We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Lifestyle Travel The 9 Best Weekender Bags, Tested and Reviewed 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 and 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 Updated on December 15, 2023 10:34AM EST In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Things to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is People Tested? Photo: People / Conor Ralph Going away on a weekend trip can be fun, but packing for it is sometimes anything but fun. A large suitcase is too much, but a duffel bag doesn’t always cut it. It’s hard to find a product that toes the line between backpacks and luggage, but weekender bags are here to fill in that gap for your next getaway. Whether you’re someone who jetsets frequently or takes a weekend road trip here and there, it’s helpful to have a bag that serves as a happy medium between your suitcase and 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). From laptop sleeves and customizable compartments to garment bags and more, the ideal weekender bag has many features. Figuring out which features are necessary for you will help you narrow down which bag to add to your collection. With the many types of weekender bags on the market, we knew we had to put a handful of them to the test in the PEOPLE Tested lab. After evaluating 30 bags based on capacity, design, portability, and more, we came down to 9 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 Budget: SALE HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag at Amazon $30 $20 Jump to Review Best Compartments: Béis The Weekender at Nordstrom $108 Jump to Review Best Convertible: Béis The Convertible Weekender at Beistravel.com Jump to Review Best Design: Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag at Amazon $68 Jump to Review Best Weatherproof: Peak Design Travel Duffel at Amazon $140 Jump to Review Most Durable: Travelpro Crew VersaPack Weekender Carry-on Duffel Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Best Leather: Leatherology Kessler Large Duffle at Amazon $430 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Bellroy Weekender Plus at Amazon $179 Jump to Review Best Overall Away Everywhere Bag PHOTO: Away $245 at Awaytravel.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Pros Full of pockets and compartments Can fit enough clothing for four to five days Cons The shoulder strap was a bit hard to situate Away luggage products are a jetsetter favorite and this sleek weekender even earned a perfect 5 stars through our testing. The luxurious nylon and leather bag comes in both medium and large sizes, so you can decide which one fits your level of overpacking. It’s also 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 hard not to see why the Away bag was our best weekend bag overall. Material: Nylon, leather | Dimensions: 20.9 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | Capacity: 38 liters | Weight: 3.8 lb with shoulder strap / 3.3 lb without | Water-resistant: Yes | Laptop sleeve: Yes, 15 inch | Trolley sleeve: Yes People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph Best Budget HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag PHOTO: Amazon $20 at Amazon Our Ratings Capacity 4.5/5 Design 4.5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Pros It has the perks of a more expensive bag at a much more attractive price Built-in zippered wet pouch Cons It's 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 but 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 Compartments Béis The Weekender PHOTO: BÃIS $108 at Nordstrom View on Beistravel.com $92 at Revolve Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 4.8/5 Value 5/5 Pros The bottom compartment is a shoe lover’s dream The bag stands on its own for easy packing Cons 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 People / Conor Ralph People / Jhett Thompson People / Jhett Thompson Best Convertible Béis The Convertible Weekender PHOTO: Beis View on Beistravel.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Durability 4.8/5 Value 5/5 Pros 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 Cons It’s a little 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 should definitely check out their newest iteration of the beloved bag (with a few changes). The interior of this bag is large and impressive. We could easily fit the entire packing list in the Convertible Weekender, and stored a pair of shoes and a toiletry case in the bottom compartment. The bottom compartment can also be entirely removed and used as a separate small bag (a great way to store dirty clothes mid-vacay), which is a feature that we didn’t see in any other bags that we tested. The bag also comes with a removable laptop sleeve—ideal for work or play— 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 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 People / Jhett Thompson People / Jhett Thompson People / Jhett Thompson People / Jhett Thompson The 17 Best Work Bags for Women of 2024, According to Our Editors Best Design Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag PHOTO: Amazon $68 at Amazon $135 at Walmart View on Belk.com Our Ratings Capacity 4.5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4/5 Pros Comes in 25 patterns and colors Fabric is machine washable Cons It’s on the smaller side, so you’d need to pack light Most shoppers know Vera Bradley for their signature patterns and colors, which is why this product deserved the title of ‘Best Design.’ 