Packing is easily one of the more stressful aspects of travel, but having travel bag can make the process (and subsequently lugging it all to your bus or flight) much less daunting. When your travel plans extend a long holiday weekend or less, there’s no need to bust out heavy and bulky rolling luggage — instead, reach for a weekender bag. Typically in the form of a duffle or tote (and, sometimes, a backpack), they’re much more compact than the average trolly and usually can only hold a few days’ worth of belongings or less, depending on its size.

A good weekender bag should be functional, specifically for the trip in question and your personal needs. Will you need to pack bulkier items, like sweaters and boots? Are you a habitual overpacker who needs extra room? Of course, there are a few universal characteristics that any weekender bag should have, no matter the trip in question: It should have a variety of different pockets, compartments, and dividers to keep your belongings organized and accessible; it should becrafted from a durable material that protects your things and won’t rip, tear, or wear out over time; and it should be comfortable and easy to carry because no one wants a backache after navigating the maze that is an airport terminal.

We put more than 30 of today’s top-rated weekender bags to the test to see which ones are worth the hype. We took a lot of factors into consideration when testing each bag — not only its capacity to hold all of the necessities on our list, but also its durability, portability, organizational features, and overall design and value. We also tapped a team of expert accessories designers and fashion stylists to weigh in and share their tips for choosing the right style. Whether you have an overnight business trip or three-day weekend plans, check out your best options, ahead.

Best Overall

Béis The Commuter Duffle

What We Love: It’s sleek and simple on the outside, yet its interior has organizational compartments and pockets aplenty.

What We Don’t Love: The bag has some weight to it.

We’re giving top honors to this roomy duffle bag from Béis, which is sleek on the outside and incredibly functional on the inside. For starters, it’s much more spacious than it appears — we weren’t initially sure if it would better serve a two-day trip or be able to fit enough for a long weekend away, but we found it could fit at least four days’ worth of necessities.

Where this bag really shines is its organizational features. On the outside, it keeps things simple with a single zippered pocket and simple slip pockets on the remaining sides, while the inside has a total of five pockets (one zippered, two mesh, and two elastic), a velcro padded laptop pocket that can fit up to a 15-inch laptop on top of its capacious main compartment, and a luggage handle sleeve longer. Regarding its durability, we found that the design was top-notch quality and never once worried the nylon body could rip — we even dropped it four times and found that there was no damage whatsoever — and found the webbing along the inner pockets to be impressively heavy duty. Moreover, since most of the bag is nylon, it comes with a much more reasonable price tag than its leather counterparts.

Overall, we were super pleased with this duffle, our only qualm being that the bag itself, empty, is on the heavier side. But even though we found it slightly cumbersome at times, it’s still comfortable to carry thanks to the webbed, padded shoulder strap, so the extra weight was in no way a dealbreaker.

Material: Nylon body, polyurethane trim, polyester lining | Dimensions: 21 (L) x 8 (W) x 11.5 (H) inches | Capacity: 24.22 L | Other features: Adjustable/removable padded strap, 4 exterior pockets, 5 interior pockets, luggage handle sleeve, laptop pocket with velcro closure

Best with Compartments

Lo & Sons Catalina Supreme

What We Love: It boasts plenty of thoughtful organizational compartments, like customizable velcro dividers and a bottom pocket.

What We Don’t Love: The extra-large design can be a little awkward to carry.

If you’re going away for a longer period — think four days or more — a bag that’s spacious and has ample organization features will be your best friend, ensuring your things stay neat, orderly, and easy to find (nobody wants to dig through multiple days of outfits just to find their toothbrush). This luxe multifunctional bag from Lo & Sons is exactly that, boasting so. Many. Compartments.

In addition to a litany of interior pockets and an exterior 16-inch laptop sleeve, we appreciated the thoughtful expandable bottom pocket, which is ideal for storing things we’d want to keep separate, like shoes. Another boon is the customizable padded divider, which allowed us to adjust the interior compartment sizing to fit our needs. The one thing to keep in mind is that, given its spacious interior and many pocket organizers, the bag is big. While this deems it extra useful for longer trips, we found that, at times, it is somewhat awkward — even tiring — to carry. Still, the shoulder strap with adjustable padding makes for comfortable wear, so we didn’t experience any digging or achy shoulders, even when we did stuff it.

