Best sports luggage and duffel bags

Booking a dream race in another country is an amazing feeling, but packing for said trip? Not so much. One thing that can make it less of a chore, though, is some decent sports luggage.

While an old-fashioned suitcase will inevitably do the job, a specific bag tailored for active travel can often make packing and unpacking easier.

We tested each piece of luggage here against set criteria: organisation, performance of the wheels, protection for kit (though we’d always advise taking your helmet in hand luggage), ease of transport, security and value.

That first point is arguably one of the most important, as it allows you to separate casual kit with your performance gear.

However, it’s also vital your kit gets to your destination unscathed, so protection and security were also high on our priority list. Note, these were all tested based on going into hold luggage. For overhead lockers, you may want to check sizing!

Alternatively, you may also want to check out our list of the best transition bags for triathletes. These will not only help you organise your kit, but many are also compatible with hand luggage restrictions.

Now, onto the reviews…

Best sports luggage and duffel bags

Osprey Sojourn 80

• £300

The Sojourn’s cavernous 80L capacity is plenty, but you only get one large space to play with, which isn’t ideal if you want to pack active and casual kit separately.

Mesh pockets on the inside of the lid and a roomy zip compartment on the top of the bag are useful for organising smaller or lighter items, though.

The construction feels solid, particularly at the base of the bag, while the ‘straight jacket’ construction on the front hugs your kit well and uses a thin layer of foam to offer some limited protection.

One of the USPs here is that the Sojourn can also be worn as a backpack, with the harness and shoulder straps zipped away when not in use. The back system is super comfortable, too, allowing you to take most of the weight on your hips.

Other plus points are that it’s quick and easy to put away, the wheels performed well in a range of conditions, and the main zip is lockable with a padlock.

Verdict: Lots of space, expertly constructed and fantastic back harness, but an eye-watering price.

Score: 88%

Thule Subterra Wheeled Duffel 70cm

• £330

That’s a steep price tag, but Thule is known for making quality kit, and so it is here. In terms of organisation, there are two large compartments inside the suitcase that are separated via mesh divider, which allows you to use half for sport kit and half for casual wear.

We were also pleased to see a solid back panel on the bag, which means the kit stored in the base compartment will be largely protected from knocks and bumps.

The two main zips are accompanied by large zip pulls and there are slots for threading a padlock through, too.

The sizeable wheels also performed well, handling bumps or rougher tracks impressively.

Meanwhile, the extendable handle feels nice in the hand and is easy to operate, while an additional grab handle on the top and side makes it easy to move the bag around.

The 75L capacity should be enough for most athletes, while additional features include an ID card holder and duffel straps.

Verdict: A high price, but performance and organisation is top drawer.

Score: 90%

Scott Travel Softcase 70

• Buy now from Scubastore (£224.99).

• £254.99

With a 70-litre capacity, this suitcase from Scott should provide enough space for most trips (as long as you aren’t a heavy packer).

Organisation is decent, with the suitcase split into two compartments that’ll allow you to split sport kit from casual clothes. Unfortunately, there’s no additional storage for things like shoes or a wetsuit.

A compression strap in the largest compartment helps stabilise kit, while there’s a decent amount of protection on offer from the aluminium frame and the reinforced materials, though this isn’t quite as substantial as the Thule and Kipsta bags.

Two grab handles accompany the extended one and they’re all comfortable to use.

The YKK zips work well and will take a padlock, while there’s also an ID slip attached to the bag too, though we prefer ones that are embedded into the suitcase itself.

Lastly, the wheels are a decent size and handle rough terrain well.

Verdict: A bag that oozes class, but just falls short on the organisation front.

Score: 85%

Top image credit: Jordan Siemens/Getty Images

Castelli XL Rolling Travel Bag

• £275

This 80L bag is the joint largest on test and it really swallows up kit well. We liked the organisation on offer here, too.

There are three compartments available inside (large, medium and small), but the smallest also contains a fleece-lined zip pouch, which is ideal for documents or sunglasses and can be accessed from the outside.

In the largest compartment, you’ll also find a separate zipped bag at the bottom, which just about swallows two pairs of shoes or a wetsuit. This makes kit organisation a breeze, with space for casual and sport gear and the ability to separate it as you see fit.

The back panel is reinforced, offering decent protection for kit, and the sides are pretty solid, too. However, the zip isn’t the smoothest and there aren’t any dedicated holes for a padlock.

The wheels aren’t the largest, so aren’t great on rough ground, while the three grab handles and extendable pull handle aren’t as comfortable as others.

Verdict: Impressive capacity and organisation, but wheels and a few details see it lose marks.

Score: 82%

Kipsta Urban Suitcase 65L

This Kipsta suitcase from Decathlon has the smallest capacity on test (65L), but just about swallowed all of the kit we’d take away for a week or two if packed smartly.

There’s only one main compartment here, but inside you’ll find a pocket that’s perfectly sized for a wetsuit or pair of shoes and is closed via a toggle, plus a similarly sized pocket at the base of the suitcase on the outside. You’ll also find two smaller zip pockets, which are ideal for essentials.

We liked the solid base on the bag, but there’s minimal protection for your kit elsewhere. Meanwhile, there are two grab handles and an extendable handle, but these aren’t as comfortable or as slick to use as others.

Two removable shoulder straps are also included, but they’re not very comfortable to wear. The zips are fairly basic, too, with no provision for padlocks, while the wheels are on the small side and don’t handle rough ground that well. The price is hard to ignore, though.

Verdict: Not quite the finished article, but plenty of good points to make it a great budget option.

Score: 74%