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If you're just taking a quick weekend trip to see friends or visit the folks, don't bother with a clunky carry-on suitcase when a trendy weekender bag is perfectly sized for a two- or three-night vacation. Similar to a mini duffel or tote bag, weekender bags have enough space to hold all your outfits, toiletries and shoes for a shorter trip. Some weekenders are even compact enough to act as an underseat suitcase and be your personal item when flying.
To find the best ones, our Good Housekeeping Institute product analysts tested 22 weekender bags in our Lab and with consumer testers. We evaluated each bag based on ease of packing, comfort when carrying, durability, organizational design and more to find the best weekender bags.
Our top picks:
1
2
3
Best Oversized Weekender Bag
Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe
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4
Most Stylish Weekender Bag
Beis The Mini Weekender
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5
6
Most Versatile Weekender Bag
Dagne Dover Landon Neoprene Carryall Bag
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7
8
Best Weekender Bag for Road Trips
Vera Bradley Performance Twill Grand Weekender Travel Bag
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9
Most Durable Weekender Bag
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L
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10
Weekender bags are just about any type of bag that's smartly designed for a weekend trip away. As the category continues to expand, we're seeing more and more variations (like weekender backpacks and weekenders with wheels!). When trying a weekender bag for the first time, our testers were impressed with just how useful these bags are, and many opted to use them on more than just weekend trips; they're great to use as a gym bag, overnight bag, tote bag, personal item and more.
After you shop through our top-tested picks, keep reading to learn more about what to look in a great weekender, information about how we test and answers to your pressing questions about travel bags.
1
Best Overall Weekender Bag
Calpak Luka Duffel
1
Best Overall Weekender Bag
Calpak Luka Duffel
Pros
- Trendy, puffy design
- Shoe compartment, water bottle holder and luggage sleeve
- Just the right size for a weekend's worth of outfits
Cons
- Some stitching came undone around the luggage sleeve for one tester
Perfectly suited to a weekend trip, this puffy weekender bag from Calpak checked every box in our tests. The sleek material was easy to wipe clean and stayed in great shape use after use. It has a thoughtful design with a large exterior pocket, a separate shoe compartment and internal organizational features. The shoulder strap was comfortable to carry and there is a removable crossbody strap as well. It's currently available in five stylish shades, like chocolate brown, light pink and bright green.
In our packing test, this bag fit everything on our list with room to spare, and it was a tester favorite for being just the right size. One tester brought this bag as her personal item for a two-week trip and found it the perfect size to hold everything she needed while traveling. She said, "This bag fits everything I need and more! The puffy design is chic with a durable exterior. I appreciated the well-organized interior with multiple zipper compartments, a luggage sleeve, a separate shoe compartment and even a side water bottle holder.
It also poured while I was traveling and everything inside this bag stayed perfectly dry." She did, however, notice a bit of the stitching unraveling around the trolley sleeve. It's best suited for casual weekend travel instead of outdoor adventure wear.
Size | 22L, 12" x 16" x 7" |
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Materials | Polyester |
Listed weight | 2.1 lbs |
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2
Best Value Weekender Bag
BAGSMART Carry on Weekender
2
Best Value Weekender Bag
BAGSMART Carry on Weekender
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Exterior pockets, including a water bottle holder
- Nine color options
Cons
- Thin material showed some wear and tear
Most weekender bags retail for over $100, but this affordable option from BAGSMART starts at around $35. It's made from very lightweight nylon fabric and weighs under 2 pounds, so it won't weigh you down too much if you're walking through a new city or running through the airport.
Available in nine colors and earning over 2,000 rave Amazon reviews, this popular bag has two size options, medium and large. The medium size is within most airline size limits for a personal item while the large is better suited for longer trips.
Testers were impressed with just how much they could fit in this bag. One tester said, "It's especially great for overpackers" thanks to the "super roomy interior and convenient exterior pockets." The material is on the thinner side and some testers noticed a bit of wear and tear after a long trip.
Size | 18.5" x 8.7" x 11" (Medium) and 21.3" x 8.7" x 12.6" (Large |
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Materials | Nylon |
Listed weight | 1.8 lbs |
3
Best Oversized Weekender Bag
Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe
3
Best Oversized Weekender Bag
Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe
Pros
- Large separate compartment for shoes or dirty laundry
- Fit the most in our packing tests
- Two size options
Cons
- Too big when fully packed to qualify as a personal item when flying
Overpackers, this is the bag for you. Testers and analysts were both impressed with just how much they could fit in this Lo & Sons bag. It fit the most out of all the weekender bags we tested, even multiple pairs of shoes. One tester said, "This large weekender bag makes packing and traveling easy," and another shared, "I love the thoughtful design and lightweight nature of this bag! The separate compartment felt very helpful, especially for keeping everything organized."
