Once upon a time, you could stuff a few days’ worth of essentials into a backpack and be done packing.Well, not anymore. Now you’ve got good shoes, and collared shirts, and other items that deserve better than being crammed into a book bag. Not to mention, the same bag that saw you through college probably won’t cut it on a business trip.

But rather than reaching for an unwieldy suitcase, consider a third option: a ruggedly handsome weekend bag. Often made from leather or heavy-duty canvas, these overnight bags are usually more structured than a duffel bag, but more stylish than the average hard-shell case. Plus the lack of wheels and slight “squishability” (technical term used by expert travelers) means they fit easily in an overhead compartment, trunk, back seat, and so on.

When choosing an overnight bag, look for one with plenty of compartments — keeping your devices and toiletries separate from your clothing makes it easier to pack, unpack, and find things when you’re halfway through your trip.

Premium weekender bags can cost upwards of several hundred dollars. But we’ve rounded up a bunch of durable, versatile, and functional overnight bags that are affordable, so you can spend more money on experience rather than your luggage.

Updated June 2019

Watch our video guide, or scroll on to read our picks!

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