Excellent Gym Bag/Travel Bag

By micweb Ranked #120 - Climbing Packs and Bags August 7, 2009

This is what I would call an "unconstructed" bag since it has no padding or thick materials to give it structure.

That's actually a plus, if you like to move fast and light. Black Diamond designed it for lugging rope and gear to a climb, not for hauling up with you.

This is essentially a duffel with backpack straps, and that makes it work very good for soft goods (like gym gear - judo or jiu jitsu) or for travel.

Since it doesn't have compartments to help me organize, I use mine in travel as a checked piece to hold my jiu jitsu gear and any extra clothing I might want. (My emergency clothing and toiletries, netbook, knickknacks go in my carry-on bag.)

It's easy to throw this simple duffel into the trunk of a taxi where I arrive, and if I have to carry it myself I use the shoulder straps. Since there is no padding on this bag, you leave fragile stuff out of it or wrap in in clothing.

At first I wondered why the backpack straps don't have a stow-away slot like on a convertible travel backpack. But then I realized that would add weight, bulk, and expense (a convertible travel backpack costs a lot more). Now I like the design just the way it is.

And oh yeah if you leave the rope tarp at home, you can flatten this duffel down to nothing and stow it in another bag to use for over-flow (souvenirs etc.) when you come home.

BTW sometimesI use the rope tarp as a clean place to stand if I am changing into my jiu jitsu uniform on a dirty floor.

View Details: Black Diamond Boa Duffle Bag - 2136 cu in

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