Travel Products Luggage + Bags Suitcases + Duffel Bags The 10 Best Weekender Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed These are the best weekender bags rated on capacity, design, portability, durability, and overall value. By Anna Popp Anna Popp Anna Popp is a Commerce Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Since living overseas in 2018, Anna has been a travel writer and began reviewing products in 2021. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 24, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Others We Liked Our Testing Process 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 / Conor Ralph Whether you’re embarking on a romantic getaway or a girls' trip, a weekender bag can make packing easier and traveling a breeze. We tested a variety of weekender bags in our lab and judged the best options based on portability, durability, design, and more. Out of the 28 bags we tested, Away’s The Large Everywhere Bag earned the top score overall. This sleek weekender wowed us with its large capacity that can fit enough clothes for four to five days of traveling. The clamshell-style bag has plenty of pockets and compartments on either side that can keep smaller items like undergarments, a laptop, and toiletries organized. And, if you’re planning on taking a longer trip, this Away weekender bag has a trolley sleeve that slips on a rolling suitcase to make air travel easier. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Away Everywhere Bag at Awaytravel.com Jump to Review Best Budget: HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Best Water-resistant: Monos Metro Duffel at Monos.com Jump to Review Best Large: Bellroy Weekender Plus at Amazon Jump to Review Best Outdoors: Peak Design Travel Duffel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Style: Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Best Organization: Calpak Duffel at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Duffel: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Traditional: Béis The Weekender at Beistravel.com Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Caraa Nimbus Large at Caraa.co Jump to Review Best Overall Away The Large Everywhere Bag 5 Away View On Awaytravel.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It The bag is sleek and spacious with room for at least four or five days’ worth of clothes. What to Consider The shoulder strap is slightly difficult to adjust. Away’s The Large Everywhere Bag earned the top spot on our list of the best weekender bags due to its minimalist design that allowed effortless, organized packing. This clamshell-style duffel bag is equipped with enough space for nearly a week’s worth of clothes and pockets for just about any travel essentials, too. The interior has one main compartment for bulkier items like clothes or shoes, and the inside of the opening flap has three mesh, zippered pockets for storing undergarments or other small items. We loved the exterior padded laptop pocket that could easily fit not just one, but two laptops, if needed. In addition to the laptop compartment, there is a smaller, zippered front pocket that has a security strap for keys or a wallet. The weekender bag feels sturdy and slightly boxy, and the sleek, professional look can appeal to many types of travelers. We had a little trouble adjusting the shoulder strap but both that strap and the leather top handles are padded and comfortable whether holding or wearing the bag. The bag had no issues when we tested it for durability by throwing it multiple times, which leads us to believe that the water-resistant material and sturdy build will hold up well with prolonged use. You can choose from three matte colors including black, navy, and a lighter blue called “coastal.” If you’re traveling on a longer trip, this Away duffel bag has a built-in trolley sleeve in the back that can easily slip onto the handle of a roller bag. But whether you’re traveling for business or on a vacation, we think Away’s The Large Everywhere Bag is a functional and modern travel accessory fit for your next adventure. Price at time of publish: $245 The Details: 3.8 pounds | 20.9 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | Nylon and leather Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Best Budget HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Our Ratings Capacity 4.5/5 Design 4.5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It The straps are very comfortable to carry the bag over the shoulder or with the top handles. What to Consider It’s smaller and better suited for a short weekend trip. The HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag has all the pockets and compartments needed to efficiently pack for a weekend trip. The interior compartment could easily fit two pairs of pants, four shirts, a pair of shoes, and a toiletry bag, and there was a little bit of room leftover for a few more shirts. The bag is lightweight, weighing just 1.3 pounds, and we loved how comfortable it was to carry with the shoulder strap or the tote bag handles on the top. We liked the design of the bag with three pockets on the inside, including a wet bag pocket for traveling with a swimsuit. The exterior has two buckles on each end of the bag for compressing or extending the height, as well as a front zippered pocket for storing a phone or wallet while traveling. After six months of regularly using the bag, we really liked that the fabric can easily be wiped down after a trip to clean up any spills or dirt. The bag is made of water-resistant nylon with plastic-lined pockets, making it extra easy to clean if anything is spilled on the inside or outside. There are over a dozen colors to choose from including light pink, pale blue, and olive green. Price at time of publish: $37 The Details: 1.3 pounds | 21.7 x 10.6 x 7.09 inches | Water-resistant nylon Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Best