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The 10 best weekend bags for your next mini break

However you're travelling, do it in style!

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best weekend bags

Finding the best weekend bag can be almost as tricky as booking the perfect city break. But stylish, durable luggage that makes packing easy is a must-have for short-haul travellers.

Our top weekend bags are ideal for taking on overnight stays or long weekends – those getaways where you want to travel light. They come in all shapes and sizes, from a travel backpack that’s great for going hands-free to a tote bag for chic getaways (that also doubles up as a beach bag if you're somewhere hot).

To help you travel in style, the GH editors have hand-selected their favourite weekend bags, based on a mix of criteria including practicality, durability, design and useful additions like laptop sections and shoe storage. Find out more about how we choose the best bags as well as what to consider before you shop below.

Most practical weekend bag

Kapten & Son Lisbon Duffle Backpack Large

Lisbon Duffle Backpack Large

This duffle bag/backpack hybrid has been a game changer for our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, as it can easily transport days' worth of outfits and belongings. There’s also a chest buckle for better support and security – perfect for when you’re carrying heavy loads!

The design feels very high quality and we love the two end compartments for keeping everything separate. There’s plenty of storage inside too, including two mesh pockets and a laptop compartment. It also comes with laundry and shoe bags, so you’ll have everything you need to stay organised on the go.

Key specifications

Carry optionsHandle, over the shoulder strap and back straps
Colour optionsBlack or cream
MaterialRecycled PET
Dimensions38 (H) x 60 (W) x 32 (D) cm
Good roll-top weekend bag

Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack

Stockholm Backpack

This Helly Hansen backpack would make a thoughtful unisex gift for travellers. Thanks to the roll-top design, the main compartment is adjustable and easy to fasten. It also comes with a laptop sleeve and padded straps, making it a great pick for those who commute via public transport or bike.

It’s not the biggest backpack so is best suited to light packers or one-night stays but it’s an affordable buy.

Key specifications

Carry optionsHandle and back straps
Colour optionsDeep dive, ocean, grey fog and black
MaterialPolyester, Polyvinyl
Dimensions15 x 30 x 45 cm
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Good budget weekend bag

Eastpak Stand+ Duffle Bag

Stand+ Duffle Bag
Now 16% Off

After splashing out on a weekend away, the last thing you need is to spend a fortune on your luggage. That’s why we love this affordable, yet practical, bag from Eastpak. It’s lightweight and versatile with carry handles and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap.

It folds away easily and comes with a compact pouch for no-fuss storage when it’s not in use. Plus, it's the ideal cabin-friendly size if you want something to fly with.

Key specifications

Carry optionsDetachable, adjustable shoulder strap and handle
Colour optionsBlack, black denim, blue and triple denim
MaterialPolyester
Dimensions25 x 53 x 24 cm

Fjällräven Weekender Holdall

Weekender Holdall

Popular luggage brand Fjällräven specialises in durable designs, and this weekender is no exception.

With a 30L capacity, it can be worn in three ways: crossbody, as a hold-all, or as a backpack. The handles are a little rough and they’re not the strongest, but while it may look small, it can hold a lot. Plus, there’s a 17” laptop compartment and the expandable front section is handy for keeping passports and phones within quick reach.

Key specifications

Carry optionsCrossbody, handle and over the shoulder
Colour optionsOchre, clay, ox red, pastel lavender, black, navy and frost green
MaterialVinylon
Dimensions30 x 44 x 20 cm
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Good value weekend bag

ROKA Gatwick Travel Duffle Bag

Gatwick Travel Duffle Bag

We love the versatility of this bag. As well as top handles, it has a detachable shoulder strap, a side handle, and a sleeve handle to attach it to your suitcase so you can breeze through the airport.

The handy shoe compartment is separate from the main bag, and there are two pockets on the front that offer a lot more extra space than you’d initially think. There’s also a laptop compartment and interior pockets for valuables. It’s not the smartest-looking bag on this list but it’s practical, durable and more affordable than most.

