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With many of us are planning to take advantage of the warmer days once they arrive by booking trips, it’s time to upgrade our weekender bags in favor of some chic alternatives. Instead of fighting with that old bag that constantly slides off your shoulder or repurposing a sweaty gym bag, you need to travel in style with a duffel bag that suits your needs! To make your purchase easier, I’ve rounded up the best travel bags for women.
I’m also going to make the argument that a duffel bag shouldn’t just be regulated to train and car trips. As much as I love bringing a carry-on suitcase to the airport, there’s a 50 percent chance that it gets gate-checked. With a duffel, I can make sure my bag almost always makes it into the cabin with me, plus it’s easier to squeeze into the overhead bins. You might not be able to fit quite as much stuff, but hey, maybe us over-packers need some limitations!
Below, you’ll find 18 bags that you can tote around for years to come. I tried to find high-quality options at several different price points. They fit tons of different aesthetics and come in a variety of colors, too! Whether you want a stand-out bag that’ll get you compliments in the boarding line or one that matches your airport OOTD, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for. I even found a few options that are made out of recycled fabric for those of you who prioritize sustainable shopping.
A couple of these bags can also hook onto suitcases for easier carrying, too—because I’m over sweating while dragging things from state to state. Travel is already stressful enough, so why make it worse with an awkward bag? Find a problem-solving pick you’ll love below.
Best Weekender Bags at a Glance
What to Look for in a Weekender Bag
The best weekender bag is roomy enough to hold all of your essentials (emphasis on essentials), such as toiletries, clothes and a pair or two of shoes, without taking up too much room on transportation. The structural design of a weekender bag is super important—having a compartment for shoes, multiple pockets to hold a laptop or iPad and a comfortable handle or strap for carrying are all details you’ll want to look for. Also take into account the types of adventures you’ll be going on—will you constantly be on the move, or will you be staying put in one location?
Optimal Size for a Weekender Bag
While the size of your weekender bag likely comes down to preference, you’ll want to make sure your pick isn’t too bulky. Consider the kind of weekend getaways you’re prone to taking, and how you’ll likely be traveling to your destinations. For instance, most airlines require a carry-on bag to be no larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high, but if you’re reserving your weekender for mostly car and train travel, you can get away with a larger size.
Best Material for a Weekender Bag
Another key element to consider when purchasing a weekender bag is just how durable you’ll need it to be. Materials like nylon, polyester, leather and canvas are all known to stand the test of time, but some are heavier in weight than others—while a leather bag may look more sleek, it might boast a higher weight compared to something like nylon. Canvas is one of the most popular duffel bag options since it’s made from a tightly woven cotton that can take a beating overtime. How much care you want to put into keeping your weekender bag in top shape is another factor; if you prefer a material that can withstand rain, you may want to opt for a quick-drying fabric.
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Largest Option: Kipling Youri Spin
- Dimensions: 14.25”L x 22.75”H x 10.25”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, 2 internal mesh zip pockets, 2 front zip compartments
- Capacity: 33L
If you want to keep the weight off your shoulders, this smaller rolling bag will do just that. The carry-on can fit several outfit options and shoes and has organizational pouches for stowing away smaller items. Its 360-degree spinning wheels will keep you on the move with ease, and its lightweight construction makes lifting it to and fro a breeze.
Best Amazon Pick: BOLOSTA Weekender Bag
- Dimensions: 19”L x 13”H x 9.5”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, 6 pockets, 1 shoe compartment
- Weight: 2.6 lb
Pretend you’re part of The Talented Mr. Ripley gang—minus the dramatics—with this vintage-looking bag
. Even though it looks pricey, it’s on sale for only $40.
Most Packable: Open Story Duffel Bag
- Dimensions: 11”L x 21”H x 7.5”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, inner zip pocket
- Capacity: 30L
How cute is this baby blue shade?! This duffle bag is has a water-repellent fabric construction and can fold into a small pouch for easy packing.
Best Nylon Option: Away The Everywhere Bag
- Dimensions: 16.3”L x 10.2”H x 7.3”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, exterior padded laptop pocket, inner zipper and slip pockets
- Capacity: 30L
Everyone is obsessed with Away, especially their suitcases, but don’t sleep on their bags! Just look at how pretty this nylon option is.
Most Affordable: BAGSMART Travel Duffle bag
- Dimensions: 18.5”L x 11”H x 8.7”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, 9 multifunctional pockets
- Weight: 1.76 lbs
If you’re all about simplicity and saving money, shop this versatile duffle bag that’s just $35 at Amazon. Despite being one of the more affordable options, it has a lot to offer.
