Luanne Freer reviews the Long Hauler Duffel Bag

You’ve no doubt seen Marmot luggage at airports en route for the Karakorum, holding gear at the base of crags, waiting patiently outside an icy tent on Everest, being hauled down the trekking trail in the Andes. It’s durable stuff, so it’s going on the tough trails. But this weekend, during a 4 day wilderness medicine pack trip, the Long Hauler Duffle bag made it’s debut on horseback in Yellowstone. And it performed … (drum roll please) … beautifully! Yellowstone is known for unpredictable weather and even less predictable mules, but the Long Hauler yawned at the challenges of rain, sudden gallops and errant tree limbs. The bag is tough, but user friendly too: haul loops on both ends, shoulder straps that double as carry handles, interior pockets so your clean underwear don’t have to mingle with your dirty socks, and a media organizing pocket to boot! I had a feeling that with it’s locking zippers and Impermalon/1260d Ballistic nylon that a grizzly bear would have a tough time getting in, but decided it best to save that contest for another day. Different length trips? The Long Haul comes in several sizes! Could Marmot think of anything else to improve this bag? Dos the mule doesn’t think so.

The Long Hauler prepares for a bumpy ride.

Mike Thompson, of Yellowstone Pack Trips (www.yellowstonepacktrips.com ) leads faculty Dr Luanne Freer and Gary Matthews and wilderness medicine education participants through the Yellowstone wilderness.