INTRODUCTION

In our last post, we looked at the Bagsmart Faro Light Backpack 0.4. When paired with the Bagsmart Faro Rolling Duffel 40L, it creates a sleek, complete travel system. While the backpack can pair with any of Bagsmart’s trolley bags, the setup invites an intriguing comparison to the Bagsmart Blast Pro 43L Roller Backpack we recently reviewed. The bag’s built-in backpack straps made the Blast Pro a standout, so it will be interesting to see how the Faro Rolling Duffel stacks up against it.

We love carry-on-compliant bags, as they make travel far more accessible for budget travellers or short-term travellers with limited time and who don’t want to spend their time waiting at a baggage carousel. Nevertheless, our biggest issue with carry-on compliant bags is their net weight. Living in Australia, we have stingy (frugal) airlines that enforce 7 or 10kg weight restrictions, so if a bag’s net weight is high, it becomes restrictive on how much you can pack before you exceed the limit. If you are fortunate enough to be a frequent domestic traveller in the USA, then this does not affect you as much, as most of the airlines only have size restrictions but not weight restrictions.

Thanks again to Bagsmart, who kindly sent us the Faro Rolling Duffel 40L in the Black colourway for this review. Please read our Disclaimer below.

If, by the end of this post, you decide to purchase, please use the BUY HERE link at the bottom of the post or the banner below and enter the Wide10 discount code at checkout for an additional 10% off.

Disclaimer:  This review is unbiased. We would never recommend using any product unless we have used the product ourselves. We always strive to give you our honest opinion to help you make the best choice. We received the product with compliments , but were not paid for this review; however, we may receive commissions on links in this post.

THE EXTERIOR

The Bagsmart Faro Rolling Duffel 40L, like the Faro Light Backpack 0.4, is a cool-looking duffel. It looks far more rugged than the Bagsmart Blast Pro 43L Roller Backpack and is very similar in size, though slightly heavier (3.03kg vs 3.45kg).🙁

The exterior is made of Oxford Fabric, and Polyester with TPU* Coating. Oxford Fabric, for those unfamiliar with this material, is a versatile, basket-woven textile known for balancing durability and breathability, used for everything from classic dress shirts to heavy-duty outdoor gear.

There’s good news and bad news regarding the hardware used on this duffel. The Good News: the duffel uses durable Duraflex buckles, which are industry leaders in quality buckles. The Bad News: despite what is written on their website, the duffel does not utilise the premium-quality YKK zippers, although they do use SBS zippers, which are still a reputable brand. Nevertheless, most zippers these days use sturdy zipper pulls, and this places far less strain on a zipper, which increases its longevity.

*TPU Coating – Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) coating is a versatile protective layer applied to substrates like textiles, metals, and plastics to enhance durability, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion

This pocket is just wide and deep enough for a smartphone, but you’ll need to insert it and remove it at an angle. Anything over a length of 16cm will be a struggle in this pocket. Regardless, there is another front pocket that could accommodate larger phones.

The second quick-access pocket is vertically oriented on the front of the duffel. The pocket is single-zippered and has more space than the horizontal pocket.

As mentioned above, there’s a seemingly waterproof panel revealing a large but shallow compartment that is accessed via dual zippers. The zippers are hidden behind the overhanging flaps of the panel. Bagsmart calls this pocket a Shoe Compartment, and although the pocket could be used for shoes, we can’t help but think this will make the duffel bulge outwards and may no longer fit within airline carry-on size restrictions. If using this duffel as a carry-on, unless you are taking thongs or fairly flat shoes, we would recommend packing them in the main compartment. Alternatively, this compartment is an ideal place to stash your laptop, as there are no dedicated built-in laptop sleeves. However, if you do want to store your laptop in the main compartment inside the bag, Bagsmart have included a separate wire-framed zippered sleeve that will fit up to a 15.6″ laptop. Balls in your court!

The front face is where you’ll find most of the duffel’s hauling power, housing three of its five grab handles: two spanning horizontally across the shoe compartment panel and one positioned at the top. Tucked right between the front handles is a vertical strip of MOLLE webbing—perfect for clipping on carabiners, shoes, or a lightweight daypack such as the Faro Light Travel Backpack 0.4. For even more exterior storage, heavy-duty nylon loops at each corner give you extra lash points for bulky gear.

