting 1/4" birch bottoms to give the bag some rigidity.

now I use a small & medium Eagle Creek duffle for my clothes and ditch bag. even the medium is big enough for "gear creep" and I am having to be hyper-vigilant with the ditty bag stuff.

glad they're working out for you, though.

 

[Stumpalump]

My mattress gets bungied to the wall in the E350 but the sleeping bag, bag liner or wool blanket and sheets depending on the trip all get quickly tossed in a large duffle. I can have the whole bed set up or broken down in seconds. The best part is the duffle got screwed to a shelf up high and out of the way. Screws and fender washers worked great right thru the material.

 

[MANUCHAO]

I too use TNF Expedition Duffle bags XL.
They are tough as nails.

we used one for clothes and two more for gear (climbing,bike).
These are easy to strap down and easy to get to...
They are also easy to transport to and from the car...
I got a RTT so, all the bedding gear stay inside the RTT.

 

[Fenrir]

THF Expedition duffels here as well. Larges for me and the Ms. a small for the kid. Ill most likely get 2 more smalls, one for the dogs and another for a bugout bag. Great to fly with too.

 

[aluke0510]

Personal preference is the Black Diamond Huey. Several reasons: just as tough or tougher, lid opens with two zippers and folds to the left (never have it falling back closed when trying to pack, packs more squarish, the two zippers each have their own d-ring to attach a lock (baggage handlers in developing countries can't rip the zipper open then slide the slider left and right to recluse so it gets left open if they dig in sending up a red flag), etc. That and I have lost a lot of faith over the years with TNF as they lowered product quality to be marketable in bigger chains...

Interesting on the chairs, will have to check them out. I like the look, are they comfortable too?

I even go as far as to stay with my mountaineering routes and carry only a backpacking stove with a couple aluminum pots where the lid functions for both or turns into a fry pan or even plate... Dried food and no cooler/fridge for beverages even. Tailgate makes a great cooking table. Can live unsupported for three weeks on 90lbs per person including camp equipment and food, out of one duffle. And that even includes some luxuries.

 

[Honu]

the Helinox chairs have been really comfy
I think like any chair pros cons the lower height kick your feet out is more comfy than kick your feet out on a taller chair for me ? but eating height ? even with cut down table is a touch more to back out and stand up but not a big deal
biggest question would I do it again ? yup and am not looking for a new chair setup anymore so for me that says a lot
and got to post up my headrest idea cause it makes it so comfy when testing I actually took a nap in one ! head totally supported ! and does not really add any more bulk etc..
used a pair of climbing poles as the stays but looking at some lighter options to stay in the bag mainly just some raw easton poles
in that camp chair thread I did a comparison with the REI model and the Helinox is much nicer IMHO


those bags are killer looking good option for others looking

yeah have heard a lot about the lower TNF quality big time lucky I have heard the bags are still one of there well made items ? so time will tell
for us the one thing the colors are fun for the kids we each have our own color which kinda helps with getting stuff out on there own

 

[aluke0510]

Oh, don't get me wrong. TNF still makes a few high end products and the bags are definitely still great. The Huey is double stitched so less chance of stitching blowing out, TNF is single stitched. But I have one TNF bag as I needed a third duffle quick and that was all they had in stock in my size range at REI. Have hauled on it pretty hard and is still doing great. BD Huey is the gold standard though if anybody is the market for tops no frills duffle. Sure it is missing a few of the cool factors like the daisy chains on the TNF (which nobody really uses), or the extra pockets like some of the Patagonia bags...

If people are looking for tough big duffles on a budget I would recommend those by Wild Things or Fish (climbing gear manufactures).

Well Helinox is an Australian designer. The stuff coming out of Australia that sees the world market is usually incredibly high ranking. The stuff not seeing the world market is a gamble and takes a lot of investigation; could be junk or could just be too small a company or not enough focus on export... Same goes for South African. Going to have to pick myself up a couple of those next time I am in Australia or the States. The high end South African chairs are mega comfortable and don't fall apart but are way too heavy (I am just across the border from South Africa so get a lot of their stuff).

 

[spikemd]

I like your ideas and after last weekend up near Truckee, am looking to consolidate as well.

I bought the Alite Mayfly chair and love it. It sits low to the ground which allow me to stretch out my feet, but does making getting up a little more a challenge. But it is so lightweight and small, it is worth the extra cost.

I stuffed 5 sleeping bags into our large storm hardcase on top, but the 3-4 large sleeping pads take up a ton of space. Combined with 4 bags for clothing for 2 adults and 3 kids, we were loaded.

I am looking at getting an XL duffel to throw the clothing up top and open up space inside the truck. TNF are proven tough. I have a smaller Patagonia duffel that I love and works great as a carryon as well. I am debating on whether to get a few small duffels or one big one for clothes to throw up top.

My wife kinda laughed at me packing everything up when you look at how much I brought. But I did bring my kayak for the trip and it was worth it to get out on the water.

 

[Ozarker]

Spikemd, you reminded me of my mom going camping when I was a kid, taking stuff. My dad asked her why in the world she packed the leaf rake in the car, she said to rake the camp site so there wouldn't be anything under the tent to sleep or step on! Almost anything can be justified.

