The Best Weekender Bags, Tested And Reviewed On Dozens Of Short Trips

Dimensions: 19 x 9.8 x 15.7 inches | Weight: 3.9 pounds | Material: Polyester | Capacity: 49 liters

Pros:

• Sophisticated yet durable exterior
• Bottom compartment keeps shoes separate
• Several helpful interior pockets

Cons:

• Heavy when filled

Béis has nailed the art of the chic and sophisticated go bag with The Weekender, which features a trusted zip top and full bottom compartment to separate your shoes and toiletries from your clothes. Its neutral color palette makes it perfect for just about any type of trip, but it also comes in a selection of other poppy colors as well. It features one large zip pocket, two slip pockets, a key leash and a removable shoulder strap.

Forbes Vetted editorial assistant Whitney Bruno and senior deals editor Kara Cuzzone have used this bag on multiple weekend trips and highly recommend it. “I was impressed by how well the outer canvas held up despite how soft it feels. The material withstood multiple subway rides and train trips without any wear and tear,” says Bruno in her full review of this bag. “I love the internal pockets as well as the spacious separate compartment at the bottom for shoes—I can normally fit two to three pairs in there,” adds Cuzzone. 

Dimensions: 18 x 7 x 11 inches | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Material: Recycled nylon | Capacity: 30 liters

Pros:

• Lightest option on our list
• Affordable

Cons:

• May not hold up as well as leather or canvas bags

This large, versatile weekender bag is well-priced for short getaways. It features four interior pockets (one of which is zippered), an adjustable shoulder strap and a trolley sleeve. It can easily fit under an airplane seat or into an overhead bin on a plane or train, and the diamond quilted nylon fabric is easy to spot clean if it gets dirty. “It survived getting jam-packed into the trunk of our car. It seems well-made, but I would worry about the nylon getting snagged if I ever had to check the bag,” says Forbes Vetted newsletter editor Ashley Dean, who tested this bag on a long weekend trip from New Orleans to Dallas.

Dimensions: 18 x 8.5 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Material: Twill nylon | Capacity: 28 liters

Pros:

• Classic, minimal design
• Extremely durable nylon fabric
• Padded laptop compartment and trolley sleeve

Cons:

• Limited color options

The July Carry All Weekender is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a streamlined, durable option. Our tester used this bag on several weekend trips and found the overall design efficient and durable. “It came with me through airports, in the subway, and on the train to New Jersey, and it held up very well,” says Forbes Vetted director of special projects Kim Peiffer. “The bag was also caught in a rainstorm in New York City, and it did not leave any visible stains from getting wet.” It’s constructed from water-resistant 420D twill nylon fabric with leather carry handles that are easy to grip. Other helpful features include a 16-inch padded laptop sleeve, trolley sleeve, internal key hook, and an easy-access external pocket for your passport and wallet.

Dimensions: 20.9 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | Weight: 3.8 pounds with shoulder strap, 3.3 pounds without | Material: Nylon with leather trim | Capacity: 38 liters

Pros:

• Spacious enough for several days
• Padded laptop sleeve

Cons:

• No separate compartment for shoes

Although Away offers several duffle bags, the Weekender bag is the largest option and can accommodate several days’ worth of belongings. Its nylon exterior is water-resistant and has a convenient trolley sleeve that attaches to your suitcase. Other clever design details include an easy-access clamshell opening, interior key clip and adjustable strap to sling it over your shoulder. “I own several weekender bags (and recently used this for a short trip to Maine this summer), but this is one of my favorites thanks to its clamshell-style opening,” says senior travel editor Astrid Taran. “It makes it so much easier to pack. I also really appreciate its padded laptop sleeve.”

