Travel Products Luggage + Bags Suitcases + Duffel Bags The 15 Best Weekender Bags for Men in 2023 Our top picks include duffels, garment bags, and convertible backpacks. By Joel Balsam Updated on April 21, 2023 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa So, you’ve had a busy week and want to get out of the city ASAP. Now the question is, what do you do with the clothes, gadgets and toiletries you need to bring? Instead of packing a big suitcase, consider a weekender bag instead. Similar to a duffel bag though smaller, weekender bags usually have nifty compartments for your shoes, tech and other valuables. They also tend to be more stylish, so you can really show off your personality. We sifted through weekenders from brands like Patagonia, Samsonite, Marmot, Silver & Riley, and more to find the best on the market. We prioritized durability, functionality, and style, and the bags we chose checked those boxes thanks to sleek designs, handy features, and convenient sizes. Here are the best options for different budgets and traveler types. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Herschel Tech Novel Duffle at Zappos Jump to Review Best Designer: Luca Faloni Weekender at Lucafaloni.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Plambag Canvas Duffel at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Camping: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag at REI Jump to Review Best for Golfers: Titleist Players Boston Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Garment Bag: Modoker Garment Duffel Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Shoe Compartment: Monos Metro Weekender at Monos.com Jump to Review Best With Wheels: Samsonite Just Right Weekend Wheeled Duffel at Ebags.com Jump to Review Best Leather: Silver & Riley Carryall Duffel Leather Bag at Silverandriley.com Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Bellroy Lite Duffel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Herschel Tech Novel Duffle Herschel View On Zappos View On Herschel.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue Why We Love It This is a surprisingly versatile duffel that looks great for business or leisure. What to Consider Fabric bags are less polished than leather alternatives. If weekender bags were like bowls in Little Red Riding Hood, this one from Herschel would be the middle one – juuust right. From the brand that makes simplistic backpacks and fanny packs you probably see everywhere, Herschel’s Tech Novel Duffel adds more than most in terms of clever design. First off, the look is classy yet unique, making it perfect for a business trip or a weekend at the cottage. The material is not only soft and durable, it’s also eco-friendly — the outer fabric and liner are both made with 100 percent post-consumer plastic bottles. And the size is absolutely perfect for a short trip at 45 liters. In terms of features, this bag has a lot going for it. On one side you’ll find a pocket that looks like a doorway for a chihuahua — that’s for a pair of shoes. A zipper close to the large opening is a separate felt-lined pocket for your laptop as well as other tech, so you don’t have to go digging to grab your most important gear. There’s also a small zipper on the side for a passport and a strap to slide it onto your wheeled luggage. All in all, this is a weekender bag that just makes sense. Price at time of publish: $160 The Details: 12.75 x 20.5 x 11 inches | 45 liters | 2.65 pounds | Polyester, polycarbonate, fleece Best Designer Luca Faloni Weekender Luca Faloni View On Lucafaloni.com Why We Love It This timelessly elegant bag will last for many years. What to Consider As a designer leather bag, it’s an investment piece. If you’re traveling in Italy or just want to feel la bella vita wherever you are, this Luca Faroni bag is worth the splurge. Made of full-grain leather (cow shoulder) sourced in Santa Croce sull’Arno, Italy, the feel of this bag is extraordinary. Since it’s leather, it’ll only look and feel better over time, and you don’t need to worry about the base ripping as metal studs protect it from the ground. Unlike simple one-compartment duffels, Luca Faroni’s weekender also has clever pockets for your keys, passport, and credit cards. Price at time of publish: $900 The Details: 20.5 x 11 x 9.5 inches | 35 liters | Full grain leather, cotton Best Budget Plambag Canvas Duffel Amazon View On Amazon View On Gonexsport.com Why We Love It It’s hard to pass on this big, practical bag, especially at this price. What to Consider The zippers aren’t the best quality. This spacious, no-nonsense bag from Gonex has everything you need for a weekend away. At 60 