Two things 1) a basecamp small duffel may be the most efficient carry on since you can stuff it, then use the compression straps, then put a little more in the bag. Compression straps are important when trying to maximize your carry on. 2) while the voyager looks nice, it does not appear to be even close to the durability of the base camp duffel. If longevity matters, the base camp comes through. The same if you are a bit rough with your gear. Also at 32 liters, I am not sure what the application of the voyager really is unless your voyage is local.
I ended up going with the voyager 32l because I 1) didn’t need the toughness of the base camp 2) wanted a few more pockets for small item storage and 3) wanted to get as big a bag as I could that would also work as a personal item on budget American flights, for which the voyager works perfectly. The dimensions are ever so slightly larger, but because it’s squishy I’ve had no problems fitting it in the personal item bin for spirit/frontier.
Seems like having the backpack straps on the lid of the Voyager could become an issue on the durability down the road. I’d imagine that ends up putting a bunch of unnecessary stress on the zipper as opposed to having the straps attach to the actual bag as it does in the base camp.
I love watching all the reviews you all do and I especially love when the topic is exactly what I’ve been looking up recently. I have the original base camp duffel in the extra small and the original in the medium which are 31 liters and 71 liters respectively. I love them both. Can’t speak highly enough about them. I was hoping to get my little brothers some duffel bags for travel and I wanted to give them some options to pick from. My personal preference is the original base camp because of the simplicity and it’s a lot thicker of a material but I see the benefits of the extra features for the voyager. Thanks for the review! I’m sure the color way options will have an impact.
I hve the base camp duffel bag M and this is my experience with it..well the bag material is very good and it has a lot of space inside,the bad thing about it is that while i was walking in the airport for not even an hour my shoulder starts getting hurt
Honestly, the more new duffels I see coming, the more I love the original Base Camp. Recently I was comparing it to the Salomon 70L duffel, and here’s what I found. - Compression straps are sooooo useful! They are a game changer if you don’t have your duffel fully loaded up. - The backpack straps attachment with the classic buckles is way more simple, more durable and repairable than the one on the Voyager. - And you can create a fairly comfortable duffel style strap by placing one backpack strap diagonally. I personally love the Base Camp duffel, hope you will fing some sense in my comment, have a good one!
Man they really be hating on the base camp. Though I feel the audience for the OG is very different than the Voyager (or the typical PackHacker viewer)
Do you think the lack of hip straps would be a hinder on a two week Europe trip? I’m finding that the 30ish litre backpacks aren’t enough for me, but I’m not wanting an Osprey fairview, too bulky and expensive
I love the size competition between you and her! So useful
Thanks for watching 😃
-Eric
Two things 1) a basecamp small duffel may be the most efficient carry on since you can stuff it, then use the compression straps, then put a little more in the bag. Compression straps are important when trying to maximize your carry on. 2) while the voyager looks nice, it does not appear to be even close to the durability of the base camp duffel. If longevity matters, the base camp comes through. The same if you are a bit rough with your gear. Also at 32 liters, I am not sure what the application of the voyager really is unless your voyage is local.
I ended up going with the voyager 32l because I 1) didn’t need the toughness of the base camp 2) wanted a few more pockets for small item storage and 3) wanted to get as big a bag as I could that would also work as a personal item on budget American flights, for which the voyager works perfectly. The dimensions are ever so slightly larger, but because it’s squishy I’ve had no problems fitting it in the personal item bin for spirit/frontier.
Seems like having the backpack straps on the lid of the Voyager could become an issue on the durability down the road. I’d imagine that ends up putting a bunch of unnecessary stress on the zipper as opposed to having the straps attach to the actual bag as it does in the base camp.
I love watching all the reviews you all do and I especially love when the topic is exactly what I’ve been looking up recently. I have the original base camp duffel in the extra small and the original in the medium which are 31 liters and 71 liters respectively. I love them both. Can’t speak highly enough about them. I was hoping to get my little brothers some duffel bags for travel and I wanted to give them some options to pick from. My personal preference is the original base camp because of the simplicity and it’s a lot thicker of a material but I see the benefits of the extra features for the voyager. Thanks for the review! I’m sure the color way options will have an impact.
Thanks for the comment, Noah!
- Austin
I hve the base camp duffel bag M and this is my experience with it..well the bag material is very good and it has a lot of space inside,the bad thing about it is that while i was walking in the airport for not even an hour my shoulder starts getting hurt
Honestly, the more new duffels I see coming, the more I love the original Base Camp. Recently I was comparing it to the Salomon 70L duffel, and here’s what I found.
- Compression straps are sooooo useful! They are a game changer if you don’t have your duffel fully loaded up.
- The backpack straps attachment with the classic buckles is way more simple, more durable and repairable than the one on the Voyager.
- And you can create a fairly comfortable duffel style strap by placing one backpack strap diagonally.
I personally love the Base Camp duffel, hope you will fing some sense in my comment, have a good one!
Thanks for sharing! 😃 You bring up a lot of great points.
-Eric
Man they really be hating on the base camp. Though I feel the audience for the OG is very different than the Voyager (or the typical PackHacker viewer)
Do you think the lack of hip straps would be a hinder on a two week Europe trip? I’m finding that the 30ish litre backpacks aren’t enough for me, but I’m not wanting an Osprey fairview, too bulky and expensive
are they both good for low cost airline? (As a hand luggage)
Doesn’t the new version have a laptop compartment?
Which ones the new version?
Where is Nathan from pack hacker?
Forse il voyager era più simile alla taglia xs.
Do you have any kind of back support? Or do you feel the contents of the bag on your back?
Great video fella, was worried it would look too big on my back
Glad we could help!
- Austim
damn.. I missed out on that color base camp duffel. good stuff 👍🏻
Nice
believe the old one is pretty water resistant than the new model.
i haven't seen the new Voyager yet but seems like it kinda absorb rainfgall.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
- Austin