Depending on how you like to travel, your best weekender bag may look very different from someone else’s—which is why there are so many types to choose from. There are hefty duffels for the buy-it-for-lifers; minimalist backpacks for the overnighters; and cleverly organized bags for the strategic packers. We love options, but the range of weekenders on the market means there’s an equally wide range of quality out there (and it just takes one trip spent fumbling with a broken shoulder strap to know that only the best will do).

Luckily, SELF staffers are a well-traveled bunch—and have some very strong opinions about their gear. To make your next journey a little less painless, we’ve highlighted our favorite weekend bags for every type of quick trip below.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel, $159
2. Most Stylish: Béis The Weekender, $108
3. Most Comfortable: Calpak Luka Duffel, $138
4. Best Internal Organization: Solgaard Venture Backpack, $245
5. Best for Light Packers: Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack, $230
6. Best for Outdoor Weekend Trips: Gregory Jade 53L, $260
7. Best Budget Pick: Baggu Cloud Carry-On, $78

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Best Overall: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

Patagonia’s Black Hole line is basically everything I dream of when I imagine my ideal travel gear. These bags are durable, weather-resistant, spacious, and pretty nice looking too. I’m partial to the 25-liter pack—but for trips that last a few days, you’re better off with the roomier duffel.

With a 40-liter capacity, it easily holds your stuff (with room for a souvenir or two), but still meets most airlines’ carry-on requirements. Its bottom is padded for extra protection and the sides of the bag feature tough daisy chains for any gear you need to attach at the last minute. The latest version of the Black Hole Duffel doesn’t have the line’s signature shiny finish, which may be a little disappointing if you’re a Patagucci diehard. But the new matte material helps the bag look a little less technical.

Most Stylish: Béis The Weekender

Before SELF’s commerce writer moved in with her boyfriend, she used this chic, high-quality duffel on a regular basis to haul her weekend essentials over to his apartment. It didn’t just hold up over those many quick trips—it excelled. “It’s just the right amount of space for everything I, a sorta-over-packer, need for a weekend,” she says. She successfully stuffed a pair of jeans, multiple pairs of leggings, several shirts, and a toiletry bag inside.

Add to all that this bag’s timeless colors (olive green, pale pink, deep brown—the gang’s all here) and overall classic look, and we highly doubt she minded toting it around NYC for all to see.

Most Comfortable: Calpak Luka Duffel

SELF’s lifestyle writer highly recommends Calpak’s weekender travel bags—and it’s easy to see why the Luka is a bestseller among them. It looks plush, almost pillow-like, but it’s made of durable, water-resistant material and holds its structure well. Where it’s truly cushy is its shoulder strap—it’s comfortable and makes the entire bag easy to carry through security.

Best Internal Organization: Solgaard Venture Backpack

Folks who shove everything in their bag and hope for the best, keep moving. This roomy, staffer-approved backpack is for those who believe every item has its place. The Venture has pockets for all your devices and valuables, a pull-through hole for important cords, easy-access compartments for frequently used essentials, and expandable pockets along the sides of the bag. And those are just the highlights.

However, most exciting of all (in my, an overpacker’s, opinion) is Solgaard’s compressible FlowCloset container, which holds a week’s worth of clothes. Plus, you can lift out of the main bag and hang it up when you arrive at your destination. It’s like a packing cube, but better.

Best for Light Packers: Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack

Dagne Dover

Dakota Neoprene Backpack

Maybe you’re just staying overnight—or, unlike me, you don’t pack every pair of underwear you own every time you go away. Whatever the reason, sometimes all you need is a sleek travel backpack for your journey. Multiple SELF staffers love Dagne Dover’s Dakota for those little there-and-back day trips. It’s easy on the shoulders and doesn’t hog legroom like a standard suitcase.

While it isn’t the roomiest option on our list, it still holds a sneaky amount of stuff for a standard backpack. “I usually stash my liquids and toiletries, a change of clothes (or two), snacks, a Kindle, laptop, and more inside when I travel,” one SELF editor says.
“I think the neoprene material is a big part of why it can hold so much stuff: The bag has some stretch to it, so I can really cram everything in.”

Best for Outdoor Weekend Trips: Gregory Jade 53L

I have a higher-capacity version of Gregory’s Jade backpack and absolutely love it. The lid pocket (sometimes known as the “brain”) is huge; the front-loading main compartment makes it easy to pack and find your items; and, most importantly, it’s designed to lighten the load while you carry it. The wide hip belt doesn’t dig in, the sternum strap takes some weight off my shoulders, and the mesh panel along the back of the pack keeps air flowing, so I don’t end up with a totally swampy back.

While my 63-liter pack is slightly larger than needed for weekend getaways, the 53-liter model featured here is the just-right size and has all the same trail-ready features.

Best Budget Pick: Baggu Cloud Carry-on

Here’s another stellar option for lighter packers—or those who come home with so much stuff that they need an extra backup bag. Baggu’s Cloud Carry-On is the size of a standard weekender, but can stuff into its own pouch and pack away when not in use.

That’s one of the major reasons why SELF’s managing editor swears by it—you don’t get much more convenient than a bag that packs itself. We’d also count its heavyweight nylon material and sub-$100 price tag as key selling points.

What to look for when shopping for a weekender bag

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