REI Big Haul 60 Duffel Review

Bottom Line

The REI Co-op Big Haul 60 is the kind of duffel that’s easy to recommend from our lineup of favorites because it works well in many different situations. We tested it on road trips around Colorado, through multiple airports, and with a deliberate garden hose soak test, and it ended up being one of the more versatile bags we tested.

The four compression straps turned out to be more useful than we expected. We can cinch down a fully loaded bag enough to fit in the overhead bin on a couple of airlines, even though it is technically oversized. Shhhh!  

We also really like the carry system. The backpack straps are easy to pull out when you need them and stow cleanly when you don’t, the tote handles remove easily, and the wide lid opening makes it simple to pack or dig around for gear without fully unpacking.

Weather resistance is good enough for normal travel and camp use, but this isn’t a fully waterproof bag. It handles moderate rain well, but our garden hose test showed some leakage through the bottom and zippers. The padded back panel is comfortable for shorter backpack carries, though it can get warm on hot days or during long airport hauls.

Overall, the Big Haul 60 hits a really nice balance of low weight, smart features, and everyday durability.

How We Tested

We took the REI Co-op Big Haul 60 on overland trips through Colorado, picnics with the kids, and multiple airport terminals on domestic and international flights, and we deliberately soaked it with a garden hose to test its weather-resistance limits. We packed it to capacity and repeatedly used the compression straps to assess their real-world impact on packability and carry-on viability.

Carry Comfort

The Big Haul 60 offers one of the most flexible carry systems in our lineup. The backpack straps deploy easily from their dedicated stow pocket, and the padded back panel distributes weight reasonably well for shorter carries through airports and parking lots. 

We felt some shoulder pressure when fully loaded, which is expected without a hip belt or sternum strap, but for the distances most duffel users cover, it is comfortable enough. Four haul handles, one on each side of the bag, make it easy to grab off a luggage carousel or load into an overhead bin from any angle.

One ergonomic note: the padded back panel is not breathable. On hot days or during longer carries through warm airports, it gets warm and sweaty against your back. It is not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you tend to run hot.

Compressibility & Packability

The four external compression straps are one of the Big Haul 60’s most useful features. They might not sound exciting on paper, but in real life, they make a big difference for us. We can cinch down a fully loaded bag to fit in the overhead bin on a couple of airlines, which is a pretty big win for a 60-liter duffel. They’re also handy when the bag isn’t packed to the brim because they keep everything tighter and less floppy.

We also like how cleanly the tote handles remove and can be stashed into the large sleeve along the top of the bag. That same sleeve doubles as a quick-access pocket for flat items like a book, boarding pass, or travel documents. It doesn’t zip closed, so we wouldn’t trust it with anything too important, but it works well for items you grab often. The included stuff sack is another nice touch and doubles as a packing cube inside the bag for smaller items.

Durability

The 400D recycled ripstop nylon body and 1680D ballistic nylon base are a well-matched combination. The body is light and flexible, and the base handles the abuse that duffel bottoms inevitably take from pavement, truck beds, and rocky ground. After several weeks of use, the bag showed only normal surface scuffs on the fabric from handling at the airport. The materials have held up really well overall.

One care note from our testing is that the plastic clips are solid, but should be kept away from car doors and heavy pinch points. Slamming a car door on a clip is a good way to crack it, and we recommend being mindful of where the clips are when loading gear into vehicles.

Weather Resistance

The Big Haul 60 uses a PFAS-free DWR coating and performed well in consistent light rain while traveling in the back of our pickup for four hours during a road trip through Colorado. However, our garden hose soak test was more revealing. 

We got a decent amount of leakage through the bottom and zippers under sustained high-volume water exposure. For the conditions most duffel users encounter, including caught-in-the-rain situations and light outdoor use, it will hold up just fine. For river trips, boat travel, or any situation where the bag might be submerged or heavily soaked, you’ll want something more waterproof.

Organization

The Big Haul 60 keeps organization simple, but it’s laid out in a way that works really well. The wide U-shaped lid opening is one of the better access designs we tested. It opens far enough that you can see and reach most of what’s inside without fully unpacking, and the zipper moves smoothly around the corners.

Inside, two zippered mesh pockets under the lid are useful for smaller items like cables, toiletries, or travel documents. The exterior side pocket is a good size for things you want close at hand, like a passport, snacks, or a phone.

The open-top sleeve on the top of the bag is a nice bonus for flat, quick-grab items, though we wouldn’t put anything too important in there since it doesn’t zip closed. We also appreciate the daisy chain lash points on the outside. They’re handy for clipping on small accessories or strapping the bag down in a truck bed when you don’t want it sliding all over the place.

Should You Buy the REI Big Haul 60L Duffel?

If you want one duffel that can handle a little bit of everything, the Big Haul 60 is a great choice. It works well as checked luggage, can be cinched down with the compression straps for overhead bin travel, and is plenty capable as a car-camping or road-trip gear hauler. The flexible carry system, compression straps, and wide-access opening make it one of the more well-rounded duffels that we’ve tested. At 2 pounds 9 ounces, it’s also impressively light for everything it offers.

It’s not the bag we’d choose for sustained wet conditions, and if you need a truly waterproof duffel, there are better options in our lineup. It also lacks a traditional shoulder-sling carry, which some users may miss. But for travelers and campers who want a durable, easy-to-use bag that does most things well without feeling overbuilt or overpriced, the Big Haul 60 is worth a look.

What Other Duffels Should You Consider?

If you are not sure the Gregory Alpaca 60 is the right bag for you, here are a few other top-performing options from our guide to the best duffel bags worth considering.

Patagonia Black Hole 55L Review: A similarly tough, weather-resistant bag with a cleaner, more streamlined design. It lacks the Alpaca’s expandable dirty gear pocket and daisy chains but is slightly lighter and packs down a touch more compactly. A strong choice for travelers who want durability without the rugged expedition aesthetic.

Nemo Double Haul 55L Review: Our top-rated duffel overall and the better option for anyone who needs a bag that compresses down small and converts between duffel and tote modes. It does not match the Alpaca on raw durability, but its versatility and packability make it a more well-rounded choice for many travelers.

The North Face Basecamp Waterproof Duffel Review: One of only two fully waterproof choices in our lineup. If our garden hose test results give you pause and you need guaranteed dry contents in wet or submerged conditions, the Basecamp is one of the only bags that can promise that.