Duffle and Holdall Guide

Duffle bags and holdalls offer flexible packing for everything from overnight stays and weekend breaks to longer holidays and activity-based trips.

Available in compact carry styles, spacious travel bags and wheeled duffles, they offer a softer alternative to a traditional suitcase and can be easier to pack when you’re carrying clothing, shoes or awkwardly shaped items.

Depending on the size, a duffle or holdall can travel as an underseat bag, cabin luggage or Check-in luggage. Always check the packed dimensions and weight against your airline allowance before you fly.

This guide covers the different types of duffles and holdalls, who they suit, what you can fit inside and the features to consider when choosing the right bag for your journey.
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What Is a Duffle or Holdall?

A duffle or holdall is a soft-sided travel bag designed to give you flexible packing space without the rigid structure of a traditional suitcase.

 

The terms are often used interchangeably. Holdalls tend to refer to versatile carry bags with handles or shoulder straps, while duffles can range from compact weekend bags to larger travel bags and wheeled designs.

 

Unlike a hard shell suitcase, the flexible sides can adapt to what you pack. However, an overfilled bag can increase in size, so always consider its dimensions when fully packed.

 

Some duffles are designed to be carried by hand or over the shoulder, while wheeled duffles give you the convenience of rolling a heavier bag through airports and stations.

 

Depending on their size, duffles and holdalls can be used as:

For air travel, always check the packed dimensions and weight against the allowance for your airline and fare.

Case insight: Don’t choose a duffle on capacity alone. Think about how you’ll carry it once it’s full. A compact holdall can be comfortable over your shoulder, while wheels can make a big difference with a larger, heavier travel duffle.
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Who Are Duffles and Holdalls For?

Duffles and holdalls are a practical choice if you:

  • Prefer flexible packing rather than a rigid suitcase
  • Take regular weekend breaks or overnight trips
  • Pack shoes, jackets or awkwardly shaped items
  • Want a bag that can work across different types of journeys
  • Prefer handles or a shoulder strap to a traditional suitcase
  • Want the option of wheels on larger travel bags

Their versatility makes them useful for weekend travellers, business trips, road trips, activity-based holidays and longer journeys where a softer bag suits the way you pack.

 

The size matters too. A compact holdall may work for an overnight stay or cabin travel, while larger and wheeled duffles can provide the capacity needed for longer trips and Check-in luggage.
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Duffle vs Cabin Suitcase vs Check-in Suitcase vs Backpack

Not sure which type of luggage is right for your trip? Think about how much you’re packing, how you want to carry your belongings and what happens once you reach your destination.

Luggage Type Best For Main Advantage Consider
Duffle or Holdall Weekends, road trips, activity holidays and flexible packing Soft, adaptable packing space Larger carry duffles can become heavy
Cabin Suitcase Short holidays, city breaks and frequent flying Structured packing with easy wheeled movement Must meet your airline’s cabin allowance
Check-in Suitcase Longer holidays, family trips and winter travel Greater capacity and structured protection Airline size and weight limits apply
Backpack Multi-stop, active and hands-free travel Easy to carry on stairs and public transport Weight is carried on your back

Choose a Duffle or Holdall If...

 

You want flexible space for clothing, footwear or items that don’t sit neatly inside a structured suitcase.

 

Compact designs work particularly well for overnight stays and weekends, while larger wheeled duffles can provide an alternative to traditional Check-in luggage.

Choose a Cabin Suitcase If...

 

You prefer organised, structured packing and want luggage that can roll alongside you through the airport.

Cabin cases work particularly well for short holidays and business trips when you want to keep your main luggage with you.

See our Cabin Luggage Guide for more help choosing the right cabin case.

Choose a Check-in Suitcase If...

 

You need more packing capacity and prefer the protection and organisation of a traditional suitcase.

 

Medium, large and extra large cases work particularly well for longer holidays, winter travel and family trips.

Choose a Backpack If...

 

You want to keep your hands free and expect to carry your luggage for longer periods.

 

Backpacks can be particularly useful for multi-stop travel, public transport, stairs and destinations where wheeled luggage is less convenient.

Case insight: Think beyond the airport. A suitcase can be easier across smooth airport floors, a backpack works well for stairs and public transport, while a duffle gives you flexible space for items that don’t pack neatly into a structured case.

