Iconic Men’s Weekender Bags in Leather & Canvas

A weekender is a travel bag for a few days away, carried by its handles or over your shoulder. It provides room for clothing, a wash bag and personal items. Its flexible shape is useful for weekend trips by car or train. Depending on its dimensions and your fare, you may also be able to take it on a flight.

We would not claim ourselves that DRAKENSBERG makes the best weekenders. What sets our travel bags apart is the combination of value for money, quality, thoughtful details and a distinctive aesthetic.

For us, good value means making quality materials and careful handcraftsmanship affordable. Selling directly, without intermediaries, helps us offer that combination at a fair price.

For quality, we rely on full-grain buffalo leather, durable cotton canvas and careful construction. These materials feel good to use, stand up to everyday travel and develop character over the years.

The details should serve a purpose too: reliable YKK zips, strong seams, sturdy handles and features suited to each bag’s shape and size. To us, good design also means a bag that makes travelling straightforward.

The aesthetic of our weekenders is inspired by luggage from the 18th and 19th centuries. Clear shapes, natural materials and the individual patina of leather connect that heritage with travel today. The result is a collection for people who appreciate craftsmanship and an independent sense of style.

If you travel light and like a classic leather look, we recommend James (50) in coffee brown. Its 30-litre capacity is often enough for a short weekend with clothing and a wash bag. If you need more flexibility or often fly with airlines that allow a maximum bag depth of 20 cm, Owen is the more practical choice. Both require a separate padded sleeve for your laptop. Before flying, also check the baggage allowance included in your ticket.

Owen, at 52 × 40 × 20 cm in its unexpanded format, fits the large cabin bag dimension limits of Lufthansa, Eurowings, Ryanair, easyJet, Condor and TUI fly. James (50), at 50 × 29 × 23 cm, fits the limits of Lufthansa, Eurowings, easyJet and Condor; its 23 cm depth exceeds the limits of Ryanair and TUI fly.

Cody, at 54 × 28 × 32 cm, and David (60), at 60 × 32 × 29 cm, exceed the respective limits of those airlines. This is a dimension comparison, not a blanket guarantee of acceptance: packed size, total weight and your booked fare must also comply.

Distinguish between the small bag under the seat in front and a large cabin bag for the overhead locker. You can only take a weekender as a large cabin bag if your fare or a booked add-on permits it. The following overview covers a selection of frequently used airlines, checked on 24 October 2026.

• Lufthansa: Small bag 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Large cabin bag 55 × 40 × 23 cm; 8 kg per piece. Not normally included in Economy Basic on short- and medium-haul flights; check your fare’s allowance.
• Eurowings: Small bag 40 × 30 × 25 cm. Large cabin bag 55 × 40 × 23 cm; 8 kg. Book separately in BASIC; included in SMART.
• Ryanair: Small bag 40 × 30 × 20 cm. Large cabin bag 55 × 40 × 20 cm; 10 kg. Large cabin baggage with “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags”.
• easyJet: Small bag 45 × 36 × 20 cm; 15 kg. Large cabin bag 56 × 45 × 25 cm; 15 kg. Book the large bag separately or use an eligible fare or membership benefit.
• Condor: Small bag 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Large cabin bag 55 × 40 × 23 cm; 8 kg combined allowance in Economy. Not included in Economy Zero; check your fare and flight zone.
• TUI fly (X3): Small bag 40 × 30 × 20 cm; 6 kg. Large cabin bag 55 × 40 × 20 cm; 10 kg. Book large cabin baggage as an extra.

The linked airline pages contain the current conditions and exceptions. Check the operating airline’s rules before booking and again before departure. Find more packing advice in our magazine: What can you take in hand luggage?

None of the four comparison models, at its stated external dimensions, meets the small bag limits of the airlines listed above. Do not confuse “suitable as cabin baggage” with “included free in the cheapest fare”. Packing less only helps if the bag actually fits within the permitted dimensions. It is safer to choose a bag whose standard format meets the allowance.

Owen has cotton canvas with a PFAS-free water-repellent finish that resists light rain and splashes. Cody offers this protection through its waxed 22 oz canvas. Both suit changeable everyday weather, but neither is waterproof.

James and David in leather are not specified as water-repellent. A suitable protective treatment can improve their resistance. Protect all four bags further in persistent or heavy rain, and keep sensitive electronics in a separate waterproof cover. A protective spray does not make seams or zips waterproof.

Yes, using a product suitable for the specific material. A colourless, leather-compatible water-repellent spray is suitable for James and David in leather. Owen is already treated and Cody already waxed; neither needs an additional treatment before its first trip. Refresh waxed canvas with suitable wax only when needed. Test every product on a concealed area and follow its instructions, as the colour and feel can change. See our care guide for details.

Empty the bag, gently brush off dry dirt and treat individual marks carefully with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners and the washing machine. Allow a damp bag to dry completely at room temperature. Leather care is only needed when the leather feels dry; frequent conditioning is unnecessary.

A quality weekender makes a thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys travelling, for example for a birthday, anniversary or retirement. Choose according to their travel habits: James for a classic leather style, Owen for flexible short trips, Cody for sturdy canvas with exterior pockets and David for more luggage. A matching wash bag turns it into a personal travel set. If you are unsure about their taste, take inspiration from bags, shoes or jackets they already enjoy wearing.

A wash bag in a matching colour and material complements your weekender to create a coordinated travel set. For the four versions featured here, we recommend these combinations:

• Owen in khaki beige: Sid in khaki beige, a hanging wash bag in canvas and leather.
• James (50) in coffee brown: Theo in coffee brown, made from buffalo leather.
• Cody in forest green: Liam in forest green, in waxed canvas and leather.
• David (60) in Havana brown: Ruby in Havana brown, made from buffalo leather with a wide-opening frame closure.

Explore more colours and shapes in our men’s wash bag collection. Selected combinations are also available as travel set bundles.

Yes, if its size and layout suit your equipment. A separate shoe compartment is useful for keeping shoes away from clean clothing. None of the four comparison models has a separate shoe compartment; you can use a shoe bag instead. If this feature is essential to you, consider Finn and our weekenders with a shoe compartment. Keep damp sportswear in a suitable separate bag and remove it from the weekender promptly after travelling.

If your notebook regularly travels with you, a suitable padded laptop compartment makes organisation easier. Owen, James (50), Cody and David (60) do not have a dedicated laptop compartment. Use a separate protective sleeve for sensitive electronics and check the internal dimensions. For frequent business trips, our business backpacks can also be a useful companion to your weekender.

A weekender is easy to stow and carry up stairs or over uneven ground. All four comparison models have a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap. Adjust it to your height and make sure it is securely attached. With heavy luggage and long distances over smooth surfaces, a suitcase or wheeled weekender reduces the carrying effort. Choose according to your route and how much you can comfortably carry.