If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Luggage + Bags Suitcases + Duffel Bags I’m a Frequent Flier, and I Never Leave Home Without This Spacious, Sleek Weekender Bag It’s been my go-to carry-on for 3 years — and it never fails to get compliments. By Jillian Dara Jillian Dara Jillian Dara is a freelance writer, editor, and fact checker for more than a dozen publications in the lifestyle genre. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on April 7, 2024 05:00AM EDT Photo: Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten “I love your bag,” has become a frequent compliment from fellow travelers or plane seatmates over the past three years since I first started traveling with a July Carry All Weekender Duffle Bag — and I travel a lot. At first, I thought they were admiring my crossbody or roller bag but I quickly became accustomed to the direction of their praise. That’s because I love the bag too. July Carry All Weekender Duffle Amazon $195 at July.com I'm super picky when it comes to my personal items for carry-on — especially as I only ever travel with a carry-on — so it's important that all my bits are organized at all times. Over the last three years of using the bag, I’m still pleasantly surprised at how spacious the bag is and how durable it is despite how much I stuff into it. At 10.5 inches by 18 inches by 8.5 inches with a capacity to hold 28 liters, it’s really the perfect size — big enough to fit all my larger personal items, including a 16-inch padded laptop sleeve compartment, but divided enough to keep my smaller items organized, with internal zipped pockets ideally sized for documents, medicine, chargers, or small notebooks, an internal key hook for easy access to keys, a front access zip pocket with two internal compartments, and the brand’s QuickPass hidden pocket with magnetic closure for secure yet seamless access to travel documents. Jillian Dara Even though it offers the two exterior pockets, the bag doesn’t appear bulky whatsoever — in fact, it’s the opposite, sitting sophisticated and stylish atop your rolling carry-on via its convenient, pass-through band. The minimal design is emphasized by its weighted 420D twill nylon fabric that’s lightweight (only 2.2 pounds), water-resistant, and further premiumized by the leather handles and trim. I have the duffle in the forest green color, but the three other hues available are equally as classic and flattering — French navy, midnight black, and chalk, an off-white with cream and gray undertones. I find my darker color never to have shown stains (reviews say any scuffs on the chalk color are easily spot-cleaned out), the gunmetal zips are as undemanding to zip as day one and even if I had a glitch, the luggage brand’s five-year warranty really assures me that this bag can be my favorite forever. July Carry All Weekender Duffle July $195 at July.com Oprah’s Sleek Go-to Travel Tote Comes in So Many Pretty Spring Colors and 'Holds a Ton' In addition to rolling my July Carry All Weekender around the airport by using its pass-through band, there are also two other ways to carry it with a handle palm carry as well as an adjustable shoulder strap. I find the handle palm carry the most comfortable but that’s likely because I’m always overpacking the bag and find it less strenuous to carry this way. Don’t take my word for it? The July Carry All Weekender has 299 five-star reviews with a user percentage of 98 percent who would recommend the product. Crystal H. writes, “I adore this bag so much. It's exactly the "I-need-a-little-more-space-than-my-carry-on-allows" bag that I need for my cross-country hauls.” Liam P. adds, “It’s so organized, the passport pocket is really helpful and accessible side zip perfect for more documents. Has made a big difference to traveling. Fits under the seat on the plane easily.” Perhaps what I most love about the July Carry All Weekender is its ability to effortlessly elevate my casual plane look. Even if I’m in sweatpants or leggings, I still receive compliments on its streamlined appearance — and who doesn’t love some unsuspecting kindness from a stranger when you least expect it? Still searching for the perfect weekender carry-on bag? Shop more from our favorite brands below. More Weekender Carry-on Bags: Carrywell Travel Duffel Amazon $32 $30 at Amazon Fit & Fresh Neoprene Weekender Amazon $50 $45 at Amazon Stuery Duffle Genuine Leather Canvas Carry On Amazon $50 at Amazon Béis The Convertible Mini Weekender Beis $118 at Beis Calpak Luka Large Duffel Calpak $158 at Calpaktravel.com Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. 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