I travel…a lot. I’ve always been a function over form person when choosing luggage and gun cases but with the Wren & Ivy Wellington Lodge Duffel you’ll get both with a major bonus. My evaluation for this cut-down review will focus on function, features and form.
The WLD is the perfect size for a weekend away in the field. It’s just small enough to fit into an overhead compartment so no need to check this one. On a recent trip to F.E. Hill ranch in Texas I easily packed for four days in this single bag and avoided the baggage claim process altogether. For size reference, if you pack this bag full you will not be able to cram it in the overhead compartment on a commuter flight, but it will fit into the overhead of a larger aircraft. I learned this lesson the hard way.
By far the best feature of this bag is the separate leather zip compartment that serves as the bottom of the duffel. This heavy-duty leather area is designed to accommodate your dirty hunting boots, keeping the main compartment clean for your clothing. I easily fit my Russell Moccasin 10” tall boots in this pocket for the trip back from the ranch and appreciated not having dirt scattered around the main compartment with the rest of my clothing. This feature was very well thought out. The other compartments on this bag are sizeable and feature very high-quality zippers. The leather padded shoulder strap has made several long airport treks a non-issue.
When a bag looks this well made people will notice, especially other hunters. I’ve gotten loads of questions about it with the conversation always moving directly to the boot compartment. This seems to be the feature every hunter agrees they need after an inspection. The embossed and initialed leather patch is a nice touch to complete a very high quality product. Well done, Wren & Ivy.