I’ve Been Searching for the Most Lightweight Weekender Bag for Years — and I Finally Found It

No matter how wisely I think I’m packing, I nearly always end up using two-thirds of what I brought — and that’s on a good trip. I’m always looking for ways to pack lighter, including learning what things I can take out of my carry-on and finding a bag that will make it as easy as possible for me to dash through a train station or airport. I’ve tried several duffles and weekenders over the years in search of the best and most lightweight one, and I’ve finally found a winner. It’s the Aloha Collection Keep It Light Weekender and after using it for the past year, it’s consistently the bag I reach for when I want to have an effortless travel experience.

The Aloha Collection Keep It Light Weekender is a lightweight duffle made of ripstop nylon that’s carry-on approved. It’s water-resistant and easy to clean; includes two small pockets to store things in; and has a trolley sleeve in the back so you can secure it to your luggage. 

When I poke around the Aloha Collection site to learn more about the bags, I’m unsurprised to read that the founders, Rachael Leinaʻala Soares and Heather Aiu, are a flight attendant and a Kauai native, respectively. It seems like this brand is designed by people with an appetite for travel who know the weight of bulky bags all too well. Plus, there is something beachy and effortlessly cool about the products offered.

Here’s why I’ve come to love this duffle so much. 

When I’m traveling with a duffle, it’s so that I can be quick on my feet — whether I’m carrying the bag around or pulling it from the overhead compartment. So there’s nothing more disappointing to me than a weekender bag that’s bulky or heavy on its own. The Aloha weekender, thankfully, is the opposite of unwieldy. Made entirely of ripstop nylon, it’s incredibly lightweight, but manages to measure 18.5 inches wide by 12 inches tall and 7 inches deep, a pretty standard duffle size. 

Though this duffle comes in five other colorways — a rich olive green, a cream floral pattern, a slate blue floral pattern, a bright lavender, and a retro-looking turquoise — I opted for the sleek black. Though that’s arguably the most boring color it comes in, I still get compliments on this bag wherever I take it. If I had to guess, that’s likely because it’s a very nice black, kind of a soft-looking charcoal, and it’s just a good-looking bag overall.

It’s compact and only comes with two padded carrying handles, no crossbody strap involved. Though some people prefer a longer over-the-shoulder strap, I think the simple profile of the Aloha bag is part of what makes it look so aerodynamic and chic. Plus, I always pack so light when I’m carrying this bag that I never find myself missing a crossbody strap. 

Packing in the Aloha Weekender makes me feel like a carefree jetsetter (even if I’m just taking the train home to Boston) because of how little it has going on, in the very best way. If you’re looking for a bag with lots of little compartments and a hard-sided section for shoes, this is not the bag for you. But if you’re looking to try out the 3-3-3 method and pack the lightest-ever carry-on, this is the bag to get.

I typically use a couple of packing cubes to organize my clothes and a cosmetic case for my toiletries and am always surprised by how much this petite bag can fit — especially because when it’s not in use, it scrunches up to essentially the size of a reusable grocery bag and tucks into a tiny corner of my closet. My one word of caution for people who are used to overstuffing their bags is that the zippers glide so smoothly, they tend to slide back open when I’m having to force it shut. This usually prevents me from overpacking and I’ve never had it burst open while on the go, but it’s worth noting. 

This duffle doesn’t come with a ton of bells and whistles, but it has exactly what I need, including one zippered pocket on the outside where I’ve tucked my boarding ticket, phone, or passport for easy access. Though I’ve used it a ton as a true weekender bag when I’m headed somewhere nearby for a couple of nights, it also has a trolley sleeve that I’ve used to secure it to the top of my rolling suitcase when I’m using it as a carry-on for longer-haul travel. 

Beyond how beautifully lightweight it is, it’s also small and compressible enough to tuck under most seats. The dusty black color masks any little marks it picks up along its travels, and the nylon makes it water-resistant and easy to clean (you can wipe it down or toss it in the washing machine). In all, it makes travel feel spontaneous and uncomplicated, which is exactly what I want in a weekender. 

Buy: The Aloha Collection Keep It Light Weekender, $72

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: I’ve Been Searching for the Most Lightweight Weekender Bag for Years — and I Finally Found It