Gregory Supply Duffel Review

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Gregory Supply Duffel is a simple bag that has a few key features that make it stand out in a crowd. Our testers loved the oversized T-grip zippers for easy and comfortable opening and closing and appreciated the Kevlar-reinforced bottom fabric for its abrasion-resistant properties. This bag lacks some features that would truly make it great, however, such as padding for the shoulder strap which is uncomfortable carrying a bag of this size and potential load for any longer period of time, the lack of backpack straps for easier transport, as well as its lack of bodily structure and weather-resistant features.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Transport

This duffel bag has two large, traditional handles that can be connected by a padded handle wrap. This handle wrap is beefy and comfortable for lifting the large duffel in and out of the car or carrying it short distances through transit.

The duffel also comes with a removable, adjustable shoulder strap. To our dismay, this shoulder strap is made of thick, nylon webbing with no padding whatsoever. With our 90 liter model filled to the brim with about 50 pounds of weight inside, carrying this bag over our shoulder quickly became uncomfortable.

This duffel also lacks backpack straps, which is a feature that we appreciate in larger duffel bags that can quickly become heavy and cumbersome to travel with.

Storage and Ease of Packing

The Gregory duffel has a spacious interior, easily accessed by the large T-grip zippers which make unzipping a full bag a quick and easy affair.

This bag, however, is lacking in many areas that would make it great in this category. The bag only has one extra pocket on the exterior of the bag, with no internal pockets for organization. There are no compression straps to help with managing bulky items or to help keep a slimmer profile, and since the bag can pack away into its own storage pouch, it lacks structure in the fabric that would help to make it easier to pack.

Durability

A key feature of this bag is its Kevlar-reinforced bottom. Kevlar is a high-strength, heat-resistant synthetic fabric originally used commercially as a replacement for steel in racing tires. This makes for a tough bag, on the bottom at least, as the rest of its body is made of only 420-Denier nylon which is much lower than many of the high-end duffel bags that are typically in the 800 to 1000-Denier range.

Weight

This 90-liter bag weighs in at 1.7 pounds. This is fairly light for such a high-capacity bag, and the fact that it can tuck away into its storage pouch when not in use is a bonus for those who might not like having the clutter of a bulky duffel bag in their closet.

Weather Resistance

The 420-Denier nylon fabric that makes up the body of this bag is supple and able to fold into its own storage pouch. It, therefore, lacks the extra durability that would make it more weather resistant. 420-Denier material is extremely thin and light compared to the 800 to 1000-Denier fabrics found in higher-end duffel bags, which often also have an extra coating for even more water-resistance as well as giving the bag the shiny, stiff feel that alludes to its high quality. It has tight stitching which earns it high marks in quality, but its main zipper is big and fully exposed without any flap to protect this vulnerable area from the rain.

This is not a duffel bag that we would want to strap onto the top of a truck in a rainstorm, as its strength does not lie in its weather resistance.

Value

Our testers find this bag to be a good value for the everyday traveler who wants some extra durability out of their duffel and appreciates the fact that it can tuck away into a small package for storage when not in use. This is a great option for an all-around duffel bag that is simple, won't be carried long distances, and can stand up to the wear and tear of regular travel. For those who don't want to shell out for the cost of a high-end duffel but want something with decent durability, this bag exceeds the performance metrics of your average bag.

Conclusion

While the Gregory Supply Duffel lacks a few key features that would truly make it excellent, such as a padded shoulder strap, more structure, better weather resistance or organizational properties, it is a great, utilitarian duffel bag that is durable at an affordable price.