CONTAINERS

Both spellings are acceptable, it turns out, but duffle is a British corruption of our duffel, so pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and spell it “duffel” like an American. Our duffel is red polyester with black handles and an adjustable and removable black shoulder strap. Measures 18” long x an 11” dia cylinder, and has black canvas strap handles on both ends for your hanging and toting convenience. Everybody needs a good duffel, even the Brits.

These red satin-finish zipper bags have a vinyl interior and measure 20” long x 10” tall x 4” wide when you open the gusset on the bottom. Sort of the proportions of a giant pencil holder. Made for some specific purpose that nobody has shared with us, but think giant clutch bags, travel organizers, dressy briefcases or cash deposit bags to impress your bank. 

Surplus! These (former) promo items are 5" tall golf bags, mostly clear with primary color accents. Best of all? No logos! Golfers use them to store (3) balls. There’s also an outside pocket for pencils, tees and ball makers, and that pocket is zippered just like the main compartment is. Each bag has a plastic snap clip so you can hang it from something—like an actual golf bag. But you don’t have to use it for golf. In assorted primary colors. Ours samples were blue and green, but there may be others and we'll pick the best color to match your golf cart.

They may move your cheese, but the rest of your lunch should be safe when you tote it in this insulated white bag with “HUMAN ORGAN FOR TRANSPLANT” printed on the side. Measures approx 9-1/2" wide x 7” tall x 6" deep with a padded handle and a zipper around three sides on the top. Has a small mesh pocket and organ-donor information card inside. Our favorite part? The bottom says “Warning; not for transporting human organs” because you can't be too careful.

Laundry stinks. It’s also a job we dislike. But back to that stench. This white mesh bag, approx 18" x 12", has a way of dispersing the stinkiness of our laundry, which makes the whole job less stinky in more ways than one. Has a drawstring with a ball stopper. Made of polyester, which means it’s strong enough to hold a big load of clothing or beach toys, shoes (which can also be stinky in our experience), or sports equipment.

In soft poly-foam and a pretty powder blue color, we think this case was made for standard smart phones, although goodness knows you could keep any number of things in it. (Badness probably knows that, too.) Measuring 6” x 3-1/2” x approx 3/8”, it has a slot with black piping 1-1/2” from the top, and a small tab at the top corner with a removable, silver carabiner on it.

Here’s a good-looking 24” x 12” duffle bag that you’ll won’t have to search hard for on the baggage carousel. Yes, it’s black, in resilient unwashed cotton canvas, but the stiches are orange, and so is the military-esque printing on one side. Has a nice 5” x 1” bright yellow-gold nylon-webbing zipper-pull on top, too. Shoulder strap is adjustable and detachable, and there’s a grab/carry strap on one end. Twin carry handles are stitched around the circumference of the bag, which has (2) zippered pockets on the sides and (1) on the end. Main compartment has double zippers. It’s a sturdy bag that stands out.

This sturdy messenger bag from Wanderer Tech is made of durable black 1680 denier ballistic nylon with royal blue piping. Measures approx 15" x 12" x 3" when empty, but is eminently stuffable. Has an adjustable padded shoulder strap, front flap with hookenlooper closures, zipper compartment on the flap, (2) side mesh pockets, pen slots and a pocket inside, along with a 15” a 10-1/2” removable, padded laptop sleeve.

Not even Todd Rundgren fans will want to bang on this drum, but it’ll keep your food and drinks cool, though, because it’s a foam-insulated soft bag cooler with a double-zippered main compartment approx 11-1/2” dia, (2) deep, double-zippered side pockets with netting-sleeves, and (1) tighter zippered compartment on the front. Stands about 12” tall and 16” wide overall, and comes with a padded, adjustable shoulder strap. We tested it for leakage and it held water, unlike most of our arguments. In festive red with black accents.

Call it the bag of a lesser messenger. This dark olive Extreme Pak™ tote looks like a mini-backpack but has a shoulder strap plus a pair of handles. Measures approx 11-1/2" tall x 8-1/2" wide x 6" deep front to back, it's got a big inside zippered compartment, a smaller zippered pouch on the bottom, a pair of hook-and-loop closed pockets on the top, plus a plethora (that'd be 10) of band loops to hang stuff off. Mfg suggested retail is over $30. Just saying.

