Is a Duffel You’ve Never Heard of Actually Better Than Patagonia’s Black Hole?

Introduced in 2004, the iconic Patagonia Black Hole duffel (and its many variants) remains such a sensation in the rugged travel bag world, it’s a wonder anyone else tries to compete.

Of course, everyone from Black Diamond to Matador to The North Face has tried, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. But none has quite knocked the OG off its lofty perch.

kitworks duffel double

Now an emerging brand is targeting folks who love the Black Hole but wish it were a bit a more … organized.

Without further ado, meet the latest challenger for the throne, the Kitworks Adventure Duffel.

Modular advantage

Launched by adventurer and entrepreneur Greg Mills just last year, Beaverton, Oregon-based Kitworks states that its mission is “to provide the most organized and adaptable gear management solutions possible.”

Toward that end, pretty much every product the brand makes prioritizes easy sorting and versatility. 

This ambitious new duffel is no different. Its killer app, if you will, is a set of internal attachment rails allowing you to configure a mix of pockets, dividers, organizers and wet/dirty bags however you desire. 

The ultimate goal, of course, is that your sh*t stays sort throughout the course of a long trip, rather than devolving into the all-too-familiar disorganized mess. 

Kitworks

Right now, every purchase comes with two removal padded dividers and two medium wet/dirty gear bags, which is a great start. Additional cubes, pockets and pouches and other elements can be purchased separately, of course.

With this approach, the brand is clearly betting on those who value order over chaos — and how you feel about all this organization probably says as much about your personality as it does about the product itself.

Classic features

Even if hyper-organization isn’t really, ahem, your bag, the Adventure Duffel does offer many things the Black Hole and its many imitators promise. 

Chief among those is a 100% waterproof exterior thanks to a TPU-coated 900D ripstop shell, RF welded construction and water-resistant YKK Aquaguard zippers.

Kitworks

A wide mouth opening provides easy access to all your gear, while an internal EVA foam structure softly protects it.

The bags also boast a host of external lash points — which can also be used to tie it down to a roof rack or truck bed.

Kitworks

You also get multiple carry options courtesy of reinforced grab handles on all sides and removable, ergonomic backpack straps (with a sternum strap). 

As you might imagine, this new duffel is compatible with Kitworks Gear Management System. Only time will tell if it’s all a strong enough sell to lure people away from the much larger ecosystem that is Patagonia.

Availability and pricing

The Kitworks Adventure Duffel is available for pre-order now — in black, blue and gray — and expected to ship in June.

The 60L version costs $229 and the 90L costs $259.

Kitworks

Kitworks Adventure Duffel

Working from a core philosophy that organization is king, upstart outdoor brand Kitworks makes a play for some of the Patagonia Black Hole’s market share with this similar-yet-different duffel, which currently available in 60L and 90L sizes. Similarities included the rugged, waterproof exterior, wide-mouth opening and multiple carry options and lash points. The big difference is a set of internal attachment rails allowing you to configure a mix of pockets, dividers, organizers and wet/dirty bags however you desire.

• Starts at $229

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