The Best Weekender Bags for Your Next Quick Trip

Weight: 3.1 lb.
Dimensions: 16.5" x 9" x 11"
Capacity: 29L
Separate shoe compartment: No
Warranty: One year limited warranty

Don’t be fooled by the streamlined look of this neoprene number. The washable carryall houses a dust bag for shoes, detachable key leash, removable zip-top pouch for essentials, and plenty of air mesh interior pockets, including one for your water (or wine) bottle. The genius exterior phone slot is just the cherry on top. Former Traveler editor Alex Erdekian calls it a “beautiful, keep-forever bag." Dagne Dover's Landon carryall comes in a few different sizes, but the large and extra-large sizes are your best bet for weekend's away. “Because the bag itself is so lightweight, it’s really easy to throw over your head into a bin even if you’ve packed it with a carry-on level amount of stuff,” says Erdekian. She's been able to fit four to five days' worth of clothes inside. And as far as aesthetics, “I adore the look of this bag. It honestly improves any outfit I’m wearing and makes for a chic, classic summer vacation look—we all know that effortlessly glam duffel-bag-slung-over-your-shoulder pose as you’re walking up the driveway of your friend’s lake house.”

Pros: 16" laptop sleeve, luggage sleeve, comes with a shoe bag and dust bag, super-soft exterior
Cons: No dedicated shoe compartment

Save on your order with Dagne Dover discount codes.

Weight: 3 lb.
Dimensions: 20.5" x 11" x 12.5"
Capacity: 45L
Separate shoe compartment: Yes
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

I usually don't bring my laptop with me on weekend trips, but if I'm traveling for work or want to bring it just in case, I leave my Calpak Luka duffel at home and travel with this more protective option from Herschel instead. It has a fleece-lined, padded laptop sleeve that keeps my device safe and secure, making it a smart option for business trips. The quality of this sleek weekender is great for the price and it holds a lot—three days' worth of clothes, toiletries, and a pair of shoes. It features a trolley sleeve, a separate shoe compartment, and a padded shoulder strap. I've had this duffel bag for two years and it's still one of my top recommendations for travelers. It's versatile enough to take you from the gym to a camping trip to a weekend stay down the shore with ease. The bag’s design is simple yet elevated enough to work for any type of traveler at any age.

Pros: Fleece-lined 16" laptop compartment, removable padded shoulder strap, internal sleeve for storing a Bluetooth tracking device
Cons: Luggage sleeve is very slim

Weight: 2.2 lb.
Dimensions: 20.9" x 9.4" x 13.8"
Capacity: 44L
Separate shoe compartment: Yes
Warranty: One year limited warranty

Away designs some of our editors' favorite suitcases, but we love its well-made travel bags too. The Featherlight Weekender is, you guessed it, extremely lightweight and comfortable to carry even when full. Research director Alexandra Sanidad has brought it on weekend trips to Woodstock, New York, and Portland, Oregon, and has even used it as a gym bag. “It holds a week's worth of clothing if you're a light packer, or a weekend's worth if you're the type of traveler who wants to change outfits for every meal or activity,” says Sanidad. The weekender bag features a pocket for a 16-inch laptop, interior pockets for your passport or wallet, and a separate shoe compartment on the bottom of the bag. “The zippered bottom compartment is very sturdy.” says Sandidad. “It’s meant for shoes, but my son used it to haul 12 paperback books back with him to Portland.” The bag opens widely, which makes packing and organizing it easy. Even better, the Featherlight Weekender is made with water-repellent material and is machine washable.

Pros: Wide opening, trolley sleeve, machine washable, large capacity
Cons: If the bag is packed full, you might have some trouble fitting it under your airplane seat.

Weight: 3 lb. (nylon); 3.6 lb. (vegan leather)
Dimensions: 16" × 7" × 11"
Capacity: 22L
Separate shoe compartment: No
Warranty: Two year limited warranty

Monos is among our editors' and our readers' most-trusted luggage brands for its exceptional quality and thoughtful designs. The brand's Metro line features polished bags made of only vegan materials, including the equivalent of 16 repurposed plastic water bottles per bag. “This is not just a beautiful bag (get used to the compliments!), it’s also the most organized duffel I’ve ever owned, with a spot for everything,” says Menon. “The interiors are incredibly roomy, and come with pockets that fit everything from your laptop to water bottle. And when you run out of space inside, just snap on one of Monos’ interchangeable kits to the front to put all your necessities (phone, wallet, passport) within easy reach. You could even snap off a kit to double up as a clutch in a pinch.” Enjoy features like its water- and scratch-resistant material, removable shoulder strap, and several pockets to keep small items organized.