liters for the extra-large, there’s plenty of room for your stuff — from a 17-inch laptop to all your clothes — and zippers on the shoulders allow you to expand the bag in both directions for even more space. Need to take an extra pair of shoes? You might want to pay the extra $5 for the option that includes a shoe pocket. A smaller, 50-liter option is also available. As for the look, it could certainly be prettier, but the leather zipper flaps are a nice touch. Price at time of publish: $49 for 60-liter The Details: 23.6-26 x 11 x 12.2 inches for 60-liter | Available in 50 liters, 60 liters, and 60 liters + shoe compartment | 2.86 - 3.3 pounds | Cotton canvas, nylon The 9 Best Men’s Leather Messenger Bags of 2023 Best for Camping Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag REI View On REI View On Patagonia.com Why We Love It It’s long-lasting and comes in a variety of colors. What to Consider It’s probably not the best aesthetic for a business trip. If you don’t need a bag to look professional, this one excelled in our lab tests for durability and a surprisingly large capacity for its size. Made by the trusted folks at Patagonia, the Black Hole Duffel is durable, light and eco-friendly, thanks to post-consumer recycled polyester and the water-resistant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating. Yes, there’s one big hole for your stuff, but Patagonia has added some smart pockets on the inside for organization including two mesh pockets on the lid and a pouch at the front. There’s also a zippered pocket on the outside that carries a key fob. Got a long way to walk? You can carry this bag like a backpack, too. Price at time of publish: $159 for 40-liter The Details: 21 x 13.7 x 10.6 inches for 40-liter | Available in 40 liters, 55 liters, 70 liters, and 100 liters | 2.5 - 3.28 pounds | Recycled polyester Best for Golfers Titleist Players Boston Bag Amazon View On Amazon View On Teegolfclub.com View On Titleist.com Why We Love It This simple golf bag holds all you need for a short trip, besides your clubs. What to Consider There’s no cross-body strap. This is a great bag for a golf trip, especially with the boss since it’s sleek and professional. It’s quite small, about the size of a gym bag, but how much do you really need on the course? There’s also a couple of pockets for organization, including a sealed one under the label for your score sheet and one on the side for gloves or tees. As for your clubs, you’ll need another bag for that. Price at time of publish: $110 The Details: 11 x 19 x 11 inches | 38 liters | 1.5 pounds | Nylon Best With Garment Bag Modoker Carry on Garment Duffel Bag Amazon View On Amazon View On Modoker.com Why We Love It This is a clever, affordable bag perfect for traveling with your dress clothes. What to Consider This bag isn’t for long trips as it won’t be able to fit in much beyond your suit. This snazzy little bag is so clever it looks like it came from the future. At first glance, rounded sides look like a basic duffel with a shoe pocket, but unfurl it and it becomes a garment bag for suits and dresses. If that isn’t enough, when the bag is in a crescent position you can stuff the rest of your things inside. Carrying this bag is a cinch, too, with a hand and shoulder strap as well as a loop to slide it onto your wheeled luggage. The final clincher: it’s water resistant. Price at time of publish: $90 The Details: 22.8 x 11 x 11.8 inches | 45 liters | 2.5 pounds | Polyester, jacquard Best With Shoe Compartment Monos Metro Weekender Monos View On Monos.com Why We Love It Sustainable materials and a unique design make this an ideal weekender bag for 2023. What to Consider Since the shoe compartment doesn’t pack down, it may not fit under an airplane seat as a personal item. If you’re sick of mud and sand on your shoes getting the rest of your clothes dirty, opt for a bag with a dedicated shoe compartment. This stylish bag from Monos has the pocket clearly separated on the bottom, so it won’t take up extra room in the main pocket as other bags do. You can get this bag in nylon or vegan leather ($20 extra), but both are anti-scratch and water-resistant so it isn’t a question about durability. Organization-wise, there are two slip pockets, a zippered side pocket as well a zippered sleeve that can fit up to a 16-inch laptop. There’s also a trolley strap on the outside that allows you to put it on top of a wheeled suitcase. Price at time of publish: $250 for nylon The Details: 19.25 x 10.25 x 14.75 inches | 47.5 liters | 5.18 - 5.34 pounds | Nylon or vegan leather Best With Wheels Samsonite Just Right Weekend Wheeled Duffel 4.9 Samsonite View On Ebags.com