We all missed weekend getaways during the long days of lockdown. Heading out of town to see friends or explore a new city for a few days is a luxury I know I took for granted. Now that we’re back to traveling more regularly, having some reliable pieces of luggage on hand has never been more important. And while everyone likely has a set of suitcases on wheels, a soft, collapsable, trusty weekender bag may be the piece you’re missing.

Get ready for your next weekend away with these five tips:

1. Think about your essentials.

You know how you typically pack. Some of us are great at keeping things light, while others can’t see having less than five pairs of shoes to choose from. The bag you select should be large enough to hold all of your clothing, shoes, accessories and toiletries for two to three days.

2. Choose a durable fabric.

A weekender bag will get tossed around a lot into different vehicles and stashed in closets. It will also be filled with liquids that will most likely leak at least once. Messes are inevitable, so remember that when picking your fabric. Nylon and coated canvas are my preferences to protect your contents from the elements and each other. Leather is also an excellent option, although more expensive. It may also require conditioning to keep it from cracking.

3. Check for pockets.

Pockets and separate storage compartments are your best friend when traveling light. They can help keep clean and dirty clothes separated, along with shoes and toiletries. A bag without any kind of internal or external pockets means you’ll need to buy more accessories to organize your things, which isn’t worth the cost if you decided to splurge on the bag to begin with.

4. Consider your comfort.

Once your bag is packed, you will likely be the one hauling it around all weekend, so make sure it’s comfortable to carry. If it’s a duffle, make sure a long shoulder strap is included that you can adjust to fit your height. You can also find duffle bags that convert into backpacks with extra straps or slip onto the handle of a rolling suitcase if you have more than one piece of luggage.

5. Make sure it fits.

Lastly, measure your weekender bag to make sure it fits the carry-on requirements for your main mode of transportation. An ideal weekender bag should fit in an airplane’s overhead compartment or under the seat, in overhead storage on a train, and of course in a car trunk.

Want more tips? Learn how to shop for a vitamin C serum here.

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