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The 11 Best Weekender Bags to Take on Your Next Getaway in 2023 (& Beyond)

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best weekender bags HERO
Getty Images/Grace Cary

We love traveling, but hate carrying around a bulky suitcase (especially on shorter trips). Thankfully, weekender bags do all the heavy lifting of a suitcase without the hassle. These overnight bags are great for travel because of their understated profile and easy-to-carry styles. Plus, they force you to not overpack. Sling one over your shoulder or carry it by its top handle straps instead of having to roll around your half-full luggage. Whether you’re spending the night at your partner’s place or planning a fun road trip with friends, grab yourself one of these 11 incredible weekender bags, vetted by our editors.

The Best Weekender Bags At A Glance

1

Best Amazon

Herschel Supply Co Duffle Bag

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2

Most Sophisticated

Troubadour Adventure Troubadour Weekender

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3

Best Leather Bag

Frye Logan Leather Overnight Bag

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4

Best Duffle

Bric’s X-bag Boarding Duffle Bag

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5

Best Overall Pick

Béis Weekender Bag

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How We Chose the Best Weekender Bags

The best weekender bags feature a spacious interior, pockets for organization, durable materials and an overall sleek design. Tested over many trips, shoved into overhead bins without any issues and even taken on longer vacays, our editors shared their favorite bags that have withstood the test of time. Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak and her husband love the Troubadour Adventure Weekender because of its durability and minimalist look, while Associate Editor of SEO Marissa Wu prefers our best overall pick, the Beis Weekender ($108) for its roomy interior, many pockets and lightweight design. Ahead, a shopping guide to 11 weekender bags we feel confident about recommending.

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Best Amazon

1. Herschel Supply Co. Duffle Bag

Herschel Supply

  • What We Like: simple aesthetic, durable material
  • What We Don't Like: not many pockets
  • Capacity: 42.5-liters
  • Material: polyester

Headed for a quick one- or two-nighter with a friend? This duffle has plenty of space for a few outfits and shoes to last you all weekend. "I've had this bag for five years and it's still my go-to for a quick trip because of the roomy interior and the sleek look," says Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak. It has two sturdy side handles to hold and a longer strap to sling over your shoulder.

Most Sophisticated

2. Troubadour Adventure Troubadour Weekender

Troubadour

  • What We Like: waterproof, padded laptop sleeve
  • What We Don't Like: expensive
  • Capacity: 32-liters
  • Material: nylon and leather

This sleek option is perfect for a work trip because of the padded laptop sleeve and it’s totally waterproof. The bag is nylon with leather trim and the zipper is durable and thick, so you don’t need to worry about it splitting. "My husband and I fight over who gets to use this bag constantly. It was gifted to us for all of our travels and it's so sleek and high-end looking, while also having a functional design," says Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak. The interior is spacious enough for multiple outfits and it has pockets for holding accessories and beauty products.

Best Leather Bag

3. Frye Logan Leather Overnight Bag

Frye

  • What We Like: rich leather, sleek design
  • What We Don't Like: expensive
  • Capacity: not listed
  • Material: leather

Looking for something a little more luxurious? We love this timeless leather weekender that comes with brass hardware and cotton lining. "I really love the timeless, expensive look of [this] leather bag. It’s on the pricier side, but well worth the investment in my opinion. The leather looks worn and lived-in, giving it that vintage aesthetic. And if you know me, I love to “borrow” my dad’s leather goods, so this is right up my alley," says Associate Fashion Commerce Editor Stephanie Meraz. While the dual handles are sturdy enough to hold no matter how heavy your bag is, it also comes with a removable shoulder strap when you need to free up your hands.

  • What We Like: water-resistant, durable zipper
  • What We Don't Like: no crossbody strap
  • Capacity: not listed
  • Material: PVC-coated polymide, leather trim

Take this bag on its own or slip it over your suitcase handle using the open sleeve on the back. It’s 22 inches wide, 13 inches deep and 10 inches in diameter, making it the perfect size to hold all of your belongings for a three- or four-day weekend trip. The nylon material is easy to wipe down and it’s water-resistant.

Best Overall Pick

5. Béis Weekender Bag

Béis

This bag has a wire frame beneath the zipper, so it stays open without slouching while you’re packing. It has multiple pockets inside and it even has a bottom zipper that opens to store shoes. "The bag is small but surprisingly roomy, and the shell is lightweight so you're not starting out with a super heavy bag that will be weighed down with even more stuff," mentions Associate Editor, SEO Marissa Wu. The canvas outer material and nylon lining is water-resistant, so spills are easy to clean.

Best With Shoe Compartments

6. Wowbox Weekender Duffle Bag

Wowbox

  • What We Like: magnetic buttons, crossbody straps
  • What We Don't Like: pockets are bulky looking
  • Capacity: not listed
  • Material: leather

With more than 3,500 five-star ratings, this duffle bag has some die-hard fans. "Sturdy, attractive and holds a ton of stuff! I love that the pockets have magnetic snaps. Just [a] wonderful all around duffel bag," says one Amazon customer. It is made of a thick canvas that has leather details on the handles and pockets. The side pockets are deepset and can hold a pair or two of shoes, so they won't get smushed at the bottom of your bag.

