Welcome back to Elevated: Travel Style for the Modern Man. In this month’s column, I’m focusing on men’s travel bags—specifically weekend bags and duffels. Whether it be an overnight trip or a long weekend getaway, a cool, casual overnight bag is key when a short stay is on the horizon. A good men’s travel bag looks good but is functional, too. From a classic pebbled leather number to a bag that adjusts to a variety of sizes, these shipshape options will outperform on your next trip.
Cole Haan GRANDSERIES Leather Duffle
Crafted to be the most dapper and sophisticated of the bunch, this pebbled leather duffel bag is one of the sleekest men’s weekend bags on the market. Yes, it’s a bit of a splurge, but its classic design makes it particularly versatile; it’s equally at home on a business trip and on a casual weekend away.
Everlane Mover Pack
From tossing it into gym lockers to lugging it through airport security, I’ve put my Mover Pack through the crappiest of experiences and it hasn’t underperformed yet. It can be carried either over the shoulder or by one of the grab handles on the top and sides. However, my favorite part about this bag is the separate shoe compartment because I hate when my clean clothes have to touch my dirty sneakers.
Etsy Personalized Weekend Bag
A quality, personalized weekend bag that ships fast and won’t break the bank sounds like it would never exist, right? Wrong—GiftsForGuysCo on Etsy offers exactly that. Featuring numerous stylish options and almost 1,000 five-star reviews, this bag is a solid self-buy or gift for a good buddy.
Public Rec Pro Weekender
For a minimalistic everyday option, the Pro Weekender has you covered. Though it’s not much of a visual standout, I love this bag for exactly that reason: It leaves me feeling super under the radar as I casually drift through my day. Built functionally and dipped with a waterproof polyurethane bottom, this one is a practical must-have.
The North Face Base Camp Large Duffle Bag
Anyone that’s experienced a brutal winter in the Northeast knows that The North Face builds some quality items, meant for wear and tear—and this duffel is no exception. No matter the weather conditions, this bag will get you through it with a water-resistant and sturdy ballistic nylon exterior.
Herschel Supply Co. Outfitter 50L Duffle
From backpacks to totes to messenger bags, Herschel Supply Company has been getting people’s stuff where it needs to be since 2009. Its 50L duffel in camo merges the brand’s grade-A design (complete with a shoe compartment and stow-away backpack straps) with its recognizable look and logo, creating a classic weekend duffel bag for men.
S-Zone Canvas Weekend Bag
The perfect weekend bag comes oversized in six classic colors from S-Zone. Because this has the most spacious design of the bunch, you can literally carry anything you need for a night or even a week if you have to.
Uncommon Goods Adjustable Bag
Deciding which size bag is the right one for any upcoming trip is a continuous issue I have that I am not proud of. I tend to go for the larger, figuring I’ll probably pick up an extra item or two up on my adventure, but I sometimes feel silly having such a large weekend bag to carry almost nothing. Thankfully, this adjustable bag from Uncommon Goods combats my problems by shapeshifting from a tightly packed smaller configuration at the beginning of my trip to an overpacked duffel bursting at the seams when I head home.
Peak Design 35L Travel Duffel
Considering the world feels like it’s ending these days, you may think it’s a bit late to get in on the sustainability game—but I can assure you, it isn’t. Peak Design’s 100 percent recycled, waterproof travel duffel is a timeless tote that’ll make you feel as good as you look carrying it. Whether you’re an all-black kind of guy or willing to spice it up with a bit of sage, this bag looks great no matter the choice.
Filson’s Medium Duffle Bag
A water-repellent exterior is key when it comes to getting your wardrobe to and fro in one piece—especially when it looks this good. Filson’s well-designed Medium Duffle has top-carry handles, an adjustable shoulder strap, leather trimmings, and rust-proof brass.
Tyler’s Fashion Picks for February 2020
Although we still have a bit more time in the brisk cold temps, I’m already trading in my winter coat for a classic Levi’s denim jacket in hopes of wearing the warmer weather into existence. Though it hasn’t worked just yet, I’m continuing to push through by adding a brightly colored undershirt from Everlane. Paired with a comfy pair of drawstring pants that I can get away with wearing at the office and these Cole Haan sneakers I refuse to take off my feet, I can go straight from work to happy hour afterward and fit the vibe both ways. I’ve also been super into carrying a disposable camera around recently whenever I remember. I figured it’s just a more exciting way to capture my life these days!
More from SmarterTravel:
- 10 Must-Pack Travel Items for Men
- The Best New Travel Shoes for Men
- The Best Travel Pants for Men and Women
Tyler Schoeber is a production specialist, photographer, occasional writer, travel style guru, and general Renaissance man at SmarterTravel. Follow his adventures on Instagram at @tylerschoeber.