The easiest way to recognize a savvy traveler is by taking a peek at their bag. One of the more popular choices is the duffel — a smart, no-frills option that gets the job done. The trusty mainstay dates all the way back to 17th-century Europe but exploded in popularity in post–World War II America, when a surplus made them affordable and commercial flight for leisure travel became more mainstream.
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Nowadays, the decision to eschew more pedestrian luggage is a calculated and deliberate one. A duffel not only provides supreme over-the-shoulder portability but also a refreshing lack of fussiness. Duffel carriers seem more low-maintenance by default. Overpacking isn’t an option.
The brown leather Duffel Bag ($495; fhwadsworth.com) by New York City–based FH Wadsworth is a shining example of such functionality, albeit with an infusion of timeless style. With its dimensions (19-by-9-by-10 inches), the bag can easily accommodate a weekend-long excursion, yet it’s compact enough to fit snugly wherever necessary.
The full-grain leather construction features red and blue center stripes that give the bag a quiet statement of sophistication the standard Samsonite simply cannot match.