What’s the story behind one of the most iconic bags in history? The duffel bag has been everywhere – soldiers’ trucks, troop ships, and eventually suitcases’ shelves. Its simple, durable design made it indispensable for carrying gear, and its legacy lives on in every adventure-ready bag today.

From a soldier’s kitbag to a global travel essential

The humble duffel bag traces its name back to Duffel, a town in Flanders, Belgium, where in the 17th century thick, woollen fabric was used to make the earliest version of this bag.

The modern, cylindrical, canvas bag design that we see today evolved out of this initial idea and was eventually issued to military forces worldwide. Its revolutionary top-loading shape could be stuffed with gear making it easy to quickly pack, unpack and load onto troop trucks, ships and trains. Unlike rigid suitcases, duffels could be squeezed into tight spaces, and their durable canvas survive severe abuse and weather conditions.

Issued for War, Built to Last

During World War II, every American GI had one – a green canvas cylinder labelled with a service number and destination.

Interestingly, post-war surplus bags were often repurposed by travellers in the 1960s and 70s, contributing to the duffel’s reputation as a bag for adventure, not just war.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

The RUSH LBD Duffel Bag embody this hardwearing tradition, offering high-volume storage with tough stitching and tactical features – ideal for those who still move fast and pack heavy.

FLEECE JACKET

What we now consider an everyday outdoor essential began as a military breakthrough. The fleece jacket was born from the U.S. Army’s search for lighter, warmer, and faster-drying gear – an innovation that transformed cold-weather clothing for soldiers and civilians alike.

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CHUKKA BOOTS

The desert can expose every weakness – including in your boots. British officers in North Africa discovered a simple, surprising solution that made long marches and harsh terrain far easier to handle. What they found would quietly inspire a classic design still admired today.

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Some images on this page are AI-generated, styled to reflect the era when these products first served in the field.