Big enough for multiple outfits but small enough to carry on an airplane, the best weekender bag for men can do it all. These bags are a practical option for shorter trips, especially if you don’t want the hassle of wheeled luggage. Featuring carry handles and often a shoulder strap, men’s weekender bags are a top alternative to bulky baggage and hard-sided suitcases.
As someone who travels full-time, I have a lot of experience using weekender bags. In fact, I primarily travel with one as my main luggage to avoid checked bag fees. This is a testament to the functionality of these duffels – they can fit it all and then some, ensuring you have everything you need for time away.
Using my personal knowledge and thousands of user reviews, I’ve compiled a list of the ten best weekender bags for men hunting for a travel companion that will retire their rusty suitcase once and for all.
Key Takeaways
After spending years searching for and reviewing the best weekender bag, the top choice overall is the Rains Hilo. It’s waterproof, compressible, and large enough for up to a week of travel, making it a versatile pick in the world of travel bags.
If you prefer a leather option, the Tom Beckbe is a luxurious selection made of American-origin full-grain leather. But if you don’t want to break the bank, budget travelers will make good use of the spacious Baosha Travel Duffel, which features a drop bottom and sleek faux leather construction.
Keep reading to discover the rest of the best weekender bags for men.
Why It’s Great: Waterproof, stylish, and the absolute perfect size are just a few reasons why this Rains duffel is a top men’s weekender bag. Coated with heavy duty polyurethane, this is the best bag for rainy getaways since it’s completely weatherproof, right down to the coated zippers. It’s kind of a black hole with a single main compartment, but the side compression straps help cinch a large load to make it more manageable.
How it Feels: This is one of the lightest bags on this list, weighing in at under two pounds, and the smooth exterior is a nice change from classic leather weekenders. It’s easy to carry thanks to the handle wrap on the grab straps, and of course, it’s finished with a detachable shoulder strap. It’s not padded, but we still use it frequently.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: If you like organization, this may not be the bag for you. There’s a single main compartment without any pockets, which means everything gets lumped together for your weekend away.
Material: 100% polyester with polyurethane coating | Dimensions: 10.6H x 20.5W x 10.2D inches | Colors Available: 8 | Hardware Color: Black
Why It’s Great: The Tom Beckbe Leather Duffel Bag is crafted from full-grain leather sourced from American cows, offering a sturdy yet stylish choice for modern travelers. This medium-sized weekender features a unique clamshell opening under a neatly concealed top flap, which essentially allows the bag to open wide from the center, much like a suitcase. This design provides easy access and visibility to all contents, making packing and unpacking exceptionally convenient—a key benefit for short trips where you’re less likely to unpack at your destination.
The interior is fully lined and includes two zippered pockets, perfect for securing small essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys. The vegetable re-tanned leather used in its construction not only contributes to its robust and high-quality feel but also offers you the chance to devlop your own personalized patina over time. The hardware is solid brass, including top-of-the-line antique brass zippers and a signature roped carry handle, which add both functionality and a touch of vintage charm.
Who This Is For: Ideal for the traveler who treasures a blend of luxury and practicality, the Tom Beckbe weekender is a fantastic fit for anyone from the business professional jetting off for a conference to the casual explorer setting out on a road trip. Its size and style make it particularly suited for those who need a reliable bag for trips lasting no more than a couple of days. However it could be used on longer trips if you’re one of those tried-and-true minalist packers (I’ve never met one, but I know you’re out there). The bag’s structure and material mean it holds its shape well, even when packed to the brim, which can be a significant plus for those who like to keep their belongings organized and accessible. While it may require a short break-in period to reach its peak suppleness, the firmness of the leather ensures durability and protection for the contents.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: While the Tom Beckbe Leather Duffel excels in many areas, it is not without its limitations. The weight of the full-grain leather can be a concern for those who prefer not to carry heavy bags, especially when fully loaded. Additionally, the high-quality materials and craftsmanship do come at a higher cost, making this bag a significant investment for most. For travelers who might find themselves in very diverse or harsh weather conditions, the care required to maintain the leather’s appearance and health—such as regular cleaning and careful drying—might be seen as a drawback. Despite these points, for those who value quality and style, these minor issues are unlikely to overshadow the many benefits this duffel offers.
