Gentlemen, even if you travel for business like a baller, there’s no need to have loads of luggage. With the right mens weekend bag, AKA duffel bag (or perhaps “duffle”), you can live in total comfort and never once sweat the nightmare of checked baggage. Finding a weekender bag that has all the space you need in a compact body, which also looks good and is comfortable to carry is akin to finding an ice cream bucket at a ballet academy, but it’s possible.
Mens Weekend Bag (The 24 Best)
There are thousands of duffel bags that claim they can do the job, but somewhere they fall, and fall hard. So you don’t need to endure the hellish nightmare of trying to make do with the wrong tote, we jumped on jets, went car camping, attended endless meetings, and ultimately discovered the 24 best weekender bags for men who need a sack that’s suitable for all occasions.
1. Luca Faloni | Weekender Bag
Check PriceShop Now Heritage: If you’re unafraid to invest in a weekender bag with provenance, Luca Faloni is the brand you should know. This isn’t some mass produced item you wouldn’t miss if you accidentally left it in the back of a cab; it’s a triumph of full-grain pieno fiore full-grain leather, vegetable tanned by Tuscan artisans; it’s the undeniable quality and panache of handmade Florentine craftsmanship. Put another way: the Luca Faloni weekender bag is an heirloom that will last you a lifetime and look good doing it. Featuring heavy duty stitching, solid metal studs, and a durable cotton interior liner, Luca Faloni is anything but skin-deep. Thoughtful design permeates the build, with dedicated pockets for passports, notebooks, bank cards, keys, and more. Moreover, it’s guaranteed never to give you a hard time when used as carry-on baggage with its airline-approved dimensions. Get it in classic cognac, or a handsome chocolate brown.
2. Steele & Borough | The Black Weekenderbag
Check PriceShop Now Clean, Classy: Comparison shopping can be an exhaustive process, but Steele & Borough offers proof that it’s worth doing your homework. They’ve certainly done theirs with the Black Weekenderbag. This is a clean design that fully lends itself to the grab-and-go ethos that frequent travelers live by. Draw back the twin bespoke branded zippers to reveal a cavernous 38-liter capacity to stash your personal effects. They’ll lie well-protected within their water-resistant waxed nylon chamber. Steele & Borough was also thoughtful enough to include a hydrophobic drawstring bag to sequester your spare shoes or damp towel away from the rest of your goods. While generously apportions and ruggedly durable, the Black Weekenderbag is surprisingly lightweight, with outstanding ergonomics courtesy of vegan leather handles and a removable cotton canvas shoulder strap.
3. Floyd | Floyd Weekender
Check PriceShop Now Party Hard: How a man travels says a lot about him. If you need a little “oomph” with your carry-ons, then consider the Floyd Weekender. Ideal for the jet setter inside you, this bag is unapologetically compact without sacrificing personality or storage space. Floyd products tap into that 1970s Venice Beach, bohemian-surfer mojo for an aesthetic that’s unlike our other selections. Structurally, this bag is everything you need for a short-haul! Pick and choose between five totally radical colors and stay organized. With multiple compartments, including a laptop sleeve and three external pockets, you’ve got plenty of room for all your necessities, plus any souvenirs you pick up for the fam. The Floyd Weekender also accounts for long-distance travel. You’ll get not one but two adjustable straps (in your selected color plus “Floyd Orange”) and a neat fixture to attach your bag to your suitcase’s telescopic handle (yes, that’s what it’s called.) Check Prices
4. Steele & Borough | The Forrest Duffel Bag