Mentioned before, and I have no affiliation with them, but check out custom and regular bags with Jack's Plastic Welding, waterproof bags, I think much cheaper than the name brands and they can do custom bags, like shaped to your boat hull or storage space. I got one of their bags at a thrift shop for $5 and I'm sure it's new, it's pretty nice, tough and great welded seems.

 

[xplrn42]

If you want to try out "duffeling" on the cheap, I bought, kinda on a whim, a set of Outdoor Products duffels from a local outdoor shop, they were on sale so I said what the heck.
So far, they've held up to two camping trips with no issues, zippers are ok, they're a bit tough to get started if the bags not taught up top, but smooth otherwise. Single stitched, but you get what you pay for. I'm sure we'll use them unti they bust a seam and then buy some TNF's, but at least we'll know for sure that we like using duffel's before spending $100+ on one bag. I got a large bag/small bag combo for $30, they're normally $50 I think.

 

[PlacidWaters]

Yes, I also use one large bag instead of smaller ones. Before using this system I had dozens of individual bags all over my vehicle. It was total chaos.

I have the Outdoor Products vinyl "Storm Duffle" bags from Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Products-PVC-Duffle-Collection/17017889

One large and one small for $40. I bought two sets, one red and one blue set to tell them apart. In the large one I pack everything related to sleeping: a 3-person tent, ground sheet, air mattress, pillow, and sleeping bag. In one of the smaller bags I pack everything for kayaking, and in the other one everything for biking.

This system has proven to be a great time saver---easier to get gear from house to car, easier to pack the car, easier to find things in the car. These specific bags are extremely durable---no tears whatsoever after three years. Plus I like that they are somewhat waterproof---not truly waterproof because the seams and stitching aren't sealed, but there are wide flaps covering the zippers.

 

[Ozarker]

Meant to mention, surprised no one said anything about military duffels. I've had my Army duffel, gee, 42 years now, yes, it's getting thinner in spots but it is still a very serviceable bag and the metal grommets and loop for the lock are still in fine shape, strap and handle in great condition, no lose stiches. That bag has seen more abuse than a life time of sports bags, dragged, on rocks, tossed out of helicopters, tied off on armored vehicles, submerged, rained on, sat on and survived baggage handlers all over the world. Stuffed so tight you could bounce a coin off of it. I used Army waterproof bags inside various sizes from backpacks. Sleeping bag always stayed dry inside those old rubber bags tied correctly. Down side, it may be heavier than the light weight state of the art materials, but it's for transport not backpacking. Surplus stores still have them and they're cheap. If you want bright colors, you can paint them. Have no idea how the newer cammo bags wear but the old canvas ones are tough. But, I understand, they may not be cool. :coffeedrink:

Thing about any top loading duffel is organization, stuff need quickly or often on top, 5th days socks at the bottom, hard and breakable l stuff in the middle.

I also picked up a large duffel, an equipment bag for baseball teams that zips along the side in a U, much easier to get at stuff and is also rubberized, haven't used it much but our camp counselor kid has used it several times for employment assignments and really liked it, much bigger than others had I'm sure.

 

[beags86]

I use bad bags duffel or Best American Duffel with good results. Very tough. Reasonably priced.

 

[Honu]

I have army duffels also have a great top loading water proof one that has been all over the world with me
problem was the entry
at least for me this time around wanted a D shaped zipper at least so you can get into most the bag at one shot also wanted a smooth easy to wipe down outside

I have a couple duffels that have end pockets ? and kinda like them for shoes but then it kinda makes them floppy feeling on the ends sometimes also all the end pocket duffels I have had the pockets eventually start to rip off ?

only duffels I have owned before were my army and my waterproof one that did not fail somewhere but again did not want top load almost went with watershed bags but the entry was not so easy to get into to

Meant to mention, surprised no one said anything about military duffels. I've had my Army duffel, gee, 42 years now, yes, it's getting thinner in spots but it is still a very serviceable bag and the metal grommets and loop for the lock are still in fine shape, strap and handle in great condition, no lose stiches. That bag has seen more abuse than a life time of sports bags, dragged, on rocks, tossed out of helicopters, tied off on armored vehicles, submerged, rained on, sat on and survived baggage handlers all over the world. Stuffed so tight you could bounce a coin off of it. I used Army waterproof bags inside various sizes from backpacks. Sleeping bag always stayed dry inside those old rubber bags tied correctly. Down side, it may be heavier than the light weight state of the art materials, but it's for transport not backpacking. Surplus stores still have them and they're cheap. If you want bright colors, you can paint them. Have no idea how the newer cammo bags wear but the old canvas ones are tough. But, I understand, they may not be cool. :coffeedrink:

Thing about any top loading duffel is organization, stuff need quickly or often on top, 5th days socks at the bottom, hard and breakable l stuff in the middle.

I also picked up a large duffel, an equipment bag for baseball teams that zips along the side in a U, much easier to get at stuff and is also rubberized, haven't used it much but our camp counselor kid has used it several times for employment assignments and really liked it, much bigger than others had I'm sure.