Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 22 Review

The Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 22 is a lightweight, versatile bag with flexible carrying methods. You can hold it by hand using the top grab handles, sling it over one shoulder, or use the straps to wear it as a backpack. The transition from one carry method to the next is easy and seamless, although the backpack straps (also used as hand straps) do not provide the most padded or comfortable experience. The bag has a clamshell-style opening with added internal organization, making it ideally flexible for use with packing cubes or as an open space. Given its size and capacity, it’s an ideal bag for weekend getaways or as a dedicated gym bag.

External Components

The Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 22 uses recycled materials composed of a 210D recycled polyamide everywhere except for the bottom of the bag, which uses a ripstop version for added durability. The ripstop nylon on the bottom of the bag adds rugged protection, and it’s easy to clean since you can wipe or wash off any dirt. This is a nice extra touch since the bottom of the bag is what makes the most contact with the ground in all of its various carry styles. The other sides and top of the duffel are noticeably smoother and gentler to the touch, which improves the handling experience while maintaining a robust and durable feel.

The duffel also utilizes smooth and easy-to-use YKK zippers, which work well around corners. However, while the exterior materials are water-resistant, the zippers lack dedicated weatherproofing seals, so keep that in mind if you get caught in the rain.

On the ends of the bag, there are additional grab handles that provide another quick method of carrying. While they may not be suitable for long hauls, they work excellently to quickly move the bag around. These handles are perfect for quick actions such as picking up the bag from a trunk, rearranging it in an overhead bin, or situating it in a locker, making this duffel super versatile and easy to use. Additionally, these handles incorporate a snap closure feature, keeping them compact when not in use. The bag folds horizontally and compresses due to its lightweight materials and lack of a rigid frame. The flexibility of this bag can be particularly beneficial if you prefer to unpack everything once you arrive at your destination, as it can be easily folded up and stored out of the way. Similarly, its ability to fold up compactly is helpful at the gym, where you can hang it up out of the way or place it at the bottom of a locker, preventing it from occupying unnecessary space.

The bag features a minimalist exterior design with a small brand logo on one side and a tiny Swedish flag on the opposite side. It is equipped with daisy chain attachment points, three of which are located at the base of each strap, providing a total of 12 attachment points. Having these attachment points spread out on both sides of the bag offers a fantastic amount of flexibility if you prefer to attach items to the exterior of your bags.

The straps, either as grab handles or backpack straps, offer excellent versatility. They can be hooked onto attachment points on the side for a standard duffel carry or connected to additional attachment points on the top to enable backpack carry. These straps are made from simple nylon webbing, which, although not the most comfortable for extended trips, will suffice in a pinch.

In duffel style, the shoulder strap’s nylon webbing is a bit rough, with a somewhat callous tactile texture. The webbing is pretty thin, making it adequate but not the most comfortable method for carrying. Despite this, it has the advantage of keeping the bag oriented upwards so that the bottom protective exterior is on the ground. We also like that you can adjust the webbing lengths to accommodate various heights and preferences. At their most extended length, the duffel bag has a nice amount of balance when carrying around. The straps are thin and unpadded, so carrying it backpack-style is not the most comfortable experience. These multi-use straps are ideal for shorter periods or moving between carry methods quickly and with little to no setup. The base and back panel (the lid) have a small amount of padding to help protect the gear inside and make carrying it a bit more comfortable as a backpack. This padding is very minimal, so you may not want to pack sensitive items like glasses or devices with a screen on top.

One of this duffel’s key features is the convenience of quickly switching from one style to the other on the fly. While the shoulder straps are attached on the side and worn as a backpack, they can be decently comfortable even with the placement of the straps being a bit wide. However, this may not be the case for individuals with narrower shoulders. They may find it more comfortable to fully reattach the shoulder straps to the dedicated attachment loops at the top.

Fit Notes

The Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 22 has a minimalist and somewhat modern exterior aesthetic, and while it maintains a traditional duffel style, it’s more customizable and adaptable to fit your needs. We don’t find the straps the most comfortable, but they are sufficient for short-term use. We’re testing the Patina Green colorway and find it simplistic yet stylish and easy to use in various environments. The style is slightly more casual and outdoorsy than professional. It is also available in Mellow Yellow, Clay—a neutral beige or brown—Navy, and traditional Black. While the black version could potentially fit into a professional atmosphere, it’s debatable whether a standard duffel would be suitable for an office or professional setting since there are no dedicated compartments or pockets for items like a laptop or tablet.

Inside The Pack

The Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 22 takes a minimalist approach to secondary compartments and external features. It features only a single zippered compartment along the side, which spans the full length and width between the daisy chain attachment points. You can use the extra attachment points to connect additional gear like carabiners, shoes, etc., externally, but aside from that, there is not much else going on with this pack on the outside. Its minimal and straightforward organization is primarily located inside the main compartment.

The main compartment of this duffel is where this bag shines, offering both storage and minimal organization around the sides. It features a full clamshell-style opening, which provides an easy overview of everything inside. This style of opening is perfect for planning what to pack. A zippered compartment on the side spans the full side’s height and part of its length. There is also a second zippered mesh compartment towards the top. The rest of the compartment is an open space, allowing you to dump everything you need inside. Whether you prefer to neatly ranger-roll, fold, stack, or use packing cubes, this duffel bag offers the flexibility for you to choose the method that suits you best.

One minor criticism of this Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 22 is that it is somewhat of a catch-22. The lightweight material of the bag is excellent because it allows the bag to be folded up or compressed when it’s not in use. However, packing things inside can be a bit bothersome since the duffel lacks form or structure. The absence of a rigid structure requires manually holding the bag up while packing items inside it. This isn’t a significant issue, as the lightweight and flexible materials can wrap around the contents — for instance, when we used packing cubes but it is still something to keep in mind.

On a recent weekend getaway, we fit two packing cubes (one medium and one small) into the main compartment with some extra room to spare. The medium packing cube, which contains both formal and casual clothing, fits one pair of long-sleeved formal pants, one pair of shorts, one dress button-up, one polo, and five to six t-shirts comfortably. The small packing cube sat next to it, used for athletic clothing, fit two pairs of workout shorts and five rolled-up athletic shirts. Just for fun, we also threw in a light pullover jacket just in case the temperature dipped unexpectedly. The internal zippered pockets on the side and top are perfect for essential toiletries like a toothbrush, small toothpaste, and deodorant. Then, you can store items like wallets and keys in the secondary compartment, ensuring easy and quick access.

We fit a pair of running shoes and a light pullover jacket when heading to the gym, along with a towel and change of clothing with plenty of space. We place toiletries and shower essentials in the mesh compartment for added breathability. The secondary compartment on the side is perfect for headphones, a wallet, and keys for easy access.

The Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 22 is a versatile bag made with durable recycled materials that certainly feel like it will stand the test of time. It features a full clamshell-style opening, minimal internal organization, and multiple carrying options, including by hand, over the shoulder, or as a traditional backpack, and switching between them is effortless. We like the external attachment points for extra gear and the stylish minimalist exterior, which leans more toward casual and outdoorsy. The bag’s straps are adequate for short-term use. The Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 22 is perfect for a weekend getaway or as a gym bag, offering enough space for clothing, shoes, toiletries, and daily essentials.