Best Shoe Compartment: Floless Workshop Weekender Bag
- Dimensions: 18.5”L x 14.1”H x 8.6”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, 6 multiple internal and 3 external organizational pockets
- Capacity 30L
Want to keep your shoes separate from everything else? This Amazon option from Floless Workshop has its own shoe compartment at the bottom to keep your pairs from mixing in with your clothing.
Most Commuter Friendly: Lululemon City Adventurer Large Duffle Bag
- Dimensions: 18.1”L x 9.3”H x 11.6”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, exterior padded pocket, exterior zippered pocket
- Capacity 30L
This duffle bag from Lululemon can also suit your commuter needs, in addition to being a great vacation getaway bag. With a a trolley-compatible sleeve, an exterior padded pocket for a 16-inch laptop and a separate compartment for stowing away worn shirts, it can quite literally go with you anywhere.
Best Leather Option: Cuyana Leather Triple Zipper Weekender
- Compartments: 3 compartments, 3 large interior pockets
If you’re striving to look like a coastal grandma boarding her private jet, grab Cuyana’s Leather Triple Zipper Weekender. It’s made in Turkey with durable Italian leather, and can even be monogrammed with your initials. It’s currently sold out, but you can join the waitlist to be notified of its restock.
Most Basic: Stoney Clover Lane Denim Classic Duffle Bag
- Dimensions: 22”L x 11.75”H x 8.75”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, zip interior pocket
If you can’t be bothered with pockets and pouches, this Stoney Clover Lane duffle bag is the way to go. It has one main compartment for all your travel essentials.
Most Stylish: Monos Metro Weekender
- Dimensions: 19.25”L x 10.25”H x 14.75”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, exterior padded pocket, exterior zippered pocket
- Volume: 47.5 L
Coming in vegan leather or nylon, the Metro Weekender is one of more chic options on our list; it’s made from water and scratch-resistant materials, and the trolley sleeve converts into a pocket when needed. Plus, there is a separate zippered compartment at the bottom for collecting dirty laundry.
Most Sustainable: Hershel Classic Gym Bag
- Dimensions: 10.25”L x 19.75”W x 10.25”D
- Compartments: Main compartment
- Volume: 47.5 L
This no-frills duffel from Hershel is made from 100% recycled post-consumer water bottles. Its versatile enough to take you to the gym and on short trips.
Best Canvas Option: Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe
- Dimensions: 15.5”H x 19.7”W x 9.75”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, bottom zipper pocket
- Volume: 47.5 L
If you plan on taking your weekender bag on camping or other rugged trips, canvas may be the way to go. It will hold up against a lot while maintaining its original quality. This one from Lo & Sons is currently on sale!
Most Highly-Reviewed: Calpak Luka Duffel
- Dimensions: 12”H x 16”W x 8”D
- Compartments: Main compartment, bottom zipper pocket
- Capacity: 25 L
If you want a shopper-backed option, look to the highly-reviewed Calpak Luka Duffel. It’s racked up thousands of five-star ratings from shoppers who claim it’s super versatile, roomy and is soft enough to double as a pillow during travel.
Most Water-Resistant: Everlane The ReNew Transit Weekender
- Dimensions: 14.2″ H x 7.3″ W x 19.5″ L
- Compartments: Main compartment, padded laptop sleeve, two water bottle holders, exterior zip pocket
- Capacity: 33 L
Who knew recycled materials could look so good? This water-resistant polyester bag comes in three neutral color combos and will elevate your airport pics.
Most Color Options: Beis The Weekender
- Dimensions: 15.7″ H x 19″ W x 9.8″ L
- Compartments: Main compartment, 1 large zip pocket, 2 slip pockets, 1 padded laptop sleeve pocket
- Capacity: 49 L
This gorgeous weekender bag is great work-to-vacation bag, if you need to jet from your office to the airport for a spontaneous weekend trip. Plus, how cute is this light pink color?!
Best Faux Leather: Kenneth Cole Stanley Duffel
- Dimensions: 20.0″ L x 12.0″ H x 9.0″ D
- Compartments: Main compartment, 1 zipper pocket and 2 open slip pockets
- Weight: 2.6 lbs.
This Kenneth Cole bag
just screams jetsetter. And because it isn’t real leather, you get that sleek city aesthetic without having to worry about damaging the bag. Plus, it’s on sale!
Best Neoprene: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Large Duffel Bag
- Dimensions: 16.5” L x 9” W x 11” H
- Compartments: Main compartment, laptop sleeve,
- Volume: 29 L
This neoprene duffel bag not only looks good, but is also soft to the touch.
Most Pockets: Lovevook Large Travel Duffle Bag
- Dimensions: 21.5” L x 13” W x 8” H
- Compartments: Main compartment, 7 pockets
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
If you’re after as many storage compartments as possible, check out this affordable option at Walmart. It boasts 7 different pockets and can fit up to 5 days of daily essentials. It’s even on sale for 25 percent off right now.
