[Closed] North Face Basecamp Duffle - worth the money?

No - [url= http://rab.uk.com/products/expedition-gear/expedition-kitbag-mkii.html ]Rab[/url] make some expedition duffle bags from heavy duty aztec canvas. Equally as good without the "steal me" logo.
The older ones are more discreet and cheaper if you can find one

i have colleagues who swear by NF bags for their fieldwork in the Himalayas, Arctic and Antarctica.

No, get a Mountain Equippment one from Cotswold. Brilliant and cheap - £60 for a 100l one.

We just bought one and might buy another to replace our wheely suitcases for travelling. Fed up of a quarter of our baggage allowance being used up carting suitcase around.

They are very well thought of in pimlico

[url= http://cactusclimbing.co.nz/index.php/virtuemart-mainmenu-162?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=69&category_id=84 ]Cactus Big Black Bags[/url]

Free worldwide shipping, and Cactus kit is much more niche than chavvy north face 🙂

I've got a couple of their bags, and a pair of supertrousers.... seriously hard wearing kit.

Dave

i see your north face bag and raise you

[url] http://www.montroseropeandsail.co.uk/products/bags/ [/url]

youll have to work hard to destroy these - the large bag is LARGE

pair of supertrousers

*likes the sound of them!

mine is great; haven't tried any others so couldn't compare. the ability to wear it a sa rucksack is great when trying to manoeuvre a bike bag through a busy airport.

got mine from cotswold @ 50% off.

geoffj - Member
> pair of supertrousers
*likes the sound of them!

I've got the 'light weight' version - I've owned them for 2 years, and they are starting to soften up a little... they can still stand up on their own though 🙂

Dave

If you want to keep it British then Aiguille Alpine make fab kit in their Staveley workshop (it's next to Wilf's cafe).
[url= http://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/shop/28/ ]Clicky[/url]
Don't be fooled into thinking that the rucsac straps are that useful. They are okay if you are just walking across a transport hub/station but you won't be able to walk any distance as the straps are never that comfy. I found this out the hard way.

I've had a North Face one for about 6 years.
I've generally tret it like a dustbin bag. Its thrown about, dragged along, pulled up and down stairs, thrown from heights, hung from walls and generally been used as it should.

In 6 years I've never had one issue with it. Not so much as a loose thread on niggly zip. On that basis alone I won't look anywhere else or try another brand.
It just works for what is been designed for.

I've got some, all different sizes, and love them, managed to get the last ones cheap, one in the US and one from the Outlet Store at Elsmere Port.

I've also got a Gelert one that is pretty similar:
[img] [/img]

First picture I found can't remember where I bought mine.

they are very good, but as noted above the Mountain Equipment ones are basically identical and cost far far less from Cotswolds. bargainous.

Alfa - I've got cactus trousers they're 11 yrs old and mint ! Fleece t shirt is 7 and looks new. Gret stuff.

+1 For the Mountain Equipment one's

mine have been used and abused all over the show and have held up well

tbh I wouldn't be surprised if they were all made in the same factory (could well be wrong though)

[edit]I should add the built in dry compartment is brilliant!! It's been so useful when I've been away doing stage races and have wet/stinky/filthy kit building up over a week[/edit]

i've got two different sizes of the ME ones, and am contemplating expanding my collection!

Yeah they are great, I have used them for years, tough, pretty much waterproof and light. There are probably other bags just as good though, ymmv

Only on STW could NF be considered "chavvy" 🙂

[url= http://www.duffbag.com/ ]www.Duffbag.com[/url]

Had my ME bag for 5 years now and it still seems bomber, no holes, no zip issues, no loose threads. Conversely, when my housemate (stupidly) bought a cheapy Hi Gear version for a 5 week expedition to Nepal, the handles pulled away (stitching failed) the first time she tried to pick it up fully loaded.

Shiny spangly TNF bags scream "steal me 'cos I'm rich enough to replace it" in some parts of the world

Only on STW could NF be considered "chavvy"

TNF is considered "chavvy" just about everywhere. With a few notable exceptions (the duffles, tents) their kit drifted away from being "serious outdoors kit" and into slightly neutered gear to appeal to Joe Public who fancies himself as a bit outdoorsy. I tested one of their supposed "Adventure Race" packs a few years back which was absolutely dreadful - uncomfortable, badly shaped, overly heavy and a nightmare to ride with. Not what i'd expected from a company with TNF's pedigree...

TNF? I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole! How about the black army surplus duffles with handles that convert into rucksack straps?

