Jack Wolfskin Expedition Trunk 30 Review: A Rugged Convertible Travel Duffel

Introduction

The Jack Wolfskin Expedition Trunk 30 is a 30-liter convertible duffel aimed squarely at travelers who like the format of bags such as the Patagonia Black Hole or The North Face Base Camp. It pairs sturdy materials with solid hardware, a large main compartment, and backpack shoulder straps for hands-free carry. It is the smallest of five Expedition versions, and the only one reviewed here.

Who This Product Is For

This bag suits weekend travelers who want a simple, tough duffel they can throw over their shoulders when needed. At 30 liters it is a little on the small side, but it works well for short trips. The 40-liter version in the same line has dimensions of about 19 by 12 by 10 inches, which will also work as a carry-on. The 30-liter size is a little long and wide to qualify as a personal item: against a box measuring 18 by 14 by 8 inches, a common size limit on many US budget airlines, the bag only almost fits, and you really have to jam it in.

Materials and Weather Resistance

All packs in the Expedition line share the same fabric. The bottom is a 1680 denier abrasion-resistant nylon, lined inside with water-resistant polyurethane fabric. The sides and top use the same waterproof polyurethane, which feels like a thick rubber-coated nylon.

The bag is not fully waterproof, because it lacks waterproof zippers and sealed seams. However, a rubber-coated nylon weather flap sits over the main zipper on top, making the Expedition 30 very durable and extremely water resistant. One aesthetic note: the giant yellow Jack Wolfskin logos on the front and sides are not subtle and arguably detract from the overall look. The bag also comes in a grayscale camo, but those colors are not much better.

Hardware and Zippers

The zippers are among the best you can buy. The main compartment uses a huge number 10 YKK locking zipper, a number 8 water-resistant zipper on the exterior pocket, and number 5 zippers inside. The zipper pulls are a nice touch: a copper-colored aluminum sheath with an easy-to-use T-shaped nylon pull.

Exterior Features and Limitations

Like most simple travel duffels, the Expedition 30 does not offer many bells and whistles on the outside. There are three types of handles and one zippered pocket. There is no external water bottle pocket, no laptop compartment, and no compression straps.

The top pocket with its water-resistant zipper takes up most of the space of the top lid, but it is thin and does not have its own volume. The two side carry handles are thick and padded, though they are probably not the main way you will carry the bag.

Carry Comfort and Backpack Straps

The top carry handles are standard thick, sturdy nylon straps that come together under a padded velcro wrap. Underneath sit the backpack straps, which are actually pretty decent for a small 30-liter duffel: well padded, soft, breathable, with a decent curve and adjustable at both the top and bottom.

That said, this bag is clearly duffel first and backpack second. There is no back padding, which is fairly standard for this style of convertible duffel. The top handles do not stow away, so they flop over the side when you wear it as a backpack and tend to catch on your arm as you put the straps on. You can clip them to the side with a small carabiner, or bring them around the back and connect them together with a strap. The adjustment straps at the ends of the shoulder straps are also ridiculously long and dangle awkwardly; you can cut them down, though they may be designed that way so you can extend the bag and carry it like a shoulder strap, either with one strap or two. That is not the most comfortable carry method, but it works. Aside from the dangling bits, the bag is decently comfortable to carry.

Packing Capacity and Interior

Inside, the Expedition 30 is just a big duffel. A benefit of the sturdy fabric is that the bag stands up on its own even when empty, which makes packing easy. One quirk: because the shoulder straps are not removable, they get in the way when you need to access the main compartment.

Inside there are two pockets. One on the lid is a mirror image of the exterior pocket, running the full length of the lid but thin. On the other side, a long zippered pocket runs the entire length of the duffel, great for small items but also thin.

Packing a typical weekend load, two packing cubes with clothes, a medium and a small compression cube, fit down in the bottom with three or four inches of room on the side, perfect for a toiletry kit. On top sit a pair of running shoes in a 12-liter dry bag, a puffy jacket, and a one-liter water bottle, which take up most of the remaining space. A flashlight and a reusable ziploc fill small gaps. The pockets hold small items and electronics, but none are padded, so a tech cube is a good idea. Fully loaded with mostly light items, the packed weight came out to about 14 pounds or 6.3 kilograms.

Things to Consider Before Buying

• The 30-liter size is tight for personal-item sizing on US budget airlines and better suited to weekend trips or checked luggage.
• The design is duffel first, backpack second: the straps are decently padded and comfortable, but there is no back padding, the side handles flop around, and you need to move the shoulder straps aside when opening the main compartment.
• No padded pockets, so plan on protecting electronics separately.

Buying Advice

If you want a rugged, extremely water-resistant convertible duffel with premium hardware and do not mind visible branding and a few carry quirks, the Expedition Trunk 30 is a solid choice. If you need a carry-on-friendly size, consider stepping up to the 40-liter version, which also works as a carry-on with its roughly 19 by 12 by 10 inch dimensions.

Conclusion

The Jack Wolfskin Expedition Trunk 30 is a solid little travel duffel made with great materials and hardware. It is easy to pack, sturdy, and highly water resistant. The convertible carry system has awkward moments, but the shoulder straps are comfortable enough for a bag of this type. For weekend trips in variable weather, it earns its place on the shortlist.