Mammut Cargon 40-140L Duffel for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

The gist: Like a giant elephant the Carbon is durable, well designed, and travel-worthy. It’ll cart around all your stuff on your next adventure- buy this bag! Extended: No one buys a duffel bag because it’s glamorous. Duffel bags are functional companions to a variety of different trips, but they aren’t a fashion statement. In that way the Cargon is rightfully modeled a fter an elephant. I first travelled with the Cargon while flying from Minneapolis to Munich. The Cargon 60 served as my carryon luggage and comfortably fit the dimension requirements of United Airlines after I cinched it down with the compression straps. From Munich it was by far the most comfortable bag I’ve ever carried onto a train in Europe. While biking along the Danube river, I successfully strapped it to the top of my back rack by tying it down with the daisy chain loop. These loops are tremendously useful both for attaching additional items to the outside of the bag and for cinching and securing the Cargon to other objects. Like many other duffels the Cargon is made up of one cavernous “bay” that will swallow the majority of your gear. The bay is opened by unzipping a large zipper, which from first use inspires confidence that it will work for years to come. The lid to the bay has on the underside two mesh pockets, which you can store smaller items and conveniently includes a clip to keep your keys from moving around. Two shoulder straps enable you to wear the duffel like a backpack and with the help of an integrated handle also enable you to hold the bag like a traditional duffel. The outside end of the bag, which thoughtfully faces upwards when you’re carrying the bag on your back, has a large outside pocket. I’ve found this pocket tremendously useful for carrying passports, phones, and books while traveling. I really appreciate the addition of the outside pocket as it functionally means you can keep items more accessible without having to stow them inside the bag.  On a recent trip to New England, I spent a day touring Boston with the Cargon on my back. While the bag was heavier than I would have liked the duffel still did a surprisingly good job of staying comfortable throughout the day. I credit the thick nylon on the outside for keeping the bag comfortable. I want to talk about that nylon for a second - it’s really tough. Companies are always happy to throw around denier strength, but I can assure you that this bag is built to last. The nylon on the base of the bag is waterproof and I would imagine is tough enough that it might slow a knife down. I have no doubt that the nylon, and thus the bag, will last for many years. What makes this bag exceptional is that it does the basics right. It’s tough, functional, and comfortable. The designers have really thought out some useful touches like the daisy chain on the outside; the shoulder straps that also function as a handle so that you don’t have extra straps; and lastly the inclusion of that outside pocket is so useful. In a landscape swimming in duffels the Cargon gets out of your way by being a perfect companion that holds everything you need it to. NJD

High quality duffel bag. 60L is big enough to hold all the ski gear you would need for a day trip and also is the perfect size for a carry on. Backpack straps are really nice to avoid having to awkwardly carry a heavy duffel full of ski equipment. If you plan on checking a bag and don't have much space in the ski bag larger sizes could be better, but for a carry on bag this fits everything you would need.

I ordered the Mammut Cargon 60 L to compare against the Thule Chasm 70 L which I purchased on Amazon. Both are excellent bags. I am an archaeologist who works in Africa and I need to haul strange gear to remote places. Luggage weight is key because sometimes I have to use local airlines with severe weight restrictions. I'd also like to find a strong duffel that can be used as a carry on. Some of the areas I work in are terribly dusty, and others are extremely wet. So I'm looking at many variables here. WATER/DUST RESISTANCE: The Thule is made of a single layer of heavy, rubberized material that looks like it would keep gear dry or dust free under all but the most extreme conditions; the Mammut has a rubbery base that goes up for an inch and a half that looks like it would withstand being set in a puddle by luggage handlers, and uppers of a very rugged woven material that then has a water-resistant inner lining. The Thule may be a bit better but the material also weighs more. ZIPPERS: I have gotten nailed on defective zipper heads/pulls on luggage before; also I travel internationally and want to be able to TSA lock my bag. Both the Thule and Mammut have lockable zippers to the main compartment. The Mammut has a YKK zipper (good), whereas the Thule has an unbranded zipper that looks equally strong. BACKPACK STRAPS: Both bags have well structured backpack straps. The Thule has an ingenious system for attaching and detaching them quickly, whereas the Mammut you would have to de-thread the webbing on each end of the strap. Some people seem to think this is a problem. but I don't. I like the fact that Mammut provides a thingy to wind around both straps to hand-carry in "suitcase mode". For both bags you would wear the top of the bag against your back and the base facing out - good if the bag has been resting on a dirty surface. The Mammut has a little bit of padding in the lid to give you a smoother surface resting on your back - very thoughtful detail. POCKETS: Both have a generous main pocket and two (1 small, one large) mesh pockets inside the lid. Both have an end pocket that has enough room for knicknacks, and configured in such a way that if you want to maximize the main chamber, the end pocket won't sabotage that potential (i.e. the end pocket space is not structurally dedicated). Both have a zip organizer mesh pocket dangling into the main pocket for use if needed. On the Thule it dangles from the back top seam, on the Mammut it dangles from the front. RUGGEDNESS: Overall I would put the Thule slightly ahead of the Mammut on this front. The material is heavier, and many structural elements (X seams for handles) are really going above and beyond for durability. But the cost of this is a heavier bag, so if you're concerned about traveling light, then be aware of this. GETTING IT ON A PLANE: As an archaeologist, I have to carry lots of sensitive stuff in a carry-on. I was hoping the Thule 70 L might "pass" as a carry-on bag, but IRL it's just too long. The bag is not that tall, so in a way it "looks" bigger than it is. Basically Thule got to 70 L by lengthening the bag. The Mammut is 60 L and a quiet grey so less conspicuous. It's not as long, but it's wider and maybe a bit taller than the Thule. These dimensions would raise fewer eyebrows at the check-in desk. The system for cinching the bag down is more comprehensive in the Mammut than the Thule, plus the Mammut all those haul loops on BOTH sides that could help with a super-cinch down with a bungee cord or other rope. THE VERDICT: For the carry-on I am going with the Mammut 60 L. If I were getting a Thule carry-on, in order for it to truly function as a carry-on I would have to size down to 40 L which is not enough space. For a checked bag, the Thule's slightly more rugged construction is appealing but it is again long and low, and long packs don't fit my short torso well. So again I will probably pick the Mammut. I have huge respect for the people who designed both bags

