Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Weekender Bags

Your next getaway has never looked better

As far as travel essentials go, the key to a successful getaway can often times boil down to a really good bag.

Hear me out on this one. I’ve been traveling professionally for a few years now, and in my pre-pandemic life, pretty much had the whole packing game down to a science. From my carry-on bag to my trusty weekender which doubles as my purse-laptop in-case-of-emergency bag combo, it didn’t matter if I’d be headed to Japan for a week or the Catskills for the weekend, my packing routine was so streamlined it was almost an afterthought.

However, there’s nothing easy about traveling these days, and with the need to pack so many extra’s from masks and hand-sanitizer to disinfecting wipes, having a really good bag that can fit all of your essentials is more important than ever.

Weekenders, like the name suggests, are designed with shorter-term trips in mind, but like most things in life, there’s no one size fits all. Depending on your personal style and travel preference, weekenders can range from a simple duffel to an over-the-shoulder tote or a maxi backpack. Whatever works for you. Personally, I find the key to a good weekender can be found in little design details, but what sets a good weekender bag apart from a great weekender bag is that it’s able to accommodate everything you need for that quick trip away.

There’s no shortage of weekender options to choose from, but if you’re looking to give the gift or self-gift of a great weekender bag this Valentine’s Day, from a fully collapsible duffle bag that doubles as a hanging bag to a water-resistant maxi with plenty of room to spare, here are 12 of the best weekender bags that will be sure to help get you or your loved traveling again in style.

Away – The Weekender

Ideal for up to a week on the road, Away’s The Weekender is a cross between a classic-over the shoulder-duffle that offers plenty of room for everything you need. Featuring a shoe compartment, a 15″ laptop sleeve and zippered pockets both inside and out, this bag can also attach perfectly to your suitcase via the sleek trolley sleeve on the back.

For something a little more compact, check out Away’s The Everywhere Bag which offers many of the same design features, or, for a limited time, you can grab The Duffle, a cool collaboration with Rashida Jones that’s made from durable canvas with vegan leather trim and a custom lining, the perfect gift just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Available on Away for $215

Béis – The Weekender

A perennial favorite of celebrities and influencers, Shay Mitchell’s Béis Weekender bag is a great option for quick trips and long holiday’s alike. Featuring a trolley sleeve on the back which can slip right over your carry-on, Béis brilliance comes in the form of its minimalistic design features. People love the separate zipper compartment on the bottom of the bag which is a great place to store dirty laundry, shoes or anything you want to keep separated.

On the inside, there’s plenty of room for clothes as well as a separate compartment for your laptop. A high-quality option at a reasonable price, this bag comes in black or beige and will be a great travel companion for years to come.

Available on Beis Travel for $98

Paravel – Weekender

If you appreciate the craft of canvas eco-craft, then Paravel’s Weekender is for you. With plenty of space to tote all of your belongings no matter the destination, this bag meets carry-on size requirements and includes zippered pockets to keep items secure, dry, and (if the beach is calling) sand-free.

Made from 12 up-cycled plastic water bottles, there’s also an option to personalize with your, or your beloved’s embroidered initials for an additional $25. Bonus: 10% of Paravels proceeds go to Direct Relief, helping deliver protective gear to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19.

Available at Paravel – $295

Sports Chic – Vegan Maxi Backpack

Made with love by L.A. based designer Sports Chic, these stylish vegan bags are sustainably styled and multi-functional making them the perfect weekender companion for your next flight or road trip.

Featuring a waterproof and super easy to clean interior, the easy access exterior side pockets are insulated so they keep you water bottle or wine bottle cold, and masks, passport and keys intact. There’s plenty of room for your travel essentials in the spacious main compartment with flex mesh pockets and a secure compartment for your laptop or tablet.

Available in a variety of colors including Matte Black, Classic Blue, Metallic Titanium White, Pewter and Bronze, midi backpacks and totes are also available for overnights or even day-to-day use.

Available at Sports Chic – $159.00 

Canopy Verde – Greenpoint Backpack Tote

There’s nothing better than dual-functioning bag, and this bestselling convertible Greenpoint backpack-tote by Canopy Verde is no exception.

