Updated on Feb. 01, 2024
Not all bags are designed for rugged travel! You need a sturdy weekend bag for camping, hiking, road trips or other exciting adventures.
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When embarking on a trip for a few days, the right bag can make the travel day hassle-free by keeping all your items organized and within reach. We recommend a weekend bag for hiking, camping, a girl’s weekend away or even for a business trip. These lightweight and durable bags offer excellent versatility and organization, coming in various functional and/or fashionable designs to suit your travel needs.
We assembled a list of our favorite weekend bags, showcasing each’s top features within various price points. Weekend bags also make excellent gifts for your favorite frequent traveler.
This large Canway travel duffel is both water- and tear-resistant and built for hauling everything you need (and then some) for any outdoor adventure. This weekend bag comes in three different sizes—65L, 85L and 115L—so there’s an option for solo travelers and large families alike.
The 85L fits two blankets, a sleeping bag, four days-worth of clothes and two pairs of shoes that can be stored in ventilated side pockets. That’s a ton of stuff for a “medium” sized bag! A helpful camping hack for the outdoors (and at home): The duffle easily folds up flat for convenient and tidy storage when there’s limited space.
An efficient packer will also appreciate these travel organizers for a stress-free experience.
The super rugged nylon on L.L.Bean’s Mountain Classic Duffel ensures no branch, terrain or pawing pet will cause a snag. Its main compartment features a U-shaped zipper, so you can easily access the outdoor gear you need at a moment’s notice. Handy side pockets keep smaller items within reach. The padded shoulder strap and handle-wrap guarantee you’re comfortable hauling the bag, whether it’s to the car or to the campsite.
When you’re hitting the trail, a duffle just won’t do. This rugged Trail 40 Pack has the capacity of your favorite loop-handle bag, but in an easy-to-carry backpack style. Composed of recycled materials and outfitted with a spring-steel perimeter frame for support, it’s chock-full of compartments for storing and organizing all your gear.
Extra features include a sleeve for a hydration reservoir and a forward-pull hip belt for easy strap adjustment. There’s also a padded mesh-covered belt and back straps for all-day hiking comfort.
This updated version of North Face’s beloved Base Camp Voyager Duffel is made with overnight trips in mind, but rest assured, it won’t weigh you down. The lightweight material is 100% recycled and tough enough to take on any trail. The padded shoulder straps unclip, so you can carry the bag as a duffel or a backpack.
Lots of pockets—like the external padded 15-inch laptop pocket, small interior zip pockets for easy-to-lose essentials and an adjustable and removable divider within the main compartment—keep all your packable items right where you want them.
Planning a fishing trip? You’ll need a weekend bag to fit all the necessary equipment and camping gear. The Orvis Carry-It-All Bag has been a customer-favorite for two decades, and it’s easy to see why. This is the sort of high-quality bag that will last for years to come.
The fine details are there, like a secure locking zipper, stretch-mesh compartments for essentials and removable padded shoulder strap. And of course, there are separate sections with padded dividers to protect and organize rods, reels and everything else needed for a fly trip. Here’s how to clean and store your camping gear so it lasts longer, smells nice and doesn’t transport unwanted guests.
Filson products are known for being so durable, they’re able to be passed down from generation to generation. The Heritage Sportsman Bag is a splurge, but it also might be the last weekend bag you ever need to buy. It’s made from a non-tear industrial-strength rugged twill that’s been so rigorously tested, this bag is capable of carrying the weight of a telephone pole!
The top panel zips open on three sides to give you easy access to everything you’ve packed. Keep things organized with two interior snap-detachable dividers and multiple water-resistant exterior pockets—or pop in some packing cubes.
We won’t judge if you’re an over-packer! The Carhartt Heavy-Haul Duffel is designed to haul a lot of stuff. Whether it’s sleeping bags, clothes, winter gear or enough supplies for a family of five, this heavy-duty duffel gets the job done. Constructed of bomber canvas nylon and durable water-repellant fabric, it includes removable padded shoulder straps and can be carried four different ways.
