Best Duffel Bags for College Made in the USA

“BAD” stands for “Best American Duffel.” BAD Bags are proudly made in Seattle, Washington. Several USA Love List readers recommend this brand. Consider the Nº2, a go-to choice for trips lasting a couple of days. You can also use it as your daily bag or even backpack. BAD Bags are endorsed by a veteran Arctic explorer who testifies his team’s duffle bags are still going even after 30 years of use. This is an extremely durable bag and one of the best travel duffel bags you'll find. All BAD Bags products are guaranteed for life against defects in materials and workmanship.

Bags USA manufactures its premium bags in Huntington Beach, California, and provides numerous styles to you. Its Cargo 32-inch durable duffel bag comes in four different colors and has both interior and exterior pockets. While this large duffel bag would need to be checked on flights, Bags USA also offers duffel bags in other sizes appropriate for fitting in the overhead compartment. You can also order bags in bulk for teams and organizations. Bags USA sells duffel bags probably at the most affordable price of any on our list.

Shop on the Bags USA website or find a few selections on Amazon.

Bradley Mountain’s humble beginnings, like many others on the list, started in a garage when founder Tyler Axtell taught himself how to sew quality items he couldn’t find in the marketplace. Today, Bradley Mountain offers leather and canvas goods from San Diego, including four duffel bags. The Rambler comes in two colors and is made from thick waxed canvas, harness leather, and copper and brass hardware. It includes a removable shoulder strap. Should any problems arise with the product, the company repairs Bradley Mountain bags for free.

Cinda B owner, Cinda Boomershine, joined forces with the former VP of Vera Bradly when it outsourced its production. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Cinda b offers numerous bag styles, from small purses to tennis bags, and totes to duffels. While you’ll find carry and rolling duffel bags in the Cinda b line, we also like this Packable Duffle that comes in four different patterns. It’s on the smaller side in size, but it doesn’t sacrifice quality in its durable poly-nylon fabric. It folds and zips into a small portable pouch for easy stowing. It has adjustable straps and is machine washable.

Shop on the Cinda B website or find select items on Amazon.

Duluth Pack has been making bags in Minnesota since 1882. The Duluth Pack Zippered Round Duffel is constructed of a rugged 15-ounce canvas. It has dual, side zippered pockets and comes with a comfortable cotton web shoulder strap. This duffel bag is a best seller with its rounded edges, but you also can choose the squarer weekender duffel. Duluth has several options for duffel bags.

Shop on the Duluth Pack website or find several options on Amazon.

Equinox, Ltd. makes a number of outdoor products in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the same town as the Little League World Series. The company offers several duffel bags, including a mesh bag for wet items, an ultralight nylon bag, and the heavier Pine Creek cargo that comes in three different sizes. These selections are some of the more affordable options you'll find.

Filson started out in 1897 as an outfitter for the daring individuals who braved the wild western frontier. Today the Seattle, Washington company makes clothing and bags for the outdoors, including several duffle bags. Filson makes the Large Dry Duffle Bag in green, combining 100% waterproof protection with a straightforward, simple design. It’s made from tough nylon tarpaulin fabric coated with a waterproofing polyurethane, making it water-resistant material. It is very lightweight and durable at the same time. Choose the smaller version for carrying a change of clothes or other weekend essentials. Note: Not all Filson bags are American-made. Read the product descriptions for "Made in the USA."

Shop on the Filson website or find a small selection of Filson bags on Amazon.

Fire Force makes duffels using the highest quality materials made to the standards of the United States Armed Forces. Each duffel is made of 1000 denier DuPont Cordura nylon covered in a water-resistant coating. The seams are double-stitched and heavy-duty, large zippers are used. These duffels are lightweight and come in six different colors and sizes.

Flowfold makes its duffle bags, backpacks, and weekend totes in Maine. The company began by making lightweight wallets from recycled sailcloth, and today is a small company with a big impact that is dedicated to making functional bags from sustainable and strong materials with quality craftsmanship in the USA. The 40L Conductor Bag is water repellent and incredibly lightweight but also resilient, making it a very durable duffle. It has a side stash pocket and double zipper closure. It comes with an adjustable shoulder strap and top carrying handles.

Frost River started two centuries ago in Minnesota, and the products it makes are as nice to look at as they are to carry. The company acquires its leather from nearby Red Wing (as in Red Wing shoes) and its waxed canvas from New Jersey. The Explorer duffel bag comes in four different sizes. For college, we prefer the large size duffel bag. It is made from a combination of materials such as waxed canvas, premium leather, and solid brass hardware. It has a dust flap for covering zippers and a roomy front pocket. The top handles wrap for ease in carrying and handling.

Shop all products on the Frost River website, or find the company’s “I’m Out” duffel on Amazon.

Once upon a time, J.W. Hulme made everything in America. Today, a select number of products are made on American soil, and even then, they’re not clearly noted in the product descriptions. Search the “Made in America Collection” and you’ll find beautiful leather products, including several duffel bag options. The Weekender Duffel in the large size is made from buttery-smooth veg-tan leather. It’s fully lined with USA micro-suede fabric and finished with imported brass hardware. The duffel bag features two exterior zipper pockets, and the bag's interior has one long zipper pocket and one large slip pocket with a snap closure. It also features rolled leather handles for comfortable carrying, or you can use the detachable/adjustable shoulder strap with a sliding leather pad for comfortable over-the-shoulder carrying. Choose from three different stains. You can monogram your duffel for a small fee. This bag also comes in a smaller size, also made in the USA. This truly is an heirloom duffel bag and will last forever.

