9 Best Rolling Duffel Bags for Women

Can’t decide between a traditional travel duffel bag or a hard-shell wheeled suitcase? Get the best of both worlds with a rolling duffel bag. These nifty bags give you the lightweight construction of a duffel bag with the option to conveniently wheel your way through the airport when things get too heavy. Check out the best picks for rolling duffel bags for women on the go.

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9 best rolling duffel bags for women in 2024

1. Best overall rolling duffel bag: Calpak

Imagine if the perfect duffel bag and the perfect hard-shell suitcase had a baby—you’d get the Stevyn Rolling Duffel. With multiple interior pockets, a luggage sleeve (a must-have feature!), and even a separate shoe compartment, this rolling duffel bag is pretty hard to beat. You can shop it in an array of fun but tasteful colors (think pink sand or green moss) and then travel the way you want, either using the durable wheels or comfy handles. And at 22 inches, it’s the perfect carry-on companion—not too big, not too small.

Price: starting at $165


2. Best durable rolling duffel bag: Patagonia

This one is for the gutsy adventurers. If staying in a swanky hotel isn't your travel style, then you need luggage that can take the wear and tear of rainy days, cobblestones, mountain hikes, and whatever else you throw at it. Enter the Black Hole® Wheeled Duffel Bag from Patagonia. Designed for burly journeys, this rolling duffel bag is made with highly weather-resistant TPU-film laminate, oversized wheels, and reinforced haul handles for top-tier durability. 

Price: starting at $359


3. Best carry-on size rolling duffel bag: Topo Designs

Topo Design's bestselling travel bag, the Global Travel Bag Roller, is a versatile soft-shell suitcase made from recycled materials. It offers three different carrying options - stowable backpack straps, side grab handles, and telescoping suitcase handles. The bag is equipped with two internal compartments that have mesh and lined pockets, heavy-duty crush-proof wheels, and PackFast™ bag attachment clips, making it easy to carry your carry-on and personal items.

Price: starting at $299


4. Best expandable rolling duffel bag: Travelpro

If you’re always trying to squeeze just one more thing into your suitcase, then the Bold™ by Travelpro® 30" Check-In Drop-Bottom Expandable Rolling Duffel was made for you. You can use its drop-bottom as a separate packing compartment or open it up to create one extra-large packing space. Interior and exterior pockets give you extra room to stow your essentials, while a 2” zippered expansion option comes through in the clutch to give you some last-minute extra space. Finally, cushioned neoprene handles help you stay comfortable while you shoulder your load.

Price: starting at $250


5. Best rolling duffel bag for organization: Briggs & Riley

If you don't have the right bag to back you up, staying organized on the go can be a nightmare. To get in touch with your inner neat freak, we love this rolling duffel bag from Briggs & Riley. Its special two-section design makes it easy for you to separate clothes from your other travel essentials. Use the garment-securing panels to keep clothes in place and then unzip the flat packing section on the bottom of the duffel for extra packing capacity. You can thank us later.

Price: starting at $629


6. Best designer rolling duffel bag: Steve Madden

If floral prints aren’t your jam when it comes to fashionable luggage, Steve Madden has the answer with its designer carry-on luggage collection. Available in blue, black, purple, or Cool Cat leopard print, this rolling duffel bag was built to help you travel in comfort, convenience, and style. Its ergonomic handle makes airport maneuvering a breeze, while its lightweight construction makes it the perfect option for a carry-on. Like what you see? This rolling duffel bag is part of a collection, so you can snag the matching spinner suitcases and always travel in style.

Price: starting at $160


7. Best leather rolling duffel bag: David King & Co.

For timeless style in the skies, look no further than the rolling duffel bag from David King & Co. Available in cafe brown, rich tan, or classic black, this wheeled leather duffel is a can't-miss style win for travelers who seek a little luxury in their packing. But David King & Co. doesn't skimp out on function! With exterior zip pockets and adjustable (removable!) shoulder straps, this rolling duffel bag is made to be your new favorite travel companion.

Price: starting at $228


8. Best eco-friendly rolling duffel bag: Ted Baker

Finding ways to make your travels more sustainable and eco-friendly can sometimes feel tricky. That's why we love this rolling duffel bag from Ted Baker. Whether you're an admitted over-packer or a bare-bones minimalist, you can pack your gear sustainably with your pick of the small- or large-sized duffel. Both are made from recycled plastic bottles, turning old waste into chic, sophisticated polyester for the chic, sophisticated traveler.

Price: starting at $395


9. Best lightweight rolling duffel bag: Vera Bradley

We've all been there—after a long day of traveling, wheeling around a traditional hard-shell suitcase can turn out to be a serious arm workout. For a lightweight alternative, try Vera Bradley's Foldable Rolling Duffel Bag. Made out of recycled PET water bottles, this duffel bag is durable, lightweight, and water-repellant. Plus, you can easily fold it up for simple storage when you reach your final destination. Shop this rolling duffel bag in cute prints—like Rose Foliage or Sunflower Sky—and take advantage of the brand's 5-year warranty. Score!

Price: starting at $180


Rolling duffel bags - common FAQs

Are wheeled duffel bags good to travel with?

Wheeled duffel bags are great when you're going on a trip that requires mobility. While hard-shell suitcases might seem a little more durable, they're also much more cumbersome to carry around. A wheeled duffel bag, on the other hand, gives you the option to travel wheelie-style or switch to carrying handles when you want to navigate stairs or other uneven terrains.

Are wheeled duffel bags better than suitcases?

It depends on what you need! Wheeled duffel bags are the shining star when it comes to packing awkwardly-shaped items. Because they're more malleable than hard-shell suitcases, you can really fill up every last inch of space. That said, a hard-shell suitcase will offer a rigid layer of protection around your gear if extra security is what you’re looking for when you travel.

Which brands are best for wheeled duffel bags?

Wheeled duffel bags can sometimes get a bad rap for looking outdated—but not when you shop from the right designers! Our go-to brands for wheeled duffel bags are Pacsafe, Calpak, TravelPro, Patagonia, and Briggs & Riley.

Meredith Shubel

Meredith Shubel is a freelance writer and blogger. A few years ago, she quit her 9-to-5 desk job in PR … and has never looked back. Now she takes her expert knowledge and experience from writing all over the world to give fellow travel junkies the inside scoop on the best tips for satisfying a life of wanderlust. Talk to her on Twitter @merryshoebell.

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