See our Backpack Guide for help choosing the right style for your journey.
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Types of Duffle and Holdall Bags

Duffles and holdalls come in different sizes and styles, from compact weekend bags to large wheeled designs. The right type depends on how much you’re packing, how you want to carry it and where the bag will travel.

Cabin Duffles & Holdalls

Wheeled Duffles

Large Check In Duffles

Structured Holdalls

Compact duffles and holdalls can work well for short trips and cabin travel, providing the packed bag meets your airline’s size and weight allowance.

 

Their flexible design makes them useful for clothing and softer items, while handles and shoulder straps give you different ways to carry the bag through the airport.

Wheeled duffles combine the flexible packing space of a soft travel bag with the convenience of wheels and a telescopic handle.

 

They’re particularly useful when you want the capacity of a duffle without carrying the full weight on your shoulder or in your hand.

Large Check-in duffles offer generous capacity for longer journeys, activity-based holidays and trips where you need to pack bulkier or less structured items.

 

They can be a useful alternative to a large suitcase, particularly when flexible packing space matters more than a rigid shell.

 

Always check your airline’s Check-in size and weight limits before travelling, as a high-capacity duffle can become heavy quickly.

Structured holdalls offer a smarter, more refined alternative to a traditional soft duffle. 

 

They hold their shape more effectively and often include organised compartments for clothing and travel essentials.

 

They work particularly well for overnight stays, business travel and short breaks where you want a bag that can move easily between travel and your destination.

Case insight: With a soft cabin duffle, always check the dimensions after packing. It can be easy to overfill a flexible bag and increase its overall depth.

Case insight: Think about where you’ll use the bag after leaving the airport. Wheels are useful for heavier loads and longer distances, while a traditional carry duffle may be easier for stairs, car journeys and shorter transfers.

Case insight: A large duffle may still have room left when it reaches your airline’s weight allowance. Pack to the permitted weight rather than trying to fill every available litre.

Case insight: A structured holdall can be a good middle ground if you like the appearance and organisation of a traditional travel bag but don’t want to take a suitcase for a shorter trip.

Bric's

46cm Weekender - Life

Samsonite Luggage

79cm 2 Wheel Duffle - Ecodiver

Eagle Creek

110L Wheeled Duffle - No Matter What Duffels

Briggs & Riley Luggage

Large 2 Wheel Duffle - Baseline 2
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Duffle Bags for Different Types of Travellers

The best duffle depends on where you’re going, what you’re packing and how you’ll carry your bag throughout the journey.

Weekend Travellers

For one to three nights away, a compact duffle or holdall can provide plenty of packing space without taking a larger suitcase.

Look for:

  • Compact dimensions
  • Lightweight construction
  • A wide opening
  • Comfortable carry handles
  • An adjustable shoulder strap
  • Useful internal or external pockets

Best for: weekend breaks, overnight stays and spontaneous trips.

Case insight: For a weekend bag, more capacity isn’t always better. Choose something you can comfortably carry when fully packed and that gives you enough organisation for the essentials.

Bric's46cm Weekender - Life

Activity and Sports Travellers

Briggs & Riley LuggageLarge Travel Duffle - ZDX

Duffles are particularly useful when you’re travelling with trainers, boots, sports clothing or other bulky items that don’t always fit neatly into a traditional suitcase.

Look for:

  • A generous central compartment
  • Durable materials
  • Reinforced bases
  • Wide zip openings
  • Separate storage where useful
  • Wheels for heavier loads

Best for: activity holidays, sports trips, outdoor travel and journeys involving bulkier equipment.

Case insight: If your kit makes the bag heavy, think carefully about how far you’ll need to carry it. A wheeled duffle can be considerably easier to manage through an airport than a large shoulder bag.

Business and Smart Casual Travellers

A structured holdall can offer a softer alternative to a suitcase for overnight business travel and short city stays.

Look for:

  • A clean, structured design
  • Internal organisation
  • Laptop storage where required
  • Comfortable handles
  • An adjustable shoulder strap
  • Easy-access pockets for travel essentials

Best for: overnight business trips, meetings and smart city breaks.

Case insight: For business travel, organisation often matters more than maximum capacity. Separate space for tech, documents and personal items can make a compact holdall much easier to use during the journey.

TumiDouble Expansion Duffel - Alpha 4

Long-Stay & Multi-Stop Travellers

Antler
Overnight Bag - Heritage

Larger wheeled duffles can work well when you need generous packing space but want more flexibility than a traditional suitcase.

