Dreamy weekender bags for women, sustainably handmade

What is a women’s weekender?

Weekenders are small and compact clothes bags and are true classics of travel luggage. The ideal piece of luggage for a weekend trip, short trip or a city trip of up to 5 days. Weekenders are available in different sizes and colors, from small to large, from beige, green to brown to black. The bags are usually closed with a long horizontal zipper. To make it easier to transport the weekender, all of our bags have a removable shoulder strap. Alternative names are weekend travel bag or weekend bag. Women's weekenders are usually smaller and a little more feminine in shape. Travel bags are often more flexible and compact than suitcases. It doesn't hurt to have a weekender at home.

What makes a good women’s weekender travel bag?

Above all, a good weekender should be durable and have a timeless look. Ideally, you will keep the weekender for the next generation. Our premium weekender bags are based on the design of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These style eras still shape the look of most leather goods today.

The material of the travel bag should be durable and made of natural materials, preferably canvas and/or full-grain leather. The lining for the main compartment and inside pockets should also be made of cotton. Here we use high-quality cotton twill.

A weekender should be a long-lasting and loyal travel companion, so the workmanship and the seams are of crucial importance. Metal elements such as zippers and buckles should come from a well-known manufacturer. The zippers for our weekenders come from YKK. But it's also the small details, such as the quilted bottom, the laser-engraved quotes on the inside pockets or the leather straps. A purchase for life.

What functions should a weekender for women have?

Sizes, dimensions and capacity:

Make sure that the weekender for men and women offers enough storage space and inside pockets to store your clothes and belongings. Depending on the length of the tour and personal needs, you can choose between different sizes. When flying, also pay attention to the airline's guidelines for the maximum size of hand luggage.

Material and durability:

Look for high-quality materials such as durable cotton or robust leather to ensure that your weekender can withstand the stresses of travel. In contrast to leather, cotton is slightly lighter and slightly cheaper.

Carrying options:

Check if the weekend bag has different carrying options, such as a removable shoulder strap in addition to the handles, so you can comfortably carry the bag over your shoulder as needed.

Organisation and subjects:

Consider whether you prefer travel bags with different compartments and organization options to keep your clothes neatly stored. Weekenders with inside and outside pockets, zippered compartments or separate shoe compartments can help keep the contents organized.

Shape, color and design:

Choose a travel bag, just like a handbag, that suits your personal style and preferences. We offer you a wide selection of products, outer materials and colors to suit your individual taste. Timeless colors that we recommend for women for our weekend bags are blue and beige for cotton and cognac brown for our full leather bags. For men, green, black or dark brown are a good choice.

Which women’s weekender is the best?

The products of the DRAKENSBERG brand are anything but ordinary. Sustainability is not a marketing element for us, but a design element. We don't want to improve the world, but rather make it more beautiful. We are interested in authentic travel companions that could have been produced in a similar form 200 years ago. Plastic has only been around since the middle of the 19th century (1862).

We have been looking for a good example for a long time. There is currently no weekender manufacturer that completely avoids plastic. Even the biggest brands in the industry still use a lot of plastic or even toxic PVC. Many brands change the surface of the leather on their models or suggest a higher material thickness through plastic coating. And it makes no difference whether these manufacturers then declare "vegan" leather or "natural leather". Plastic has little to do with plants and nature and is produced from petroleum using a lot of energy and chemicals.

In the 21st century, a good weekend bag should convey a good and honest feeling and should not make empty promises. Our leather or cotton is not laminated with plastic. Our outer fabrics do not contain any plastic fibers. We do not even use nylon or polyester for the inner lining. The leather used is sustainably vegetable tanned, even if not completely free of chrome.

How big does a women's weekender have to be? How much volume?

Depending on the intended use, a length of between 50 and 60 cm is ideal. Weekenders of this size have a volume of between 40 and 60 liters. When it comes to storage space, we recommend the rule of thumb of 10 liters per day of travel. Models with 40 liters offer enough space for a short trip or city break, e.g. to Berlin, Hamburg or London, lasting 3-4 days. If flexibility in terms of storage space is important, we recommend our "David" model. This weekender bag has a volume extension and can be expanded by around 20 liters on the side in just a few easy steps. Our collection also includes other weekend bags that can be expanded on the side.

Does a weekender for women count as hand luggage on flights?

Weekend bags made of leather or canvas are ideal as hand luggage for plane trips. However, you should check the airline's regulations before departure. A small weekend bag measuring up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm and weighing 8 kg should generally not be a problem. The information in our shop always corresponds to the maximum size. If the bag is not filled to the limit, larger bags from our collection should also be suitable as hand luggage.

Is a weekender suitable for road trips by car or caravan?

Yes, a weekender bag is great for trips by car or caravan. In fact, it is one of the best options for such trips. Unlike bulky suitcases, a weekender bag is more flexible and space-saving to store. Its compact design allows it to be easily placed in the boot of the car or in the storage area of ​​the caravan without wasting valuable space. These features are a real advantage.

So if you like to travel by car or caravan and want a stylish and functional luggage solution, a weekender bag is definitely a recommended choice. It combines comfort, flexibility and style and is therefore a reliable companion for your travel adventures.

Is a women’s weekender suitable as a sports bag?

Yes, a weekend bag made of canvas and leather is ideal for everyday use as a sports bag or as a bag for the gym. Weekenders are spacious and flexible bags that offer enough space for your sports outfit, sports shoes and other accessories. Their various carrying options, such as the removable strap and handles, make them comfortable and practical to carry, whether you carry them over the shoulder or by hand using the handles.

Most weekenders have several compartments and pockets that allow you to store your sports equipment and personal belongings in an orderly manner. Some models even have special shoe compartments or wet compartments in addition to the main compartment, which are particularly suitable for storing your sweaty or wet sports clothes separately from the rest of your laundry.

In addition, weekenders are available in different designs, so you can find a model that suits your personal style and motivates you to stay active. Whether you use it for going to the gym, for yoga classes or for other sports, a weekender as a sports bag is a stylish and practical choice. We recommend the Toby item as a sports bag with a practical shoe compartment. Everything has its place and your shoes have an extra place. This weekender bag has a good compact format and a cool look, even for your next weekend trip.

Are travel bags suitable as checked baggage on flights?

Yes, some leather travel bags and canvas travel bags from our collection are suitable as checked luggage for air travel. However, when checking in a weekend bag, it is advisable to look for durable material and a robust construction to ensure that your personal belongings are protected during transport. If in doubt, a suitcase is better.

In addition, make sure that the weight of your leather or cotton travel bag complies with the airline's checked baggage regulations to avoid additional fees. And then you can fly off on holiday with peace of mind.