Check PriceShop Now The Modern Gentleman: Undeniably suave, we’d be remiss to leave out the Forrest Duffel Bag. This Swedish-made travel bag cuts a clever balance between contemporary duffel bags and classic weekenders. If you’re an animal-conscious shopper, don’t fret! As per our previous Steele & Borough mention, the Forrest Duffel Bag also uses vegan leather. Its ethical manufacturing is evident in its polished but subtle exterior, making it a great choice for those who like to keep a low profile while abroad. The bag’s adjustable straps also offer headache-free travel. Whether you’re sprinting from one airport terminal to another or just hitting the gym, the Forrest Duffel Bag is noticeably lightweight and easy to handle. In terms of storage space, this duffel bag is spacious without being overwhelming. You’ll find the internal pockets to be both chic and water-resistant. For extra security, tie way your gym clothes in the bonus water-repellent drawstring bag. Check Prices
5. Rains | Weekend Bag Large
Check PriceShop Now Refined & Versatile: Feeling a little too spoiled for choice? Why not keep it simple with Rains’ refreshingly practical Weekend Bag? Whereas other duffel bags may emphasize meticulous organization, Rains trims down the fat with a singular main compartment. Perfect for casual travel, the bag’s storage space will prove more than enough for overnighters or everyday trips to the gym. To add, Rains didn’t overlook weather resistance. As with their other products, this bag features waterproof PU coating, meaning it will hold up against downpours and serious spills. Overall, it’s a fairly contemporary look for a sensible weekender bag. Available in both black and green, the Weekend Bag Large also offers detachable shoulder straps and adjustable buckles for routine trips. If that’s not enough of a selling point, then note how its functional design adds up to a reasonable price point. You’d be lucky to find similar products without sacrificing quality. Check Prices
6. H&M | Cotton Canvas Weekend Bag
Pretty, Cheap: A tiny drop in the monetary bucket when compared and contrasted with many of the items on this list. The H&M has a wee price tag, but it doesn’t skimp on quality, and the supple cotton canvas doesn’t disappoint when it comes to lasting long, going hard, and coming out a winner.
7. Herschel | Novel Duffle
Check PriceBuy now Thinking Man’s: A quaint shoe compartment like a gym bag where you can also stash a flask or two starts off this Herschel masterpiece with a bang. A few dozen colors and patterns let you mix and match to fit your personal chic, yet it’s more than a pretty face. It’ll get there and back without ever losing its cool.
8. Everlane | The Twill Weekender
Battered Hero: Twill is the thinking man’s answer to denim. Like a quality carry-on, this can go into the most restrictive overhead compartment, resisting water at every turn to keep your gear and goods safe as houses. From going on a boat to the wilds to your 5-star suite, it never goes out of style.
9. Owen & Fred | Work Hard, Play Hard Duffel Bag
Check PriceBuy now Sensible Style: Owen & Fred ride the fence between the steady workmanship you’ll find in quality American products, along with the dapper appearance that denotes many European imports. This mixture is evident in the simple, elegant, unpretentious Work Hard, Play Hard.
10. Fjallraven | Duffel No.4
Check PriceBuy now Inside, Out: Probably the most versatile bag on this list, the No. 4 has an unassuming moniker that hides a Swiss Army knife mentality. The handles are meant to be slung over the shoulder, kept in hand, or even repurposed to turn this weekender bag into a survival backpack should the creek rise and the bombs drop.
11. Nixon | Holdem Duffle Weekender Bag
Check PriceBuy now Back to Basics: Not only does Nixon design their bags to the nines, they also put in as much time testing as they do constructing. The canvas body is PU coated to keep elements at bay and ballistic nylon on the bottom ensures no points of ingress.
12. End Clothing | Apolis Mason Courier Bag
Work & Warfare: An aluminum frame provides the base of the 100% Cotton 10oz Army Duck exterior complete with Heritage Leather accents. The Apolis is made to be taken into the bush, behind enemy lines, and keep all your goods, gear, and tools at hand for quick action against long odds. Made in California, it’s a home-grown hero.
13. Joshu+Vela | Duffle in Safari Tan Wax
Elemental: You can’t make many mistakes in the world of waxed canvas, but few get it quite as right as Joshu+Vela. Made right at home in the land of San Francisco, vegetable tanned leather mixes with dyed and finished canvas for a world-weary look that’s ready to survive the storms of life.
