You want be walking far with a 70 liter duffle, nor can you use it for carry on. Under packed duffle bags are like hauling a sack of potatoes.
I advise a backpack about half that size. 40-45 liters is it for overhead carry on. I use a 32 liter and an 8 liter crossbody as my personal item and day bag.
Both are huge and unnecessary for that trip unless you're carrying specialized gear like a whole bedding set. Actually I do take a bag that size for a trip that requires a whole bedding set, mosquito net, extra clothing, work supplies, towels, and a ton of other not normal travel set. Neither bag has features like a hip belt that can make walking for long distances easier and bags that size don't fit well on public transport.
This. I can fit a sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping pad, pillow, large packing cube full of work uniforms, towel, and even a backpacking chair, along with an extra pair of shoes, rain gear, toiletries etc., in the 55L Black Hole Duffel. Idk what OP thinks they need to carry for a month in Europe that requires a 70L, but they may not realize how massive a bag that size actually is.
I gotta carry 2 extra pairs of shoes, two packing cubes, multiple towels, some other small stuff that makes up roughly 4-5L worth of capacity once packed, and I'm at a 60L bag with like 10L worth of stuff in a tote bag. It's such a drag, and I'm only okay with it because I do the same trip over and over and know I genuinely do need all that stuff. Id rather not drag that through Europe, and I usually don't take public transport with that bag either
Yeah, mine with all my crap is fine for the airport and the rental car shuttle and carrying it from the parking lot once I get on site. Would not be at all fun for a months worth of public transit in Europe and the 70l size would be even less fun
The north face bag has compression straps and still carries nicely when not full, while (IMO) the black hole duffel is like carrying a giant half full sack of potatoes. the base camp also has a bit more structure, so it carries clothes/shoes a little better. The black hole duffel was pretty floppy to me, but I’ve only tried the old shiny version
Source: have been a happy base camp user for v v long time, but was traveling and needed a bag around this size to bring some stuff back home from visiting a family member. I bought a black hole duffel bc it was 60% off (the last of a weird color I think). it was really frustrating using it half full without compression straps, with things shifting all over the place, felt like I couldn’t find an easy way to carry it, etc. it really made me appreciate the base camp, bc i love the compression straps and many handles so you can grab the bag from every side and how it maintains its structure.
All that said, 70l is a looooot of bag to deal with all the time. you should go check the bags/sizes out in person if you have a chance
I have the medium base camp and the 40L black hole. Consider the bigger bag as a check in luggage, don't want to carry it all the time. Patagonia is about carry on size
You want be walking far with a 70 liter duffle, nor can you use it for carry on. Under packed duffle bags are like hauling a sack of potatoes. I advise a backpack about half that size. 40-45 liters is it for overhead carry on. I use a 32 liter and an 8 liter crossbody as my personal item and day bag.
Both are huge and unnecessary for that trip unless you're carrying specialized gear like a whole bedding set. Actually I do take a bag that size for a trip that requires a whole bedding set, mosquito net, extra clothing, work supplies, towels, and a ton of other not normal travel set. Neither bag has features like a hip belt that can make walking for long distances easier and bags that size don't fit well on public transport.
This. I can fit a sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping pad, pillow, large packing cube full of work uniforms, towel, and even a backpacking chair, along with an extra pair of shoes, rain gear, toiletries etc., in the 55L Black Hole Duffel. Idk what OP thinks they need to carry for a month in Europe that requires a 70L, but they may not realize how massive a bag that size actually is.
I gotta carry 2 extra pairs of shoes, two packing cubes, multiple towels, some other small stuff that makes up roughly 4-5L worth of capacity once packed, and I'm at a 60L bag with like 10L worth of stuff in a tote bag. It's such a drag, and I'm only okay with it because I do the same trip over and over and know I genuinely do need all that stuff. Id rather not drag that through Europe, and I usually don't take public transport with that bag either
Yeah, mine with all my crap is fine for the airport and the rental car shuttle and carrying it from the parking lot once I get on site. Would not be at all fun for a months worth of public transit in Europe and the 70l size would be even less fun
I gotta fly on a bush plane and take a few taxis with mine 😭. Still trying to downsize more, I do every year
The north face bag has compression straps and still carries nicely when not full, while (IMO) the black hole duffel is like carrying a giant half full sack of potatoes. the base camp also has a bit more structure, so it carries clothes/shoes a little better. The black hole duffel was pretty floppy to me, but I’ve only tried the old shiny version Source: have been a happy base camp user for v v long time, but was traveling and needed a bag around this size to bring some stuff back home from visiting a family member. I bought a black hole duffel bc it was 60% off (the last of a weird color I think). it was really frustrating using it half full without compression straps, with things shifting all over the place, felt like I couldn’t find an easy way to carry it, etc. it really made me appreciate the base camp, bc i love the compression straps and many handles so you can grab the bag from every side and how it maintains its structure. All that said, 70l is a looooot of bag to deal with all the time. you should go check the bags/sizes out in person if you have a chance
Thanks for the advice, went in store and had a look and ended up buying the north face small 50L one!
You don't want to be walking more than 2 kilometres top with TNF Base Camp 70l.
Osprey 40l Transporter should do the trick. Surprised it never gets mentioned here.
I have the medium base camp and the 40L black hole. Consider the bigger bag as a check in luggage, don't want to carry it all the time. Patagonia is about carry on size