Review: Jack Wolfskin All-in Duffle 65
What we liked
Light Weight
Build Quality
Simplicity
Empty Storage Size
What we didn’t
Lack of external/strap pocket
Lack of Zip Flap
The Verdict
THE SHORT READ…
The Jack Wolfskin All-in Duffle is a simplistic, stripped-back duffel that will get your kit where it needs to be! It’s tough, built well, waterproof and abrasion resistant, and will last years, though I’m not 100% sure I’d strap it to the side of a mule for hours of travel on a rainy day (I’d step it up to the Expdn Duffle 70 if I wanted to do that).
THE LONG READ …
The Jack Wolfskin All-in Duffle 65L is made from a durable, waterproof and abrasion resistant Cross Rip 300D RE recycled polyester, which is not dissimilar to what you’d expect a good quality backpack could be made from. The outside fabric has a sort of woven feel to it, whereas the inside is lined (other than other than the lid flap) and the backside to the outer shell has a smooth vinyl waterproof feel to it.
The All-in duffle is PFC and PVC free, GRS and Bluesign certified, and coated on both sides of the fabric to ensure maximum waterproofness, although whilst it’s up to the job, I just don’t think it’s as waterproof as say the The North Face Base Camp Duffel or the Thule Chasm 70L Duffel Bag.
One thing that the All-in 65L has above others in this class is a weight of only 1KG, as well as how small it packs down into its included packing bag, which also perfectly doubles as a shoe bag, or place to keep all your socks in one spot. Comparatively, the slightly larger North Face camp duffel is 1.68KG.
The base of the bag is made from the same Cross Rip 300D RE recycled polyester, and has four very small reinforcement patches that I believe are intended to protect the bag’s stitching rather the fabric itself.
The easily detachable shoulder straps offer multiple carrying options, and are removed by simply squeezing the plastic buckle which releases a metal hinge. Only time will tell how these stand up to long term use, I’ve used the bag multiple times and had no issues. What I do find annoying is there’s no external pocket, or designated internal one, for the straps when you want to take them off, such as when checking the bag for a flight.
The shoulder straps aren’t actually too bad, better than the many others out there, and there’s good grab loops on all four sides too. The left shoulder strap has a fixed velcro loop that joins the two shoulder straps together, making it easy to carry with one hand by your side.
The internal organizing mesh pockets are great, with the lid one having a full length zip, and the other 3, which run along one side of the bag, are open for you to stuff items in. As with all single unit duffle bags unless packed full everything moves around and once you’ve dug down deep for an item everything else gets jumbled, but nothing new there.
I’m a little disappointed with the zip being so exposed, as this is an obvious weak point for waterproofing on any bag. The YKK water repellent treated zip is a fine zip and you’re advised to apply a repellent spray as necessary, I’d advise that a zip flap of some kind would be a better design option. If putting on the roof of a 4x4 or strapping to the side of a mule I’d put everything inside into a plastic bag (a good move with any duffle style bag) and possibly store the bag zip side down and hope it doesn’t sit in a puddle.
BTW Duffel and Duffle are both correct, although the original Duffel fabric, named after the Belgian town of Duffel, is a thick, coarse woollen cloth which, thank goodness, no one is making bags out of.
SUMMARY…
A very good duffle bag, with good straps, that will eat up an impressive amount of kit and be perfect for most trips around the globe, where standard transportation is used. Though if you’re heading deep off grid I’d personally get a more heavy duty duffel, or duffle even.