Best weekender bags of 2025: I’ve been testing luggage for years, and these are my expert picks for every budget

Tested by Moriba Cummings

Throughout my testing period for these bags, I found that very few checked all of the main boxes that made for a stellar option: attainable price, spacious main compartment, lightweight build, extra storage options, etc. The Dagne Dover Extra Large Landon Neoprene Carryall was among a handful that fit the bill, across the board.

I put this to the test on a commercial flight from New York to San Francisco. On my departing flight, I stuffed it to the max to test if it would serve as a comfortable personal item bag, but found that, when at capacity, it’s more suitable as an overhead stowed carry-on. However, I packed it more lightly on my returning flight and found that it slides easily under the seat with no issues.

It’s also the lightest weekender bag I’ve used and that’s mostly due to its neoprene construction, which is also hand-washable.

Lastly, the extras you get with this bag are actually practical. It comes with an external shoe bag which I used to keep my sneakers from making contact with my clothes, a zippered pouch for any valuables (I used mine to store my jewelry), and a key leash which came in handy when I returned home.

All in all, this is an all-round solid weekender that’s worth the investment.

Tested by Moriba Cummings

Having everything in its designated place is one of my travel must-haves and the Monos Metro Weekender made my type-A brain very pleased.

Just based on first-impressions, the bag is stunning and has a unique, tall build that isn’t like most bags in this category. The true star of the show, though, is the spacious bottom compartment that’s made for storing shoes, a toiletry bag or extra clothes.

I’ve tested this by storing all three on different occasions and had absolutely no hiccups. In fact, I stored a pair of size 13 shoes in that compartment and still had room to store a medium-sized tech pouch.

You get to choose between two materials when making your purchase: nylon and vegan leather. And the best part is that both are water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about durability.

The main compartment is surprisingly extremely roomy, even when the bottom is stuffed. I was able to fit three changes of clothes in there with no issues.

The only qualm I have with this bag is its weight. It gets a bit heavy when packed to capacity, so if you’re not using it in conjunction with a roller carry-on, keep in mind that it’s not a lightweight piece. It also must be stowed in the overhead bin on planes since its dimensions surpass under-seat storage regulations.

Tested by Moriba Cummings

I’m still in the process of testing this one, but it’s already on-track to becoming one of my favorites, solely based off of its price point and size.

The brand’s smaller Novel Duffle was one of the first weekender bags I’ve ever purchased, over 10 years ago, and it’s still held up well after more than a decade of wear and tear. This Tech version has the same features that I loved about the original — a separate shoe compartment, laptop sleeve, and approachable price — but is a bit larger and roomier.

The laptop compartment is also fleece-lined, so it will keep your device from scratching or moving around too much while you travel. The weekender bag’s deep build also allows you to fit much more than you probably need to pack.

[Review coming soon]

Tested by Moriba Cummings

Quince is one of my favorite clothing brands, especially for affordable cashmere and wool pieces, since they cut out the middle man and, thus, offer more affordable prices for the same high-quality pieces than traditional retail.

While I was fixated on the brand’s clothing, it completely slipped my mind that the same philosophy applies to its travel accessories.

Puffer duffle bags have been so popular lately with this one from MZ Wallace standing as one of the pricier options that shoppers have on their wishlists.

The Quince Transit Quilted Duffle Bag is a much more affordable alternative. Its leather trims give it a premium touch and it comes with extras like a detachable zipper pouch for storing valuables and protective leather feet to keep the base clean when storing under the seat on planes.

Where this bag truly excels, though, is in its variety of storage compartments. There are nine pockets in total, making this a dream for the organized traveler.

If you’re looking for a weekender bag that has a massive amount of room in the main compartment, this may not be the one for you as it’s one of the most compact options on the list.

Tested by Moriba Cummings

This bag has been my tried-and-true weekender for well over five years. It’s my dedicated road trip weekender since it’s the roomiest option that I’ve tested and if it gets a bit dirty, I can just toss it in the washing machine when I return home and air dry it.

Rothy’s is known for its machine-washable shoes and bags, so when I first tested this weekender bag just following its official launch years ago, I had high hopes, and it didn’t disappoint.

To this day, whenever I pack this bag for a trip, I’m marveled by how much it can hold. It even has a larger capacity than some of the expandable carry-on suitcases that I’ve tested over the years, and that’s due to its loose shape that’s easily moldable.

Because of this, the bag is able to contort to the shape of its contents, and that also means no struggling with the zipper when it’s time to close up shop.

I’ve used this bag on several flights as well and, similarly to the Dagne Dover Extra Large Landon Carryall, it fit easily under the seat when not packed to capacity. At the times when it was fully packed, it had to be stowed in the overhead bin and fit perfectly.

Tested by Moriba Cummings

Leather weekender bags can be a bit tricky. More times than not, all of the effort is put into the craftsmanship and the functionality aspect leaves more to be desired.

Some have beautiful genuine leather builds, but are just a sack with a zipper — no compartments or built-in organization to be found. So, when I tried the Troubadour Generation Leather Duffle and saw that it was packed with compartments that actually made sense, and also had a strong, tear-resistant waterproof leather build, I was sold.

Most genuine leather goods that I’ve owned need to be treated to prevent water damage which, when traveling, can sometimes be inevitable. This bag comes with that feature already built into its framework.

And while it’s made of durable calfskin leather, it still remains lightweight, even when fully packed. It’s also tear-resistant, so you can rest assured that it will last you a lifetime, and, at such a premium price, that’s a non-negotiable.

In terms of compartments, it has a dedicated padded laptop pocket with a magnetic closure, several concealed internal pockets for storing everything from your phone to your water bottle, and two external pockets with magnetic closures for storing your passport, wallet and keys.

Tested by Moriba Cummings

Those with a “less is more” approach to traveling may prefer a timeless, compact bag that isn’t a hassle to carry around. This pick from longstanding luxury bag brand Carl Friedrik checks all of those boxes, and then some.

This brand is known for its luxury full leather and leather-detailed bags, and this one is no exception. It’s simple and small enough to fit a couple outfits and a pair of shoes (depending on the size), but is small enough to fit under the seat on planes with ease.

I used this bag as a personal item on an international flight and had no issues at all. For reference, I’m 6-foot-2, and after sliding it under the seat in front of me, I had lots of space for my feet to rest — it looked almost like it was made for under-seat storage.

The bag even got slightly wet as I was leaving the airport, but thanks to the nylon exterior, the water slid right off and didn’t leave a mark.

This bag is a bit too compact for my weekender needs, but may be just the right size for someone who packs more minimally.