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The North Face Just Released What Is Easily Its Nicest Travel Bag Ever

Swapping out PVC for leather, this version of the Base Camp Duffel turns the iconic go-anywhere bag into a first-class showstopper.

Black leather duffel bag with embossed logo held by a person wearing a black fleece jacket with a white logo.Haven
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By Jack Seemer

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When it comes to outdoor powerhouses, they hardly come bigger than The North Face (TNF).

For over half a century, the brand has been synonymous with technical apparel and gear, including the Mountain Jacket, Himalayan Suit and Base Camp Duffel.

Person holding a black leather The North Face duffel bag, wearing black pants and shoes, standing on a rooftop.
Since the 1980s, the Base Camp Duffel has set the industry standard for rugged adventure bags. The latest version (pictured) swaps out the signature PVC-coated fabric for full-grain leather.
The North Face

The latter basically invented the adventure-bag category in the 1980s, decades before Patagonia released its own, equally famous version.

Since then, TNF has expanded the Base Camp lineup to include gearboxes, rolling luggage, dopp kits and even boots. But its latest release takes the cake for the most refined bag in TNF history.

Mountain-born, city optimized

Equivalent in size and shape to the small Base Camp Duffel, which has a 50-liter capacity, the latest version drops the signature PVC-coated polyester exterior for one fashioned out of full-grain leather.

Black leather duffel bag with black straps worn over shoulder with a person in a black North Face jacket.
Leather detailing extends to the shoulder strap and name tag.
The North Face
Black leather duffel bag with dual handles and embossed The North Face logo on the side.
The Base Camp Duffel Leather has a 50-liter capacity, equivalent to the small version of the original.
Haven

The material upgrade extends to the shoulder strap, grab handles and name tag, as well as the pull tab the D-zip enclosure.

Like the standard Base Camp Duffel, the interior is defined by a large main compartment, equipped with a mesh pocket affixed to the lid.

Black leather duffel bag with silver zipper and mesh zippered pocket inside the lid.
The bag has a single main compartment and zippered mesh pocket on the lid.
Haven

That said, the leather version does drop a few functional elements found on the original Base Camp Duffel.

The daisy chain lash points remain intact on the sides of the bag, however, TNF removed the compression straps that help to stabilize the internal load.

It also deleted the end-cap pocket, which would have been welcome feature for urban use.

Round black leather duffel bag with embossed "The North Face" logo and dual handles.
TNF dropped the end-cap pocket of the original for a streamlined construction.
Haven
Embossed black The North Face logo on textured fabric with a tag showing "001/900".
Each bag is individually numbered. Only 900 examples will be sold.
The North Face

Neither omission drastically affects the bag’s overall utility. Nor do they alter the general form. But they do signal a shift in priorities.

Whereas the classic Base Camp Duffel comes with a mountaineering-first ethos, this leather iteration clearly leans toward everyday carry and urban travel, trading a measure of technical prowess for elevated aesthetics.

Person holding a large black leather North Face duffel bag over their shoulder.
The bag is available at select retailers, such as Haven.
Haven

Availability and pricing

The Base Camp Duffel Leather is available now at select retailers, such as Haven and Ssense.

It’s limited to just 900 examples, each one numbered with an individual stamp on the internal pocket.

If you miss out on the initial drop, TNF plans to release the bag in Asian markets starting June 1.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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