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Summer traveling is upon us, and while you might be tempted to stuff over a week’s worth of belongings into a backpack, please don’t. It’s time to discover the wonders of a weekender bag.
While a bag that holds just two or three days’ worth of your life might seem unnecessarily specific, it’s crucial to any weekend excursion (holiday travel, anybody?), especially if you’re a chronic overpacker who refuses to check luggage unless it’s free. (Guilty!)
What’s the criteria for a good weekender bag?
The best weekender bags are stylish and durable — this isn’t the kind of purchase you want to replace every few years. You want a bag that doesn’t look like it was fished out of a clearance bin mere hours before your trip or appear as if it could be holding the contents of a gym locker.
To help you prepare for your upcoming travels, we’ve rounded up the sturdiest, roomiest, and non-ugly weekender bags that’ll make you the best-dressed person while waiting for your train or going through airport security.
The Best Oversized Weekender Bag
Not only can you get this chic bag in a multitude of colors, it’s also available in sizes XS to XL. Sizes from medium up in this water-resistant, neoprene bag can fit your standard laptop and shoes. If you need more space, the XL is the perfect carry-on, and all bags are made from Repreve® recycled lining, featuring a shoe bag and dust bag to make packing even easier. The XL version is shopping writer and editor Hanna Flanagan’s go-to carry-on when her checked suitcase is overflowing.
Colors: Available in 7 | Materials: Premium neoprene and performance air mesh (body) Dimensions: Depends on size
The Most Comfortable Weekender Bag
“After years of letting poorly constructed duffel bags leave red marks on my shoulders, I finally let my partner talk me into The North Face’s Base Camp Duffel. It’s a duffel bag that you wear as a backpack. Nerdy, yes, but my spine has never been happier, and now I have both arms free while in transit. The one drawback is there’s no longer strap for a one-shoulder option, but once you get used to wearing it as a full backpack you’ll never look back. I have the S, which lets me pack for up to a week at a time.” —Danielle Cohen, a blogger at the Cut.
Colors: Available in 7 | Materials: Recycled heavyweight nylon | Dimensions: 13” x 21” x 13”
The Best Duffle Backpack
“I used this recently and it felt so nice to carry things on my back rather than my side for once. I love the water-resistant nature, color, and how cool and outdoorsy this looks. And it fits SO much!” —Brooke LaMantia, a shopping writer at the Cut.
Colors: Available in 10 | Materials: 100 percent recycled ripstop polyester with TPU coating exterior and recycled polyester interior | Dimensions: 18” x 12” x 7.5”
The Best Weekender With a Shoe Compartment
“I love this one; my boyfriend got it for me as a Christmas present after I had been lamenting the fact that I did not have enough space in my little gym bag for my clothes, skin-/hair-care products, boxing gloves, laptop, and other work accoutrements. It also is perfect for traveling — it has a pocket that can either just be a pocket or if you unzip the bottom of it, hooks onto the arm of a suitcase so that it doesn’t flop all around while you’re running to catch your plane/train/automobile. I am also partial to the separate bottom compartment, which is perfect for storing shoes and dirty clothes.” —Brooke Marine, deputy culture editor at the Cut.
Colors: Available in 14 | Materials: Recycled poly or eco-friendly canvas | Dimensions: 15.5” x 19.7” x 9.5”
The Best Weekender for Fashion People
“And for something a little chicer — but admittedly fits fewer items because of its size so I wouldn’t recommend it for a trip longer than two to three days — the Large Telfar duffel fits easily in the overhead compartment on planes and trains.” —B.M.
Colors: Available in 5 | Materials: 50 percent polyurethane and 50 percent polyester | Dimensions: 11” x 21” x 11”
Other Options:
The Sporty One
It’s a gym bag, it’s a weekend bag, and, according to reviewers, it’s the perfect everyday bag, too. The sporty padded puffer bag comes in two colors with compartments for all the essentials, including your phone and laptop.
Colors: Black | Materials: 100 percent nylon (body) | Dimensions: 18.5” x 8.9” x 12.6”
The Pink One
With 11,026 ratings, the people of Amazon must love this bag because it works for both the gym and a weekend retreat in Arizona with the girls. It is thick and durable. One reviewer even wrote, “I have used it as a hospital bag when I gave birth as well as using it as a weekend bag or for hand luggage when I go abroad.”
Colors: Available in 59| Materials: Tear and water-resistant fabric| Dimensions: 10.63”*21.65”*7.09
The One That’ll Fit Anything
With more compartments and pockets than we can count, this is your best bet for an easy-to-use, organized weekender bag. Plus, it’s designed by none other than Shay Mitchell.
Colors: Available in 9 | Materials: Poly canvas (body) | Dimensions: 19” x 9.8” x 15.7”
The Under-$50 One
A simple option that’s cheaper than anything you’ll buy at the airport. It’s sturdy and roomy with lots of pockets and five-star reviews on Amazon.
Colors: Available in 4 | Dimensions: 16.2” x 14.5” x 8”
The One for Your Laptop
Everlane is known for its sleek basics, and boy did the company get this one right. The ReNew Transit Weekender has it all: a padded laptop sleeve, not one but two water-bottle holders, an exterior zip pocket, and a pocket to sit on the luggage handle.
Colors: Available in 6 | Materials: 100 percent recycled polyester with a water-resistant finish | Dimensions: 14.2″ x 7.3″ x 19.5″
The Colorful One
Take the mystery out of spotting your luggage with this very bright tote from Away. It pairs perfectly with your suitcase, and the lightweight carryall has exterior and interior pockets to fit all of your valuables.