Available in six colors, the Greenpoint is designed for anyone on the go, and was even an Etsy Design Award Finalist. To transform the backpack into a tote all you have to do is tuck the straps away into a back panel. 

This woman-owned business also focuses on vegan and eco-friendly handbags and accessories and the collection includes a variety of wallets, crossbody bags, and backpacks.

Available at Canopy Verde – $179

28 Collective – Canvas Weekender

Constructed with sturdy stone-washed canvas and high-quality vegan leather, this monogrammed Weekender Bag by 28 Collective is spacious enough to store everything you need.

With zippered exterior and interior pockets and vegan leather handles and accents, the removable shoulder strap makes transporting this travel bag even easier. The best part, the monogram is totally free!

Available at 28 Collective – $60

Adventurist Backpack Co. – The Weekender

For those that are increasingly traveling to outdoor destinations as a result of Covid, The Weekender by Adventurist Backpack Co., is a great high quality bag for your next trip. Water-resistant and made with 1000D polyester and vegan leather, the bag includes a padded front/back section for increased protection for electronics/camera gear and can also fit up to a 17″ laptop in the separate zippered laptop sleeve. It also fits perfectly underneath the seat of an airplane as a personal item.

For every backpack sold, the company provides 25-meals to families in need across the U.S. through their partnership with Feeding America.

Available at Adventurist Backpack Co. – $65

Sseko Designs – Garment Duffel

If you’ve been looking for a stylish weekender that doubles as hanging bag, well you’re in luck. This gorgeous Garment Duffel Kawa & Oiled Caramel by Seeko Designs will keep your clothes compact and crease-free while you travel.

With a unique design that delivers with it comes to both fashion and function, this duffel unzips at the top and the sides, allowing for the bag to fold completely flat while offering a loop for hanging storage as well as removable, adjustable shoulder straps that will keep your clothes as crisp and wrinkle-free as possible.

Available at Seeko Designs – $199.99

Go Pro – Mission Backpack Duffle Bag

For the tech-savvy and adventure travelers, The Mission by GoPro is a 2-in-1 backpack-duffel sized to handle the demands of your next getaway.

GoPro recently released a lifestyle gear line and the beauty of these weather resistant bags is that they’re also built with transporting your tech gear in mind. The removable ergonomic shoulder straps turn Mission into a backpack when needed. And, for those looking to capture the moment, the bag includes a GoPro shoulder mount that can be adjusted for a hands-free capture. 

Available at GoPro – $99.99

Globe Trotter – Trolley Case

If you’re looking to give the gift of travel this Valentine’s Day, this really beautiful piece of luggage is sure to seal the deal. As part of a new collaboration, bespoke travel company Black Tomato and London-based luxury luggage line Globe Trotter, will include a complimentary trolley case with the purchase of any Black Tomato vacation.

You can even select a color or theme of the case to the destination, for example a Globe-Trotter Trolley Case in ‘Safari’ for an incredible journey to see the Big 5 in Botswana, or the exclusive Black Tomato color ‘Pistachio’ to commemorate any journey to come. 

If it’s just Globe Trotter’s weekender case you’re after, you can find the 20″ Trolley Case starting at £1,385.

Available at Black Tomato from $5,000 (inclusive of the Black Tomato trip)

The Weekender – Minted

Featuring fresh prints from independent artists, The Weekender available on Minted is made to fit all your travel bag essentials.

This stylish travel bag thoughtfully combines design with function, and each one is made from 100% premium heavyweight cotton canvas and offers a roomy interior and exterior pockets for organization. The key here is the trolley sleeve that helps secure the bag to your suitcase. You can also opt to customize this bag with an included personalized monogram on a foil-pressed leather tag.

Available on Minted – $118 (including monogram)

Sean Black Leather Weekender Bag

Crafted in genuine leather, this handsome black duffel by Denmark based company, Lucleon, is one strikingly stylish way to travel.

The large main compartment is complemented by two zippered pockets to keep your phone, wallet, and passport separate from your clothes. The outside features two additional pockets on the front. The base of the bag is reinforced and complete with feet that protects the leather when you set it down.

Buckled side straps make the bag compact for when you’re on the go and loosens to free up more space when you’re off for a longer holiday. This can be carried by hand or with the detachable shoulder strap.

Available at Trendhim – $239