North Star Sports Large Duffle Bag - Waterproof Foldable Tactical Gym Bag for Travel, Workout & Military Gear | Heavy Duty Carry-On Duffel for Sports, Camping & Outdoor Adventures

This is a pre-use review. But I have a LOT of experience with luggage on trains and planes and know what doesn't work.Why did the owner of about 35 suitcases want this? I just returned from two months of travel, using a Samsonite hard plastic wheelie and an Eddie Bauer canvas duffle bag. I needed that duffle bag for a game watching safari, during which my trip essentials all went into the duffle, which in turn was crammed into vehicles with the backpacks, wheelies and bags of as many as 7 other people. My Eddie Bauer survived eleven flights, two train journeys, and 13 days of the van or 4x4 treatment. But the zipper began to have some issues (it's a bit too light duty for the rigors of international travel) and the canvas developed two punctures that don't look worthy of risking further use. And I lucked out on rain: somehow, someone would always rescue it from mud and rain, but you can't count on courtesy, especially from airline baggage handlers. Time to search for a better quality replacement, as I plan to do a little more adventure travel.I was searching amazon for a really well made crushable duffle bag which was NOT HEAVY when empty (won't add too much weight to what I'm packing) and yet is strong enough to withstand the rigors of travel. Waterproof factor is not important to me, so until I edit this review, you may need to check what other reviewers (ones who put it to the test ) have to say about that issue and this bag. One thing for sure: this would not survive immersion or a huge dousing of water. I do believe it should withstand or resist damage sitting briefly on tarmac in a rain shower. Mud might stain it but likely rinse off this slick fabric. It is NOT one of those water tight rubber foldover dive bags everyone's bringing onto boats and even snorkeling with.Love the two way zipper. Huge plus-point. It's all tough plastic, almost as good and sturdy as the one on my dive equipment bag, which lasted years of dive boat abuse and salt water. This one opens the full length of the bag for easy and complete access.Love the wide straps. Strong and sewn in with good looking thread. BUT Shoulder strap does NOT come with a rubber type of shoulder pad. I packed about 30 pounds of soft stuff into this bag and my shoulder didn't ache from pressure digging on my shoulder, but since we are usually allowed by airlines around 50 pounds per bag, you could easily max out the weight on this bag and I don't know what the strap would do, digging in or not. Also, although the hand carry straps are sewn over double, to reinforce them, they do not snap together to make a better, consolidated handle.The tough and thick nylon or rubber material of the body of the bag seems to have a rip-stop effect if bag chances to get a hole or puncture. Like it won't rip further the way canvas would, under stress. A diamond motif is molded into the material, but it doesn't look like the usual stitching which was the hallmark of ripstop in the old days. It is decently tough and thick, but coming into contact with a blade (watch out how you pack scissors and knives), I think it would slice through.Two end straps (on each end of the bag) offer other ways to grab the bag and don't appear to be weak spots. Useful design feature.No inner or external pockets, no bottom reinforcement. This is just a bag. Would work well with packing cubes, but expect everything to sort of jumble around a little bit. Since it's so sturdy and well stitched, I am stoked to road test it now.