Can I tell you a secret? I don’t mind packing. Now, you could chalk that up to the fact that I’ve traveled enough that I feel confident in my ability to successfully weed through what I actually need for various types of adventures. But you could also give credit to my impressive (in my opinion) collection of travel bags and accessories, a few pieces of which come from cult-favorite brand Beis. I’ve tested the brand’s The Weekender Bag ($108) and The Crescent Weekender Bag ($118) on planes, trains and automobiles to create this head-to-head review. Which one came out on top? You’ll have to read on.
Beis Weekender vs. Beis Crescent Weekender: Which Travel Bag Earned a Top Spot in My Closet?
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How I Tested the Beis Weekender vs. the Beis Crescent Weekender
To ensure a fair review, I've tested each bag in various travel scenarios. Over the past three years, I've taken the Beis Weekender on international flights, numerous train rides and many roadtrips, and over the past month, I've toted my Beis Crescent Weekender on trains and in cars spanning from Brooklyn to Connecticut to New Hampshire. I've factored in cost, quality of materials, weight capacity and comfortability to rate both bags on the 100-point PureWow100 scale.
Beis Weekender VS. Beis crescent weekender, tested & compared
Beis The Weekender
What I Like
- fits *a lot* of stuff
- various pockets make staying organized a breeze
- two ways to carry
What I Don't Like
- can get too heavy quite easily
- too large to serve as a personal item
Value: 20/20
Functionality: 18/20
Quality: 19/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Capacity: 18/20
TOTAL: 95/100
I first sung this bag’s praises a few years ago, after taking it on a two-week European vacation, and in the years since, I’ve continued to reach for it time and time again. One of Beis’s most famous products, The Weekender has earned a cult-like following. The bag has pretty much everything I look for in a travel accessory. Looks-wise, it’s minimal and timeless (mine is black, but it’s available in 12 additional colors). The bag’s main compartment is roomy, with one large zippered pocket, two small zippered pockets and a Velcro-lined laptop sleeve inside. The opening is sturdy, with a wire frame built in that lets you prop it open to see everything inside. The real selling point, in my opinion, is the spacious zippered compartment at the bottom of the bag, which is perfect for storing shoes, toiletry bags or even laundry.
On the exterior, there’s a small but handy pocket for a wallet or passport and an additional trolley pass through (that zips up when not it use) that allows you to slip the bag over the handle of a suitcase. You can also choose to carry it as a top handle bag or over your shoulder with the detachable strap. (I typically opted for the top handles, but that’s just because I *hate* when long bags slam into my body as I walk—more on that later.)
The only downside is that this bag is so roomy that you can accidentally make it very heavy—a bit of a bummer while rushing through airports. It’s also too large to store under most airplane seats (into the overhead compartment you go), so it’s not a suitable personal item. Still, these are minor complaints about a style I will continue to use and abuse—lovingly, of course.
While I’ve had my Weekender for years now, The Crescent Weekender is a fairly new addition to my collection—and it’s quickly made an impact. Like The Weekender, The Crescent Weekender has a trolley pass through, a padded laptop compartment, a separate zippered bottom compartment perfect for shoes and a key leash. It also has three interior pockets (one zippered, two not) and an elastic water bottle pocket.
The first time I used this bag was schlepping back to my apartment after spending the holidays with my parents. I had a lot of Christmas presents to bring back (thanks, family!)—so much so that looking at my Crescent Weekender, I thought, there’s no way in hell this is going to hold a tenth of what I need it to. Color me impressed, then, when the bag somehow fit approximately four times what I thought it could. We’re talking clothes, a few candles, a pair of heeled boots (in a not-at-all-compact size 11, might I add). While it doesn’t fit as much as the Weekender, I found that even stuffed to the brim, it didn’t feel so heavy that I was uncomfortable toting it from car to train to subway to home.
Aesthetically speaking, I’m a little bit torn. On one hand, I’m obsessed with the beautiful brown color, which is a departure from my normal black (but still totally classic, don’t worry). On the other hand, I fear the Crescent Weekender looks a little too much like a diaper bag for my liking. No offense to folks carrying diaper bags around—do what you gotta do—but I don’t like the look on myself. My only other qualm is that the Crescent Weekender only has one long strap (versus the Weekender’s detachable strap and top handles). As I noted earlier, I typically prefer to carry bags like this by top handles at my side, but that’s just my preference and I know many people don’t mind the longer strap.
The Bottom Line: Which Beis Weekender Bag Is Better?
Honestly, it really comes down to the type of traveler you are and the types of trips you’ll be using it for. If you’re going on a multi-day trip that requires lots of outfit and shoe changes, The Weekender is going to be more bang for your buck (just be sure not to overfill it lest you feel like you’re going to topple over). On the other hand, if you’re embarking on a two- or three-night trip and aren’t keen on being weighed down, The Crescent Weekender has your name written all over it. For me, The Weekender Bag ekes out a win, but you really can’t go wrong with either; Beis bags are well made, especially considering their relatively reasonable price tags, they look great and they hold a sh*t ton of stuff. And really, what else could you ask for in a travel bag?