Weekend Bag: How Many Liters Do You Need, and When Is It Better Than a Suitcase?

For a two-night weekend, a 25 to 30 liter bag is usually enough. For three or four nights, go for 35 to 40 liters. A soft bag beats a suitcase when you travel by car, train or bus, because it squeezes in anywhere and weighs little. For a week or more, or when you pack heavy gear, a 20 inch suitcase is more convenient.

How many liters do you need per number of nights?

These ranges assume everyday clothes. In winter, with sweaters and a coat, go one step up, or wear the heavy items on the way. And if you are bringing extra shoes, they alone can take up a few liters.

Traveling as a couple with one bag? Add the volumes together: for two nights, a 35 to 40 liter bag is usually enough for both of you, provided each of you brings only one extra pair of shoes. With small children, add a separate bag for their clothes and gear, so they are always easy to find without unpacking the whole bag.

Soft bag or suitcase?

The decision depends mainly on how you travel:

• By car: a soft bag fits into a full trunk, under your feet or between the seats. A hard suitcase takes up the same space even when it is half empty.
• By train and bus: a bag with a shoulder strap leaves a hand free on stairs and at stations.
• On a flight: here size decides. Mia Classic (51×32×17 cm) and Xbox (44×29×26 cm, with wheels) are built to carry-on size. Check your airline's limits before you fly, because on some airlines only a small bag under the seat is included in the ticket.
• A week or more, or a lot of walking with the bag: a suitcase on wheels takes the weight off your shoulder.

Another advantage of a soft bag is its own weight: Mia Classic weighs 370 grams and Marmelada weighs 0.56 kg, while a 20 inch suitcase usually weighs 2.2 to 3 kg empty. For every type, see our travel and sports bags.

What to check before buying a travel bag

1. Water-repellent fabric: protects your clothes in light rain or when the bag stands on a wet floor. Mia Classic is made of water-repellent Oxford fabric, and Xbox of water-repellent 860D fabric.
2. Separating compartments: a separate space for shoes or laundry keeps clean clothes clean. The Cordura bag has two side compartments for exactly this.
3. How you carry it: an adjustable shoulder strap for walking, padded handles, or wheels and a telescopic handle like on the Xbox.
4. Volume that grows: Marmelada unzips from 20 to 35 liters, so there is room for shopping on the way home.
5. The bag's own weight: every gram of bag is a gram that does not go to clothes, especially when you fly with a weight limit on your cabin bag.
6. Storage at home: Xbox folds for compact storage, a real advantage in a small apartment.

A basic packing list for two nights

A list that fits comfortably into a 25 to 30 liter bag:

• Two shirts for the day and one more for the evening.
• One pair of pants or a skirt in addition to the ones you are wearing.
• Two sets of underwear and socks, plus one spare set.
• Pajamas and a swimsuit, if there is a pool or the sea.
• A warm layer for the evening, even in summer, especially up north or in the hills.
• A small toiletry bag with travel-size products.
• Chargers and cables in one pouch, so they do not scatter across the bottom of the bag.
• One pair of shoes in addition to the ones you are wearing, in a separate bag.

One bag for the gym and everyday too

A small travel bag does not have to wait in the closet between trips. Mia Classic also works for the gym and everyday use, thanks to its low weight and adjustable shoulder strap. Marmelada, when it is not expanded, is a 20 liter bag that is handy for the pool or the beach, and when needed it opens to 35 liters for a trip. That way one bag does the job of two.

How to pack a weekend bag without it bursting

• Plan outfits by day and choose colors that go together, so every item works with several others.
• Roll clothes instead of folding them, and put the heavy ones at the bottom of the bag.
• Put shoes in a bag or a separate pouch. We have a guide to packing shoes.
• Packing cubes help in a soft bag too: clothes stay organized when you look for something at the bottom. More tips in our guide to saving space in a suitcase.

If the trip stretches to a week and you switch to a suitcase, the guide to packing a carry-on for a week picks up from here, and the size guide will help you choose the size.