What do you pack in a weekender bag?

Outfits, toiletries, and shoes are the usual items, says Mjehovich. To save on space, consider throwing in “a few simple tops and bottoms with some statement accessories that can mix and match to create a variety of outfits,” she adds. But leave any super delicate or easily wrinkled pieces at home, since you won’t want to have to deal with steaming or ironing while away.

How big should a weekender bag be?

Big enough to fit a few changes of clothes, but not so big that you’ll overfill it with unnecessary items, Mjehovich says.

Is a weekender bag a personal item?

Weekender bags on the smaller side can typically fit under airplane seats and act as personal items, though larger ones, like duffels, may not qualify. Mjehovich advises checking the bag’s dimensions pre-flight to be sure.

The 20 Best Weekender Bags for Women of 2022

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Let’s be honest: When the weather turns warm and the sun comes out, there’s nothing better than heading out on a weekend getaway. From trips to the beach and hikes in the woods to stays at fun-filled resorts, there are so many great options for getting some much-needed R&R. But before you embark on your next adventure, you’ll want to make sure you have all of the right supplies, including a weekender bag that is perfect for storing your essentials.

Weekender bags are any type of item big enough to carry everything you’d need for a few days’ travel, according to Julia Mjehovich, a stylist at the online personal styling service Stitch Fix. “It can be a tote, duffel, or even a small rolling suitcase, as long as it gets the job done for you,” she says. This means you must make sure it can fit your outfits, toiletries, shoes, and any other small but important items like cameras or notebooks.

Meet the Expert

Julia Mjehovich is a stylist at Stitch Fix, an online personal styling service.

Those take priority over other items, which you might be tempted to pack just because there’s room. “The bigger your bag is, the more tempted you’ll be to fill it with items you potentially won’t use during your trip,” Mjehovich says.

To help your shopping search, we’ve rounded up the best weekender bags available, sorted by factors like budget, material, color, and more.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Béis The Weekender at Beistravel.com

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Best Budget:

All in Motion 20-Inch Duffel Bag at Target

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Best for Distance Travel:

Longchamp Expandable Travel Duffel Nylon Weekender at Amazon

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Best on Amazon:

BJLFS Weekender Travel Bag at Amazon

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Best for the Gym:

Dagne Dover Landon Medium Carryall Bag at Nordstrom

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Best for the Beach:

L*Space Endless Summer Duffle at Lspace.com

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Best for Moms:

Vera Bradley Grand Weekender Travel Bag at Amazon

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Most Versatile:

Away The Everywhere Bag at Awaytravel.com

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Best Waterproof:

RAINS Weekend Bag at Amazon

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Best Value:

Samsonite Mobile Solutions Classic Duffel Bag at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
Why Trust Byrdie

BEIS

View On Beistravel.com

This amazing tote from Béis gets our top spot for so many reasons. It’s spacious but not bulky, and it contains great features like a wide opening for easy access, a laptop sleeve pocket, a large bottom compartment, a key-ring strap with a dog clip, and a back zipper pocket (which converts into a super convenient trolley sleeve). Even more, the material is soft, durable, and water-resistant.

Material: Cotton, polyester, PVC | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 19 x 10 x 16 inches | Colors: Black, Beige, Grey, Navy

Target

View On Target

If you’re not looking to spend a fortune on a weekender bag, consider this cute and lightweight under-$50 option from All In Motion. It’s made from water-resistant polyester and has helpful features like a water bottle pocket and several roomy zip compartments both inside and out.

Material: Polyester | Care: Spot or wipe clean | Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 9 inches | Colors: Mauve

Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Duffel Nylon Weekender

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales

For those heading out on longer trips or making multiple stops along the way, this expandable weekender bag from Longchamp is an ideal choice. The size can be adjusted based on your packing needs, and even if you fill the bag to the max, the thick, adjustable shoulder strap and double handles make it easy to carry in transit. You can't miss the gorgeous leather trim details and classic Longchamp logo, either.

Material: Nylon and leather | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 17.75 x 13.75 x 9 inches | Colors: Black, Navy, Cognac, Paper

Amazon

View On Amazon

With thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon, this water-resistant nylon weekender bag from BJLFS is undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser. It comes in 11 pretty colors, is big enough to fit several days’ worth of items, and sports a versatile look that makes it great not just for travel but for the gym, sports, and other activities. Both the interior and exterior pockets are spacious and separated, and the comfortable shoulder strap and trolley sleeve make carrying it no problem.

Material: Nylon | Care: Wipe clean | Dimensions: 10.63 x 21.65 x 7.09 inches | Colors: Pink, Black, Gray, Light Green +more

Dagne Dover Medium Landon Neoprene Carryall Duffle Bag

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Dagnedover.com

Made from stretchy, flexible neoprene material and with an expandable design, this duffel bag is ideal for trips to the gym or a sports activity. And yet, it's also sleek and roomy enough to double as a weekender bag, with features such as a padded laptop sleeve, a removable laundry/shoe bag, water bottle pockets, zip pouches, and more.