View On Samsonite.com View On Ebags.com Why We Love It This bag is just the right combination of practicality and style. What to Consider There’s no shoe compartment. Who says you can’t have it all? This weekender bag can roll, so you won’t have to worry about getting a sore neck when running to catch your connecting flight. While it looks simple from the outside, this bag has plenty of smart organization capabilities, including pockets on the outside and inside, a zippered pocket on the outside with a USB charging port for your devices, and a RFID lining to protect your cards. An added bonus for this bag is that Samsonite provides a three-year manufacturing warranty. Price at time of publish: $220 The Details: 22 x 12 x 11.75 inches | 4.81 pounds | Nylon The 12 Best Rolling Duffel Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Leather Silver & Riley Carryall Duffel Leather Bag Silver & Riley View On Silverandriley.com Why We Love It It’s a stunning bag that'll turn heads wherever you go. What to Consider The price tag is potentially prohibitive. Launched by former business consultant and world-traveler Lola Banjo in 2019, Silver & Riley has quickly become a must-have for lovers of Italian luxury travel bags. This bag is simply gorgeous, with premium Italian leather tanned in a unique oxblood color that looks purple-ish in the light. You can carry it over your shoulder, or remove the strap if you don’t need it, and there are zippered pockets for your small items like a passport, boarding pass, and phone. Metal feet keep the bottom safe and maintain the bag’s shape. Overall, this is a bag to put up on your vision board. Price at time of publish: $1,195 The Details: 21 x 12 x 11 inches | 3 - 5 pounds | Cowhide leather Best Lightweight Bellroy Lite Duffel Bellroy View On Amazon View On Bellroy.com Why We Love It This bag has the perfect combination of simplicity and clever design. What to Consider It’s quite small if you don't travel light. Bellroy is known for its practical bags, but they’ve outdone themselves on this one. The company’s Lite Duffel is just that, light: at 1.33 pounds you’ll barely feel it. And yet the bag isn’t just a shell, as with other light bags. The Lite Duffel is padded and holds its form, meaning it isn’t flimsy. The material for this bag comes from recycled plastic bottles, but don’t let that dissuade you — it’s still very durable and water-resistant. The zippered pocket on the top is water-resistant, too, and it’s perfect for items you’d want to quickly grab like sunglasses, keys, and your phone. Price at time of publish: $129 The Details: 10.6 x 17.7 x 9.8 inches | 30 liters | 1.33 pounds | Recycled polyester Best Waterproof YETI Panga Series Airtight Waterproof Submersible Bag Amazon View On Amazon View On Acmetools.com View On Basspro.com Why We Love It This bag is perfect for climbers and other adventurers who can’t afford to let their gear get wet. What to Consider There are no side pockets for organization. Yeti might be known for water bottles and coolers, but their dry bags are worth a look. Available in 50, 75 and 100 liters as well as a 28-liter backpack, this heavy-duty bag will keep your gear dry thanks to waterproof and puncture-resistant nylon. The EVA padding on the bottom adds some cushioning and the metal hardware is rugged, too. You can carry this bag by hand, with the shoulder strap, or as a backpack. Price at time of publish: $300 for 50-liter The Details: 23.5 x 14.0 x 10.0 inches for 50-liter | Available in 50 liters, 75 liters, and 100 liters | 5.2 pounds | Nylon, EVA Best Compact Filson 48-hour Tin Cloth Duffel Bag Amazon View On Amazon View On Filson.com Why We Love It Filson’s bags are the cream of the crop when it comes to durability. What to Consider This bag is very expensive for its size and a primarily waxed-canvas finish. Filson’s bags might be pricey, but they’re worth it if you can afford to splurge. Made with extremely durable tin cloth and coated with water-resistant oil finish, this bag is meant to take a beating on the jobsite or wherever you take it. Two large side pockets are great for organization and you can throw the strap over your shoulder like a messenger bag. At 34 liters, it isn’t huge, but if you want something compact, this is a bag that may even outlive you. Price at time of publish: $495 The Details: 19 x 7 x 11.5 inches | 34 liters | 3.76 pounds | Cotton, bridle leather Best Convertible Marmot Long Hauler Duffel Bag Marmot View On Amazon View On Marmot.com Why We Love It This bag is sturdy yet compressible. What to Consider The bag is still pretty big when compressed compared to other convertible bags. Many convertible bags