Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

The Splurge Style Battle: Cole Haan vs. Duluth Pack

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Cole Haan Montana II Duffle – $329.90* ($695) | Duluth Pack Medium Sportsman – $240.00

“I would like to have seen Montana” – Capt. Vasili Borodin

There’s something about a well designed duffle with those flap over buckles that screams luxury Western train travel.  Not that there’s much luxury train travel going on anymore, but you get the idea.

*Rue La La currently has the Cole Haan in Brown and Black.  C. H. is owned by Nike so there’s no telling where it’s made.  And despite the good looks, the leather, and the more than half off price, it’s still up there as far as cost is concerned.  (For more on Rue La La, head here.)

The Duluth Pack option gives you that same 19th century luxury feel at a relative bargain price.  It’s made in the U.S. (Duluth MN), guaranteed for life, and comes in eight different color options.  It might look a little less polished in shape and form, but a lot of us will like that.  It’s canvas but comes with a leather bottom.  And if you’re really looking for an all leather duffel?  They’ve got one of those too, in a larger size, for about the same price as the Cole Haan.

Both the C.H. and Duluth Pack are perfect for weekend trips, with about 2,000 – 2,500 cubic inches of space (with the Duluth Pack beating out the C.H. by about 300 cubic inches.)  If you plan on being gone for more than a few days, Duluth pack makes a much larger version for only $25 more.

So which one would you rather stuff your gear into?  The all leather dressed up Cole Haan?  Or the American made, guaranteed for life, canvas and leather stunner from the shores of Lake Superior?  I have a feeling this won’t be close, but still… leave your pick and why in the comments below.

The Medium Sportsman’s Duffel in Navy, “Great Lakes”, and Khaki

Comments

  1. I have to say the man purse is the only thing on this site that I can never identify with.  But that’s just me.

  3. Duluth pack for sure. I think better styling (it looks pretty damn polished in person and develops an awesome patina), not to mention the lifetime warranty

  4. Hands down Duluth pack…I’ve seen them in person and the materials and craftsmanship are some of the best I’ve ever seen…and it’s made right here in the US.

  5. Duluth Pack, hands down. The family has a few of their pieces (Tote bag, rifle cases) and they are really well made. 

  6. I was about to say the Cole Haan, but every retailer who asks me to register in order to browse/shop gets an automatic “F*ck off”, so the Duluth Pack wins.

  7. While I agree that JRok could have taken 20 secs to read the article, that Cole Haan would look very much like a purse if it were on a smaller scale.  I think that puts Duluth on top; and especially because it is made in the good ol’ US of A

  12. ive always been partial to canvas bags with some leather added like the handles, bottom, corners and straps. i love the contrast between the materials and they look great after years of regular use. i was looking at the orvis montana collection weekender bag, its very similar to the duluth bag and also has a few small exterior pockets. its only $250, similar to the duluth but looks very similar to a $1200+ ghurka express bag! not sure where the orvis stuff is made or the warranty tho

  13. Funny story on that. I hit my 5th year of employment with my company and they give me a catalog of (mostly) crummy items and I can pick one as my gift for going 5 years without getting canned. Anyhoo, I’ve been asking co-workers what they got and one guy, after some prodding, admitted that he got this Fossil bag (that looks alot like the Cole Haan) that was called something generic like the “flap crosstown bag”, didn’t check the specs and it turned out to be a purse. Sad thing is, I didn’t check the specs either and I was this close to getting it.

  14. What, no Filson? 
    I received a Filson medium dufflel as graduation gift a year ago, and have loved it. Also made in the US, it is among my favorite things. Honestly, the Cole Haan can’t even compare.  

  16. You might want to research Filson a little. I’ve heard from a number of people in the industry that say that Filson has been doing a bit more outsourcing these days.