Best Weekender Bags For Men 2024, Tested - Forbes Vetted

The best weekender bags for men are spacious enough to fit a few days’ worth of clothes, easy to carry for a range of trips and, importantly, compact to fit in a plane’s overhead bin if necessary. We researched the top-rated weekender bags across a number of styles and asked our team of editors to test the contenders, scoring each on a scale from 0 to 5. Our best overall pick, the Nomad Lane v4 Bento Bag, zips open like a suitcase for ultimate accessibility and offers deep pockets for storage.

The best weekender bags for men are spacious, easy to carry and versatile, all while being compact ... [+] enough to fit in a plane’s overhead bin.

From high-end leather options like Carl Friedrik’s Compact Weekender to hard-working cotton canvas bags such as Mark & Graham’s Canvas and Leather Weekender, our winners are designed to be versatile—one of our favorites from Fjällräven even transforms into a backpack—and have multiple organizational features. Below, the best weekender bags for men, and for more inspiration, check out our larger guide to the best weekender bags.

Nomad Lane

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Dimensions: 17 x 8 x 10 inches | Capacity: 24 liters | Weight: 2.76 pounds | Materials: Nylon, leather | Colors: 4 total

Nomad Lane considered every travel need when designing the v4 Bento Bag. Its main body zips open like a suitcase for ultimate accessibility and it has many interior pockets, including a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to 16-inch screens. The bag also includes two separate pouches: a see-through toiletry pouch and a tech pouch to organize your cords and chargers. It has a slim, sophisticated profile that stealthily holds a lot while easily fitting under a plane seat.

What our tester says: “The zippers, stitching and internal compartments were robust, and with the weather-resistant nylon, I never needed to worry about exposing this bag to the elements," says Forbes Vetted director of audience development Spencer Dukoff, who traveled with this bag on a weekend trip to the Newport Folk Festival. "It’s an ‘everything bag’ that’s low profile enough to make you want to use it in different situations.”

Béis

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Dimensions: 16 x 19 x 10 inches | Capacity: 49 liters | Weight: 3.86 pounds | Materials: Poly canvas, vegan leather | Colors: 9 total

The Weekender from Béis has a place for everything: From a bottom zip-around section perfect for shoes or dirty laundry to a protective laptop sleeve and easy-access pockets, it keeps you organized for all your trip’s needs. Its wire-frame top opens fully without losing structure while the padded shoulder strap can be removed for handheld carrying. At just over $100, it’s one of the more affordable weekender bags out there, given its quality. For shorter travel, Béis also sells a Mini Weekender that has a smaller 33-liter capacity.

What our tester says: “I was impressed by how well the outer canvas of the bag held up despite how soft it feels," says editorial assistant Whitney Bruno in her tested review of this bag. "The material withstood multiple subway rides and trips without any wear and tear. I also appreciated the durable, hard outer shell of the footwear compartment.”

Away

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Dimensions: 20.9 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | Capacity: 38 liters | Weight: 3.8 pounds | Materials: Nylon, leather | Colors: 6 total

Away, a brand known for its stylish luggage, has a collection of bags ideal for shorter trips. The Weekender, its largest duffel, is spacious enough to fit a few days’ worth of clothes. Outfitted with zippered interior compartments to organize your items, it also has an accessible padded laptop sleeve that makes going through TSA a breeze. The cotton canvas material is durable and gives it a sleek and minimalist look, but note it’s a somewhat heavy bag that isn’t fully waterproof.

What our tester says: “I took this bag with me on a recent trip to Montréal and it was more than spacious enough for three days of travel," says senior travel editor Astrid Taran. "I was able to squeeze in two pairs of pants, four shirts, a blazer, a sweater and a toiletry bag, and I used its shoe compartment to store a pair of flats. It feels a bit heavy despite its material, so it’s not best for travelers who are going to be carrying heavy equipment in it, like cameras or tech. It would be great, however, for a road trip.”

Bellroy

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Editor’s note: We tested the 35-liter weekender bag, which was recently discontinued. We included product information below for the 45-liter version.