Look for:

  • High capacity
  • Durable wheels
  • Strong handles
  • Compression straps
  • Flexible packing space
  • Collapsible or foldable construction where useful

Best for: extended stays, road trips, multi-stop journeys and longer activity-based holidays.

Case insight: A flexible duffle can be particularly useful when the amount you’re carrying changes throughout your trip. For heavier loads, wheels become much more important than they are on a small weekend bag.
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What Fits Inside a Duffle or Holdall?

Capacity varies considerably depending on the size and shape of the bag. A compact holdall may carry everything you need for a weekend, while a large travel duffle can provide enough space for a much longer trip.

 

Depending on the design, you could pack:

  • Clothing for short or extended trips
  • Shoes, trainers and boots
  • Jackets and bulkier layers
  • Toiletries and travel essentials
  • Sports clothing and permitted equipment
  • Packing cubes and organisers
  • Laundry or separate shoe bags

One of the main advantages of a duffle is its flexible packing space. A wide opening can make it easier to load clothing, footwear and awkwardly shaped items without fitting everything into structured suitcase compartments.

 

Packing cubes and organisers can also help divide a large open compartment into more manageable sections. Explore our Packing Accessories for useful ways to organise your travel bag.

Case insight: Duffles can be particularly useful when you’re packing items that don’t sit neatly inside a traditional suitcase. Flexible space can make it tempting to keep adding more, though, so check the packed weight and dimensions before you travel.
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Choosing the Right Duffle or Holdall

A traditional carry duffle works well for lighter loads and shorter journeys, particularly when you’ll be getting in and out of cars or navigating stairs.

For larger bags and heavier packing, wheels can make travelling considerably easier.

Think about the full journey rather than just getting through the airport.

 

Size & Airline Compatibility

If you plan to fly with your duffle, decide whether it will travel under the seat, in the overhead locker or in the aircraft hold.

Always check the dimensions when the bag is fully packed. Soft sides and external pockets can expand beyond the measurements of an empty bag.

For airline-specific allowances, see our Airline Regulations guides.

 

Material & Durability

Look for durable fabrics, strong zips, reinforced handles and a sturdy base if you travel regularly.

If the bag will be checked into the hold, consider how well the material and construction will cope with repeated baggage handling.

 

Carrying Comfort

For carry duffles, padded handles and an adjustable shoulder strap can make a noticeable difference.

Pay attention to the size of the bag as well. A comfortable strap won’t compensate for a bag that becomes too heavy to carry once it’s full.

 

Organisation

Traditional duffles often have one large packing compartment, while more structured designs can include internal pockets, dividers, shoe sections and tech storage.

Think about whether you prefer one flexible space or separate compartments for different items.

 

Storage at Home

One advantage of softer duffles is that many can flatten or fold when they’re not being used.

If storage space at home is limited, this can make a duffle more convenient than a rigid suitcase.

Case insight: Start with how you’ll carry the bag, then choose the capacity. A huge duffle may look useful when empty, but if you can’t comfortably move it when packed, a wheeled design or suitcase may be the better choice.

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Soft vs Structured Duffles

Soft duffles offer the greatest flexibility. They can adapt to the contents you pack and many are easier to flatten or store when you return home.

 

They work particularly well for casual travel, road trips and journeys where you’re carrying clothing, footwear or bulky items.

 

Structured holdalls retain their shape more effectively and usually offer a more organised packing experience.

 

They can be a good choice for business travel, overnight stays and city breaks where you want the flexibility of a travel bag with a smarter appearance.

 

Neither is automatically better. The right choice depends on whether flexibility or structure matters more for the way you travel.

Case insight: If you regularly mix business and leisure travel, a structured holdall can provide a useful balance between flexible packing, organisation and a smarter appearance.

If you’re also considering a suitcase, our Choosing the Perfect Case for You: Softside or Hardside? blog explains how different luggage constructions affect packing and travel.
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How to Measure a Duffle or Holdall

Always measure your duffle when it’s packed rather than relying only on how it looks when empty.

Measure:

  • Height at the tallest point
  • Width at the widest point
  • Depth at the deepest point
  • Any fixed wheels or handles that add to the external dimensions
  • Filled external pockets

For wheeled duffles, include the wheels and fixed structure in your measurements.

