We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Lifestyle Travel The 12 Best Weekender Bags We Tested for Every Style and Budget The Large Everywhere Bag from Away stole the show By Alyssa Brascia, Alyssa Brascia Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer for PEOPLE with two years of experience in the digital media industry. Her expertise lies in the realm of fashion and beauty, where she covers the best products that your wardrobe and makeup vanity need like the best lip oils, boyfriend jeans, workout sets, ballet flats, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Cai Cramer, Cai Cramer Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products. People Editorial Guidelines and Jordana Comiter Jordana Comiter Jordana Comiter is a Timely Evergreen Writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2024. Her work has previously appeared in Women’s Health Magazine, PopSugar, VeryWell Mind, Business Insider and The Chicago Reader. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 4, 2024 11:00AM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Know Behind the Scenes Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Conor Ralph A weekender bag is the ideal solution when a large suitcase seems unmanageable for a weekend escape. Whether you’re someone who jetsets frequently or takes a road trip here and there, it’s helpful to have a bag that bridges the gap between suitcase and travel backpack for trips that require just a few days of outfit changes. Celebrities like actress Shay Mitchell have even come out with luggage lines to accommodate this type of travel (and do it in style). The ideal weekender bag has many features such as customizable compartments and laptop sleeves. And with so many types of weekender bags on the market, we decided to put a handful of them to the test. Evaluating 34 bags based on capacity, design, portability, and more, we found 12 winners worthy of being taken on your next weekend away. Here are the best weekender bags that PEOPLE Tested. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Away Everywhere Bag at Awaytravel.com $245 Jump to Review Best Overall (Cheaper): Calpak Luka Duffel Bag at Calpaktravel.com Jump to Review Best Budget: SALE HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag at Amazon $30 $17 Jump to Review Best Durability: Bagsmart Carry on Weekender Overnight Bag at Amazon $34 Jump to Review Best Compartments: Béis The Weekender at Nordstrom $108 Jump to Review Most Spacious: SALE Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag at Amazon $225 $159 Jump to Review Best Convertible: Béis The Convertible Weekender at Beistravel.com Jump to Review Best Design: Nex Adventure Duffel at Meetnex.com Jump to Review Best Carry-On: Bellroy Weekender Plus at Amazon $179 Jump to Review Best Leather: Leatherology Kessler Large Duffle at Amazon $430 Jump to Review Best Overall Away Everywhere Bag PHOTO: Away $245 at Awaytravel.com Star Qualities Full of pockets and compartments Can fit enough clothing for four to five days Red Flags The shoulder strap was a bit hard to situate If you're looking for Away luggage, this sleek bag from Away earned a perfect score through all of our testing. The luxurious nylon and leather bag is outfitted with a detachable shoulder strap, interior and exterior pockets, and a trolley sleeve to easily slide over your suitcase handles and glide through the airport. We loved the wrap-around zipper that allows the bag to fall open when packing. The clamshell style resembles a suitcase and helps keep things organized. Its basic yet stylish design allows this bag to be used for much more than travel. We think you could bring this into the office or on your next vacation, and no one would even know it's a suitcase. While the shoulder strap was sometimes a bit uncooperative, we were impressed by how comfortable the padding was even when the bag was weighed down with clothes and shoes. After acing each test for capacity, design, portability, and more, it’s not hard to see why the Away bag was our best weekend bag overall. Sizes: Medium, large | Material: Nylon, leather | Dimensions: 20.9 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | Capacity: 38 liters | Weight: 3.8 pounds with shoulder strap / 3.3 pounds without | Water-Resistant: Yes | Laptop Sleeve: Yes, 15 inch | Trolley Sleeve: Yes PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph Best Overall (Cheaper) Calpak Luka Duffel Bag PHOTO: Calpak View on Calpaktravel.com $158 at The Container Store View on Net-a-Porter Star Qualities Water-resistant and scratch-resistant material Bottom zippered section that can hold shoes and bulky items Red Flags Overstuffing the bag can affect the ease of the trolley strap The Calpak Luka Duffel can seamlessly serve as a work, gym, travel, or everyday bag, with versatile color options and sizes — so you can tailor it perfectly to complement your lifestyle. It’s spacious, with multiple inner compartments, but the real star is the bottom zippered section that holds shoes, books, and other bulky items (like that Dyson Airwrap that didn’t make the cut in your last backpack). Beyond the inner pockets, we also found a hidden zippered compartment, ideal for protecting your passport and valuables. The bag has a shoulder strap and handles for carrying, along with a trolley sleeve that easily attaches to the back of your rolling suitcase for convenience. The bag has proven durable and comfortable on over eight trips, including two international journeys. Its buttery smooth, water-resistant material resists dirt and wipes clean with ease. Editors Say “I never have enough good things to say about the Calpak Luka Duffel. This bag is stylish, highly functional, and built to last. It’s traveled with me to Greece, Iceland, and many weekend destinations in the U.S., and it never disappoints.”—Madison Yauger, shopping editor Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 12 x 16 x 8 inches | Capacity: 25 liters | Weight: 2 pounds | Water-Resistant: Yes | Laptop Sleeve: Yes | Trolley Sleeve: Yes PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Best Budget HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag PHOTO: Amazon $30 $17 at Amazon Star Qualities Has the perks of a more expensive bag at a much more attractive price Built-in zippered wet pouch Red Flags Slightly smaller than the others on this list This duffel from Amazon has all you could want in a weekender bag. Complete with weather-resistant fabric, a wet pouch for toiletries or bathing suits, a crossbody strap, a trolley sleeve, and more, this budget-friendly bag is a one-stop shop for all your travel needs. We were able to fit two pairs of pants, multiple shirts, a jacket, shoes, and toiletry bag inside with just enough room to spare. Throughout the testing process, the outer snap closures did tend to pop open, but luckily these just cover the exterior zippers, so you don’t have to worry about losing precious cargo. In all, we would recommend this product to anyone looking for a moderately priced and attractive bag that’s great for a quick trip. Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 10.63 x 21.65 x 7.09 inches | Capacity: 30 liters | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Water-Resistant: Yes | Laptop Sleeve: Yes, size not found | Trolley Sleeve: Yes People / Conor Ralph Best Durability Bagsmart Carry on Weekender Overnight Bag PHOTO: Amazon $34 at Amazon Star Qualities Extensive pockets help you stay organized Can easily be thrown in the wash Red Flags Diagonal placement of the shoulder straps makes it slightly uncomfortable and awkward to carry when not using the handles When you're commuting via airports, cars, and subways, you want a bag that can endure daily wear and unpredictable conditions. That’s exactly what we found in the Bagsmart Weekender, which proved its durability time and time again, even after nine months of use. Made with tough nylon fabric, the Bagsmart Weekender easily withstands wear and tear. Plus, if it gets dirty from sitting on an airport floor, you can simply toss it in the wash (just hang it to dry). In addition to its durable exterior, the utility of this bag also sets it apart from its peers. With extensive pockets — including three external, four internal, and a laptop sleeve — it easily keeps items sorted through all of the travel chaos. These pockets conveniently have an elastic strap tucked inside which kept our water bottle securely in place during airport sprints. And if you’re using it as a gym bag, it also has a removable Velcro strap that can secure a yoga mat. Bonus: It’s one of the cheapest bags we’ve found. Editors Say “Gone are the days of searching for my headphones and chapstick at the bottom of an unorganized bag!”—Genevieve Cepeda, shopping writer Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 18.5 x 8.7 x 11 inches | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Water-Resistant: Yes | Laptop Sleeve: Yes, 15.6 inch | Trolley Sleeve: Yes PHOTO: People / Genevieve Cepeda PHOTO: People / Genevieve Cepeda PHOTO: People / Genevieve Cepeda PHOTO: People / Genevieve Cepeda PHOTO: People / Genevieve Cepeda Best Compartments Béis The Weekender PHOTO: Beis $108 at Nordstrom View on Beistravel.com $92 at Revolve Star Qualities The bottom compartment is a shoe lover’s dream Stands on its own for easy packing Red Flags Can dent and scuff if you drop it We’re always a fan of celebrity brands here at PEOPLE, but Shay Mitchell’s luggage brand, BÉIS, is truly something else. Aside from its celebrity owner, the famous Weekender is