Like all roller bags, the aluminium telescopic handle assembly is at the top of the duffel. It has two lockable settings. The handle is hardened plastic with a standard release button.

On one side of the duffel, you’ll find a solid grab handle, while the opposite side keeps things clean and feature-free. Both sides are equipped with dual cinch straps and DURAFLEX buckles that wrap around the main body—just cinch them down to stabilise your gear and keep everything from sloshing around on bumpy terrain.

At the base of the duffel is the final handle, swapped out for heavy-duty hardened plastic instead of the box-stitched fabric handles on the front, top, and side. Flip the bag over, and two vertical luggage rails run along the back to protect the fabric from wear if dragging it over rough surfaces or hauling it up stairs. Lastly, the two PVC Spinner Wheels are ruggedly built for any type of surface, although not as smooth as the wheels on the Blast Pro 43L Roller Backpack. 

The Foldable Support Frame: Storage Game-Changer

The standout engineering feature of the Faro is its removable internal support frame. When inserted, the frame keeps the duffel’s sidewalls rigid, making packing effortless since the bag stays upright and holds its shape. Once you’re back from your trip, simply unclip the interior support panel. The entire duffel body collapses down flat, making it easy to store under a bed, on a closet shelf, or inside a larger suitcase without taking up precious space.

To keep your load secure, Bagsmart includes two standard internal compression straps. To maximise every square inch, we strongly recommend using Packing Cubes. We’ve logged plenty of miles with Bagsmart’s own compression packing cubes; they streamline organisation and save valuable volume—just keep in mind that compression cubes won’t save your clothes from a few wrinkles along the way!

Organisation & Mesh Pockets

Smart pocket placement helps keep smaller items from vanishing into the main cavity. Just be careful that you don’t pack bulky items in these pockets, as they could restrict your packing space:

• Lid Pocket: A large zippered mesh pocket spans the underside of the main lid—ideal for flat items, undergarments, or bulky cables.

• Rear Pockets: Two equally sized zippered mesh pockets sit along the back wall of the main compartment, perfect for isolating items such as chargers or daily accessories.

That’s it for the interior. It’s spacious and functional with a few pockets, but the emphasis has been on trying to maximise packing space, and we think it has succeeded to some degree. 

The Bagsmart Faro Rolling Duffel 40L also pairs beautifully with the recently released Bagsmart Faro Light Travel Backpack 0.4. Bagsmart have packaged these two products together as the Faro Travel Kit, providing an awesome travel combo. Both bags are carry-on compliant, which means that as long as both bags meet the airline weight restrictions, you’ll be able to take both on board with you and avoid any check-in bag queues and waiting at luggage carousels at your destination. A quick heads-up on sizing: The Faro Rolling Duffel can easily accommodate a 15.6″ laptop, but the smaller Faro Light tops out at 14″. If all your tech is 14″ or smaller, you’re good to go. But if you rely on a larger laptop and want the flexibility to shift it into the daypack on the go, this combination may not work for you.

Capacity: 40 litres

Weight: 3.45kg (7.60lbs)

Dimensions:
W: 36.5 cm (14.4″) x D: 27 cm (10.6″) x H: 55 cm (21.7″)

Carry-On Ready: Cabin Approved

Laptop/Tablet: Fits up to 15.6″. Although, if you are carrying your own laptop sleeve it will take any size laptop but it would have to sit loose in the main compartment or in the front panel pocket

Exterior Material: Oxford Fabric, Polyester with TPU Coating

Interior Material: Polyester

Hardware: SBS Zippers, DURAFLEX Buckles

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COLOURS

The Bagsmart Faro Rolling Duffel 40L is only available in 2 colours: Black and Sea Foam. We were sent the Black colourway for this review.