 

Soft bags can expand depending on what you put inside, so avoid compressing the bag simply to take the measurement.

 

Airlines assess the external size of your packed luggage. If you’re using a duffle as an underseat or cabin bag, compare its complete packed dimensions with your airline allowance before travelling.

Case insight: Flexible doesn’t mean unlimited. A soft bag that meets an airline allowance when lightly packed can exceed it once clothing, shoes and external pockets are filled.
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Common Mistakes When Choosing a Duffle or Holdall

Duffles are straightforward bags, but choosing the wrong size or style can make a journey harder than it needs to be.

 

One common mistake is choosing a large duffle without considering how heavy it will become. A spacious carry bag can quickly become uncomfortable when you have to move it through an airport or station.

 

Another is assuming a soft bag will automatically meet an airline allowance because it can compress. Airlines assess the size of the packed bag, so overfilling can cause problems.

 

Some travellers focus entirely on capacity and overlook organisation. A large open compartment gives you flexibility, but packing cubes, internal pockets or separate sections can make it much easier to manage.

 

It’s also worth considering where you’ll use the bag. Wheels are useful on smooth airport floors, while a carry duffle may be easier on stairs, in cars or when storage space is limited.

Case insight: Match the carrying method to the weight you expect to pack. A large duffle may offer plenty of capacity, but a wheeled version can be much more practical once that space is filled.

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Is a Duffle or Holdall Right for You?

Choose a duffle or holdall if you value flexible packing, want space for bulky or awkwardly shaped items, or prefer a softer alternative to a traditional suitcase.

 

Compact holdalls work particularly well for overnight stays and weekends, while wheeled duffles can provide more capacity for longer journeys.

 

A suitcase may suit you better if you prefer structured packing, upright wheeled movement and more protection around your belongings.

 

A backpack may be the better option if keeping your hands free is the priority or your journey involves lots of walking, stairs and public transport.

 

There’s no reason you have to use only one type of luggage. A compact holdall can work alongside a suitcase, while a small duffle can provide additional space for a road trip or longer holiday.

Case insight: The best luggage is the one that works for the whole journey. Think about what you’re packing, how far you’ll carry it and how you’ll travel once you arrive.
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FAQ's About Duffle & Holdalls Guide

What is the difference between a duffle and a holdall?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Both describe soft-sided travel bags, although holdalls are often associated with handled or shoulder-carried bags, while duffles can also include larger and wheeled travel designs.

Can a duffle bag be used as an underseat bag?

Yes, if it’s small enough to fit within your airline’s personal item or underseat allowance.

See our Underseater Luggage Guide for more information about choosing luggage designed for the space beneath the seat.

Are wheeled duffles better than suitcases?

Not necessarily. Wheeled duffles offer flexible packing and easier movement than a traditional carry duffle, while suitcases provide more structure and protection.

The better option depends on what you’re packing and how you travel.

Are duffles lighter than suitcases?

Some non-wheeled duffles can be lighter than structured suitcases, but this varies considerably by size, materials and construction.

Always check the individual product weight rather than assuming a duffle will automatically be lighter.

Are duffle bags allowed as cabin luggage?

They can be, providing the packed bag meets the size and weight allowance for your airline and fare.

A flexible bag can expand when full, so measure it after packing rather than relying only on its empty dimensions.

Can duffle bags be used as Check-in luggage?

Yes. Larger duffles and wheeled travel bags can be used as Check-in luggage where they meet the airline’s baggage requirements.

Check the size and weight limits for your airline before travelling.

Are duffles suitable for business travel?

Yes. Structured holdalls can work particularly well for overnight business trips, especially when they include organisation for clothing, documents and tech.

For longer work trips, our Ultimate Business Travel Checklist 2026 can help you plan what to pack.

Can I pack sports equipment in a duffle?

Duffles can be useful for sports clothing, footwear and permitted equipment because their flexible compartments accommodate awkward shapes.

Airlines may have separate rules for larger or specialist sports equipment, so check the requirements for your journey before travelling.
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Discover More

Continue planning your journey:

 

Suitcase Size Guide
Compare cabin, medium and large suitcase sizes before travelling.

 

Airline Regulations
Understand baggage rules across different airlines.

 

Luggage Care & Maintenance
Get tips to keep your suitcase performing trip after trip.

 

Register Your Bag
Register your product for warranty and support.


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