A good travel bag is an essential piece for men that see themselves leaving their house more often than not. There are a lot of bags out there able to be used for your daily travel if not only longer/larger travel needs. And I am convinced that there is only but one “best” of the lot. That bag is Frank Clegg’s Signature Travel Duffle, in the large size, as shown here. For me, this is the perfect travel bag.
I travel a lot. At least, I used to travel a lot. Back when I lived in the UK. When I used to travel like crazy it was often 2-4 day trips, mainly for trunk shows and short trips to the factory. I spent a lot of time dragging along a small suitcase. I wish I had a nice bag like this back in that time. Now that I have it, my travel is often more appropriate: for the weekend, for a short overnight getaway.
After all of the travel I have done in my life there is nothing I despise more than the journey to the plane and mainly the time spent at the airport. I am just waiting for someone to make teleportation happen. Maybe in my son’s time?
Anyway, due to the disdain for the travel part of the trip that I am not fond of, I try to avoid two things. 1. Bringing a large, checked bag for short trips and 2. Spending more time than I need at the airport i.e. trying to not check a bag. It is my goal to travel like that every time if I can, especially in this day and age of ridiculous checked bag/overweight fees and long lines at overcrowded termimals.
So a large handbag that you can throw over your shoulder is the ideal complement to your small trolley bag. The duffle bag by Frank Clegg is the perfect travel bag for maximizing space for your shoes as the trolley bags always have those bars that run the bottom of them that often make it awkward to put your shoes perfectly.
Therefore, I tend to use this bag for shoe travel, putting the rest in the small wheeled luggage. And between the two I can probably get a week’s worth of clothing (expert packing takes skill 😉 . It perfectly fits 3 pairs of shoes and if you have a small size you just might be able to get a forth (with shoe trees, without should be easier if you are willing to cram). I don’t recommend that though.
The only issue with this bag is that some airlines are being overly critical of the size of your carry-on and will make you check this. And that is the last thing you want to do. This lovely suede wont last the abuse the luggage handlers inflict. So make sure you check your dimensions when traveling on a plane with this bag.
Frank Clegg have an infinite amount of color/material options on this bag, and even MTO program to really go wild with. My personal favorite is the one I have in suede/leather combo. The suede is soft soft and plush yet strong. I really feel that because of the suede it complements everything. I need one in black: My next treat to myself!
Learn more: https://frankcleggleatherworks.com
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
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*All photos (except mine) courtesy of Frank Clegg’s IG account*
I agree 1000%! I have the same bag in English Harness Leather. I love the quality compared to any other bag on the market. I’ve also bought other products from Frank and communicated with him directly! Class organization, great design, and just a generational product. I assume I found Frank advertised on your blog!
Great post I have been looking for a shoe bag how do you fit three pairs in the bag? Do you have to stack them on top of each other is that safe for the shoes during travel? Because of this I was always looking for a compartment style bag buy maybe I’m wrong? For reference I travel with shoe trees and dust bags
It would be great if you could do an instructional video or post about this as it has been a question of mine I collect shoes and love them I want to enjoy them on vacation at the same time I’m concerned about damage during travel thx
Thanks Riz, glad that you enjoyed it. Yes I just stacked them on top of each other, even with shoe trees. But I have good shoe bags that protect and like I said I only carry this with me. I would never check this bag so they dont get damaged
Have you had a chance to compare this full-size signature duffel version to the small duffel version? I am considering getting the smaller one b/c I want to be able to carry it every airline for 1-2 night business trips. I really like the antique chèvre colorway shown in the signature duffel size on the Clegg website.
Maybe i have the smaller one? This is good for a weekend bag only. I carry it on as well. I never check this and it fits perfectly above
I wound up getting the smaller size in the antique goat leather with chocolate straps. It is immaculate. Perfect overnight bag for work or 2-3 night casual bag for summer.
Nice! Enjoy it. It’s the best!
Back in 2021I treated myself to a Signature Duffle bag in cognac python leather; I can confirm the quality of the product is otherworldly and it’s the single nicest thing I own. To this day, it still smells amazing and I don’t think I’ve carried it anywhere without at least one person commenting positively on it.
As much as I like the leatherwork of some the more famous brands I do believe no-one, except the super high-end (and very expensive!) Japanese brand Ortus, comes close to Clegg for overall quality, especially when it comes to finishing.
Oooh, nice! Yea, great bags for sure. I love my suede one. I have another in the shrunken calf, but I will soon be selling that one. I never use it as the suede one covers all of my needs. Thanks for sharing