14. Duluth | Medium Sportsman’s Duffel
Check PriceBuy now The Huntsman: Leather and brass show just how much machismo one bag can hold, with 18-ounce canvas covering the broad strokes. Made in the USA, it’s tough to find much in the way of flaws with Duluth.
15. Filson | Duffle – Medium
Check PriceBuy now On the Range: The best friend of the outdoorsman, Filson’s duffle defines rugged masculinity, with a wise inclusion of supreme stylishness. As far as weekender bags go, you probably won’t find a better sidekick than this twill and bridle leather rucksack.
16. Jack Spade | Tech Oxford Travel Duffle
Check PriceBuy now Young Professor: There’s only one word you need to know about the Tech Oxford: indestructible. It resists water with a fully poly lining that’s as smooth as the outside is natty. A true work of internationally-renowned art, it’s pretty enough to frame and tough enough to never say die.
17. J.Crew | Tanner Goods Nomad
Fine Tuned: Constructed out of Horween Chromexcel leather – the type often reserved for bespoke shoes – with wool on the outside and brass hardware, the Nomad is intended to survive a life abroad; off the grid; or outside the law. Though, we hope you don’t need that.
18. Killspencer | Weekender 3.0
Wide Open: The top gives you easy accessibility that reduces the time you spend digging around as the leather or nylon build offers up potency you can count on trip after trip. It’s built with the same idea as a dopp kit, which is simple access with ample space for either organizing, or just chucking stuff into.
19. Stephen Kenn | Travel Duffle
The Long & Short: Slap your eyes against those adjustable handles. They ensure that you’ll have a secure fit whether you carry this L.A.-made miracle close, or prefer to let it dangle at your side. Slinging it over your shoulder or keeping it in your fist will provide you with equally comfortable toting while the snappy looks ensure winks and nods everywhere you go.
20. J. Panther Luggage Company | Perfect Weekender
Pure Perfection?: We’ll let you decide if this is, as the company claims, the “perfect” weekender. For our money, it’s damn sure one of the finest. It proves that Smart is the new Black, with a specialized folio compartment that gives this more than you’d expect from a traditional “hit the road” weekender duffle.
21. Burberry | Grainy Leather Holdall
First Class: Quietly understated, the blue/grey/black leather gives little away, but the polished flashes of brass accents draw just enough admiring looks to start more than a few conversations. As pleasing to the touch as to the eye, it begs to be used and shown around in equal measure.
22. Fred Perry | Men’s Classic Barrel Bag
Check PriceBuy now Dominatrix: That shiny black exterior is pure PVC that won’t let the smells, wetness, or sins of the world find their way inside. The Fred Perry barrel bag’s interior is soft polyester that cradles your goods, creating a weekender bag that belies its small expense.
23. Nation of NMDS | The Blue One Weekender Bag
Check PriceShop Now Smart, Sturdy: It’s okay to be a sucker for Nordic design, and Nation of NMDS is here to prove it. Their range of handcrafted weekender bags strikes a subtle chord between minimalism and luxury, letting the quality of the ingredients carry the dish. You’ll find ample storage for everything needed to sustain your jet-set ways, from laptops to wallets, notebooks, keys, and more. But this portable place of plenty never overwhelms with unnecessary accouterments; everything is simple in its right place. Digital nomads and hardcore one-baggers will immediately recognize the material sense that constitutes Nation of NMDS weekender bags: sturdy waxed canvas (in grey, green, or blue), genuine leather handles, 600D polyester bottom, plus 230T nylon pockets, lining and shoulder strap. Nation of NMDS has even thrown in a 2600mAh power bank, because they clearly understand the gestalt needs their target audience.
24. Beckel Canvas Products | War Bag
Grab & Go: Made to be the maximum size allowed on most airlines, the War Bag doesn’t waste space with pretty accoutrements, but offers up a hefty satchel for weekend warriors. 20 Canvas and dense cotton webbing give it structure you can sink your teeth into, though you have to buy a shoulder strap separately. A bag’s a bag, right? Wrong. Weekender bags have a host of specific considerations which may or may not cut the mustard for your use case. Here’s a few common questions (and answers) to consider:
What Exactly Is a Weekender Bag?