Dimensions: 14.6 × 26 × 11.8 inches | Capacity: 45 liters | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Materials: Recycled polyester, recycled nylon, nylon | Colors: 3 total

With its sturdy Looma Weave exterior—a textured, technical polyester made from recycled plastic bottles—Bellroy’s Classic Weekender is equally hard-working and stylish. Its wide-open zipper allows the bag to pack full, or both sides can snap onto the grab loops for a more compact look, making it easier to stash overhead or underseat. There’s a simple pass-through strap for attaching to your roller board luggage and a sneaky feature—its internal brand label doubles as a tiny AirTag pouch—lets you track your belongings across multiple stops and transfers.

What our tester says: “Despite its spacious size, this bag conveniently fits into a car trunk, overhead compartment or under an airplane seat," says senior content strategist Alex Noonan, who traveled with this bag on a three-day trip to Germany. “It offers excellent organization—I especially liked the raised mesh pockets inside, which allowed me to secure items I didn’t want squished, and the side-slip pockets made it easy to grab things on the go.”

Aer

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Dimensions: 19.5 x 12 x 9 inches | Capacity: 35 liters | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Materials: Cordura nylon | Colors: 2 total

Aer’s Cordura products are designed to be durable and versatile, and the Travel Weekender easily follows suit. The seemingly simple silhouette offers six pockets—including a sleeve that can accommodate two slim laptops—and a smooth, woven lining that’s equally protective and luxe-feeling. The padded, adjustable strap is comfortable for crossbody or shoulder wearing, while the back pocket provides easy-access for your passport or boarding pass. Another stand-out feature: It has two exterior water bottle holders, something most of our other favorites don’t offer.

What our tester says: “The ballistic nylon exterior feels impenetrable and the padded laptop sleeve left me no doubt that my devices would come out unscathed," says branded content editor Luke Fater, who traveled with this bag on two weekend trips to Rhode Island and Massachusetts. “I appreciated the sneaky way it hides six storage compartments within what looks like, at a glance, a single-compartment weekender.”

Fjällräven

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Dimensions: 11.8 x 17.3 x 7.9 inches | Capacity: 30 liters | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Materials: Vinylon F | Colors: 8 total

Those familiar with Fjällräven’s Känken collection know it’s consistently won raves for durability. The weekender bag is made from the same synthetic fiber—Vinylon F—as Fjällräven’s classic backpack, and it’s designed to swell when it gets wet, activating a built-in rain resistance that doesn’t involve any potentially harmful Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating. We also gave it high marks for its versatility in carrying options: It can be worn as a backpack in addition to over your shoulder or carried with the standard handles. We’d prefer if the backpack straps could tuck away when not in use, but they can be used as a luggage sleeve for your rolling suitcase.

What our tester says: I tested this bag and loved how it fit a surprising amount of stuff for being so compact. There’s a separate section that was perfect for dirty laundry on my weekend trip, or it could fit a couple pairs of shoes, too. I also used the backpack feature, a really convenient option for when the fully-packed bag started to hurt my shoulder.

Carl Friedrick

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Dimensions: 18.1 x 11 x 7.3 inches | Capacity: 24 liters | Weight: 3.5 pounds | Materials: Nubuck leather | Colors: 4 total

The Compact Weekender from Carl Friedrik might be on the smaller side, as its name suggests, but it’s also built to last. The nubuck leather exterior—brushed for a suede-like finish—is durable and long-lasting since it’s crafted from an extra-tough hide. It has three interior pockets ideal for stashing toiletries or small accessories, and the quick-access slip pocket on the outside fits your phone or itinerary. Unlike some of our other favorite weekenders, this bag doesn’t have a laptop sleeve, so it might be better suited for general use instead of a business trip.

What our tester says: “This is a very compact bag, akin to a small gym bag, and it slipped effortlessly into the cramped overhead bin on my flight," says executive editor Dave Johnson, who used this bag on a weekend trip from Michigan to New York City. “Its material feels soft and velvety smooth to the touch; it’s also known for its ruggedness. The surface takes on some minor scratches and imperfections, but I found these came right out with a little brushing.”

July

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Dimensions: 10.5 x 18 x 8.5 inches | Capacity: 28 liters | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Materials: 420D Nylon | Colors: 2 total

With a smooth-to-the-touch nylon twill exterior fabric and a minimal silhouette, the Carry All Weekender from July not only looks good, it also packs an impressive storage punch. Its leather handles are soft—meaning they won’t hurt your hands when your bag is packed to capacity—and its detachable shoulder strap has padding for extra comfort no matter which way you wear it. We like the main internal compartment with dividers and zippered pockets that help keep your belongings organized and accessible when you’re on the move.