Water-resistant Monos Metro Duffel 4.8 Monos View On Monos.com Our Ratings Capacity 4.5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4.5/5 Why We Love It The bag feels lightweight even when it’s packed, and the straps are comfortable to use. What to Consider The detachable toiletry bag was slightly hard to get on and off the bag and can feel bulky. Monos’ The Metro Duffel is a compact weekender bag that impressed us with its roomy interior that fit all of the designated packing items. There wasn’t much room leftover but despite being packed nearly full, the bag remained lightweight and easy to carry with the comfortable shoulder strap and top handles. We appreciated the detachable toiletry bag that latches onto the front of the bag and, although it was a little difficult to get on and off the bag, it was reassuring to know that the toiletry bag won’t come off easily while traveling. During our durability tests, the bag was tossed around and it didn’t get scratched up and the detachable bag remained secure throughout. The bag has a large zippered pocket on the opposite side of the detachable pouch and there are several interior pockets to store water bottles and smaller items, including a designated laptop sleeve, too. Price at time of publish: $210 The Details: 3 pounds | 16.3 x 11.2 x 7.2 inches | Nylon Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph The 6 Best Duffel Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Large Bellroy Weekender Plus 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Bellroy.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It can hold enough clothes for a week. What to Consider The tote handles are not padded. Overpackers, or those heading on weeklong vacations, will appreciate the large capacity of the Bellroy Weekender Plus 45L. In testing, we were able to fit twice the amount of clothes in the bag but found that placing items in the interior pockets left less storage space in the main compartment. We love the design of the Bellroy weekender overall, especially the interior pocket for a laptop and the key loop for finding your keys easily. In addition, there are two interior side pouches for a water bottle or small pair of shoes, as well as a large exterior pocket and sleeve. While the bag is oversized, we were impressed with how easy and comfortable it was to carry with the leather tote straps or the padded shoulder strap. After being dropped five times during tests, the bag was unharmed with no visible damage. This bag is so practical and stylish that we can't imagine getting sick of it. If someone is looking for an ultra-organized, streamlined bag this may be the perfect fit. Price at time of publish: $299 The Details: 4.19 pounds | 15.75 x 24.8 x 9.45 inches | 100 percent recycled polyester made from plastic water bottles Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Best Outdoors Peak Design Travel Duffel - 35L 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Peakdesign.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 4.5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 4.5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s a durable, lightweight bag that can be converted from a duffel bag with a shoulder strap to a backpack. What to Consider The straps could be a little more padded for added comfort. If the outdoors is calling your name, the Peak Design Travel Duffel 35L is the best weekender to choose whether you’re camping, glamping, or taking a road trip. Made of weatherproof nylon canvas, this duffel bag is equipped with a waterproof lining at the bottom and weatherproof zippers, too. The shape of the bag and hardware remained intact after being tossed around to test for durability, the hardware and weather-resistant fabric feel very high quality. The shell of the bag has an athletic style, we feel the material resembles a hiking or outdoors-specific backpack versus a more polished piece. This bag has one main compartment that fits enough clothes for a weekend, and there are two internal mesh pockets and four external pockets for storing additional items as well. It comes with detachable padded shoulder straps that can be converted from a shoulder strap to backpack straps. While the straps were comfortable to wear once adjusted, we thought there could be a bit more padding for extra comfort. This bag is a great value for people looking for a very lightweight, weatherproof, easy-to-carry bag that will last a long time. Price at time of publish: $140 The Details: 2 pounds | 22 x 14 x 10 inches | Recycled 600D nylon canvas with leather accents Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Best Style Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Walmart Our Ratings Capacity 4.5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It The bag is machine washable which is nice for keeping it clean over time. What to Consider It’s small for a weekender bag and isn't the most comfortable to carry. The Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag has a minimalist design and there are nine unique colors to choose from including olive green, lavender, mulled wine, and rouge rose. While this weekender impressed us with its sleek look, it performed equally as well during testing. The bag has enough room for clothing for a two- or three-day trip, but it didn’t have any room leftover after we packed it with two pairs of pants, four shirts, a jacket, a pair of shoes, and a toiletry bag. There are more than enough spots for your items to be safely tucked away with five interior mesh pockets, two exterior zipper pockets, and two slip pockets on each end of the bag. When the bag was tossed around to check for durability, it didn’t scuff or get scraped. After regularly using the bag for six months of travels, it still looks good as new. The best part of this bag is that the cotton fabric is machine washable — an ideal feature for prolonging the life of the weekender after use over time. Price at time of publish: $135 The Details: 18.5 x 12.5 x 7.5 inches | 100 percent cotton with 50 percent recycled cotton Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph The 9 Best Leather Overnight Bags of 2023 Best Organization Calpak Stevyn Duffel 4.7 Calpak View On Nordstrom View On Calpaktravel.