are thin and flimsy — but not Marmot’s Long Hauler. This bag is thick, durable, and water-resistant, so it’s perfect for outdoor adventures. When you’re done with it, you can fold it up for storage or portability. The D-shaped opening allows you to find what you need quickly, and there are pockets on the sides for organization. You can also carry it around as a backpack with hideable straps. If you’re not afraid to stand out, Marmot sells this bag in flashy colors, including bright yellow with blue trim. Price at time of publish: $139 for 50-liter The Details: 25 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches for 50-liter | Available in 35 liters, 50 liters, 75 liters, and 105 liters | 2.4 - 3.5 pounds | Polyester, nylon Best Organization Tobiq Vik Travel Duffel Tobiq View On Tobiqtravel.com Why We Love It This bag is terrific for people who love duffel bags but hate when they have just one big pocket. What to Consider It’s quite large and heavier than others we reviewed. Whether you’re a parent or you just like to stay organized, this bag has plenty of ways to maintain some order in your travels. Four big compartments allow you to divide up your stuff, and there are additional pockets and interior bungee straps to keep things secure. Made with military-grade tarpaulin polyester and sprayed with waterproof coating, it’s built to last and it comes with a lifetime manufacturer warranty. You can wear this weekender bag like a backpack as well. Price at time of publish: $229 The Details: 10 x 14.5 x 20 inches | 60 liters | 4 pounds | Polyester, nylon Most Durable Lands' End Waxed Canvas Travel Duffle Bag 4.3 Lands' End View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Landsend.com Why We Love It Strong, simple, and sexy, this bag was almost our top pick. What to Consider It lacks pockets, so it isn’t the best for those who like to stay organized. This military-style duffel bag has a whole lot going for it. First off, it looks amazing, with a leather handle and a simple roomy design. As the company name (Lands' End) suggests, this bag is tough thanks to its waxed canvas exterior and sturdy metalwork. And it isn’t too big or too small — it’s just enough for a weekend away. Country music fan? Blake Shelton actually linked up with Land’s End for his own branded black slate version of this bag. Price at time of publish: $170 The Details: 24 x 11 x 11 inches | 3.11 pounds | Canvas, leather Tips for Buying Weekender Bags Choose the best size for your needs Packing less in a smaller bag can actually take more time and thought, so if you’ve had a busy week and are the kind of person that just wants to throw stuff in a bag and hit the road, then you may want to opt for a bigger size, i.e. around 60 liters. Also consider your transportation method. If you’re driving in the car solo or with another person, it doesn’t matter how big your bag is. But if you’re taking a plane and have to deal with pesky weight restrictions, you might want to go for something smaller that can work as a carry-on or even a personal item. Think about your destination You probably don’t want to go camping at Yosemite National Park with an Italian leather bag, and you might not want to go on a business trip with a bright nylon convertible backpack. Consider your main uses for the weekender bag and choose accordingly — you may need more than one. Frequently Asked Questions What is a good size duffel bag for men? Most bags are between 45 and 60 liters — that size should do. What’s the difference between a weekender and a duffel bag? A weekender bag tends to be smaller than a duffel bag as it’s typically only used for a few days, so it’s usually about the size of a gym bag. Weekenders also tend to be more stylish and have cooler features, like pockets on the inside and out. How should men pack a weekender bag? Shoes should go at the bottom or in the designated pocket. Then pack your clothes. A clever way to pack your outfits is to stuff your underwear in your socks to form a bundle, then wrap your shirt and pants or shorts around it — ta da, there’s one day’s clothes sorted. Make sure you have the clothes you want to wear the next day closer to the top, as well as your tech devices if you’re bringing them. Last but not least, slide in your toiletry kit, as you’ll want to have that at the ready pretty much as soon as you arrive. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, T+L contributor Joel Balsam, a frequent traveler who has visited more than 55 countries, reviewed and selected from the industry’s best weekender bag options. The 10 Best Travel Tech Organizers of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit