Db Duplex review, the perfect duffel?
Doing duffel bags right might just require two parts.
Duffel bags are a staple luggage piece and have even grown in popularity in the last few years. Models like the duffel bag by the North Face or the black hole by Patagonia provide versatility and a huge volume to store everything you might need, whether that is for a weekend trip or for climbing a mountain.
A duffel is characterized by the various way it can be carried, usually either worn as a backpack or with multiple handles around it. Furthermore, they are generally rugged pieces of luggage that can sustain a beating and do not care about the conditions they are used in. Also, a duffel usually consists of one main pocket and maybe some mesh inlets and zipped compartments, yet they are only for the smaller items. Combined with the usually quite lump form factor of duffels, they can be packed extremely full or be stored relatively small. But this flexibility does not come without drawbacks, as there is almost no point in organizing the way you pack your duffel as, by the end of the journey, all the stuff will be rearranged to put it nicely.
Enter the Duplex
Alongside other manufactures of duffel bags, Db(journey), formerly Douchebags, already had a duffel bag in their product line, the carryall. However, the Scandinavian company wasn’t truly content with only the carryall, so they developed the Duplex, another duffel bag.
Contrary to other duffels, the Duplex does not just feature one big storage space but is split down the middle allowing for two compartments separated by mesh lids. However, it still features the trademark versatility allowing the duffel to be carried either as a backpack or via the handles.
I got the 70l model, which is the medium-sized one, and have been using it for about a month. After using the duffel every week, there is a lot of great, but there are still some things I would love to see changed for future versions.
The great
The Duplex provides outstanding versatility. As expected from a duffel bag, it handles a huge variety of loads and can also carry bulky and strangely sized items well. I primarily use it to lug around my American football gear, which is quite cumbersome. For my use, I tuck the mesh lids for the two compartments away, so it is similar to a regular duffel bag, and this system works perfectly.
However, if I carry items that aren’t as bulky, I really enjoy having the ability to close off the two compartments, so things stay separated and more or less orderly.
The bag has two compartments because of its completely different approach to how the duffel bag should open. Contrary to regular duffel bags, which have a lid up top, on the Db duffel, there is a zip running down the middle of the bag, “splitting” it into the two compartments. A further handle is exposed in its split-up position, allowing the open bag to be carried around with ease.
Another thing that makes the Duplex stand out is the two compartments on the lid of the separate halves. In addition, one mesh lid features a small and big pocket, easily accessible through a zipper which provides even more possibility to stop things from flying around in the bag while carrying it. Furthermore, a neatly placed quick-access pocket on the left side of the bag is accessible while wearing the bag and provides easy access to important items like a wallet.
Speaking of wearing the bag like a backpack, it is by far the best experience I have ever had with a duffel bag on my back. Due to the rib-cage technology in the bag, it does not sag down, and because there is padding on the back, it is pretty comfortable. Furthermore, there is an adjustable chest strap which further increases comfort.
Lastly, a feature that is not exclusive to the Duplex but to Db bags but nevertheless great is the hook-up system. The Duplex can hook up to bigger bags of the Db product range or serve as the hook-up for smaller bags. This system is ingenious, and I have used it quite a lot in conjunction with my other bags from Db.
The not so great
It is not all roses though, the Duplex also has some issues and drawbacks. The first thing I am not totally convinced about is the overall design of the bag. It is highly functional and provides quite some versatility, which is what you expect from a duffel. However, the Scandinavian company decided to include their rib cage construction, giving the bag quite some rigidity. This is the opposite of the North Face duffel, which is really lump.
The design choice has the advantage of keeping the bag relatively rigid on your back, and there is no problem with stuff sagging down.
However, it also prohibits the bag from being stored away in small spaces. The Duplex can be made very flat, but it keeps its length due to the rib cage technology. Personally, this is a drawback I happily take, yet it could be a more significant issue for others.
A further minor complaint I have with the bag is the materials used on the outside of it. While they feel very premium and are also recycled, after a month of use, I already have some scuffs. Even though this is expected for a duffel bag, and I believe the material is rigid, I believe that in terms of straight durability, the materials on the north face duffel bag are longer lasting. However, I have to mention that so far, apart from the slight impairment of looks, the bag has held up perfectly and did not have any issue with heavy rain, etc., so there is also a big possibility that just the looks have suffered a bit.
As mentioned, the bag looks extremely premium, which it also is. However, this comes at a price, to be more precise, 279€ for the 70l model. While I personally think this price is justified, and Db also has positioned themselves as a more premium luggage brand, I still feel a price point a little bit less steep would’ve been better.
Lastly, there is one thing I really miss on the Duplex, a handle on the side of the bag. There are handles atop the Duplex, and they feel sturdy, but there is no handle on the side of the bag, which makes it really hard to carry it around horizontally when closed. I used to do that quite a bit with my North Face duffel for smaller distances, where it was more convenient than carrying as a backpack. So, hopefully, in future iterations of the bag, Db adds this handle.
Verdict
The Db Duplex duffel fulfills all the most important criteria for a duffel: versatile, robust, roomy, and oblivious to the elements. Its premium feels and design will also satisfy very style-conscious duffel bag lovers, and the split function provides an ability to organize the duffel unlike any I know. There are only minor issues with the bag, and these do not pose a significant problem for the bag’s usability.
In my opinion, the Duplex will satisfy the needs of all but the most devoted backcountry explorers and provide those who purchase it with a long-lasting piece of luggage.
As always, stay safe
Raffael