Dimensions: 18 x 8.5 x 16 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Material: Canvas | Capacity: 24.1 liters

Pros:

• Spacious with plenty of pockets for smaller items
• Separate bottom compartment for shoes 
• Two materials and ten colors to choose from

Cons:

• Expensive
• Less structured than other picks

The Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe is a roomy option for those longer getaways that may require enough outfits for a few days, but not enough to bring a full suitcase. It features a messenger strap with removable padding so that your shoulder never gets sore if your bag is packed full, and the bag is made from malleable canvas, which makes it easy to roll back up into your closet when you’re done using it. Forbes Vetted updates writer Claire Epting, who has used this bag on several long trips, is a fan of its quality. “The internal pockets are very useful, and I appreciate the sturdy zippers located throughout,” she says. “The hardware feels very high quality and I'm never worried about anything snagging or snapping off.”

Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 10 inches | Weight: 4 pounds | Material: Canvas | Capacity: Not listed

Pros:

• Stylish exterior can be monogrammed
• Comfortable, adjustable shoulder strap
• Spacious interior

Cons:

• Heavy when filled
• The canvas stains fairly easily

Paravel’s Grand Tour Duffle gets top marks for its casual cool look, durability and ample packing space. It’s elegant yet laidback and can also work as a carry-on on long flights. The 20-inch by 11-inch bag is crafted from eco-friendly canvas and has vegan leather handle straps, interior and exterior pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap. I own this bag and find it to be a great option for weekend trips as it holds the perfect amount of clothing, shoes and personal items. The two interior zip pockets are incredibly spacious and the removable shoulder strap is a nice touch. It feels a bit heavier than other bags I’ve used, but I know the materials are made to last and won’t fall apart after a season.

Dimensions: 16.3 x 11 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Material: Recycled polyester | Capacity: 27 liters

Pros:

• Structured and durable exterior
• Four exterior pockets (including two water bottle pockets)
• One of the lightest options on our list

Cons:

• No separate compartment for shoes
• Limited colors

If you’re looking for a structured bag that stands on its own—making it easier to pack, unpack and transport—Antler’s Essential Overnight Bag is an excellent choice. It has an impressive number of pockets, including two end pockets for water bottles, two exterior pockets, three internal pockets and a laptop sleeve. It weighs under two pounds and can be tucked underseat when flying—the luggage sleeve also doubles as a magnetic pocket. “I traveled with this bag and loved its minimalist profile, not to mention its storage pockets,"says Forbes Vetted contributor Becky Eaton. “I especially appreciated how some of the inside pockets are mesh so you can easily see their contents.”

Dimensions: 16.5 x 9 x 11 inches | Weight: 3.1 pounds | Material: Neoprene | Capacity: 29 liters

Pros:

• Neoprene fabric is water-resistant and can be washed
• Includes a shoe bag and a mesh pouch

Cons:

• Lacks structural support

Dagne Dover’s Landon Carryall is designed with a laptop sleeve, interior pockets, a shoe bag and a mesh pouch for smaller essentials, making it perfect for weekend getaways. It’s also constructed out of premium neoprene (which is traditionally associated with wetsuits), so you can rest assured that it’s water resistant for those rainy travel days. Forbes Vetted deputy editor Kari Molvar personally tested this bag out for herself and loved it, describing it as “the perfect mid-size weekender bag for a family.”

Dimensions: 17 x 10 x 8 inches | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Material: Nylon, leather | Capacity: 24 liters

Pros:

• Slim profile fits under airplane seats
• Includes a toiletry pouch, tech organizer and shoulder strap
• Opens like a suitcase for easy access

Cons:

• May not be large enough for longer trips

The Nomad Lane v4 Bento Bag has a streamlined appearance, making it ideal for shorter trips and excursions. It opens like a suitcase, giving you better access when packing and unpacking, and the plethora of pockets keeps you organized. “The zippers, stitching and internal compartments were robust, and with the weather-resistant nylon, I never needed to worry about exposing this bag to the elements," says Forbes Vetted director of audience development Spencer Dukoff, who traveled with this bag on a weekend trip to the Newport Folk Festival. "It’s an ‘everything bag’ that’s low profile enough to make you want to use it in different situations.” Another bonus? This weekender comes with a toiletry pouch, tech organizer and shoulder strap.