The 14 Best Weekender Bags for Minimoons, Bachelorettes, and Beyond

Brides / David Hattan

Weekender bags make a great staple luggage piece for bachelorette parties, weekend trips, minimoons, and more. They're the perfect in-between bags when you don't want to lug around a huge suitcase, but can't stuff everything you need into a purse or backpack. And depending on the size, you can also stick them under an airplane seat as your personal item.

"[Weekender bags] should be spacious enough to hold your essentials for a short trip but still compact enough to meet carry-on requirements," say travel experts Robert Lora and Marta Pahino Estevez. They should be able to fit in an airplane overhead bin, but still be large enough to hold a few change of clothes, an extra pair of shoes, a laptop, your personal essentials, and a small toiletry case.

With a wide variety of weekender bags available, choosing one can feel a bit overwhelming. That's why we’ve rounded up our favorite weekender bags in several categories, so you can find the best one for your specific needs. As we selected our top picks, we looked for bags with all the pockets and features you need to stay organized. We also sought out high quality durable materials that won't rip, stain, or soak through easily. Rest assured that all of these bags are high quality, stylish, and durable, so you can invest wisely and pack your love story into these ultimate getaway essential.

Béis

An upgrade from Beis’ OG weekender, this new model features a laptop sleeve, organizational pockets, and a fully removable bottom compartment that doubles as a packing cube. It's sealed with a mesh zip-cover that helps transform it into a daytime excursion or sightseeing bag. While you can wear it over your shoulder, you can also use the removable strap to wear it as a crossbody or secure it to your luggage with a nifty sleeve.

Price at time of publish: $128

Size: 19 W x 10 D x 16 H inches | Materials: Cotton/Polyester | Colors: Beige, Black

Maisonette

This eco-friendly weekender fits all your essentials, including your 15 inch laptop. It features smart straps to slip over luggage handles, and is made from durable, spill-proof, stain-repellent EcoCraft Canvas®. You can personalize it with hand-painting or embroidery in several colorways for an additional fee. We love the combination of a vintage look with modern features.

Price at time of publish: $295

Size: 15 x 15 x 8 inches | Materials: EcoCraft Canvas®, recycled vegan leather | Colors: Scout Tan, Domino Black

Mark & Graham

Made from vegan leather, this lightweight, durable, and stylish weekender-on-wheels gives your shoulders a much needed break. It features a telescoping handle, an outside pocket, a laptop sleeve, a spacious interior, and an adjustable strap if you need to carry it. You can also add a monogram for only $12.50.

Price at time of publish: $199

Size: 21w x 12d x 16h inches | Materials: Vegan leather (polyurethane); polyester lining | Colors: White with Brown Vegan Leather Trim

Lululemon

For a sporty vibe without too much frill, this padded weekender is a great practical pick that's made from lightweight recycled nylon. It features water-repellent fabric, lots of interior and exterior pockets, a laptop sleeve, a document sleeve, and won't drag you down.

Price at time of publish: $198

Size: 21.3 x 9.5 x 13.8 inches | Materials: Recycled Nylon, Recycled polyester | Colors: Black

Calpak

Featuring a large bottom compartment for shoes, a spacious main compartment with interior pockets, and a luggage sleeve, this unisex duffle is lightweight yet roomy. It has up to 47L packing capacity, making it a great pick for families or for a few extra date night looks.

Price at time of publish: $98

Size: 19.5 x 14 x 10.5 inches | Materials: Polyester | Colors: 7

Caraa

With 14 total pockets and compartments, it's easy to stay organized with The Nimbus weekender. It's made with water-resistant inner lining and exterior, and features a built-in phone and battery pocket, mesh breathing vents, a water bottle sleeve, included shoe and wet pouches, and a laptop sleeve to stay even more organized.

Price at time of publish: $228 (Medium), $248 (Large)

Size: Medium: 12.5 h x 15.75 w x 7 d inch; Large: 13 h x 18.5 w x 8.5 d inch | Materials: Polyester | Colors: Rose, Chai, Black

Dagne Dover

From XS-XL, you can find your most desired size weekender with the Landon Carryall. The larger sizes include a dust bag for shoes, a key leash, a removable pouch, a removable crossbody strap, bottle sleeve, and a 10 inch handle drop. It's made from 100 percent premium neoprene, which is water-resistant and hand washable.

Price at time of publish: $245 (largest)

Size (Largest): 20.5 L x 10 W x 10.5 | Materials: Premium Neoprene and Performance Air Mesh, Color-plated Zinc-Alloy Hardware | Colors: 6

Away

Sleek and stylish, this water-resistant weekender features crisp lines and clean detailing. It also boasts a trolley sleeve, top handles, a detachable padded shoulder strap with concealable D rings, a laptop compartment, and lots of smaller compartments for organizing essentials. With a full wrap around zip, you can open the entire bag up rather than spend minutes digging around trying to find what you are looking for.

Price at time of publish: $245

Size: 20.9 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | Materials: Nylon, leather | Colors: Navy, Black, Coast

Amazon

Made from water-resistant nylon, this spacious weekender gives a ton of bang for your buck. It features a luggage trolley strap and detachable shoulder strap so you can wear it anyway you want. With separated dry and wet pockets and a shoe compartment with vents, you can keep your clothes organized, meaning less laundry at the end of your trip. Plus, there's even a USB charging interface so you can easily charge your phone on the go.

