Matador ReFraction Packable Duffel Review
The new line is up with some updated design features as well as fabrics. Let’s see if it’s worth bringing for those souvenirs - or using on its own.
Matador Refraction Duffel Review Introduction
Matador keeps packing them in (See what I did there? Woof, sorry, I did it again). Last month we rolled out our new ReFraction packable backpack review, so now we’re giving the same treatment to the duffel version (with a special guest as well - read on for that).
The ReFraction packable duffel bag is just that - a duffel bag that's packable, and billed as being lightweight and high quality. Something to use on its own, or something you can bring while packed within itself and use in your destination if you get a little overzealous in purchases. More on that later. I’ve also thrown in a few pictures of their packable sling - I didn’t really give this a full testing as I don’t wear slings and hip packs really - but all the materials feedback for the bag applies here, too.
This is my review of the Matador ReFraction packable duffel. I took this with me on an 8 day trip from NYC to Italy to test it in the real world. My intention was to manufacture a need for it, but turns out we actually had plenty of need. In Bergamo, we came across a “factory seconds” story for washed Italian linen. We’re talking 39.00 Euros. Down the street these shirts were 110.00 Euros. So uh, we loaded up! You can never have too many linen shirts in the summer or when traveling to SEA. My wife also got a couple of items at some of the Italian brands in Milan, so it turned out we had more than enough need for this bag.
As always for full transparency, Matador was kind enough to send me a pre-production unit to test out due to the timing of my trip. That said, this is not a sponsored review, I received no money from Matador, and they had no input on the content of the review. I do use affiliate links which help to support the site if you decide to use them to make a purchase, but you’re under no obligation to do so and there’s no additional cost to you. Thanks for stopping by!
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Matador ReFraction Packable Duffel Overview
As we’ve mentioned many, many times - Matador’s bread and butter is in the field of packable items. It’s where they got their start and while they now shine in some other areas, too, they continue to shine here. So, it’s always interesting to see what they roll out in this area.
We talked about the ReFraction backpack, and this is going to be very similar in most regards other than form and use case. It’s lightweight and it’s made from recycled materials that meet Bluesign criteria. The size of this fella comes in at 25L.
I’d say there’s no specific use case for this other than to “carry stuff”. It’s as straight up of a duffel as you’re going to find. An open compartment, two handles, and a couple of pockets. So the use case here is that it could be your primary bag that you then pack up and stow once you get to where you’re going, or you can pack it and just break it out when you need to bring extra stuff home like we did. Versatile in that use case or if you’re just a minimalist and aren’t the type to get into highly designed and heavier bags.
Special Guest Alert - I did also want to mention they’ve released a great packable sling/hip pack as well. I didn’t do much testing with it, but quality is exactly the same and if you’re into bringing a smaller sling for either walking around or maybe on the plane, give this one a look.
Stats from the site:
Volume: 25 liters
Weight: 7.9oz (225g)
Unpacked Dimensions: 21.5 x 11 x 8in (55 x 28 x 20cm)
Packed Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 2.75in (19 x 13 x 7cm)
Materials
- 100D recycled nylon, PU waterproofing
- 100D Bluesign® span
- YKK® PU coated sealing zippers
- PU coating: Waterproofing
- PFC free DWR coating
Something new for Matador’s packables is that this bag comes in 3 different colors. They are all minimalist and provide a way to break away from the all-black norm. Black, arctic white, and slate blue which is what I have today.
It retails for $50.00 USD as of July 2023.
ReFraction Duffel Features
With this being a very minimalist and functional duffel, there won’t be a ton to go into for features but we’ll cover off on the few that are here.
This is a “packable”. So for those that are new to this it means you can pack it into its own pocket and keep it hidden away until you really need it. Or, you can lay it flat on the bottom of your suitcase if you choose. I tend to pack them into themselves unless I’m on my way home and get lazy in my final packing job.
On the outside, they’ve got two pockets, sized differently, and made of that nice mesh material we saw in the other bag. This “mesh” I’ll call it is not the mesh you’re probably used to. The holes are almost imperceptible and quality/strength feels very good. It’s very comparable to Bellroy’s mesh that they use in some of their products. That is to say, high end hand feel.
The bag has two types of straps - handles on the top center, and then also one non-removable shoulder strap for when you want to carry it in a shoulder-carry style if it’s full and maybe heavier than normal.
The top zipper is YKK aquaguard, meaning it is PU covered for water resistance. Further, the zipper has a security loop to tuck it into when it’s closed. Not a lock mind you, but I can’t imagine even the Great Tram Thief of Naples would be able to undo the zipper from the loop without you realizing it. It’s a solid feature to have. The zippers on the outside pockets are not in fact aquaguard, but the pocket is designed in such a way that it has a bit of a flap to cover them. A good compromise but not full on water-resistance, so keep that in mind.