Because of its oversized design, this bag is best suited for car or train travel where there aren't strict size restrictions. This bag is available in both recycled polyester and canvas with two size options. Testers generally preferred the smaller size as it was still quite spacious.
When the bag was fully packed, testers noted that it was quite heavy to carry, even with the padded shoulder strap. The brand recently launched the Catalina Supreme (largest size option) and the Catalina Deluxe Tote (smaller, personal-item-sized pick).
Size | 40L, 8.5" x 18" x 16" (Small); 49L, 9" x 18.5" x 18" (Large) |
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Material | Recycled polyester or canvas |
Listed weight | 2.89 lbs (Large, canvas), 2.71 lbs (Large, polyester), 2.6 lbs (Small, canvas) and 2.26 lbs (Small, polyester) |
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4
Most Stylish Weekender Bag
Beis The Mini Weekender
4
Most Stylish Weekender Bag
Beis The Mini Weekender
Pros
- Adheres to personal item size limits
- Structured design makes it easier to pack and unload
Cons
- Zippers were tough to open and close when fully packed
Many credit the Beis weekender with starting the weekender bag trend in the first place. Available in a range of colors, this chic bag has a classic shape and thoughtful design. It features easily accessible pockets (on the interior and exterior) for added convenience when traveling.
"I like that it sits upright and that the top has structure when it opens, which makes it easier to rifle around in," shared one tester. The shoe compartment is also structured, which gives the bag a nice shape, but testers found it created a bit of wasted space as they didn't want to pack other items with their shoes. We appreciate that this bag has metal feet on the bottom to protect the base and we like the padded laptop sleeve too.
We tested both the original weekender bag and the mini version. Our testers preferred the mini size as they found the original too large for weekend trips. Plus, the mini size is compliant with airline personal item size restrictions and costs less than $100. Note that during packing tests, we found the zippers a bit finicky to open and close when the bag fully packed.
Size | 33L, 16" x 15.7" x 8" |
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Materials | Polyester canvas with vegan leather trim and polyester lining |
Listed weight | 3.4 lbs |
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Pros
- Chic, faux leather detailing
- Perfect for long weekend or week long trips
- Large, separate shoe compartment
Cons
- One tester said the crossbody strap broke
Great for all types of travel, this versatile duffel from Herschel is compact enough to use as a large weekender bag but spacious enough it could also work for a much longer trip.
It has a classic design with a 600-denier recycled polyester body and faux leather shoulder straps. The material proved to be very durable in our abrasion resistance tests in the Lab. There is a separate shoe compartment and removable crossbody strap with ample cushioning.
Ideal for long weekends or week-long trips, this bag fit everything in our carry-on suitcase packing test. One tester even said "This bag felt never-ending! I was impressed with just how much I could fit." Testers appreciated how comfortable this bag is to carry, but one tester said the crossbody strap broke; she did applaud the brand's customer service for helping her quickly with the issue.
Size | 43L, 11.75" x 20.5" x 11" |
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Materials | 600D recycled polyester with faux leather straps |
Listed weight | Not listed |
6
Most Versatile Weekender Bag
Dagne Dover Landon Neoprene Carryall Bag
6
Most Versatile Weekender Bag
Dagne Dover Landon Neoprene Carryall Bag
Pros
- Tons of organizational pockets on the interior and exterior
- Five size options
- Easy to pack and unpack, according to testers
Cons
- Neoprene material pilled a bit in our evaluations
Dagne Dover is a favorite brand among GH editors for a reason: the bags are thoughtfully designed for travel, trendy and comfortably fit everything you need.
In our packing tests, we loved how well-organized this bag was with a padded laptop sleeve, a pouch for a water bottle and an exterior phone pocket. Testers agreed with one saying, "I love how many pockets and organizational features it has. It comes with a bag for shoes and a little mesh-looking zipper bag that I actually put my chargers and stuff in, and it clips onto a string inside so it doesn't get lost at the bottom of my bag."
This pick is available in five sizes; we found that the large size is best suited for weekend trips, but the medium and extra-large sizes could also work depending on your preferences. This bag uses the brand's signature neoprene material, which we found to pill a bit after extensive use.
Size | 29L, 16.5” x 9” x 11” (Large) |
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Materials | Neoprene with mesh and recycled polyester lining |
Listed weight | 3 lbs 1 oz |
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7
Most Sturdy Weekender Bag
Away The Large Everywhere Bag
7
Most Sturdy Weekender Bag
Away The Large Everywhere Bag
Pros
- Opens like a clamshell for easy packing
- Easy to clean, water resistant materials
- Three size options
Cons
- Heavy to carry when fully packed
Ideal for business travel, this sturdy weekender bag keeps its shape even when not full. Away is a best-selling travel brand, offering top-performing carry-on suitcases that consistently ace our luggage testing. The material is water-resistant for easy cleaning after traveling. When packing, we appreciated that the bag fully opens up like a suitcase, so it's easier to place your clothes inside. The leather straps add a chic touch.
