This Samsonite Duffel Bag Fits More Than You Think

It can feel so easy to throw everything you need for a quick trip over one shoulder—no cumbersome suitcases to lug along sidewalks or carry in overhead bins, just you and a weekender full of your essentials. Those who swear by duffel bag-only travel know the feeling.

As liberating as it can be, packing this way can actually be quite technical and complicated—you’ll need a weekender bag that depends on the job. Enter: Samsonite’s Better Than Basics Weekender Duffel, a so-called “workhorse” that reviewers say fits at least as well as their rolling carry-ons, sometimes more. Even better, it’s on sale on Amazon for just under $100.

Samsonite Basics is better than the Weekender Duffel.

The bag is approximately 19 inches long, 14 inches wide and 10 inches deep. Although the standard carry-on size is actually 22 x 14 x 9 inches, many reviewers say it “fits perfectly in the overhead bin” on many airlines.

From the outside, it’s “very stylish in a minimal way” with clean lines and subtle features. You get a front zippered pocket, a back pass-through strap for stacking on a suitcase, and a structured bottom compartment that keeps your shoes or dirty laundry separate from other items. It’s very similar in size and price to the chic Béis weekender bag and has impressive five-star ratings — except one traveler loves it. Even more than that: “Found this after buying two Béis bags that broke after two uses,” he wrote, adding that although the design is the same, “Samsonite’s quality is much better, and they offer a free warranty.”

What buyers like the most is the “amazing” capability. The interior is open, not “over-designed” with pockets – just a handy 14-inch padded laptop sleeve. To test how much they could fit inside, one man transferred everything from a “fully packed carry-on suitcase” into the duffel and “surprisingly, it fit easily,” he said, “with some room to spare.” Another reviewer had no problem packing “two pairs of shoes and two pairs of clothes” for a four-day weekend. One even said they had “a Mary Poppins moment” packing the duffel because of how much storage it held.

Samsonite Basics is better than the Weekender Duffel.

As with all Samsonite luggage, you can be sure this duffel is made from a durable polyester that will last for years. The detachable, adjustable shoulder strap is padded for comfort, and the two carrying handles are smooth vinyl. The bag maintains its shape with a rigid bottom compartment and top zipper, designed to open rectangularly for easy packing. One reviewer wrote that it was “one of the toughest duffel bags I’ve ever owned”.

Based on abundant positive reviews, the Better Than Basics duffel lives up to its name as a weekender bag that does more than most. It only comes in colors — black and limestone gray — and it’s still under $100. Shop more top-rated duffel bags that are “better than basic” on Amazon below.

More Travel Duffels on Amazon

Herschel Supply Novel Duffel

Samsonite Virtuosa Weekender Duffel

Vera Bradley Cotton Weekender

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry On Weekender

Baggallini Modern Everywhere Travel Duffel

At the time of publication, pricing started at $85.

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