The 9 Best Weekender Bags for Short Trips

We’re obsessed with Samsonite’s Better Than Basic Weekender because of its genius design. This duffle-style bag has a large compartment on the bottom that’s perfect for shoes or anything else that you want to keep separate from everything else. (It also works great for dirty laundry!)

This weekender also solves many of the packing problems that a regular duffle presents. It has plenty of interior pockets to keep everything organized, including a laptop compartment.  The adjustable, padded shoulder strap makes the weekender easy to carry, even if you’ve overstuffed it. 

Dimensions: 18.9” x 14.2” x 9.8”

Can’t decide between a duffle and a backpack? You don’t have to choose with Lululemon’s 2-in-1 Travel Duffle Backpack. The duffle has hidden straps that can be used to convert it to a backpack or cross-body bag in a snap. 

Related:Ultralight Rolling Carry-on Bags Under 6 Pounds

Made from a water-repellent fabric, this bag will keep your stuff dry (even if it gets abandoned on the tarmac in a rainstorm). Othe helpful features include an exterior zippered pocket with a hidden key clip, a water bottle pocket, and a padded laptop pocket.

Dimensions: 20.5” x 12.6” x 9.3”

Calpak’s Hue Mini Carry-On is a miniature version of a spinner suitcase that’s sized to fit under most airplane seats. The Hue fits all of the features of a regular suitcase into its small size, including a TSA-lock, interior zippered divider, and multiple pockets for organization. 

We’ve found that this bag can hold enough for a long weekend trip, if you’re selective about what you pack. 

Dimensions: 16” x 14” x 9”

Eagle Creek's Origin Series Pullman Travel Bag has a cool, vintage look with real leather accents, but it's built for modern travel. Made from 100% recycled Cordura Re/Cor fabric, this 40-liter bag is as durable as it is sustainable. It’s incredibly versatile, with tuck-away backpack straps, a removable padded shoulder strap, and multiple grab handles. The organization is top-notch, with a padded laptop sleeve, internal compression straps, and multiple zippered pockets to keep everything in its place. Whether you’re on a weekend adventure or a business trip, this bag has you covered.

Dimensions: 22" x 13" x 9”

A duffel that will protect your laptop and still fit in the overhead bin, Away’s The Weekender packs smart features like its hidden exterior shoe compartment and outer sleeve packed with electronics pockets. The shoe compartment is lined to resist dirt and grime, and the diminutive dimensions fit most airlines’ carry-on luggage requirements.

Our favorite feature is the full wraparound zip opening, which allows you to open the bag and pack it suitcase-style. 

Dimensions: 20.9” x 11.8” x 9.4”

If you prefer to roll your bag rather than hauling it on your shoulder, Samsonite’s Wheeled Underseat Bag is for you. This favorite among travel experts combines portability with packing power. It will fit neatly under the seat in front of you but still holds everything you need for a weekend away under its clam-shell opening top, which lifts to reveal not one but several clear, zippered pouches for super-organized packing.

Dimensions: 14.17” x 13.38” x 9.05”

If you want a weekender bag you can also use during the week, check out Public Rec's Pro Pack Plus. This backpack is thoughtfully designed for work, travel, and the gym. The sleek, minimalist design in a water-resistant poly-twill fabric will look sharp in any setting, while the spacious 26.5-liter interior has room for everything you need for a weekend getaway or a post-work gym session. We love the separate, ventilated bottom compartment for shoes or dirty laundry, and the dedicated, padded laptop compartment that fits up to a 15-inch laptop. With hidden pockets for extra security and a luggage sleeve for easy travel, this bag is as practical as it is stylish.

Dimensions: 18" x 12" x 7.5 in"

Whether you’re packing light or carrying a lot, Beis’ The Convertible Mini Weekender is the ideal size. Bring it as your personal item along with a carry-on, or use it as your sole bag and stash it under the airplane seat—this miniturized version of Beis’ popular Convertible Weekender is small enough to fit practically anywhere. Despite the small size, it’s surprisingly roomy inside and has a 33 liter capacity. 

This ultra-versitile bag has a bottom compartment that can be zipped off completely, so you can downsize the weekender even further, or so you can use it as a packing cube or shoe bag in your suitcase. 

Dimensions: 16” x 16” x 8”

No matter where you’re traveling for the weekend, keep your stuff secure with Pacsafe’s EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack. This backpack is loaded with anti-theft features including an RFID-blocking pocket, lockable and puncture-resistant zippers, cut-resistant straps, and a lockable anchor strap.

Use it as a backpack, or tuck away the straps to carry it like a duffle bag with the front grab handle or like a suitcase by the side handle.  

Dimensions: 21.7” x 13” x 7.5”