Material: American origin full-grain leather | Dimensions: 20″(L) x 11″(W) x 11.5″(H) | Colors Available: 1 | Hardware Color: Brass
Why It’s Great: If you like the look of the best weekender bag for men but don’t want to spend nearly a grand on genuine leather, this is a solid alternative. Made from soft faux leather, it has a luxurious look without breaking the bank. We’re obsessed with the separate shoe compartment on the bottom of the bag (it fits two pairs) that doubles as dirty laundry storage to keep the rest of your clothes clean. The upper of the bag has a couple of interior pockets and lots of space for everything you’re taking on your travels.
How it Feels: This bag feels as soft as genuine leather but for a fraction of the price. It’s finished with brass hardware and is on the heavier side. But when you don’t feel like carrying it, the bag slots onto rolling luggage using the handy trolley sleeve.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: Due to the bulkier silhouette of this bag, it can be a bit awkward to carry, making it similar to tote bags. Additionally, given the lower price point, it’s not the most high quality bag on this list, but it definitely works as a budget friendly weekender for men.
Material: Faux leather | Dimensions: 12.6H x 20W x 10D inches | Colors Available: 3 | Hardware Color: Brass
Why It’s Great: There’s nothing quite as sleek as a leather weekender, so if you’re searching for something to take on quick business trips, this is the best option. Featuring a handmade construction and a roomy interior, there’s enough space to fit everything you need for forty-eight hours away. The inside of the bag has several slip pockets and a key leash, and the exterior has a compartment for quick access. We love this pick because it’s a big boy duffel instead of a stinky gym bag that doubles as your weekender.
How it Feels: Luca Faloni went the extra mile to make this weekender comfortable to carry. In addition to the grab handles, there’s a detachable shoulder strap with extra non-slip padding to keep it in place and comfortable while on the move.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: This men’s weekender bag comes with a pretty steep price, but considering it’s handmade in Florence by world class artisans, it’s worth every penny.
Material: Tuscan full grain leather | Dimensions: 11H x 20.5W x 9.5D inches | Colors Available: 3 | Hardware Color: Brass
Why It’s Great: This cult favorite duffel is the best weekender bag for men seeking something lightweight, ultra rugged, and extremely practical. With a water resistant exterior and a foldable design, it’s made to move with you wherever your adventures take you. I have this bag in three different sizes, and it’s still one of my favorite weekenders to date.
The fifty liter capacity is ideal as a weekender because it can be used as a carry on (if it’s not stuffed all the way) or a checked bag. Wear it as a backpack or lug it like a duffel, it was created for versatility. And don’t forget to make good use of the zippered exterior pocket, which is a feature of the newer Base Camp duffels.
How it Feels: The exterior of this bag feels super smooth thanks to the waterproof coating. Due to the removable backpack straps, it’s also one of the easiest weekenders to carry. These straps are the most padded carry options on this list, so if you’re looking for comfort above all else, this is the bag to choose.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: The closest alternative to this bag is the Patagonia Black Hole duffel, which is slightly more comfortable to carry. That said, it’s more expensive, which is why we love the North Face version as a solid mid-priced option.
Material: Recycled polyester with PVC coating | Dimensions: 14H X 25W x 14D inches | Colors Available: 1 | Hardware Color: Black
Why It’s Great: As far as the best weekender bag for men goes, the Leather Weekender from Bennett Winch is a sophisticated choice. Ideal for a few days away, there’s a designated shoe compartment (or for laundry or toiletries), heaps of internal pockets, and a zippered chamber on the bag’s exterior. While there’s a lot that makes this weekender great, we particularly appreciate the dedicated laptop sleeve – something you don’t find in many weekenders – accessory pockets, a key strap, and a supple full-grain leather construction. It’s the best choice for guys who are looking for a minimalist bag with plenty of organization.
