We Tested 31 Weekender Bags to Find the Best Options for Plane Travel, Road Trips, and More (2024)

Aer’s Travel Weekender makes organizing the gear you’d need for a long weekend a breeze. The bag is essentially segmented into three parts: a front pocket for daily essentials like keys and chapstick, a cavernous main compartment outfitted with loads of small pockets for customized packing, and a padded laptop sleeve that can accommodate 16-inch computers. Water bottles flank both sides, a luggage handle pass-through lets you carry the bag hands-free, and the zippers are lockable for added security. We were impressed with the high-quality appearance of the bag, which is constructed from weather-resistant 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon on the outside, and a soft, woven lining that adds a plush feel and also provides a bit of extra padding for hauling delicate items. And though it looks like a medium-size bag, we found that the 35-liter capacity allowed us to carry loads of stuff, with plenty of room for a five-day trip. When the bag was fully packed, it carried a bit heavy, but the shoulder strap boasts a really cushioned pad, and the padding on the carrying handles feel super-durable and thick.

The Details: 19.5 x 12 x 9 inches | 2.7 pounds | 35-liter capacity | 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon

Weighing in at 2.1 pounds, the Bellroy Classic Weekender won’t weigh you down, especially considering the carrying capacity tops out at 45 liters. We packed this bag full and found that it somehow felt more lightweight and easier to carry than bags of similar sizes because of its design that distributes weight well. The clean, minimalist barrel shape affords a traditional aesthetic, with a wide top opening with snap-down ends that makes the bag easy to pack. That minimalism also carries over to the inside, with two pouches for smaller items and one small zippered pocket, while a zippered outer pocket comes with a key clip, a few slots for stuff like tablets or phones, and space for your headphones — far less organization than some of the other bags we tested, which may appeal to less gear-obsessed travelers. We also appreciated that the padded shoulder strap clips diagonally across the bag, which made it easier and more streamlined to carry. Grab loops on either end make it easy to get the bag out of the overhead bin, a luggage pass-through adds versatility, and rolled-edge handles feel strong and comfortable.

The Details: 14.9 x 25.5 x 15.7 inches | 2.1 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Polyester made from 100 percent recycled PET plastic bottles

Made from water- and scratch-resistant, ultra-microfiber vegan leather, the Metro Carry All Duffel from Monos has the high-end style you want and all the carrying capacity you need. In fact, when packing for a four-day trip, we found we had enough space for another pair of shoes, even though the pack only has a 27.3-liter carrying capacity. The main compartment comes with a two-way zipper and is lined with soft cotton twill. Inside you’ll also find a zippered pocket, a sleeve, and a water bottle pocket. The laptop sleeve will accommodate computers up to 16 inches, and we loved how spacious the end pockets proved to be — each is secured with magnetic snaps. We also appreciated that the end handles lie flush against the bag, which helps keep the bag’s streamlined appearance. And we were happy to find that the padded shoulder strap didn’t slide around when carrying the bag.

The Details: 20 x 12 x 10.4 inches | 4.14 pounds | 27.3-liter capacity | Vegan leather, cotton twill

The V4 Bento Bag from Nomad Lane performs almost like a magic trick. It might look small, but we found that — thanks to loads of organization features — the bag can hold more than you’d need for a two-day trip. Pockets are seemingly everywhere, including two zippered inside pockets with small toiletries and tech cases, zippered outer pockets, zippered inside pockets and dividers, and a dedicated laptop sleeve for a 16-inch computer. And it comes with a dedicated water bottle pocket; a laundry/shoe bag; and a comfy, detachable shoulder strap. The clamshell-style bag opens down the middle like a traditional suitcase, which makes packing and finding things a breeze, and small features like a key leash and a trolley sleeve round out the features. And the weather-resistant nylon outer can take a serious beating,

The Details: 17 x 8 x 10 inches | 2.76 pounds | 24-liter capacity | Weather-resistant nylon, leather handles

At first glance, canvas doesn’t seem like the optimal bag material in weather-variable travel. But Mark & Graham Beckett’s Waxed Canvas and Leather Weekender employs water-resistant wax on the exterior so that it’ll fend off the elements and weigh a lot less than other weekenders. Designed with a vintage vibe, leather trim adds durability and style, with a plush cotton twill on the inside as well as a 15-inch padded laptop sleeve, an adjustable shoulder strap, and a trolly pass. Brass buckles on the inside secures your computer, and additional brass hardware lets you adjust the bag to expand. Inside, you’ll also find a zippered side pocket, as well as an outside zippered compartment for quick-grab items like your passport. And if you find yourself initially balking at the price, know that throughout our testing the bag demonstrated years-long value based on the high-quality materials.