known for its many handy compartments on the interior, such as a laptop sleeve and several side pockets, as well as zippers on the outside that are subtly placed and even double as a trolley sleeve. But the best part yet is the innovative bottom compartment, a separate part of the bag that zips open to unearth a shoe holder for all of the footwear lovers out there. We loved so much about this bag: It's spacious, stands on its own, and has tons of pockets. Though the bag did scuff easily during the drop test, we still felt that the bag was worth the money due to its innovative design and major organizational functions. Material: Polyester with vegan leather trim | Dimensions: 19 x 10 x 16 inches | Capacity: 49 liters | Weight: 3.86 pounds | Water-Resistant: No | Laptop Sleeve: Yes, 13 inch | Trolley Sleeve: Yes PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson Most Spacious Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag PHOTO: Patagonia $225 $159 at Amazon View on Patagonia.com $159 at Backcountry.com Star Qualities Padded, removable shoulder straps let you carry it like a backpack Durable and weather-resistant Red Flags Couldn’t find any The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel has traveled with our editor for over eight months, and with its seemingly limitless capacity, it lives up to its name. It’s ideal when you're short on bag space and need to maximize the capacity of your weekender. Despite its impressive expandability, the duffel folds into its own pocket for neat, space-saving storage in your closet. Removable shoulder straps instantly convert it into a backpack, ideal for both quick weekend getaways and extended hiking trips. It also proved durable, thanks to its padded base that protects the continents of the duffel from rough terrain and harsh impacts. Editors Say “The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel truly feels like a Mary Poppins bag — the capacity feels endless.”—Kayla Kitts, shopping editor Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 19.7 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches | Capacity: 40 liters | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Water-Resistant: Yes | Laptop Sleeve: No | Trolley Sleeve: No PHOTO: People / Nick Kova PHOTO: People / Nick Kova Best Convertible Béis The Convertible Weekender PHOTO: Beis View on Beistravel.com Star Qualities Bottom compartment zips off and becomes a separate smaller bag, which we think is the perfect place to store dirty laundry during a trip Main compartment is large and well organized with plenty of pockets to sort your items Red Flags Slightly difficult to zip the removable compartment back onto the bag, especially if it’s full If you loved the original Weekender bag from Beis as much as we did, then you’ll love the latest iteration. The interior of this bag is large and impressive. We could easily fit our entire packing list in the Convertible Weekender, and stored a pair of shoes and a toiletry bag in the bottom compartment. The bottom compartment can be entirely removed and used as a separate small bag (a great way to store dirty clothes mid vacay). The bag also comes with a removable laptop sleeve and multiple internal and external pockets that helped us stay organized. As easy as it was to unzip the bottom compartment, we had a challenging time reattaching the compartment after we were done, but we did eventually get it zipped back in place. But, for a comparably reasonable price, this bag still manages to feel luxurious and versatile. Material: Polyester with vegan leather trim | Dimensions: 19 x 10 x 16 inches | Capacity: 49 liters | Weight: 3.86 pounds | Water-Resistant: No | Laptop Sleeve: Yes, 15 inch | Trolley Sleeve: Yes PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson The 17 Best Work Bags for Women, According to Our Editors Best Design Nex Adventure Duffel PHOTO: Nex View on Meetnex.com Star Qualities Microfiber leather is water- and dirt-resistant Padded handles for easy and comfortable carrying Red Flags Limited external pockets The Nex Adventure Duffel offers durability without compromising on style. Its microfiber leather construction resists water and dirt while maintaining its sleek appearance. It has no visible external pockets which helps it exude the minimalist elegance we dream of in any accessory. The duffel has functional interior pockets, including a dedicated AirTag compartment, and discrete exterior pockets for quick access to essentials like your wallet and keys. We easily packed our laptop, travel-size toiletries, a pair of shoes, and a few outfits before slinging the bag over our shoulder and heading out the door. (The bag earned numerous compliments on our journey, too.) While the bag might be considered small by some — it’s larger than a commuter bag but smaller than the brand’s official weekender bag — we found it to be a good size, offering a balance of convenience and sophistication for everyday use. Editors Say “I’ve received compliments every time I’ve traveled with this bag, which is always nice, too.”