A duffel bag I've fallen in love with after reading many reviews of it is the NorthFace Basecamp Duffel Bag Series. In particular the SMALL size (comes in XS, S, M, L, XL sizes also).
- It's not fancy or elegant in any manner as far as looks go -- Most probably won't meet the needs of the thread starter ... but others might find it of use if they ever search and find this thread.
- It is extremely durable (lifetime warranty). I've used it for over 250K miles around the world as my primary bag in the last 1.25 years. I've carried it on mostly ... but also checked it quite a few times - no problems with wear or tear due to the material.
- Can be carried three ways - a) by a hand b) strap over the shoulder c) slung over the back as a backpack using built in shoulder straps - which are very comfy imho - especially of you load this beast up heavy
- Quite water resistant, I've never had probs of anything getting wet as far as it being exposed to rain (including heavy rain) as I was lugging it on my shoulders or it was sitting on the ground ... until I could find shelter.
- No dividers, etc or any fanciness to the inside of it. Just one external opening on the top that opens the "lid" up 3/4 of the way around the length of the bag via two sturdy zippers (one one zip seam). On the inside of the bag on the lid section there is a mesh zip to hold small items you might need to access -- I use it for travel docs, iPhone, USB charger, aspirin bottle, zirtec bottle, a few cables and an earphone. Otherwise I pack in all my stuff into the bag.
- On the outside it has 4 straps to cinch the bag size down if you need to make it smaller ... i.e. you didn't fill the bag up fully ... thus securing items from moving around inside.
- I don't recall ever having to check the bag at the gate because it wouldn't fit an overhead bin. NOTE: I've stayed away from the regional jets mostly ... but I do believe I've had one flight where I took this bag with me also.
For me I was enthused enough to have mentioned this bag as changing my travel experience to my friends and relatives.