This year, we're eagerly plotting weekend jaunts to the countryside and road trips along the coast. We're packing all manner of essentials – from smart-casual white sneakers to an ever-versatile overshirt, but at the top of our wish list is a trusty holdall to throw it all into. Enter the weekender – the ultimate travel companion that will carry all you need for those 48-hour trips. The best men's weekender bags fuse style, space efficiency and sturdiness: Invest well and your weekender will outlive your passport.
Keen to hit the road? Scroll on for our pick of the best men's weekender and duffle bags to buy in 2024. There's something for every taste – from classic leather holdalls that exude sophistication to colourful, logo-emblazoned bags designed to make a statement.
What to look for in a weekender bag
When it comes to picking your perfect weekender or duffel bag, there are a few essential elements to consider:
Fabric
If you're a hardcore nature obsessive with a passion for mountain biking and hiking, your ideal weekender is going to look quite different to that of a city break enthusiast. Choose a fabric that will lend itself to whatever activities lie in store. Durable technical nylons and water-resistant fabrics are perfect for outdoorsy types, while sleek leather weekender bags will suit style-conscious city slickers and business travellers.
Size
Are you an over-packer? Be honest. If your response is a guilty nod, fear not. Simply choose a weekender bag with more than enough room for everything you need (and don't need). Be sure to check the measurements of each potential bag - brands usually highlight the dimensions and capacity of their bags on their product pages, so compare a few and choose accordingly. In contrast, cautious under-packers (teach me your ways!) can afford to skimp a bit on size.
Additional features
Need space for your laptop? Choose a weekender bag with a padded laptop compartment. Lose things easily? Make sure to opt for a bag with plenty of compartments and pockets to keep everything organised and secure. A detachable shoulder strap in tandem with a carry handle is a great option if you're after versatility. Other handy features include dedicated sections for gym gear or a suit – perfect if you're heading off on a business trip.
The best men's weekender bags to buy in 2024
Lundi Monday Wilson Weekender
Rejecting seasonality in favour of timeless elegance, Paris-based design studio Lundi creates minimalist bags and accessories that transcend trends with their clean and considered design. The brand believes in producing less but better. This means using raw materials with the lowest possible ecological impact, including vegetable-tanned leather and recycled materials.
For a classic weekender that will only get better with time, opt for Lundi's sleek and stylish Monday Wilson bag. Crafted from tumbled semi-vegetable tanned leather, it features sturdy canvas lining and YKK zippers. Two exterior pockets offer easy-to-access separate storage for shoes, a toiletry or dirty laundry. Choose from four classic colours.
Mismo Khaki/Black M/S Avail Weekend Bag
Who better to kick things off with than Mismo? The Copenhagen-based brand has become a leading name in the world of men’s luggage, courtesy of its straightforward and durable designs that fuse functionality and aesthetics. You can be sure that any bag worthy of the Mismo label has earned it through fine materials, minimalist Scandinavian design and meticulous attention to detail.
The Mismo M/S Avail Bag in classic khaki and black is the perfect overnight travel bag for men, large enough to securely store clothes, laptop and valuables, but compact enough to comply with airline cabin restrictions. Vegetable-tanned, full-grain bridle leather trims feature gun-metal buckles for handle adjustment. The heavy-duty, waterproof cotton and nylon canvas construction promises to keep everything safe and bone dry no matter what the weather.
Luca Faloni Chocolate Brown Weekender
Luca Faloni specialises in premium Italian-made staples that are designed to stand the test of time. Everything it produces – from shirting to knitwear – is made by expert artisans at the top of their game, using only the finest locally sourced fabrics.
This luxurious men's weekender bag epitomises Luca Faloni's extraordinary attention to detail. It's handmade in Florence using the finest vegetable tanned full grain leather from Santa Croce, with 100% cotton lining on the inside. Multiple pockets ensure all your valuables will stay safe and secure, while the detachable shoulder strap boasts a shoulder pad in anti-slip suede, for ultimate comfort.
Velasca Valisa Weekender Bag
With a Made-in-Italy ethos at its heart, Milanese leather goods label Velasca creates carefully constructed footwear and accessories using only the finest materials; from full-grain French calf leather to Vibram rubber soles.
Its Valisa Weekender Bag is stylish yet sturdy, crafted from ultra-thick canvas and hard-wearing bovine leather and featuring multiple pockets to store all your essentials. This is the type of bag that would work just as well for the gym as it would an overnight business trip.
Closed Weekender Bag
From organic denim jeans to premium knitwear: German label Closed does it all. Simple yet characterful style underscore's the brand's aesthetic. Its clothing and accessories are designed to subtly enhance your everyday.
Closed's Weekender Bag is the ultimate carry-on companion. It's crafted from sturdy yet lightweight cotton canvas with minimal detailing, so it'll help you look the part on your travels. Beyond good looks, the holdall boasts ultimate versatility, with a spacious interior and removable shoulder strap. Fill it up with all your holiday essentials and glide effortlessly onto the plane.
Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend Bag
Carl Friedrik was founded in 2012 when brothers Niklas and Mattis Oppermann noticed a lack of well-designed, high-quality men’s accessories on the market. Almost a decade later, Carl Friedrik still offers a comprehensive collection of leather card holder wallets, men’s leather briefcases, work bags and lightweight cabin suitcases.
The Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend Bag is the ultimate all-rounder. This luxurious men’s leather weekend bag is crafted from Italian Vachetta leather and features a heavy-duty Raccagni zipper that you can trust with your load. Made just outside Naples, Italy by a small team of artisans, every Carl Friedrik men’s leather bag sits at the pinnacle of artisanal design.
Floyd Gator Weekender
Inspired by Californian skate culture and the bohemians of 1970s Venice Beach, German luggage label Floyd is all about giving modern travel its mojo back, with a range of smooth, durable and colourful travel cases and bags that put spirit, style and character into travelling.
If you're the type that likes to make a statement when you travel, you can't go past Floyd's eye-catching 'Gator Green' weekender bag, with its contrasting orange lining and bold branding. Practically speaking, it features multiple compartments for laptops and smaller items and comes with two adjustable shoulder straps in green and orange so you can carry it like a makeshift messenger bag.
Steele & Borough Weekender Bag
Underscored by a minimalist Scandinavian design language, Swedish brand Steele & Borough creates eco-friendly bags and accessories that fuse good looks with ultimate functionality. The label exclusively uses vegan materials across all of its products and ensures all bags come with practical inside pockets, sturdy zippers and an elegant Steele & Borough monogram pattern print lining.
Steele & Borough's Weekender is made from durable water repellent waxed nylon, with supple vegan leather handles and trimmings. It's robust yet lightweight, the perfect cabin bag for short-haul flights, or throw it in the back of your trunk and set off on a road trip.
Away The Medium Everywhere Bag
Away's suitcases and bags have garnered legions of fans thanks to their combination of a contemporary minimalist aesthetic and sturdy construction. An Away bag is built to stand the test of time — in terms of both style and durability.
The Medium Everywhere Bag is a classic weekender bag that's perfect for overnight get-aways, whether you're travelling for work or leisure. Made from a hard-wearing water-resistant nylon with leather trim, it epitomises Away's commitment to durability and long-lasting quality. The bag features a roomy interior that's supplemented with zipper and slip pockets as well as a padded laptop compartment, while a detachable shoulder strap ensures ultimate comfort. Its super sleek aesthetic makes it just as ideal for a business trip as a weekend countryside escape.
Check out our pick of the best gym bags for men.
Shop all men's weekender bags at OPUMO.