At $350, this bag is a bit pricey, and frankly, we think it’s a little steep for what you get. But if you’re an organization buff (or a Virgo) willing to splurge a little, this is the bag for you.

Material: Recycled polyester exterior, cactus leather handles | Dimensions: 19.7 (L) x 9.5 (W) 15.5 (H) inches | Capacity: 27.9 L | Other Features: One adjustable/removable padded strap, exterior laptop pocket, one multi-purpose exterior strap, expandable bottom compartment, luggage handle sleeve, multiple interior pockets

Best Leather

Quince Triple Compartment Weekender

What We Love: It doesn’t look like a weekender, but rather an oversized purse.

What We Don’t Love: Some pockets are too narrow or unequipped to organize small items.

Your weekender bag doesn’t *just* need to be a vessel for carrying all of your vacation needs — it can be just as stylish as the rest of your accessories, too. One of the things we really loved about this leather weekender is that, well, it doesn’t look like a weekender, but rather a sleek oversized purse. It’s constructed with beautiful Italian leather that we found to be quite durable — we dropped it three times, and it showed no damage or scratches whatsoever. It’s “heavy” in a way that a quality leather bag would be, but it was still comfortable to carry up and down the stairs.

It’s the perfect size for a two-day getaway, and its many compartments and pockets help keep things separated (though some of them are too narrow, and there weren’t enough options for small items like keys). At the same time, we’d need something a bit more spacious for longer trips or winter getaways where we’d be packing bulkier clothing.

Overall, it’s one of the more expensive bags on this list, but we were impressed enough to deem it worth its over-$200 price tag.

Material: Italian leather body, cotton twill lining | Dimensions: 20.5 (L) x 6.5 (W) x 13 (H) inches | Capacity: Not listed | Other Features: 3 zipper compartments, center compartment with 3 slip pockets and one zip pocket, luggage handle sleeve

Best Expandable

Longchamp Le Pliage 21-Inch Expandable Travel Bag

What We Love: It’s super roomy, and when fully expanded, it could fit enough for a four-day trip or more.

What We Don’t Love: It’s lacking organizers and pockets.

Weekender bags that can expand are super handy, allowing you to use them for a multitude of travel situations, whether a 48-hour work trip or skipping town for a few days with friends. That’s where Longchamp’s Le Pliage 21-inch expandable bag comes in (which, yes, is essentially a giant version of the iconic, celeb-loved tote).

This bag is spacious. We found that when the middle section was unzipped and the bag was fully expanded,there was more than enough room for everything we needed for a four-day trip. When it’s zipped up to its smallest size, it was the perfect size for a two-day trip. It’s made from that same durable, water-resistant nylon we all know and love, keeping things nice and light despite its size. It comes with a removable shoulder strap, but we also appreciate that the top handles are large enough to squeeze our arms through to wear on our shoulders.

It’s pricey, but we can attest to the brand’s totes holding up for years, so we think it’s a worthy investment given its longevity and durability. Plus, you’re basically getting two bags in one — what’s not to love? The only thing we think can be improved is its lack of organizers and pockets — it’s essentially one giant compartment with one small interior pocket, so we recommend investing in some packing cubes if you like to keep things needed and orderly.

Material: Water-resistant nylon body; leather trim and handles | Dimensions: 17.75 (L) x 9 (W) x 20.5 (H) inches | Capacity: XL | Other Features: Adjustable/removable strap, interior wall pocket, water-resistant lining

Best Splurge

Rothy’s The Weekender

What We Love: It’s spacious, stylish, and machine washable.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have an exterior pocket.

If we’re going to shell out on a weekender bag, it needs to be durable, functional, and a style we’d want to show off. This travel bag from Rothys is just that: It’s clean and minimalist on the outside, crafted from the brand’s sturdy signature recycled plastic (and machine-washable!) knit, and the interior is designed with multiple compartments and pockets to keep our goods organized.

