I’m a travel-obsessed shopping editor, and my fave Herschel duffel with a secret spot for shoes is on sale

Let’s talk about it — weekender bags don’t get the recognition they deserve, especially considering how convenient they are. If you’re taking a two or three-day trip, a roller carry-on may be a bit too clunky, a standard backpack is too small and a checked suitcase is too large, so a weekender strikes the perfect balance of size and function. The very first one I ever bought remains the one I recommend most — behold the Herschel Novel Duffel Bag.

Why is this a good deal?

Right now, the Herschel Novel Duffel Bag in the customer-favorite camo colorway is $20 off on Amazon. This marks its lowest price in over a month — and, based on historical data, the bag won’t stay at this sale price for long.

Why do I need this?

As a shopping editor who covers and reviews lots of travel products, I’m constantly asked by friends and family what the best “insert product type here” is and every time “best affordable weekender bag” comes up in conversation, this is the one I instantly recommend.

It just checks all of the boxes: It’s affordable, practical, lightweight and has built-in dedicated shoe storage — a feature that even many expensive weekender bags lack. Thanks to this separate compartment which, for reference, fits a pair of size 13 men’s shoes easily, you’re able to keep the dirty soles of your shoes (and a few smelly pairs of socks) completely separate from the rest of your bag’s contents.

This bag also easily fits under the seat on commercial airplanes (both domestic and international) and has a roomy main compartment with a single mesh pocket for minimal organization. It’s the perfect simple, no-frills weekender bag that gets the job done (and then some). No fluff here.

What reviewers say:

With over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s no surprise that the Herschel Novel Duffel Bag is a shoppers’ favorite. There are many reasons reviewers love this weekender (a testament to its versatility), with stand-out features such as the bag’s roominess, durability and straightforward design topping the list of accolades.

One enthusiastic reviewer calls this bag the “most durable duffle bag I have bought,” while another said it’s one of their “favorite products… because it is so clearly designed with the customer in mind.”

Another satisfied shopper said it made for an excellent carry-on since it’s “roomy and well proportioned.” The same five-star reviewer pointed out, however, that they “wish the handles were sturdier,” but that overall, the bag is “excellent.”

Another impressed owner of the bag spoke to how room it is while dubbing it “the perfect weekend trip bag.” The reviewer said they were “able to pack five pairs of shoes, and six outfits” along with their headphones and even some card games.

Sharing a similar sentiment, another shopper added that they were able to fit “a week and a half worth of stuff along with toiletries in the bag when traveling.” The same shopper also pointed out that what you see is what you get with this one, adding that it looked exactly like it does in the pictures.

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)