10 best weekender bags, according to a travel pro

Calpak’s laptop duffel weekender bag makes travel a breeze — Photo courtesy of Calpak

As a travel writer, good gear is essential. I’ve tested everything from travel strollers to pet carriers, but my most useful and favorite type of luggage is a weekender bag. Known for versatility and functionality, a weekender is an evolution — or grown-up, sophisticated version — of the original duffel bag. (PS: The name “duffel” comes from Duffel, Belgium, where sailors used thick fabric to make seabags in the late 17th century.)

Today’s weekenders are available in various sizes, shapes, and colors. Still, its purpose is essentially the same as its name implies: A weekender bag is meant to hold all your items for a weekend trip, plus it can double as a personal item that fits under the seat on airplanes.

Reliable weekender bags should hold several days’ worth of clothing, have multiple compartments to store and organize your accessories, and be durable, preferably made with waterproof and stain-resistant fabric. Depending on your travel needs, ask yourself what size weekender you’ll need and what fabric you prefer. Some bags in the marketplace look super chic but aren’t long-lasting, making them less practical.

Additional details to look for in a good weekender bag include removable shoulder straps, exterior pockets for quick access to your travel paperwork, and whether it has a space for your laptop (if that’s a non-negotiable).

Although there are many offerings, here are 10 of the best weekender bags for making quick trips and travel a breeze.

Best weekender bag for women: Patricia Nash Designs Avola Trolley

Pretty patterns are hallmarks of the Avola Trolley — Photo courtesy of Patricia Nash Designs

The Avola Trolley is a beautiful statement piece for women who want to travel in style with ease. The feminine patina-coated pattern is easy to spot whether you’re on a road trip or checking luggage. This weekender can also be used as a wheeled duffel when traversing airports and hotel lobbies, which makes it super pragmatic. The retractable handle is easily adjustable to several different heights, too.

The interior offers multiple pockets for organizing your travel essentials, while the exterior offers both a front and back slip pocket so you can easily access airline tickets and vouchers while on the move. Caught in the rain? No need to fret: It’s durable and water-resistant.

Best weekender bag for men: Backcountry All Around 60L Duffel

This heavy-duty duffel has clean lines and lots of space — Photo courtesy of Backcountry

We chose the no-nonsense All Around 60L Duffel from Backcountry as the best pick for men because its durable, heavy-duty fabric withstands all weather conditions. Whether camping, on a road trip, or just heading on a weekend jaunt, this duffel offers 60 liters of capacity, allowing space for bulky gear, clothes, and other essentials.

Two interior mesh pockets store your smaller items, while the main compartment boasts a built-in lining to keep your belongings dry. The large side pocket is an excellent area to store dirty clothing or shoes, keeping them separate from the main section.

While most duffel bags don’t have a base, the All Around has a protected foundation, which is helpful when packing fragile objects. You can wear it as a backpack (great for hiking) or use it as a handheld (great for airports). Another reason to love it: Backcountry offers a limited lifetime warranty on the bag.

Best weekender bag with shoe compartment: Béis The Weekender

Béis is one of the most respected brands for weekender bags — Photo courtesy of Béis

The iconic Béis The Weekender is the brand’s best-selling bag and with good reason. It comes in nine sumptuous colors, and it’s lightweight and functional. The wire frame and double-zip opening resemble an old-fashioned Gladstone bag, allowing the entire bag to open for quick and easy access. The interior boasts a padded laptop sleeve, a large zip pocket, and two slip pockets for arranging all your travel belongings.

The separate bottom compartment opens up and is ideal for storing shoes and toiletries. Added benefits are the trolley sleeve, which slides right over your luggage handle, removable shoulder straps, and a zippered front pocket. The brand offers additional add-ons like a dopp kit or packing cubes to match your corresponding color.

Best leather weekender bag: Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Weekender

The Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Weekender is sleek and practical — Photo courtesy of Quince.com

Whether heading to the Hamptons or SoCal, look sleek carrying the Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Weekender, which comes in three alluring colors. The price tag is a steal for a practical and fashionable bag that makes travel a breeze.

This weekender is made of 100% top-grain Italian leather and lined with cotton twill, which is easy to clean. Three zippered compartments keep your belongings organized, while the main compartment is roomy and offers three slip pockets for carrying cell phones and other supplies.

It has a removable shoulder strap so you can wear it as a crossbody and a luggage sleeve, so it can rest on your suitcase, making your journey a cinch. We also love that the brand works with sustainable factories to promote ethical business practices.

