There's no piece of luggage I reach for more than a duffel bag. Whether I'm headed to an overnight stay in an upstate New York cabin or a weekend getaway exploring a city like Boston, or I need something to accompany my carry-on for a week-long vacation, a reliable duffel bag always comes in handy. The challenge I face as an over-packer is fitting everything I need in one sturdy and practical bag. Cue the Calpak Luka duffel: the best weekender bag I've ever traveled with. Once I got my hands on this duffel, I quickly realized why it had previously racked up a 44,000-person-deep waiting list. It's sleek, functional, and thoughtfully designed.
Made of water-resistant polyester, the Luka duffel bag's material feels similar to that of a puffer jacket—it's lightweight and so soft to the touch, making it an easy bag to hold by its carrying handle. The long, adjustable strap is thick and durable, so it doesn't kill your shoulder while you're carrying it that way (the strap length can be adjusted to be anywhere from 34 to 62 inches long). Even when it's full—and I mean stuffed—it never feels too heavy or bulky to carry and my back has definitely thanked me for it. The luggage trolley sleeve fits nicely on a carry-on, too, which gives me one less thing to hold—a real game-changer when I'm navigating through busy airports.
From the outside, this chic duffel looks relatively small and compact compared to your traditional weekender bag. I continue to be pleasantly surprised at how much I can actually fit inside, and how organized this bag keeps me. It holds up to 22 liters, allowing room for a few outfits, my toiletry bag, a pair of shoes, and any small weekend must-haves. The Luka duffel fits right under the seat on an airplane, without blocking much precious legroom.
It features nine pockets: a spacious compartment on the bag's exterior for easy access to essentials like your phone or wallet, a hidden trolley pocket, a space for a water bottle, a mesh pocket, a large zippered compartment inside where I like to separate dirty clothes, and multiple other pockets to store smaller items like socks, AirPods, lip balm, and tech accessories. Each of these smart compartments and pockets help me stay organized and avoid spending 30 minutes digging through the bag to find my phone charger.
My favorite feature: a separate shoe compartment on the bottom of the bag. I like to keep a pair of white sneakers or comfortable slippers in this section to avoid throwing them back in with my clothes.
I have this duffel in the Matte Oatmeal color, a stylish, neutral shade that goes with everything. It's also currently available in Rose Quartz, Matte Black, and Bubblegum Pink. When you purchase the Luka duffel, it's covered by a one-year limited Calpak warranty, which promises that the brand will repair or replace it if there are any defects in the material for up to one year. Plus, this water-resistant material is so easy to clean—simply wipe it down after traveling to disinfect it or if you've had any accidental spills.
There are countless features that set this duffel bag apart from others I've used, but I particularly love how comfortable it is to carry, that there's a place for everything, and its versatility—it's functional for overnight stays, weekend trips, as a personal item on a flight, or even as a gym bag. The Calpak Luka duffel fits everything I need and more—I'll be reaching for it on my next trip and the one after that.