“Weekend Bag” is an umbrella term used to describe a range of bag types which are appropriate for short journeys away from home. You should be able to pack everything you need for a few days, including clothes, shoes, notebooks, laptops, toiletries, and more. Weekender bags are generalists, which you might consider the Swiss Army Knife of the light luggage world.
How Is a Duffle Bag Different from a Weekend Bag?
All duffle bags can be weekend bags, but not all weekend bags are duffle bags. Duffle bags are easy to spot with their telltale cylindrical design. They almost always have an overhead zipper, along with twin carrying hands. More often than not, there’s a removable shoulder strap in the mix, as well. To be sure, duffle bags make for great weekend bags and gym bags due to their convenient form factor and generous storage. Non-duffle weekend bags tend to throw the cylindrical design out the window; instead opting for a more stylish and/or functional structure. Some will be tall and rigid and make for great laptop bags, while others will offer a bit more visual experimentation to make a fashion statement.
Should I Get a Weekend Bag or a Suitcase?
Well, traditional suitcases are kind of passé. They tend to be bulky and unattractive, so you don’t see them much. Rolling wheeled suitcases are another matter altogether. They are ubiquitous in airports, primarily because they alleviate the burden of physically carrying your stuff. On public transportation, however, they’re a little less convenient as they take up floor space that might otherwise be occupied by fellow travelers. Wheeled suitcases may actually have a leg up on run-of-the-mill duffle bags in terms of organization. But this goes out the window when you buy a reputable brand that has put some thought into internal storage solutions for their weekender bags. In our considered opinion, if you’re packing for just a few days, the relative advantages of wheeled suitcases are outweighed by the ergonomic cons. A good weekend bag, on the other hand, will distribute weight evenly and feature nice straps and handles for easy management. They’re easy to carry in your lap, toss up in the overhead storage, and generally keep an eye on vs. pickpockets and thieves. And in terms of style, there’s really no contest between a somewhat dorky but utilitarian rolling suitcase and a designer mens weekend bag. And when you’re not traveling, you’ll want to squirrel away your unsightly suitcase while you might actually put your full-grain leather weekend bag on display as a part of your home decor.
What Are the Best Materials for Weekender Bags?
There are three major materials that comprise quality weekend bags:
NylonCanvasLeather
We’ve listed these roughly in order of quality, but there are exceptions in each camp. We definitely recommend looking for waxed canvas and nylon weekend bags, as they offer water resistance and increased durability. Nylon tends to be the cheapest of the three, but perhaps offers the greatest variety in style. It’s lightweight, washes easily, and won’t break your heart when it finally wears out. Typically though, if your budget allows, a canvass weekend bag will do everything a nylon bag can do, but better. Moreover, canvass bags tend to have a more striking look, and offer a better blend of fashion and utility. They’re still pretty easy to wash, take waterproofing better than Nylon, and withstand abrasions better. However, as an organic material mildew will wreck canvass for good. Good leather shouldn’t really need much to keep water and dirt out. But you’ll be much better served by full-grain leather over the long run versus, say, genuine leather or suede. The reason is down to layers: full grain is the whole skin, wearing hard and actually gaining character as it ages rather than just degrading. Much more so than other materials, leather bags have room to be considered art.
Mens Overnight Bag: Conclusion
So there you have it: 24 of the best weekend bags to check out in 2023. We’ve covered a range of styles, use-cases, and price points, but all will serve you well on your weekend getaways. Whether you’re looking for high fashion to match your jet-set ways, or you need something reliably practical on a humble budget, our list of the best mens weekender bags has something for you. What’s your favorite mens weekend bag on our list? Did we leave out your favorite? Got any other tips for our readers about how to pick the best one out? Leave use a comment below!