Best canvas weekender bag: Paravel Weekender

This stain-resistant heavy canvas weekender bag keeps things organized — Photo courtesy of Paravel

The extremely chic Paravel Weekender is one of my favorites for a country-themed getaway. It looks like a picnic basket, except it’s made of heavy-duty, stain-resistant EcoCraft Canvas and packs a ton of life’s necessities when on the move. The handles and trim detailing are made of recycled vegan leather to support sustainability.

Two zippered pockets on the inside help keep things organized, while the main compartment can fit a laptop up to 15 inches. You can also personalize your bag with your initials and add a colorful cabana strap (sold separately). Other winning highlights are that it’s TSA-compliant and fits most overhead bins.

Who was voted the best?: Best Luxury RV Resort (10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024)

Best backpack weekender bag: Monos Metro Backpack

This water-resistant weekender bag has ample space for all travel essentials — Photo courtesy of Monos

As a frequent flier, I can attest to the convenience of backpacks when maneuvering through airports. They help me keep my posture upright while promoting even weight distribution, so I can carry slightly more than a tote or crossbody. After hours of travel, a backpack like the Monos Metro Backpack can save the day.

Made of water-resistant nylon twill and vegan leather trims, this bag provides ample space to store clothing, books, and shoes. It also comes loaded with pockets to streamline organization: The interior features a zippered pouch, two pockets, and a large sleeve. A separate 15-inch laptop compartment is also in the back of the bag.

The Metro comes with the Metro Classic Kit, which is affixed to the backpack’s body, allowing more storage space. It can also be used as a small dopp kit or makeup bag when removed. I find it useful for holding chargers, vitamins, and trial-size toiletries.

Best laptop weekender bag: Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel

This coated bag keeps laptops safe and fits everything you need for a getaway — Photo courtesy of Calpak

Made of recycled ripstop material and coated with laminate for water resistance, the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack makes travel easy — whether on an extended vacation or a quick weekend getaway. Weighing less than 3 pounds, it’s a lightweight, multifunctional option for those needing ample laptop space (up to 17 inches) and lots of room for everything else, including clothing, toiletries, and shoes.

We like the Terra for its adjustable padded shoulder straps for comfort, luggage trolley sleeve, and multiple interior pocket options. Another helpful detail is the compression straps with buckles, which allow you to squeeze in a little extra when packing.

Best small weekender bag: State Franklin Weekender

The State Franklin Weekender bag is a great small and sleek option — Photo courtesy of STATE Bags

I love the State Franklin Weekender for its classic style and versatility. The brand is known for reliable luggage and travel bags, so it’s no surprise this makes our list. Minimalists love the generous-sized main compartment and interior pockets to store small essentials. Although it doesn’t have a separate zippered compartment for your shoes, it does feature a shoe pocket.

Two exterior zippered pockets allow easy access to documents, chargers, earbuds, and more. It also has a removable shoulder strap, so you can wear it multiple ways. The only downside is that we’d like to see more colors in this super functional bag.

Who was voted the best?: Best Rental Car Company (10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024)

Best expandable weekender bag: Longchamp Le Pliage Original Expandable Travel Bag

This expandable travel bag wraps up nicely to a single side zipper — Photo courtesy of Longchamp

What could be more convenient than an expandable bag that caters to all your vacation needs? Look no further than Longchamp’s Le Pliage Original Expandable Travel Bag, which ticks off all the short- and long-term travel boxes. This smartly designed bag has a middle zip insert that can expand from 30 liters to 50 liters. When empty, the bag weighs less than 2 pounds and is made of water and stain-resistant nylon.

Additional perks include the water-resistant interior lining and a removable and adjustable crossbody strap. Plus, it folds down flat when not in use. I highly recommend this bag for its versatility. Still, one thing to note is that it only has one small interior pocket, so if you need more organization, compression or packing cubes usually do the trick.

Best extra-large weekender bag: Baggallini Deluxe Fifth Avenue Weekender

This extra-large weekender bag is perfect for extra-long weekends — Photo courtesy of Baggalini

I like Baggallini’s Deluxe Fifth Avenue Weekender for its spacious interior with a padded laptop pocket (it holds laptops up to 16 inches). The lid-top zipper opening allows easy access when packing and grabbing possessions on the fly. Two external zip pockets are great for holding passports, paperwork, and other go-to items, making it a breeze to zip through airport security.

The second compartment at the bottom of the bag is an excellent solution for storing soiled clothes or shoes. Another winning feature is the removable crossbody strap, which offers several carrying options.