Price at time of publish: $50

Size: 18.5 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches | Materials: Nylon | Colors: 10

Cuyana

We love the buttery soft hand feel and luxurious quality of Cuyana's leather. Crafted from LWG Gold-certified Italian leather in a woman-owned factory in Turkey, this weekender is designed with three compartments for optimal organization, a trolley sleeve for easy travel, and slip pockets for shoes.

Price at time of publish: $548

Size: H 13 x W 20.5 x D 7 inches | Materials: Leather | Colors: Black, Stone

Vera Bradley

With several unique patterns to choose from, these stylish and roomy weekender bags are perfect for those who crave function and fashion. Made from polished performance twill, a water repellent and lightweight fabric, this bag can definitely handle a good beating. There's several pockets for convenient storage, a trolley sleeve, a laptop sleeve, and plenty of space for all your romantic getaway needs.

Price at time of publish: $200

Size: 22.0 W x 14.0 H x 9.0 D inches | Materials: Performance Twill | Colors: 5

Prada

For a true statement piece, look no further than the Prada Duffle. It's chic, elegant, and timeless. The bag is crafted from two of the brand's most celebrated materials: Saffiano leather, which features the iconic crosshatch pattern and wax finish, and Re-Nylon, a regenerated nylon yarn made from recycled waste. The iconic triangle logo is displayed on the front.

Price at time of publish: $2,900

Size: Height: 33cm, Length: 27cm, Width: 55cm | Materials: Nylon, Leather | Colors: Black

Bellroy

This water-resistant backpack is spacious enough to use as a weekender, but can still be easily compressed for convenience. It features a 16" laptop compartment, external pockets, a front pocket with key clip, a soft-lined sunglasses pocket, padded shoulder straps, and internal compression straps to reduce bulk.

Price at time of publish: $249

Size: 530 x 360 x 190 mm | Materials: Baida Nylon | Colors: Black, Ranger Green, Nightsky

Baggallini

One of our editors always takes this bag while flying. It fits perfectly under all airplane seats, meaning it counts as your personal item when going on domestic flights. It still packs a ton and includes a padded laptop sleeve, RFID protected card slots, a shoe compartment, and side pocket with a grommet hole for charging cords. Secure it on your luggage with the sleeve and zip through the airport with ease.

Price at time of publish: $150

Size: 17 w x 12 h x 6.5 inches | Materials: Baida Nylon | Colors: 6

"When looking for a weekender bag, consider factors such as size, weight, durability, and style," suggest Lora and Estevez. The size of your weekender bag can definitely vary based on brand or style, but all weekenders should be able to fit in an overhead bin. Generally, weekender bag capacity can range from about 25 to 45 liters, and are typically around 18 to 24 inches in length, 10 to 14 inches in width, and 9 to 12 inches in height.

Think about what you want to use this bag for—if it's going to accompany your regular carry on, consider a compact bag like the Bellroy Transit Backpack which you can stick under a plane seat. For those trips where the weekender is going to be the main form of luggage, consider a roomy style with wheels like Concourse Vegan Leather Rolling Duffle.

When it comes to materials, it's important to think about the weight of the overall bag when packed, in addition to how it will be used. "Opt for a bag made from high-quality materials, such as canvas, leather, or water-resistant nylon, that can withstand the rigors of travel," say Lora and Estevez.

Materials also determine how heavy the weekender bag will be when it's full. For example, leather bags will usually be much heavier than canvas or nylon, but they do offer a more luxury feel and look. If having a lightweight bag is your top priority, go with our pick for lightweight, Lululemon Go Getter Padded Weekender Bag.

Lora and Estevez suggest looking for designs that complement your personal style and preferences, whether that's a sleek, minimalist look or a more vibrant, eye-catching pattern. "Ultimately, the ideal weekender bag should strike the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics," they add.

For those that prefer a print bag that stands out from the crowd, we recommend Vera Bradley Grand Weekender Travel Bag. If you want to stick with a timeless look but add a bit of personalization, get a monogrammed version of Paravel Weekender.

Organizational slots and pockets will ensure you can find all your valuables quickly and easily, and also help to keep your items clean and secure. "Look for features like multiple compartments for organization, sturdy zippers, and comfortable straps or handles," suggests Lora and Estevez.

A trolley sleeve is a great added feature if you plan to also bring a rolling suitcase, so you can easily slide the weekender on the handles for convenient transport. Our pick for best versatile, Beis The Convertible Weekender has a trolley sleeve that functions as a pocket when not in use.

"A weekender bag is, as the name suggests, designed for short trips or getaways," explain Lora and Estevez. "It differentiates itself from other types of luggage by its size, which is larger than a typical backpack or purse but smaller than a full-sized suitcase or carry-on. Weekender bags often include a shoulder strap and handles for easy carrying, as well as multiple compartments for organization."

They can be both! Weekender bags should always be compact enough to fit as a carry-on (make sure to check your airline's rules ahead of time). If the bag is small enough to fit under the airplane seat, then it can be considered a personal item. For instance, Baggallini Fifth Avenue Weekender fits under all airplane seats.

What you choose to pack for a honeymoon depends on a few key factors, such as destination, weather, planned activities, and personal preferences. However, here are some essentials we suggest:

Meet the Expert

Robert Lora and Marta Pahino Estevez are the travel-savvy team behind TravelBagExperts.com, a site dedicated to packing tips, luggage, travel accessories, and general travel tips.

Chelsea Frank has been a lifestyle writer for nearly 10 years. She's contributed to dozens of online publications, researching and writing on a number of topics from clean beauty and fashion to travel and wellness. She's also an anxious soon-to-be bride, so she's with you.