Material: Neoprene | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 14.5 x 7.5 x 9 inches Colors: Dune, Dark Moss, Onyx +more

Revolve

View On Lspace.com

This fun, summery duffel is the perfect weekender bag to bring on a trip to the beach. Its stripes of two-tone wooden straw make for a bright and tropical look, and with multiple zip interior pockets, the bag has plenty of room to hold your sunscreen, books, bathing suits, and much more.

Material: Woven paper and canvas | Care: Wipe clean with damp cloth | Dimensions: 19 x 8 x 12.5 inches | Colors: Natural

Vera Bradley Cotton Weekender Travel Bag

Amazon

View On Amazon View On QVC View On Verabradley.com

Every parent knows the struggle of frantically digging through an overfilled, messy bag to find a needed item. This large weekender bag from Vera Bradley offers a fix by featuring tons of structured, separated pockets where individual items can safely live. The convertible strap means you can carry it in a variety of ways, which is especially helpful if you’re balancing other luggage or pushing a stroller.

Material: Recycled cotton | Care: Wipe clean | Dimensions: 21 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches | Colors: Prairie Paisley, Hope Blooms, Java Navy Camo +more

Away

View On Awaytravel.com

If you’re in the market for a weekender bag that you can take not just on trips, but to the gym, on an errand run, or to the office, this is the one for you. It comes in either nylon or leather, to appeal to multiple aesthetic preferences. Both versions include a large laptop pocket, zippered waterproof umbrella pocket, adjustable and removable shoulder straps, trolley sleeve, and numerous interior and exterior pockets of different sizes.

Material: Leather or nylon | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 16.3 x 7.3 x 10.2 inches | Colors: Blush Leather, Black Nylon, Navy Nylon, Coast Nylon +more

RAINS

View On Amazon View On Rains.com

For a weekender bag that can handle the elements, check out this offering from RAINS, which is made from the brand’s signature waterproof fabric and is designed to withstand significant weather. In addition to that helpful aspect, the duffel bag has a coated zip closure, a large main compartment, an adjustable shoulder strap, lock slider buckles on each side, and more.

Material: Polyester | Care: Wipe clean | Dimensions: 20.5 x 10.6 x 10.2 inches | Colors: Black, Navy, Green, Slate, Wood +more

Samsonite Mobile Solutions Classic Duffel Bag

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Bloomingdales

This weekender duffel bag from Samsonite is worth every penny. It features a removable shoulder strap, trolley sleeve, multiple interior and exterior pockets, and more.

Material: Nylon and polyurethane | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 23.3 × 16.3 × 7.5 inches | Colors: Navy Blue, Black

Royce New York Weekend Leather Duffle Bag

Bloomingdales

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Saks Fifth Avenue

This stunning leather bag from Royce New York carries a hefty price tag, but it’s worth it for the rich and beautiful leather, structured compartments, and protective metal feet, to name a few things. It’s a bag you’ll treasure for years of weekend getaways to come, and you know it’ll hold up thanks to its durable material and high-quality construction.

Material: Leather | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 20 x 17 x 8 inches | Colors: Tan, Navy Blue, Black

Cuyana

View On Cuyana.com

This gorgeous from Cuyana will make you feel so sophisticated. It's made from Italian leather, and it features three compartments to help you organize all your items when packing (including one compartment that has three big pockets of its own). It’s available in two neutral colors and is designed with both a trolley sleeve and detachable crossbody strap for stress-free transportation.

Material: Leather | Care: Wipe clean with a damp cloth | Dimensions: 13 x 20.5 x 7 inches | Colors: Black, Stone

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Herschel.com

This attractive duffel weekender bag has a compartment specifically meant to store shoes, so you never have to worry about getting dirt or odors on your clothing and accessories after a weekend of travel. The bag also features an adjustable shoulder strap, durable fabric, and a two-way zip closure.

Material: Polyester | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 11.75 x 20.5 x 11 inches | Colors: Black, Navy, Ash Rose +more

karl lagerfeld valette overnight duffel bag

Karl Lagerfeld Paris

View On Karllagerfeldparis.com

Love the leather look but want something that better aligns with your values? Check out this chic weekender bag by Karl Lagerfeld Paris. It comes in a versatile brown color with an all-over logo and is helpfully oversized. It also features two carrying options, two slip pockets, and a luggage slip for convenience.

