Bering duffle bag product guide

The Bering Duffle Bag is more than just a holdall – it’s a piece of Napapijri culture that’s been in our range since 1987. In fact, it was our very first product, named after Vitus Bering, the Danish explorer and cartographer who lived between the 17th and 18th century, and after whom the Bering Strait between Russia and Alaska was named.

In just over thirty years the Bering Duffle Bag has reached the iconic status as a much-imitated item, so we thought we’d provide a guide to what makes it special and how to make the most of it.

A material matter: the history of the Bering

Napapijri originated as a family-run venture in the late 1980s in Aosta as a pioneering brand specialising in technical backpacks and bags designed for discerning travellers and created using Cotone Pronto Intervento - a special kind of waxed cotton canvas made in Italy and borrowed from the expertise of polar explorers and the military. Napapijri’s founder, Giuliana Rosset, thought she could turn this rough fabric into something special by combining its technical qualities with an eye-catching design and created the first Bering bag in 1987.

To this day, our Bering Bags are made with the same fabric, while their inserts  - once in leather - are now completely animal-friendly. Along with the handles’ cotton tape, this bag is entirely animal-free and vegan-friendly.  

Unlike the Bering, some of our duffle bags are made of sturdy polyamide or ripstop nylon canvas, which is well known for its strength and resistance to tearing. The exact material can be found in the product description under each bag.

What Is a Duffle Bag?

A duffle bag is a large and spacious carryall bag. It is traditionally cylinder-shaped and made from durable materials like canvas. Duffles are a popular bag option because they can carry all sorts of different gear, from gym equipment to travel essentials.

How Big Is a Duffle Bag?

Duffle bags come in a range of sizes. A small one is ideal for a trip to the gym; a medium one would be fine for a change of clothes for an overnight stay, and a large one would carry enough for a casual weekend away.

Napapijri’s Bering Duffle Bags come in 26.5L, 48L and 51L sizes-small, medium and large. As a measurement guide, the smallest (26.5L) is 41cm long for a diameter of 25cm.  Please read carefully the full-size table below: it’s best to think ahead before buying one as they work best when they’re fuller.

What Is a Duffle Bag Used For?

A duffle bag is the perfect informal bag to carry clothes and other essentials. Its structure doesn’t make it the best match for formal suits, shirts, or paperwork – it’s best suited for gym clothes, casual gear, overnight clothing, and toiletries.

Some of our bags fold into their inside pocket, so it can be stored away easily, or put it in another bag for that shopping weekend in the city.  It can be carried by the handle or slung over the shoulder with the detachable strap. When hiking or carrying other things, however, the better choice might be one of our backpacks.

What’s the Difference between a Duffle Bag and a Holdall?

A duffle bag and a holdall are essentially the same thing: a cylindrical or rectangular bag with two handles and a zip running along its length. Some people consider a duffle bag to be one that is loaded from one end, with a drawstring instead of a zip.

At Napapijri, there’s no doubt what a duffle bag is – it’s the classic two-handle Bering used across our range since our founding in 1987. They’re stylish, tough bags that are designed to be loaded, unloaded, picked up and thrown down thousands of times.

Are Duffle Bags Good for Travelling?

When heading off for the weekend, or minimalistic longer trips, a duffle bag will be perfect. For longer stays or when taking formal wear, a suitcase would be more appropriate.

A great feature of some of our newer duffle bags is that they are foldable into their own inside pocket. In this way, they take up hardly any wardrobe space.

How to Carry a Duffle Bag

One of the best qualities of a duffle bag is its versatility. Whether you're hitting the gym or heading off on a weekend camping trip, they are ideal for carrying your clothes, toiletries, shoes, and other gear.

A duffle bag can be carried in different ways depending on the scenario. Typically, they have a shoulder strap plus two carry handles.

Adjust the strap to find the ideal length for your height and comfort so the bag feels secure when carrying it. Many designs, like our Bering Duffle Bag, allow for the removal of the shoulder strap when it's not in use.

If you're moving your bag from place to place or loading it onto the baggage carousel, use the padded double carry handles. They allow for comfortable and controlled carrying - ideal for heavy loads.

How to Wear a Duffle Bag

Duffle bags make a go-to companion for various situations, from your everyday routine to the trip you've been planning for months.

Heading off on an all-day adventure, hike, or day exploring the city? Try our Bering Travel Small Duffle Bag in a range of colours. Combine it with a pair of men's or women's trousers and a T-shirt for an off-duty, active look. Pack a light jacket or anorak for when the temperature drops or the weather changes at a moment's notice.

Gearing up for a trip? Get comfy in a pair of joggers and a hoodie, then sling our Bering Duffle Bag over the shoulder for a relaxed travel day outfit.

Are Bering Duffle Bags Waterproof?

Bering Duffle Bags are described as water-resistant rather than waterproof. The rain from a light shower will run off the surface, but sustained or heavy rain will saturate the material and soak through eventually. For most everyday use, however, water resistance is more than enough.

Technically speaking, the Bering Bag has a rating of 2000mm H₂O, which means it could hold a column of water 2000mm (2m) high without it leaking through. If you’re walking from building to building, or from the gym to the train, for example, and it starts to rain lightly, your contents will be fine. If caught in a heavy downpour for an extended amount of time, like most bags it would probably let some water in.

The Bering Duffle Bag is a great choice for anyone with an active lifestyle, be that heading off to the gym or going to meet friends at the weekend. Whether small, medium or large, they’ll welcome all your essentials and they’ll be ready to get out when you arrive. Have a look at our full range of Bering Duffle Bags.