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 4.5/5 Portability 4/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It There is a separate compartment at the bottom of the bag for shoes. What to Consider The bag is on the smaller side. The Calpak Stevyn Duffel Bag has the perfect amount of compartments and pockets for packing for a weekend trip. The bag is simple, but well designed with several interior pockets and an additional compartment at the bottom of the bag for storing shoes, jackets, or other items that you may want to keep separate while traveling. The bag is structured and stands up on its own making it easy to see how much room there is for packing. The pocket in the front is small and, since it’s the only exterior pocket, we wished it was bigger. You can carry the weekender as a duffel bag with a detachable shoulder strap or it has a rear sleeve to place on a rolling suitcase. There are two straps on the top of the bag, but we felt that those handles aren’t long enough to wear the weekender as a tote bag. We liked how lightweight it is to carry even while packed and the straps are padded, adding extra comfort while wearing the bag. During our durability tests, the Calpak duffel held up perfectly and the polyester material seemed easy to clean if it got dirty. This bag had no issues storing a weekend’s worth of clothes and, with its durable build and sleek design, we think it makes an excellent weekender bag for staying organized. Price at time of publish: $98 The Details: 3.3 pounds | 19.5 x 14 x 10.5 inches | Polyester The 15 Best Weekender Bags for Men in 2023 Best Duffel Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag 4.7 Dagne Dover View On Nordstrom View On Babylist.com View On Crate & Barrel Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 5/5 Durability 4.5/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It It has a spacious interior that can be compressed down or expanded depending on the desired capacity. What to Consider There are crease lines where the bag folds over. The Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag is a neoprene duffel bag that can fit enough clothes for a long weekend. It is equipped with accessories like a dust bag for storing the duffel and a matching shoe bag to keep clothes and shoes separate. The interior has several slip pockets for a water bottle or toiletries, a designated laptop sleeve, and exterior pockets for a passport and phone. Depending on how much you want to pack, you can snap the top zippers down to compress the height of the bag or leave the zippers unattached to use the bag at full capacity. The duffel did feel a little heavy during testing but, with the cushioned shoulder strap, it didn’t dig into our shoulders. This minimalist Dagne Dover pick has an organized interior and a sleek and soft exterior, making it a solid choice for a piece of weekender luggage. After regularly traveling with the bag for six months, we didn't find any visible wear or tear and even the light color didn't show any staining. Price at time of publish: $215 for large The Details: 2 pounds | 16.5 x 9 W x 11 inches | Neoprene Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Best Traditional Béis The Weekender Travel Bag 4.4 Béis View On Beistravel.com View On Revolve Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 3.5/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It We loved how spacious this bag is (and how it stands on its own for efficient packing). What to Consider During our durability tests, the leather corners dented inward and scratched easily. For a weekend trip or even longer, this spacious bag will fit everything you need. There are plenty of pockets including a separate compartment for shoes to make sure your items are not only organized, but kept clean. There's also a laptop sleeve and zippered and open pockets on both the inside and outside of the bag, which we love for packing accessories. We especially loved that the bottom of the trolly sleeve can be zipped closed to create yet another large external pocket. While packing this bag, we found the bottom to be sturdy, so it stands on its own even when empty. Though it's a big bag, we didn't feel it was cumbersome or awkward to carry and both the shoulder and arm straps were comfortable to carry for long periods of time. To top it off, we love the look and design of this classic bag that can really be the perfect addition for any trip. Price at time of publish: $108 The Details: 3.86 pounds | 19 x 9.8 x 15.7 inches | Polyester Best Lightweight Caraa Nimbus Large 4.5 Caraa View On Caraa.co Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 4/5 Portability 4.3/5 Durability 4.3/5 Value 3.9/5 Why We Love It There are plenty of organizational features, including two side pockets and a removable pouch. What to Consider The main zipper doesn't open as wide as other bags. This bag will allow you to pack everything you need with room to spare. We found this bag to be very thoughtfully designed with plenty of organizational features like adjustable water bottle holders on each side, a removable shoe bag attached to a long leash, a padded laptop pocket, four interior, mesh zippered pockets for smaller items, and a spot to run a portable charger cable from a battery to your phone. There are also mesh breathing vents for ventilation on the bottom of the bag that helps remove any odor without letting in water or debris. During tests, we found the bag to be comfortable to walk around with because it is so lightweight and the handles are well padded. We especially