Hey there, jetsetter! Are you planning to embark on a weekend getaway, but struggling with the type of bag to take with you? Packing for a trip can certainly be frustrating, but choosing the right travel gear can help alleviate any unwanted stress.
When it comes to finding the perfect duffel, tote or backpack for your next weekend away, you’ll first want to consider the size, style and material, according to experts. Whether you’re traveling by plane, car or train, we’ve got several great weekender bags that fit their rigorous criteria that'll help make your next adventure the best one yet!
We spoke with travel gurus and renowned stylists to get the lowdown on bags galore. Scroll down to find our curated list of the best expert-recommended and editor-tested weekender bags to take with you on your upcoming journey. We found must-have bags from top brands like Beis, Calpak, Samsonite and more — starting at under $30.
Expert-recommended weekender bags | Award winning weekender | Editor-tested weekender bags | Size | Style | Materials | How we chose | Meet the experts
Expert-recommended weekender bags
Affordable expert pick: Wogarl 4 Piece Weekender Bag
- Very spacious
- Has pockets
- Durable
- Mixed reviews on zipper
Colorways: 18 | Dimensions: 11.0" x 3.9" x 11.4" | Material: Canvas, PU leather | Special features: Shoe compartment | Capacity: N/A
"If you're on a budget, this bag with bottom compartment and additional toiletry bag, is a great choice coming in at $39.99," says Christina Stein, an image consultant, life coach and CEO of Life & Style by Christina. "I loved the preppy feel of the leather details, and it has a 4.5 rating on Amazon," she adds.
Makes the airport a breeze: Everlane The ReNew Transit Weekender
- Chic
- Fits under seat on plane
- Versatile
- Mixed reviews on strap quality
Colorways: 4 | Dimensions: 14.2″ x 7.3″ x 19.5″ | Material: Recycled polyester | Special features: Luggage handle sleeve | Capacity: 28L
"This bag includes a padded laptop sleeve, water bottle holders, an exterior zip pocket, luggage handle-pass through and multiple ways to carry it," explains Naina Singla, a fashion stylist and style expert. "This is a sustainable product made of recycled polyester from recycled plastic bottles. It also comes in four neutral colorways and has a lot of positive reviews. This bag is a great option if you’re on a budget but want a durable and stylish weekend bag," she suggests.
Sleek and sophisticated: Samsonite Better than Basics Drop Bottom Weekender Duffel Bag
- Stylish and sleek
- Very durable
- May be too small for some
Colorways: 3 | Dimensions: 14.1” x 18.9” x 9.8” | Material: Polyester | Special features: Detachable shoulder strap | Capacity: N/A
Karis Battle, a personal stylist, costume designer, fashion editor and Fashion Files podcast host, recommends this sleek duffel from Samsonite. "This bag combines practicality and durability, with plenty of space and a drop-bottom compartment for added organization. It’s a great choice for weekend getaways or gym days," she explains.
For the shoe lover: Calpak Stevyn Duffel Bag
- Shoe compartment
- Durable
- May be smaller than expected
Colorways: 11 | Dimensions: 19” x 14.5” x 10.5” | Material: Polyester | Special features: Shoe compartment | Capacity: 42L
Stein absolutely loves this Calpak duffel bag because it is affordable and has room for everything. "I also love that there is a compartment on the bottom for shoes. I don't always like putting my shoes with my clothing when I travel, so this would be a top choice for me personally," she suggests.
Pretty in pink: Tote & Carry Apollo 2 Rolling Duffle Bag
- Bright colors
- Great quality
- Currently sold out in red
Colorways: 6 | Dimensions: 22" x 13" x 13" | Material: Vegan leather | Special features: Retractable handle, smooth-rolling wheels | Capacity: N/A
"Bold and playful, this rolling duffle is perfect for those who want to travel in style," states Battle. "The neon pink color ensures you’ll never lose sight of your bag, while the rolling feature adds convenience," she says.
