The best weekender bags that fit a ton and are easy to carry

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When planning a short getaway, I want a weekender bag that carries about 3 days' worth of clothing, shoes, and toiletries. It also ought to have comfortable straps and convenient organizational features. And of course, style is always a bonus.

I gathered my usual list of travel essentials to see how the best weekender bags made the packing process easy and intuitive. More of our favorites include a compact tote, a garment duffel for wedding travel, and convertible backpacks.

The top 3 best weekender bags we tested: Best overall: Tumi Contine Weekender Tumi has earned its reputation with our team as a splurge-worthy luggage brand . After testing the Contine, it's hard for me to imagine a more beautiful weekender bag that's this spacious and comfortable to carry.

It has organizational features galore. A padded laptop pocket, a spacious shoe compartment, a water bottle holder, and an exterior zip pocket with card slots are just a few of this bag's ample pockets that proved convenient for organizing all my bits and bobs.

The shoe compartment is convertible. The shoe compartment offers quite a bit of room, so I packed my toiletry bag and socks alongside a pair of sneakers. I love that I can unzip the barrier between the shoe compartment and the rest of the bag, converting it into a more spacious tote.

It's an attractive design. With a timeless black design and elegant gold hardware, this was far and away the prettiest bag I tested. Plus, it can be monogrammed for an added cost. I'd use this bag for work trips or to take to more upscale destinations. The bag doesn't come cheap, but it's built to last: My husband has used his Tumi weekender tote for well over a decade (though his specific style has since been discontinued).

Best extra large weekender bag: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall I've been a longtime fan of Dagne Dover's neoprene bags because they're lightweight, hand-washable, and made with a shock-absorbing fabric. The cute color options — choose from six, including the muted mauve I tested — don't hurt either.

It's super roomy. The oversized interior compartment offers 35.2 liters of packing space, which was more than enough for a pair of sneakers, a toiletry bag, and a weekend's worth of clothing. I had a decent amount of space left over and could easily use this bag for four- or five-night trips.

The pockets are intuitively placed. The entire interior is lined with mesh elastic pockets that are perfect for keeping track of smaller items like underwear, socks, chargers, and accessories. There's also a zippered laptop pocket that can accommodate most 16-inch computers. It includes a detachable zippered pouch (for toiletries or tech accessories) on a key leash and a shoe bag.

It can withstand rain. The durable fabric, made from 26 recycled bottles, is water-resistant.

Read more in our full Dagne Dover Landon Carryall review .

Best duffel: Aer Travel Weekender

Don't be fooled by this duffel's unremarkable exterior — it's organized better than any duffel I've ever carried. The intuitive pockets and sections maximize the 35 liters of packing space.

Three compartments make packing easy. The problem with many duffels is a lack of interior pockets. This thoughtfully designed carryall has a spacious main compartment that offers plenty of space for clothing and a toiletry bag. A thin but large front compartment provides ample space for a book, sunglasses, a passport and other smaller accessories. There's also a separate laptop compartment (more on that below).

There's space for two 16-inch laptops. If you're like me and tote separate laptops for work and play, this is a game-changer. If you don't have two laptops, you can still make use of the doubly padded compartment by storing a tablet or a Kindle.

It has two exterior water bottle pockets. I travel everywhere with a water bottle, so having an exterior pocket made it super easy to stay hydrated on the go. I plan to bring a leak-proof thermos with coffee for the second bottle pocket on my next adventure.

Best backpack: Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

My rolling carry-on suitcase holds about 40 liters. So when I stumbled upon this travel backpack that offered the same amount of storage real estate, I was skeptical. But Tortuga proved me wrong: after testing it, I'm thoroughly impressed with how much this bag can hold while remaining comfortable to carry.

It opens like a suitcase for easy packing. Due to their vertical packing space, backpacks usually don't make the best bags for weekend trips. This bag, however, fully unzips like a suitcase so you can easily see and adjust everything you're packing. There's a spacious main compartment with a flat mesh pocket for dirty clothes.

It fits well over a weekend's worth of clothing. After filling this bag with a weekend's worth of bulky clothing, I had a decent amount of space left and definitely could have packed more. If I were traveling somewhere warmer where I didn't need a sweater or long pants, I could easily fit a week's worth of clothes. The brand also sells packing cubes (sold separately) designed to maximize the bag's interior.

Even when full, it's surprisingly comfortable to carry. This backpack has lots of thoughtful details designed to minimize stress on your back including soft shoulder straps with foam padding, load lifters, a (removable) padded hip belt, and a sternum strap.