—Erin Johnson, associate shopping director Material: Microfiber leather | Dimensions: 17.7 x 7.6 x 12.2 inches | Weight: 3.11 pounds | Water-Resistant: Yes | Laptop Sleeve: Yes, 15 inch | Trolley Sleeve: Yes PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson Best Carry-On Bellroy Weekender Plus PHOTO: Amazon $179 at Amazon View on Publiclands.com Star Qualities Could fit twice the amount of clothes that we tested with Abundance of smart pockets to keep things organized Red Flags Leather straps make it uncomfortable to have on your shoulder for too long Another one of our favorites was the Bellroy Weekender Plus, a spacious bag made from eco-friendly materials. With multiple interior and exterior compartments, it’s easy to store toiletries in the deep outer pockets of the bag to allow for maximum packing room on the inside. A few unique features: an inner water bottle holder, an internal ‘tool belt’ for miscellaneous supplies, and a padded laptop case for a 13-inch computer or tablet. We could fit twice the amount of clothes we had on our test packing list — a solid option if you only want to travel with a carry-on bag. The Bellroy bag is admired for having a durable exterior, but this can also cause some discomfort when carrying the bag for too long. The carry handles are leather and not padded, so they may feel a little uncomfortable over time if your bag is fully packed and heavy. But we still think this bag is well worth the price, as this product will stand the test of time. Material: Recycled nylon, leather | Dimensions: 15.75 x 24.8 x 9.45 inches | Capacity: 45 liters | Weight: 3.1 pounds | Water-resistant: Yes | Laptop sleeve: Yes, 13 inch | Trolley sleeve: Yes PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph Best Leather Leatherology Kessler Large Duffle $430 at Amazon View on Leatherology.com Star Qualities Will never go out of style thanks to its timeless genuine leather fabric A hand-painted or debossed monogram can be added to the bag Red Flags Can get very big when overpacked, potentially making it hard to walk around with Complete with three interior pockets plus a large exterior pocket, an adjustable shoulder strap, and nickel hardware, this Leatherology bag was made with premium leather and sustainable cotton to ensure that it will last for years to come. Our first impression when getting to know this bag was that it can hold much more than it appears to. It held everything on the packing list with room for more, especially if you’re a tidy packer or use packing cubes. The only problem with being able to pack a lot is having a bigger bag which can feel cumbersome to carry for long distances, especially if the bag is full. Overall, we love the look and feel of this bag, and we think it’s moderately priced for the luxury leather finishes compared to other premium weekenders. Material: Full grain leather | Dimensions: 14.2 x 25.6 x 12 inches | Capacity: 30 liters | Weight: 8.36 pounds | Water-Resistant: No | Laptop Sleeve: No | Trolley Sleeve: No PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph PHOTO: People / Nick Kova Best Weatherproof Peak Design Travel Duffel $140 at Amazon $140 at Peakdesign.com $140 at REI Star Qualities Versatile straps allow you to carry it several ways Wide opening makes it easy to pack Red Flags No organizational components If you’re someone who loves to camp or take outdoorsy trips, then this weatherproof Peak Design duffel could be your new favorite travel companion. This rip and weatherproof bag protects the contents inside from the elements while also having multi-wear straps, so you can carry the bag over the shoulder, crossbody, in your hand or even as a backpack. This bag could be for athletic activities as well, with handy external hooks that can hold bottles or other miscellaneous items. This bag is a great value for people looking for a very lightweight, weatherproof, and easy-to-carry bag that will last a long time. Our only grievance was that there were not any organizational qualities to the bag outside of a few interior pockets, but the other features of this bag greatly outweighed this minor flaw. Material: Recycled nylon canvas | Dimensions: 22 x 13.39 x 10.24 inches | Capacity: 35 liters | Weight: 2 pounds | Water-Resistant: Yes | Laptop Sleeve: No | Trolley Sleeve: No People / Conor Ralph Most Colors Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag PHOTO: Amazon $135 $114 at Amazon $135 at Walmart View on Belk.com Star Qualities Comes in 25 patterns and colors Fabric is machine