Finding the right bag can be difficult. There are many design and material options to consider, and it’s wise to keep in mind what exactly it’s designed to do, and what other activities and purposes it can serve. Today, Chris is going to review the Hoplite Series of bags from White Duck. These bags did not just happen by accident. These were designed and constructed with care and intent. The bags mimic military-grade gear, and they are purpose-built for durability and functionality. While the designers at White Duck want to make an elite bag for even the most adventurous, these bags are also prime equipment for everyday use. Let’s follow along with Chris and check out the stellar line of canvas Hoplite bags.
Table Of Contents
Hoplite Canvas Duffel Bag
At first glance, this bag looks like it could be shot from a cannon. It’s a gorgeous piece with simplicity and functionality built into every stitch. The olive green color gives a distinct ARMY vibe, and the black handles are securely sewn to the canvas. Chris burdens himself with the weight of it and suggests the bag could hold at least 70 lbs of gear, although gear is a relative term. This is a good time to outline the incredible features and stats:
- Made from 18 oz., double-fill, tightly woven canvas for superior defense against wear and tear.
- Weatherproof canvas fabric to endure anything Mrs. Mother Nature can throw at you.
- Reinforced stress points to make sure nobody is ripping these handles free from the canvas bag.
- Smooth-gliding, reinforced zipper for ease of use and insurance for Chris’ gear inside
- Durable shoulder strap for multipurpose use
The Hoplite Canvas Duffel comes in three different sizes:
It is true that some bags are designed with very specific purposes. Pockets are all in the designated spot, straps are fully adjustable, and it might be both a backpack and a duffel. But that is not the case with the Hoplite Canvas Duffel. Its versatility is born from its simplicity. This bag is designed with only the owner’s imagination in mind. The sizes are really the only limitations of the bags. With these three bag sizes, the use cases are really innumerable.
The Standard Sized Hoplite Canvas Duffel
Duffel bags, by design, are simple and straightforward. Duffel bags fall into the group or family of bags called “single compartment” bags. They are really all about no frills and no fluff, but that isn’t to say they aren’t immensely useful. Before going out and buying all three sizes of the Canvas Duffel, consider what activities you need a single-compartment bag for. The Standard Size is perfect for activities that require some gear, but when you need all or most of that gear at once. Let’s think about this: Rock climbing, the gym, travel, day trips, and so many more. Consider rock climbing. All of the gear a person needs when rock climbing must come out all at once. The rope, harness, shoes, helmet, cams, and draws all need to be removed from the bag, likewise for the gym. Chris can show up to the gym with his water bottle, towel, change of clothes and shoes, hoodie, and whatever else he needs. The necessity for all the little pockets that store little knick-knacks of travel just isn’t necessary. The Standard Canvas Duffel can do it all.
Chris demonstrates some odd uses by retrieving from inside the duffel a series of silly, unrelated items that clearly demonstrate the bag’s various uses and applications. This can be a hunting bag or a camping bag. Climbing bag, gym bag, and everyday use bag. It can be anything Chris’ heart desires. When there are no walls in the duffel, there are no limits to the imagination.
The Large Sized Hoplite Canvas Duffel
The principle is the same for this larger sized duffel. It’s still a single compartment bag, and it still has many uses. Immediately, skiing and winter sports come to mind when thinking about a back this size. Multiple layers, boots, helmets, gloves, beanies can all fit in this size and still be slung over Chris’s shoulder. We are also getting into the group camping territory with this size of canvas duffel. If Chris wants to take himself and his sweetie camping, this size duffel is just about enough to fit all their gear, secure it to a sled (in the winter) or on an ATV (in the summer). The 18 oz., sturdy canvas material can take the hits. And the water-resistant design can handle the snow.
The Extra-Large Sized Hoplite Canvas Duffel
For this unique beauty, the extra-large size is getting right into that wall tent storage or transport bag. Again, these single-compartment bags really have no limits. Considering the durability, these extra-large bags will be great to store tent stakes and poles, along with a massive canvas tent. These duffels are large enough to store everything in one bag. So, stow sleeping bags in the same bag as a tent, and maybe throw in some camping pillows that are so easy to forget, this is the duffel for that.