Colors: Available in 5 | Materials: 100 percent recycled polyester| Dimensions: 14.8” x 23.6” x 9”
The Minimalist One
The design is simple, but the bag is anything but. With three separate compartments and lots of space, this weekender keeps things neat and organized for you meticulous packers, so it’s worth joining the waitlist.
Colors: Available in 2| Materials: Recycled plastic| Dimensions: 14.5” x 22.5” x 7”
The Gen-Z-Approved One
Your carry-on in a pinch, this cloud bag comes in a few color options and folds into a tiny square you can fit into any bag. Holding all of your stuff is just a bonus.
Colors: Available in 7 | Materials: Recycled heavyweight nylon | Dimensions: 17” × 25” × 9 ¾”
The Leather One
For those of you whose airport attire does not include sweatpants and sneakers, opt for this roomy, luxe leather bag. Plus, it comes in sleek black leather too.
Colors: Brown and black | Materials: Semi vegetable-tanned leather| Dimensions: 13 3/8” x 18” x 7 1/4”
The TikTok Favorite
People love this bag. Reviewers claim it is the “go-to weekend travel bag” and a “TSA-approved personal item.” What’s best about this bag is it can be carried as a backpack, a cross-body bag, a shoulder bag, or even a handbag.
Colors: Available in 9 | Materials: Phthalate-free PVC fabric + 150D OM Stardust Polyester Lining | Dimensions: 9.5” x 18.5” x 12”
The Coastal-Grandma One
Pack all of your striped sweaters, loose linens, and neutral garments in this weekender bag from Rothy’s. With three compartments to divide everything, your weekend at the beach house will go as planned.
Colors: Available in 4 | Materials: | Knit with a combination of thread made from marine plastic| Dimensions: 13.8” x 21.5” x 8.9”
The Under-$40 One
It’s no surprise this bag has five stars on Amazon. Reviewers love it for its durability and compression abilities. You can squish it into a small square, pack it in a different carryall, then break it out to bring home all the goodies you bought on vacation.
Colors: Available in 12 | Materials: Made with 600D polyester, waterproof and tear-resistant fabric | Dimensions: 26.3” x 13.7” x 12.2”
Another Pink One
If you really like to match, this bag is part of an entire set of pretty pink luggage. If not, you can still grab this handy weekender with lots of pockets and pouches at a deep discount.
Colors: Available in 3 | Materials: Vegan leather body| Dimensions: 10.3” x 11” x 18.1”
The Staycation One
The camo-print quilting on this nylon duffel from MZ Wallace makes it look more expensive than it is. It comes with removable pouches and a removable cross-body strap. Customers praise it for its lightweight material and spacious pockets.
Colors: Camo print | Materials: Waterproof quilt | Dimensions: 17.3” x 10.8” x 6.7”
The Duffle
Take the mystery out of spotting your luggage with this very bright duffle. Along with pairing perfectly with your suitcase, the lightweight carryall has nine pockets to fit your shoes, water bottle, and much more.
Colors: Available in 8| Materials: Polyester| Dimensions: 12” x 16” x 7”
The Overnight One
All you need is enough pockets to stuff all the last-minute things for your overnight trip. This tote from Free People heard your prayers. Large enough to fit a towel, makeup bag, and your chargers, among other knick-knacks, this tote is ideal for a quick overnight trip.
Colors: Available in 4 | Materials: 100 percent cotton | Dimensions: 5.9” x 14.2” x 15.7”
The City One
You get two bags in one with this duffel from Monos. It has a detachable outer component for all your personal goods, while the main compartment features plenty of pockets for your other belongings.
Colors: Available in 4 | Materials: Nylon | Dimensions: 16.3” × 11.2” × 7.2”
The Designer One
Live your Gucci Savoy world dreams à la Ryan Gosling with this medium duffle bag from the Italian brand. Made to embody Gucci archival belt, this potential weekender bag has a detachable (and adjustable) strap, lock with key holder, luggage tag, and interior zippers for all your accessories.
Colors: Beige/ ebony GG Supreme canvas| Materials: Leather | Dimensions: 17.5” x 10.5” x 9.5”
The Preppy One
If you thought boat totes were just back for their quirky messaging, you’re mistaken. This bag comes in a large and extra-large size, which makes it perfect for weekend getaways. Plus, the zip-top option keeps all your belongings nice and secure.
Colors: Available in 10 | Materials: Cotton canvas| Dimensions: 15” x 17” x 7”(Large)
The One That’s Worth the Splurge
Weekender bags are prone to wear and tear, whether they’re being dragged through airport security or shoved into the dirty overhead bin of a plane. So if you’re a frequent traveler, you should invest in one that is built to last. Even though this Tumi duffel is expensive, the durable nylon material, stylish aesthetic, and functional design elements — including the front zip pocket, metal feet, and removable and adjustable leather-trimmed shoulder strap — make it worth the splurge.
Colors: Available in 2 | Materials: Nylon | Dimensions: 13.0” x 19.0” x 8.5”
The Lightweight One
At under $100, Eastpak’s duffle is for the no-fuss traveler. Made from polyester, the weekender bag is lightweight but still big enough to carry all your essentials thanks to its multiple compartments.
Colors: Navy | Materials: Polyester|
The Classic One
The airport’s your runway — look like you’re weekending in the Hamptons even when you’re just going on a work trip.
Colors: Brown | Materials: Monogram canvas | Dimensions: 17.7” x 10.6” x 7.9”
