Whether you’re jetting off on a quick work trip, a romantic weekend away, or heading home for the holidays, you need a great travel bag in your collection. When a cumbersome suitcase doesn't fit the bill, a weekender bag is the best option for a two or three-day trip. They’re the smaller, more compact answer to your overpacked carry-on suitcase or crossbody bag and offer a virtually hands-free experience en route to your vacation. At least, that’s what the best weekend and overnight bags should do. To find those, I chatted with experts about how to find the best ones for your next trip.
"When my luggage got lost on my way to Turks & Caicos, I learned the hard way to always travel with a weekender bag (you don't have to check)", recalls Jacey Duprie, a content creator and the writer behind the fashion and travel blog Damsel in Dior. “After that experience, I realized I needed a reliable bag to keep up with my frequent travels. I've always included a day or two of clothes and necessities as a precaution against lost bags."
Duprie says it's a bonus if it can double as a work bag, with details including laptop-friendly pockets and hidden shoe compartments. And remember, while function means the bag should fit your essentials, you don't have to sacrifice style—a sentiment stylist Ashley Afriyie is quick to co-sign.
Afriyie, who works on the stylist assistant’s team for celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Selena Gomez, is an expert at packing light. Her favorite L.L. Bean bag (below) is durable enough to hold a change of clothes and shoes, as well as her hand-held steamer, which she always needs on hand for photo calls, press junkets, and photo shoots. It doesn't take up too much space, so it can easily fit under a train, plane seat, or overhead in the cabin.
Ahead, Marie Claire rounded up the best weekender bags suitable for just about every kind of trip. Our picks come courtesy of Duprie, Afriyie, and selects from our team of well-traveled editors who spend almost as much time on the road as they do at their desks in New York City.
- Shop Marie Claire's Favorite Weekender and Overnight Bags
- What to Look For in The Best Weekender and Overnight Bags
- Meet The Experts
Marie Claire's Favorite Weekender and Overnight Bags
- Best Overall Weekender Bag: Herschel Supply Co. Novel Duffel Bag
- Best Affordable Weekender Bag: Sinaliy Large Travel Backpack for Women
- Best Expandable Weekender Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage 21-Inch Expandable Travel Bag
- Best Leather Weekender Bag: Away The Everywhere Bag
- Best Weekender Bag For Light Packers: Fjällräven Kånken 15-Inch Laptop Backpack
- Best Versatile Weekender Bag: Everlane The ReNew Transit 3-Way Tote
Shop The Best Weekender Bags
This sleek canvas duffel bag from Herschel Supply Co. has more to it than meets the naked eye. One peek inside reveals a padded shoe compartment that runs through the center. It also comes in two colors—white and black—and has key design features that make it top our list of the best weekend bags ever. These include a waterproof zipper that zips in two directions and an interior mesh zipped pocket for your most essential belongings. An adjustable, removable shoulder strap is also included.
What We Love: Has a separate shoe compartment; has a convertible shoulder strap; has waterproofed zippers
What We Don't: Some reviewers say the handles are not flexible.
Material: Recycled Polyester
"This water-resistant nylon-and-leather overnight and weekender bag from Longchamp (another favorite brand of team Marie Claire) is great for longer trips because it’s actually expandable courtesy of a zip insert," Fashion Features Editor Emma Childs shares. "Plus, it folds down to lay flat, which makes it great for trips where you expect to shop or are planning to come home with more items than you left with—a.k.a. every vacation I've ever been on. Plus, it’s still eligible to be a carry-on, even if fully expanded," she explains.
What We Love: Editor-recommended; water-resistant; has a removable shoulder strap; expandable design; comes in several colors; lightweight.
What We Don't: Has one interior side pocket.
Material: Nylon
Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor, Kristin Contino, swears by this pink backpack from Sinaliy, available for less than $50 on Amazon. "It's not just perfect for an overnight or weekend trip—I packed for ten days in Europe this summer using just this and a carry-on suitcase," she says. Its secret is that it "unzips all the way and folds open like a suitcase." The brand says it will safely and securely hold several different laptop sizes in one of its many dedicated compartments. It's made from lightweight and water-resistant polyester. It also comes complete with an anti-theft clasp across the front and a trolley sleeve—and if you travel by plane a lot, you'll be happy to hear that it fits both in the overhead compartment and underneath the seat in front of you.
What We Love: It is editor-recommended, unzips to lay flat, comes in several colors, fits underneath the airplane seat, and is water-resistant.
What We Don't: Some reviewers found it too heavy.