Pros: Removable exterior pouch, 15" laptop compartment, luggage sleeve
Cons: The main zipper doesn't open very wide

Read a full review of this bag here.

Weight: 3.4 lb.
Dimensions: 8" x 16" x 16"
Capacity: 33L
Separate shoe compartment: Yes
Warranty: No warranty, only standard returns

You've probably seen Béis's viral Weekender bag at the airport—it's known for its smart shoe compartment at the bottom of the bag. And while we love the look of this roomy duffel, our editors recommend the mini version for weekend trips and long flights. Commerce writer Paris Wilson has been using the Mini Weekender for over two years. “It’s the perfect size for a weekend trip—just enough space to fit a couple of outfits, toiletries, and all the essentials, without feeling overpacked,” she says. “The design is sleek and minimal, and I love the versatility of the bag—it easily transitions from airport carry-on to a casual day bag once I’ve arrived.” The Mini Weekender wins points in our book for being much more lightweight than original version, which can get pretty heavy when full. “The quality of the material is fantastic, and the sturdy handles make it comfortable to carry, even when it’s packed,” says Wilson. “It’s everything you want in a weekend bag: practical, chic, and easy to throw over your shoulder when you’re on the go.”

Pros: Luggage sleeve, key leash, much more lightweight than the original version
Cons: The beige color shows dirt and spills more easily

Weight: 2 lb.
Dimensions: 18.5" x 8.7" x 14.2" 
Capacity: 37L
Separate shoe compartment: Yes
Warranty: No warranty, standard returns only

Out of more than 11,000 ratings, this Amazon bestseller has earned an impressive 4.6 stars. The bag's rave reviews, affordable price point, and thoughtful features caught our eye—so we put it to the test to see how it stacks up against its more expensive competitors. Commerce producer Erik Buckingham brought Etronik's weekender bag with him to his sister's wedding upstate and had no issues lifting and storing it in the overhead compartment on a train and inside the car. “The padded strap makes this bag exceptionally easy to carry: You can carry it around your shoulder with the large sling, or by hand with the smaller double handles.” It's a pretty standard size for a weekender, fitting enough clothes and essentials for two to three days, and there are plenty of pockets for toiletries, electronics, and a pair of shoes, thanks to the separate bottom compartment. It fits underneath a plane seat and features a luggage sleeve, making it a nice personal item for long-haul flights, too, The highly-rated bag is available in several colors, from neutrals like beige and black to fun pink and blue pastels.

Pros: USB charging port, zippered waterproof pocket inside for toiletries, long adjustable strap, comes with an extra toiletry bag, luggage sleeve
Cons: Not made with sustainable materials

Dimensions: 10" x 19" x 18"
Separate shoe compartment: No
Warranty: No warranty, only standard returns

Adding a personal touch is a thoughtful way to make a gift even more special. Mark & Graham does this well, allowing you to customize almost anything. This quilted overnighter can be monogrammed with a name or initials, making it a perfect gift for travelers. Made with 100% cotton, this lightweight duffel bag features soft, comfortable straps, a front pocket for your phone or passport, and a sweet pattern that makes it stand out from other simple designs. Associate social media manager Emily Adler used this duffel all summer long, including on road trips to the Hamptons and Cape Cod. “It can fit a lot; up to a week's worth of clothing,” says Adler. When it's completely full, it can become a little tricky to carry for longer periods of time. We recommend this for overnight stays or coastal weekends away.

Pros: Long, comfortable straps; can be monogrammed
Cons: Can become difficult to carry when very full, minimal pockets

Dimensions: 10" x 25" x 8.5"
Separate shoe compartment: No
Warranty: No warranty, only standard returns

Leatherology's Transit Travel tote is timeless and beautifully designed, only getting better with age. Wilson has traveled with it on weekend trips to Maine, Indiana, and Michigan, and says it can easily fit clothing for up to three days. “This tote stands out against other travel bags for its premium leather and understated elegance,” says Wilson. “It’s versatile and can easily transition from a travel bag to an everyday work tote.” There's an interior laptop sleeve, several pockets for small accessories, and a luggage sleeve. The bottom of the bag is foldable, allowing it to lie flat when not in use and packed in a carry-on. “The straps are comfortable and the size is perfect for lifting it in and out of cars and into overhead compartments without strain,” says Wilson. This sleek and gorgeous weekender can be embroidered with your initials, making it even more special.

