Photo: vladee/Shutterstock

The Best Weekender Travel Bags for Every Type of Quick Getaway

Technology + Gear
by Matador Creators Oct 30, 2023

Last-minute trips can be as exciting as they are spontaneous. Thing is, you don’t need that large roller bag to get away for just a night or two, and even the pack you tend to use as a carry-on might seem like too much if you aren’t bringing work gear. A weekender bag is the ideal middle ground, a durable yet small purchase for anyone who travels frequently, whether for business or pleasure. It is the perfect size for a weekend trip, and the best of the bunch are also large enough to accommodate a variety of clothing and gear. Weekender bags are also typically lightweight and easy to carry, making them a convenient option for traveling. You might even find that you no longer need that tattered old pack anymore. The below options are the best on the market.

Looking for the best weekender bag? Check out Matador’s detailed reviews:

We hope you love these weekender bags! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Jump to a review:

Weekender bags: Rundown of top options

Halfday Garment Duffel Stubble & Co. Weekender Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 42L
Price: $98 Price: $215 Price:  $159 Price:  $135
45 liters with garment  40 liters capacity 40 liters capacity 42 liters capacity
Unzips entirely for dress clothes, then zips to contain other items Easy to access all items, good for camera gear, stylish Excellent for outdoor excursions with gear and clothes, durable Straightforward pack that’s versatile enough for expeditions and casual trips
Carry-on Carry-on Carry-on Carry-on

Halfday Garment Duffel

The duffel is easy to carry even with three days worth of stuff in there. Photo: Tim Wenger
I kept my Birkenstocks hooked in the outside package. Photo: Tim Wenger
It's small but mighty. Photo: Tim Wenger
A nice button down and pair of dress shoes fit perfectly in here. Photo: Tim Wenger

The Halfday Garment Duffel is the ideal weekender bag for business travel. It fits a full outfit of dress clothes and 3+ days’ worth of additional clothes, and up to size 13 shoes. Unzipped, the Halfday duffel looks like a hanging suit holder that you’d put into a traditional suitcase. But zip it up and it becomes a bag in its own right, with plenty of room for a few days on the road. It features a hanging compartment that can fit a full suit or dress, as well as a main compartment for additional clothing and gear. The bag also has two exterior shoe pockets and a padded shoulder strap. It is made from durable, water-resistant materials and folds flat for easy storage.

  • Dimensions: 22″ x 12″ x 12″, (Closed): 22″ x 12″ x 12″
  • Duffel Volume: approx 45 L
  • Weight: 2.3 lbs
  • Material: Durable and water-resistant 420D woven polyester
  • Lining: water-resistant taslan.
  • Hanging compartment, main compartment for additional clothing and gear, two exterior shoe pockets, padded shoulder strap, trolley sleeve
  • Carry-on friendly on most major airlines

Check out Matador’s detailed review of the Halfday Garment Duffel

Buy Now

Stubble & Co. Weekender

Photo: Johnny Motley
Photo: Johnny Motley
Photo credit: Johnny Motley

Rugged, functional, and fashionable don’t often come together into one – but the Stubble & Co Weekender pulls it off. This stylish and durable weekender bag is perfect for short trips or weekend getaways,. It is made from water-resistant British Millerain Tekwax canvas and features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, and a trolley sleeve for easy transport.

  • Dimensions: 22″L x 12″W x 10″H
  • Capacity: 40L
  • Weight: 3.2 lbs
  • Material: Water-resistant British Millerain Tekwax canvas
  • Spacious main compartment, separate shoe compartment, internal zipper pocket
  • Padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, trolley sleeve
  • Water-resistant canvas

Check out Matador’s detailed review of the Stubble & Co. Weekender

Buy Now

The North Face Basecamp Voyager 42L

The option to wear it like a backpack or carry it as a duffel is quite helpful for different types of travel. Photo: Suzie Dundas
The 42-liter holds several days worth of clothing, and certainly has a more efficient use of space than trying to fit clothing in a backpack. Photo: Suzie Dundas
Photo: Suzie Dundas

The North Face Base Camp Voyager 42L is the best duffel bag for intense weekend backcountry trips. It’s made from water-resistant 300D recycled polyester tarpaulin with a TPU laminate and features a spacious main compartment, a separate laptop sleeve, and multiple external pockets. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, and a removable backpack harness for easy transport. All your technical gear for shorter trips can fit inside, as well as a few changes of of outfits and light camping supplies.

  • Dimensions: 23″L x 14.7″W x 10.2″H
  • Capacity: 42L
  • Weight: 2 lbs. 5 oz.
  • Material: 300D recycled polyester tarpaulin with TPU laminate
  • Spacious main compartment, separate laptop sleeve, multiple external pockets
  • Padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, removable backpack harness
  • Water-resistant 300D recycled polyester tarpaulin

Price: $135

Buy Now

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L

Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler
Photo: Alex Bresler

Patagonia has the best reputation among American consumers of all major companies for a reason: It’s products are well-built, last a lifetime, and are increasingly sustainable. If you’re headed into the backcountry or on quick-hit outdoor-focused trips, the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L is a durable and weatherproof duffel bag that is perfect for travel. It is made from 100% recycled materials and features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and multiple external pockets. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, and a removable backpack harness for easy transport.

