Antler Chelsea weekend bag review: a stylish, durable bag that’s worth the investment

Ever since Mumsnet user Sarvanga38 asked for a travel tote recommendation, the Antler bug has swept our Talk boards and it quickly became evident that you lot are mad for the British brand. Be it their Chelsea backpack, their luggage sets or their weekend bags like this one, Mumsnet users love Antler for practical, stylish and functional bags and luggage. 

So, when something like the brand’s Chelsea weekender goes viral on Mumsnet, you can’t blame us for wanting to try it out ourselves to see what the big deal is. Mumsnet editor, Rebecca, tests the popular weekend bag - read on to find her honest verdict. 

Not to be confused with the brand’s overnight bag, the weekend bag is bigger and better for longer trips. First of all, I love the purpose-built pocket for shoes. This meant I could place my husband’s gym trainers into their own dedicated pocket so they wouldn’t stink out the rest of the bag. Equally as handy if you too have trainers that need to be stashed away from your undies. As we were only away for one night, we didn’t need a suitcase - but I do appreciate the added back sleeve that allows you to slot the bag on a suitcase. This will be great for running through airports or when you have too many things to carry like the kids’ kindles and backpacks that I insisted were a good idea but they won’t carry. 

The separate shoe compartment is a welcomed feature for gym or running shoes (or just dirty clothes in general, actually)

Despite this, during our getaway, the detachable shoulder strap was very handy and was comfortable for both my husband and I during use and allowed us to be hands free to carry said children’s items. 

We found that as a couple, my husband and I could just about squeeze our things into the bag for a one night stay, with the exception of one toiletry bag. We couldn’t, however, fit any of the kids’ things in so for a family, I’d recommend looking at one of Antler’s suitcases instead. With that said, for those of you who travel for work or have a weekend trip planned by plane or car with friends or DP, this bag will surely do the job. 

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Additional features I personally appreciate are the padded laptop pocket (great for work trips), and also the many inside zips to organise your personal items like your phone, money, sanitary items, lipgloss and all your other essentials. 

Final verdict: At £160, it certainly seems like a hefty price tag but with a lifetime warranty from Antler on this durable, waterproof weekender bag, it’s certainly worth the investment.

How we tested the Antler Chelsea weekend bag

• Used during a weekend trip to Northumberland in April

• Also used by my husband during a London business trip 

Beyond its stylish aesthetics we made sure to check the bags practical features to gauge how reliable it actually is as a weekend bag while travelling. It was filled to capacity during our weekend getaway and held the weight very well - in fact, despite being packed full, it wasn’t too heavy to carry for both my husband and I and was surprisingly comfortable. 

Of course, given that it was April when our trip occurred, there was rain. But the bag’s durable nylon is waterproof so we didn’t need to worry. I’m yet to test it on a flight, but plan to later this year and as I understand, its dimensions are within the cabin bag allowance of several airlines (more on this further on).

What can you fit in an Antler Chelsea weekend bag? 

During our weekend trip, I managed to pack the following in the weekender:

• DH’s gym trainers and clothing

• My (rather large) toiletry and makeup bag 

• My pyjamas 

• Underwear and socks for both

• Hair straighteners

• Three lightweight jumpers

• Two t-shirts and a blouse

• Hairbrush 

• DH’s flip flops

How practical is the Antler Chelsea weekender bag?

Personally, this is the most practical bag I’ve ever tried. Over the years I’ve gone through various, cheaper bags that have always lacked organisation or structure. But you pay for what you get - and with Antler, a price tag of £160 for their weekender means you’re actually getting a functional, practical bag. 

It has been designed as larger than the Chelsea overnight, but smaller than a suitcase. So, it’s compact but still spacious enough to hold your essentials for a weekend trip. With multiple compartments and pockets, you can keep your things neat and easily accessible while travelling and the bag’s material is durable. Unlike other weekend bags I’ve tried, Antler’s weekender has a suitcase handle sleeve that allows you to attach it to a suitcase for easier transport. The carry handles are comfortable, and the adjustable shoulder strap can be removed to suit your style. 

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Beyond its functionality, Antler’s weekender bag features a sleek, stylish design that makes it a fashionable accessory for when you’re on the go. I also love that its unisex design means both my husband and I can carry it.

Is the Antler Chelsea weekender bag suitable as carry-on luggage? 

The bag’s dimensions are 53 x 32 x 23cm, and according to Skyscanner, is suitable to be used as carry on luggage on most of the biggest airlines from the UK, including Emirates, easyJet, British Airways, Air France, Jet2, Etihad, KLM, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic. 

How easy is it to clean the Antler Chelsea weekend bag?

The Antler Chelsea weekend bag has a lifetime warranty, meaning that with regular care, you should be able to enjoy using it for years to come. Cleaning it, I’ve found, is relatively straightforward. I’ve yet to clean the entire bag at once, but spot cleaning with a damp cloth has been easy and hasn’t left any unsightly watermarks. The exterior is equally as easy to wipe down.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows first-hand how hard it can be to pack and organise items when travelling with children. So, she’s on a quest to find the best luggage sets, bags and accessories suitable for family life with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing – this includes recommendations from the Mumsnet Talk boards. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

All prices correct at time of publication

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