This gusseted, white plastic tote bag measures 17" x 16" x 4” with handles approx 12” long and has, for reasons unclear, a front that mimics a doctor's jacket with a stethoscope hanging around the neck of the bag. Ignore the faux medical-ness and just treat it like any other handy, waterproof plastic tote at a ridiculously low price. Or, go around telling people you’re in med school.

There’s no reason you can’t look good while you carry your laptop and other devices here and there. Our (2)-tone shoulder bag, with a nylon black shell and a stylin’ silver triangle on the front, holds tablets, accessories and most laptops under 14”. Sturdy and lightweight, the bag measures 15" wide x 12" high x 3-1/2" deep and comes with a removable, padded device protector sleeve with a zippered compartment of its own. The spacious main compartment of the bag zips across the top, and the front has a zippered pocket on an angle, along with a slot for pens. Adjustable strap has a shoulder protector. You could spend a lot more on a bag that’s not this nice.

They call this the Palm Beach Tote Bag, but it’d be right at home on any beach, palmed or not. Made of blended cotton, in assorted colors (we've seen blue and red, so far...), and measures approx 18-1/4” x 11-1/2” x 5-1/2". Laminated interior lining gives structure, and protects your stuff. Bag has a side gusset with cotton cinch cords to help the hook-and-loop closure keep the top securely tight when it’s overstuffed. Cotton webbing handles feel like some of the softest ropes you’ve ever touched. We will send you one in blue, or red, or any other shade we may come across. We're sure it'll match something you already have on hand.

Stuff your duds in these large bags, roll 'em up to expel the air, then slide the sturdy zip-seal zipper to vacuum seal your clothes for storage or travel. No pump required—you be the pump. This Lg/Med/Sm collection includes (10) bags, (4) large at 28” x 20”, (4) medium at 24” X 16”, and (2) small at 20” x 14”.

You don't have to send money to your local public TV station to get these better-than-your-average tote bags. Just donate the ridiculously low $3.50 to your favorite surplus supplier and you're ready to tote this logo-free lime green and black bag in cotton canvas. Measures 15" x 14" with a 4"-wide gusset on the bottom, and a 9” deep x 8” wide pocket on the side.

We felt a great sense of inner peace perusing these 100% cotton zippered pouches, which feature feel-good pop icons and their mottos, perfect for pencils, markers and such. Measure 9" x 5" x 2" with an internal 3" x 2-1/4" pocket and a 1-1/2" hanging tab. You pick. The white Bob Ross pouch has labeled paint dabs, from cadmium yellow to Prussian blue, on one side and a picturesque landscape with a famous Ross quote on the other: “We don’t make mistakes. We have happy accidents.” The light blue Mister Rogers pouch has a drawing of Fred himself on each side and many empowering quotes in various colors.

We like our pouches festooned here at the home office. These are heavy-duty, 100% cotton, 9” x 5” x 2”, and zippered with a little 3” x 2-1/4” pocket inside. Also have a 1-1/2” hang-tab on one side. You pick: the off-white one, festooned with dozens of mystical alchemical symbols, perfect for those trying to change lead into gold or Bitcoins; or the garden-weed special with illustrations of poison sumac and ivy, clover, creeping Charlie, crabgrass and other beautiful nasties.

Even though this bright orange fabric tote would be right at home in a construction zone, save it for shopping, picnicking and tailgating at Syracuse, Clemson, Florida, Oklahoma State, Boise State and Oregon State games (and yes, we know there are more). Measures 15-1/2” x 14-1/2” with a 3” gusset, and zippered pockets inside and out. Has a snap closure on main compartment and a carry handle. Fabric is soft and lightweight, with an almost rubbery feel, and it’s lined on the inside. Pat ran it under the sink and water beaded up on the surface without being absorbed. Just sayin’. Go Orange, Tigers, Gators, Cowboys, Broncos, Beavers, etc.