Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth Review

Bottom Line

For those who want a protective bag that is just as good for air travel (yes, even as checked luggage) as it is for carting gear to the campsite, we love the Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth Duffel. We tested it on camping trips in Utah and for hauling gear to and from the car for gear-laden adventure days. We loved the multi-functionality of a duffel and tote in one, especially when compared to many of the more traditional duffels we tested.

The mouth of the bag is rigid and stays open when packing, making it a breeze to load and unload whether you’re stuffing it full of clothing or equipment. For the latter, it’s especially useful because the sides are more rigid and padded than other duffels so can also remain open at the top. This allows it to be used as a gear hauler for bulky items like tents or camp chairs. 

Although it does not have as many carry options as other duffels (there are no backpack straps), we don’t mind when a bag is this robust and multi-functional. What’s more, it’s a great value for the price, given its durability, relative weather resistance, and many organizational pockets.

Carry Comfort

First things first: this duffel only has two carry options: grab handles on the top of the bag and a repositionable over-the-shoulder strap. It clips in (or you can remove it entirely) via four sturdy rings on the four bag corners, which can be tucked away when not in use for snag-free travel.

That lets you customize the carry a bit, but the way the rings are positioned means the bag isn’t stable when the shoulder strap is attached and only carried over one shoulder. It works much better as a cross-body strap.

There’s also a grab handle on each end, which makes it easy to grab out of overhead bins or hatchbacks. As a bonus, because of the solid sides, the bag keeps hard or angular items from digging into your leg as you walk.

Compressibility & Packability

When it came time to pack the Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth, craming all our clothing and accessories inside couldn’t have been easier. Thanks to the rigid wide mouth opening (as big as the base of the bag), which pops open and stays open, it was a breeze to get things in and out. There are no compression straps, but we had no issue closing the bag after filling it with clothing and camp necessities.

The only downside: it doesn’t pack down as small when not in use as some other duffels we tested. It still folds down fairly flat but doesn’t pack into its own pocket or storage pouch.

Durability

When it comes to durability, this duffel shows up and shows out. After tossing it down a flight of stairs and dragging it around the campsite, the bottom was only minimally scuffed, but it held its shape perfectly no matter what trials we put it through. What’s more, it seemed like it would protect any gear contained within better thanks to tougher sides.

We also appreciated the burly zippers and extra large T-pulls that made it not only easy to zip and unzip the bag, but felt like they’ll stand up to season after season of use and abuse.

Weather Resistance

Surprisingly, considering the zippers on this duffel aren’t waterproof, and there’s no storm flap on top, this duffel kept its contents completely dry after exposure to an hour of steady rain. Likely, a bit of water will seep in if it’s left unattended in the rain for extended periods of time, but for most brief showers, the Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth Duffel will be more than sufficient.

Organization

When it comes to small item organization, this duffel shines. There are a total of six pockets in the duffel, ranging from mesh drop-in pockets to small zippered pockets. That means there’s a place for everything you need quick access to. It was one of the easiest bags to locate small items like sunscreen, headlamps, and first aid kits.

There is no gear separation or oversized compartments for dirty clothes or bulky items like shoes, but given the number of small organizational pockets included, we can forgive this transgression.

Should You Buy the Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth Duffel?

One of the best value duffels we tested, the Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth is a superb option for those who want plenty of organization in a small package and a bit more structure to protect precious cargo. Since the walls and the bottom are stiffer and padded, it keeps anything inside safer from bumps and bruises, and it is still surprisingly water resistant.

That said, if you prefer a duffel that takes up less room when empty or that compresses more effectively when not packed to the brim, you may want to look elsewhere.

What Other DUFFELS Should You Consider?

If you’re not sure the  Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth duffel is right for you in any of the available sizes, you may want to consider one of the other stand-out duffels we’ve tested.

Nemo Double Haul Convertible Duffel and Tote Review: If you like the idea of a gear hauler and duffel in one, but would prefer a bag that packs up smaller or offers a few more carry options, check out the Nemo Double Haul.

The North Face Base Camp Gear Box Review: Looking for more of a gear hauler than a traditional duffel? Check out The North Face Base Camp Gear Box. It comes in multiple sizes and offers an excellent way to store gear at busy base camps or in the back of a vehicle for long road trips or overlanding. It folds flat when empty and stacks easily when full.

Peak Design Travel Duffel Review: For another take on a semi-structured duffel that looks as sleek as it is functional, check out the Peak Design Travel Duffel. It has plenty of accessory pockets for all the small stuff, plus it fits more easily into an overhead bin.