Material: Polyester
This bag has been everywhere with me—most recently, to a weekend away for a music festival out of state. I could fit two outfits (complete with another pair of shoes!), two bags full of makeup and skincare products, and a smaller crossbody bag inside. Even though it's made from leather, I found the material surprisingly lightweight. This bag has a deep, slim pocket on the side that could fit a large book, too. The padded shoulder strap is a major bonus that doesn't dig into my shoulder, and I found that it didn't feel heavy even though it was stuffed to the brim. The interior is also lined with an easy-to-clean nylon material, which is handy just in case my makeup bag leaks. And while this might seem like a silly detail, I find that the bottom of the bag is the perfect width to be placed on top of my carry-on suitcase.
What We Love: It is water resistant, has a trolley sleeve, a detachable padded shoulder strap, a padded 15" laptop pocket, and comes in several colorways.
What We Don't: Some reviewers note the stiff handles can be uncomfortable and bulky; doesn't have a separate shoe compartment.
Material: Leather
My husband brought this backpack from Fjällräven. It's the best option on this list if you're a light packer—he could fit a laptop, a change of shoes, a hoodie, and another T-shirt for the three-day trip. When I borrowed it, I found that the straps were so comfortable, and the padded design was so relaxed on my back. I also love the longer straps on the top—they make it easy to carry because the design is so lightweight. It's made from a waterproof material called Vinylon-F that weighs in at under a pound when it's empty.
What We Love: It is water-resistant, fits most 15" laptops, has a dedicated laptop sleeve, has adjustable shoulder straps, and comes in several colors.
What We Don't: It is better for overnight or two-day trips and has no separate shoe compartment.
Material: Vinylon-F
This bag comes from Everlane's ReNew collection, which includes one of Marie Claire's best laptop-friendly backpacks. This one, however, pulls triple duty as a tote, a backpack, and a crossbody bag. It's our pick for the best versatile option on this list because it can seamlessly take you from the office to the airport or train station. It also comes in three neutral colors, including olive green, a chalky white, and classic black, and contains several internal and external pockets like a dedicated, padded laptop sleeve.
What We Love: It can be worn three ways, has a dedicated laptop sleeve, comes in three colors, has several internal pockets, and is machine-washable.
What We Don't: It doesn't have a dedicated shoe compartment.
Material: 100 percent recycled polyester
Other Weekender Bags We Love
This sleek little bag hails from top luggage brand Monos and comes in two monochromatic colors: black and rich green. Thanks to details like a padded laptop sleeve, it can double as a work bag if you have a lot of stuff to carry on your commute. It also comes outfitted with travel-friendly details like a dedicated shoe compartment and a water-resistant material. Easy-to-reach internal and external pockets keep your phone and wallet handy, too.
What We Love: It has a dedicated shoe compartment, a laptop sleeve, and is made from a water-resistant material.
What We Don't: Some reviewers say it's too large to fit underneath an airplane seat.
Material: Nylon, with faux leather options available on Monos's website
You've probably seen this weekender bag all over TikTok and Instagram. Available in four colors, including this bubblegum pink shade, it has all the features of a backpack perfect for a girl on the go, like a dedicated shoe compartment at the base and adjustable, removable shoulder straps. Slim exterior pockets make packing and accessing essentials easy, while the long shoulder straps keep it snugly tucked under your arm. The waterproof fabrication and metal feet are the small details that matter.
What We Love: It has a dedicated shoe compartment, comes in several colors, has an adjustable, removable shoulder strap, interior and exterior pockets, and a trolley sleeve.
What We Don't: Some reviewers said it's heavy.
Material: Poly Canvas
This duffle from CALPAK might look small, but it can hold a surprising amount. A soft shell at the top combines with a more rigid bottom compartment, perfect for storing shoes or liquids prone to leaking during travel. That hardshell design at the bottom is just one of many compartments on this bag—others include zipped pockets on the inside and the outside and a trolley sleeve at the back. It also comes in black, light gray, and a soft pink hue.
What We Love: It has a trolley sleeve, a dedicated shoe compartment at the base, three colors, a removable shoulder strap, and interior and exterior pockets.
What We Don't: Reviewers say it's bulky.
Material: Polyester
This quilted pick from MZ Wallace is a favorite for its lightweight, durable design. It has padded handles, a whopping seven exterior pockets, a laptop up to 16" long, a trolley sleeve, and a dainty key ring inside so you won't lose track of your set while in transit. Classic details like a removable, adjustable shoulder strap are also built-in.
What We Love: It comes in eight colors, has a lightweight design, seven exterior pockets, a key ring, and a dedicated phone pocket.
What We Don't: It doesn't have a dedicated shoe compartment.
