For quick getaways or long weekends, suitcases can seem impractical. When you don’t need to carry much stuff, or are simply a short drive or train ride away from your destination, who wants to mess with a massive, cumbersome carry-on—especially if your trip involves multiple forms of transportation?
Enter the duffle bag and weekender. More rugged than a gym bag and easier to squeeze into cramped compartments than a hard case, they’re ideal travel companions for guys taking short excursions. They’re a hell of a lot more stylish than a clunky suitcase, too.
There are a few things to consider when looking for the perfect one, though. So before you go splashing your cash, here’s what to look for when choosing the right bag for you. Now go and get your money little duffle bag boy.
For more in-depth buyer’s guides, delve into Highsnobiety‘s very-own Check Before You Buy series.
Duffles vs. Weekenders
The duffle bag’s history traces to the Belgian city of Duffel, where weavers manufactured a tough canvas cloth that became synonymous with the standard-issue cylindrical bags lugged around by soldiers. The bag is characterized by its cylindrical shape and carrying straps.
Weekenders are more rectangular in shape and are generally smaller, large enough to fit a day or two’s worth of clothes and toiletries — hence the name — but compact enough to easily stow away.
Whether you’re after a duffel or weekender largely depends on how much stuff you’re looking to carry, but broadly speaking, the two terms are interchangeable.
All airlines and trains have a specific definitions on what can be taken aboard as a carry-on, so do a bit of research before you pull the trigger on a specific piece. It’d be a shame to get the bag of your dreams, only to find out it’s just a tad too big to classify as a carry-on. A ballpark figure is something between 1- or 2-feet wide and long. Your bag should be a good deal more roomy than a backpack, but noticeably smaller than a suitcase.
Color-wise, you can either keep it classic and versatile or try something a bit bolder—the latter choice makes it a bit easier discerning which bag is yours, and can be quite helpful should a friend or cab driver need to spot you from a distance. Black, navy, and military tones like tan or olive are always safe bets. Status symbol-hunters may consider the signature prints of a label like Goyard, or something striking and heavily-branded from brands like Supreme, BAPE, or Stone Island.
Given that you’ll be throwing your new bag into luggage compartments, dragging it out of car trunks and lugging it around in between, you’re going to want a bag that can take some punishment.
In terms of fabric, canvas is a good compromise between quality and affordability. Nylon offers almost the same degree of toughness as canvas, with added water resistance. A waterproof interior comes in handy if you’re traveling with liquids, so the bag won’t suffer too much if something spills while you’re en route.
Good quality leather will stand the test of time, and if you’ve got the money to splurge on a luxury option from a label like Goyard or Louis Vuitton, your investment will only get better with age. Pay attention to the thickness of the leather, and make sure it’s the real deal — faux leathers aren’t anywhere near as durable, neither are full-blown bootlegs.
On the lower end of the price spectrum, some bags come in vinyl to achieve a leather look — but avoid those, as they’ll only fall apart over time. Check the bottom of the bag too. Metal studs or a reinforced bottom layer will help keep your bag safe from everyday wear-and-tear.
Finally, stitching and closures should also be considered. For zippers, zip and unzip them a few times and see how well they close. Shoddier zippers tend to catch the side of the fabric over time, or will bust open at one end if a bag is too packed. Like clothes, high-end zippers from RiRi or YKK are signifiers of a well-made piece. For snap closures, check the quality of the snap button, as those can often come apart after heavy use.
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