Shop TODAY Travel Gear Award winner
Award winner: Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag
- Lots of pockets for storage
- Not much structure
Colorways: 27 | Dimensions: 18.5" x 12.5” x 7.5” | Material: Cotton | Special features: Removable strap | Capacity: 30L
If the world is your oyster, this carry-on bag from Vera Bradley will make the best travel companion. Not only was it a Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards winner in both 2023 and 2024 for Best Overall Carry-on, but it also has a near perfect five-star ratings on Amazon. Featuring a front zip pocket, a side pocket, and two back slip pockets, this weekender tote will store all your favorite items from cowboy boots to fleece leggings.
Editor-tested weekender bags
Budget-friendly: ETRONIK Travel Duffel Bag
- Separate compartment for shoes
- Not overly spacious
Colorways: 17 | Dimensions: 18" x 13.5" x8.7" | Material: Waterproof nylon fabric | Special features: USB charging port | Capacity: 37L
This trendy duffel bag is a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon and is also a favorite of Shop TODAY associate editor Kamari Stewart. This waterproof bag features a luggage trolley strap, detachable shoulder strap and side pockets. Its best feature? There’s a separate compartment for shoes on the bottom of the bag, which is why it’s Stewart’s travel solemate!
Editor favorite: Béis The Weekender
- Separate shoe compartment
- Bottom can be hard to open
Colorways: 8 | Dimensions: 19” x 15.7” x 9.8” | Material: Jute canvas, vegan leather and polyester | Special features: Removable shoulder strap with shoulder pad | Capacity: 49L
Commerce writer Danielle Murphy no longer leaves home for the weekend without this trendy bag. “My favorite part is the separate shoe compartment at the bottom. I use it to keep my dirty footwear separate from my clothes, but it’s also great for storing clunky toiletry bags!”
This stylish tote has over 14,000 perfect five-star ratings on the brand’s website and features a key leash, trolley pass-through and organizational pockets.
“I’ve used it on multiple trips now and have enjoyed it because it has enough space to pack for a weeklong trip (if you pack right), but also works as a carry-on and is easy to pack thanks to the many compartments it has. I also love how the handles are long enough that you can just put it on your shoulder if you wanted to carry it that way,” adds editor Vivien Moon.
Best for short trips: Baggallini Carryall Tote Bag
- Tons of pockets
- No hard structure
Colorways: 22 | Dimensions: 18.5”x 12” h x 5.5” | Material: Nylon | Special features: Quick access phone pocket | Warranty: One-year
Production coordinator Bella Druckman turns to this Baggallini tote for fulfilling all her weekend packing needs.
“The bag has a luggage sleeve, so I can slip it onto my rolling luggage bag during a longer trip. For shorter trips, I love that it has two types of straps — a longer crossbody strap and two shorter straps to hold it as a tote bag. This allows me to carry it differently depending on how heavy the bag is (and how tired I am),” Druckman says.
Great for the outdoors: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
- Super durable
- Water-resistant
- No load lifters on straps
Colorways: 6 | Dimensions: 19.7” x 12.5” x 8.5” | Material: Recycled polyester ripstop | Special features: Removable ergonomic shoulder straps | Capacity: 40L
Production coordinator Camryn Privette loves this Patagonia duffel for its durability. “I’ve used this bag for 5+ years now and it never has failed me. I’ve [dragged] it through airports, campground dirt and everything in-between,” she says.
This sporty duffel features zipper side pocket, an interior mesh lid pocket and a padded base to help protect all the items inside. If you’re going away for longer than a few days, this bag also comes in three larger sizes: 55L, 70L and 100L.
The best part about this bag is that it's eco-friendly as it is made of 100% recycled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). TPU is a laminate applied to the material and is a crucial part of what makes the Black Hole Duffel so durable and weather-resistant, according to the brand.
Hiking-friendly: Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack
- Super spacious
- Can be bulky
Colorways: 9 | Dimensions: 22” x 12” x 10” | Material: TPU-coated 1000D polyester | Special features: Security anti-theft YKK zippers | Capacity: 35L | Warranty: Lifetime
Get ready to explore the wonders of the world with this lightweight backpack from Cotopaxi. This rugged backpack is ideal for both short getaways and longer excursions as it features a weight-distributing, low-profile harness system for added comfort.
