The Cargo Hauler 110L Wheeled Duffel Bag from Eagle Creek is a perfect companion for wherever your travels take you, writes Mike Gormley.
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For those who travel extensively, or just regularly move kit around closer to home, this one from Eagle Creek is your flexible friend. I much prefer a cargo bag that is not rigid so it can be more easily packed away when not in use and also make best use of your available transport as it can be more easily adjusted into the spaces you have. I guess some might prefer a rigid frame to haul on, but I find the kit inside usually forms enough rigidity to allow for this, and the multiple handles work well as they can by used two together if required.
The size you choose will have some bearing on this, as the bag needs to be fairly full to gain better rigidity. Illustrated is the 110-litre version but for preference I would suggest the 130-litre, though you’d need to be carrying more kit to bulk it out. Perhaps we need one of each so we can pick and choose according to the trip.
I can soon tell when I get an item of kit if the designer is someone who is also an ‘end user’. All those small things that make a difference are there, where you expect them to be. This Cargo Hauler is one of those. As you stoop down to pick it up to heave it into the back of your vehicle, or onto a luggage rack, the handling straps are there for you where you expect them to be. They are also strong and sewn in properly to spread the load. There are also compression straps to tighten and reduce volume as required. As well as the straps there are some loops in the strapping to enable the bag to be secured onto a roof rack or similar.
When moving about, the Cargo Hauler is what it says it is and this size (there are five ranging from 40L to 130L) has some very robust wheels, part recessed into the base and secured in tough plastic supports that form the bottom corners of the bag. These wheels are good and work on the rough and tough surfaces often encountered on more adventurous travels; even those so ‘smooth’ floors of terminal buildings with joints, as well as rough gravel stony surfaces. They are well able to be dragged up stairs too. Various materials are used and when you see some of it is ‘ballistic polyester’ it has a durable ring to it. Also, when waiting on a railway platform in the rain the water was naturally beading and running off, which was a good sign. The zips as well have some weatherproofing so would probably do quite well on a roof rack if the rain set in.
Although essentially a single compartment duffel bag, for travelling there is a handy zipped end pocket, also with internal zipped pockets, to store your easy access items to save that rummaging and perhaps even having to take it off the rack to get into the main zip. This main zip is robust and lockable; it can be locked into the top as well with a metal eyelet which can also be used to take a luggage label. Handy, as away from the main handles so less likely to get ripped off.
The fact you can roll this bag up for stowage is great and you get a suitably robust zipped carry bag which has two loop handles. This is bag truly multi-use and very handy as it can be used as an internal shoe bag, or as a standalone day bag or gym bag.
The colour of this Cargo Hauler is Safari Brown but there are four others to choose from. All are all fairly distinctive, which is no bad thing when travelling, especially when in a group, and trying to relocate your bag. I feel sure that this duffel and I will become old friends in time with many travels to look back on. Certainly hope so!
[images © Jean or Mike Gormley or Eagle Creek]
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