The Details: 21 x 10 x 12 inches | Waxed canvas, leather

Made from ballistic nylon and outfitted with self-repairing zippers, the Briggs & Riley Weekender Duffle provides enough space for a three-day outing in a rugged yet refined aesthetic that’ll stand up to the punishing realities of the open road (and the cramped airplane). The bag doesn’t add loads of internal organization — just two shoe sleeves — and we wished it had some sleeves or a zippered pocket, but the zippered outside pocket provides solid storage for quick-grab items. The whole package rides on an adjustable shoulder strap, and the side flaps cinch down with clasps to streamline its profile and keep items from shifting around in transit.

The Details: 15.5 x 20 x 9 inches | 2.5 pounds | 42-liter capacity | Ballistic nylon

Ideally suited to handle a quick overnight or two-day trip, Away’s The Everywhere Bag boasts 20 liters of storage spread across an internal organization system that includes zipper and slip pockets, a water bottle pocket, and a detachable key clip, along with an external padded laptop slot with space for a 15-inch computer, secured via a magnetic locking zipper. We liked how easily and light the bag carried, either on the well-padded, detachable shoulder strap or the short handles, and we found that the nylon exterior didn’t scuff or display any sort of significant damage — and any dirt wiped off easily. An extended main zipper makes it easy to access the interior, the trolley sleeve adds versatility, and the color options all lean toward the urban-modern vibe that’s defined the brand since it launched.

The Details: 16.3 x 10.2 x 7.3 inches | 2.75 pounds | 20-liter capacity | Nylon, leather

The closest thing the real world has come to creating a Dungeons & Dragons-style bag of holding (a vessel that can store a near-infinite amount of gear) is Patagonia’s Black Hole line. Campers will particularly appreciate the 40L Duffel Bag, which errs on the side of simplicity to make hauling your camping kit to the trailhead or campsite as easy as possible. Built from 100 percent recycled polyester ripstop and outfitted with a matte TPU-film laminate, it proved to be especially weather- and abrasion-resistant, and comes with two padded, removable shoulder straps so you can haul it like a backpack. Inside, you get a zippered pocket accessible from the inside or out, along with an interior mesh pocket in the lid to store quick-grab items. The base itself is padded to better protect your kit, and networks of daisy chains line either side of the bag so you can clip, secure, and accessorize as needed. It also collapses and stores in the inside pocket.

The Details: 19.7 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches | 2.1 pounds | 40-liter capacity | Recycled ripstop polyester with a TPU-film laminate

If you load down the State Wellington Weekender to its full 37-liter capacity, you’ll find that it’s fairly heavy and bulky to carry, which makes it the ideal pack for road-tripping, since you don’t have to navigate a crowded airport with the bag. We could fit enough gear for a four-day outing, but it’s ideal for a two-to-three-day jaunt. And it really packs in the features, including a padded zippered pocket for a laptop, front slit pockets, external zippered pockets, and internal mesh and zippered pockets — the trolley sleeve even has a zipper so you can use it as a slip pocket. It also has two detachable pockets: one with a zipper suitable for dirty clothes and another with a drawstring that’ll accommodate your shoes. We also loved the stylish checkered lining, which adds a touch of whimsy to the otherwise traditional aesthetic.

