Bleu de Chauffe Archives

Don't worry, I've actually used all the canvas duffle bags on this list while I've traveled around the world. If you happen to follow my YouTube channel, you might have seen some of the many videos I've shot visiting denim mills, boot workshops, and leather tanneries all over the world. I've carried these exact bags with me on those trips. Three bags that made the list and one that didn't: the zipper broke too easily on the Cravar (top right). Most people would probably call most of them "duffle bags" because they're simple and they're made of heavy cotton. But they vary quite a bit — in pocket layout, materials, construction, country of origin, and overall complexity. Below I'll list my favorites in order of complexity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vzCjCMDlGjaw Why Use a Canvas Travel Duffle Lighter than most bags with wheels or tech Easy to store (rolls up under a bed or in a closet) Very durable They look better the more they're used Easier to transport outside the airport (stairs, sidewalks, uneven ground) They improve grip strength, core stability, and posture In a pinch, you can use the carry handles as rudimentary shoulder straps Before we start, an asterisk: I know most people prefer luggage with little wheels on them. I prefer bags I can carry. For one: I think it looks cooler. (I won't pretend that's not a factor.) Two: They're easier to store. Roll 'em up and toss 'em under your bed or in the back of your closet — in small apartments like mine, it's a real benefit. Carries 45 liters, rolls up like a towel. Three: Cotton and leather are sustainable and longlasting. Four: When you can carry your bag, it's easier to transport it when you're outside of the airport. Stairs, uneven terrain, sidewalks, and so on. Five: In a pinch, you can actually use the carry handles as shoulder straps and pop the duffle on your back. 3 ways to assert dominance over the duffle. Five: They're harder to use, so they give you a little workout on your travel days. I know that last reason is pretty goofy, but as someone who spent ten years in the fitness industry: there's a case to be made that carrying something in one hand is the best exercise you can do. It's good for your grip, posture, and core strength and it's a skill I want to preserve for as long as possible. Or maybe you just think duffles look cool, which they do. Here's the one I've used the most. Best Extra-Large Duffle: Filson Large Rugged Twill Duffle Capacity: 75L Fabric: ~21 oz lightly waxed cotton twill (British Millerain) Leather: Vegetable-tanned leather (Wickett & Craig, USA) Pockets: None, just some open flaps on either side of the interior. Made In: USA Price: $699 It's twill, not canvas, but when we're talking about luggage there's no real practical difference: they're both super tough cotton weaves. I'll be real with you: the only reason it's my most used travel bag is that I couldn't find any other duffles that were anywhere near this big: Filson's Large Duffle holds 75 liters, and as someone who often travels for months at a time, it's gotten me through all of my extended trips. For a while I had both duffles, but there are too many other options that are the same size as the medium. You might be more familiar with Filson's Medium Duffle, which holds 43 liters and costs $699. I've owned that bag but I couldn't get down with it: like the Large Duffle it has basically no features, and there are too many alternatives (next on this list!) that do more and cost less. But man, do I love this Large Duffle. Filson is very good at designing timeless, handsome bags. They've popped up in Jack Ryan, Community, Jurassic Park, and every other corner of pop culture because they're just the right balance of simple and rugged that they pop onscreen and look ready for adventure. The materials are all premium as hell: the twill, weighing some 21 ounces (like twice as thick as jeans), comes from the world famous British Millerain; the leather's vegetable tanned by Wickett & Craig; and the YKK zipper is the meatiest you're likely to find. Fair warning: it'll scrape flesh off your hands when new. If you look closely, you can see where they reinforced the seams the last time it needed repairs. In five years of heavy use the zipper has broken twice, and here's the best part: Filson fixed it for me, reinforced the seams, and mailed it back to me free of charge. When I was in Filson's Manhattan store the other day, William told me that the company doesn't actually have a "free repairs for life" warranty anywhere on their site. But they've got such a good reputation for fixing their products that they know they'd be in big trouble if they ever stopped! Filson's Duffle (all three sizes, there's a teeny one) is very simple. The only features to speak of are a storm flap to protect the zipper from rain, two open flap pockets on either side of the interior where I've managed to store dirty laundry, and the carry straps encircle the whole bag to help cradle the load and take some weight off the seams. All good features. Nothing else to talk about, but it's big and tough and they fix it whenever it breaks. I'm happy. What I like: Capacity: I couldn't find any other duffles this big that didn't have synthetic materials. Materials: Thick, slightly waxed twill from British Millerain and thick vegetable-tanned leather from Pennsylvania, both are the most premium sources of the stuff. Construction: Handles wrap the base to support heavy loads and reduce seam stress. Lifetime repairs: Filson offers free repairs for life, even if you buy the bag second-hand. Downsides, not deal breakers: Overpriced: You’re paying a premium for the name, though I'd say the medium duffle is the more overpriced one