TNF is considered "chavvy" just about everywhere. With a few notable exceptions (the duffles, tents) their kit drifted away from being "serious outdoors kit"

But most people aren't "serious outdoors" people, they just want a waterproof coat or whatever that will be ok for walking the dog or climbing some hills, not camping in Nepal. Not niche enough for STW I agree, I guess I won't be wearing my NF coat to ride my Saracen to the local park lest I incur the wrath of the STW massive 🙁

"Shiny spangly TNF bags scream "steal me 'cos I'm rich enough to replace it" in some parts of the world "

EVERYWHERE.

Thats also why my offshore bags(from my link above) have no labling on them at all - i sat and picked out all the stitching and removed company logo . Just my initials in marker on it !

[img] [/img]

Back in the day (1990s) TNF was a serious outdoor brand doing cutting edge designs for expeditions, then their design team got the hump, left and formed Mountain Hardware. TNF has gone after the consumer market ever since....

It just works for what is been designed for.

+1

guess I won't be wearing my NF coat to ride my Saracen to the local park lest I incur the wrath of the STW massive

Nowt wrong with a saracin!

I am about to buy one of the North Face 70 litre North Face Basecamp Duffle for £81 (after 10% discount) at the North Face store here.

I have 2 Mountain Equipment duffles which I bought last year but if you have lower back pain like me you are better off with the shoulder straps even for a very short journey. I was in pain at the airport because I could not balance the weight properly with my Mountain Equipment duffle.

Nahh ... not bother about being called a chav with TNF duffle so long as it fits for the purpose and will last me for years.

For me it's worth the money to ease off a bit of my lower back pain ... I have to.

🙂

Does it come with a padlock?

swedishmatt - Member

Does it come with a padlock?

You use padlock? 😆

I use zip ties!

chewkw - Member
swedishmatt - Member
Does it come with a padlock?

You use padlock?

I use zip ties!

swedishmatt - Member

That's much harder.

Or double up as body bag ... 😈

p/s: the Rab Expedition Kit Bag MK II 60 litre looks promising ...

but if you have lower back pain like me you are better off with the [s]shoulder straps[/s]wheels even for a very short journey

Just for balance - I ride, and run ultra marathons with NF sacs and they have been 100% brilliant. Ditto mtb shirt is really comfy and just bought windproof cycle top from Bicester outlet. Have worn it all day today - marvelous kit. Also have their soft shell and goretex jacket for climbing and skiing in crap conditions and no complaints at all. But if that makes me a chav, well that's an new STW label for me!!!

Like ME as well, so if bags are cheaper, then an easy choice to make. Both appear bombproof (ok not literally)

chewkw - Member

trail_rat - Member

but if you have lower back pain like me you are better off with the [s]shoulder straps[/s]wheels even for a very short journey

I need the baggage allowance unfortunately ... 🙄

ElShalimo, Not sure about the Macpac as they are rather rucksacky ...

our ME bag gained a hole the first time it went through an airport.

We have a couple of Tatonka bags, very similar, tough as old boots, and the oldest one is probably getting on for 10 years old. Definitely a well-judged purchase. Cheaper than TNF by a country mile too...

In defence of TNF also - I only know their summit range as that's what I have the most of, and it's brilliant stuff. I have a pull-on shell type thing made of Apex fabric which I love to bits for mtbing. It is orange though.

Btw I don't think I paid full price for any of it. All on clearance or at the outlet.

TroutWrestler - Member

We have a couple of Tatonka bags, very similar, tough as old boots, and the oldest one is probably getting on for 10 years old. Definitely a well-judged purchase. Cheaper than TNF by a country mile too...

Those Tatonka duffles look good and very similar to TNF and far better priced so... hmmm ... where I can find one in the GeordieLand?

🙂

I have a Haglofs duffle. Got it from Escape Route in Pitlochry. It's survived 3 Cycle Oregons where they get loaded and unloaded into artic trucks with 2500 other duffle bags every day. A handful of trans Atlantic and european flights too. Still looks like new.

I can recommend this lot if you fancy trying something different -

http://www.over-board.co.uk/duffel-bags.html

I bought one of their roll-top duffels at Stansted Airport about 4 years ago, Dixons had priced it up wrong and I got it for £15.
So far its been round the Sahara Desert, and on countless biking/camping/outdoors trips and still looks good.

freeagent,

This Over Board 90 litre duffel looks good but slightly larger than one I prefer as I want something between 65 litre to 70 litre. £60 + £9 delivery the price is still nice.

Tatonka Barrel (65 litre) is £49 + £6 delivery is looking good too.