Material: Polyvinyl chloride | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 8 x 16.5 x 10.5 inches | Colors: Brown

black backpack with brown leather straps

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Herschel.com

Not all weekender bags need to be totes or duffels. This durable, spacious option from Herschel is a backpack designed to fit all the items you’d need for a short trip, from clothes and accessories to electronics. The padded shoulder straps and back mesh padding make it easy to carry, and the interior laptop sleeve will keep your essential electronics safe and separated. There are plenty of pockets, too, with an assortment of zipping, magnetic, and drawstring closures.

Material: Polyester | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 16.25 x 11 x 5.25 inches | Colors: Ash Rose, Black Crosshatch, Navy +more

Maisonette

View On Maisonette.com View On Tourparavel.com View On Zola

The only thing better than a super stylish weekender bag is one that you can personalize, like this one from Paravel. The lightweight, spacious duffel can be customized with your monogram (or emojis!) in either embroidered or hand-painted letters. The bag comes in two colors, and it features a removable shoulder strap, two big interior zip pockets, and a lockable zipper. Just add your monogram or initials for as little as $25.

Material: Canvas and leather | Care: Wipe clean | Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 10 inches | Colors: Scout Tan, Domino Black

Baboon To The Moon

View On Baboontothemoon.com

For a weekender bag that makes a major statement, look no further than these colorful options from Baboon To The Moon. The bags come in more than 10 vivid colors and prints, ranging from navy blue to bright orange. They’re spacious, too, fitting up to five days’ worth of clothes, yet still small enough to abide by TSA carry-on guidelines. They also have a weatherproof outer shell, detachable and adjustable shoulder straps, and several external and internal pockets.

Material: TPE and polyester | Care: Wipe clean with damp cloth | Dimensions: 10.5 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches | Colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Navy, Purple +more

Rothy's

View On Rothys.com

Rock a cool color-block look with this weekender bag from Rothy’s, a brand known for their machine-washable products that are mostly made from plastic water bottles and ocean-bound marine plastic. Both options are durable and roomy, with padded top handles, an adjustable and detachable strap, spacious compartments both inside and out, magnetic closures, and even bag feet to keep it standing upright and raised off of the floor. It comes with both a dust bag and a wash bag, too, to make things even more convenient.

Material: Knit with thread made from marine plastic and plastic water bottles | Care: Put in a wash bag and wash in cold water | Dimensions: 13.8 x 21.5 x 8.9 inches | Colors: Sand Stone, Camel and Black

Looptworks

View On Looptworks.com

If your next weekend getaway involves the great outdoors, think about picking up this durable and lightweight duffel from Looptworks, which is spacious enough to hold all your gear and has dividers to keep everything organized. To strap options make it easy to carry on a hike, and its sophisticated black design will look great against your camping clothes and accessories.

Material: Polyester and nylon | Care: Wipe clean | Dimensions: 19.5 x 9 x 13 inches | Colors: Black, Grey & Blue, Orange & Yellow

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Calpaktravel.com

Sometimes, you can’t unplug during a weekend away, which is why bags with laptop compartments can be lifesavers. This minimalist duffel from Calpak features an extra-large, padded laptop sleeve, along with a cell phone pocket, luggage sleeve, removable zippered pouch, and various other compartments. With this durable and organized bag, you won’t have to worry about keeping your electronics safe while heading out for the weekend.

Material: Polyester | Care: Spot clean | Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 9.5 inches | Colors: Hazel, Pink Sand, Atlantic, Black, Moss

What to Look for in a Weekender Bag

Material

Weekender bags are often made out of leather, canvas, or other easy-to-clean materials, says Mjehovich, such as polyester and nylon. Leather is harder to clean, of course, so make sure to read care instructions carefully before purchasing a bag.

Size

While all weekender bags should be spacious enough to fit essentials for a few days of travel, those on the smaller side are meant more for two or three days away and might not fit as many items, while larger options with extra compartments are often geared toward four or five days out of town.

FAQ

What do you pack in a weekender bag?

Outfits, toiletries, and shoes are the usual items, says Mjehovich. To save on space, consider throwing in “a few simple tops and bottoms with some statement accessories that can mix and match to create a variety of outfits,” she adds. But leave any super delicate or easily wrinkled pieces at home, since you won’t want to have to deal with steaming or ironing while away.
How big should a weekender bag be?

Big enough to fit a few changes of clothes, but not so big that you’ll overfill it with unnecessary items, Mjehovich says.
Is a weekender bag a personal item?

Weekender bags on the smaller side can typically fit under airplane seats and act as personal items, though larger ones, like duffels, may not qualify. Mjehovich advises checking the bag’s dimensions pre-flight to be sure.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Rachel Simon has covered shopping and style extensively for publications including Glamour, InStyle, Brides, and more. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times and Vice, among other outlets, and she teaches writing with Gotham Writers Workshop and Redbud Writers Project. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College.

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