Weekend trips are supposed to be the easy ones. A couple of days away, a handful of outfits, your toiletries, a charger, and you're good to go. At least that's the theory. In reality, most so-called weekend bags seem to run out of space the moment you add an extra pair of shoes or a light jacket. As someone who firmly believes that short trips should not involve complicated packing strategies, I have spent plenty of time searching for luggage that strikes the right balance between compact and spacious. Some of these are bags I have travelled with myself, while others have earned glowing reviews from frequent travellers. If you're planning to invest in luggage made for quick getaways, consider this your handy cheat sheet.
Bags that actually work for weekend trips
A weekend trip backpack cannot be the same one you carry to work every day. Your regular laptop backpack is usually too cramped once you start adding clothes, toiletries and a pair of shoes. On the other hand, a full-blown hiking backpack can feel excessive for a quick city break or a two-day escape. The sweet spot lies somewhere in between. What you need is a transit backpack. These bags are designed for short trips, offering enough space for your essentials while still being compact enough to carry comfortably through airports, train stations and busy streets. Here are a few picks that strike that balance beautifully.