like that the shoulder strap is padded and also features traction, so it stays in one place. The top handles are also easy-to-use with a strong, magnet design to hold them together. Price at time of publish: $248 for large The Details: 1.8 pounds | 13 x 18.5 x 8.5 inches | Nylon and vegan leather Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Other Weekender Bags We Liked We tested 28 weekender bags and, while many made our list as top picks, there were others we liked that had — or lacked — traits that ultimately kept them out of our favorites. L.L. Bean Utility Weekend Duffel Bag: We thought this roomy bag might make a better bag for the beach than a weekend trip as there aren’t many pockets for storing smaller items. Lo & Sons The Catalina Deluxe: This bag is designed for travel with a bottom compartment for shoes and plenty of deep pockets for staying organized, but its higher price point may be a deterrent. Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Rains Bag: We appreciated that the material is completely waterproof but the strap wasn’t cushioned making it uncomfortable to wear for long periods (and there were no pockets on the inside or outside of the bag). Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Our Testing Process To compare weekender bags, we rated each bag on a scale from one to five based on tests that evaluated capacity, design, portability, durability, and overall value. First, we packed the bags with a weekend’s worth of items from our curated packing list that included two pairs of pants, four shirts, one jacket, one pair of shoes, and a toiletry bag. The bags that scored a five during our capacity test were noted as being very roomy and fit all of the packing list items with room to spare. Next, we judged the bag’s design by analyzing the pockets and compartments on the exterior and interior, as well as checking each zipper to evaluate how well they work. The weekenders with the best designs were thoughtfully created with all different types of travelers in mind, and have a perfect amount of storage solutions for easy and efficient packing. When each bag was packed, we walked around carrying it by the shoulder strap and tote handles. The bags that scored a five for portability were comfortable to carry and distributed the weight evenly. Then, we dropped the weekender three to five times to check the durability of the bag. We checked for scuffs, marks, and any damage to the items on the inside. We had no previous knowledge of the price of each weekender and only after testing was complete were we able to see the price to evaluate the overall value based on the performance of the hands-on testing we completed. After we finished testing the bags in the lab, we sent them out to be used on trips to see how they fare in the real world, too. Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Tips for Buying a Weekender Bag Consider the types of trips you take most If you’re planning on using a weekender bag for business trips, one with a built-in suiter or separate compartment for shoes would be a better fit. For travelers looking to do short trips, be sure to note the size of the bag, as weekender bags don’t come in a universal size. Not all weekender bags come with trolley sleeves to place it on a rolling suitcase, so if you’re planning to fly with a weekender bag, you’ll want to note special features for air travel like a laptop sleeve, water bottle holder, or accessible pockets for chargers and wallets. Think about the size you need Whether you're a minimalist or an over-packer, the size of your weekender bag is crucial. If you're a frequent flier, you should make sure that your bag fits in the overhead bin space or even under the seat in front of you, depending on your preferred airline. It's also important to consider any, and all, organizational features. Oftentimes, bigger bags include pockets, separate compartment for shoes, and even packing cubes, so make sure whichever size bag you select suits your travel needs. Prioritize durable materials Weekender bags come in a variety of materials like polyester, leather, canvas, nylon, or cotton, and certain ones hold up better against wear and tear. If you’re taking a weekender bag on a camping trip or anywhere outdoors, consider a weatherproof bag made of nylon or other water-resistant materials like polyester or coated cotton. To find out if the material is water-resistant or weatherproof, the specifications should be listed by the manufacturer. Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Frequently Asked Questions Can a weekender bag be a personal item on a flight? It ultimately depends on the size requirements set by each airline for personal items. Most of these weekender bags are carry-on-approved (for the overhead bin), but it’s always best to check the airline’s website for their specific luggage dimensions. How do you pack a weekender bag? Some weekender bags we tested come with built-in organizers designed for packing items like shoes or suits. Depending on the items you’re packing, you can place everything in the main compartments to see how the items fit together and, if you need to create more space, you can adjust your packing strategy by rolling your clothes or using packing cubes to maximize the amount of space inside. Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Why Trust Travel + Leisure T+L writer, Anna Popp, enjoys planning weekend trips to new destinations when she’s not researching and testing the best travel products. Anna worked with our travel editors and lab testers to determine the best weekender bags from insights noted during testing. The 12 Best Rolling Duffel Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Updated by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is a Commerce Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over seven years. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit