The Best Weekender Bags of 2024

Briggs & Riley is known for extremely well-made, well-designed luggage, with a “no matter what” lifetime warranty. The large duffel bag from the ZDX line is made from 800D ballistic nylon with a PVC coating. It’s got a large and easily accessible main packing space plus several interior and exterior organization pockets.

One end of the duffel has a PVC-lined compartment to separate shoes, laundry, or even wet swimming gear from everything else; the other gives quick access to your tablet, book, and snacks. One pocket has RFID shielding for protection from digital pickpockets. Carry this duffel by the detachable strap (it’s got a removable shoulder pad too) or the velcro-close handles. It comes in black and hunter green.

11 x 23.5 x 13 in / 3.1 lb / 47L

This soft-sided rolling bag fits within most airlines’ carry-on restrictions—its two wheels make for easy rolling to the furthest airport gate, and its padded handles allow you to carry it up any stairs. There’s a compartment on each end of the bag, one ideal for shoes or laundry, plus two front pockets for documents and devices.

Users recommend packing the soles of your shoes against the pocket’s sides, to create a frame for the bag to stand without you needing to hold the retractable handle. Inside, a mesh pocket keeps smaller items separate from the roomy main compartment. The fabric is durable 300D polyester.

12 x 22 x 10 in / 5.37 lb / 49L

This sleek bag comes in a variety of color combinations—all with Herschel’s signature striped lining—and has reinforced handles and a removable padded shoulder strap. The large main compartment is protected by a waterproof zipper; there’s also an interior mesh sleeve for chargers and other essentials. On the exterior, a lined zippered pocket separates shoes or laundry from everything else.

If you prefer to pack light, the Novel Duffel comes in a 33L size, too.

11.75 x 20.5 x 11 in / 2.23 lb / 42.5L

If your weekend involves lugging gear into the backcountry, try Fjallraven’s 48-liter backpack. The Swedish outdoor gear and clothing company has won awards for its sustainability. The Singi pack’s frame is made from European birch certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and the fabric is heavy-duty G-1000 poly-cotton with a reinforced and waterproof nylon base (plus, it comes with a rain cover).

There are five zippered pockets, a laptop sleeve, and a spacious main compartment. The ergonomic design means even heavy loads are manageable. For a weekend trip for two, where you don’t need to carry anything far, you can likely pack everything you both need into Fjallraven’s 70-liter duffel.

18 x 29 x 7 in / 4.63 lb / 48L

This 600D water-resistant polyester duffel comes in three colors with a quilted look. There are tons of exterior and interior slip pockets, including one for a water bottle, though you might wish more were zippered. You can zip away your shoes or laundry into an exterior section (it even has an air vent), and there’s a zippered interior wet pocket for toiletries.

Carry it by the handles or the removable shoulder strap; it’s not padded, but that shouldn’t matter much for short distances. If you need more space, choose the 60L version.

12.9 x 20 x 9 in / 1.87lb / 40L