At Sherpani, we believe in seizing any opportunity for adventure. It goes without saying that your long-awaited bucket list trip will be life-changing, but we have found equal magic in the more accessible adventures. Booking a last-minute flight to catch a concert, heading downtown for a well-deserved staycation, or hopping in the car with friends to seek out a beautiful view are all recipes for travel memories you'll never forget.
And when it comes to spontaneous or short-term travel, a woman's weekender bag is her best friend.
What is a Weekender Bag?
A weekender is an overnight bag with a little extra oomph. They typically resemble duffle bags, but a weekender is smaller than your average carry-on duffle (and less smelly than your gym bag). Designed for shorter travel, a weekender bag is meant to hold enough clothes for two or three days away. It's not intended to be your sole piece of baggage for a week-long trip, but it's ideal for longer travel when paired with carry-on luggage.
The best weekender bags are compact and well-organized, making it easy to say yes to adventure. By the end of this post, you'll know how to confidently travel with only a weekender in tow. We are eager to go through the details of weekender design because we are celebrating the drop of Sherpani's newest weekender bag, the Boston.
Is a Weekender Bag a Personal Item?
When it comes to shorter trips like a weekend getaway, time is of the essence! You want to live those precious vacation hours to the fullest, so keeping your travel convenient is key. You don't want to waste time waiting at the luggage carousel, so it's best to bring your weekender on the plane. But can you do so and avoid the fee of a carry-on bag?
Standard personal item dimensions are 18" x 14" x 8", with some variation according to airline. If you want to use your weekender as your personal item, we highly suggest you keep those dimensions in mind when you shop. Not all weekenders are created equal, and some will require carry-on status.
We designed the Boston with personal item dimensions in mind. In fact, it measures in at that same 18" x 14" x 8", so you can take advantage of every inch of space. The Boston will even pass the personal item test for Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, two carriers that are notoriously stingy with personal item size. So go ahead and jump on that girl's trip! With a cheap flight and a great bag, anything is possible.
What to Pack in a Weekender Bag
Naturally, some of your packing needs will depend on the context of your trip, but your weekender should easily hold all the essentials for short-term travel. Here is a general packing list of what you can expect to fit inside your weekender bag.
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Basics. All the items you don't leave the house without, such as your phone, keys, wallet, and sunglasses. You may want to store these inside a smaller bag, like a crossbody purse, within your weekender. The Boston has a large internal zipper pocket that is easily accessible and perfect for this need.
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Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, makeup, makeup remover, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and other hygiene or beauty essentials. To stay TSA-compliant, store liquids in a clear bag inside containers no larger than 3.4 ounces. As for dry toiletries, the Boston features internal slip pockets for easy organizing.
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Clothing. A pair of pants, a couple of tee shirts, undergarments, a dress/skirt, and a cardigan/sweater should all comfortably fit inside your weekender. Remember to wear your bulkiest clothing on the plane to optimize packing space.
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Airplane Essentials. Whatever you need to stay entertained and comfortable during your flight. We would suggest a good book, an extra layer, something to snack on, and a reusable water bottle. You'll want to pack these on top of your clothing for easy access during your flight.
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Extras. Think through any specialty items your trip might require. Will you need an extra pair of shoes? A swimsuit? A curling iron/straightener? The Boston's separate bottom compartment works great for extra storage space or separating shoes.
Weekender or Backpack?
While we love a weekender, we also understand the appeal of a backpack for travel. How can you tell which bag style will better suit your travel needs? Here are a few considerations to help you decide.
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Stand Up Design. A weekender bag stands up on its own. You can plant it by the foot of your bed or plop it on a hotel chair and easily live out of it for a few days. A backpack, meanwhile, doesn't offer the same accessibility.
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Comfort. Backpack straps let you go hands-free, while weekenders are usually carried by tote handles. The Boston weekender features an additional strap to carry it as a crossbody, and it is definitely comfortable to carry during travel. A backpack, however, is likely a more comfortable option for, say, a day hike.
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Style Points. Of course, stylish backpacks are out there, but we feel the weekender is ultimately more chic. It may be a more appropriate style to carry into a swanky hotel or the boardroom of your out-of-town meeting.
Ultimately, there is no wrong answer, and the choice is yours! While the backpack is a classic for a reason, we wanted to shed some light on the lesser-known weekender design.
The Sherpani Touch: Meet the Boston
Now that we've covered weekender FAQ's, we'd love to point out some additional features of our new favorite weekender. The Boston includes a luggage pass-through to fasten the bag over the handle of your luggage, making every airport a little easier to navigate. The bottom compartment is completely removable, so you can ditch some bulk and carry the Boston as a large purse on a night out. The dual zippers on the bag's corners make the Boston expandable, so you can create extra room to squeeze in the souvenirs you pick up along the way.
The Boston is made from recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastic. Each Boston repurposes twenty discarded plastic bottles, diverting this plastic from entering the sea! Elevate your travels with a functional, sustainable weekender bag that is uniquely Sherpani.
The Best Anti-Theft Weekender
As a part of Sherpani's Ant-Theft Collection, the Boston is equipped with anti-theft features that are unmatched for travel security! It has a built-in chair lock to secure the bag to a chair or table, perfect for peace of mind while you dine. The Boston also includes pockets with RFID protection, a pivotal safety measure for cybersecurity.
The bottom of the design is reinforced with anti-slash material, as is the removable crossbody strap. Unlike most anti-slash fabric, Sherpani bags don't have internal wiring. No wires mean no added weight and a more comfortable carry. Sherpani's wireless anti-slash technology is the best of its kind.
The bag's unique corner zippers serve a discrete dual purpose. Not only do they expand the design, but they also conceal the main zipper, guarding it from unwanted access. When the bag is expanded, there is a clip lock to secure the main zipper. The external pocket on the front of the design is also lockable.
Built for Better Travels
Can you tell we are a bit excited about this new Sherpani style? The Boston weekender has been a long time in the making. We are thrilled to see this bag out in the world and in the hands of travelers everywhere. Whether it's Boston, Barcelona, Bhutan, or beyond, this eco-friendly, anti-theft weekender is the perfect fit for your next adventure.
Happy Travels!
The Sherpani Team
Discover More from the Sherpani Travel Blog
Prepare for travel safety with Purse Snatching & Bag Theft: Five Common Schemes to Watch For
Pack your weekender for some R&R with How to Make Staycation as Good as the Real Thing
Learn more about Sherpani's eco story in What is Sustainability? + What it Means to Us
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel (& all things Sherpani!). Explore topics like solo travel, destination guides, women's travel safety, personal essays, and much more! This is a space to amplify female voices and celebrate our belief that travel restores the human spirit!