They are all cheaper than TNF ... so it seems like I will go for alternative to save some £££ and very different.

Decision, decision ...

I have seen 100 litre TNF duffel and it is a body bag ... 😯

The TNF bags are brilliant. Very strong, very big and very durable. Mountain Equipment stuff I have had in the past has tended to be very poor quality.
The large TNF is the best size for Europe, the XL is only really essential for going to America as it generally exceeds the luggage allowance for Europe if you pack it well.
I can get a pair of ski boots + snowboard boots + ice climbing boots, ropes, crampons , ice axes etc into the large, just.
I've got 7 of the North Face bags and they're excellent. Wouldn't pay full price right enough.

So which one is better made?

[b]The North Face 70L.[/b] [b]£81[/b] at my local.
Base Camp Duffle
FABRIC : Phthalate-free TPE fabric laminate, 840D Jr. ballistics nylon.

[b]Over Board 90L.[/b] [b]£60 + £9 delivery[/b]
Adventure Duffel Bag
Manufactured from strong & hard-wearing PVC tarpaulin with double stitching

[b]Tatonka Barrel M (65 Litre) Rucksack/Holdall - Star.[/b] [b]£49 + £6 delivery[/b]
With the material mix of tarpaulin and textreme
Material 1: Tarpaulin 1000
Material 2: Textreme 6.6

I like my North Face one, it's well travelled and it's picked up a load of marks and scrapes from rough handling but doesn't feel any the worse for wear. Could probably do with a little more storage options inside- more net pockets etc- but still, it's good.

I bought a 70L Quechua Duffle bag from Decathlon a few years ago. It's pretty much the same design as the NF versions. It has detachable shoulder straps so they don't get torn off by the baggage handlers. Has survived lots of treks like Kilimanjaro. A bargain at £29.

I've got cactus trousers

'ts gotta hurt 🙁

Great bags, mine gets a battering on helicopters and in and out of crappy weather. If your careful and look after them they last and don't get stolen.

I Guess they're popular, not sure if that makes them chavvy. I suppose theyr'e chavvy if you don't own one. 😉

If you don't like parting with money don't buy one...Tatonka make a good duffle bag for less.

I picked up a large from Tiso yesterda. I looked at a couple of alternatives, but the sealing was the best on the TNF except for a cheapo copy from Mountain warehouse, which looked better made, but was only 40l.
Got a £20 voucher as part of the deal - which was nice!

Just picked up a NF 72L Base Camp from Cheshire Oaks for £53. I would have looked at the ME ones but I need rucksack straps for my purposes. At that price I'm happy.

sharkbait - Member

Just picked up a NF 72L Base Camp from Cheshire Oaks for £53. I would have looked at the ME ones but I need rucksack straps for my purposes. At that price I'm happy.

The cheapest NF 72L Base Camp I can find is from my local Blacks outdoor shop at £60 but the colour is pink ... 🙄

I want either bright yellow or orange colour with rucksack straps.

Well Tatonka is still in contention.

Mate has Tatonka ones in his outdoor shop, seem pretty sturdy and feel well put together - damn good price and all. He also stocks TNF, ME and Gelert bags, they all sell equally well, only Gelert ones get returned for warranty.

I've got a TNF one that was given to me, no sign of it wearing out, shoulder straps work best when it is full.

I also have a smaller Vango one. Nice, not as heavy duty as the ME one but consequently much lighter.

For you folk worried about weight of bags

Eagle creek no matter what xl

You wont get lighter strength .

Brilliant traveling bag when you need lots of kit

Just the thing for the kinky spy about town!

Another Tatonka user here- took one to Canada this winter and its perfect!

Finally I decided to choose a yellow Tatonka Barrel M (65L) from here:

It's on sale and I think I bought the last one of the yellow Tatonka Barrel ... its now say it's discontinue but if you click on the different colour they are still in stock. 😆

Ordered on Tuesday and arrived on Thursday. Paid £49 + £4.99 postage.

[url= http://www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk/Product/971/107010/tatonka-barrel-m-65-litre-rucksack-holdall-star-1998-035/ ]Uttings.[/url]

[img] [/img]

They have many Tatonkas ...[url= http://www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk/SpecialOffers/204/rucksacks-and-luggage/ ]On offers[/url]

I don't know if the one I bought is their old stock but it seem rather sturdy.

25 years ago I would have said yes. Nowadays there are alternatives.
I have several ME ones from Cotswold. In many ways the few extra features are dead handy and the price is better. Maybe the NF one is a touch thicker.
I use both.