We found it to be the perfect size — it’s large, but not so large that it's cumbersome, and we could easily pack it with several days’ worth of necessities, so long as we don’t need to pack anything overly bulky. The thick, structured fabric did a great job at keeping our belongings protected even through a drop test, but even empty, it has some weight. The adjustable shoulder strap allowed for comfortable carrying when walking short distances — however, anything longer than 10–15 minutes would start to feel too heavy.

Overall, we scored this bag high, but if there were one thing we could change, we’d add an exterior zippered pocket for easy access to our phones, keys, and wallets.

Material: Recycled plastic | Dimensions: 21.5 (L) x 8.9 (W) x 13.8 (H) inches | Capacity: Not listed | Other Features: Double-zipper top closure, padded handles, adjustable/removable shoulder strap, 1 magnetic side compartment with interior zipper pocket, 1 zipper side compartment for laptop

Best Small

Calpak Luka Duffel Bag

What We Love: It’s compact yet surprisingly roomy.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have a laptop sleeve.

For shorter trips — or longer vacations that require packing nothing more than a couple of bikinis and a bottle of SPF — you don’t need to go overboard with an oversized weekender. This duffle from Calpak is ideal for such occasions, fitting all items on our list for a two-day getaway.

It’s designed with eight pockets (interior and exterior), which help simplify the packing process, and even has an exterior shoe compartment with room for two pairs of shoes (or one pair of boots). The luggage handle sleeve also makes it convenient for plopping on top of your carry-on roller bag as your personal item (yep, it’s that small). The bag is also extremely light, making it easy to grab on the go. We wouldn’t go as far as to say the water-resistant polyester is more durable than other bags we’ve tried, but it passed the drop test with flying colors, keeping our belongings protected and not showing any signs of outer damage. It can be worn multiple ways thanks to shoulder straps and a removable crossbody strap — though we think the shoulder straps are ten times more comfortable.

Overall, we think it’s a great bag, but we wouldn’t mind if it also included a padded laptop sleeve. Ringing in at under $150, it’s one of the more affordable options out there, but given the material, we expected the price to be even lower.

Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 16 (L) x 7 (W) x 12 (H) inches | Capacity: 22 L | Other Features: Adjustable/removable strap,8 pockets (interior and exterior), shoe compartment, luggage handle sleeve

Best Canvas

Mark & Graham Beckett Waxed Canvas and Leather Weekender

What We Love: It’s lightweight yet durable and functional.

What We Don’t Love: It could use more interior organizers.

Canvas is another popular material used in travel bags due to its durability and the fact that it’s not as heavy as leather. This bag from Mark & Graham provides the best of both worlds: a lightweight waxed canvas body with leather trims that lend a sense of luxury.

One of the first things we noticed is that the wax coating isn’t solely for aesthetic purposes; it also adds an extra layer of durability to the design. It held up well throughout our various tests, and the waxed surface prevented any wear and tear from showing, making it well worth its price tag.

It’s also comfortable — in fact, we thought it was more comfortable than nylon. Despite packing it with a few days’ worth of stuff (which fit perfectly, mind you), its thick canvas straps make carrying easy, and we’d think it’s important to particularly call out how comfortable the longer strap was for our shoulders and how well it wore on a shorter torso. This bag could easily be carried through the airport all day with ease, in our opinion.

We also love the look of this bag — it’s something that a “chic Indiana Jones” might carry; it feels both adventurous and professional with a masculine vibe. While we wouldn’t be mad if it had more interior organizers like a shoe compartment, overall, it’s a solid bag that served us well.

Material: Waxed canvas and leather body; cotton twill interior; brass hardware | Dimensions: 21 (L) x 10 (W) x 12 (H)  inches | Capacity: Not listed | Other Features: Removable padded strap, interior and exterior zipper pockets, interior padded laptop sleeve

Best Minimalist

Monos Metro Carry-All Duffel

What We Love: Sleek in design, it’s surprisingly deep and spacious.

What We Don’t Love: The shoulder strap is somewhat flimsy.

For a bag that seamlessly blends into your travel ensemble, we’re big fans of this minimalist duffle from Monos. It’s roomy enough for an extended weekend trip, yet portable —it’s sturdy and maintains its rigid shape when empty, but it’s not at all heavy. The bag’s rounded silhouette and top zipper create a wide opening that makes packing a breeze, while interior pockets make its large main compartment easy to keep organized. The exterior features a luggage sleeve that can convert into a sleeve pocket, which we found to be really convenient, and we appreciated the spacious button pockets that can be found on each end of the bag.