All the Colors of the Rainbow (at least the best ones)
The Hoplite Canvas Duffel comes in the three aforementioned sizes with the following colors:
While these colors are pretty straightforward, Chris does an excellent job of showing them off in living color. The heavy canvas holds a deep, rich hue that feels comfortable, reliable, and traditionally stylish. These bags boast a kind of classical style that never gets old and surmounts any similarities to fads.
Hoplite GI Top Load Bag
Chris grabs another single-compartment style bag. This time it’s the Hoplite GI Top Load Bag. For those that don’t know, GI can mean Government Issue, General Issue, or Ground Infantry. Are you getting a sense of where these bags’ design came from? In previous military altercations, the U.S. government would issue a standard set of equipment including, but not limited to, socks, shirts, underwear, pants, shaving material, matches, and much more. All of this gear came in a top-load duffel backpack, hence where White Duck got the name, GI Top Load Bag.
Chris has the mustard or “tan” color that proves to disassociate the bag from its design predecessor. Likewise, this Hoplite Top Load Bag comes with two shoulder straps which, when considering the bag’s use cases, immediately increase its functionality. Aside from the double shoulder straps, there is a single shoulder strap stemming from the top of the bag. These straps are good for short trips, like moving around the campsite, to pick the bag up and set it down quickly and easily. For the long haul, Chris prefers to throw it over both shoulders.
Another feature includes a dust flap that folds over the drawstring opening on the top. Made from the same 18 oz. Canvas material as the Canvas Duffel, is also water resistant; worry of rain getting in the bag are slim to none. Make sure the top is cinched down well and everything will remain dry. This is not to suggest it be thrown into the nearest lake, but it is resistant to water.
The last bonus feature here is the pocket on the back. While this doesn’t interfere with the single compartment design on the interior, an exterior pocket is good for quick-grab items while in transport.
Size and Dimensions
Chris might be a little confused here. The GI Top Load Bag only comes in one standard size (21” x 37”). This spacious design is perfect to carry a significant load without the overburden of sagging material or lugging an overweight bag.
The other sizes Chris mentions are for the Canvas Duffel (see above).
Hoplite Canvas Parachute Bag
Durable, practical, and spacious, these bags are designed for everyday use. The Parachute Bag is deeper by design, and comes with a button-snapped cover over the zipper. This helps immensely to keep water out and will be a true joy when White Duck sponsors the Jamaican bobsled team, and they arrive in Calgary. Nobody likes a frozen zipper. This flap solves that.
The size of this bag is important. It is a little too small to take on a long trip, but too big to act like an expansive purse. There is something to keep in mind here: this bag can hold other bags. Considering this, this becomes the perfect overnight bag. Throw a make-up kit, toiletries and dirty workout clothes, each in their own bag, all into this bag at once. Some items can be stored for a while, some cannot. It’s spacious enough that your everyday gear doesn’t get cramped. If Chris is heading out into the big city, taking the C Line from Brooklyn to Manhattan for the day, this bag is perfect to keep everything he needs safe and in one location. Would he rather be camping and gasping fresh swaths of breath as he ascends peaks in the Sawtooths? Maybe. But nearly 10 million people live in New York City, and they all have gear to carry as well.
Long story short, nothing limits the Canvas Parachute Bag except for imagination. Like the other bags in the Hoplite line, this bag features the same 18 oz. double-fill canvas material, reinforced seams, and bullet-proof zippers (maybe?), and the dimensions are perfect: 24” x 15” x 13”.
The Reviews Are In
Chris answers a few questions that users have had about the bag. What becomes abundantly clear is the durability of the bags and their myriad uses. The bags are great on airlines and specifically designed for rugged hobbies (such as 4H Club, as Chris points out). The basic features of the bags become the highlights and the people who have purchased the bags are truly impressed.
Featuring consistent 5-star reviews for each of the bags in the Hoplite line, it’s clear that these bags are preferred and celebrated by those who purchase them. Consider the use, define the need, and find one of the White Duck Hoplite bags on their website.
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