| At one time, only campers used large duffels | | | | |
| also known as "soft trunks." They were the | | | | Duffels are available in a huge array of |
| easiest to use for casual trips. They fit | | | | colors. From neon bright duffels offered by |
| easily in the hold of a bus, and were the | | | | companies such as Skyway, to the better |
| most convenient to store at the campsite. | | | | brands with leather trim such as Mosaic |
| Then duffels caught on with college students | | | | travel gear, there will be a choice for you. |
| and became the popular size for student | | | | The amenities you've come to expect in your |
| tours. It didn't take long for everyone to | | | | Pullman case are also featured in these |
| figure out what the kids knew all along. | | | | duffels. You'll find outside pockets for the |
| Duffels were easy to pack, and easy to travel | | | | last minute items. Add-a-bag straps to hook |
| with. Now with the advent of weight | | | | up a smaller piece or a briefcase or |
| restrictions on airline baggage, duffels | | | | attaché case are also available on |
| have caught on with travelers of every age. | | | | duffels. Small "wet pack" pockets to pack a |
| They are lightweight luggage that will first | | | | last minute wet bathing suit is another |
| and foremost usually keep you within the | | | | feature you'll find. There are even handy |
| 50-pound maximum weight limit now required by | | | | shoe pockets to tuck those sneakers or shoes |
| most airlines. Secondly, they fold down flat | | | | into safely. Since corporate casual dress has |
| when not in use so as not to take up much | | | | become popular in many companies, it isn't |
| room in storage. Even the retirees who have | | | | always necessary to travel with the more |
| downsized to smaller living quarters will not | | | | formal suit or garment bag. You also do not |
| have a problem with duffels. Students have | | | | need the structure of the Pullman case with |
| known for sometime that you can slide these | | | | the foldout garment sleeve, making the duffel |
| cases under the bed easily. | | | | simply ideal for this type of travel. |
| | | | |
| Duffels are also unframed and unobstructed, | | | | One of the best features of these rolling |
| making them great bags to stuff with clothing | | | | duffels is that they can always be tucked |
| and lots of travel accessories. It seems | | | | into a crowded trunk or baggage section. |
| you can always add another pair of shoes or | | | | Because there are no constructed sides, you |
| another jacket in a duffle. The unframed | | | | don't have to be afraid of piling one on top |
| construction makes them lighter and more | | | | of another. Discount luggage prices on |
| pliable. Now that these duffels also have | | | | duffels are generally less than the same |
| wheels for easy handling they have become | | | | sized Pullman because of the absence of a |
| super popular with savvy travelers. The | | | | frame. Yet, they still have the same |
| better wheels available on the duffels, and | | | | warranty or guarantee offered by the other |
| the locking push and pull handles, give them | | | | cases in the same series or brand of luggage. |
| the same ease in handling as the upright | | | | Now you know why duffels are considered |
| Pullman cases. Some of the duffels have | | | | dandy for travel and the perfect case to pack |
| separate bottom compartments so you can | | | | for that upcoming trip. |
| separate shoes, or clean and dirty clothes, | | | | |
| or just for packing slacks. Most of the | | | | Maxine Greco has worked in the luggage and |
| newer duffels have many pockets and zippered | | | | travel industry for over 35 years. She is |
| sections so you will not lose anything in the | | | | currently employed at Village Luggage & |
| deep packing area. | | | | Gifts. |