because there are lots of cheaper alternatives. No real features: No secure pockets inside or outside. Zipper bite: The zipper is aggressive when new — ask my hands how I know. Bleu de Chauffe Cabine Travel Bag Capacity: 40L Fabric: 18oz waxed cotton twill (British Millerain) Leather: Vegetable-tanned leather Pockets: Hidden exterior slip pocket, removable zippered pouch on interior Made In: France Price: ~$400 Another bag I really like is the Cabine from the French brand Bleu de Chauffe. I took it on trips to England and Holland last year and I regularly use it on trips around the tri-state area. Like, that's me using it in Brooklyn in the picture above. When you like durable, natural materials and look for cotton and leather bags like these, most products you find evoke rugged American mountain men. All of Bleu de Chauffe's gear, I must say, have a really refined and "grown up" aesthetic. Everything is natural and durable and perfectly appropriate for casual outfits, but bags like the Cabine are just as easy to carry if you're dressed up. Alas, their product shots are better than my blurry phone pics! Given that these are made in France with excellent materials and construction, Bleu de Chauffe’s pricing is very reasonable. The Cabine holds 40 liters and usually costs under $400, depending on the exchange rate. Filson's medium duffle is the same size, made with the same materials in a developed, first world country — and it costs $200 more. You can cinch the sides to bring it to carry-on size. It has some neat features as well: a hidden exterior slip pocket, you can cinch down the sides to make it fit in an overhead compartment, and there's a detachable zippered pouch on the inside. While most "handmade" products have one person focusing on one part of the production process, Bleu de Chauffe's bags are all made by one person from start to finish. Then they sign that detachable pouch. It's cool! Finally, of all the bags on this list, this one folds down to the smallest size, so it's really easy to store when you're not using it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vLuw-RgqgfEI After enjoying their bags for a while, I stopped by their factory while visiting France. What I like: Made in France: I visited their workshop and can attest to their craftsmanship. The place is spacious, nestled in the French countryside, and the artisans even have a vegetable garden! Value: Under $400 for a 40-liter bag made in a developed country with these materials is very good value. Materials: Thick cotton from British Millerain and tough vegetable tanned leather accents. Design: Side cinches let you adjust the size, two hidden pockets give it a little more function than most duffles. Aesthetic: Smarter, more refined look than traditional rugged duffles. Also, lots of colors: some canvas, some twill. Lifetime Repairs: They're not very loud about it on their site, but they do handle customer repairs. Downsides, not deal breakers: Handles: If the bag's packed full (see above), you can't carry it by the handles. They're also not padded, so you might dislike using them until they break in. Features: The exterior, magnet-closure pocket isn't very secure; I was never that comfortable putting my passport or wallet in there. Best USA-Made Duffle: Bradley Mountain The Ranger Capacity: 42L Fabric: 18 oz waxed canvas (Fairfield Textiles, USA) Leather: Vegetable tanned (USA) Hardware: Brass and copper reinforcement Features: 3 external pockets, large interior zippered pocket, lash tab Made In: USA Price: $495 Another solid take on the canvas duffle bag is the Ranger from Bradley Mountain. I took this bag to Vietnam and Bali last year, and I’ve been using their Wilder backpack for years. To compare with Filson's Medium Duffle: it holds 43 liters and costs $600, while Bradley Mountain's holds 43 liters, is just as American made, and costs $500. In fact, since their canvas is from New Jersey and Filson's is from Britain, you could argue that Bradley Mountain is more American for less money. Left: the Ranger in Bali. Right: a key clip! Even if they weren't so much cheaper, it's also just nice to support a small business: they're a small independent brand based in Tennessee, and I was able to visit their shop a few months ago when I was nearby visiting boar tanneries. There are also a lot of features, here: a big zippered pocket on the inside, two external slip pockets on either end, and a snap closure pocket on the side that has two neat features: a clip for holding your keys and a lash tab that I've used to attach boots to when I've run out of room. Au revoir, little duffle! What I like: Made in the USA by a small, independent brand Materials: Thick canvas, tough leather, and lots of brass and copper rivets reinforcing stress points Value: About $100 less than Filson’s Medium Duffle while offering more features Organization: Multiple exterior pockets, interior zip pocket, and key clip Downsides, not dealbreakers: Structure: The lining and reinforced bottom mean you can't roll this up as easily as simpler bags. Weight: It's not heavy, but it's heavier than simpler bags. Best Budget Duffle: Rov Gear The Duke Capacity: ~42L Fabric: 18oz waxed twill, cotton lining, veg tan leather accents, nylon-reinforced base Pockets: Multiple exterior zippered pockets, interior zippered and slip pockets Made In: USA Warranty: Case-by-case repairs (no formal lifetime policy) Price: $420 This is the bag most directly aimed at taking Filson’s business. The Duke comes from Rov Gear, a very small American brand, and if you put it next to a Filson duffle, the inspiration is obvious — in a good way. Compared to Filson’s American-made Medium Duffle that costs $600, the Duke is the same size, made in the USA, has