Material: REC Oxford
If you've ever dealt with shampoo or foundation leaking all over (and staining) your travel bag, this one from Vera Bradley is for you. It's machine-washable and made from lightweight cotton. You can shop it in 28 colorways, including many of the brand's iconic prints and patterns. It has three sleek exterior pockets—one slip and two zip—so you can get to your phone, wallet, or passport in seconds. It also makes the perfect companion to your carry-on suitcase with a trolley sleeve at the back.
What We Love: Machine-washable fabric; has a trolley sleeve; has a removable shoulder strap; has three exterior pockets.
What We Don't: It doesn't have a separate shoe compartment.
Material: Cotton
This is Afriyie's pick for her frequent travels. "When I tell you this bag is the best thing ever, and I get so many compliments when I wear it, I mean it," she tells Marie Claire. Available in three sizes and five colors, it's the sturdiest pick on our list. Think of it as the travel-ready version of L.L. Bean's iconic Boat and Tote. This one doesn't have a zipper across the top, which might be better for car journeys, but the brand also has a style with a strap and a zipper if you need them. The interior is coated in a wax that's equally durable and easy to clean. And if you want to lean into the coastal grandma vibes, you can add your monogram to the side.
What We Love: It is expert-recommended, comes in three sizes and five colors, is monogrammable, and comes in several colors and prints.
What We Don't: Doesn't have a zipper; doesn't have a crossbody strap
Material: Canvas
This is Duprie's favorite weekender bag. Available in three colors and with a monogrammed design at the front, it's easy to see why it's a lasting favorite. "I took it as my carry-on to Japan, London, and France this year, and it also served as my weekender for a trip to Big Sur recently," she says. "It's versatile, fits perfectly on a roll-on bag, and fits everything inside, from a few days of clothes to my laptop." It doesn't come with a strap included (you can buy one), but it has many other design details to love. For instance, it can hold a 15-inch laptop inside and is made from EcoCraft Canvas, a fabric that's durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean.
What We Love: Expert-recommended; fits on a rolling bag; can fit a laptop; easy-to-clean; monogrammable.
What We Don't: It doesn't come with a shoulder strap.
Material: EcoCraft Canvas
There was a time when I couldn't scroll on TikTok for more than ten minutes without seeing a bag from Baboon to the Moon. The brand's famous Go-Bag range has become a go-to for travelers online, and for good reason. The brand says you can fit up to five days of outfits and accessories, and I believe it. This duffle unzips to lay completely flat and features four pockets. It's also machine-washable and made from a waterproof outer shell. Removable, adjustable, and ergonomic shoulder pads also mean you won't feel shoulder or back pain after carrying it all day. If you need a smaller bag, you can shop in two other sizes: a mini 32-liter option and a slightly bigger 40-liter version.
What We Love: Machine-washable; Unzips to lay flat; has seven colors; has interior and exterior pockets.
What We Don't: Can be bulky when packed.
Material: Phthalate-free PVC fabric
This sporty, lightweight pick from FP Movement—the workout brand Marie Claire editors love—is the perfect way to lean into your inner athlete. It comes in two colors (blue and white) and has a slouchy, roomy interior ideal for filling with your weekend-away essentials. This is perfect for people who prefer to throw on their bag and go, thanks to an adjustable crossbody strap with a padded shoulder design. Snapped pockets on the outside with a smaller zipped pocket on the inside give this no-frills, under-$100 option a cool, understated touch.
What We Love: It has an adjustable padded shoulder strap, is lightweight, and has exterior and interior pockets. It comes in two colors.
What We Don't: It doesn't have a dedicated shoe compartment.
Material: 100 percent Polyester
What To Look for in the Best Weekender and Overnight Bags
- Functional Design Features: Look for design features that suit your needs. A removable shoulder strap, a trolley sleeve, a mix of interior and exterior pockets, or a dedicated shoe compartment at the base are all major plusses in my book. They will transform a great weekend or overnight bag into the best bar none. The bags on this list are all outfitted with combinations of must-buy features like the ones mentioned, plus others you may not have considered before you started shopping.
- A Stylish Look: Function is essential, but aesthetics are, too. You want a bag you'll be proud to carry that complements your wardrobe. Many of this list's options come in neutral colors, but others have playful patterns and prints.
- High-Quality Materials: You want a bag that lasts; the materials matter. The options on this list are made from durable fabrics like leather, canvas, or lightweight polyester. Some even come with easy-to-clean materials or waterproof or water-resistant finish so your clothes won't get soaked.
Meet the Experts
Duprie started Damsel in Dior in 2011 as a creative outlet after working freelance as a website designer.
Ashley Afriyie is a stylist who has worked with brands and publications, including Vogue, Teen Vogue, Saks Fifth Avenue, Marie Claire, and Gucci, and on the styling assistant team for Meryl Streep, Lupita N’yongo, Selena Gomez, Naomi Watts, and Anne Hathaway.