What our tester says: “This bag was very durable: It came with me through airports and subways, and it held up very well," says features director Kim Peiffer, who traveled with the July Carry All on weekend trips to New York City and Wisconsin. "I got caught in a rainstorm on my trip and the bag had no visible stains from getting wet. Overall, it’s very chic-looking and gender-neutral. I love the style, the colors, the handles and overall design, and it’s not too bulky.”

Mark & Graham

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Dimensions: 31 x 10.5 x 17.5 | Capacity: Not listed | Weight: Not listed | Materials: Canvas, leather | Colors: 11 total

Sometimes a classic doesn’t require reinvention. Take Mark & Graham’s Canvas and Leather Weekender, for instance, with its iconic good looks and durable cotton canvas. Touting two simple pockets—one interior, one exterior—the bag covers the basics, minus bells and whistles. Its spacious main compartment has ample room for a long weekend away, but since there’s no dividers, it might call for some packing cubes. Like most of our other top picks, this bag features a detachable shoulder strap so you can adjust your carrying style as needed.

What our tester says: “This bag has a very understated but classic look that could fit anyone’s aesthetic," says product manager Matt Flood, who traveled with this bag on a weekend lake trip this summer. "The canvas felt tough and sturdy, especially around the handle. The leather on the bottom proved durable as well.”

Antler

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Dimensions: 5.9 x 11 x 16.3 inches | Capacity: 27 liters | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Materials: Recycled polyester | Colors: 3 total

British travel brand Antler was founded in 1914, so it knows a thing or two about engineering a smart travel bag. The brand’s new Icon Overnight is a practical—not to mention stylish—weekender with a lot more storage than you’d expect. With two end water bottle pockets, two exterior pockets (including one with a magnet closure), a laptop sleeve and three internal zippered pockets, there’s truly a place for everything. The structured bag is padded and lined, adding stability and durability. Four plastic feet on the bottom help keep it clean and prolong its lifespan.

What our tester says: I traveled with this bag and loved its minimalist profile, not to mention its storage pockets. I especially appreciated how some of the inside pockets are mesh so you can easily see their contents, a really helpful feature if you’re prone to losing important documents during travel. And while this is a small bag, I still managed to fit a whole weekend’s worth of outfits—and a pair of shoes—by rolling my clothes and packing them upright, Marie Kondo-style.

The travel team at Forbes Vetted is dedicated to hunting down the best travel products—we research, test and write about the highest quality pieces on the market, from the best garment bags to the best travel toiletry bags.

Just like how the perfect weekend trip isn’t the same for every traveler, weekender bags run the gamut in terms of options. When choosing a weekender bag for men, here are three things to keep in mind.

Weekender bags are generally built for, well, a weekend. However, if your weekend trip might turn into an extended stay, you’ll want to look into a bag that offers a bit more capacity. The Béis The Weekender offers 49 liters of capacity, more than any other bag on our list, while the Bellroy Classic Weekender offers 45 liters of space, making it another great option for trips that may extend past two to three days.

Canvas weekenders, like the Mark & Graham Canvas & Leather Weekender, look great but can show marks in white and neutral shades, so go for darker colors if you’re a rugged traveler or make sure your bag is machine washable. Nylon weekenders, like the Nomad Lane v4 Bento Bag, are a smart choice for weekender bags since they are durable, easy to roll up and waterproof. Leather weekenders, like the Carl Friedrik Compact Weekender, are durable and tend to get better with age, making them worth the investment. For more structured bags, it’s wise to invest in good construction and hardware, like adjustable straps and double stitched seams.

Let the types of weekend trips you take dictate your weekender bag’s style. Business travelers might appreciate the sleek look of the Nomad Lane v4 Bento Bag or the Carl Friedrik Compact Weekender, while casual travelers can go for the Béis The Weekender or Away The Weekender. If you optimize for convenience, consider the July Carry All Weekender for its streamlined style and the Antler Icon Overnight Bag for its structure.