I get luggage questions all the time, and my message is always consistent: don’t spend a ton of money on bags you check, instead spend the money on your carry-ons and weekenders. Looking at weekend duffle bag options, there are a few things to consider. First: size. The bag should easily accommodate a two-night stay, but no more. Second: functionality. It doesn’t need a to of bells and whistles, but be considerate if you are looking for compartments or shape. Lastly: style. You’ll be ‘seen’ with this bag, so buy accordingly.
Here are some options that are RCS-approved:
From Top Left:
1. Hudson Sutler Waxed Duffle Bag: A fantastic, well-priced option. Big enough for two nights (and two looks), and the shoe compartment is super-handy for the extra pair of loafers. The green waxed option is top shelf.
2. Vessel Signature Boston Bag: A little fashion-forward, but those that know Vessel get it. The Boston-style bag looks like an old bowling bag, but it has a very convenient under-compartment that is nice for organizing when you pack.
3. Mission Mercantile Campaign Waxed Canvas Medium Duffle Bag: I have this one and use it all the time. It’s as nice as any bag on the market and is loaded with functionality. The old-school camo is a nice tough as well.
4. LL Bean Medium Waxed Duffle: Very LL Bean. Waxed, barrel, and leather handles. It’ll outlive us all.
5. Peter Millar Nylon Carry-On Bag: Nylon is great if you are doing gym or filthy stuff. The bag washes well.
6. Colonel Littleton No. 1 Grip: Want an heirloom piece? Colonel Littleton bags are literally as nice as you’ll ever own. And it’ll be passed down and be just as cool.
7. Tom Beckbe Canvas Weekender Duffle: Beckbe doesn’t release anything that isn’t absolutely outstanding, and their weekender is no different.
8. Holderness & Bourne Marston Banker Bag: The updated banker bag. Super cool and perfectly functional. A great weekender that can transition to a gym or club bag.
9. Filson Twill Small Duffle: Not the biggest bag, but great for those weekends where no sport coat is required.
Purchased a Hudson Sutler weekender about 7 years ago and it’s logged a lot of miles in the overhead bin and the back of the car and still looks great.
I have the waxed canvas LL Bean bag and it has served me well over the years. Unfortunately, the luggage and carry-on selection from L.L. Bean has drastically waned over the past five years.
I am having difficulty finding a decent garment bag; one that’ll hold a couple suits or sportcoats and isn’t too flimsy. Open to suggestions.
Colonel Littleton.
Mission Mercantile makes a garment bag as well as a valet bag for those weekends or trips when you might need a little extra room. Both are top-notch.
Filson prices have gotten so outrageous. If I didn’t already have one of their Small duffles and was in the market, I would definitely go with that Hudson Sutler bag. It’s slightly bigger, that shoe compartment looks awesome, made in the USA, and 60% the price of the Filson.
Duffels gotta have the big wide opening on the top like #3 for me, can’t stand the straight zipper. Which is annoying because I like a lot of the options that have that style of zipper.
The L.L. Bean waxed duffle is unreal. I have the larger one and it is a workhorse. Like JRS notes, it will outlive us all. Also the best price point for quality in the entire lineup with the toughest zipper I’ve ever come across. Shoulder strap is a hell of a lot comfier that it looks.
Get one quick as the khaki color is always backorderd.
Cheers gents,
THB
I continue to be amazed that so many makers of great duffles ignore airline carry-on size limits. Most of the major US airlines limit the size to 22 x 14 x 9. Southwest (24 x 16 x 10) and British Airways (22 x 18 x 10) allow bigger ones.
Sure, most airlines will let you fudge a bit, but maybe not much if the flight is full. If your bag is deemed to0 big, it goes into the hold, possibly with no lock or at an extra cost if you’ve already checked one bag.
Oddly at least to me, many of the same makers offer hard-sided bags that fit the limits exactly, but some are so heavy that some women and elderly have a hard time lifting them into the overhead.
Back in the early 80s Polo cologne (the original stuff in the green bottle) had a promo where you bought a gift box of cologne and aftershave balm for like fifty bucks and it came with a green canvas duffel bag. I never liked Polo cologne, but the duffel lasted me all through high school and college.
This one? I saw someone post one on twitter the other day https://poshmark.com/listing/Polo-Ralph-Lauren-Vintage-Fragrance-Large-Green-Duffle-Brown-Travel-Weekend-Bag-63bcada8f8c5da1d60323857