Shop $98, halfdaytravel.com
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Rarely do I use a product that so completely changes the way I function. When it came to travel, I was, like most people, a hard suitcase plus personal bag type of guy, but I’d heard about this Halfday Garment Duffel.
The whole marketing idea around a bag that’s perfect for a wedding or other weekend getaways where you want to bring a nice jacket or full suit is what first caught my attention. Then I was invited to a destination wedding in Tuscany—10 days of travel, city excursions, country excursions, driving all over the boot, and a few formal drinks and dinners. It was perfect time to put this bag to the test. Holy shit, it is perfect.
Packing is a breeze.
Listen, I’m not usually a Travel Hacks guy, but this bag turned me into one. First, you don’t have to worry about folding a suit. In fact, I’ve already forgotten how to do that. Second, It packs way more than I thought it would. My original intention was to pack this duffel as a carry on and check a suitcase. But when I laid out all my clothes and necessities, the only thing that couldn’t fit in the duffel was my tennis shoes. Ok… What if I only brought this bag? I did some thinking, and consolidated a few things, and I had everything I needed (I think) for 10 days in Italy.
Post trip, I can say it actually packed everything I needed. I wore everything once, with only one hotel sink laundry session. I can’t process how I did it, but I’ve done it every trip since. I’m a one bag guy now, and this is the one bag.
It’s surprisingly durable.
Part of being The Only Bag You Need means it should also be capable of being checked luggage too. As for the quality being able to survive that endeavor, I wasn’t confident at first. The outer material is 420-Denier, so I was a little worried the polyester wouldn’t look so great after. Still, I tossed it on the conveyor belt and walked through the airport with nothing in my hands.
When I got it back, not a scratch. Everything held up well. I’ve checked it twice since, and same deal. It hasn’t gotten any marks, the zipper, handles, and strap have held up. I’m really, really impressed.
The only issues I had with my bag were related though. The handles and strap weren’t super padded, and some of the hardware was a bit flimsy. But since testing their original model, Halfday has since released a brand new version of the bag that addressed all those issues. (The new version is the one I’ve linked to throughout, so you won’t have to worry about those things.) I already saw it in person, and it’s all spot on—the handles, the strap, the hardware, everything. Thanks to those upgrades, I’m not on the fence about this thing anymore, you should buy it.
Shop $98, halfdaytravel.com
It actually, dare I say, looks good.
Another one of the issues I had coming into this review was the look. Even now I’ll admit, this thing doesn’t have that designer luxurious look. It’s about on par with the duffels in its price range—which I’d say are from Patagonia or The North Face, and more outdoorsy brands. But honestly, I can’t fault it. It looks simple, but it’s inoffensive. The amazing design went into the functionality, not the form.
When I first tried this bag it came in about two colors, and now it comes in 10! It’s unassuming, and will blend in anywhere you go. Plus, the hardware on the new version looks much bit nicer, and it goes a long way.
At the end of the day, you literally cannot find a better quality, better looking, and more functional bag out there for less than $100—I dare you.
Shop $98, halfdaytravel.com
Photography by Joe Lingeman. Prop styling by Andrea Bonin.
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