Quick Getaway: 12 Best Weekenders & Duffel Bags
Sometimes, when the mood strikes, we like to just pack a bag and hit the road with no particular plan or end goal. And, while every trip requires a bit of consideration, we like not to dwell too much on things like how to properly pack our bag. Rather, we'd just prefer to toss some gear into a simple weekender duffel bag and be on our way. Now, that doesn't mean the bag's not important.
In fact, it's quite the opposite. When you're making a quick trip you should be absolutely confident in the vessel in which you toss your stuff, because it's going to be the only thing keeping your gear safe and together. You just don't need a ton of organization and pockets for the short term. As such, we've gathered up 12 of our best weekender and duffel bag offerings for you to pick from in the following collection. Whether you're flying to the Rockies for a few days of fresh air or hitting the high seas for a weekend of sailing, these are the bags that will get you through.
Flowfold Stormproof Conductor
For a bag that can store up to 40 liters of gear, this duffel boasts a total weight of just 12.7 ounces - yes, about the weight of a beer can. And while it's super lightweight, it doesn't skimp on toughness or functionality, as the X-Pac ultralight fabric it is made from is both water-resistant and has the best strength-to-weight ratio on the market. And, as an added bonus, this American-made bag features both a spacious main compartment and a roomy external pocket for all the stuff you need quick access to, like your smartphone or your favorite wallet.
Filson Barrel Pack
Filson's Barrel Pack is a stylish and uncomplicated solution for carrying your gear on a quick weekend getaway. But simplicity doesn't mean sacrificed quality, as this bag is still made with the lauded outdoor brand's fierce dedication to quality. The exterior is crafted from ballistic nylon, it features 2" nylon webbing shoulder and briefcase-style straps, and a heavy-duty nylon coil zipper closure on the spacious main compartment.
JBird Co. JIM Duffel
One of the most handsome gym-style duffel bags we've ever come across, JBird Co's JIM Duffel is marked by a stand-out exterior crafted from a combination of waxed canvas and leather. It also features leather reinforcements and metal hardware, a quick-access zippered external pocket, a water-resistant YKK zipper, and a capacity of 30 liters. As an added bonus, it's also made entirely in the USA.
Topo Designs Mountain Duffel
Built to the famous brand's exacting standards, the Topo Designs Mountain Duffel is one of the all-around best outdoor-friendly carry-alls, thanks in part to its padded sides and base (which keep your gear protected whether you're carrying it or tossing it in the back of your off-roader) and massive 61.4 liter capacity. It's also built from 1000D Cordura ballistic nylon, comes with stowable backpack straps, has water-resistant YKK zippers, and is 100% American-made.
Aer Gym Duffel 2
Their first Gym Duffel was perhaps one of the best bags of all time. But, rather than rest on their laurels, Aer decided instead to improve upon near-perfection and release a second iteration that fixed the few issues people had with the original. This new one is still made from super-tough 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon, a separate ventilated shoe compartment, and a comprehensive internal organizational system, but it also features a new everyday carry quick-access pocket and has an upgraded capacity of 37.4 liters.
Bradley Mountain Weekender Duffel
As good looking as it is rugged and capable, the Bradley Mountain Weekender duffel bag harkens back to a time where handmade tough-as-nails quality was a given. It's built from Martexin heavy waxed canvas (which is water-resistant) and is mated to copper riveted custom oiled and waxed leather straps. It also features a reliable UCAN zipper and was sourced and made here in the United States.
JBird Co. Comrade Duffel Bag
In spite of its Cold War-esque name, there's nothing but good old fashioned American-made quality in JBird's Comrade Duffel Bag - including a construction of Martexin waxed canvas, full-grain leather, and military-grade hardware. This bag also has the added benefit of being able to transform into 2 different layouts, including a capacious weekender and a portfolio briefcase-style bag. If you're looking for versatility out of your duffel bag, this pack is the way to go.
Filson Medium Field Duffel
Constructed from 15-ounce oil-finished tin cloth and featuring a matte nylon lining, this looker of a bag is water-repellant, abrasion-resistant, and quick drying - meaning it'll keep your gear safe and dry and will be ready to go from one adventure to another pretty much immediately. It also features two stow pockets, comes with a removable 2" nylon webbing shoulder strap, and is USA-made.
United By Blue Mt. Drew Duffel Bag
On the classier end of the spectrum, both for its appearance and construction materials (we're talking 100% organic waxed cotton and vegetable-tanned leather), United By Blue's Mt. Drew duffel bag is also one of the larger bags on our list - clocking in at a capacity of 83 liters. That means this bag is perfect for those longer, more relaxed trips - and it looks the part, too. But that doesn't mean it's delicate, as it also features a water-repellant wax finish, as well as solid brass hardware and YKK zippers.
Defy Bags The Ultimate Overnighter
No, this bag's name isn't just sound and fury signifying nothing - it's a legitimate claim to its toughness and ability. And that's due, in part, to the fact that it's built from military-grade fabrics, including M35 tarpaulin, 2" seatbelt straps, and a lining made out of the same ripstop nylon as military parachutes. To top it off, it has paracord pull-tabs on its YKK AquaGuard zippers, has a capacity of 45 liters, and is handcrafted here in the U.S. of A.
Filson Duffel Pack
If you need a little bit more than just a sack with a zipper out of your duffel bag, you might want to consider Filson's Duffel Pack. This versatile bag - which is made out of 600D ballistic nylon and bridle leather - has a 40 liter capacity (which is expantable to 46 liters), comes with stowaway backpack straps, has a separate padded 15" laptop pouch, and features mud-proof pockets to store your dirty gear away from your clean stuff. It even has a hideaway security pocket for your sensitive documents and items.
Filson Medium Duffel Bag
The top of the line when it comes to duffel bags, this offering from Filson is brilliantly handsome and has a tough long-lasting USA-made construction to match. We're talking 22-ounce rugged twill, bridle leather straps and accents, and dual interior dry-finish tin cloth pockets. It's also water resistant, comes with an easy-carry 2-snap handle grip, and meets carry-on guidelines for air travel. If you're looking for the best of the best, this is it.
