Whether you are going away for a weekend trip or a month-long vacation, having the right luggage goes a long way to having a pleasant trip.
For three-day jaunts, a weekender bag is ideal. Much longer trips require a suitcase. But even knowing that might not be enough! Finding the ideal travel bag for your trip makes for a seamless vacation.
Many travel bags offer versatile organizing solutions for the modern traveler. To help make your decision-making easy, we have rounded-up travel bags that cover the ground when it comes to organizing styles.
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Best weekender bags for women
Let’s assume you got a weekend invitation that you simply cannot turn down. Then a weekender bag is the right fit. These bags are ideal for short trips and are designed to pack just the right amount of luggage to cover up to three days. They also offer versatile packing and organizing to make your travel a lot easier. Here are the best weekender bags;
1. Briggs Riley ZDX 21-inch Carry-On Two-Wheel Duffle
Material: Nylon
Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 21 inches
Item weight: 7.4 Pounds
Price: $449
If you are looking for a weekender bag to get around with while traveling, then this rolling bag from Briggs & Riley is your ideal solution. It’s not only a sturdy bag made of tough nylon, but it also comes with some great features such as a special pocket for your tech gadgets. How special? The compartment is protected with RFID tech.
Inside, there’s plenty of space for all your stuff. It’s a mix of a weekender bag and a suitcase, so it has cool extras like straps to secure your things and lots of zippered pockets. Plus, it uses the best YKK zippers on the market. When it’s time to move, just grab the telescopic handle and use the wheels to roll the bag to your next stop.
Pros
- It’s quite durable
- Made for the working traveler
- Has wheels for paved ground
Cons
- It’s very pricey
- Bulkier than the typical weekender bag
2. Vera Bradley Womens Recycled Cotton Weekender Travel
Material: Cotton
Dimensions: 7.5 x 18.5 x 12.5 inches
Item weight: 1.95 Pounds
Price: $101
The Vera Bradley Women’s Recycled Cotton Weekender Travel Bag is our top choice for a washable bag because it’s made mostly of cotton (80%) with 20% recycled materials. Also, you can select from a variety of designs, including florals, paisley, prints, and solid colors—there’s a Vera Bradley bag for everyone.
Inside you will find five mesh pockets, and on the outside, there are three more pockets plus a sleeve to attach it to your suitcase. If the bag gets dirty, you can simply toss it in the washing machine—it’s built to keep its vibrant colors even after washing.
Pros
- It’s machine-washable and keeps its colors after washing
- Has many colors to pick from
Cons
- It’s too plain for work travelers
- Not as strong as other weekender bags in the category
Vera Bradley Weekender starting at $85
3. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Weekender Travel Bag
Material: Polyester
Dimensions: 11x18x8 inches
Item weight: 1.6 Pounds
Price: $102
The Maxlite 5 women’s weekender bag is built to last. It has tough, water-resistant fabric, sturdy zippers, and a surprisingly roomy interior for its compact size. You can fill it up without any worries! It’s also super lightweight, which users love.
The Maxlite 5 is great for keeping your important stuff under your seat when you travel or as a compact bag for short trips.
It helps you stay organized with a quick-access front flap, roomy inside, and built-in pockets for your gadgets and accessories. You can attach it to the handle of a rolling suitcase for convenience.
Pros
- It is super light
- It is spacious
- Has special compartments for gadgets
Cons
- It is not too deep compared to other weekender bags
4. BAGSMART Travel Duffle Bag
Material: Polyester
Dimensions: 18.1 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches
Item weight: 1.65 Pounds
Price: $50
This cute BAGSMART women’s weekender bag is very versatile for different types of travel. Whether you’re going on a quick business trip, a weekend road trip, or just staying for one night, this bag has the ideal features for all of your travel needs!
It comes with a laptop sleeve, a shoe bag, a trolley sleeve, lots of pockets, and can fit under airplane seats. While it is perfect for short jaunts, you can pack more if you will be away for more than three days. The BAGSMART weekender is slightly larger and perfect for those looking to stay a little longer.
Pros
- It is spacious
- Compact to fit under plane seats
- It is cost-friendly
- Has laptop sleeve
- Has shoe bag
Cons
- Few colors
5. Herschel Novel Duffel Bag
Material: Polyester
Dimensions: 9.5 x 20.5 x 11 inches
Item weight: 1.04 Pounds
Price: $90
You can’t go wrong with a timeless choice like Hershel’s women’s overnight travel bag. It’s very light, so that you have more space for your stuff. Plus, it comes with a useful side pocket for your shoes!
This duffle weekender bag has Hershel’s quality and classic style written all over it. It’s great for road trips, quick overnight stays, or any short journey you have in mind. It’s also a fantastic carry-on option!
Pros
- Super light
- Durable and classy
Cons
- Not many storage compartments
6. HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag
Material: Water-resistant nylon fabric
Dimensions: 12.99 x 10.28 x 4.33 inches
Item weight: 2.05 Pounds
Price: $36
This HYC00 weekender duffel bag looks cute and sporty. It’s just the right size for a weekend trip. It comes with a laptop sleeve, a wet pocket, and lots of other useful pockets to keep things organized!
Even though it’s not super big, you can still fit a good amount of stuff in this bag. It’s also handy for carrying on a plane because it has a trolley sleeve!
Pros
- Has trolley sleeve
- Many pockets
Cons
- Not as spacious as other bags on this list
Best suitcases for women
A good suitcase is crucial for a smooth trip. It should be big enough to fit your stuff, not too heavy, easy to carry, and strong enough to handle travel bumps. In this guide, we have compiled the best five suitcases to improve the travel experience.
1. Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner
Material: Polycarbonate
Dimensions: 10 x 15.25 x 21.25 inches
Item weight: 6.5 Pounds
Price: $180
The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner is easy to move on either two or four wheels and glides smoothly on different surfaces, like carpets and hard floors. The telescoping aluminum handle extends and locks in place with a simple button press.
This suitcase has several pockets inside the main compartment and can expand a bit when you need more room. You can pack enough clothes for a four-day trip, including two pairs of shoes, multiple jackets, and two toiletry bags without needing to expand it.
However, we wish it had a zippered section or a removable bag for dirty laundry. It does have a separator to keep your shoes separate from your clean clothes.
The Freeform comes in 12 different colors, from white to mint to merlot. The polycarbonate shell is incredibly tough. Considering its reasonable price, durable build, and roomy capacity, we believe it’s an excellent choice for frequent travelers and anyone looking for a high-quality carry-on bag.
Pros
- Durable
- Several colors
Cons
- No zippered section
- No removable bag for dirty laundry
2. Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Expandable Hardside Spinner
Material: Polycarbonate
Dimensions: 9.5 x 14.5 x 23 inches
Item weight: 7.25 Pounds
Price: $370
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Spinner is tough with its strong polycarbonate shell that can handle bumps and falls. The handle is easy to adjust and feels sturdy, making it comfortable to hold. Plus, the spinner wheels make it roll smoothly, although it might need a little extra effort on carpets.
You can also pack more clothes and shoes in it, making it a bit larger by two inches. Just remember, this could make it a bit tricky to fit in overhead bins. However, the carry-on could have used a few extra pockets; but overall, its durable design is worth every penny.
Pros
- Hard and sturdy shell
- Easy to roll
Cons
- Not enough interior compartments for a modern traveler
- Might be hard to fit in overhead bins when filled to the brim
3. Travelpro Platinum Elite 21” Expandable Carry-on Spinner
Material: High-density nylon fabric
Dimensions: 9 x 14.5 x 23.5 inches
Item weight: 7.72 Pounds
Price: $296.39
This Travelpro Platinum Elite Spinner suitcase is super sturdy, thanks to its tough fabric, leather edges, and strong chrome parts. You can pack a lot in its two big compartments and mesh pockets, but if you need more room, you can expand it to make it bigger.
It’s easy to move around with its four wheels, sliding and turning smoothly. But if you use just two wheels, you’ll need to put in a bit more effort. This clever carry-on has a spot for a powerbank with a USB port, but you will have to buy the powerbank separately. The Travelpro Platinum Elite also has a TSA lock.
Pros
- Comes with a TSA lock
- Has a USB port for your powerbank
- Sturdy and tough fabric
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a powerbank
4. Amazon Basics 21-inch Hardside Spinner
Material: ABS Hard shell
Dimensions: 13.58 x 9.45 x 19.09 inches
Item weight: 7.34 Pounds
Price: $88
If you want something cheaper, check out Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner. This tough suitcase moves easily and turns well, even on carpets and bumpy surfaces. Also, its hard shell ensures that it doesn’t easily get scratched.
You can pack clothes, shoes, jackets, and toiletries without needing to make it bigger. The Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner is great for people who travel a lot. It comes in just four colors, but we like its simple and stylish design.
Pros
- Strong and durable
- No need to expand it
- Scratch resistant
Cons
- Comes in only four colors
5. Briggs & Riley Sympatico Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner
Material: Virgin Makrolon® polycarbonate
Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 22 inches
Item weight: 9.24 Pounds
Price: $599
This Briggs & Riley Sympatico small suitcase costs a lot, but here’s why it’s worth considering. Its shock-absorbing Makrolon polycarbonate shell makes it tough which means it won’t get scratched, even if it takes a hard fall. Besides being strong, it’s easy to move around on both hard floors and carpets. It can handle tight corners and bumps without a problem.
Plus, it has enough room inside and some helpful compartments to keep things organized. We like how well it’s designed, with pockets, dividers, and sides that expand to give you more space in this small suitcase.
However, the expander is on the inside, which might not be obvious at first. Overall, we like how shiny it looks on the outside, and it justifies the higher price.
- Scratch proof
- Strong and hard shell
- Has expandable space
- It is quite costly
Tips for buying a travel bag
The kind of suitcase you should get depends on how you travel. You can pick from lots of colors and styles, but it’s a good idea to think about what’s practical before spending your money.
Weight
The weight limit for bags varies depending on the airline. Make sure your suitcase isn’t too heavy before you go, as extra baggage fees can be really expensive. If you travel often, it’s a good idea to get a luggage scale.
Remember, the lighter your suitcase is when it’s empty, the more vacation clothes you can bring.
Size
When you are searching for a larger suitcase, think about where you will keep it when you are not using it, and how its size might affect your travels. If you are driving to the airport, consider if the suitcase will fit in the car trunk easily.
Also, think about whether it will be easy to carry through crowded places or lift onto the luggage rack on the airport bus.
Don’t assume a suitcase labeled ‘cabin-size’ will fit in the plane’s cabin. Before you travel, be sure to check the size restrictions of the airline you are flying. You can find the specific size requirements for each airline below.
Security
A lock is important when you travel, especially if you are going to the USA. It’s best to use a lock with a Transport Security Administration (TSA) feature. These locks have a special red TSA logo and a master key that only TSA has.
This key lets airline security open your suitcase to check what’s inside without breaking your lock. If they can’t open it, they might have to break it during random checks.
Finding the perfect travel bag is a task that requires careful consideration and planning. It’s not just about picking any bag that catches your eye; it’s about selecting one that suits your specific needs and travel style. Hopefully, our guide will help ease your decision-making.