A collapsible interior pocket is ideal for dirty laundry or boots, while external pockets feature weather-protected flaps for must-have essentials. It’s the perfect gift for outdoor lovers to carry them through any alfresco adventure.
If your camping style is less rugged and more refined (or you prefer glamping), you’ll love the Calpak Stevyn Duffel. A bottom compartment is made for shoes, but can also stand in for additional storage. This weekend bag has a luggage sleeve for securing onto the handle of rolling suitcases, so it’s also perfect for airline trips or longer getaways. Choose from seven colors, including a limited cheetah print.
With a whopping 45+ colors and patterns to choose from, this weekend bag has a style to suit everyone. But don’t let appearances fool you—it still means business! It comes with a separate dry/wet tote for items like bathing suits or towels. Carry this bag cross-body with the adjustable shoulder strap, or tote it around using the two long handles. The affordable multi-purpose duffel is the ideal pick for beginner campers who don’t want to spend a lot of money on new gear.
Not all camping trips mean rugged terrain. This Rockland rolling duffel is made for easy transport when pavement makes it possible. Otherwise, grab it by the straps to haul your gear to the campsite. The U-shaped top pocket makes packing and unpacking a breeze, and six front pockets keep all your essentials (like these belt bags) near.
Make your trip hassle-free with the Beis Weekender Bag. Use the bottom compartment for shoes, a hair dryer or toiletries, and store electronics and clothes in the easy-access top tote. While the zippered pocket and luggage strap add convenience, the standout feature is its durable poly canvas, nylon and vegan leather construction, built to handle busy travel days. Plus, it comes in nine colors to suit your style.
Weekend bags can double as gym bags, carry-ons or work totes for those who need tools and accessories on the go. While classic weekenders have a large compartment with shoulder and hand straps, some offer backpack or rolling bag attachments for added functionality.
Size is key when choosing a weekend bag—it should hold everything you need, be portable enough for travel and fit in train or plane compartments.
Comfort is also important. Look for padded shoulder straps, back support or soft handles that won’t irritate your skin during long travel days.
A good weekender should have compartments for laptops, clothes, shoes, toiletries, books and more. Consider bags with separate compartments for shoes, laptop sleeves or side pockets for easy access to essentials like your phone or passport.
For air travel, camping or hiking, durable materials make a difference. Choose waterproof or water-resistant materials that are easy to clean and built to last. Leather and vegan leather offer water resistance and durability, though they may scuff. Nylon is lightweight, durable and offers a bit of stretch, which can be handy if you bring back souvenirs.
Weekenders are designed for convenience, with many brands offering options that meet airline carry-on requirements. They are lightweight and feature multiple compartments. Some also include a luggage sleeve for easy attachment to rolling suitcases.
Weekend bags range from $30 to $300, depending on brand, materials and features. Weigh the price against the bag’s value—investing in a high-quality option can save you from needing replacements for years.
Patricia Shannon, a freelance writer for Family Handyman and notable women’s magazines, has specialized experience in lifestyle and home products. With a decade spent reviewing top products for home and travel, Patricia has developed a keen eye for quality and functionality. Her expertise makes her an ideal candidate for selecting and reviewing the best weekender bags.
Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor at Family Handyman, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor at Bob Vila.
We evaluated numerous weekend bags to find options that offer versatility, durability and style for many users. Our top picks can hold an ideal amount of items, feature multiple compartments and offer flexible carrying options. Each bag is built with durable materials to withstand travel wear-and-tear, and we selected options at various price points to suit any budget.
While both are similar, weekend bags are sturdier and more stylish than duffel bags, with a larger capacity designed for short trips. Duffel bags are more casual and have lighter capacities, making them suitable for day trips, the gym, or work.
Yes, weekend bags typically comply with most airlines’ carry-on regulations and fit in plane or train storage compartments, making them ideal for travel.
A weekend bag should carry everything needed for your trip, which varies by user. A good rule is to separate shoes and dirty clothes from clean items or electronics. Keeping a plastic bag in your weekender is useful for separating wet or dirty items, especially after camping, skiing, swimming or hiking.
