Top 3 Weekend Duffel Bags for Men & Women
Tired of bulky, heavy, and boxy suitcases for weekend travel? Yeah. We feel the same exact way about suitcases too. Weekend duffel bags have absolutely changed the way we do our ‘weekend bangers.’ Trips that involve travel starting on a Friday night through Sunday night.
Weekend duffel bags are large, lightweight, and take up a lot less space while not in use compared to perma-rectangle suitcases. Sometimes adventure calls for rocky roads, unpaved sidewalks, odd transportation, and even treks through natural environments.
All intense obstacles for hardshell luggage and any suitcase with wheels. Both are impractical and often have useless features. Duffel bags are great because they conform to each scenario.
They stack on buses, trains, motorcycles, and pickup trucks; taking shape to whatever nook and cranny they get shoved into.
Overall, they’re just better suited for the adventurer.
WHAT MAKES A WEEKEND DUFFEL BAG?
A weekend duffel bag is normally between 30-50 Liters, capable of carrying enough for one person.
You may want a larger weekend duffel bag if you’re traveling with a second person or have some serious gear outside of a normal travel load. I’m talking to you: fishermen, rock climbers, hikers, campers, photographers, snow athletes, etc.
If you take your road trips seriously like we do, then you’ll definitely find several of these 30 Road Trip Essentials in your future duffel.
To maximize the space in your weekend duffel bag we can’t tell you enough how valuable compression cubes are. Simply pack your cubes with clothes and watch them shrink before your eyes as you compress them with a single zipper!
Aside from saved space, you also add a layer of protection to your clothes along with some nice organization. Gomex Packing Cubes are a crowd favorite because of these combined features.
Weekend duffel bags are generally traditional in style as they have no framework, wheels, or telescoping/hard handles. The most basic traditional duffel bag will just have a couple soft handles and maybe a shoulder strap. Duffels typically just have 1 main compartment with maybe a single added pocket.
Duffel bags first came about in the mid 17th century, and honestly not too much has changed! With that said, there have been some strides in materials and design.
SO WHAT MAKES FOR A GREAT WEEKEND DUFFEL BAG?
- Durable/Tough Materials
- Carry Handles with Closure
- Padded Side Handles
- Adjustable Shoulder Strap
- 1 or More Pockets
- Daisy Chains
- Backpack Straps
- Compression Straps
- Weatherproofing
Just like most things in life, it’s hard to ‘have it all.’ This list of features is ideal for a weekend filled with outdoor adventure, letting you enjoy the moment and worry less about your gear. Fortunately many weekend duffel bags in today’s market check off just about every feature in this list.
🌻 Our content may contain affiliate links. If clicked through to make a purchase, the price remains the same for you and we will earn a small commission. This helps us to continue creating useful and valuable content for you and other visitors. 💜3 INCREDIBLE WEEKEND DUFFEL BAGS FOR MEN & WOMEN
I’ve chosen 3 incredibly reputable weekend duffel bags for men and women that fit your needs and budget. See our list of top bags below and decide which one is best for you and your travel needs!
1. The North Face Base Camp Duffel – Medium – Best All-Around
This could be your first and last weekend duffel bag whether you’re a man or woman. The North Face Base Camp Duffel – Medium is held in high regard and for good reason. It’s loaded (pun intended) with tons of features, nailing much of what’s on our list making it a ‘Great Weekend Duffel Bag.’
We love the D-shaped zipper opening for taking things in and out of the bag. This shape is much more accessible than your stand zipper that runs straight across the top of a duffel bag.
Filling a weekend duffel bag to it’s max capacity can mean some serious size and weight. Compression straps and backpack straps turn this duffel into a manageably weight-bearing backpack.
Pair these features with a durable, water-resistant exterior and you can go just about anywhere with it.
A total of 71 Liters gives you (and a partner) more than enough room for clothes, jackets, and gear for just about any adventure.
