I'm on a Plane at Least 12 Times a Year, and This Flight Attendant-loved Weekender Bag Always Comes With Me

In my years as a frequent flier and Italian travel writer, I’ve come to learn that a good carry-on bag can make or break your trip. I fly at least a dozen times a year to return home to Italy or to travel around the world in efforts to slake my wanderlust, and have tried several luggage brands and styles of carry-ons, from totes and backpacks to duffels and roller bags. Some have worked better than others, but none have really been able to fit everything that I need in one stylish, sturdy, and easy-to-reach place — that is, until I received the viral Béis Mini Weekender for Christmas.

With so many glowing reviews, I was worried that it would turn out to be just another subpar, hyped-up product. But when I tested it out on my nine-hour international flight to Rome, I knew that it was the unicorn carry-on bag I’d been looking for.

Béis The Mini Weekender Bag

Made with durable, polyester canvas and trimmed with vegan leather for a touch of sophistication, the Mini Weekender is not only functional but also incredibly sleek. It has padded top handles that are comfortable and long enough to carry on your shoulders and an adjustable and removable shoulder and crossbody strap for a hands-free experience. However, as someone clocking in at just under 5-foot 1 inches, I found that it was easier and more comfortable to carry the bag on my shoulders rather than using the top handles.

The bag’s sturdy, wire frame opens wide and stays that way, allowing me to see everything and easily grab what I need without having to rummage blindly for it. Its interior is lined with smooth, water-resistant polyester that’s easy to wipe clean and came in handy when my water bottle leaked during transit; the water droplets only pearled onto its surface without seeping into the fabric, so it was quick and hassle-free to wipe them away with a paper towel. 

Béis The Mini Weekender Bag

I was surprised by how much this small yet mighty bag could fit, and I enjoyed having all of my things on me in one secure and easy-to-reach space during my long flight instead of above me in the overhead bin. Within the Mini Weekender Bag’s main compartment, I was able to fit a 32-ounce HydroJug tumbler, a toiletry bag, multiple chargers, a 10-inch by 7-inch Kindle Fire, my passports, Apple AirPods, snacks, a wallet, keys, lip balms, a jewelry case, and sunglasses — all with plenty of room to spare. 

Inside, the mini Béis weekender has a large zippered pocket and two small slip pockets, which are ideal for protecting your more valuable items while also providing easy access to others. I secured my AirPods, passports, wallet, and jewelry in the zippered pocket, while I placed my snacks, glasses, and lip balms in the slip pockets for quick access. But that’s not at all, it also comes with a padded laptop sleeve pocket with a hook-and-loop strap closure that can fit up to a 13-inch by 15-inch device, which I used to secure my Kindle Fire and my multi-passport holder. There’s also a keyring leash that I used to attach my house keys so I could keep track of them. 

What's more, there's a stiff bottom shoe compartment that’s wrapped in vegan leather and studded with four small, metal feet so that it doesn’t sag against the floor. In it, I packed a large, thick corduroy tote bag and my chunky cloud slides. I’m excited to make better use of the shoe compartment during my summer travels, as its generous depth will fit plenty of sandals, flip-flops, and slippers.

Béis The Mini Weekender Bag

I have the Mini Weekender in black, but the bag comes in nine different color combinations that range from playful to neutral, including Atlas pink, maple brown, and olive green. It has a small exterior pocket and a trolley pass-through sleeve that slides over your suitcase handles and makes traveling through the airport a seamless experience, especially if you're anything like me and overpack your bags to the point of bursting. The trolley passthrough is especially versatile, as it can be zippered up when not in use to double as another slender pocket.

The 16.2-inch by 8-inch by 16-inch Mini Weekender can support up to 30 pounds and is significantly smaller than the original 19-inch by 10-inch by 16-inch Béis Weekender Bag. Because of its compact size — and my short legs — I was able to fit it on its side under the seat in front of me, although it could be a bit of a tight fit depending on the airline and what's packed inside. For those blessed with longer limbs though, the Mini Weekender will easily fit in the overhead storage space should you use it as a carry-on. 

Béis The Mini Weekender Bag

But don’t just take my word for it. After all, the Mini Weekender is a viral product that's generating a lot of buzz on TikTok, and it's the subject of several rave reviews. On Béis, the bag has amassed nearly 3,000 five-star ratings from shoppers, including this one from a flight attendant, who said that “it’s the best bag for work” and that it’s lasted them four years, but for “those who don’t travel as often as I would, expect the bag to last longer than mine did.” 

As someone who travels often and for great distances, and is overall a bit of a klutz, I’m looking forward to seeing how this bag holds up over the years. Another traveler said that the bag “is my favorite. It fits everything I need and more, while still being compact enough to fit under the seat on flights.”

The Béis Mini Weekender Bag is now my go-to carry-on, and I can’t wait to bring it on more of my travels. This compact yet ultra-spacious bag will also be my partner in crime on smaller, domestic trips or for low-key weekends away, so I know that I’ll get plenty of use out of it. It’s a game-changing product in the way that I travel, and I know it will be for you, too. Keep scrolling to check out other top-rated duffels and weekenders that are winning over travelers. 

More Traveler-loved Weekender Bags at Amazon: 

Camptop Weekender Bag

Hyc00 Travel Duffel Bag

Peak Design Travel Duffel Bag

At the time of publishing, the price started at $98. 

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