Key specifications

Carry optionsHandle and over the shoulder strap
Colour optionsKhaki, deep blue, flax, airforce, teal, ash, pewter, smoke, rooibos
MaterialRecycled canvas and canvas, recycled nylon, cotton webbing
Dimensions32 x 54 x 24.5 cm
Good lightweight weekend bag

Away Featherlight Weekender

Featherlight Weekender

Part of the brand’s ‘Featherlight’ collection, this weekend bag weighs in at least than one kilogram, so even if you fill it to the brim with your favourite outfits, it shouldn’t weigh you down. However, the polyester twill material does feel cheaper than a traditional duffle bag – something to keep in mind if you typically opt for a thicker fabric.

The bag comes with a 16” laptop pocket, an interior and exterior pocket, and a shoe compartment at the bottom. We also love the adjustable crossbody strap, which feels sturdy and secure and (most importantly) comfortable!

Key specifications

Carry optionsHandles and cross-body
Colour optionsBlack and tan
MaterialPolyester twill
Dimensions53 x 24 x 35 cm
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Good budget buy

Kono Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag

Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag
Now 33% Off

This is more of an overnight option than a weekend bag, but it’s super affordable, can be easily adjusted from handbag size to an overnight bag, and comes with a matching cosmetic bag for storing your beauty essentials.

There’s also a sleeve for attaching it to your suitcase so you can free up your hands in the airport.

Key specifications

Carry optionsHandle
Colour optionsBeige, black, black and brown, grey, navy and pink
MaterialNylon
Dimensions22 x 40 x 42 cm

Horizn Studios SoFo Weekender M

SoFo Weekender M

Sleek and sophisticated, travelling with this weekend bag certainly won’t cramp your style. It’s made with a water-sealed base and waterproof lining and features padded handles, and an adjustable shoulder strap made of coated cotton.

There are also pockets on the inside and outside for storing valuables or items that need to be within easy reach, and the 32L capacity means there’s plenty of room for everything you might need for a weekend getaway.

Key specifications

Carry optionsHandles and cross-body
Colour optionsBlack, light quartz grey, olive, white, navy blue
MaterialRecycled water-sealed cotton canvas
Dimensions31 x 20 x 52 cm
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Good weekend backpack

Stubble & Co Hybrid Backpack 30L

Hybrid Backpack 30L

Our tech editor, Simon Cocks, says Stubble & Co's Hybrid backpack is fantastic for a long weekend getaway. It opens like a suitcase for packing, and the 30L capacity allows you to fit a lot in.

It weighs just 1.5kg and has smart features like a dual-access top pocket, a padded laptop and tablet compartment, and water-resistant zips. It might be a little bulky if you're travelling light, but if you've got a lot to carry, it's a comfy all-in-one travel backpack.

Key specifications

Carry optionsHandle and back straps
Colour optionsBlack
MaterialRecycled PET, recycled TPU, recycled nylon
Dimensions31 x 50 x 19 cm
Good leather weekend bag

Aspinal of London Boston Duffle Travel Bag

Boston Duffle Travel Bag

Aspinal of London's classic Boston holdall is handcrafted from fine, full-grain leather with a gorgeous pebble finish, for a quality, durable finish that should last a lifetime.

Its soft shell and beautiful printed silk lining, paired with sturdy handles and a detachable strap, make it a both a practical and stylish choice.

Key specifications

Carry optionsHandle and over the shoulder
Colour optionsNavy, black and tobacco
MaterialBoston leather
Dimensions11 x 21 x 10 inches
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best weekend bags

How we choose the best weekend bags

Our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, looks after all the Good Housekeeping Institute’s tried and tested luggage guides, so she knows what to look for in the ultimate weekend bag.

She spent weeks trying out many of the bags featured above, including taking two of them with her to Glastonbury this year. Others have been recommended by the frequent travellers in Team GH. We were looking for practical, durable, lightweight and stylish designs that could fit everything we needed for a weekend away. We also paid close attention to standout features such as suitcase sleeves, separate shoe compartments and extra pockets for easy access.

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How big should a weekend bag be?

The ideal weekend bag size depends on where you're going, how you’re travelling and the length of your trip. For example, if you're travelling by coach or train, we highly recommend something that’s lightweight with a generous capacity, such as the Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack (15 x 30 x 45 cm).

However, for the airport, you'll want a design that fits everything and has easy-to-access pockets for holding your passport and boarding pass. We love the Kono Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag, which also has a sleeve so you can safely attach it to the handle of your suitcase.

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best weekend bags

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