A very large and simple duffel bag from France. Built for tough use rather than overbuilt for war, these are fairly lightweight and flatten to a compact size when empty.

Too often duffel bags try to be smart about organizing things but only end up being complicated and heavy. This black piece of French military surplus is a welcome exception to the bunch. It has the essential elements any bankrobber would look for and none of the hassle, which makes the exterior rather plain and sleek.

The bag has two carrying handles. You won't need to connect or adjust them: they are nothing but handles for you to grab. Alternatively, you can sling the bag on your shoulder. If the sling gets in your way, just disconnect the other end and tuck it into its dedicated pocket.

In the bottom, the fabric is sealed and reinforced with PVC. There's no padding nor "feet" under the bag, just tough material to resist wear and water. PVC is also used for a name tag window on the side of the bag.

Getting into the bag involves opening one zipper. It's full-length and unobstructed to reduce hassle. On the inside, there are two organizing pouches on the sides with pleats to allow fairly large items to be stuffed in.

French military surplus

These have likely been a bag soldiers can take out for a leave, perhaps to blend in if necessary. Signs of use are not harsh, just ordinary wear of a bag like this. You'll find previous users' name tags or remains thereof on the sides.