Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel Review

Curious about the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel Bag? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed review will tell you all you need to know about this duffel!

We’ve covered materials, sizing, wheels, handles, and all the other features that matter in a duffel bag. Read on to see if the Cargo Hauler wheeled duffel bag is exactly what you need, or if you should keep looking for that perfect wheeled duffel bag for you!

Materials

The Eagle Creek Cargo Duffel Bag is made from durable 600D polyester. It’s a water repellent material, so it’s going to perform very well in light rain. It’s not entirely waterproof so you should still seek shelter if you get caught in the rain with this bag, but the items inside won’t get drenched immediately.

The polyester exterior of the bag is tear and rip-resistant for excellent durability.  Also, the material is reflective, for some extra safety during night use. It makes the bag more noticeable in the dark, which is always useful if you’re walking around at night.

Durability

The duffel bag is made from a very durable material, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the overall durability of the bag. It’s also reinforced at all its weakest points, for improved impact resistance when traveling.

On top of that, the bottom of the bag is padded with foam, for excellent shock absorption. Not only are the materials and the construction of the bag incredibly durable, but it’s also tough enough to protect all the items inside from impact.

Sizing Options

The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel Bag is available in three different sizes – a 40-liter option, a 110-liter option, and a 130-liter option. They’re not the only bags in the Cargo Hauler product range, but they are the only duffels that have identical features, apart from the size.

There are three more wheeled duffel bags in this range, but they’re named the Cargo Hauler XT. The XT marks the addition of a telescoping aluminum wheel handle, which is a feature you won’t find on the two regular duffel bags. The XT duffels are available in three sizes, including a carry-on duffel, a 90-liter bag, and a 120-liter duffel bag.

On top of that, the Cargo Hauler duffel bag range also includes four classic duffel bags, and they’re a good option if you don’t care too much about the wheels. In this review, I will focus on the classic Cargo Hauler wheeled duffel bags, so the model without the telescoping wheel handle. They all have large capacities, so they’re great options for very long trips.

In-Line Skate Wheels

This Eagle Creek Duffel Bag is equipped with two in-line skate wheels that allow for easier transport. You have to tilt this bag to get the wheels rolling, so they’re not quite as functional as spinner wheels.

On the other hand, these wheels take up less space, and they don’t add a lot of bulk to the duffel bag. The low-profile wheels are secured to the bag, and the corners around the wheels are reinforced for even better durability.

All The Handles

The amount of handles on this duffel bag is certainly impressive. The wheel handle is the star of the show – it’s a simple polyester handle that allows you to drag this bag. It’s not a plastic handle so it’s not height-adjustable or anything like that, but that’s not a bad thing.

The polyester wheel handle is thin and lightweight, and it doesn’t add any bulk to the bag. Whereas a plastic or aluminum wheel handle might be more convenient, this type of handle is better with large-capacity bags that quickly become very heavy and bulky.

The duffel bag also features grab handles on the sides, so you can easily pick it up no matter how it’s positioned. There’s also a padded handle at the front of the bag that lets you pick this up like any other duffel bag, as well as padded top haul handles for even more options.

Backpack Straps

In addition to the many different handles, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel Bag is also equipped with backpack straps. They’re detachable and can be hidden in their own dedicated pocket in the back, so they won’t get in the way if you’re not using them.

The upside is that the backpack straps are convenient because they add an extra way to carry this heavy duffel bag. The downside is that the bag doesn’t have a sternum strap or a hip belt, so you can’t really adjust it for more comfortable backpack-style carrying.

It’s fine if you only need to carry the duffel up a flight of stairs or for a few minutes but wearing it like a backpack for more than 10 minutes of a time will prove to be a rather uncomfortable and possibly painful experience, especially when it’s at full capacity.

Main Compartment

The main compartment of the Cargo Hauler Wheel Duffel Bag features a U-shaped opening for easy access. As soon as you open the main compartment, you can see all your belongings inside and access whatever you need. This style of the main compartment does mean that it’s a bit trickier to access the items at the bottom of the bag, but that also depends on your packing style and whether or not you’re using packing cubes and organizers.

The zipper of the main compartment is lockable, for the safety and security of your belongings. This is great if you’re planning to use the duffel as checked luggage for air travel, but it’s worth noting a lock is not included in the purchase. It’s something you’ll need to buy separately, and a TSA-friendly lock is recommended if you plan on flying with this duffel bag.

Pockets

The main compartment of the duffel accounts for the vast majority of its capacity, but not all of it. The duffel has zippered pockets at either end, which are great for organizing the smaller gear. They’re not very small pockets either, so you can use them for all the items that you initially forget to pack in the bag.

The top zippered pocket is the most easily accessible, so it’s great for all the items you want to have within hands reach. It’s especially convenient if you’re flying with this bag since you can have your passport, boarding pass, wallet, phone, and a few other items just a quick zip away.

Pack-It System Compatible

The Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel Bag is compatible with the Pack-It System of packing cubes. This is Eagle Creek’s proprietary line of packing cubes that allows you to maximize the space inside any luggage and stay organized while packing.

It’s worth noting that you can use any kind of packing cubes and organizers inside this duffel bag if that’s how you prefer to pack. You absolutely don’t have to use the ones made by Eagle Creek, but you will be able to utilize the space a bit better if you stick with products from the same brand since they are made specifically for their own luggage.

Easy Storage

The classic Cargo Hauler wheeled duffels (without the telescopic handle) come with a stuff sack. The bags fold into the sack for easy storage, and they take up very little space when not in use.

They don’t have a rigid frame, which is not true for the XT models that have that metal wheel handle. So, if you’re looking for a bag that’s easy to store and that won’t take up too much space in your closet, this is another major advantage of the Cargo Hauler wheeled duffel bag.

Value For Money

The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel Bags are pricey, but are they worth the money? It depends on what you’re looking for in a duffel bag.

They’re worth it if you’re specifically looking for a high-quality duffel bag with wheels that will withstand the test of time and regular use. The bags are very sturdy and durable, they can hold enough things to last you about a month of traveling, and they’ve got wheels and backpack straps so you can transport them multiple different ways.

Also, it’s worth noting that these two duffel bags are the most affordable products in this line. The Cargo Hauler XT Duffel Bags are all much more expensive, and even the 36-liter carry-on costs more money than the 130-liter classic wheeled duffel bag.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel Review: Final Thoughts

The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffel Bag is a high-quality duffel bag with wheels. It’s made from a durable and water repellant material, for excellent performance in changing weather conditions.

The duffels are great for very long trips thanks to their massive capacities. You can fit all your gear inside the main compartment, and whatever is left over will fit into one of the two zippered pockets. Also, you can carry this bag multiple different ways, thanks to the handles on the top, bottom, front, and sides. Let’s not forget about the wheels and backpack straps either, since they add even more ways to carry this duffel bag.

Head over to their website to see the prices and color options of the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler wheeled duffel bags. In case you decided this isn’t the right wheeled duffel for you, check out our related posts for lots of other options!

RELATED POSTS:

BEST ROLLING DUFFEL BAGS

DUFFEL OR SUITCASE