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Top Rated Product
Freewheeler

Product Reviews

Freewheeler

This multifunctional, wheeled gear bag is designed for travel and made from recycled fabric.

Average Customer Rating: 4.655 out of 5 4.7 out of 5
28 of 29 recommend this product.
Product Details

Customer Reviews for Freewheeler

Posted by kjcardinal Location: Irwin, PA
February 15, 2010

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Replacing an old friend
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"This bag is a replacement for the previous model, now frayed and covered in 60-mph tape that had been around the world multiple times.

The Freewheeler improved upon the lower compartment access for ease of packing and is more compact when loaded. Handles are well placed and less vulnerable to damage. Fragile items, such as wine bottles, can still be well protected by the frame. The ability to handle the weather is also improved.

I've had a few trips now (still miss the old workhorse) and its performing well."

Review 2 for Freewheeler

Posted by Micky Location: portland or
October 10, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Perfect travel friend
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"Love this bag. for the price, i was skeptical, but went on a week's vacation and had leftover room. it also is easy to pull through an airport and is tough. it won't split or tear apart easily."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Review 3 for Freewheeler

Posted by Daryl Location: Pasadena, CA
August 30, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Freewheeler experience
4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"I had the older style model and recently took in on a trip to Alaska. The bag always totally accommodates everything I need to carry including camera tripods and fishing rods. On this particular trip A___ka Airlines damaged the handle mechanism and the button on the address flap tore off. The airlines said that they do not cover those types of damages. After some discussion that they were the only ones to touch the bag they did not concede. I contacted Patagonia to have it repaired at my cost and Patagonia replaced it free! Patagonia Rocks!"
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Review 4 for Freewheeler

Posted by Hope Location: Maine
August 7, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Serious traveler!
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"I travel a lot for work and am gone for an extended period of time... this bag is awesome!"

Review 5 for Freewheeler

Posted by Hotle Location: Duluth, MN
August 4, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
The Best!
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"My husband and I each had our own Freewheeler that we used during our recent 2 week trip around Northern Europe. It worked great for airplane, train, and ferry travel - easy to see on the luggage carousel at the airport; fit nicely in the overhead storage on trains, and smoothly traversed sidewalks and curbs. The only improvement that could be made is to the bottom side that sits on the ground when the luggage is placed on its end. I can see that this side of my luggage is going to quickly get worn and is already a bit discolored. Maybe a piece of plastic could be put on this side in the future to shield it."
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review 6 for Freewheeler

Posted by Claes Location: Rochester, NY
July 27, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
My third Freewheeler
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
"I got my first Freewheeler in 2002. Very good bag except for a couple of problems - the snap button for the address label fell off, and a zipper broke. Patagonia replaced with a new bag free of charge. I received the 2nd bag in the fall of 2007 - one snap button for the carrying handle fell off and the pulling handle mechanism became very difficult to use - a bit of an issue as you are heading to the airport for the return journey.
Returned the bag to Patagonia for repairs and received bag #3. I have only taken a 2 week road trip so far and the bag is doing OK. This bag has several improvements from the prior version that I like - the address label is tucked away, there is top zippered pocket for small sundry paper work.
I really like these bags - with careful packing they hold up to 2 weeks or so of clothing. When stuffed full they don't exceed the max airline weight of 45 pounds or so. They roll nicely. One suggestion for a future improvement would be to add a plastic shield to the back - when the bag sits upright and is shoved the back paned gets worn and this shows up after a few years.
After all this it must be obvious that I like the bag or I wouldn't come back.
Claes"
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review 7 for Freewheeler

Posted by twohearts Location: Orange County, CA
July 24, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
perfect bag
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"As a frequent traveller, both short and long hauls, this is the best size I have. It's perfect for 3-5 day solo trip or with my husband, a perfect accompaniment to a larger bag. Also, the great colors make it easy to spot & wisk away among the madness at the luggage claim. A total must-have for a gal who is a minimalist!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Review 8 for Freewheeler

Posted by daria Location: MA
June 15, 2009

: Good
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
great product - room for improvement
4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Appearance 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Construction 3 out of 5 3 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Value 2 out of 5 2 of 5 stars
"I just used this bag on a 2 week trip through Italy. It was easy, robust, and withstood much abuse. I like the fact that it collapses to fit in small spaces. My only complaint refers to the lack of pockets and thus poor organization. I would like to see Patagonia include a divider or perhaps a hidden pocket to store passports, money, or similar. It would also be more helpful to anchor the compression straps to the frame instead of the canvas body. That way, we can maximize compression and versatility of the bag (ie, I can take it on short trips and not worry about empty space)."
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review 9 for Freewheeler

Posted by Greenjeans Location: Mill Valley, CA
June 4, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Freighliner
3 out of 5 3 of 5 stars
Appearance 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Construction 3 out of 5 3 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 3 out of 5 3 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 3 out of 5 3 of 5 stars
"We have used several freewheelers in this and the larger size to travel to Asia, Africa and around the States. We typically choose these duffles over our other packs and luggage because they're easy to pack and they're pretty tough. You can carry the freewheeler on an aircraft if it's not fully loaded. We have recently experienced tears in the fabric, however, and zippers on two pieces have become stuck. Consequently, I think that they can be better crafted."
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review 10 for Freewheeler