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 People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph Best Weatherproof Peak Design Travel Duffel PHOTO: Amazon $140 at Amazon $140 at Peakdesign.com $140 at REI Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 4.5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 4.5/5 Value 5/5 Pros Versatile straps allow you to carry it several ways Wide opening makes it easy to pack Cons 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 Durable Travelpro Crew VersaPack Weekender Carry-on Duffel Bag PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 4.5/5 Portability 4/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Pros Versatile organizers make packing a breeze Abrasion- and stain-resistant Cons Not the most stylish bag of the bunch Not only does this bag look incredibly sturdy, but it has the credentials to back it up. The Travelpro Weekender has been designed with fabric similar to that of the luggage that flight crews use, which is a “stain-and abrasion-resistant high-density ballistic nylon fabric.” This no-nonsense bag is even backed by a limited warranty and qualifies for Travelpro’s quality assurance policy, which covers any damage endured at the hands of airlines or other carriers. But while the showstopper may be the durable exterior, the interior of this bag has a few tricks as well. A garment bag inside the case unfolds to fit longer items like jackets or dresses. It also boasts 5 zip-in organizers to keep all of your items sorted. The bag has multiple pockets for easy access. We would recommend this to anyone who needs a reliable travel bag alternative to a roller bag. Because of its sturdy exterior, the Travelpro duffel would be ideal for a trip where you may require two suitcases, which you can then attach to the trolley sleeve. And, though this bag might not be the most fashionable we’ve tested, we appreciated it for its utility. Material: High-density ballistic nylon | Dimensions: 12 x 22 x 8.25 inches | Capacity: 37 liters | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Water-resistant: Resistant to stains and abrasions — no mention of water | Laptop sleeve: No, tablet sleeve only | Trolley sleeve: Yes People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph Best Leather Leatherology Kessler Large Duffle PHOTO: Leatherology $430 at Amazon View on Leatherology.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 4/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4.5/5 Pros 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 Cons Can get very big when overpacked, potentially making it hard to walk around with If you’re into the classic leather look and want to travel with timeless luggage, then the Leatherology Kessler duffel could be the bag for you. Complete with three interior pockets plus a large exterior pocket, an adjustable shoulder strap, and nickel hardware, this 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 People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph People / Nick Kova Best Splurge Bellroy Weekender Plus PHOTO: Amazon $179 at Amazon View on Bellroy.com View on Moosejaw.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Pros Could fit twice the amount of clothes that we tested with Abundance of smart pockets to keep things organized Cons 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 that earned second place in ratings next to our overall winner. With multiple interior and exterior compartments, it’s easy to store essentials like toiletries in the deep outer pockets of the bag to allow for maximum packing room on the inside. A few features that are unique to this bag include an inner water bottle holder, an internal ‘tool belt’ for miscellaneous supplies, and a padded laptop case for a 13-inch computer or tablet. This stylish bag is chock-full of pockets, and we could fit twice the amount of clothes we had on our test packing list. 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 People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph People / Conor Ralph Things to Consider Before Buying a Weekender Bag 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 Travelpro 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 HYC00Travel 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 How We Tested We put these weekender bags through a variety of tests to see which ones were really up for the job. We considered the capacity, design, portability, durability, and value of 30 duffel bags. 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 to get a feel for what packing for a long weekend would look like in that bag. Next, our testers were asked to analyze the inner functions of the bag and see which compartments or pockets they could utilize to pack efficiently. Then our testers spent a few minutes carrying the bags, walking around, and trying the shoulder straps for portability. For the final test, each person dropped the fully-packed bag from about waist height a few times to see how durable each bag was. 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. Frequently Asked Questions What’s the difference between a weekender bag and a duffel bag? Weekender bags are often smaller than duffel bags. Where the standard duffel bag might fit enough clothes for a week-long vacation, weekender bags are, like their name implies, the right size for a weekend trip of two to four days (depending on how much you pack). What is a weekender bag for? A weekender bag is a medium-sized carrying bag that has just the right capacity for about 2 to 4 days away or a long weekend. Weekender bags are typically over-the-shoulder style and sometimes include longer straps to carry the bag across the body. Most weekender bags are small enough to fit under a plane seat or in the overhead bins, but make sure to measure your bag and check your flight’s guidelines before boarding. Why Trust PEOPLE? Alyssa Brascia is a commerce 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 recently updated by commerce writer Cai Cramer to include new products and updates insights. Cai spoke with Béis founder Shay Mitchell about her popular weekender bag and included some of those insights in this story. 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.