  • Dimensions: 21″L x 14″W x 10.5″D
  • Capacity: 40L
  • Weight: 2.05 lbs
  • Material: 100% recycled 900-denier polyester with a TPU film laminate
  • Durable and weatherproof construction
  • Spacious main compartment, separate shoe compartment, multiple external pockets
  • Padded shoulder strap
  • Two side carrying handles
  • Removable backpack harness
  • Made from recycled materials with Patagonia Ironclad Guarantee

Price: $159

Check out Matador’s detailed review of the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L

Buy Now

Weekender bag reviews: Best of the rest

Eddie Bauer Expedition Duffel Bag 22L

Photo: Eddie Bauer
Photo: Eddie Bauer
Photo: Eddie Bauer

The Eddie Bauer Expedition Duffel Bag 22L is a lightweight, durable, and easy-rolling duffel bag that is perfect for travel. It is made from a rugged polycarbonate and nylon construction that will protect your gear from the elements. The bag has an ultra-wide opening to the main compartment for easy access, and it also features a separate laundry section with Polygiene odor control. The Expedition Duffel Bag 22L has integrated compression straps to help keep your gear organized, and it also has a retracting telescoping handle and reinforced inline skate wheels for easy transport. The bag measures 22″L x 13″W x 10″D and has a capacity of 45L. It is also sized to meet most airlines’ carry-on requirements.

  • Dimensions: 22″L x 13″W x 10″D
  • Capacity: 45L
  • Weight: 6.8 lbs
  • Material: Polycarbonate and nylon
  • Ultra-wide opening for easy access
  • Separate laundry section with Polygiene odor control
  • Integrated compression straps, retracting telescoping handle, reinforced inline skate wheels
  • Meets most airlines’ carry-on requirements

Price: $279

Buy Now

BOSTANTEN Weekender Bag for Women

Photo: Bostanten
Photo: Bostanten
Photo: Bostanten

Decent fashion doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The BOSTANTEN Weekender Bag for Women looks the part whether you’re visiting the big city or heading to see family for a few days. At it’s price point, you won’t find a better-looking bag, at least not one that is equally functional. It is made from high-quality canvas and faux leather, and it features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap and two side carrying handles for easy transport.

  • Dimensions: 19.09″L x 9.25″W x 11.61″H
  • Capacity: 35L
  • Weight: 2.78 lbs
  • Material: Canvas and faux leather
  • Spacious main compartment, separate shoe compartment, and internal zipper pocket
  • Padded shoulder strap
  • Two side carrying handles
  • Trolley sleeve
  • Water-resistant lining
  • 3-color options: black, beige, and brown

Price: $49.99

Buy Now

Oflamn Smooth Nylon Leather Weekender

Photo courtesy of Oflamn

Weekender bags don’t have to be fit for rugged backcountry expeditions. The Oflamn Duffle Bag is a large, stylish, and durable weekender bag that is perfect for air travel, especially if that air travel takes you somewhere like Vegas, where you need to reserve most of your budget for outings. It is made from a combination of smooth nylon and genuine leather, and it features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap and two side carrying handles for easy transport. It is sized to meet most airlines’ carry-on requirements, so you can take it with you on your next flight.

  • Dimensions: 20″L x 10.5″W x 11″H
  • Capacity: 47L
  • Weight: 3.8 lbs
  • Material: Smooth nylon and genuine leather
  • Spacious main compartment and separate shoe compartment
  • Internal zipper pocket, padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, removable cross-body adjustable strap
  • Back side sleeve allows you to slide it over a rolling suitcase/luggage/roller bag handle
    Meets most airlines’ carry-on requirements

Price: $44.99

Buy Now

Wildroad 50L Travel Duffel Bag

Photo courtesy of Wildroad

The Wildroad 50L Travel Duffel Bag is a large, durable, and stylish duffel bag that is perfect if your version of style includes ample zippered pouches to store stuff in. It is made from a combination of canvas and genuine leather, and it features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. It’s Indiana Jones vibe meshes well with its carry-on status, especially if you’re headed east of Eastern Europe. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap and two side carrying handles for easy transport. It is expandable to 70L, making it a great option for longer trips.

  • Dimensions: 20.8″L x 10.2″W x 11.8″H (regular size); 24.8″L x 10.2″W x 11.8″H (expanded size)
  • Capacity: 40L (regular size); 50L (expanded size)
  • Weight: 4.2 lbs
  • Material: Canvas and genuine leather
  • Spacious main compartment, separate shoe compartment, and internal/external zipper pockets
  • Padded shoulder strap and two side carrying handles

Price: $46.99

Buy Now

MACWE Expandable Travel Bag

Photo courtesy of MACWE

Simple and effective, the MACWE Expandable Travel Bag is a large and versatile travel bag that is perfect for both short and long trips. It is made from high-quality polyester, and it features a spacious main compartment, a separate shoe compartment, and an internal zipper pocket. The bag also has a padded shoulder strap, two side carrying handles, and a trolley sleeve for easy transport. It can be expanded from 40L to 50L, providing ample space to contain 3-5 days of clothing, toiletries, shoes, and technology essentials. It is a great overnight bag when bigger is better and needed.

  • Dimensions: 20″L x 14″H x 9″W (unexpanded); 22″L x 14″H x 11″W (expanded)
  • Capacity: 40L (unexpanded); 50L (expanded)
  • Weight: 3.3 lbs
  • Material: Polyester
  • Spacious main compartment
  • Separate shoe compartment, internal zipper pocket
  • Padded shoulder strap
  • Two side carrying handles
  • Trolley sleeve
  • Expandable to 50L
  • Water-resistant material

Price: $39.99

Buy Now

Discover Matador