7 Best Travel Bags For Women – What Makes A Great Travel Bag?
We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Are you a woman always on the go and struggling to find the perfect travel bag?
At Vacation Countdown, we’ve spent years curating the best travel solutions for women on the move.
We understand the unique challenge of finding a bag that combines style, practicality, durability, and affordability—without compromising on any of these essentials.
Whether it’s a weekend getaway with the girls, a business trip, or a long-awaited vacation to an exotic destination, you deserve a bag that fits your lifestyle—spacious yet chic, functional yet fashionable.
That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and handpicked 7 of the best travel bags for women designed to take the hassle out of packing. With these bags, you can focus on what truly matters—enjoying your trip to the fullest!
What Are the Best Travel Bags For Women?
- The best travel bag for women is the Vera Bradley Women’s Travel Duffel Bag.
- Vooray Alana Duffel Bag
- Herschel Novel Duffel Bag
- Tag & Crew Weekender Signature Duffle Bag
- DELSEY Paris Rolling Under Seat Tote Bag
- BAGSMART Travel Sport Duffle Bag
- MyMealivos Canvas Weekender Bag
When choosing the perfect travel bag, lightweight, versatile, stylish, and durable are key factors.
Whether you’re planning a weekend with family or a winter trip to Paris, here are the 7 best travel bags for women that fit the bill:
1. Vera Bradley Women’s Travel Duffel Bag
Starting off our list is the crowd favorite, the Vera Bradley Women’s Travel Duffel Bag. It is a no-fuss bag that allows you to start packing your clothes right out of the box or once you’ve confirmed your flight or hotel reservations.
But this Vera Bradley really stands out in terms of space.
It has enough room to hold 3 to 4 days’ worth of clothing. And if you’ve ever forgotten your toiletry bag before, you’ll be happy to know that you can tuck a toothbrush, toothpaste, and other small toiletries inside the bag’s three elastic mesh pockets.
Vera Bradley also added multiple pockets outside for quick and convenient access to your passport, keys, and other travel essentials. We love the detachable shoulder strap and the interior pockets.
Now on the downsides. This Vera Bradley is not the best choice if you are caught out in the rain. The bag is made from quilted cotton without a protective waterproof barrier. Another issue you might find annoying is it doesn’t have solid bottom support or a laptop pocket.
Also, the quilted design can be an acquired taste but luckily, it comes not only in six different solid colors but also in over a dozen different designs, including attractive floral patterns.
If you are ready to look past this bag’s shortcomings (albeit just a few), getting the Vera Bradley is your best weekender bag.
2. Vooray Alana Duffel Bag
This Vooray Alana Duffel is the complete opposite of Vera Bradley. It doesn’t have a large and roomy interior or a quilted pattern design, but we love it for its minimalist and modern design.
This Vooray Alana bag is an excellent overnight bag for traveling. It stands upright, holds its shape, and has a water-resistant base material. The soft nylon webbing and vegan leather trim add a touch of sophistication to the bag.
It even has a luggage sleeve, which is particularly handy when moving to a gate at the farthest section of the airport. It is so versatile that it doubles as a work tote or a gym bag.
The total capacity of this travel bag for women is only 12 liters. But, you get eight extra pockets – five in the interior and three outside. And, if you are bringing a 15″ laptop during your trip, its laptop compartment sleeve will keep it in place and safe inside the bag.
Due to its size, it doesn’t come with a shoe compartment but you get a shoe bag and wet gear bag for free. It also comes with a removable shoulder strap that you can adjust to your height and carrying comfort.
The Vooray Alana Duffel Bag makes an excellent companion for short travels and weekend adventures. With features like the luggage sleeve, multiple pockets, and a lightweight design, you can carry this stylish bag anywhere and be a trendsetter in the airport.
3. Herschel Novel Duffel Bag
The best travel bag review wouldn’t be complete without including Herschel.
While consumers normally associate the brand with their extremely popular “Little America” backpack collection, they also have a larger bag called the Novel.
