RothcoMen's Double Strap Duffle Bag

We needed a solution for carrying gear through portages in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. When we priced water resistant "portage packs" they were very expensive per liter of stowage... $1.50 - $5.00 per liter! It seems like canoeing/adventure gear can be so expensive compared to other gear from different activities. Maybe if people have disposable income enough for canoeing/adventures, they don't mind paying a premium for gear? The premium priced gear is inaccessible for some people...So we bought this G.I. Style canvas duffel, some spray silicone for water resistance and used a 42 gallon 3 mil contractor garbage bag for a water proof liner and saved a lot of money!The design (not the material) is almost identical to the Sea bag my crazy Uncle Sam issued me back in '98. I ditched my old Sea bag after getting off active duty because it smelled like beer, Bluejacket's Manuals, lost years and regret... Don't you judge me...We test loaded this bag with 40+ pounds of gear, soft stuff on the side that touches your back and hard stuff on the other side. The bag seemed to beg for more, so we stuffed it! 60+ pounds of gear and the fabric, stitches, straps, buckles, snap and closure devices held up just fine. Used it on several local miles of test hikes for training, not the big BWCA adventure yet.* The functional volume of the bag is just about 100 liters +/- (sorry I cannot calculate exactly).* One can of spray silicone is enough to apply two coats to this bag (I did both coats on the exterior side).* One contractor bag approx. 35-50 gallons, between 2.5 and 4 mil thick is enough to line the bag (the little external pocket on the side of the duffel is perfect for spare bags).* .35 cents per liter with water proofing spray silicone and a contractor bag, this can be a HUGE savings over portage packs or Duluth Packs.* May not be as ergonomic/balanced as a portage/Duluth pack, but it is identical to what our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have used for decades.I will post a follow up edit if I have issues with the bag after BWCA. At this point, I have no regrets about buying this bag and would recommend it to you.I hope this helps you make an informed decision!~Mahalo

I grew tired of cheap duffel bags that fall apart after a few uses; this duffel bag is strong canvas, well constructed, and roomy enough to contain everything you want to carry. I am extremely pleased.

I was surprised at the quality of this bag for the price.The seams, handles, straps and hardware are all attached very securely. I was very surprised with just how tough this item was made for the money.The material is thick canvas, and it is already pretty water proof.I bought this bag to serve as a grab-n-go camping kit that I use on camping trips to islands and on longer fishing trips, so it had to be at least water-resistant.I've been very happy with just how tough this bag is. I can just throw it around, filled with all my camping gear, and trust that it isn't going to tear.The closure on top is secure, and the handle / straps make it a breeze to carry it around.Very pleased with this item!!!

Ordered 2 of the coyote brown (khaki?) bags and received them in 4 days or so. If you're worried about "cheap Chinese crap" with these bags, don't be - in this color at least, they're tagged "Made In India", and they're thick and rugged canvas, just like my old heavy US made olive drab over-the-shoulder single sling bags.I bought these for canoe portaging because I'm too cheap to spring for Duluth Packs, and I think they'll serve admirably in this regard. The last time I trekked, I used the single sling canvas duffles, and that was a huge mistake - I could never balance loads. The backpack-style sling is where it's at. The bag rides a little low on the back, which is ideal in a portage situation (keeps the pack at or below the canoe on your shoulders).I haven't yet used these in the field, but in my initial tests they seemed to fit the bill to a T. The straps are relatively well padded and look to be stitched strongly enough. The hardware is all metal. The canvas is heavy and strong. If I were being nit-picky I would say the straps could use more stitching for insurance's sake, but I think they'll hold up under normal use.Put a 3 mil garbage bag inside for waterproofing and BINGO! instant Duluth Pack replacement for 1/5 the price!4 star rating is only because I haven't put the bags through paces yet. I'll be sure to edit once they've gone trekking with me.

Great duffle bag, a little bit smaller in diameter than the seabag. I think the canvas is a higher quality than the modern seabags. Very happy with it!

Extremely useful

I always liked the capacity of this bag, they can hold everything. I picked up a coyote one just to make it easy to grab all of my essential camping gear - including clothing in one go.I manage to get my 3 man (backpacking) tent, 0 degree bag (in a stuff sack), inflatable double air mattress (not a super thick mattress), a camping table, a blanket, a travel tote, an entrenching tool, a mallet, and two 6"x12" or so 'logs' of clothes stuffed in bags, it still closes fairly easily, may have 1-2" more of space up there. I sure wouldn't hike around with it though it'll wreck your back - if it's this full; but for storage/carrying all that gear to my 4 wheeler, it's hard to beat the amount of storage and quality of build, for this price!

The Best Kind Of Luggage EVER.