Pros: High-quality leather, luggage sleeve, spacious and organized interior
Cons: Expensive

Weight: 1.4 lb.
Dimensions: 17.8"L × 8"W × 10"H (not expanded) or 14"H (expanded)
Capacity: 40L
Separate shoe compartment: No
Warranty: Two year warranty for manufacturing-related issues

If you're looking for a multipurpose, do-it-all travel bag, look no further than the Foldie. At first glance, it looks like your standard zippered tote bag, but it's actually much, much more: Not only can it be expanded by 25%—transforming it into an ideal size for a weekend's worth of essentials—it also collapses down into a small pouch when empty, meaning you can toss it into your carry-on just in case. While it's not the most stylish bag out there, it makes up for it with functionality, like its water- and tear-resistant fabric, luggage sleeve, dedicated water bottle, and its padded, detachable crossbody strap.

Destinations editorial assistant Kat Chen thinks of the Foldie as her “do-it-all football: something I can easily tuck into my arm or beneath my airplane seat when I’m on the go.” On a recent getaway to the British Virgin Islands, Chen was able to fit four days' worth of clothes, chargers for four different devices, a toiletry bag, a Bible-thick book and two notebooks inside, plus a little room to spare for souvenirs. The bag also features a zippered top pocket on the exterior that lets you pack a few extra things, like sunscreen, sunglasses, and your phone. “In a meta way, it’s become a regular in my roster of just-in-case essentials that can expand my carrying capacity to just the amount I might need, whether I’m picking up an extra handful or an armful,” says Chen.

Pros: Expandable, packs down into a small pouch, luggage sleeve
Cons: No way to attach a strap or additional handle once it's folded

Read a full review of this bag here.

Dimensions: 20.5" × 9" × 11"
Capacity: 31L
Separate shoe compartment: Yes
Warranty: Five year limited warranty on parts and workmanship

For the past two years, our readers have voted Arlo Skye their favorite luggage brand in the word in Traveler's annual Readers' Choice Awards. The brand receives praise for its well-made travel gear that holds up over time. Case in point: This lightweight weekender bag that's made with scratch-resistant nylon, full-grain Italian leather trim, and an antimicrobial lining. It's been tested by Flager, who says you can squeeze a lot in here—use it for long weekends, or as a carry-on to fill with odds and ends when heading out on longer trips. “It's a little too big for an under-the-seat item, but has tons of pockets and separate compartments to keep you organized,” Flager says. “If you pack lightly, it's a worthy substitute for your main carry-on on shorter trips.” There's a separate shoe or dirty clothes compartment, a trolley sleeve if you're rolling it on top of a checked bag, and an exterior slip pocket that's the right size for your phone, passport, and keys.

Pros: Laptop sleeve, luggage sleeve, anti-microbial lining
Cons: A little too large to fit under the seat in front of you on the plane

Weight: 1.3 lb.
Dimensions: 16.5" x 19.7" x 8.7"
Capacity: 30L
Separate shoe compartment: No
Warranty: Six year warranty

Bellroy's ultralight duffel bag is easy to lift in overhead compartments or the back of Ubers—even when it's full. It scored points with Buckingham for its flexible nylon material that can be rolled up and stored away easily when it's not use. “One of my favorite features of this bag is the AirTag slip pocket, which is hidden on the inside lining of the bag,” says Buckingham. “There are plenty of standard pockets as well, like ones that fit water bottles, snacks, and socks.” It's on the smaller side, but fits enough two days away. “This duffel bag is great for someone who either wants to pack very light or who plans to bring a backpack with them as well,” says Buckingham. More key features include a wide opening for easy packing, detachable shoulder straps, and key clip.

Pros: AirTag slip pocket, foldable material, many pockets
Cons: On the smaller side, not waterproof

Weight: 2.6 lb. (canvas), 2.26 lb. (recycled poly)
Dimensions: 18" x 8.5" x 6"
Separate shoe compartment: Yes
Warranty: One year warranty for product damage or defects

This travel-friendly tote is a bestseller for accessories brand Lo & Sons, and it’s not hard to see why. The overnight bag features several interior and exterior pockets sized for everything from iPads to sanitizing wipes to sunglasses, a long removable strap with memory foam padding, and a trolley sleeve that converts into a zipper pocket. It was tested by former Traveler staffer Lara Kramer; she brought it on an overnight staycation in Brooklyn and a four-night stay at the hospital for the birth of her baby. “You can easily fit a long weekend’s worth of clothes (and shoes!) in this bag,” she says. “And, in our case, an abundance of pajamas, towels, and home comforts—think portable fan, slippers, a sound machine, and framed photos of family and our pet cat—for a long hospital stay.”

