This Expert-approved Hack Helps You Double Your Carry-on Space During the Holiday Travel Season

Travel backpacks changed my life. I love to get off the beaten path, so when I traveled through Central Europe this summer with just one large pack, I was amazed by how nimble I felt with all of my essentials perfectly situated on my back. That is, until we reached Istanbul and I realized how beautiful Turkish mosaic lamps are — and how little bag space I had left for souvenirs. Luckily, after a high-stakes game of Tetris, I was able to squeeze them into my and my partner's packs — but it was a tight fit. 

On the flight home, I came to the conclusion that I needed to revise my packing strategy for future trips so I could bring home gifts and souvenirs without the added stress — something that I'm sure we're all thinking about as we're embarking on our holidays travels (and trying to figure out how to tote all of our gifts back and forth). Fortunately, there are amazingly packable duffel bags on the market that are the perfect hack for guaranteeing that extra bag space — my favorite is the Eddie Bauer Stowaway 45L Packable Duffel. With bags like this in tow, you can use them transport your extra gear and then fold them up compactly into your carry-on for your return flight (or vice versa if you're coming back with extra stuff). 

Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 45L Duffel

When it came to the Eddie Bauer Stowaway 45L Packable Duffel, I knew that I wanted something rugged enough to survive the gauntlet that checked bags endure at the airport. My ideal duffel also needed to be large enough to store all of my trinkets and souvenirs from abroad, but sleek enough to easily fit in a carry-on bag without weighing me down. Fortunately, this lightweight, bring-anywhere travel bag that checked off all of these boxes. 

As a professional gear specialist, I’ve tried tons of travel and outdoor bags over the years, both for my personal use and in my job. Eddie Bauer’s Stowaway line has always impressed me with its quality and packability — and the Stowaway Packable 45L Duffel definitely delivers in these categories. Not only does it double your carry-on space by ensuring that you have another bag on-hand, but it's also thoughtfully designed to be a reliable travel companion. And to sweeten the deal, it’s currently on sale for a whopping 50 percent off.

Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 45L Duffel

While considering purchasing the bag, the first thing that I looked at was its durability and build quality — and the Stowaway 45L Duffel passed with flying colors. Constructed from 200-denier ripstop polyester, it's designed to handle everything that a trip to the airport can throw at you. I’ve used the Stowaway 20L Backpack from the same collection for years, and it still looks brand new — this fabric is seriously tough. Beyond baggage claims and asphalt, the packable duffel is also built to withstand the elements with a coating of Eddie Bauer’s StormRepel water-resistant finish. 

At 45 liters, this isn’t a small bag. In fact, it actually has a slightly larger volume than the carry-on backpack that I used for my overseas travels. But you'd never guess that when it was folded down. It packs into a convenient storage pocket — a little bigger than the dimensions of a hardcover book — so it’s easy to stash in a carry-on bag on any trip. When it's unpacked, I'm given more than twice the total luggage space that my packing system is so much more versatile when I have it in tow; no more hemming and hawing in the middle of a crowded bazaar over which souvenirs will fit in my bag. 

Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 45L Duffel

The Eddie Bauer Stowaway Duffel's high-quality construction and packability already make it a game-changing luggage hack, but one more brilliant feature brings it into travel bag hall of fame territory: a pass-through sleeve. This unassuming piece of fabric on the back allows you to secure it over your rolling carry-on bag's handle with ease. My least favorite part about carrying multiple travel bags is clumsily hauling them all through the airport; with the Stowaway, that’s not even remotely a problem. 

As I plan my next big globe-trotting vacation, the Eddie Bauer Stowaway 45L Duffel is undoubtedly going to be the first thing that I put in my pack. And, if you're traveling with lots of gifts (or expecting to come back with loads of presents), then it's a must-have bag to have handy this holiday season — especially while it's on sale for $28. 

Though there's no denying that it’s a stellar bag, the Eddie Bauer Stowaway Duffel isn't the only packable option out there that you can use to hack your luggage space. Keep scrolling for more  highly-reviewed and compact packable duffel options.

More Packable Travel Bags at Amazon: 

Redcamp Foldable Travel Bag

Osprey Ultralight Stuff Duffel Bag

Samsonite Extra-Large Foldaway Packable Duffel Bag

Gonex Large 60L Foldable Travel Duffel Bag

Wandf Foldable Travel Duffel Bag

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