Carrying a gym bag into the office is just as strange as carrying an office bag into the gym. Every bag has its own purpose, which is why you will rarely find a bag that “fits-all”. Choosing the right bag depends on many different factors such as size, type of goods, and the ambiance of the place it’s carried to.

Suppose you’re heading out to the gym for a quick workout. You would grab a smaller gym bag that fits your shoes, clothes, and your water bottle. You wouldn’t grab a hockey equipment bag, as that would be way too large. Same thing goes for work or school. Your laptop bag would carry your notebooks, pens, laptop and papers perfectly where as a duffel bag would be unnecessarily large.

Now that we’ve provided a few examples of how the right bag is essential, let’s dive in a little further into when you should use each bag.

Have a lot to carry around, but also want your hands to be free? Then backpacks are your go-to! Backpacks will give you the freedom you need while also providing ample storage for all of your belongings. Backpacks are perfect for an on-the-go type of person, and are perfect for small day to day adventures.

Size, style, and volume are three main factors that can vary depending on the needs of the buyer. For example, larger volume backpacks can be great for long, overnight hikes; while smaller volume backpacks are perfect for shorter daytime hikes. If you are going on a plane and need a carry on bag, then a medium sized backpack is perfect because it's not too big, and not too small. It really comes down to your preference, where you’re going and how much you need to carry with you when choosing a backpack size.

Apart from the volumes, the styles also communicate the purpose of the backpacks. Ideally, a school-boy style backpack may not be a great hiking bag, but would be a plausible option for everyday use to carry books and laptops.

When choosing a backpack style, ask yourself “what am I going to use this bag for?”. Is it for hiking, for school, or simply just for fashion purposes? Nevertheless, the backpack you choose should be something that’s not only functionable, but something that suits your preferred style.

There are some additional features that you should look for when choosing a backpack. If you need a backpack mainly for outdoor activities, then the most important additional feature you should look for is weather resistance. If there’s a chance that your bag’s contents might get drench in rain, then it is crucial to consider this feature. If you can’t find a bag that is entirely weather resistant, then make sure it is slightly waterproof. Some bags even offer an additional cover for your backpacks to keep it protected from the rain. This is an option to add on to any existing backpacks you may have if you don't want to purchase an entirely new weather proof bag.

Moving forward, another option that you may be looking for is lockable zippers. This feature is ideal for if you travel a lot and don’t want your belongings to be stolen. The locks will ensure that things are safe in your compartments, and that nothing gets lost after your bag has been handled at the airport.

Internal frame is something to be considered when buying backpacks for hiking or long travels. Otherwise, internal frames shouldn’t matter too much. It is better to have a sturdy internal frame that can keep your items secure and safe. This is especially important if the contents of your bag are breakable or valuable.

Padded shoulder belts and hip belts are important to keep you comfortable during long travels. If you are prone to having shoulder pain or back pain, then this feature is something to prioritize when looking for a backpack. Having padded and adjustable straps will ensure that you can customize the bag to fit your individual body. This will lessen the load and evenly distribute the weight, thus avoiding further injuries. Similar to the shoulder belts, hip belts should also be padded to avoid uneven weight distribution.

Do you want to dig down your clothes deep down in your backpack? No, right? Then get a front loading backpack. This makes getting your stuff easy.

Backpacks can carry large loads, but nothing can compare to the capacity of a duffel bag and their durability. Rolling suitcases may be a contender against the duffel, however duffel are more accessible and flexible in comparison to rolling suitcases. Let’s dive in a little further into why duffel make great bags.

Duffel bags are chosen for their convenience. However, there are certain subtle features things that can add more convenience to a duffel bag. For example, duffel bags with D-Shaped openings are better suited for if you need quick access to your items.

Duffelsare not typically the easiest type of bag to carry around. This is usually because of their single shoulder straps, which may be uncomfortable if you have to carry the bag for a long period of time. However, not all duffel bags are dependent on the single strap. Some duffel bags can be carried like a backpack, and some (such as a hockey duffel bag) have wheels.

Volume is another feature that you should consider when purchasing a duffel. If you have very few things to carry but have a large duffel, then it would look saggy and be difficult to carry around. It is important for you to choose the right volume that fits your requirements. Duffel bags come in all sizes, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one that is the right size for you.

As mentioned earlier, not all bags are meant for all environments. You need to carry a different bag for a different setting; for a different ambiance.