The 9 Best Weekender Bags for Short Trips

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When it comes to packing for a weekend away, the type of trip you’re taking will likely dictate which weekender bag you bring. If you’re hopping on a short flight and don’t want to check a bag, you’ll probably want a suitcase that can fit under the seat. If you’re relying on trains or public transportation, something you can walk with, like a duffle bag or backpack, will likely be a better choice. 

No matter which option you choose, a good weekender bag does double duty; as both an optimized travel bag that fits everything you need for a weekend-long adventure, and an all-purpose personal item that has a place for everything you need on the plane. 

These are the weekender bags that the SmarterTravel editors swear by for short trips, along with the reasons why we love them.

Samsonite Better Than Basic Weekender

We’re obsessed with Samsonite’s Better Than Basic Weekender because of its genius design. This duffle-style bag has a large compartment on the bottom that’s perfect for shoes or anything else that you want to keep separate from everything else. (It also works great for dirty laundry!)

This weekender also solves many of the packing problems that a regular duffle presents. It has plenty of interior pockets to keep everything organized, including a laptop compartment.  The adjustable, padded shoulder strap makes the weekender easy to carry, even if you’ve overstuffed it. 

Dimensions: 18.9” x 14.2” x 9.8” 

Lululemon 2-in-1 Travel Duffle Backpack

Can’t decide between a duffle and a backpack? You don’t have to choose with Lululemon’s 2-in-1 Travel Duffle Backpack. The duffle has hidden straps that can be used to convert it to a backpack or cross-body bag in a snap. 

Made from a water-repellent fabric, this bag will keep your stuff dry (even if it gets abandoned on the tarmac in a rainstorm). Othe helpful features include an exterior zippered pocket with a hidden key clip, a water bottle pocket, and a padded laptop pocket.

Dimensions: 20.5” x 12.6” x 9.3”

Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage

Calpak’s Hue Mini Carry-On is a miniature version of a spinner suitcase that’s sized to fit under most airplane seats. The Hue fits all of the features of a regular suitcase into its small size, including a TSA-lock, interior zippered divider, and multiple pockets for organization. 

We’ve found that this bag can hold enough for a long weekend trip, if you’re selective about what you pack. 

Dimensions: 16” x 14” x 9”

Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend Bag

When you’re checking into a five-star hotel, and you want to look the part, reach for Carl Friedrik’s Palissy Weekend Bag. This all-leather bag and upright construction lends a stylish, structured look to your travel ensemble. 

The Palissy can hold enough clothes for a weekend, and is small enough that it can easily fit under your seat on an airplane, so you can use it as a personal item on longer jaunts.  

Dimensions: 19.1” x 10” x 9.7”

Away’s The Weekender

A duffel that will protect your laptop and still fit in the overhead bin, Away’s The Weekender packs smart features like its hidden exterior shoe compartment and outer sleeve packed with electronics pockets. The shoe compartment is lined to resist dirt and grime, and the diminutive dimensions fit most airlines’ carry-on luggage requirements.

Our favorite feature is the full wraparound zip opening, which allows you to open the bag and pack it suitcase-style. 

Dimensions: 20.9” x 11.8” x 9.4”

Samsonite Wheeled Underseat Bag

If you prefer to roll your bag rather than hauling it on your shoulder, Samsonite’s Wheeled Underseat Bag is for you. This favorite among travel experts combines portability with packing power. It will fit neatly under the seat in front of you but still holds everything you need for a weekend away under its clam-shell opening top, which lifts to reveal not one but several clear, zippered pouches for super-organized packing.

Dimensions: 14.17” x 13.38” x 9.05”

JenniBag Jenni Backpack

When you’re not using the Jenni Backpack on a weekend trip, we’ve found it pulls triple duty as the perfect gym and work bag. This roomy backpack can hold up to four days’ worth of clothes, plus two laptops. 

The separate shoe compartment keeps the rest of your clothes clean and odor-free. The bag even has a built-in USB port, so you can charge your gadgets on the go. 

Dimensions: 11.8” x 5.9” x 16.5”

Beis The Convertible Mini Weekender

Whether you’re packing light or carrying a lot, Beis’ The Convertible Mini Weekender is the ideal size. Bring it as your personal item along with a carry-on, or use it as your sole bag and stash it under the airplane seat—this miniturized version of Beis’ popular Convertible Weekender is small enough to fit practically anywhere. Despite the small size, it’s surprisingly roomy inside and has a 33 liter capacity. 

This ultra-versitile bag has a bottom compartment that can be zipped off completely, so you can downsize the weekender even further, or so you can use it as a packing cube or shoe bag in your suitcase. 

Dimensions: 16” x 16” x 8”

Pacsafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

No matter where you’re traveling for the weekend, keep your stuff secure with Pacsafe’s EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack. This backpack is loaded with anti-theft features including an RFID-blocking pocket, lockable and puncture-resistant zippers, cut-resistant straps, and a lockable anchor strap.

Use it as a backpack, or tuck away the straps to carry it like a duffle bag with the front grab handle or like a suitcase by the side handle.  
Dimensions: 21.7” x 13” x 7.5”

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