Ditch the Wheeled Suitcase and Opt for One of These Weekender Bags Instead

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The rules are simple: Pack light and don't worry about bringing anything other than the necessities while traveling. After all, you probably won't wear half the things you pack anyway. So for those who tend to overpack even for short trips, listen up: Whether you go by plane, train, or automobile, space is limited, and a cute weekender is really all you need... we promise!

When choosing the best weekender bag for you, always consider what your quick trips and weekends away usually look like. Should you mostly be traveling for work, a weekender with a built-in laptop case is a good feature to look for. Perhaps your tiny apartment means limited storage space for your bag when it’s not in use, so opt for a foldable weekender. You can also consider a rolling duffel if you don’t want to carry one around, or a waterproof option if you’re worried about it getting wet — the list is endless.

The Best Weekender Bags

• Best Overall: Cuyana Le Sud Leather Weekender Bag

• Best Budget: Plambag Canvas Duffel Bag

• Best Foldable: Tumi Just in Case Travel Weekender Tote

• Best for Carrying Shoes: Herschel Supply Co. Novel Duffel Bag

• Best Waterproof: Paravel Main Line Duffel

• Best Expandable: Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag

• Best Rolling: Vera Bradley ReActive Foldable Rolling Duffle Luggage

• Best With Accessories: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

• Best Customizable: Barrington Belmont Cabin Bag

• Best Quilted: Everlane The Quilted Weekender

Regardless of your situation, there’s a perfect weekender bag out there for your specific travel needs. Leave the weight at home with one of these top-rated picks and get ready for a spontaneous getaway.

Best Overall

This Cuyana weekender is made in Turkey with full-grain leather (admittedly, it's a bit on the costlier side, but real leather at this price point is still rather impressive), and it has a sleek, minimalist design that'll not only last for years, but also easily fits in with the luggage pieces you already own.

We also love the side buckles that can be undone to create additional space, the protective feet, and the option to add your initials for a personal touch.

Best Budget

This bag is one of the best-selling travel duffels on Amazon, and it's proof that you don't have to spend much to get a functional piece of luggage. High-density cotton canvas gives the bag a rugged look, and it makes it durable enough for rougher handling. (There are even protective rubber feet on the bottom!) Oh, and do you love pockets? This one's for you! When you need even more space, the sides of the bag unzip to make the interior larger.

Best Foldable

The lightweight nylon Tumi tote folds up into a small, packable zip pouch, so you can stash it in a suitcase or closet when not in use. The spacious design makes it a great weekender on its own, but the back sleeve makes slipping it over a suitcase handle another convenient option so you can easily zip around the airport with it.

Best for Carrying Shoes

Herschel Supply Co.'s Novel duffel bag is a popular choice for both men and women. While the nylon silhouette looks like most duffel bags, the brilliant shoe compartment built into the side of this one makes it unique. You'll never have to worry about dirty soles touching your freshly washed clothes again! The size is also plenty spacious for two- to three-day trips, but it's not so big that you can't use it as a gym bag, too.

Best Waterproof

Paravel was founded in 2016 by former fashion executives Indre Rockefeller and Andy Krantz to fill the market's void of chic luggage at an accessible price point. The result is a line of Italian-made travel bags that could easily pass as being designer, including this weekender! Along with being attractive, it's crafted from spillproof, waterproof canvas and leather trim, and you have the option to add a hand-painted monogram, which we think elevates the look even more.

Best Expandable

Think Longchamp's iconic Le Pliage tote but with an oversized silhouette that carries way more than just the daily essentials. How? The middle section unzips to practically double the bag's size, making it perfect for anyone who's guilty of overpacking (*raises hand*) since it claims to hold up to a week's worth of clothes when unzipped. According to some petite Nordstrom reviewers, it can be difficult to carry when expanded, but most consider the extra space to be a benefit.

Best Rolling Duffel

There's nothing fun about running between gates to a connecting flight, but it's so much worse when you're carrying a duffel bag filled with 20 pounds of shoes. The Vera Bradley ReActive Foldable Rolling Luggage is not only super durable since the bottom is hard, but it also has a helpful handle to easily switch from rolling to carrying. Travel can be unpredictable, so this multifunctional design earns lots of bonus points in our book.

Best with Accessories

This Dagne Dover weekender is made of water-resistant and hand-washable neoprene, and comes with the best accessories, including a 16-inch padded laptop sleeve, mesh pouch, stretch key leash, and shoe duster. There's also plenty of space and pockets (inside and out) to organize all of your belongings.

Best Customizable

Finding the perfect bag may take a minute, but once you do, customizing it really seals the deal. This weekender by Barrington lets you choose the handle color and monogram type, along with dozens of patterns, so you can create a bag that doesn't look like anyone else's. On top of being well-priced for personalized luggage, each bag is made from water-resistant ballistic nylon and Florentine leather trim, and there's also an included luggage tag.

Best Quilted

This lightweight pick from everyone's beloved upscale basics brand Everlane nails the sweet spot between trendy and classic, while also delivering on the roomy front. In addition to being made of 100% recycled nylon and polyester, it features multiple interior pockets as well as an exterior patch pocket for maximum storage. Best yet? It's so soft, it can double as a pillow during travel!

Best Luggage Add-On

It's nearly impossible to walk through the airport these days without spotting a few of Away's signature hard-shell suitcases. Whether or not you have one, though, you'll want to add The Everywhere Bag to your wishlist. This water-resistant nylon bag is perfectly sized for 1- or 2-day trips and comes in tons of color choices. Inside, you'll find six pockets, including a 13-inch laptop sleeve, and on the outside, there's even a waterproof pocket to hold an umbrella!

Best for Work Trips

Calpak's sophisticated Hue Laptop Duffel is the perfect work trip bag. Made of “buttery soft” faux leather and featuring a luggage sleeve, this not only features a laptop compartment but also a discreet cell phone pocket. This foldable weekender is equal parts professional and stylish and ideal for the professional on the go.

Best Weekender Backpack

Let’s face it ... even if you “pack light,” weekender bags can get heavy. The backpack version of compact luggage is the perfect solution. For under $50, this weekender backpack features a front zip pocket for your laptop, magazines, and other travel needs, and a deeper back pocket that actually opens like luggage to fit three packing cubes — and yes, they're included.

Best for Kids

Whether your kids are staying overnight at a friend's or a weekend at their grandparents' house, having a go-to bag to make packing a little easier is a must. Not only do Wildkin's top-rated children's overnight bags come in a variety of colors and patterns, but you can even coordinate them with a matching lunch box and/or sleeping bag.

Best Diaper Weekender

We love this Skip Hop Weekender Diaper Bag because it includes everything and more: two large packing cubes to organize your necessities, an insulated bottle pocket, a matching changing pad, and an easy luggage sleeve to slide over your luggage handle. Traveling with infants and toddlers is tricky as it is, this will make sure you don't forget a thing.

Best Budget Set

Travel is expensive, so saving on luggage and other items is ideal. Though this canvas weekender set is under $50, it doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics for a lower price tag. It’s simply adorable! Plus, it comes with both a crossbody and cosmetic bag for organizing and carrying all the necessities. If you’re feeling a little more playful, it also comes in a brown leopard print.

Most Versatile

We LOVE versatility, and this Bagsmart weekender bag gets the job done. It’s the perfect size for any quick getaway, while also making an A+ option for use as a spacious gym bag (the waterproof interior pocket approves) or even as a work tote thanks to its laptop compartment.

Best Lightweight Duffel

Designed specifically for play, this lightweight duffel has features you never knew you needed until you’ve experienced them firsthand. A built-in key clip, for one, will save you from having to rummage through your whole bag to find your keys; a zipper also opens from both ends, allowing for easy access to your belongings. Plus, the padded, removable shoulder strap is adjustable, so you can adjust it so it’s comfortable for you. Oh, and there are several interior pockets for your other easy-to-lose essentials, too.

Best for Outdoor Adventures

Leave it to The North Face to make the perfect weekender for outdoor adventuring. Made of durable, lightweight, water-repellent material, this bag can withstand all of the elements while you explore. The best part? Its straps allow you to convert it to a backpack for ease while hiking, camping — you name it! Not to mention that when the bag isn’t in use, it can be packed away neatly inside its own little secure-zip pouch.

Best Splurge

Should you have a bit more money budgeted for your bag, you’ll want to check out this brown, 100% leather FRYE weekender. It looks like a beautiful purse but has enough space to pack away everything you need for your time away. It also has a handy sleeve to slip it over your luggage handle as well if you’re traveling with multiple bags. What’s not to love?

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