Joshu+Vela is located in San Francisco’s Potrero district where classic duffles, among other things, are designed and made. What’s your material choice, nylon or canvas? Joshu+Vela offers duffles in both. Whichever one you choose, you’ll also find they’re made with clean, uncluttered lines with added touches of leather, grab handles, and strong zippers for durability. The nylon is made in the USA for the military. The canvas comes from undyed cotton. Either choice makes a great carry-on bag.

Korchmar makes its duffel bags in the USA and the Dominican Republic, but it has a website page dedicated to only made-in-the-USA items. Made in Naples, Florida, Korchmar offers an all-leather bag, the 22-inch Twain weekender bag. It is made with full-grain leather and finished with solid brass antiqued hardware. It’s fully lined and has interior zip pockets. You can choose to have the piece monogrammed. Korchmar has been handcrafting its products for over 100 years. This is a good option for college students who are business majors taking business trips and who want to look very professional.

We love supporting Lifetime Leather. After a tragic zip-lining accident, founder Ty Bowman was unable to walk for three years. He stayed positive and taught himself how to make leather goods. That experience launched his business which continues to be locally owned and operated in Arizona. The Luxury Leather Duffel Bag is a premium bag made with easy access to multiple pockets, secure zippers, and a fully lined and cleanable interior with an interior pocket or two. 100% USA handcrafted, this custom bag comes with a stylish and comfortable crossbody strap and heavy-duty reinforced handles. The bottom of the bag is fortified by five stainless steel studded feet. Choose from three leather stains. Add backpack straps for an extra fee. Lifetime Leather also offers a brightly-colored fabric and leather duffel bag in coastal stripes or cactus floral. All three of these selections are TSA-approved.

Mission Workshop makes bags in San Francisco’s “The Mission” and has been making duffle bags and other styles for more than 20 years. While Mission Workshop designs and develops a number of styles, it makes only one true duffle: The Transit, shaped more rectangular than cylinder-shaped. It has a spacious interior and is made with water-resistant fabrics. It also has strong nylon zippers, metal snaps, and custom shoulder straps. It comes with four external quick-access pockets and four internal pockets. One external zip pocket is made to carry a laptop, but you’ll want to purchase the backpack straps, sold separately.

A military veteran and avid outdoorsman first started sewing hunting apparel, and when he couldn’t find a durable bag like the one he used when serving in the military, he started sewing his own. Others noticed, and what started as a hobby grew into a full-time business. These duffel bags are “over-built, not over-designed” and range in size from the extra-small toiletry bag to the extra-large 35” x 16” x 16” duffel, shoulder strap included. Choose from several colors in this inexpensive selection. Mountain Ridge Gear gets very high marks from reviewers.

Made in Greenville, North Carolina, Parrott Canvas has been in business for over 30 years, getting its start in the marine canvas trade. The company offers travel bags in a variety of styles. We like the All Sports Duffle that comes in three different colors, including coral. It’s made from durable 1000 Denier Cordura nylon fabric with a water-repellent finish coating. The seams are double-stitched. Add a monogram for an additional fee.

Red Oxx Manufacturing hails from Montana and has been in the bag-making business since 1986. Although Red Oxx makes bags in several different styles including those that can be carried as backpacks, we’re showing off the Flying Boxcar Sports Duffel that’s offered in 13 different colors. It offers padded protection for your goods, a two-foot-long main compartment, and side compartments. It’s designed and hand-crafted from American-sourced materials. Red Oxx is a veteran-owned and operated company.

ROAM designs customizable luggage, backpacks, and duffels in its San Diego, California workshop. They come with a 100-day trial period, a lifetime warranty, and you get free shipping. Made from recycled and eco-friendly materials, carry the Flexi-Duffel by hand with the grab straps, or carry it like a backpack with the shoulder straps. It also comes with an attached key leash on one of the outside pockets. If you’re traveling with a suitcase, the duffel fits nicely on the handle for easy transport. Choose from three colors.

We’re fans of this brand. Tom Bihn duffels are designed and sewn in Seattle, Washington. Tom Bihn has been in business for over 30 years and has a great reputation for making some of the best, most durable, bags on the market. The company offers a wide range of bags for different uses, but check out the Technonaut 30 and 45, two duffel bags in different sizes. These duffels can be carried as a backpack, duffel, or shoulder bag, and they also have a laptop compartment. They come in several colors. While you’re on the Tom Bihn website, check out their packing cubes and drawstring travel trays to hold your chargers and other small items.

Located in an old industrial area of upstate New York, Tough Traveler has been hand-crafting bags and packs since 1970 with a focus on creating a sustainable product that is ethically made and built to last. The brand has been recommended by numerous organizations and used by the athletes at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics. Tough Traveler offers 30 different duffel bag styles, including wheeled duffel bags. We’re partial to the Sports-D Duffel. It’s quite roomy with large pockets and double zippers. It’s made from heavy-duty nylon packcloth. It’s even machine washable! The name really does say it all.

Whether you’re saluting the armed forces or you simply like army green, you’ll enjoy carrying this US-government-issued (USGI) military duffel bag. The large canvas measures 34 inches high and 15 inches in diameter, making it easy to carry over 70 pounds. It has an external pocket as well as padded shoulder straps, enabling you to wear the duffle as a backpack.