How it Feels: This weekender duffel bag starts out pretty rigid, but with use, the leather softens. You can carry it with the dual top handles or the duffel strap.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: While we love multiple ways to tote a weekender around, there is no padding on the duffel strap, so it may be uncomfortable to carry over long distances or for an extended period of time.
Material: Full grain leather | Dimensions: 9.8H x 21.6L x 14.1W inches | Colors Available: 2 | Hardware Color: Brass
Why It’s Great: As a roomier weekender duffel bag, this
How it Feels: This weekender definitely has a more rugged feel to it than others on this list, thanks to the canvas construction. Paired with leather detailing, it retains a luxurious look without sacrificing strength.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: This bag’s leather straps look great but are slightly uncomfortable to carry for a long time
Material: British Millerain Tekwax® canvas | Dimensions: 11H x 17W x 10D | Colors Available: 4 | Hardware Color: Brass
Why It’s Great: Tumi is one of the greats when it comes to luggage brands, and this foldable weekend duffel bag is no exception. Some features we love are the double zippers on top, zip pockets, and the lightweight nylon construction. It may not be the most durable bag on the list, but it folds up to be the smallest, making it practical to pack in larger bags “just in case”. It fits inside its own little zippered pouch which snaps to the interior of the bag for additional organization when the duffel is unfolded.
How it Feels: Since it’s so lightweight, this bag feels good to carry. When you need your hands, use the shoulder strap to throw it over your back easily.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: The biggest flaw with this weekender is the shoulder strap is not detachable, which adds extra bulk to the bag, especially when using the carry handles.
Material: Water resistant nylon | Dimensions: 10.3H x 18.9xW x 10.3D inches | Colors Available: 4 | Hardware Color: Gold
Why It’s Great: If organization is the name of the game, this weekender takes first place. Brimming with compartments, pockets, slots, and beyond, there’s a place for everything from tech to clothing. There’s a roomy section for personal effects that has a clamshell opening for easy packing, a padded laptop sleeve, and a front pocket for essentials. Plus, a unique extendable key leash. What more can you ask for out of a men’s weekender bag?
How it Feels: This bag feels sturdy to carry thanks to the lightweight design and multiple carry options. It’s especially practical to access anything you need since it has a clamshell design instead of the top opening that most duffel bags employ.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: At 24 liters, this is certainly a smaller weekender bag. It will only fit clothing essentials since half of the bag is devoted to trinket organization. Though at this size, it fits under the seat in front of you on a plane, making it a versatile option if you want to pair it with another bag (or if you’re flying on Frontier).
Material: Water resistant nylon | Dimensions: 10H x 17W x 8D inches | Colors Available: 3 | Hardware Color: Silver
Why It’s Great: You know those Herschel backpacks that everyone and their mother owns? Well, turns out the brand makes men’s weekender bags too. The Novel Duffel is a practical option for short trips, with a separate shoe compartment accessible from the side and a spacious interior. There are eleven color options to choose from, and the polyester material is surprisingly durable. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for a gift, this is a strong contender for the best weekender bag for men.
How it Feels: This bag feels nice and light, with a padded shoulder strap that makes it easier to carry. It’s not adjustable, but it is removable if you’d rather tote it with the top handles.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: We love the look of the faux leather detailing and carry handles, but over time, they may show wear much more than the rest of the bag.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 11.75H x 20.5W x 11D inches | Colors Available: 12 | Hardware Color: Black
Why It’s Great: Deceptively large and prime for up to a week of travel, this is the best weekender bag for men who need some extra room. It’s top loading with a cavernous interior, and also has a separate compartment on the bottom of the bag. Use it for shoes, laundry, or toiletries. The lining is made from recycled plastic, so even if it gets dirty, it’s a breeze to wipe clean. While there’s not a ton of organization, there’s a front zippered pocket and a slip compartment with a magnetic closure for items like a phone or passport.
