By now, you probably know all about Patagonia's Black Hole Duffel and its ability to heave anything from coats to camping gear. And if not, you're likely familiar with one of the many other rugged duffels available, like Yeti's Panga or The North Face's Base Camp. There are so many that another might seem like overkill, but that's not the case with Black Diamond's new Stonehauler bags.
It's hard not to compare the Stonehauler duffel to Patagonia's Black Hole, and not just because Black Diamond began as a climbing hardware-focused offshoot of the company. The bags share many of the same features, from included backpack straps to a full perimeter of lash loops to a D-shaped opening.
There are, however, notable differences. One element is a thin layer of padding that adds to the Stonehauler's durability when carrying edgy objects (like climbing gear). Another is an internal compression system that prevents contents from shifting around. But the best feature is something Black Diamond calls DirtBag Internal Storage, which consists of an integrated sack with cinch closure. It's ideal for keeping a pair of mud-covered hiking boots or dirty laundry away from clean things, and you can shove it to the side when you don't need it.
Stonehauler Duffels come in volumes of 45, 60, 90 and 120 liters, with 30- and 45-liter Pro editions that padded laptop sleeves coming soon.
