By Ron Dan
Every year, I get the opportunity to travel somewhere in this world with a group of my good buddies, the Jonathans, JP and FE’s own Black Bret. I’ve taken it upon myself to be the guy that packs everything into one good-sized backpack so I don’t have to fuss with rolling luggage when we’re navigating hunting camps or cobblestone city walkways. With laundry being handled on a daily basis at camps, I have found that I can pack pretty adequately using just a large carry-on-sized backpack.
For the first couple of years with this mindset, I used a Vertx Gamut Overland backpack, which served me well. Eventually, I was looking for something that was a little more simple. The organization of the Vertx bag was great, but all of those pockets made for a sacrifice on internal capacity. With a trip to Crusader Safaris on our calendars, there was a potential for snow ,and I would have to pack more layers than ever before in my single bag setup. I turned to my buddy Brendan Burns, and he pointed me in the right direction of the Waypoint 2800 Duffel from Kuiu. This bag maxes out the allowed carry-on size, but if you have a particularly strict airline, it could be a problem fitting into their parameters if you really stuff the bag full.
Kuiu Waypoint 2800 Duffel Features
The moment I opened the bag, I could see the value in it. The bag has a weatherproof outer membrane that allows for it to be laid in mud or morning dew grass without having to worry about the contents getting wet. The zippers have weather-resistant tape seams that will keep your gear dry even if you’re walking around in the rain. The outer layer also has a good, almost tacky, rubberized coating that allows this bag to be laid on a truck hood or shooting bench without it moving around or slipping.
There are some well thought out minimal organization pockets inside the bag that don’t hinder on the wide open main compartment. It has all the essentials you would need in a travel bag like a separate zippered section for dirty clothes, some pockets for toiletries, and it has very well-placed and durable handles for getting it in and out of overhead bins or trucks. There is a great pocket at the top of the bag that I use for all of my quick-grab essentials like my chargers, passport and AirPods.
In the Field
The removable shoulder straps are incredibly comfortable for a duffel. This bag is not designed to be a primary hunting pack, but it works well in that role if needed. When I get to camp, I empty out the bag for daily use. I can then use the bag for my layers, water, and binoculars when I’m going out into the bush. I like having the bag with me on hunts, as I can use it as a rest in various positions like shooting off a hood/roof, when I’m laying prone, or when I’m on a hillside seated position.
With the durable build of this bag, I don’t have to worry about where I’m setting it down. It’s easy to clean, and you could even hose it off if it gets really muddy. I have used this bag for gear in the middle of South Africa, and it’s been equally at home walking into a posh ski resort in Beaver Creek. It’s been one of my most versatile pieces of kit.
If you’re looking for a great, non-rolling weekend bag for travel, you’d be hard pressed to find a better option than the Kuiu Waypoint 2800.
Cost: $199
Pros: The combined durability, quality and versatility of this bag are unmatched from any other bag I’ve seen. It’s deceivingly roomy.
Cons: There is no support in the structure of this bag, so you need to be careful of what items will be pressed against your back. The material of this bag does not allow for it to breathe against your back, so be aware of this for long treks in warm-weather climates.