From a durability standpoint, the bag itself is of superior quality. The faux leather material is thick and substantial yet flexible enough for comfortable wear, and after multiple tests, there were no signs of any wear or damage. The area that needs some improvement is its shoulder strap — it didn’t feel as high quality as the rest of the bag, and it seemed to have slightly frayed during the testing period, leaving us curious how much of a problem it would become over time with more use. Still, we found this bag to be elegant, high-quality, and worthy of its luxury-leaning price tag.

Material: Vegan leather body, cotton twill lining | Dimensions: 20 (L) x 10.4 (W) x 12 (H)  inches | Capacity: 27.3 L | Other Features: Two-way zipper closure, 16-inch laptop compartment, interior zipper pocket, tech sleeve pockets, water bottle pocket, exterior magnetic pockets, luggage handle sleeve

Best Extra-Large

Bellroy Classic Weekender 45L

What We Love: It’s huge but not at all heavy.

What We Don’t Love: We wish the removable strap didn’t clip diagonally across the zipper and the bag clips were sturdier.

Sometimes, you need to pack a lot for a short trip, whether you’re traveling to a cold destination requiring many layers or your itinerary is filled with different events and activities involving multiple outfit changes. That’s where this extra-large duffel comes in — it may look unsophisticated at first glance, but it’s actually quite impressive.

For starters, it’s huge. We packed enough for a four-day trip — including two pairs of shoes — and still had plenty of room to spare. While its spacious interior didn’t include as many organizers as other bags on this list, the large exterior zipper pocket, two inner pouches, and small interior compartment made it easy to access important items, no matter how stuffed the bag was.

Despite its generous 45L capacity, it was still incredibly comfortable to carry. We noticed that larger bags tend to feel bulky and heavy when carried crossbody, but we were impressed by how lightweight and comfortable this bag was. The recycled polyester body kept our belongings safe and showed no signs of wear and tear after the testing period, though we wish the strap clips were made from metal rather than plastic, ensuring stronger durability. For under $200, this bag is a reasonable option for chronic overpackers and others with lengthier packing lists.

Material: Recycled PET plastic polyester | Dimensions: 650 (L) x 380 (W) x 400 (H) millimeters | Capacity: 45 L | Other Features: Removable padded strap, external key-clip pocket, internal slip pockets, internal AirTag pocket, raised mesh zip pocket for valuables, luggage handle sleeve

Best Convertible

Dagne Dover Lagos Convertible Duffle Bag

What We Love: This duffle-backpack hybrid contains so many pockets and compartments for organized packing.

What We Don’t Love: It comes in medium and large, and we wish it came in a small option.

There’s a lot to love about this sturdy duffle bag, which earned a perfect score across all categories. For one, it’s designed with plenty of organization features — think multiple interior and exterior pockets (some with pockets within pockets!), a laptop sleeve, a removable shoe bag, and various liners and straps to hang other items via carabiners. It’s also extremely durable, protecting our stuff and itself through numerous drop tests; we have good reason to believe it would last a decade of regular use with no issues.

What makes this bag stand out is its convertible features. While it comes with the usual top handles and removable crossbody strap you’ll find with most weekenders, it also boasts removable padded backpack straps (which are easily packed into their own little zippered pockets), a boon for when it’s filled with heavier goods or we’re on the run.

Ringing in at just over $300, it’s not the most budget-friendly option, but given its size, durability, convertibility, and sheer amount of organizational features, it’s well worth the price. It’s by no means a simple design, but we think it makes the perfect bag for the frequent traveler who needs to stay organized.

Material: Recycled 900D polyester body, Repreve recycled polyester lining, color-plated zinc alloy hardware | Dimensions: 16 (L) x 11 (W) x 11 (H) inches | Capacity: 32 L | Other Features: Adjustable/removable crossbody strap, detachable padded neoprene strap wrap, padded backpack straps, detachable key leash, 13-inch laptop sleeve, shoe compartment, multiple interior and exterior pockets, luggage handle sleeve

Best Personal Item

July Carry All Weekender

What We Love: It’s durable, functional, and will fit underneath the standard economy seat.