The Novel sports the familiar and easily identifiable Herschel branding – minimalist yet sleek with great bag features. Aside from looks, the Novel duffel bag is the best women’s travel bag, particularly for its one clever feature – a side-access shoe compartment.
This super handy feature saves you from putting your shoes in a drawstring or plastic bag and separates your dirty shoes from clean clothes.
But do know that this feature is a double-edged sword. When shoes are tucked upright, the barrier will slightly lift upwards, consuming space dedicated for clothes.
If you lay the shoes flat, the bag will slightly bulge. For some travelers, this is a deal-breaker.
Our take? Use the shoe compartment for low-ankle sneakers and flip-flops only.
4. Tag & Crew Weekender Signature Duffle Bag
If you prefer to carry a bag that doesn’t look like a work tote, you can consider picking up the Tag&Crew Weekender Signature Duffle Bag.
Many consider the Tag&Crew bag the best women’s travel bag for two reasons: it is made from thick, quality cotton canvas material and has a spacious main compartment. Not to mention, it has superior detailing, including antique brass hardware and leather handles.
But, as with other cotton weekend duffle bags (like the Vera Bradley), water will be your number one enemy here. And, sadly, it doesn’t hold up its duffle bag shape like the Vooray Alana. And, if you are bringing gadgets, make sure to put them inside a heavily padded sleeve because the bag will not protect it from bumps.
5. DELSEY Paris Rolling Under Seat Tote Bag
DELSEY is another favorite for seasoned travelers because of its high-quality construction and wide selection of travel bags.
One of their most popular and highly rated products is the Paris Rolling Under Seat Tote Bag because it has well-thought-through bag features. And yes, it fits underneath an airplane seat, so you don’t have to fight your way through to get your bag from the cabin compartment.
Moreover, this bag is the best alternative if you prefer to save your back or shoulders from lugging around a heavy tote duffel bag in the airport. It is fitted with two in-line skate wheels – although we wished it was spinners.
Since this travel bag for women is more petite than carry-on luggage, you will need to bring an extra bag with you.
6. BAGSMART Travel Sport Duffle Bag
If the DELSEY’s small capacity is too limiting and you would rather have a small duffle bag, the BAGSMART Travel Sport Duffle Bag is right up your alley.
Like the Vooray Alana, the BAGSMART also works as a gym bag and even has a dedicated yoga mat buckle.
It is made from a blend of soft cotton and nylon fabric, which makes it more resistant to dirt and grime than 100% cotton bags. However, it’s still not waterproof.
If you are okay with the lack of water resistance, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much it can hold. Like Vera Bradley, you can put two to four days’ worth of clothing in this weekender bag. You will also have extra nine compartments for toiletries and other smaller travel essential items.
7. MyMealivos Canvas Weekender Bag
We’re ending our list with another canvas bag – the MyMealivos Weekender Bag, which looks like a fusion of Tag&Crew and Herschel’s designs. What do we mean?
The MyMealivos sports a canvas exterior mixed with faux leather detailing and a shoe compartment. This unique and harmonious blend of style and function is the sole reason why many women pick up this weekender bag. Plus, it has more appealing color options and patterns to choose from.
Aside from that, you’re not giving up space for looks. You can pack three pairs of jeans, five tank tops, two pairs of shoes (in the separate bottom compartment), and more. We also love the padded shoulder strap, which makes it comfortable to carry. It is undoubtedly the best weekend bag if you are after value for money!
How to Choose The Perfect Travel Bag
Choosing the right travel bag isn’t as simple as it seems. With clothes, travel documents, and essential accessories in tow, it’s important to consider what fits your travel style and needs. The key is to ask yourself the right questions before making your choice.
Start by asking yourself the right questions:
What are your unique travel needs?
Is it a weekend getaway, a business trip, or a longer adventure? Your answer will guide you toward the right size, style, and features.
How frequently do you travel?