PRICING, SHIPPING, & DISCOUNT

ALTERNATIVES

Alternatives to the Bagsmart Faro Rolling Duffel 40L are –

• Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel – provides maximum weather protection with its 100% recycled ripstop fabric and TPU-film laminate, backed by heavy-duty oversized wheels for rough handling. Patagonia: Choose this duffel if you need maximum durability, extreme weather protection, and heavy-duty wheels for rugged travel or adventure trips. Bagsmart: Choose this duffel if you prioritise flat storage at home, extra front organisation pockets, lighter-weight design, and a budget-friendly duffel.
• Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel – Built with a tubular aluminium chassis and high-clearance 90mm wheels, this duffel is ideal for travellers who need extreme durability across uneven terrain and airport terminals. Osprey: Choose this duffel if you need maximum weatherproofing, heavy-duty chassis strength, and smooth rolling over rough ground, and you have deep pockets $$$ Bagsmart: Choose this duffel if you want a more affordable, highly organised carry-on compliant duffel that folds flat when not in use.
• Osprey Daylite 40L Carry On Wheeled Duffel – if you like the foldable nature of the BagsMart, this duffel collapses flat for easy home storage, and adds deployable backpack straps for versatile carrying options. Osprey: choose this duffel if you want the flexibility of backpack straps alongside a lightweight rolling system. Bagsmart: choose this duffel if you prefer a dedicated wheeled duffel with front organisational pockets and external lash points at a cheaper price point
• High Sierra Composite V4 Wheeled Duffle – For a budget-friendly alternative, this duffel offers a lightweight design, expandable packing capacity (39L to 42L), and tuck-away backpack straps. High Sierra: choose this duffel if you want the flexibility of hidden backpack straps, an expandable main compartment and a bag that stands upright on its own; however, it isn’t carry-on compliant. Bagsmart: choose this duffel if you prioritise carry-on compliance, a foldable bag that stores flat when empty and offers dual exterior front pockets for quick access in transit.

Every bag involves trade-offs, and each duffel here has its pros and cons. That said, the Bagsmart Faro Rolling Duffel 40L stands out as a fantastic all-rounder—especially considering its accessible price tag and our discount code. While a few premium options on this list offer higher-end durability for frequent, hard-core travellers, the Bagsmart is more than enough of a bag for the other 99% of us.

THE FINAL WORD

• Casual & Weekend Travellers: Perfect for short getaways, business trips, or 1-2 week holidays where a flexible, easy-to-pack duffel is ideal.

• Organised Packers: Excellent for travellers who use Packing Cubes and also appreciate dedicated exterior pockets, internal compression straps, and quick-access storage for travel documents or electronics.

• Space-Conscious Travellers: The collapsible design allows the bag to fold down flat, taking up minimal storage space in closets or under beds when not in use.

• Budget-Minded Buyers: Ideal for anyone wanting a feature-rich, stylish rolling duffel without paying the steep premium of high-end outdoor brands.

• Frequent / Hardcore Adventurers: Travellers who regularly navigate rough cobblestones, unpaved dirt trails, or extreme weather conditions will be better served by a heavy-duty, TPU-laminated duffel with oversized all-terrain wheels.

• Backpack-Preferring Travellers: If you frequently climb long flights of stairs or navigate crowded transit hubs where hands-free carrying is essential, a convertible hybrid option offering backpack straps may be a better option. If this is the case, you may want to consider the Bagsmart Blast Pro Roller Backpack 43L (click link to read our review)

• Hard-Shell Purists: Anyone requiring rigid, crush-proof structural protection for delicate gear or specialised equipment should opt for standard hard-sided hardshell luggage.

At the end of the day, your ideal bag depends entirely on how and where you travel. While top-tier rugged duffels offer superior long-term durability for extreme conditions, the Bagsmart Faro Rolling Duffel 40L provides more than enough performance, smart storage, and convenience for the majority of everyday travellers.

Would we use it? Yes and no. The Faro Duffel is a great option for road trips, but for carry-on air travel, the weight holds it back. In those cases, we’d reach for the similarly priced Bagsmart Blast Pro Roller 43L—its slightly lighter build and backpack carry mode make it much better suited for navigating airports. Nevertheless, the Bagsmart Faro Rolling Duffel is an excellent option, especially when paired with the Faro Light Travel Backpack 0.4.

RATED: RECOMMENDED