washable Red Flags Small compared to others we tried, so you’d need to pack light Most shoppers know Vera Bradley for their signature patterns and colors, which is why this product earned its recognition for the most colors. But aside from its 25 colorful and kaleidoscopic pattern options, this bag was built to be a trustworthy weekender. Featuring five mesh pockets, one slip and two zip pockets plus a trolley sleeve, this product is decked out in compartments to organize your belongings. We were happy with the fabric being machine-washable, as this will help prolong the life of the bag. This colorful bag passed the packing test, but we felt like it wouldn’t be able to fit too much more than we’d need for a two or three-day trip. The Vera Bradley weekender will definitely fit under the airplane seat, but it may not be the bag for long weekend escapades. Material: Recycled cotton | Dimensions: 19 x 13 x 8 inches | Capacity: 30 liters | Weight: 1.81 pounds | Water-Resistant: No | Laptop Sleeve: No | Trolley Sleeve: Yes PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph PHOTO: People / Conor Ralph What to Know About Weekender Bags Organization Packing can get easily overwhelming, especially when you have a specific volume of items to bring with you. Organizational elements are very important when it comes to shopping for a weekender bag, as you want to be able to bring as much as you need without compromising a system. Having multiple pockets and compartments (like the Béis Weekender) will help save space and aid you in packing smartly for your next weekend getaway. Purpose Evaluating the purpose for which you are buying a weekender bag is another crucial step in the buying process. If you’re someone who travels often, then it may be worth it to invest in a durable bag like the Bagsmart Weekender that can withstand several car rides, baggage claims, and carry-on compartment scuffs. On the other hand, if weekend trips are not commonplace in your life, then you could go for a more budget-friendly bag like the HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag from Amazon, which will get you through the weekend and look stylish while doing so. Style Your individual style should not be compromised for your luggage; in fact, it should accentuate it. Just like travel makeup bags and larger luggage, weekender bags are available in various materials from recycled canvas to genuine leather to assimilate with your personal style and ensure that you look pulled-together while on the go. People / Conor Ralph Behind the Scenes We put 34 bags through various tests to see which ones were really up for the job. We considered the capacity, design, portability, durability, and value. We also tapped editors to provide picks that they’ve used personally over many months of travel — and across many cities. Capacity: For the capacity test, each bag was packed with two pairs of pants (sweatpants and jeans), four shirts, one jacket, a pair of shoes, and a toiletry bag. Next, our testers were asked to analyze the inner functions of the bag and see which compartments or pockets they could utilize for efficient packing.Portability: After packing, our testers spent a few minutes carrying the bags, walking around, and trying the shoulder straps for portability. As for editor picks, the bags came with us on city commutes, quick weekend getaways, and longer international trips.Durability: Next, each person dropped the fully packed bag from about waist height a few times to see how each bag held up. After all was said and done, the testers finally got to look at the price of each bag and deem whether or not they were worth it, rating each carry-on bag on a scale from one to five based on its performance. Based on those factors, the Away Everywhere Bag impressed us in every category and earned our top pick for best overall weekender bag. Why Trust PEOPLE? Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer whose work covers beauty, fashion, home, and lifestyle products. Her writing has appeared in InStyle, Shape, Southern Living, and many other outlets. To compile this article, she consulted our Testing Labs about aspects of dozens of weekender bags, including capacity, design, portability, durability, and value. This story was then updated by staff shopping writer Cai Cramer to include new products and updated insights. Cai spoke with Béis founder Shay Mitchell about her popular weekender bag and included some of those insights in this story. Jordana Comiter is a contributing freelance writer who most recently updated this story to feature some new winning weekender bags. In her pursuit of the best, she tapped shopping writers and editors to gain insights into how these bags held up in the real world. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.