11 To Shop: Compact Overnight Bags That’ll Hold All Your Weekend Trip Essentials

Photo: Courtesy State Of Escape

From lightweight oversized totes for last-minute overnight stays to smart backpacks that open like a suitcase, here are the carry-on bags worth switching your out-of-office on for.

Words by Emma Joyce And Simone Richardson · Updated on 17 Apr 2026 · Published on 16 Apr 2026

Still lugging around that tattered gym bag on your weekend adventures? When you’re in the market for a more sophisticated holdall or a backpack that’ll take you from sales pitch to summit, this clutch of attractive travel bags all pack well above their weight (and within carry-on dimensions). And for the rest of the year, use them for work and workouts, or just extra storage. Here are 11 styles worth shopping.

The best overnight bags to shop in 2026

Saben Milan Carry-All bag

$629

New Zealand-based Saben is a certified B Corp, meaning every bag is made with people and the planet kept front of mind. The label’s carryall style is for people who genuinely need to carry all. There’s a padded laptop compartment, water-resistant lining, an insulated bottle holder and a car key clip, plus a detachable crossbody strap and built-in trolley sleeve for pairing with cabin luggage. When you’re not travelling, it holds its own as a chic oversized handbag – ideal for hauling everything a busy day demands.

Buy at Saben

Saarde Journey duffle canvas bag

$159

Sydney label Saarde has a knack for keeping things relaxed and considered, and the Journey duffle shows that off. Made from 100 per cent cotton canvas and piece-dyed for a worn-in vintage wash, no two bags look exactly the same – colour variation and fading are all part of the lived-in appeal. Think of it as the off-duty alternative to more sophisticated leather options. It’s more functional than it looks, too: internal pouches, a zip pocket and two deep external pockets help keep things organised.

Buy at Saarde

July Carry All Split Weekender

$325

Sitting somewhere between a duffle bag and a tote, July’s 28-litre capacity Carry All Split Weekender features a minimal design with plenty of carry. As the name suggests, it’s the accepted size for carry-on flight luggage, and its padded internal compartment for laptops and other flat digital devices means it’s ideal for a couple of nights away while you’re on the clock. It attaches to a suitcase using a pass-through band, and its shoulder strap has leather padding for a more comfortable transit once you’ve checked your heavier bags. Best of all, there are seven stylish colours to choose from.

Buy at July

Evity Harris suede weekender

$299

Evity’s large-format duffle might feel informed by current trends, but the rich olive tones offer a sense of timelessness that khaki always delivers. There are two carry options – rounded shoulder handles or a removable, adjustable crossbody strap for when the weight gets a little heavier. A front pocket and internal organisers keep things from descending into chaos mid-trip. The softly structured silhouette is finished in a plush textural suede that only looks better the more you use the bag.

Buy at Strand

A-Esque Grocer Deluxe tote bag

$1200

Melbourne label A-Esque has long been a favourite among those in the know. Handcrafted locally from Italian soft pebble-grain leather, the Grocer Deluxe has a softly structured silhouette and hand-turned handles that run the full length of the body. It functions equally well as a work bag, an overnighter or a statement piece – and it’s the kind of investment bag you’ll still be reaching for many decades to come.

Buy at A Esque

Status Anxiety Everything I Wanted duffle bag

$399.95

When you need to carry more than a change of clothes – and you’re happy to leave the work laptop behind – this spacious duffle from Sydney-based leather specialists Status Anxiety is a stellar option. Made from sumptuous pebbled leather in chocolate or black, it meets cabin luggage requirements and comes with long shoulder straps, two outside pockets and one internal zipped compartment. Think of it as a step up from your regular gym bag – a more grown-up take on a weekend holdall.

Buy at The Iconic

State of Escape Escape tote

$385

Handcrafted to order in Sydney, State of Escape’s perforated neoprene bags have reached cult-like status for their stylish and practical designs. The oversized tote comes in signature colours like stone and black, while the recently launched colour series offers dual tones and more vibrant options. It doesn’t zip closed, so it’s better suited to car trips and long days at the beach; think of it as a throw-everything-in-and-go holdall. There’s also a removable zip pouch fastened by an internal lanyard that keeps valuables secure, and the sailing rope-style handles add texture whether you’re carrying it over the shoulder or by hand.

Buy at State of Escape

Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro backpack

$349

When you have a sales pitch at 10am and a hike at noon, this Bellroy extra-capacity backpack is designed to seamlessly transition between work-you and holiday-you. One of its drawcards is a quick-access compartment for a laptop, so you can breeze through airport security without having to unpack your whole life. When you want to access the main compartment, it opens up like a suitcase, complete with a secure strap for holding down any clothing. It has handy external pockets too, for passport, keys and other small items, plus one roomy side pocket for a water bottle or two cans of beans (why not?).

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Bellroy

Eau Bags Grand tote bag

$169

Every bag from this Sydney-based sustainable label is made in India from 100 per cent recycled nylon, a fibre sourced from discarded fishing nets, old carpets and factory off-cuts. The Grand tote comes in a range of striped colourways, but the nautical stripe earns the versatile wear-with-everything tick. It’s lightweight, foldable and just as happy going from desk to beach as it is stowed in an overhead locker.

Buy at The Iconic

Republic of Florence Beltrami Jet weekender bag

$569

Wollongong-based Republic of Florence designs its leather bags in Australia and has them made in Italy – specifically Florence, where co-founder Dimitri Bandinelli was born. The brand sources high-grade, vegetable-tanned leather from Tuscany and produces everything in small batches. The Beltrami style fits up to three days of clothing plus a laptop, meets cabin requirements, opens wide via a two-way zip and is surprisingly lightweight given how substantial it looks. It can also be monogrammed, making for a considered gift idea.

Buy at Republic of Florence

Handsom Roll Top Split bag

$200

Melbourne label Handsom makes a strong case for the humble canvas bag. This roll-top style is handmade locally from 100 per cent Japanese cotton canvas by tailor Oscar Lake of made-to-measure label Olake. Use it rolled up when taking a flight or travelling by car, or extend it for carrying approximately 30 per cent more stuff. The Split colourway keeps things taupe in the front and ecru in the back – so you can change up the vibe depending on your mood.

Buy at Handsom

We hope you like the products we recommend on Broadsheet. Our editors select each one independently. Broadsheet may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.

This story is part of Broadsheet’s special Travel Issue, presented by Commonwealth Bank and Travel Booking via the CommBank app.

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