Review: GoGravel “Maluti” 70L Duffel Bag

A duffel bag isn’t strictly hiking gear, but for any kind of “rough and ready” trip where you need to pack extra clothing and “just in case” items, this near-indestructible duffel is an excellent addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s bag collection.

Key Information

Price (at time of writing): R1490
Capacity: 70L
Weight: 1.44kg
Dimensions: 63.5cm × 35.5cm × 35.5cm
Access Points: Top
Material: 500D PVC fabric with ballistic nylon bottom

That Looks Familiar...

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: the GoGravel Maluti Duffel is essentially a carbon copy of The North Face’s iconic Base Camp Duffel (medium). That’s not a bad thing.

Replicating a legendary expedition bag is a bold move, but GoGravel has done the design justice — and even made a few small improvements that make it better suited for everyday use. First, the similarities...

Basically Indestructible

Bombproof outer fabrics and a reinforced base mean this bag can take serious abuse. Need a place for gear that might get wet, dusty, or tossed around? Throw it in the duffel. The 500D PVC exterior shrugs off moisture and dirt, keeping your contents protected in all but the worst conditions. While the zips aren’t waterproof, the fabric resists rain and condensation exceptionally well.

The same utilitarian DNA that made The North Face Base Camp Duffel famous is alive and well here. I’ve been using the Maluti for nearly a year, and it still looks new.

The Maluti’s PVC shell and reinforced bottom can handle serious punishment.

Volume

The 70L capacity strikes a perfect balance between generous space and easy portability. It’s compact enough for weekend trips — easily fitting two pairs of shoes, layers for cold weather, and extra gear — yet big enough for extended adventures.

At 70L, the Maluti offers just the right blend of capacity and convenience.

Designed for Daily Use

One area where GoGravel improves on the original design is with its detachable shoulder straps. Having the option to carry the bag as a backpack is incredibly useful, but most of the time you’ll rely on the side handles and the large D-shaped top opening — and that’s where detachable straps make all the difference. I’ve kept mine stashed away almost permanently.

Removable shoulder straps make it easy to switch between carry modes.

The end grab handles are another small but valuable detail — pulling the duffel out of a car boot or roof box is effortless.

End grab handles and compression straps add practical usability.

Looped webbing along the length of the bag makes it easy to secure to a roof rack or motorbike, and side compression straps keep your load stable.

Inside the lid, a mesh pocket keeps smaller items organised, and there’s a key fob so you don’t lose your car keys mid-trip. The lid also features a transparent card holder for easy identification when travelling.

Internal mesh pocket and key fob for organised packing.

Simple, functional design that feels built for adventure.

Value for Money

If you’re looking for a tough, reliable duffel, you can’t go wrong with the Maluti. It’s a near-perfect replica of a legendary expedition bag at a fraction of the price — and one that’s quickly become my go-to for weekend and road trips alike.

This bag was provided for review purposes by GoGravel and can be purchased through their online store.