There's a handy bottom compartment that can hold two to three pairs of shoes (or your dirty clothes) that also features a removable padded tray that can be washed as needed. Kramer did note that because of its generous size and ample storage, this bag can hold a lot of weight. However, the padded messenger strap made of memory foam does take the comfort level up a notch.

Pros: Padded removable strap, can be folded or rolled to store away nicely, luggage sleeve
Cons: It can be uncomfortably heavy when packed full

Save on your order with Lo & Sons discount codes.

The Milano Weekender
Dimensions: 9" x 9.5" x 14"
Separate shoe compartment: No
Warranty: One year limited warranty

Perfect for vintage-lovers, road-trippers, or stylish travelers who want to make an entrance, the Milano Weekender earns points for its good looks. Commerce writer Jessica Chapel has taken it on several weekend trips, including beach stays in Montauk and mountain getaways in the Catskills, and says it has held up well. “The European map print is so charming, and the craftsmanship is solid from the brass feet to the suede lining,” says Chapel. “It’s one of those bags that strangers compliment at the hotel valet. (Carrying it feels like stepping into a Nancy Meyers film.)” It features a water-resistant exterior, brushed brass hardware, and handcrafted stitching that's built to last. Inside, there's a deep main compartment with one zippered pocket and two slip pockets. On the exterior of the bag, you'll find a few slip pockets for small essentials and protective metal feet to keep it from touching the ground. And while it is carry-on compliant, Chapel doesn't recommend it for air travel. “This is a bag for slow travel—think wine tastings, countryside drives, or cozy cabin escapes,” says Chapel.

Pros: Unique exterior print and leather design, protective metal feet, rear slip pocket for easy access
Cons: Minimal structure for packing inside; space best optimized with packing cubes

Weight: 1.23 lb.
Dimensions: 19.7" x 8.2" x 11.8"
Capacity: 31L
Separate shoe compartment: No
Warranty: 30 day limited warranty

For our light packers out there, we recommend Bagmart's lightweight weekender bag. The brand is popular on Amazon for its clever hanging toiletry bag, a favorite of our editors, so we had high hopes for this cute, under-$40 duffel. Travel bookings editor Jamie Spain has brought it along on a few overnight trips and staycations in New York City and was surprised at how much it fit given that it's on the smaller side for a weekender.

“It's great for a night or two over at a friend's place or somewhere you don't need quite as many things, but it's best paired with a backpack for an entire weekend,” says Spain. “The bag is extremely lightweight and packs down quite small, so it's easy to stash it away inside your bag for extra storage.” The super-soft Taslan fabric has a unique, cloud-like feel that's gentle on your shoulder and easy to maneuver around when fitting things inside. Thanks to its compact size, Bagsmart's weekender easily fits underneath the plane seat in front of you and works as a gym bag, too. We especially like that it offers a padded pocket for a 15.6" laptop, luggage sleeve, and several internal compartments to keep your smaller essentials organized.

Pros: Padded laptop compartment, water-resistant interior pocket, luggage sleeve
Cons: On the smaller size and the lightweight fabric is a bit too flimsy for very heavy items

Weight: 2.10 lb.
Dimensions: 18.5" x 14" x 9.4"
Separate shoe compartment: Yes
Warranty: One year limited warranty

Baggallini's roomy travel bag is research associate Anna Gladwin's go-to travel bag for camping trips and long weekends away. “The bag is much more spacious than others that I've tried and it has a far greater variety of pockets,” she says. “The bag has a lid-top opening which provides easy access to the main compartment and there are two exterior zip-up pockets at the front of the bag which are useful for small items.” More features we love: a padded laptop pocket that fits a 16" model, a large shoe compartment, and a detachable crossbody strap. Made of water-resistant fabric, Gladwin notes the bag is easy to clean and has held up well.

Pros: Luggage sleeve, padded laptop pocket, roomy exterior side pockets
Cons: Too large to fit under the seat on a plane