"It is easy to pack a lot more than expected because the mesh helps compress everything," said one tester. "It also has extra storage in the fronts of both sides which is great for smaller/flatter things." There is a back sleeve to conveniently place this bag on top of a rolling suitcase; testers said this was key as the bag was quite heavy to carry when fully packed. Note that the Large size would qualify as a carry-on and not a personal item when flying. There are also Small and Medium size options.
Size | 38L, 20.9" x 11.8" x 9.4" |
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Materials | Nylon and leather |
Listed weight | 3.8 lbs |
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8
Best Weekender Bag for Road Trips
Vera Bradley Performance Twill Grand Weekender Travel Bag
8
Best Weekender Bag for Road Trips
Vera Bradley Performance Twill Grand Weekender Travel Bag
Now 56% Off
Pros
- Sleek, easy to clean material
- Soft bag easily conforms to tough-to-fit spaces
- Great organizational pockets, including two side water bottle holders
Cons
- No large separate shoe compartment
Vera Bradley is well known for its classic floral and paisley duffel bags. This weekender version is more compact than the larger duffel, and it's available in both colorful and neutral shades.
This bag can easily squish into tighter, oddly shaped spaces, so you can shove in the trunk between suitcases when traveling. It features a large interior, a roomy exterior zippered pocket (which could be used for one small pair of shoes), a zippered luggage sleeve and two side water bottle holders. It's sleek and easy to wipe clean, thanks to the brand's newer performance twill material.
When traveling, one tester reported, "The fabric was soft and the construction made it easy to fit into smaller spaces. I liked the size of the bag too. It would be an easy carry-on and is the perfect size for a weekend away. The straps were also very comfortable." Testers did wish this bag included a larger separate shoe compartment.
Size | 40L, 22" x 14" x 9" |
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Materials | Polyester |
Listed weight | Not listed |
9
Most Durable Weekender Bag
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L
9
Most Durable Weekender Bag
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L
Pros
- Can be worn as both a shoulder bag and backpack
- Durable, water resistant material
- Easily packs down to a small pack for convenient storage
Cons
- Confusing to convert to a backpack, according to testers
Head on a camping trip or any outdoor adventure with this durable, best-selling pack from Patagonia. This pick can be worn as both a shoulder bag and as a backpack, which is very helpful on longer walks. It's made with 900-denier recycled polyester ripstop with a TPU-film laminate, which impressed us in the Lab for its extreme durability and water resistance.
The padded base helps prevent scuffs or damage from rocks or rougher terrain. While it's available in four sizes, the 40L option is weekender-sized while the others are better suited for longer trips. Testers were blown away with just how much they could fit in this aptly named Black Hole pack. One tester said, "I liked the mesh zipper pocket on the lid (this compartment is perfect for underwear, bathing suits, socks, etc.) and the second zippered pocket which the entire bag can fold into for storage or you can use as a compartment when using the bag."
Multiple testers reported that it was confusing to figure out how to buckle the backpack straps, but once they had them secure, it was a very helpful feature.
Size | 40L, 21" x 13.7" x 10.6" |
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Materials | 900-denier recycled polyester ripstop with a TPU-film laminate with recycled polyester lining with PU coating |
Listed weight | 2 lb 1 oz |
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10
Best Weekender Backpack
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
10
Best Weekender Backpack
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
Pros
- Clamshell opening for easy packing
- Padding on the back with both hip and sternum straps
- Testers said they fit nearly two weeks worth of clothes
Cons
- No trolley sleeve
Acing our backpack testing, this Cotopaxi backpack cinched the top spot in our best travel backpacks round-up. This backpack opens up flat like a suitcase for easy packing, and it fits an impressive amount — even more than some of the carry-on suitcases we've tested. One tester even said,"I love this backpack. It fits approximately two weeks' worth of clothes in the bag. It has an amazing number of compartments [with] structure and the overall look is fantastic."
We appreciated the padding on the back for comfort and convenience while traveling and both the hip and sternum strap for extra support. The brand is known for its bright colors, but this bag is also available in neutrals. Note that this backpack doesn't have a trolley sleeve, so it won't rest easily on top of a suitcase.
Size | 35L, 22 x 12 x 10" |
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Materials | TPU-coated 1000D polyester with nylon paneling |
Listed weight | 3 lbs 8 oz |
Emma Seymour
Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.