In my experience of living over the road for nearly all my adult life, I’ve gone through a lot of duffel bags. Which one is the best? This one.
It’s made by L.L. Bean for skiing. So I used it off label for my life as an over the road oilfield trucker. I haven’t been skiing since like 2002. It’s been a while.
But since L.L. Bean made this duffel for ski boots, helmet, and winter equipment, it’s pretty big. Just don’t overpack it because it can get too heavy for the strap, whose buckle will break. I’ve broken quite a few.
Nonetheless, it’s still the best duffel bag in my experience. So I hope L.L. Bean keeps making it.
They don’t make duffel bags like this anymore and it ticks me off. I don’t know if people nowadays have weaker shoulders, but they seem to make duffel bags like backpacks. I don’t want backpack straps! Yes, this one has backpack straps, but I’ve only used them once or twice and I didn’t like it.
Video Summary
Let me let Google’s Gemini AI sum up this video for you. Here it is:
How I Pack the Best Duffel Bag Ever for the Oil Field
In this deep dive into travel gear and organization, Jim Kinkade shares his 20 years of experience living out of a duffel bag as an oil field trucker. Jim provides a comprehensive look at the L.L.Bean Adventure Pro Ski Boot/Cargo Bag, explaining why he considers it the best duffel bag he’s ever owned and how he optimizes every square inch for a life on the road in West Texas.
The “Off-Label” Legend: L.L.Bean Adventure Pro
While marketed as a ski boot bag, Jim has used this specific model “off-label” for nearly a decade. Its tall, cavernous design is meant for lightweight ski gear, but Jim finds it perfect for the rugged demands of the oil field.
- Durability: The bag features a thick, diesel-resistant bottom, which is crucial when it’s being tossed into the back of a crew truck or a Peterbilt where fuel leaks are common.
- Longevity: Each bag has lasted Jim about four to five years of daily, heavy use. While the shoulder strap buckles are a known weak point under heavy loads, the seams and main material hold up remarkably well.
- Size and Capacity: It is an exceptionally large bag, taking up most of a twin-sized bed. Jim warns that because it is so big, you have to be careful not to overpack it with heavy items like FR (Flame Resistant) jeans, or you risk breaking the straps.
Essential Organization and Side Pockets
For Jim, the absolute “must-have” feature for any duffel bag is ventilated side pockets.
- The Laundry System: Jim uses the side compartments to isolate dirty laundry and shoes from his clean clothes. He uses a green laundry bag and hotel laundry bags to prevent odors and leaks (like the occasional “soap explosion”) from affecting the rest of his gear.
- Shoe Storage: The side pockets easily accommodate his Xero barefoot shoes, keeping the main compartment reserved for clean apparel and electronics.
What’s Inside: The Ultimate Oil Field Loadout
Jim walks through his meticulously packed “living out of a bag” kit, which includes:
- The Captain’s Log: A Moleskine daily planner and a Rite in the Rain waterproof notebook and pen. These are essential for keeping track of days and documenting work events in any weather.
- Tech and Power: A DeWalt 4-port charging station (3 USBC, 1 USBA) and DeWalt fast-charging cables to keep his phone, earbuds, and camera equipment ready for making watch reviews on the road.
- Personal Care: A Bag Smart toiletries bag, natural deodorants, and a “Barber Shop in a Bag” featuring peanut clippers for H2S safety compliance.
- Supplements: A dedicated Jansport bag for vitamins, with a special emphasis on magnesium citrate, which Jim has taken daily for over 12 years.
- The Bible: A labeled Bible is a permanent fixture in his bag, reflecting the faith that grounds his daily life.
The “Breakout Bag” Strategy
One of Jim’s smartest packing tips is the use of a Helikon-Tex Satchel as a “breakout bag.” This packable pouch unfolds into a full satchel, allowing Jim to grab just his toiletries and a change of clothes for a quick shower at a trailer or hotel without hauling his massive main duffel.
Final Thoughts on the Duffel Bag Industry
Jim expresses frustration with the modern trend of “tube-style” duffel bags that lack organization and side pockets. He emphasizes that for those who “rough it” and live on the road, organization isn’t just a preference—it’s a survival skill. While he is moving on to test a Carhartt bag next (due to the L.L.Bean bag finally starting to wear out and hold odors), the Adventure Pro remains the gold standard for his vocational needs.
Jim concludes with his signature message: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Stay tuned to JimKinkade.com for more reviews on G-Shock watches and the gear that survives the toughest jobs.
It’s no longer available
I just went to llbean.com to find a link for you for this duffel bag and I can’t find it! Gentlemen, it’s the end of an era. They don’t make good duffel bags anymore. Nobody does. I want a good shoulder strap. I want compartments on each end for dirty laundry and shoes. Nope. They don’t have it. Just large smooth blobs with backpack straps.
And just a correction to the AI: I have been an oilfield trucker for 12 years and a trucker for over 20.