How it Feels: I really like the feel of this bag because it has a soft sided exterior with a weatherproof coating to keep water out. It can be a bit bulky to carry, even though the adjustable shoulder strap is padded, which makes the trolley strap one of the most useful features of this bag.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers: The biggest qualm with this men’s weekender bag is it’s too large to be a personal item on an airplane. This means it goes in the overhead compartment rather than under the seat in front of you, which is worth knowing prior to purchasing.
Material: Water repellent polyester | Dimensions: 15.75H x 19W x 9D inches | Colors Available: 5 | Hardware Color: Silver
Buying Considerations for Men’s Weekender Bags
Material
The material is arguably the most important consideration when buying a weekender bag because it impacts how the bag looks and feels. The material also contributes to durability, so it’s important to pick a bag made from durable textiles that won’t fall apart after a few uses.
Many of the best weekender bags for men are made from leather, which is strong, good looking, and long-lasting. However, leather can be pricey, especially high-quality varieties, which turns your weekender bag into an investment.
Aside from leather, you’ll find weekender bags made from waxed canvas, which is our next pick in terms of durability, and polyurethane-coated fabrics that are strong and water-resistant.
Occasionally, you’ll find weekender bags made from polyester, nylon, and faux leather, which are budget-friendly materials but not as high quality as the alternatives mentioned above.
Dimensions
It’s also worth checking the dimensions of a weekender bag because this determines how much it can fit. The dimensions are especially important if you travel by plane because of strict airline carry-on bag requirements.
Most airlines will accept carry on bags with dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller, which is roughly 45 liters.
Typically, weekender bags range from 30 to 45 liters, which is enough room for several outfits, personal essentials, and an extra pair of shoes. A bag of 30 liters or less can often fit as a personal item under the seat in front of you, while anything larger should go in the overhead bin.
Carry Options
At the bare minimum, weekender duffel bags have top grab handles to carry them like tote bags. However, the best weekender bags for men should also have a padded shoulder strap for a much more comfortable and practical carry option.
If you anticipate packing a heavy load, it may be worth choosing a men’s weekender bag that has detachable backpack straps, like the North Face Base Camp Duffel, in addition to carry or shoulder straps. The versatility in carry options makes it easy to transport it wherever your weekend takes you.
Why You Should Trust Us
As someone who owns half of the bags on this list and has personally tested the other half, there’s no one more qualified to present this information. If my rigorous, individual testing isn’t enough, I’ve been a full time traveler for more than five years and primarily live out of a 45 liter weekender duffel bag (yes, you can indeed do laundry while you travel). I’m pleased to share my findings in this article in order to help anyone hunting for their next travel bag make an informed decision.
Final Verdict
With so many options, the best weekender bag for men depends on your personal preferences regarding material, size, carry options, and organizational features. While I personally use the North Face Base Camp Duffel as my own weekender (I’m a big fan of the backpack straps), the overall top pick is the Rains Hilo Weekender, which is waterproof and has a large capacity for any kind of trip. If you’re on a budget, Baosha Travel Duffel is extra spacious and made from faux leather.
FAQ
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While weekender bags often take the form of duffels, in the true sense of the word, they are not the same type of bag. A weekender refers to a bag big enough to accommodate everything needed for 48 to 72 hours of travel, while a duffel is simply a bag that generally has a top opening and carry handles that can be worn over the shoulder like a cross body bag. Duffel bags come in all shapes and sizes, while weekender bags typically hover between a 30 and 45 liter capacity.
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You should choose an overnight bag if you are going away for a single evening and a weekender bag if you will be gone for more than one night. Weekender bags stay true to their name and can typically fit what’s needed for a few days or a weekend away. Overnight bags are on the smaller side and can be as simple as a small backpack or a briefcase with extra room for personal items.
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