Best Canvas Bag

7. Bolosta Canvas Weekender Bag

Bolosta

  • What We Like: canvas, rounded shape
  • What We Don't Like: straps aren't the most comfortable
  • Capacity: not listed
  • Material: canvas and faux leather

This canvas bag has a front pocket, three inner pockets and a back zipper pocket. The inside is spacious enough to hold your weekend wardrobe (and a few accessories, of course). Plus, the bottom has a zippered pocket to hold a couple pairs of shoes. More than 3,300 customers love this weekender for its classic look and spacious interior. "[My] first impression [of] the bag is [that it's] really nice looking. It looks more expensive than it is...The luggage sleeve fits well over both of my rolling suitcase handles. The zipper pocket in the sleeve is big enough for your travel wallet, passports and tickets or a book/Kindle. There is another patch pocket on the other side of the bag's exterior that's approximately the same size," says one reviewer.

Softest Duffel

8. Calpak Luka Duffel

Calpak

  • What We Like: comfortable to carry, lightweight
  • What We Don't Like: has a small interior
  • Capacity: 22-liters
  • Material: polyester

The lightweight construction of this bag makes it easy to carry on long weekends away—or regular trips to the gym. "I’m in love with my Luka duffle. It works as a personal item on budget airlines but holds so much. [It has] special sleeves and pockets for shoes and a laptop, bits and bobs and a secret pocket for your passport. I’m obsessed," says Senior Editor, Branded Content Roberta Fiorito. You can also grab it in a larger version for only $30 more.

Best Designer

9. Longchamp Le Pilage Travel Bag

Longchamp

  • What We Like: material is easy to clean, minimal design
  • What We Don't Like: doesn't come with a longer strap
  • Capacity: not listed
  • Material: polyamide canvas

Keep your belongings safe and secure thanks to this zippered top handle bag. The metal zipper is durable and heavy to ensure it can zip no matter how stuffed the bag is. "I love how lightweight it is and the inside can be wiped down easily. It's a perfect size to fit everything you need for a night or two. I do wish it came with a longer strap though," says Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera. That said, it has plenty of space inside for several outfits and other belongings, and it's completely collapsible, making it easy to store when it's not in use.

Largest Sizing Option

10. The North Face Base Camp Duffel

The North Face

  • What We Like: sporty design, large interior
  • What We Don't Like: not many neutral color options
  • Capacity: 50-liters
  • Material: recycled nylon, PVC coating

This bag is made of durable, recycled materials to withstand being thrown around in overhead bins or the trunk of your car."I feel like specialized compartments are en vogue right now, but I’ve always been a fan of just having one big ol’ compartment that I can stuff anything and everything into for maximum use of space. I actually own this duffel in three different sizes, but find that the small is best for weekend getaways," says Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth.

Most Durable Zipper

11. Dagne Dover Landon Carryall

Dagne Dover

  • What We Like: soft material, durable zipper
  • What We Don't Like: material must be handwashed
  • Capacity: 35-liters
  • Material: recycled polyester

A weekend bag you can stuff to the brim without fearing you'll split the zipper is exactly what all the overpackers out there need. This bag is made of a durable material and comes with a thick zipper on top to keep your items safe during your travels. It comes in four colors and even has a luggage sleeve to add atop a suitcase. "I use this as my personal item all the time. I love this bag. It fits everything," reports one customer.

What to Consider When Buying a Weekender Bag

While you can pop into your favorite store and see a cute bag that looks like it could be great for weekend travel, there are a few things you'll want to consider before actually making a purchase.

Pay Attention to the Material

Look for nylon, canvas, leather or even some polyamide blends because they're more durable and will last you longer than other materials like cotton. Bags made from less durable fabrics are more likely to rip at the seams and thin out over short periods of time.

Capacity Is Key

The interior capacity is an obvious thing to consider because you want to grab a bag that's large enough and unobstructed so it holds all of your essentials. We recommend a 20-liter minimum for these kinds of bags so you can hold enough outfits and toiletries for at least two nights.

Check the Number of Pockets

You may not want a ton of pockets all over your bag, but having a few strategically placed pockets for smaller items will keep your bag organized. Check for at least two on the interior or exterior, and bonus points if there's a padded laptop pocket.

Straps and Handles Should Be Functional and Comfortable

Sturdy top handle bags are great for throwing on top of suitcases or carrying when you're relatively unencumbered, but opting for a bag that comes with a removable crossbody strap will make things easier when you're short on hands. You know, like when you stop to grab a latte at your terminal. Note: Thicker straps are more comfortable on your shoulders.

What Size Weekender Bag Do I Need?

If you're a frequent traveler and don't fancy carrying around a suitcase, a structured weekender bag with a large interior is a must-have. We recommend a 20-liter minimum so you can hold enough outfits and toiletries for at least two nights. Here's a breakdown of the most popular sizes:

  • 20-Liter Capacity: We suggest this as the smallest size for travel because it has just enough space for a few outfits and maybe one to two pairs of shoes; it also makes for a great gym bag.
  • 30-Liter Capacity: Perfect for a weekend away with just the essentials. If you're an overpacker and are trying to go with a carry-on bag option, this may still be a bit small for you.
  • 40-Liter Capacity and Above: Anything 40-liters and above is perfect for winter travel (ahem, boots and sweaters take up more space) and for longer weekends away. The interior is spacious and open, so you can easily pack all of your necessities and still have room for a few additional things.

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Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow is the best friend you never had when it comes to finding the best, most useful lifestyle products online. Founded in 2010, our company’s editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series, which sees each and every item we test being ranked on a 100-point scale of awesomeness, to the painstakingly curated lists our fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family editors create as vertical experts, you can trust that our recommendations include some of the greatest items you’ll find on the internet. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.


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Commerce Editor

Olivia Dubyak is PureWow's Commerce Editor and textbook Capricorn. She studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has gone from New York City to...