REASONS TO BUY
Unbeatable price
Padded sides
Easy-access exterior pockets
Waterproof PVC pocket
REASONS TO AVOID
Narrower dimensions
Comes in one size
BAGSMART Weekender Review
If price is your main concern, this duffel has just enough oomph to handle weekend getaways and routine gym visits
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 13, 2026
RELATED: The Best Duffel Bags of 2026
Our Verdict
Duffel bags can be surprisingly expensive, but models like the BAGSMART Weekender are a great option when you don't need the most rugged durability or highest capacity to haul your gear up to Everest base camp. This is your bag if you want something small and cheap to tackle daily post-work gym visits or a quick weekend trip to see relatives. The Weekender has about 24 liters of space, which is similar to a small backpack, and can hold a change of clothes, a toiletry bag, a spare pair of shoes, and not much else. It has two external bottle holders, which add a bit to its carrying capacity. For a quick getaway, this model also has enough organization outside the main compartment to keep track of charging cords, an ID, and your favorite book. But you're out of luck if you need even just a smidge more space. The Weekender doesn't come in any other size options; what you see is what you get, and it truly is just a weekender.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
BAGSMART Weekender | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Value Weekender Bag |  Best All-Around Duffel | Best $100 Duffle | ||
| Price | $35 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $179 List Check Price at REI | $159 List Check REI (on sale!) | $105 List Check Price at REI | $70 List Check REI (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If price is your main concern, this duffel has just enough oomph to handle weekend getaways and routine gym visits | A do-it-all duffel that’s ready for airplanes, expeditions, or car camping | A rugged duffel bag with a comfortable backpack carry for adventures of all sizes | A wallet-friendly duffel bag that’s both lightweight and spacious | As long as you don’t need much protection, this spacious duffel is easy on the scale and the wallet |
| Rating Categories | BAGSMART Weekender | Patagonia Black Hole | REI Co-op Big Haul | Osprey Daylite 60 | REI Co-op Roadtripper |
| Storage and Ease of Packing (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Transport (25%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (25%) | |||||
| Weight & Size (20%) | |||||
| Specifications | BAGSMART Weekender | Patagonia Black Hole | REI Co-op Big Haul | Osprey Daylite 60 | REI Co-op Roadtripper |
| Sizes Available | 24L | 40, 55, 70, 100 L | 28, 40, 60, 90, 120 L | 30, 45, 60 L | 40, 60, 100, 140 L |
| Packs into own pocket? | N | Y | N | N | N |
| Backpack Straps | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Laundry Compartment | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Measured Weight | 1.07 lb (24L model) | 2.6 lb (55L model) | 2.95 lb (60L model) | 1.6 lb (60L model) | 1.39 lb (60L model) |
| Calculated Weight-to-Volume Ratio | .71 oz/L | 0.77 oz/L | .79 oz/L | .44 oz/L | .37 oz/L |
| D or I-Shaped Opening | I | D | D | D | I |
| Number of Pockets (Excludes Main Compartment) | 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Material (Main Body) | Taslon fabric | 900D polyester ripstop (100% postconsumer recycled) with TPU-film laminate | Upper: 400D recycled ripstop TPU nylon Base and backpack straps: 1680D recycled nylon |
Main: recycled 300D polyester w/ ripstop, DWR treatment made without PFAS Lining: recycled 200d polyester, DWR treatment made without PFAS Bottom: recycled 600D polyester packcloth, DWR treatment made without PFAS |
600-denier recycled oxford polyester (bluepass certified) |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This smaller duffel bag is a phenomenal choice for travelers and gym-goers with a tighter budget. Credit: Zach Lovell
Storage and Ease of Packing
The BAGSMART Weekender measures about 16.5" by 7.5" by 12", about the same size as a brown paper grocery bag. It holds about 24 liters worth of stuff. This is one of the smallest bags in our lineup, but its small and light nature adds to its convenience for low-key activities. Its thicker fabric construction gives it excellent upright rigidity, and it offers decent organization, with divider pockets in the main compartment and multiple exterior pockets. This is also one of the few duffel bags we've seen that has a waterproof pocket inside the main section if you need to separate the wets from the drys.
When we loaded up the BAGSMART Weekender, we could comfortably fit enough clothes and toiletries for a quick overnighter. If we skipped the extra shoes and tested the zipper strength, we had enough room for an extended weekend. We stashed a battery bank, earbuds, charger cords and our other tech into the two exterior zippered pockets. We took the Weekender to the gym during the week, and we were able to carry workout clothes and lifting shoes or runners in the main compartment. The outside pockets fit a locker padlock, a snack, and a gym access key fob or membership card for quick access.
