Overnight bags - help?

[Thingamebobwotsit]

I travel a fair bit for work, often staying over a few days at a time. However since the pandemic I have been doing a lot more "over night" stays as now work for an organisation with more than one site I need to visit. For one night away I don't quite need my small wheel around suitcase with me (and they are a pain to jump on and off trains with).

Any good recommendations for a stylish overnight bag? Needs to be able to hold a pair of shoes/boots, change of clothes, nightwear and toiletries and a book!

Ta

Le Pliage all the way

I use my smallish Longchamps tote bag. I don't actually like it as an ebryday bag but it's great for one night away.

This Good Housekeeping link shows a number of good bags.

I'm not a labels person, so forgive my lack of knowledge of the "in" bags. However I strongly recommend a backpack of whatever label takes your fancy. Personally I find them so easy to use, the weight is not noticeable when on your back, hands free, and some nowadays have a compartment that holds shoes in a zipped bottom bit, brilliant idea!

I have two (no fancy labels remember!) one is a cabin max Evos that opens like a suitcase and has wheels, the other is a brilliant one from a certain online shop that no one is allowed to shop from because ethics. Sorry it was the only place I could find that had a big roomy backpack with a shoe compartment and could be worn over the shoulder aswell.

Both the above have been more than adequate for a three day weekend away.

I think it really depends on whether you are willing to carry the bag on your back/shoulder or whether you want wheels.

Personally I would opt for a small & lightweight wheelie case to avoid having to carry a bag on my shoulder that is even moderately heavy or bulky. Plus, I find that things crease less / get less jumbled up in a neatly packed case than they do in a weekender type bag or backpack.

Arket do amazing travel 'systems' - generally labelled by hour many hours you'll be away with them.

I recently bought a Ted Baker men's duffle bag as a gym bag. It would also serve as an overnight bag and the reason I like it is that it has straps so you can wear it on your back which is handy. I would certainly recommend looking at men's bags as well as women's before making your decision.

Also - packing cubes are very, very handy for keeping clothes nicely if you don't need to fill the bag to the brim.

I've recently bought this Tripp bag together with the larger size which might suit. I've also bought one as a gift for a friend who is starting to do a few overnights with her new job.

www.tripp.co.uk/tripp-blue-white-lily-holdall/p3732

I've got a large Le Pliage which serves well for overnight as does the large Kipling Art tote which did me for a 2 night break.

I quite fancy one of these as well (from the Site That Must Not Be Named). Quite stylish I think. They also do packing cubes.

www.amazon.co.uk/Travel-Cabin-Integrated-Handbag-Compartment/dp/B07G9J67QF/ref=sr_1_6?qid=1678991202&refinements=p_4%3ACabin+Max&s=luggage&sr=1-6

Thanks everyone really helpful and lots of lovely looking bags. Hard part will be choosing now😄

Hi OP

I was just taking another look at the Cabin Max bag which I mentioned in my post and see that they now do a hybrid mix - wheelie bag/back pack which is a bit smaller and might be more suitable for your needs. It's on Amazon. It wouldn't let me link for some reason but below is the description.

Hack 30L Hybrid Trolley Backpack 45x36x20cm Easyjet Underseat Cabin Bag Travel Hack 30L Hybrid Trolley Backpack 45x36x20cm Easyjet Underseat Cabin Bag

Thank you @NeedWineNow Mumsnet definitely needs to develop a like button

Stackers do a bag that totally unzips and is a garment bag, which you then re-zip and use as the bag. It's really useful for keeping clothes flat and also having them out of the main bag space.

OK so these are genius. Hadn't heard of stackers before but they totally fit with my slightly ocd need to find the perfect luggage options. (I appreciate this may be a niche obsession but when you travel as much as I do, the right luggage really matters).

How robust are they?

I can see me buying several options across all these suggestions from everyone over time...

They're pretty sturdy, I have a few of their things as I'm also quite 'particular' with packing and work bags. The cable bag and travel jewellery thingy are good too.

The bonus to that overnight bag is mainly having everything flat and not having to move your pyjamas/clean shirt for tomorrow every two minutes when you want to put a train sandwich in there.