Just came back from a 4-day trip with the 40L. Seriously durable and SO COMFORTABLE to carry. The backpack straps are easy and ergonomically perfect. Sometimes I forget that I'm even carrying the bag, regardless of size. I use the 40 for weekend trips, the 60 as my "day" ski boot/gear bag and carry my boots and all other gear in it, and the 110 for longer trips as a checked bag or in the trunk. The dimensions are great because the bags are deeper than the competition, which makes them easier to both pack and carry. The 40L and 60L can be carried on to an airplane (though the 60 pushes it), and the 110 loaded with ski gear AND boots is still comfortable to carry, despite the weight of what I pack in the bag. The zippers are also very smooth and the pull tabs are perfect for the average finger to grab. My "title" says "best bags I own." I love good luggage, especially duffel bags, and these are easily my favorite. I have a variety of luggage from both recreation brands and "luxury" brands. There's really no comparison. If I had to keep only 3 bags, my 3 Mammut Cargons would be the bags.

The dimensions for these bags are posted on the company's web site. When those dimensions are used, the calculated volume is very close, mostly a bit larger than that specified for each bag.

EDITED 12/6/2016: Giving the bag 5 stars after use. It is comfortable and durable. Really great bag. The straps do detach when threaded out, my initial post was discussing they do not detach meaning they do not have 3-prong buckle. I still recommend that there is a description for which bag has the buckle straps and which do not. When traveling I do not unthread the backpack straps, there is Velcro on the handle that will hold them together so I don't bother taking them off. ----------------------------------------------------------- I just received my 110L bag, I'm excited to use it to travel this summer. A few things I noticed out of the box: it is very well made, lined interior and taped seams, waterproof bottom, the back packs straps feel great and convert to a handle, and has a lot of space. I was surprised to find out that the 110L DOES NOT have the detachable straps (detachable with buckles). That's one of the major reasons I wanted to purchase this bag, so I'm pretty disappointed in that (that's why I gave it 4 stars). I would recommend Backcountry update the product description to list the sizes that have the detachable straps because it is misleading. I will review again once I get some use out of it.

I only use the bag specifically for gym/bouldering use. I have used it 3-4x a week for a couple of months now. Pros - nice style - water proof base - can carry like a back pack, fits a good amount of things for a 40L (I usually put 1 pair of climbing shoes, 1 shirt/1shorts, 1 bouldering chalk bag, 1 rider chalk bag, 1 refill chalk bag; can still put more) Cons - The 40L has very basic functions, (like any other normal duffel bag) - one big opening, 2 side pockets; the larger duffel bags offers more functions.

The Cargon 60l is perfect for week long travel, perfect size for a carry on fits in the overhead with no problem. Three important travel features: 1. Has a good size end pocket, convenient to store flight stuff, and snacks. 2. The main reason I purchased the Cargon is the back pack straps to free up my hands so I can carry my board bag . These straps are articulated well which makes it easy on, and off as well as comfortable while performing as a back pack. Straps convert into carry handle . 3. large entry, and tabs on the zippers is great for packing, and un packing. Inside has small pockets for chargers, ear buds and more small stuff that you want to neatly store. Awesome bag.

