The North Face’s Base Camp Duffel turns 40 this year and the iconic outdoor gear brand is already giving us some of the best versions we’ve ever seen. Just a couple of weeks ago, we saw the debut of the luxe leather variant for urban and travel use. And now, one of the most ubiquitous duffels on the planet leans into its adventure roots with the most robust version yet.
Four Decades in the Making
The Base Camp Duffel didn’t start as the polished, globally recognized bag it is today. Back in 1978, TNF built what was essentially a piece of soft luggage out of laminated vinyl, purpose-built for expeditions. By 1986, it got its official “Base Camp” name alongside an upgrade to water-resistant ballistic nylon, turning it into the go-to haul bag for porters or camel caravans hauling gear across some of the world’s harshest terrain. The D-zip opening arrived in 1996 and became one of the bag’s most beloved features. For a lot of us, the Base Camp Duffel was the first piece of truly technical luggage we ever owned, and that reputation has only compounded over the decades and helped inform the rest of the competition.
Water You Waiting For?
The standard Base Camp Duffel is already a tough bag, built from 1000D recycled polyester with a PVC coating up top and 840D ballistic nylon at the base. It handles bad weather without much fuss. But “water-resistant” and “waterproof” are two very different things when you’re planning on facing serious moisture or even submersion.
The new Base Camp Waterproof Duffel 50L closes that gap as TNF swapped the shell for 1000D recycled polyester with a full TPU coating throughout, then added fully welded construction and oversized waterproof zippers with climbing-inspired locking pulls. The result is a bag you can submerge.
Still a Base Camp Through and Through
Luckily, many of the beloved features of the Base Camp Duffel are present and accounted for. The daisy-chain lash points are still here for modular additions. Meanwhile, the bag converts to a backpack via removable straps for versatility. There’s also an internal zip pocket for keeping smaller items organized and secure.
At 50L, it’s a solid volume for a full adventure kit without becoming unwieldy. One thing it does lose compared to the standard model is the compression straps and the external end-cap pocket, both of which us purists will surely notice. Nevertheless, the pros outweigh the cons for this new waterproof option.
Spec Sheet
Model: Base Camp Waterproof Duffel 50L (NF0A8GKU)
Shell: 1000D Recycled Polyester with TPU Coating
Construction: Fully Welded, Waterproof
Zipper: Oversized Waterproof #10 with Locking Pulls
Volume: 55L
Dimensions: 11.4″ x 20.9″ x 12.8″
Weight: 2 lbs 15.3 oz
Carry Options: Duffel Handles, Removable Backpack Straps
Colors: Summit Gold/TNF Black, TNF Black/TNF White
Price: $320
Pricing & Availability
The Base Camp Waterproof Duffel 50L is available now directly through The North Face in Summit Gold/TNF Black or TNF Black/TNF White, priced at $320. Unlike the leather edition, this one isn’t a limited run, so you’ve got time to pick your color.
Recap
The North Face Base Camp Waterproof Duffel 50L
The North Face just dropped the most waterproof version of its legendary Base Camp Duffel yet, swapping the standard PVC coating for a fully welded TPU construction that can literally be submerged.
