It’s the weekend! You know what that means: time to pack up the car and head out into the countryside. But what to take? Should you take the big suitcase, even though you know you won’t use all of the clothes it contains? Or should you take a smaller bag, even though you risk not having enough room for everything you need to take? The solution: a weekender bag! Weekenders come in all shapes and sizes, but they’re a great solution for weekend trips where you want to look stylish, but also be practical. A weekender bag is simply a larger duffle or travel bag with long straps that you can wear across your body.
What is a weekender you might ask? Well, a weekender can mean two things. First and according to the urban dictionary, a weekender is...
a significant other who only comes around for the weekends. you barely see them during the week. they tend to disappear when you try to make plans during the week.
While the other “weekender” is a type of bag. While the other meant a person and the other a bag their similarities are not far off.
So What is a Weekender?
Technically, any bag can be a weekend bag. Because technically the main purpose of a weekender is for a quick weekend getaway bag. Large and spacious bags like a duffel bag, a satchel bag, or even a tote bag can be a weekend bag. This is because weekend bags should be big enough that it can carry a sufficient capacity of things for a couple of days. Preferably these days are over the weekend, hence the name. Intentionally it should have space to carry your clothing, toiletries, footwear, and other essentials.
A True Weekender
However, if we are going to be specific, a weekend bag is a type of bag, and it is not just any bag used for the weekends. A true weekender bag is large, but not too large to be a suitcase. Like a duffel bag, it is a cylindrical bag with no clear frame or structure. Likewise, it has a soft-sided exterior with a huge zippered closure going from one end of the bag to the other. The interior of a weekend bag will be open and roomy. It will probably have a few pockets or compartments on the inside for small items. Some weekenders also have pockets on the outside and a shoe compartment. Imagine how this bag maximizes its utility. However, a typical weekender will have no compartments on the inside. Mainly because of the existence of Dopp kits.
Likewise, a weekend bag also has two carry handles and a long carrying strap. These straps come in extra handy especially when you are carrying a heavy load. They are also adjustable, removable, and padded for comfort. Finally, weekenders are usually made of nylon, leather, or waxed canvas. Different fabric materials will offer different levels of durability, comfort, and style. It is therefore important to know what your weekend bag is made of before making a purchase.
The Weekender vs The Duffel Bag
They look the same so what is the difference? Basically, there is none. They are the same. However, technically a weekender is a variant of a duffel bag. The weekend bag’s design in some way is different from the original duffel bag style. Moreover, a weekend bag is a name used to define a duffel bag for a specific purpose and a tweak in the design. Specifically, for weekend trips. This is possible because of the versatility of the duffel bag. Its original design is spacious, convenient, and good for travel. Exactly what a weekend bag should be but with a few extra steps.
Why You Need One
If you frequently travel the weekender is perfect for you. Ready to go out on an adventure any time, a weekend bag is all you need. It is just the perfect size for a quick getaway. It is not too small so as to fit your essentials likewise it is not too big to cause an inconvenience. Its size is built for travel, as fits perfectly above you on the overhead bins or below if you have the extra legroom.
For those who do not travel frequently or do not travel at all a weekend bag is still perfect for any occasion. Because it is a variant of the duffel bag, a weekender is also a very versatile bag. While it is primarily for quick getaways, you may use it for different activities such as going to the gym. It has plenty of space for extra clothes, extra shoes, and an extra water bottle.
The Best Weekender Bag
Because of many variations in material and manufacturing procedures, weekend bags are not one and all the same. If you are looking for a weekend bag that will be the right fit for you, here are a few things to look out for.
Material
The first thing that you will look out for is the material. If you are looking for the best weekend bag the materials need to be durable and strong. It must be able to withstand a lot of weight and frequent travels. Most common are either canvas or leather. Both bags are known to be strong and incredibly durable. It will then matter which material you prefer and the capacity you have to purchase it.
Why is Leather a Good Material for a Weekender?
Leather is one of those things you take for granted until you don’t have it. It’s a material that’s been used for thousands of years, and it’s stood the test of time because it’s tough, durable, and resists becoming brittle in extreme weather conditions. It’s also relatively easy to care for. (There’s a reason leather lasts so long.)
Real leather is for many people the ultimate bag material: it’s instantly recognizable, it ages beautifully with time, and it feels right at home in formal settings but doesn’t look out of place at the office, either. (It’s also a very traditional material for bags of all kinds.)
Leather is a good material for a weekender bag because it is durable and flexible enough to withstand the everyday wear and tear that comes with having a busy schedule and going to and from the office.
Stitching
It is not enough that you choose the best materials, it also equally important to look at the craftsmanship. A strong and durable bag is only as good as its stitching. Because no matter how high the quality of the material is if it is poorly made then it will break as easily with low-quality material. This is very important especially if you are packing heavy.
Be sure to look closely at the stitching patterns. Take a closer look especially around the load-bearing areas which will receive more pressure. Strong stitching is done in a way that no matter which direction you pull it will stay in place.
Zippers, Straps, and Handles
A good weekender bag will have a strong zipper and strong shoulder straps. For you to maximize the capacity of your bag a strong zipper is necessary. This will prevent the bag and its contents from bursting open. The stronger the zipper the more likely it is able to stay closed even if at maximum capacity.
Likewise, when you are carrying a full load you will also be carrying heavier weight. Shoulder straps will ease the burden of carrying a heavy load. However, these straps must be strong enough to handle a considerable amount of weight. A strong handle is likewise important for the same reason. It must be strong enough to handle a heavy load.
There are many things to look at, but these points should be your focus on choosing the best weekend bag. While your preference matters, it is important to know which is better than the other. Furthermore, if you are looking for top quality leather weekenders be sure to check our shop. Check out our guide on what to look for when buying a leather weekender duffel bag