If you’re looking for a good duffel bag to take on your next vacation, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up our top picks of carry-on bags, along with our advice on how to measure a duffel bag for carry on.
Duffel Bags Are Allowed To Be Carried?
Yes, duffel bags are technically allowed to be carried on planes as long as they comply with the restrictions set forth by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These restrictions generally involve liquids, gels, aerosols, and other large objects that could create a safety hazard.
Duffel bags that are less than 3.4 ounces (100 grams) per item and do not exceed quart-sized bags (approximately 32 ounces, or 900 milliliters) are generally allowed into the checkpoint.
Duffel bags that are over 3.4 ounces but not over quart-sized are allowed if they are placed in a single clear, plastic, zip-top bag. Duffel bags that are over quart-sized but not over 3.4 ounces must be placed in a checked baggage shipment and will be subject to additional inspection.
What is a Duffel Bag?
Duffel bags are really a type of sports bag that contains at least 1,000 cubic inches (21.4 L). The dimensions for your duffel should be about 6 to 8 inches longer and taller than your height, so you can easily fit all of the clothes in it without them feeling squashed.
If the brim extends over 3/4 inch past both sides when zipped up (6-8”) then we would say it’s likely too big for carry-on.
Related: Army Duffle Bag Checked Luggage
Best Duffel Bags for Gym Runs and Weekend Trips
It’s no secret that gym runs and weekend trips can be a lot of work. That’s why it’s important to have the right gear on hand to make things a little easier. Here are my top picks for the best duffel bags for gym runs and weekend trips:
- The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag – This duffel bag is perfect for both gym runs and weekend trips. It has plenty of compartments and pockets to store everything you need, including clothes, shoes, and accessories. Plus, the North Face base camp Duffel Bag is rainproof and water resistant, so you can stay dry and organized even in inclement weather conditions.
- Osprey Farpoint 55L Duffel Bag – This duffel bag is perfect for weekend trips or long-distance hikes. It has a large capacity that can hold plenty of clothes, gear, and other supplies. Plus, the Osprey Farpoint 55L Duffel Bag is lightweight and comfortable to carry, making it easy to take along on your travels.
- Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter 50L Duffel Bag – This duffel bag is perfect for travelers who need a lot of compartments and pockets to store their belongings. It has 50 pockets inside and out that can hold everything from clothes to electronics (and even pets!). The Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter 50L Duffel Bag is also lightweight and durable, making it a great choice for travelers who need an easygoing bag that won’t weigh them down during their travels.
How To Measure A Duffel Bag For Carry On – Easy Ways
When deciding what size to buy, you should check the dimensions of your favorite carry on bags (listed above). Divide these measurements by 1,000 ci and that number is how many cubic inches your new duffle will hold.
It could be slightly more than or less then this depending on style of travel questions like the number of zipper pocket, internal organization i.e. mesh lining or side pockets and total weight of your bag when full to capacity.
Recommendation: carry on size starting at 22-24″ width x 34″-36″ height ( 64cm x 88 cm ) corresponding to 80-100 cubic inches as any larger will be too large for most international connections/security checkpoints by simply losing too much time walking through it with no space left for other items you really need.
To get the most use out of your duffel, make sure to have a method for securing it to yourself (airline restrictions can vary widely). Hanging/zipping onto a body belt is also safe, and non-restrictive as well as comfortable while still leaving some space in case you want more room.
Having straps coming from each side or even from both sides are great options too if you find yourself wanting more than the maximum carry on allowance.
Why Should You Buy A Quality Duffel Bag?
A well-made bag is made of durable materials which will last for many trips. Budget or brand name does not guarantee that the material and workmanship won’t fall apart after repeated use – if you find yourself traveling with light baggage, then our recommendation would be to invest in a slightly more expensive but higher quality duffel, which will still be useful at some point when needed.
You can also read about specific factors here: Top 5 things to consider before buying a duffel P.S: At the bottom of this page, you will see links to various features and associations we are affiliated with/have any other association with.
Anything that implies in some way varying from or contradicting what has been written here is clearly stated there too on things such as personal experience(s), affiliations, company profiles etc.