The Good
Well, I love the colors on this bag. Black normally isn’t my thing in a bag if I can choose, and in previous Matador bags I just used it because that’s what they had. But these new ones! Muted and minimal. The arctic white is amazing but I wouldn’t expect it to stay clean too long so make sure you’re OK with that. But this blue? Fantastic. Reminds me of that futuristic, gender-neutral color theme you’d see at Arc’Teryx Veilance or in West World. I’m really into it. Materials and build in general are top notch on this bag as you’d expect from Matador.
And really just from a practicality standpoint - this has loads. We found it to be one of the best things we could have brought with us for the rando buying spree we went on. I will say normally we wouldn’t do that, but when life gives you cheap and authentic linen shirts, you put them on and drink lemonade. Amirite? So for that use case it’s brilliant. If you never need it, no big deal - it’s only 7 ounces. Another good use case is when you need an extra bag for where you’re going but don’t need to carry those same things back ( ex. Christmas, or like my wife when she has to carry fabric samples to a meeting but leaves them with the client when she returns), you pack it up and put it away for the trip home.
And while you don’t need to focus on the outdoors with this bag, it’s capable there, too. The only thing “urban” about this bag is more so the looks. Materials and durability are fine outside. Flexibility is here - take it camping if you want. Throw it around. You’ll be fine.
I think they found a good balance of duffel practicality and size here. 25L is a good choice. It also means that it’s not going to be ridiculous when it’s packed within itself. The whole point is to be packable, but hidden away. I think they accomplished that goal here. It was bigger than it looks in terms of what we could put into it, but it never felt big in use, if that makes sense. It didn’t get in our way or give us any trouble and we had this on planes, trains, and automobiles”.
I also think in practice, this was very easy to pack into its pocket. That sounds like a small thing, but some of these products can kind of be a pain in the ass to do that with (looking at you Mystery Ranch In and Out - I still love you though, don’t worry).
Fabric macros incoming…
The Bad
Short list here folks. This bag isn’t really trying to be anything it’s not and it’s not trying to be over designed. If this bag could talk and were a fan of Popeye, it would say “I am what I am and that’s all I am”. I mean it can’t, and it’s not, but you get what I’m saying.
The one nit I’d pick is that on the grab handles, there is this plastic material meant to give you something to hold onto. But in practice, it wasn’t the greatest. It seemed like it’s similar to that shrink wrap kind of plastic they use on the end of zippers (love by the way) - but it wasn’t fully melted. Further, in hot places, because this is plastic it’s not going to breathe at all and you’re going to get some good ol’ sweaty palms. I kind of felt that it didn’t match up with the quality and highend-ness of the bag itself.
Let’s be honest this isn’t the end of the world here folks, but it was something I noticed. It’s POSSIBLE this was just a pre-production thing that has since changed, but I’m pretty sure it’s finalized.
Improvement Requests For The ReFraction Packable Duffel
One thing I would redesign is the covering on the handles. Personally, I would either go with a softer, rubberized material (which would be better for packing as well since it would be more flexible) or I would get rid of it completely and use a bit more nylon fabric there to beef it up a little. Just a bit.
That’s the only thing I think I would really push for a change on here.
Matador ReFraction Duffel vs The Field
Here’s a few comparison shots, as well as some shots from the train station in Milan/the trunk of our rental car in Florence so you can see it in the wild. I’ve got it placed next to the ReFraction Backpack (Review), then with the On-Grid (Review) and Mystery Ranch In and Out (Review) added, then with the ReFraction Sling. The Duffel is the one with the vertical orientation when packed.
Final Thoughts On My Matador ReFraction Duffel Review
Matador continues on its path of being the king of packables. Yes, someone on the internet I’m sure will happily jump in with a “gotcha” that there is XYZ bag that is better than ABC Matador bag (Reddit, anyone?), but beyond the individual minutiae of preference, they are consistently making some of the best packable equipment on the market.
While they traditionally focused on outdoors designs that look a bit too aggressive in the city, they’ve increased their offerings in all-around, urban appropriate design languages. This bag is no exception.
The ReFraction Packable Duffel delivers on its promise of being a practical, all-around use case duffel bag that stays lightweight and packs into itself for easy stowage. In a surprisingly small package.
And, it looks damn good doing it, too.
If you’re in the market for a packable bag and you’d rather a duffel than a backpack, I’d say you will find few choices better than this one. By all means take a look around (as you should), but make sure this one’s in the consideration because I'm confident it will be a front runner.
Don’t forget the packable sling/hip pack as well. This thing also packs into itself as a SMALL form factor and shouldn’t be overlooked if you like slings better than backpacks for walking around. This would legit fit in most pockets when packed.
As always with the indie brands, I’d suggest buying directly through their website for best service.
Wander more and Wander smarter, everyone.
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