Six Bags for Easy Holiday Travel
Weekenders, totes and more for on-the-fly excursions
There’s generally nothing easy about holiday travel, which, in the States, commences with Thanksgiving. Packing can be a hassle, especially when toting gifts around. A lot of things need to fit into a little space, oftentimes with a short amount of planning in the hustle and bustle of the season. The following six bags boast plenty of room, look great and—perhaps most importantly—easily fit into any trunk or carry-on bin. Whether you’re looking for a waterproof duffle, a weekender with WiFi or an ancillary backpack, there’s a bag here for any kind of holiday trip.
Proper Assembly: Duffle No. 2
Weighing in at less than 1.5 pounds, the alarmingly lightweight Duffle No. 2 ($225) from Proper Assembly provides durability and water resistance to protect all your belongings. There’s an interior slip-pocket and an outer leather zip pocket for ease of access for important items. But it’s the details that set this bag apart—from a padded base and leather design flourishes to hand-painted edging. The duffle comes in other patterns and colorways as well.
11 Industries: Charlie Weekender Duffle Bag
A truly classy option, the Charlie Weekender Duffle Bag ($580) by made-in-the-USA brand 11 Industries employs durable waxed canvas, full-grain leather, antique brass hardware and Riri zippers. It’s a bag built to handle stress and to age with grace. There’s also a side zip pocket and adjustable, detachable shoulder strap, but it’s the beauty of the whole package that makes it appealing.
This is Ground: Voyager Weekender
Beyond its looks, the Voyager Weekender ($725) from LA-based designers This is Ground sports a spacious interior and plenty of organizational nuances for the most important travel accessories. The 100% leather bag can carry around five days worth of clothes and is designed around a wide mouth for packing ease. Most interesting of all, this bag is WiFi-enabled and comes complete with a pocket-sized Karma Go. Service fees are additional, but for those traveling by car or bus, it’s a nice touch.
Rains: The Bag
The Bag ($72), from Denmark’s fashion rainwear brand Rains, draws inspiration from traditional travel carryalls designed for outdoor use. The fabric and zippers are water-resistant, keeping up to 11 gallons of gifts or clothing safe and dry inside. Simplicity is key, but this durable bag also happens to be beautiful, and the green is a strong but sophisticated color choice.
Roots: The Londoner Super Prince
From one of our favorite Canadian brands, Roots, the The Londoner Super Prince ($488) takes its name from the high-end, Bordeaux-colored Italian leather it’s been crafted from. The top opening reveals three inside sections; one with a magnet closure and two with zipper closures. The outside offers pocket space, as well. It’s the feet on the bottom, however, that lend a nice touch and protect the bag from the ground—even though this product will age nicely.
Fjallraven: Övik Backpack 15
Crafted from their proprietary G-1000 HeavyDuty fabric (65% polyester, 35% cotton), the Övik Backpack 15 ($130) from Sweden’s Fjallraven offers plenty of protected space for stashing things. It’s a classic top-loaded backpack with two very generous flap-covered side pockets. Both the computer pocket and the shoulder straps are padded, and there is a secret compartment for valuables. It’s big enough to handle a weekend trip—or a few gifts for friends. Finally, the outer fabric has been infused with Greenland Wax for both wind- and water-resistance.
Images courtesy of respective brands