Best garment duffel: Dagne Dover Monaco Garment Duffel If you've got a bunch of weddings on your calendar, you need a weekender bag to accommodate your formal attire. With a place for delicate garments and several shoe pockets, it's the ultimate event companion.

The smartly designed bag holds just enough for a weekend trip — but no more. I got this bag for a wedding, and it couldn't be more perfect for formal events. My dress stayed relatively wrinkle-free in the garment compartment, and the two mesh side pockets were perfect for storing spiky heels that could easily rip other clothing if not properly stored. But the garment bag does take up interior space, so I wouldn't recommend this for a longer trip.

Like all of Dagne Dover's bags, it comes with intuitive storage compartments and features. There are organizational extras like a shoe puch, a laptop sleeve, a phone-sized exterior slip pocket (my favorite Dagne Dover signature feature), a passport pocket, and even a removable key leash that saves you from digging for your house keys at the end of a long weekend. There's also an interior hook so that the bag can hang freely.

You can slip your garment right out without unpacking the bag. The only thing that made me dread using this bag was the thought that I'd have to fully unpack my bag if I wanted to remove my dress. But I was pleasantly surprised that I could slip my dress free without taking everything out. That way, my dress went straight into the closet, and the rest of my belongings stayed in my bag. — Samantha Crozier, style editor

Best budget weekender bag: VGCUB Large Travel Backpack

Business Insider newsletter editor Jordan Parker Erb used this TikTok-viral travel backpack for weekend trips. At less than $40 on Amazon, she calls it "the perfect carry-on bag."

It's designed to maximize space. "I used the bag for several road trips over the summer when I didn't have much to pack. The bag can fit a pair of shoes and two outfits without packing cubes, just enough for a weekend trip. Using packing cubes, you can squeeze in a few more outfits," says Parker Erb. "The bag has a host of handy pockets and compartments, including a specific place to put your shoes."

It's great for flying because it stows away easily. "Coming in at about 12 inches wide and 17 inches long, the bag can fit under airplane seats without a problem," she writes. "Unlike a regular backpack, this Amazon bag unzips fully — like a suitcase — making it easier to find and remove items without digging through the entire bag. With plenty of space for clothes and compartments for shoes and other items, the bag is the perfect carry-on for a weekend escape."

Best smaller weekender bag: Calpak Luka Duffel The CALPAK Luka Duffel is a lightweight travel duffel bag with numerous pockets for easy organization. It's reasonably priced and great for packing only what you absolutely need.

The fabric is soft and light. "The first thing I noticed when testing the Luka Duffel is it's extremely lightweight," says freelance travel reporter Michelle Gross about the two-pound bag. "I ordered the Luka in Metallic Bronze, and it was actually more elegant and a bit bigger than I expected based on the photos I saw online. The fabric is also extremely soft (it feels like your favorite puffy coat) and is made from scratch-resistant polyester."

It has neat organizational features. "One of the best features is the pockets and compartments. There are nine pockets in all, including a separate shoe compartment on the bottom and a trolley sleeve on the back in case you want to take this bag on the road. There's no built-in padded laptop compartment, however, there is an oversized zipper that can easily fit an iPad or 13-inch laptop," according to Michelle.

Best shoe storage weekender bag: Travelpro Drop-Bottom Weekender Shoes can make or break the outfit. So if you're someone who can't travel without their favorite pairs, then this is the overnight duffel is for you. Michelle calls it equal parts durable and versatile and ideal for car and plane travel alike.

The shoe compartment is detachable. "This bag's greatest asset is the drop bottom zipper panel that's great for storing anything you'd want to keep separate, like shoes or dirty clothes," writes Michelle. "The drop bottom can also unzip and detach completely if you want to consolidate or if you don't find it necessary for a particular trip."

It's regulation-sized. "This bag fits under the seat of an airplane and is also designed to fit in the overhead compartment on standard US airlines," continues Michelle.

It pairs well with your luggage. "Thoughtful details include a magnetic closure on the front button of the trolley sleeve, which attached effortlessly over the handle of my carry-on suitcase," she writes. "The material is stain-resistant, durable, and didn't show any sign of wear after a couple of uses. It's also extremely easy to keep clean."

Best customizable weekender bag: Paravel Main Line Duffel There's something about monogrammed luggage that just feels so adult and sophisticated. If you want to invest in a high-end weekender bag you can truly make your own, Paravel's Main Line Duffel is our top choice.

