I have been a longtime user of the base camp bags. This is my 4th one, second rolling thunder, with my other three going strong. As i get older, i have more desire to use wheeled luggage just because lugging around 50 pound duffles in the airport gets hard and luggage carts are not always available. I am someone who is *actually* using these bags for gear (hence what it is made for).

I used this bag to fly my some of my climbing and camping gear out to Wyoming. I opened the bag upon arrival only to find out the internal frame snapped in half! Literally the first time i used it. Broken. This bag is 95L, so you would expect TNF to make a frame to handle the weight associated with 95L... right? wrong. I went to go start a warranty replacement only to see that I have to personally pay to ship this giant bag back and will probably only get a store credit? Why would i buy this bag again? 350.00+ dollars for a single use. It's clear the quality of gear has gone down hill as i guess its starting to be "trendy" vs gear for people who actually need reliable gear.

I am BEYOND disappointed and really just want a refund and for y'all to take this bag back. I shouldn't have to pay for a giant bag to be shipped back. Where would i even get the packaging for it? Absolute nightmare. Especially when you are counting on the gear to preform.

We owned a previous version of this rolling duffel, the version with a hard plastic "bathtub" bottom from around the mid to late-2010s (maybe 2017 or 2018).

I noted that the plastic bottom has been abandoned, which counterintuitively improves the durability of this luggage. While the hardshell bottom was more protectively, the seams between them plastic and the textile portions were a weak point. We experienced issues in the corners where the switching had failed. With no time to send back for repairs, I repaired the seams with "Shoe Goo" adhesive and it has held up well.

Another feature lost is the ability to collapse the duffel for storage. The older bag had metal struts on the wheel end of the duffel that you could pop out at one end allowing that end to be folded down, significantly reducing the depth of the duffel for storage.

Those two changes significantly improve the durability of the luggage. The metal stays of the old design would sometimes pop free. Additionally folding down the bag end put extra stress on the seams and contributed to the failure of the stitches.

Another minor loss is one of the exterior pockets at the the handle end of the duffel, which was convenient for storing wet items or items that you wanted to access easily.

A big improvement is the much wider opening to the main compartment. The old bag had a huge opening, but there was still a little bit of a lip on the ends. The new design completely opens the interior. Also, the older design only provided two compression straps, whereas the newer design uses a compression panel (which also affords you an additional two small mesh pockets. It does a much better job of confining the contents of the bag. I also liked that the zippered mesh pocket of the lid can be rolled up and tucked away with a tent-style loop-and-toggle.

Overall, I think that's this newest version of the bag incorporates several thoughtful tweaks while retaining the key features of a huge interior, easy access, and rugged design. I do miss the fold down feature, but I like trading off the more compact storage for a more durable build.

I traveled 3 years and a million airline miles. But i need some replacement wheels. Wore them out, not a warranty issue. Please, please let me a buy a replacement set?.. please. I'll pay anything??.

Nope, NorthFace wouldn't sell them to me.

Worse than the previous version. Made it smaller and the handle mechanism takes up too much space internally. Less durable materials than the previous version.

My "go to" bag for travelling. Rugged and dependable. Reflects the quality and value that I have come to expect and appreciate from ALL North Face products! I travel in confidence that my belongings are safe and secure!

I am a photographer, making 4-5 international trips a year, usually remote areas (Patagonia, Slovenia, Lofoten, Croatia, Africa) The bag served me very well, great handle and a great suspension. BUT, after 3 years the wheels are worn and I tried to buy a replacement set. NorthFace Support said I had to box up the big bag and ship to them for "evaluation". I've explained I have a hex driver to remove them, just sell me a set of wheels+spares?. Don't care how much. I don't want to spend the money to ship the bag back and forth (for "evaluation"), ?..that's just silly. Pelican Cases sells replacement wheels, ThinkTank sure does. Tenba sure does. Sure wish you'd consider selling me a set of wheels ?.

The handle of the bag(less than 1 year old) would not retract while i was in line for a flight to Europe. Airline employees and baggage handlers tried to help.I had to buy another bag in a hurry in an airport shop, and abandon my bag. I took pictures and documented the incident, but North Face was very dismissive( accused me of mishandling the bag).

This is a great product?except, there's no parts available for customers! I bought 3 different brands of rolling duffel to compare. I sent the others back and bought the NF Rolling Thunder because it was head and shoulders above other brands. All was good until I went on my trip. The airline dragged my duffel in a way that ground down and flattened one of the wheels. It would barely roll. I called NF and asked if they had replacement wheels. "Sure do!" they said, "?but we can't send them to you"
I asked how I was supposed to do that when I'm traveling and need my luggage to be my luggage and not a package going to NF. The reply was "I'm sorry, but the warranty people have to do that and we can't sell them to you." Really???
Briggs & Reilly sell them. Patagonia sells them.
If I could place an extra wheel the and small took to replace it, this would be a 5-star rating. Now, it's just a 3-star because it's not luggage, it's an anchor!

Just a great size for weekend trips and especially you fly. Most 2 wheeled backs tip over easy when you attach additional items to handle like a backpack. This bag does not. Love the color. Love the semi soft side and hard shell combo.

We've used the North Face Rolling Thunder 36 on car, plan, and train trips up and down the U.S. West Coast, supporting up to four people (two adults, two kids).

Where can I buy replacement wheels?