If you’re a frequent traveler, durability becomes crucial. Knowing how often you hit the road can help you choose a bag that will last, whether you’re hopping on planes regularly or packing light for occasional trips.
Where are you traveling?
The destination plays a big role in your bag choice. For urban travel, sleek and stylish might be top priority, while outdoor adventures may call for durability and protection against the elements.
Do you need a bag for quick weekend trips?
If you’re traveling light, opt for something compact yet roomy enough for your essentials. A stylish carry-on or duffel bag might be your perfect match.
Is this bag for business travel?
A professional look with functional features like padded compartments, easy access to important documents, and extra security is ideal when traveling for work.
Traveling solo?
When you’re carrying everything yourself, comfort and convenience matter most. Look for a bag that is easy to carry, with enough space for your belongings, but not so big that it weighs you down.
Weekender Bags Make Great Travel Bags
When you start doing your research, you’ll come across the terms overnight bags, weekend bags, weekender bags, duffle bags, or tote bags. You’ll find that weekender bags are the most popular type of bag for many reasons. Why?
Weekender Bags are Easy to Pack
If you’re someone who leaves the house every other day, a weekender bag is your best bet. A weekend bag usually has a carry-on size that can be carried on or easily laid on top of the luggage. Plus, it offers a lot of space inside to hold all your clothing, shoes, toiletries, and other travel necessities while allowing for easy fitting into the overhead compartment.
Weekender Bags are Versatile
These bags aren’t just for traveling – you can also use them on weekends at home or when visiting friends. A durable weekender bag can replace your duffel bags, beach bag, garment bag and even tote bag if they have just the right amount of features, so they are multi-purpose.
The best weekender bags have:
- A separate shoe compartment
- A pocket for dirty clothes
- An adjustable shoulder strap
- Interior and exterior pockets
- A spot for a water bottle
- A spacious interior and a trolley sleeve
If you need the best bag for traveling, look for versatile pieces that will last you a long time. You can’t go wrong with weekender bags!
What is the best way to pack a bag for travel?
Travelers interested in travel tips are often asking themselves, “How should I pack my travel bag?” Packing a bag for a weekend trip or a short vacation can be tricky because you want to fit as much as possible into your luggage while ensuring that you leave room for souvenirs and other last-minute purchases. Luckily, we have compiled a list of packing tips and tricks to help you travel as lightly as possible and maximize your travel space:
- Use packing cubes: Frequent travelers love packing cubes because they are ideal for travel because they keep everything in place. You can easily use them as an alternative to travel laundry bags to keep your dirty clothes separate.
- Roll your clothes: Rolling your clothes instead of folding them is an easy way to save travel space while keeping everything neat and organized. This tip works best for clothing like long-sleeve shirts, travel pants, sweaters, and dresses (which are more likely to wrinkle). If this travel tip seems too obvious to you, then you are either a seasoned travel pro or read the title of this article!
- Take multi-purpose items: The best way to save space in your weekender bag is by bringing items that serve multiple purposes. For example, you can use your clothes as a travel pillow, or use a scarf as a blanket. If you’re really looking to save space, there are many items that can serve multiple purposes, such as a multi-functional travel mug that doubles up as a water bottle and a coffee cup.
- Pack shoes last: Packing your shoes last is key because the interior of your travel bag will be easy to access while you are closing up your luggage at the end of the day/week. We recommend choosing a weekender bag with a separate shoe compartment.
Choosing the Perfect Travel Bag
To find the best travel bag for women who like to pack light (or even not at all), you should consider these factors before making a purchase.
The size of the bag is one factor; does it fit what you need? What about color, shape, and style preferences? Do you need a padded laptop sleeve, removable shoulder strap or zippered pockets? These are just some things to think about when considering which type of backpack or suitcase will be right for your needs. There are many options out there so take time to research brands that have bags in stock that suit your specific requirements!
We also reviewed the best carry on luggage, the best checked-luggage suitcases, as well as the best travel backpacks for women.