“I love love love this pack!” raves associate editor Sierra Hoeger. “I got it for my birthday, and it has been my go-to for weekend trips, weeklong trips back home and everything in between. I like how durable it is, and looks are deceiving, because I’ve managed to fit way more than I think when packing.”
What size weekender bag is best?
Are you planning on attending a beach wedding or going on a yoga retreat? Either way, it’s imperative that you have your destination top of mind when choosing which bag to bring on your trip.
“Determine how much space you need. Consider the length, width and depth to ensure it can accommodate your clothing, toiletries and other essentials for a weekend trip,” suggests Ulliyada Bopanna, vice president of design and innovation for Samsonite North America. “Airlines also have carry-on size restrictions, so check those if you plan to use it for air travel.”
Travel blogger Ali Garland prefers using a small backpack (20-25L) that can service multiple purposes for shorter trips and is less likely to get gate checked.
“I’ve been on so many flights where the gate agents say the flight is full and they need to check people’s carry-on luggage and they always take the suitcases,” says Garland. “Even when I’m traveling with my 40L backpack, they tend to ignore me and gate check the roller bags instead. So for a weekend, you can easily pack a few outfits, bathroom items and whatever other necessities in a small backpack.”
What weekend bag style is best?
When choosing a style for your weekender bag, Bopanna urges travelers to find one that matches their personal taste.
“You know better than [carrying] a gym duffel if you’re not going to the gym,” she says. “Weekenders are a great alternative to rolling luggage or carry-ons as they convey a distinct sense of style and nonchalance. Opt for a weekender bag with comfortable handles and adjustable shoulder straps. This provides versatility in how you carry it, especially if you need to walk long distances with the bag. If you’re carrying it with a rolling luggage, make sure it has a sleeve that allows you to carry it securely with your suitcase.”
For Misty Belles, Virtuoso VP of Global Public Relations, she prefers weekender bags that “mix fashion and function. I know myself well enough to know that if it doesn’t fit my “look,” I’m not going to carry it, no matter how convenient. I like bags that can either be carried on my shoulder or in hand, and that are comfortable either way.”
Also, stitching is extremely important when it comes to shopping for a durable weekender bag. “Pay attention to the stitching and seams,” Bopanna recommends. “Reinforced stitching and strong seams are important for longevity. Check the quality of hardware like zippers, buckles and D-rings. Be willing to invest a bit more for higher quality.”
What materials are good for a weekender bag?
It’s no secret that the material of your bag is just as important as the contents inside it. Bopanna recommends looking for these three materials for weekender bags:
Leather: To start, leather offers durability and a stylish, timeless look. Note: It may require more maintenance and tends to be heavier.
Canvas: Known for being lightweight and durable, canvas bags are easier to clean and maintain.
Nylon: This material delivers water resistance and is lighter than canvas or leather. It’s a good choice for outdoor trips.
If you’re bringing your bag on an airplane, Belles recommends investing in a material that is malleable. “If you’re flying with your weekender, it should be able to scrunch under the seat in front of you, especially if you’re also bringing a rollaboard. Something soft-sided and unstructured is best,” she advises.
How we chose
These weekender bag recommendations were based on expert insights, market research and Shop TODAY editor picks. We selected the best totes, duffels and backpacks based on the overall size of the bag, the style and the material.
Meet the experts
- Christina Stein is an image consultant, life coach and CEO of Life & Style by Christina.
- Naina Singla is a fashion stylist and style expert. She specializes in curating capsule wardrobes focused on simplicity and versatility.
- Karis Battle is a personal stylist, costume designer, fashion editor and Fashion Files podcast host.
- Ulliyada Bopanna is the vice president of design and innovation for Samsonite North America.
- Ali Garland is a travel blogger living in Berlin and runs Travel Made Simple and Berlin Travel Tips.
- Misty Belles is the vice president of global public relations for luxury travel company Virtuoso. She previously spoke to Shop TODAY about travel pillows.
- Chanel Garcia is the product manager at Samsonite.
