If your duffel bag could tell a story, what would it say? As a trusty piece of gear for long-distance travel and the great outdoors, duffel bags have seen it all— from truck beds to trailheads to airport terminals. And it carries more than gear. It holds memories and stories. So why not make it reflect that?

Below are a handful of easy ways to personalize a duffel bag to reflect you and your adventures.

DIY Ways to Personalize Your Duffel Bag

The versatility of duffel bags are endless. But whether you’re packing for a backcountry hunt, a weekend camping trip, or a long haul to deer camp, a few DIY touches can make a duffel bag easier to identify, more functional, and distinctly yours.

Apply Iron-On or Sew-On Patches

flatlay collection of embroidered patches from different parks

Embroidered patches are a very easy way to personalize duffel bags. Many patches can be ironed on, but if you prefer to preserve your duffel bag (and patch too), stitching your patches offers an easy-to-remove option.

What kind of patches? Think of patches of your favorite parks, hunting lodges, or conservation groups. A kid's duffel bag might even show off their scout badges and scout troop.

Stamp Emboss Leather Tags

brown leather tag keychain resting on typewriter

If you have leatherworking skills, why not make your own embossed leather tag? You can stamp your monogrammed initials and contact info (in case it gets lost). Or you can even try your hand at carving the leather, creating western-inspired designs and flourishes.

Oil-tanned leather or full-grain leather offers a weatherproof finish for your tag. Hunters can even tan deer hides and make their own leather tags.

Add a Custom Embroidered Logo or Monogram

gray duffel bag with M initial in white room

If you’ve got access to an embroidery machine or a local shop, a custom embroidery job is a great way to personalize your duffel. You can stitch a name, initials, or even the entire logo of an outdoors brand or hunting camp straight onto the canvas.

This also makes a great gift for a special someone, an entire hunting party, or a scout group.

Paint or Stencil Your Mark

Painting duffel bags adds tons of character. Use acrylic paint for both canvas duffels and leather duffels. If you don’t have an artistic hand, you can use ready-made stencils. Just remember to apply some waterproofing wax or spray sealant afterward to help preserve and lock in the paint job.

Reinforce Bag Handles and Straps

A well-made duffel bag should have reinforced handles and straps, which are typically wider and thicker. So why not use this rugged stability to enhance your duffel’s character, color-code bags, and add emergency tools?

Wrap the handles and straps with paracord—a great tip for emergency go-bags and EDC duffels. The paracord doubles as survival gear, acting as a spare rope you can unravel when you’re in a pinch.

Add Clip-On Keychains & Gear Loops

clip reinforcement on a black canvas duffel bag

Speaking of adding extra tools to your duffel bag’s straps and handles…

You can also clip on other items such as carabiners, keychains, D-rings and gear loops. These touches can help you quickly grab and locate essentials like flashlights, gloves, rangefinders, and so much more.

Just be sure to secure loops with heavy-duty stitching so they can handle the weight of what they carry (like a water bottle).

Add Enamel Pins

Add some extra flair with enamel pins collected through the years along your adventures. These pins could represent anything from National Parks you’ve visited to trails you’ve accomplished to favorite outdoor brands. For hunters, pins could be from your regional hunting group or a favorite game you like to hunt.

A word of caution: Reinforce the pin back with duct tape or a rubber locking clutch to ensure it’s secure and the pin doesn’t shake loose or pop off during travels.

Apply a Wax Coating for a Weathered Look

Rubbing a wax coating into your duffel bag not only waterproofs it but also lends it a timeless look. And while it may not personalize it instantly, over the years of travel, the coated duffel develops a vintage charm and builds character. The more you use it, the better it looks.

And while some high-quality canvas duffels like Beckel’s are extremely rugged and contain a water-resistant agent, they can still leave the natural canvas vulnerable to the elements. So waterproofing a duffel bag can help protect it from the rain a bit more.

Not sure how to go about it? No problem – it’s easier than you’d think! Follow our step-by-step guide on waterproofing a duffel bag.

Personalizing Your Duffel Bag Tells a Story

Personalizing your duffel bag helps tell your story. A story about what you do and where you’ve been. The scratches, patches, and marks that accumulate represent something, even if only you know the history of how they came to be.

Are there any marks on your duffel already? Or do you want to tell your story? Choose one or several of the DIY ways listed above to personalize your duffel bag.

DIY Ways to Personalize Your Duffel Bag (Patches, Leather Tags, & More)