Posted by Reverend Location: Gardiner, MT
April 17, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Freedom on wheels...
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"For years I have traveled via plane with a rolling carry-on and a backpack full of gear as my second bag, or I have checked a monstrosity of a duffle bag, making my saunters through the airport a back-breaker. Though I haven't traveled much with the Freewheeler so I can't speak to its durability, I can say with all confidence that I have found my new travel companion. Loaded with features I have not seen in any other rolling duffle, this bag is a hybrid for the adventurer looking for portability, a seemingly bomb proof design, and a sleek, professional look. I have a feeling I will be finding new pockets for many trips to come before I finally get to fully know and love my new partner. I was at first surprised by the size of the smaller version, wondering if it was big enough to handle a weeks load; but it performed like a champ, stowing more necessary travel items than anyone should need for a week or long weekend trip. I can imagine that the larger version would be the ultimate oversees journeyman; but with the Freewheeler in combination with the Black Hole, it appears my travel needs will be set for years to come."
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review 11 for Freewheeler

Posted by BikerMiker
March 28, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Freewheeler Realdealer
4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Value 3 out of 5 3 of 5 stars
"This bag has copious amounts of space and the compartments are well designed and highly functional. I used this bag on a 10-day business trip recently that involved some cycling on the side. Everything I needed fit wonderfully. Easy to maneuver around the airport and it is also built like a tank. I was torn about going up a size, but I am happy I didn't. Yes, it is expensive, but the value is there in construction and functionality."
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Review 12 for Freewheeler

Posted by SIGNGUY
March 20, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
GREAT BAG!
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
"THIS BAG IS VERY WELL DESIGNED. GREAT STORAGE AREAS, HANDLE LOCATIONS MAKE FOR EASY LOADING AND TOSSING AROUND."

Review 13 for Freewheeler

Posted by Thatguy12
March 15, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Great travel bag
4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Appearance 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Construction 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Value 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
"I travel very frequently and this bag holds plenty of stuff and travels through an airport or train station easily."

Review 14 for Freewheeler

Posted by SarahB
February 14, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Favorite piece of luggage!
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"This bag is hands down the best piece of luggage I have ever owned. It is big enough to take on long trips, yet compresses small enough for a long weekend. Amazing."
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review 15 for Freewheeler

Posted by bohat
February 13, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Perfect gear bag for camping/fishing
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"Love the size and design. Took it on a weeklong trip out of the country and had plenty of room to spare."

Review 16 for Freewheeler

Posted by Birdy
January 26, 2009

: Good
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Great Travel Bag
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Value 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
"This bag travels great in air or in the car! Its easy to access my gear when traveling down the road and it works great when traveling by plane. I have two now and just love the updated look and additional features!"

Review 17 for Freewheeler

Posted by Heavor
January 18, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
nice luggage
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
"i really like my freightliner. fits everything i need for my trips and its really easy to see too (i got a bright green one)"

Review 18 for Freewheeler

Posted by jofa
January 9, 2009

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Great bag
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
"This is a great travel piece as long as you do not need both arms free. Sturdy, great room for a week's worth of gear (unless you play hockey or so, then you need more or bigger bags:-)."

Review 19 for Freewheeler

Posted by Anonymous
January 2, 2009

: Good
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: No
Potential but not quite there
2 out of 5 2 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
Performance 1 out of 5 1 of 5 stars
Value 1 out of 5 1 of 5 stars
"I like the way this bag looked and the potential as a flexible carry on for four day trips. It was great to pack and accomodated everything I needed very well. My initial concern for it's longevity was that when stood up vertically the bottom drags, scratches, and wears on the ground.

Unfortunately in the field (airline baggage handling reality) I do not think it is up to the task of being airline luggage for very long.

On my bags first non stop airline trip it was terribly damaged from it's encounter with a conveyor belt - the bottom hard shell was scuffed terribly, both fabric and plastic. One of the rubber skate like wheels had a flat spot rubbed into it - after 1 trip!

I have had better luck with the Patagonia Overhead Shed Bag as well as my all time favorite Patagonia bag (over 12 years of service so far) The Burito Suitor. (A tri fold hanging bag - unfortunately out of production)"
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Review 20 for Freewheeler

Posted by Ricky
December 17, 2008

: Excellent
: Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes
Freightliner does it all
5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Appearance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Construction 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Craftsmanship 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 5 of 5 stars
Value 4 out of 5 4 of 5 stars
"Whether you are going to visit the folks for the weekend or heading to the Bahamas for a week of flyfishing this bag gets it done. Solid construction handles even the most ambitious baggage handlers. Divided compartments perfect for anything from dirty laundry to flip-flops. External pockets make stashing a book or tickets a breeze."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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