Whether you’re off on a business trip, a couples getaway or an outdoorsy adventure, a reliable, functional, and possibly fashionable weekend travel bag is a must for any man. A good overnight bag should be big enough to accommodate all you’ll need for your time away, but not be so cumbersome that if you’re stuck carrying it for half the day, it’s a pain.
As with many fashion items, there's plenty of choice, from luxury leather to canvas duffel bags, a large part of which will come down to the style you like. However, there are some other features to consider, which we'll highlight in this guide. We’ll also share our favourites to buy from Amazon, John Lewis and more from both designer and cheaper brands including Ted Baker, Herschel and Berghaus.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Herschel Supply Co | 2 ![]() adidas Orginals | 3 ![]() Berghaus | 4 ![]() Ted Baker | 5 ![]() Under Armour | 6 ![]() OCCIENTEC | 7 ![]() The North Face | 8 ![]() Kin Malmo | 9 South Beach | 10 ![]() OIWAS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Sutton Mid-Volume Holdall Bag | Duffle Bag | Carry All Mule Holdall Bag | Fidick Oxblood Leather Holdall | Undeniable 4.0 Duffle Bag | PU Leather Mens Holdall | Base Camp Duffle Travel Bag, Medium | Weekend Holdall, Navy | Padded Gym Tote | Holdall with Wheels |
Features | The Perfect Weekend Bag for Any Occasion | Cool, Casual and Affordable | Ligthweight and Comfortable to Carry | Treat Yourself to Luxury Brown Leather | Plenty of Organisation at a Wallet-Friendly Price | About as Traditional as a Weekend Bag Can Be | Totally Water-Resistant and Can Be Worn as a Backpack | Water Repellent Fabric That's Resistant to Scuffs and Marks | Style and Function in a Waterproof Package | An Amalgamation of a Duffle and Suitcase |
Price | £31.93 | £37.20 | £32.58 | £225.00 | £29.99 | £43.99 | £108.00 | £65.00 | £15.00 | £39.99 |
Capacity | 28 litres | 34.8 litres | 20 litres | 30 litres | 58 litres | 39 litres | 71 litres | - | - | 45 - 55 litres |
Dimensions | 58.5 x 33 x 33 cm | 55 x 27 x 27 cm | 34.4 x 24 x 6.6 cm | 47 x 27 x 24 cm | 62 x 33 x 30 cm | 53 x 29 x 26 cm | 64.5 x 35.5 x 35.5 cm | 27 x 50 x 21 cm | - | 55.5 x 36 x 26.5 cm |
Number of Compartments | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
Material | Synthetic | Polyester | Polyester | Leather | Polyester | PU | Synthetic | Synthetic | Polyester | - |
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Without a doubt, the most significant feature to consider when buying any bag is the size. This is usually given to you in the form of dimensions, volume capacity, or both.
There’s a balance to be had when buying a weekend bag. On the one hand, you’ll want it to have the space to accommodate all your clothes, toiletries, gadgets and whatever other accessories you plan on taking. On the other hand, you might be required to carry it around with you on city trips or other excursions.
Therefore, the bag mustn’t be too clunky. We’ve found options that range between 20 and a massive 71 litres, however, an ideal size would be somewhere between 30 and 50 L, depending on your physical size and how comfortable you are carting a heavier bag around all day.
Fit in a little more with our Best Carry-On Luggage!
Sure, it’s lovely having a spacious bag that will fit the kitchen sink in. But one of the most annoying things with luggage is that it’s so easy to lose things in there! Their internal depths can swallow toothbrushes, bookmarks and other small accessories and keep them hidden until you empty the whole bag when you make it back home.
For that reason, compartments can be very handy. With most weekend bags, you’ll likely have your one large main compartment and one inside pocket. However, if you like to be particularly organised or you want to carry as much as possible, it's a good idea to look for more than this.
It tends to be that certain types of bags have more compartments than others. For example, sporty duffel bags may have a separate space for shoes, while bags by outdoor brands will have several smaller exterior pockets that are easier to access. Again, it’s about finding a bag that suits your needs.
Keep everything in its place with our Best Wash Bags for Men!
Lastly, you will want to consider the material. The traditional material for a weekend bag is leather, owing to its durability, its smart looks and the fact that it will keep the rain out should you get caught in a downpour. Its sturdiness will also help to protect your belongings if they're bashed during transit.
However, nowadays, there are many synthetic and cotton options as well. Fabric bags are better if you want something more casual or you'd prefer not to buy animal products, but they also tend to be lighter, meaning they're easier to ferry around.
While the synthetic options will usually be waterproof, or, at the very least, water-repellent, you don’t have that same reassurance from a cotton bag. As a result, it’s worth thinking about where and how you tend to travel and what type of weather you can expect in order to keep the contents safe.
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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£31.93
Capacity | 28 litres |
---|---|
Dimensions | 58.5 x 33 x 33 cm |
Number of Compartments | 2 |
Material | Synthetic |
£37.20
Capacity | 34.8 litres |
---|---|
Dimensions | 55 x 27 x 27 cm |
Number of Compartments | 2 |
Material | Polyester |
£32.58
Capacity | 20 litres |
---|---|
Dimensions | 34.4 x 24 x 6.6 cm |
Number of Compartments | 3 |
Material | Polyester |
£225.00
Capacity | 30 litres |
---|---|
Dimensions | 47 x 27 x 24 cm |
Number of Compartments | 1 |
Material | Leather |
£29.99
Capacity | 58 litres |
---|---|
Dimensions | 62 x 33 x 30 cm |
Number of Compartments | 5 |
Material | Polyester |
£43.99
Capacity | 39 litres |
---|---|
Dimensions | 53 x 29 x 26 cm |
Number of Compartments | 6 |
Material | PU |
£108.00
Capacity | 71 litres |
---|---|
Dimensions | 64.5 x 35.5 x 35.5 cm |
Number of Compartments | 3 |
Material | Synthetic |
£65.00
Capacity | - |
---|---|
Dimensions | 27 x 50 x 21 cm |
Number of Compartments | 5 |
Material | Synthetic |
£15.00
Capacity | - |
---|---|
Dimensions | - |
Number of Compartments | 1 |
Material | Polyester |
£39.99
Capacity | 45 - 55 litres |
---|---|
Dimensions | 55.5 x 36 x 26.5 cm |
Number of Compartments | 3 |
Material | - |
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
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