way more features, and costs about $420. Using the Duke in Tennessee and upstate New York For less money, you’re also supporting a much smaller company and you’re getting more features. The Duke adds nylon reinforcement on the bottom, a full interior cotton lining with multiple pockets, and several external zippered pockets — all while looking almost as low key and minimalist as a Filson. What I like: Value: Better than Filson and costs way less. Made in the USA: American-made with leather from a major Pennsylvania tannery. Materials: Thick cotton twill and tough leather. Features: Interior cotton lining, lots of pockets inside and out. Aesthetic: The closest visual match to a classic Filson duffle on this list. Downsides, not dealbreakers: No formal lifetime warranty: Repairs are handled case-by-case. Handle protectors aren't attached: Easy to misplace. If you have something against nylon: You won't like the reinforcement on the bottom — but it adds a lot more water resistant than all-cotton bags. Best Value Duffle: Thursday Boot Company Weekender Capacity: ~40–42L Materials: 18 oz waxed canvas (Halley Stevensons, Scotland), leather accents, polyester lining Features: Multiple exterior and interior zippered pockets, separate compartment for boots (or laundry) Origin: Overseas (varies by production run) The Weekender from Thursday Boot Company is interesting because I think it has more features and a lower price than any other bag on this list. Maybe that's because most of these bags are made in the USA while Thursday's is made in Mexico, but if that doesn't bother you, it's seriously legit: the 18-ounce canvas comes from Halley Stevensons in Scotland, a fabric mill on the same level as British Millerain and Fairfield Textiles. The boot compartment can fit two pairs of shoes — or your smelly laundry! It also boasts interior and exterior zippered pockets and the best part: a collapsible compartment you can choose to use to store your boots — or your smelly laundry. The bottom is reinforced and fitted with small metal feet to keep the bag off the ground and protect it from abrasion. The trade-off is that this extra structure means you can’t roll it up and stuff it into a drawer like some of the simpler duffles here. That said, nobody can beat Thursday on value or on functionality. What I like: Price: $350, the cheapest bag on this list. Materials: 18-oz canvas from Halley Stevensons in Scotland. Organization: Multiple exterior and interior pockets. Durability: Bottom feet and added structure protect the bag. Shoe storage: Collapsible boot compartment doesn’t steal space. Downsides, not dealbreakers Structure: Extra structure and reinforcement means you can't roll it up real small like other canvas bags. Synthetic lining: If you like these bags for the natural materials, you might not love the polyester lining. Best Structured Weekender: Satchel & Page Weekender Capacity: ~40L Materials: 20 oz waxed canvas (British Millerain), suede lining, vegetable tanned leather accents (Tuscany, Italy) Features: Dedicated laptop & document compartment, several zippered pockets, hidden external slip pocket under handles Made In: Turkey OK, at this point, it's hard to call this bag a duffle. But it's made of canvas and leather and timeless handsomeness, plus it's cheaper than Filson while offering the same storage and more features, so I'm putting it on this list. The Weekender from Satchel & Page is a very premium, very grown-up bag. A little like Bleu de Chauffe, it pulls off the classic good looks of canvas and leather without screaming "Gold Rush-era lumberjack." The fabric is a very heavy 20-ounce waxed canvas from British Millerain, which is the heaviest material on this list. (Fabric weights work differently with canvas and twill; this 20oz canvas is beefier than the 21oz twill on Filson.) This company's real highlight is the leather they use, and while this bag (unlike their messenger I love) is more cotton than leather, the leather is as premium as it gets: vegetable tanned in Tuscany with excellent pull-up and durability, and the lining is a luxurious suede. You can see the Weekender's suede in this shot of the laptop compartment, a wonderful feature that lets you safely carry your computer or documents scrunch-free. There are plenty of slip pockets in both compartments and a zippered one in the main compartment, plus a super flush hidden pocket under the carry handles that's great for secretly storing your passport or wallet for quick access. And again, while being made in Turkey lowers the production cost: it's cheaper than Filson, has more features, and this is a bag where I'm comfortable saying that all the materials are superior to Filson. A few times I've used this bag around New York and... I think the middle one is Connecticut. Further Reading Best Leather Briefcases for Men: High-End, Budget, Vintage, and More We spent over a decade testing leather briefcases before landing on our top ones. Learn more → What I like: Materials: The canvas is thicker and the leather higher quality than anything else on this list. The suede lining is awesome as well. Features: Packed with pockets and compartments, it's a superb (and mature) balance of form and function Good warranty: When my zipper broke on my backpack from these guys, they just reimbursed the cost of a local repairs guy. Super easy. Downsides, not dealbreakers: Very structured: Not packable or flexible like duffles. Metal feet: Protect the bottom, but might scratch certain floors. Final Thoughts Those are my favorite cotton travel bags that will satisfy anyone looking for a casual duffle or a smarter bag that will scratch that itch while looking mature and refined.

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