Related: Duffle Bag Is Not Allowed As Checked Luggage
How to Pack Your Duffel Bag for Travel?
Some items you will most likely need to pack are listed here because they may not be noted anywhere else – these include stuff like small first aid kit, cleaning supplies and toiletries.
» What do I wear? Pack clothing, shoes or sneakers for immediate after airport requirements that use the same color as your carry on suitcase so it’s easier to find if lost . Your backpack/purse would take up more room than anything you’ll have on your person. Here is an idea of what you may need to pack to have a comfortable stay in your destination :
- Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Oil (or other conditioners/cleansing products) if you will be renting a place where strict hygiene rules are applied or staying at the beach – this is usually clear on the property’s website *tentatively I follow Suitcase Clinic’s 2-items rule when packing shampoo, shower gel & body oil even though it can be doubled to 3-items .
- Face soap (if available) *tentatively I follow Suitcase Clinic’s 2-items rule when packing face soap even though it can be doubled to 3-items .
Here is an old blog post that contains some great travel advice: Top 8 things never belong in a suitcase and how to easily grow your business by exporting and another where I talk about why you should only pack one large item not two smaller ones – you’ll find these at the bottom of this post too.
- Toothbrush & hair brush (if available) some health insurance companies will only reimburse a claim if they’ve caught and treated an illness one round earlier so healthcare costs may very well be cheaper in other countries than yours as there are many preventative measures that can be taken to never need antibiotics or have serious medical needs on holiday.
Related: Are Duffle Bags Allowed As Carry On Luggage?
Conclusion
The carry on bag is very important for every traveler. It is not easy to find the right one that meets your requirements. If you have a travel bag, then you must know how to measure it correctly so that you can use it in the right way. Measure the length of the bag, width, and height to get its size and calculate its capacity.
It also needs a number of pockets inside so that you can store all your belongings properly. I hope now you know about how to measure a duffel bag for carry on.
FAQ’s
1.Which Measurement System Should I Use When Measuring A Duffel Bag For Carry On?
Ans: Measurements vary depending on the airline’s policies. The measurements are based on linear dimensions of the bag and a single garment (one shirt, jacket, or pants).
2.What Is The Best Way To Measure A Duffel Bag For Carry On?
Ans: A duffel bag is a type of carry-on luggage that is carried by one or both shoulder straps. A duffel bag is typically made from cloth, but may also be made from vinyl, canvas, and leather.
The best way to measure a duffel bag for carry on use is to have it with you when you are trying to fit the airline’s requirements and see if the bag will fit into the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
3.Does Using a Scale Really Work When Measuring My Duffel Bag For Carry On?
Ans: A scale does not work for measuring a duffel bag for carry on. A luggage scale can be used to measure the weight of your bag, but it is not appropriate for measuring if it fits in an overhead bin or under the seat.
The reason why using a scale doesn’t work is because the scales are designed to weigh objects like bags and suitcases while they are standing upright. However, when you put your duffel bag in its carry-on position, it becomes difficult to accurately weigh your bag since it no longer stands up straight.
4.How Can I Find Out How Much Space My Duffel Bag Will Take Up When It’s Fully Packed With Clothes, Shoes, Etc.?
Ans: There are many ways to find out how much space your duffel bag will take up when it’s fully packed with clothes, shoes, etc.
- Take the dimensions of your bag and divide them by the number of items that you have inside your bag (example: if your bag is 40 inches long and 10 inches wide, then divide 40 by 10 = 4). This will give you an approximate idea of how much space you’ll need in a standard rectangular room for each item.
- Measure the height and width of your space before filling up all the empty spaces with clothes or shoes.
5.What Is the Difference Between Linear and Cubic Inches?
Ans: Linear inches are the standard measure of a linear measurement. It is one inch in length for every 12 inches in width. Cubic inches are a measurement of volume, typically used when talking about how much space something takes up. The size of a cubic inch is 1/6th of an inch and each cubic inch is equal to 2.83 centimeters or 1 centimeter per cubic inch.