Choose from three personalization styles. You can choose from an embroidered monogram (12 colors), a hand-painted monogram (15 colors), or hand-painted emojis (like a heart or a cactus), starting at $25.

It's practical and stylish. "While it's probably just as roomy, flexible, and durable as other top duffels, a simple but not unimportant distinction is that it looks a lot nicer," former senior reporter Connie Chen wrote in her full review of the bag. "The trim and handles are made from soft yet strong leather... The removable shoulder strap is made from a woven material, while the body of the bag is a slick cotton canvas. All in all, the bag looks sophisticated and makes me feel like I'm about to ride first class."

Best leather weekender bag: Duluth Trading Co. Lifetime Leather Duffle Bag

While we're on the topic of splurge-worthy weekender bags, we'd be remiss not to mention this elegant, timeless leather duffel that Michelle likes for its durability.

It's built to last. "This bag is not only a best-seller, but it's sturdy. The detachable shoulder strap and no-frills U-shape zipper make packing and unpacking extremely easy and I loved the flannel lining on the inside," writes Michelle after testing the bag herself . "The antique brass details on the zippers and belt buckles are a nice touch and the premium materials ensure this bag will last for years."

It's more spacious than it seems. "This duffel is deceivingly spacious and you could easily use this bag for a long-weekend getaway, with enough internal packing space for shoes and multiple days' worth of clothes (depending on how light you pack)," says Michelle.

A generous return policy takes the anxiety out of the splurge. "Duluth has a 'no bull' guarantee so if you're not satisfied with this duffel you have one year to return it for a full refund," she adds.

Best weekender bag for camping: The North Face Base Camp Duffel Camping trips and outdoorsy adventures call for a rugged weekender that's comfortable to hike with and ready for anything. Michelle suggests that this convertible North Face duffel-backpack checks all the boxes.

It can be carried two ways. "The shoulder straps easily detach and adjust with an ergonomic fit that's designed to throw it right over your back when the going gets tough. Alternatively, you can use the padded carrier handles for a simple grab-and-go option," says Michelle.

There's plenty of room for bulky, cold-weather clothing. Outdoor adventures require a degree over-packing since the weather can be unpredictable. This 95-liter capacity bag has plenty of room for extra fleeces, jackets, and more bulky items that'll keep you prepared.

What to look for in a weekender bag

Packing capacity: Most manufacturers list a bag's packing capacity in liters. For a weekend trip, you'll want at least 30 liters of packing capacity if you're a light packer or only bringing summer clothes. If you want options or are bringing bulkier cold-weather clothes, aim for a bag that has at least 40-45 liters of packing space.

Organization: Think about the items you like to travel with and look for pockets and dividers that keep them safely stowed without infringing on packing capacity. If you carry a computer, a laptop pocket is key. Exterior pockets are convenient for quick access items like your cell phone or a passport.

Weather-resistance: Depending on your destination, you may want to invest in a bag with a water-resistant fabric that'll keep its contents dry despite inclement weather.

Weight: The weight of your empty bag will impact the heft of your overall load. Heavier fabrics like leather are better suited for trips when you'll only carry your bag from the car trunk to the hotel room. If you've got long airport walks ahead, consider a bag made of a lightweight material like neoprene.

Comfort features: Padded straps, multiple carrying options, and load lifters all help take the strain off your body. The longer you'll need to be physically carrying your weekender, the more these features will matter.

Size: If you're traveling by plane, make sure you pay attention to the airline's size regulations for carry-on bags. Keep in mind that you can usually bring one carry-on and one personal item on board, but the dimensions for an approved personal item will be smaller than those of a carry-on item. Check with your airline for specifics.

How I tested the best weekender bags I tested four weekender bags, alongside seven favorites that have been pre-vetted by other members of the Insider Reviews team. To assess the bags' packability, I loaded the same items into each bag: two pairs of jeans, two t-shirts, one sweater, one pair of long pajamas, two pairs of thick socks, one pair of sneakers, a medium-sized toiletry bag, my laptop, my laptop charger, my tablet, my phone charger, and one pair of sunglasses. I paid close attention to organizational features (or lack thereof) that made accommodating these items easier or more difficult.

To test each bag's maneuverability, I carried it around my house for 10 minutes including walking up and down stairs. If a bag offered multiple carrying options (such as handles and a messenger strap), I tried each method to compare the comfort.

I shook each of the bags before unzipping them to see how my items had moved around. I ran the zippers back and forth multiple times to assess their durability, taking note of any snags.