9 Weekender Bags for Airplane Travel and Short Trips

Mar 09, 2025

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Trust me, I’ve tested them all.

Caraa / Away Travel / Calpak Travel

There are two types of travelers: those who pack a full suitcase for a one-night trip and those who manage to fit everything into a weekender bag, no matter how long they’re away. I’ve always belonged to the second group—I hate waiting for my luggage at baggage claim and rely heavily on compression packing cubes (the best hack, IMO!).

With the cold in New York becoming unbearable lately, I’ve been taking plenty of short weekend trips to soak up some sun. As a result, I’ve been testing all the different weekender bags on the market in search of the perfect one—my own personal Holy Grail of travel bags.

What I’ve learned is that there’s an art to the weekender bag. It needs plenty of pockets and compartments to keep everything organized, a well-padded strap that won’t dig into your shoulders, and a durable material that holds up no matter where you take it. If you’re ready to upgrade from your college backpack that doubles as a carry-on, check out these editor-approved weekender bags, starting at $26.

Calpak

I can’t say enough great things about the Luka Duffel from Calpak—but if I had to, I’d start with how much easier it’s made traveling. With nine pockets, a spacious main compartment, and a dedicated space for shoes, it keeps everything organized on the go. What I love most, though? It fits under airplane seats, so it counts as a personal item rather than a carry-on. Plus, it’s super lightweight, has an adjustable strap for a comfortable fit, and easily attaches to your luggage. I personally prefer this size, but if you need more space, the brand offers a larger option. It’s available in eleven shades, including limited-edition colors like sage and gunmetal.

Nordstrom

True to its name, this weekender bag from Shay Mitchell’s Béis is second to none for short trips. It has both middle handles and a removable shoulder strap, so you can choose how to carry it. As mentioned, pockets really matter to me, and this delivers with two compartments, a zip pocket at the front, a lined interior with a padded laptop sleeve, an additional zip pocket, two slip pockets, and a key leash. My favorite feature is the removable bottom compartment, which allows you to keep your shoes, toiletries, or dirty clothes separate.

Nordstrom

Dagne Dover is a fantastic travel brand, known for its long-lasting yet chic designs in shades like dune, heather grey, dark moss, and storm. It offers a variety of great weekender options, including backpacks, but I personally love this extra-large carryall because it’s spacious enough to fit everything I own. Made from neoprene, it’s incredibly durable, water-resistant, and easy to hand wash if something spills. Inside, you’ll find a laptop sleeve, shoe bag, and dust bag—perfect for keeping your hiking sneakers separate from your dinner outfits. It even doubles as a sleek, functional gym bag, making it just as useful when you’re not traveling.

Below, check out more of my go-to weekender bags that’ll be game changers for your upcoming trips.

Alo

Away

Amazon

Caraa

Bloomingdale's

Cuyana

Freja