- Detachable, adjustable, alpine-cut shoulder straps provide an ergonomic fit with minimal twisting
- Padded side handles serve as both duffel carry handles and haul handles
- D-shaped zip opening with a weather-resistant zipper flap. Main compartment has a zippered mesh pocket and an added end-cap mesh sleeve pocket for organizational options
- Legendary rugged construction offers water-resistant Base Camp material, extra bar-tacks, and double stitching
- 4 compression straps cinch down the loadWater-resistant ID pocket on top
- New mesh-bag packaging contains the duffel in a clean format
2. REI Co-op Roadtripper Duffel – 60L – Greatest Value
If you’re looking for a more affordable option you’re in luck. In most cases you’re going to sacrifice quality and function as you aim to spend less. The REI Co-op Roadtripper Duffel – 60L laughs at this notion as they’ve successfully put out a weekend duffel bag for men and women that stands up to our list making it a ‘Great Weekend Duffel Bag.’
The REI Co-op Roadtripper Duffel is a few frills weekend duffel bag following closely to the most traditional of duffel bags. One major compartment with one internal front pocket.
A sturdier bottom material helps this duffel keep it’s shape while you load it with everything you need from a to z.
Oh, and when you’re all done with it just pack it down into IT’S OWN POCKET. Yep. This bag folds into itself for the smallest footprint in between uses. One minute you have a package the size of two 32oz Nalgene bottles and the next you have a massive weekend duffel bag!
Shelby and I personally use this duffel for all of our weekend bangers. It easily fits 3 days of clothes each plus room for hiking boots and miscellaneous gear.
While simple, there are many more features that make this 60 Liter weekend duffel bag the best value on this list.
- Coated 610-denier Cordura® polyester is rugged and water-resistant
- Carry the duffel by its nylon luggage handle or the included detachable shoulder strap
- Daisy chains on sides offer lash points to let you strap a jacket or other gear to the outside of the bag
- Duffel stows in its own zippered side pocket so you can stash it in your luggage and use it to carry home souvenirs
- Contoured end handle makes it easy to grab the bag and go
- Shoulder strap loops tuck away when not in use
3. YETI Panga 75 Airtight Duffel – The Ultimate Adventure Duffel
The previous weekend duffel bags are water-resistant and do a pretty good job of keeping contents dry when it comes to some rain or spills, but do you need something more serious? The YETI Panga 75 Airtight Duffel laughs at water resistance.
Why? It’s completely waterproof. Again, this weekend duffel bag for men and women is entirely waterproof!
Did your duffel just slide off the boat into the water on your photography expedition? Just pull it out of the water, pull out a dry jacket and camera, and get to shooting! When you’re all done, pack up and slap the duffel on your back.
Impress your friends while you jump straight into the water and get to shore quicker than they can dock and exit.
This duffel means serious business. It’s built for the most demanding adventures and for those who want maximum weather security.
A dense, laminated shell with waterproof zipper makes this the most durable and weatherproof weekend duffel bag on this list.
Expect some extra attention when you’re out in the wild with this bag. It’s a YETI product and it shows. Stares, compliments, and even theft can follow this bag, so keep it close. It’s that desirable.
There’s A Weekend Duffel Bag for You and Me!
You’ve learned what makes a ‘Great Weekend Duffel Bag’ and I’ve taken the guesswork out of which weekend duffel bag is perfect for your needs.
- The North Face Base Camp Duffel is loaded with features with ample space for just about any adventurer.
- Lean on the incredibly high-value REI Co-op Roadtripper Duffel, an unbeatable bag for it’s bare-bones, function, and price.
- If you’re an extreme outdoor enthusiast or demand a bag with ultimate weatherproofing, look no further than the YETI Panga 75 Dry Duffel. There are few bags you can confidently drag underwater with thousands of dollars of gear, laughing at the thought of leaks.
Use your newly acclaimed knowledge to pick the perfect weekend duffel bag for you. Every adventure is unique and may require different features and functionality. In the end, a great weekend duffel bag will keep your contents safe and in one place while you pursue the experiences that move you.
If you’re looking to pair your new weekend duffel bag with the perfect day pack companion, check out these 3 Ultralight Travel and Hiking Daypacks.
Packing smart has gotten a lot easier with the help of mindful outdoor enthusiasts and brands. You can further save space and pack more in your duffel with the help of a packable down jacket.
Do you already own a weekend duffel bag on this list? Is there a duffel that deserves to be in this article? We’d love to know in a comment below!
Like this? Pin it!