The Details: 12.2 x 19.7 x 9.5 inches | 2.54 pounds | 37-liter capacity | Polyester

We loved the high-quality materials found in Samsonite’s Ecodiver Small Duffel, including the post-consumer recycled PET outer material and the black trim nylon. You can use the stow-away, removable shoulder straps to wear it as a backpack or carry it via the top and bottom handles. The main compartment is accessible through a C-shaped top panel that zips open to reveal the interior, which is kitted out with mesh zipper panels to help keep things organized, along with a host of exterior pockets for quick-grab items. And despite its “small” label, the 40-liter capacity provides plenty of storage space. But we do wish it had a water bottle pocket and a single shoulder strap to carry it across your body.

The Details: 21.6 x 12.2 x 9.4 inches | 2.2 pounds | 40-liter capacity | Recycled PET, nylon

When fully closed, the Mark & Graham Commuter 2-in-1 Garment Bag looks like a traditional duffel bag, but unzip the main compartment and you’ll discover that it rolls out to provide all kinds of spacious storage. You can slide in hanging garments like a suit or dress shirt to keep them clean and wrinkle-free, and there is also storage space for two pairs of shoes and loads of spots for accessories in both zip and slip pockets. We loved how easy it was to access the bag’s interior, especially when we had a bed or another flat surface to splay out the bag, and a zippered pocket on the outside was great for quick-grab items like a phone or passport, though accessing the pack’s interior to grab something like a water bottle wasn’t as intuitive as a standard duffel. We also appreciated the feel of the leather hand straps and shoulder strap pad, which made hauling it quite comfortable. And though it’s on the pricier side, the twill-washed nylon stood up against our durability tests and is ideally suited for years of travel with a business-casual wardrobe.

The Details: 22 x 10 x 10 inches | Twill-washed nylon, leather

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is a weekender bag considered a personal item or a carry-on?

  Though the overhead bins do vary in size airline to airline (and from plane type to plane type), large weekenders are typically ranked as a carry-on item rather than a personal item, unless they are on the smaller side. Larger ones may not fit under the seat in front of you, but they all should fit overhead — provided there’s space. Pay attention to dimensions and material if you want something you can keep underneath the seat. If a big is unstructured or made from softer, flexible material, you are more likely to fit it underneath the seat when not fully packed. Thankfully the best weekender bags are durable enough to handle the dreaded gate check.

• What do you pack in a weekender bag?

  What you pack is typically dictated by three factors: the length of your stay, the climate in your target destination, and the activities you’ll be pursuing while there. The requirements for an overnight business trip won’t mirror what you’d need for a four-night excursion punctuated by long day hikes and fancy meals each night. But in general, for a two-day trip, plan on packing two T-shirts, a long-sleeve shirt, a pair of pants, and three pairs of socks and underwear. You should also bring an additional pair of shoes, a toiletry bag, and another outer layer like a rain jacket. Longer trips would require more apparel and perhaps two pairs of shoes, depending on the activities you pursue once you arrive.

  
  If you are also bringing a larger suitcase or a checked bag in addition to your weekender, keep your valuables and essentials in your weekender instead so that you’ll have them on hand in case of any flight delays, cancellations, or lost baggage situations. If you have to stay at the airport overnight, you’ll be glad you have your toothbrush and deodorant nearby. Also include anything you may want access to on the plane, like a sweater, headphones, or phone chargers.

• How do you pack a weekender bag?

  Footwear should go at the bottom of your pack, ideally in a dedicated pocket in the bag or (barring that) in a shoe bag so you keep the dirt and grime from getting onto your clean clothes. To save space, roll your underwear and socks and put them inside your shoes. Then layer in your folded shirts, rolled pants, and your rain jacket.

  Some packs come with a dedicated toiletries bag, though you can also use a third-party bag to keep your personal items logically grouped together. Some bags feature dedicated internal pockets for things like charging cables, padded tablet or laptop storage, and key clips. Zippered outside pockets, meanwhile, are great to hold quick-grab items like your passport or phone. Most also have dedicated water bottle holders, either flanking one (or both) sides of the bag’s exterior or integrated into the internal storage system.

  But some bags keep the features minimal, with a single internal and external pocket so that you can organize things to best suit your gear. A handful of bags also come with a laundry sack to carry dirty clothes, but you can alternatively use a shoe bag or plastic bag to isolate your dirty gear from the clean stuff.

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