I bought the 40L bag to use as a carry on for a trip out to the east coast and It worked perfectly. I've used it for camping, travel, and all sorts of things. It's awesome. Super solid.

Very durable and comfortable to carry. I use it to hold my ski gear in the winter and climbing gear in the summer. Would bring on flights as a carry on. Lots of compartments inside and carabiner attachment loops along both sides on the outside..

At the larger size ranges, Mammut makes 110 and 140-liter models. They are proportioned shorter and stouter than other brands of similar capacity, a feature that surprisingly makes them more comfortable to carry. By the way, they run small for their claimed capacity. I was in the market for a 120L model since that's the ideal size to avoid airline oversize baggage limits (L + W + H < 62 inches). But the 140L Mammut works just fine if it's cinched down a bit with the compression straps. The shoulder straps are well-positioned and padded so, of all the brands I tried fully loaded with 40+ lbs, it was the only one that was comfortable and stable on the back, and it didn't bang into the lower hamstrings while walking. The bag is lined with a light color so you can see your gear, and has super sturdy construction without excessive weight. The 140L model has a zip pouch to stow the shoulder straps, and the buckles at the lower mount are nicely pocketed to keep the grime out. The features and design are well thought out. All the straps are 1.5+ inches wide, not the narrow, twisty straps found on other brands. The zipper is smooth-acting, with lock-loops and is pocketed under a weather flap. I liked this duffel so much that I kept both the 110L or 140L models. Will update this review after 40 days in Asia, lashed on yaks and through airports.

I love the size, shape and quality of these duffels. Perfect for air travel or road tripping to keep things organized. They're simple and well built. I especially like the side straps, of tubular webbing.

Sorry for the random sizes, but I've managed to get together dimensions for three of these: 60 liters- 22? long 10? deep 15.5? wide 90 liters- 25? long 12? deep 12? wide 140 liters- 28? long 12? deep 18? wide

Came to know about the Mammut Cargon Duffel thru a Japanese outdoor gear website. I was drawn it by its stark good looks!. Jet black with ferrari red trim! The build quality is excellent. From the materials to the thoughtful pockets, the haul straps that double-up as a back-pack straps. I got the smallest version as i already have a L size Base Camp Duffel from The North Face. This duffel has received compliments twice! Both times at the airport from the immigration officers :) Check it out!

Excellent and durable duffel bag. Built for abuse. I use the 90,110 and 140 for organizing and travelling with gear. Large opening, robust locking zippers, multiple pockets. I use the shoulder straps to carry it and stow them away when I check the bag into the airlines. I've been using them for a few years now and have yet to put a hole in one.

Managed to get my hands on this bag (40L) via frequent flyer miles, so couldn't be happier. The bag is built like a tank, the material its made out off is so thick and takes a beating,Been using it for almost everything , from a gym bag to hoarding my climbing gear. The bottom has a very nice almost waterproof layer which makes it convenient to just lay ti down almost anywhere. The straps can turn this from a duffel to a backpack quite easily and there are handles on both ends of the bag which make pulling out of the trunk or dragging it so convenient. Plenty of inside pockets lining on the inside of the bag and 2 zippered compartments on the duffel door and 1 additional outside zippered one. Multipurpose do it all bag.

Surprised there aren't more reviews of these duffels. I've looked at TNF, Patagonia, and Marmot, and several other duffel bags. It really came down to a dead heat between Marmot and Mammut. I ordered the Mammut cargon 60L bag and am highly satisfied. I needed a 60L bag to carry my canyoneering equipment. I did like the Marmot bags as well, but they come in atypical sizes: 50L and 75L. I thought about the 75L bag, but that bag is too long IMO (it is 29.5" long), making it difficult to carry and stow. Both Marmot and Mammut duffels seem to use the same strap configuration, which can be used as backpack straps or can be joined together as a single handle (comment by reviewer below about "tuck away" shoulder straps--at least the 60L does NOT have this, I don't know what he is talking about). Of course, these backpack straps can be removed. None of these duffels are waterproof, but the bottom of the Mammut is a water-resistant vinyl material--good if you are setting your bag down on wet ground or damp grass. In contrast, the vinyl material on the Marmot appear to be on the TOP & SIDES of the bag (judging by picture). The Mammut has one "outside" zipper pocket on one end of the duffel, which is of good size. The main compartment is easily packed and accessed through zippered lid. There are two zipper "mesh" pockets on the underside of the lid (for personal items,e.g. keys, cellphones, etc.). Finally, on the inside front there are three "organizer pockets" for holding items that partially close w/ velcro tabs. On the outside of the bag, there are two sets of three attachment points for clipping items to bag w/ carabiner. Two compression straps and two handles (on the ends) round out the features of this bag. To me, this bag is a keeper.