What We Don’t Love: It could use more organizers.

Another bag we felt deserved high marks this carry-all from buzzy travel brand July. Not all weekender bags are compact enough to fit the general airline standards for personal items, so we appreciate that this bag fits those dimensions — a major plus for frequent flyers. Sleek and stylish, it’s a welcomed addition to our airport ‘fits, too.

From a design perspective, it’s a very functional bag. Crafted from a quality nylon twill, it passed all durability tests, and we think that even if it did get scuffed or dirty, it would be easy to wipe clean. The padded shoulder strap and leather-lined tote straps are comfortable for over-the-shoulder carrying, and the luggage sleeve makes it easy to stack on top of our carry-on rollers.

While we wouldn’t mind a few additional pockets and compartments for organizing, we think it’s a versatile bag adept for multiple modes of transportation, flights included — and well worth the $200 price tag. Remember, this is a personal item-sized bag, so you’re not going to squeeze in more than a couple of days’ worth of belongings. We found that it was best for an overnight trip, a two-night trip at the most; it was somewhat hard to zipper shut after with all our items packed.

Material: Twill nylon body; leather handles and trims | Dimensions: 18 (L) x 8.5 (W) x 10.5 (H) inches | Capacity: 28L | Other Features: Adjustable/removable shoulder strap, exterior zip pocket with two internal compartments, internal dividers and zipped pockets, 16-inch padded laptop pocket, luggage handle sleeve, external D-rings for attachments

Best Duffle

Aer Travel Weekender

What We Love: It has a timeless utilitarian appeal.

What We Don’t Love: It’s not as lightweight as some other options on this list.

This weekender is a solid option for longer trips: The medium-sized bag easily fits all items on our four-day packing list with some room to spare. We credit this in part to its loads of organization features.

In addition to a spacious main cavity, it also includes a reasonably sized front pocket, a back laptop compartment, and plenty of smaller pockets and compartments in between. We found it comfortable to carry short distances thanks to cushioned straps, but it does get pretty heavy when packed to the brim, and it would probably start to get uncomfortable over long periods. In terms of durability, it’s pretty solid; there were no signs of wear and tear after we dropped it several times.

While it isn’t the most style-forward option — it’s pretty no-frills on the aesthetics front — we think it’d serve those with a utilitarian ethos pretty well. After all, it’s high-quality, sturdy, and versatile in its simplicity, making for a great value overall.

Material: 680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior, soft woven lining, Duraflex plastic hardware | Dimensions: 19.5 (L) x 9 (W) x 12 (H) | Capacity: 35 L | Other Features: 16-inch padded laptop pocket, a back pocket, two water bottle pockets, shoulder strap, luggage handle sleeve, lockable zippers