The BAGSMART Weekender is easy enough to pack for your next Friday to Monday getaway or can be used as a sports bag. Credit: Zach Lovell
Though the long sides of the BAGSMART Weekender have some padding, we found that this is mostly for looks. It's still a fairly flimsy duffel that packs more easily once you've already put some items inside. It also has a narrower main compartment, so it doesn't fit bulky sweaters or sports gear as well. The two exterior water bottle holders were a nice addition and can secure your bottles with a quick pull of a bungee cord, but they're made for narrow bottles, and won't fit your 32 ouncer (for those on top of their hydration game).
A quick tug on the bungee cord of either water bottle holder will help keep your bottles from slipping out. Credit: Zach Lovell
Ease of Transport
The BAGSMART Weekender has straps appropriate for its size. They're not the most padded carry straps out there, but with only 24 liters of space, you can't load up the bag that heavy anyway. We like that the two grab handles were long enough to carry over the shoulder, but short enough to keep the bottom of the bag from touching the ground when carrying by hand. This is how we ended up carrying the bag most of the time, but there is a cross-body shoulder strap if you prefer that.
It lacks a backpack carry option, but again, this bag is so small and light that we didn't miss them. We will note that it's not the best bag if you bike commute. If you're taking this bag on your next flight, it easily fits beneath the seat of an airplane, and would be a great “personal item” duffel, carrying all your in-flight essentials without tempting you to overpack.
The BAGSMART Weekender has a simple shoulder strap pad that adjusts easily. Credit: Zach Lovell
Construction Quality
We dragged the BAGSMART Weekender across sharp gravel and down long sections of asphalt, and were pleasantly surprised with how well the Taslon fabric held up. We were honestly surprised given its ultra-budget price. The SBS zippers and overshoulder strap attachment points also performed well from the first to the last day of testing. However, this is still a lighter-duty model that's happiest in more casual settings, from gym commutes to airport transit. This bag is more of a city slicker than an off road adventurer.
This bag has padding on all sides, but as we mentioned before, this is mostly a design aspect, and doesn't offer enough protection to carry a naked laptop. And if you need to shield your belongings from rain, its PVC pocket is the only place that'll keep them dry. We tested a quick man-made drizzle, and our clothes weren't soaked, but they were definitely a bit damp afterward. The PVC pocket is the only place in the bag that is truly waterproof. This works to keep valuable electronics dry, or to stash a wet bathing suit after leaving the pool.
This budget duffel will repel light rain, but your belongings will get wet in heavier precipitation unless inside the PVC pocket. Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight & Size
This is the Weekender's best strength. It has a smaller profile and a relatively lightweight build that just makes it easy to stuff and go before heading out the door for the day. It was our go-to bag when we needed to pack a change of clothes and sneakers for a post-work pickleball session or when we were headed to the climbing gym.
The Weekender weighs about 1.07 pounds, which is pretty light for a 24-liter bag. Its water bottle holders also improve its overall carrying capacity. In between trips or gym visits, the bag does not squish down as small as others. We wouldn't call the design packable, but we still managed to cram it out of the way into a tight closet space between adventures.
Overall, the Weekender is a light and compressible duffel bag that won't slow you down on the road.
Should You Buy the BAGSMART Weekender?
If you just need an easy way to schlep your things from here to there most days, the BAGSMART Weekender will do the job. It's a step up from a tote bag, but serves a similar purpose: its light, convenient, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's a great daily bag to have on hand just in case, and it is affordable enough that you can spend the money you saved on more fun things, like travel or a new pair of sneakers. Unlike most of the duffels we reviewed here, it is not a rugged model that can handle offroad trips or internation travel in the cargo hold of a plane, but it's great for weekend road trips and use as a sports bag.
This very affordable bag is a surprisingly helpful companion for your next gym visit or weekend trip. Credit: Zach Lovell
What Other Duffel Bags Should You Consider?
For a tougher duffel bag with more room than the Weekender, the Osprey Daylite 60 is a long-lasting model that punches far above its price point. You can use the Daylite as a gym or sports bag, and it holds up better to bigger travel adventures. It's too big to fit under the seat though, so you'll have to put it in the overhead bin or check it. The Matador Packable is wallet-friendly and incredibly lightweight for grocery runs that don't demand much space or protection.
—Zach Lovell
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