What To Keep In Mind

• Durability: What your weekender bag is made of will not only play into its look and feel, but also its functionality — how durable it is, how heavy it is when packed, and how easily it can squeeze under a plane seat or the jam-packed trunk of a car. Common weekend bag materials include nylon, neoprene, leather, canvas, and polyester, explains fashion stylist Audree Kate López. If you want a resilient, lightweight, and water-resistant bag you can clean easily and store away when you’re not using, accessories design consultant Neerja Jindal considers nylon your best option. Personal stylist Desiree Miranda is partial to neoprene for its softness, water resistance, and ability to hold its shape over time. Leather has a luxe look and feel and is quite durable, but it’s not waterproof and can’t always be squeezed into tight spaces like nylon or neoprene. Canvas is another hardwearing option, and we love that Mark & Graham’s Canvas Beckett Weekender adds an extra layer of durability with a wax coating.
• Size and Capacity: Next, you’ll want to ensure your bag is large and spacious enough to fit all your things, which will vary based on factors like where you’re headed and how long you’ll be there. A good rule of thumb? “It should be able to carry all travel-related essentials for 24-48 hours,” says Jindal. While dimensions matter here, depth and capacity are the most important. “I find that some bags are too narrow or not flexible enough to stuff everything in, so you want to make sure the space of the actual bag actually suits your needs,” López says.
• Organizational Compartments: The experts agree that the more pockets, compartments, and other organizational features, the better. Outer slip and zippered pockets are great for quick, easy access to important items — think grabbing for your passport as you approach the TSA agent — while inner compartments and dividers will make the packing, unpacking, and repacking process much easier. Elizabeth Money, Senior Vice President of Brand and Creative at BÉIS, recommends looking for products that feature details like padded laptop pockets and key leashes to keep your belongings neat and accessible. (The BÉIS The Commuter Duffle and Lo & Sons The Catalina Supreme are two bags designed with a litany of organizers.)
• Padded Handles and Straps: Many weekender bag styles come with two strap options: top handles for carrying by hand and a longer shoulder strap for when you need to be hands-free. When you’re running through the train station or simply lugging your bag up a few flights of stairs, the shoulder strap will come in handy — but the heavier your bag, the more likely it is to cause shoulder pain. Padded straps will ensure they don’t dig, no matter how many pairs of shoes you’ve stuffed into your bag. Look for padded top handles, too, notes Jindal: “A fully-loaded bag can end up weighing quite a bit, so soft and padded grab handles will help prevent pain.” The many straps on the Dagne Dover Large Lagos Convertible Duffle are padded, allowing for comfortable carrying, whether worn over your shoulder or as a backpack.
• Ease of Use: A weekender bag is for more than just a short road trip. All four experts consider a luggage handle sleeve a non-negotiable for air travel. “This is one of the most important features, in my opinion, given that most people have a trolley bag and use a weekender as cabin luggage,” says Jindal. “Carrying both separately can be painful; with this feature, the luggage is not only a breeze to carry but is compact as one piece.” (CALPAK’s Luka Duffel is among the many on our list with this feature.)
  

Your Questions, Answered

How big should a weekender bag be?

“In general, it should be big enough to hold all of your essentials for a short trip away, yet small enough to throw over your shoulder if need be,” says Miranda. “The ideal dimensions would be around 16 inches long, 9 inches wide, and 11 inches high.” Of course, how big of a weekender bag you’ll need will depend on where you’re going, how long you’re going for, and what kind of clothing and accessories you’ll need to pack — you’ll need more room for bulky sweaters than you will for skimpy bikinis.

Some folks who tend to overpack may lean towards larger bags, but if you do, López recommends ensuring it’s no larger than a carry-on suitcase. “This way, you can use it when traveling by plane,” she says. “A standard carry-on is 22–24 inches long, 14–16 inches wide, and 9–11 inches high.”

Can a weekender bag be used as your personal item on a flight?

Yes, it can, depending on the dimensions of your bag, says López. You’ll first want to confirm the exact dimensions of your bag and then double-check the allotted dimensions and weight considered personal by the airline you’re flying. A good rule of thumb is to keep it 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches high or lower. Dimensions aside, it’ll need to fit underneath the seat in front of you, which is where material comes into play. “The softer and less structured the bag, the more likely it’ll be able to fit,” says Miranda. López says you might still get away with taking a structured leather or canvas bag, but it might not fit as easily (and you don’t want to risk permanently changing its shape).

How do you pack a weekender bag?

Just like packing your roller luggage can constitute a game of Tetris, so can packing your weekender bag. Given that weekender bags are less structured than hard luggage, you’ll want to be extra careful about the order in which you pack things — not just for accessibility purposes, but to keep your things protected from getting squished or crushed, too. “If your weekend bag is the only bag you’re bringing, the best way to start is by adding one or two pairs of shoes [your heaviest items] on the bottom,” says Miranda. “Next, add the two or three outfits you’ll need, followed by essential toiletries on top. If you’re using it as a personal item on your flight, I suggest packing everything you’ll need easy access to while traveling — a book, snacks, laptop, etc.”

Why Shop With Us

Jenna Igneri is a freelance writer who has been working in fashion and beauty media for over a decade. For this story, she compiled insights from InStyle in-house testers and read through online reviews to narrow down our top picks. She also tapped the below accessories experts for further insights.

• Audree Kate López is a fashion stylist.
• Neerja Jindal is an accessories design, material, and manufacturing consultant.
• Desiree Miranda is a personal stylist and Miranda New York founder.
• Elizabeth Money is the Senior Vice President of Brand and Creative at BÉIS.