If you are a regular consumer of travel content online or simply an avid fan of the direct-to-consumer travel brand Béis, you have undoubtedly heard the ongoing digital chatter surrounding its flagship product: the Weekender bag. For years, social media feeds have been populated by videos of travelers navigating bustling airport terminals with the oversized bag slung over their shoulders, often appearing on the verge of toppling over at the slightest gust of wind or an accidental bump from a fellow passenger.
Shay Mitchell, the actress and entrepreneur who co-founded Béis, has seen the viral critiques just as clearly as anyone else. Following a wave of pointed public commentary questioning whether anyone genuinely enjoyed the cumbersome nature of the original design, the mega-popular Weekender received a significant structural overhaul. Relaunched in July as part of the brand’s ongoing evolution, the comprehensive redesign directly takes into account the internet’s most persistent complaints, with the explicit goal of making the bag roomier, easier to pack, and significantly more comfortable to carry during transit.
Having first started using the original iteration of the Weekender back in 2021—just a few years after it debuted as the inaugural product for the Béis brand—the experience was a mixed bag. The original model proved exceptional for road trips or relaxing train journeys, but it quickly revealed notable drawbacks when brought into the chaotic environment of a commercial airport. Nevertheless, consistent with the broader design philosophy of Béis products, the thoughtfulness embedded into the layout was always evident. It has consistently been clear that Mitchell and her product development team are actual travelers who spend considerable time thinking through how to solve overlooked everyday transit problems.
Consequently, when the new and improved version was officially released, putting it to the ultimate road test became an immediate priority. Over the past year or two, lighter alternative weekender bags had gradually claimed spots on preferred travel lists, making a direct comparison essential. To properly evaluate the new model against its predecessor, the original Weekender was brought along on a recent trip to Rhode Island, offering a clear window into how the updates perform in the real world.
What’s New and Improved in the Redesigned Model
Placed side by side, the most striking difference apparent at first glance is the overall size of the bag. The newer model visually appears larger, particularly when the side gusset clips are undone, which adds a few extra inches of height to the interior capacity. At first, this expansion seemed somewhat counterintuitive to solving the frequently repeated problem of these bags becoming excessively heavy and unwieldy when packed to full capacity. However, for a chronic overpacker, the newly gained space is a welcome addition. During testing, it was possible to pack everything required for a three-night, four-day trip into both bags, but the upgraded version provided a noticeably more forgiving amount of breathing room.
The exterior zipper pockets on both sides have also been enlarged. One functions as a standard exterior pocket, while the other features a dual-zipper design at both the top and the bottom, allowing it to double seamlessly as a trolley sleeve when stacking the bag on top of rolling luggage. In the previous iteration, this pass-through sleeve lacked a top zipper, meaning items could occasionally slip through or sit loosely. The addition of the zipper is a clear and practical improvement, as it secures whatever belongings are stashed inside while in transit.
Beyond the exterior adjustments, the carrying experience has been enhanced through several structural modifications. The shoulder straps are noticeably longer, and the removable crossbody strap now features additional padding, an upgrade that immediately elevates the overall carrying comfort level. Inside the bag, the pockets have transitioned from simple slip compartments to stretchy fabric pouches, which do a better job of keeping contents securely contained. There is also a newly designed interior water bottle pocket complete with a convenient cutout designed to accommodate a handle.
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Additional subtle tweaks include a magnetic laptop closure replacing the older Velcro fastener, which should theoretically ensure greater longevity over years of use; a stretchy key leash; and the option to roll back the internal fabric separator if a traveler prefers the main compartment to function as one large, uninterrupted packing space. Furthermore, the faux leather base found on the original models has been replaced with a sturdy canvas material featuring a coated canvas base. Beyond giving the bag a more contemporary aesthetic, this modification should effectively reduce visible wear and tear, addressing issues like the peeling that occasionally developed around the shoe compartment on older versions. Béis has smartly retained popular colorways like maple, while introducing sophisticated options like olive for travelers looking to steer clear of standard black or beige.
Features Left Behind: What I Wish Béis Kept
Despite the extensive list of positive updates, there were two specific legacy features that were notably absent from the new design, much to the surprise of longtime users. The first is the inclusion of floor risers on the bottom of the bag. These small, protective nubs previously elevated the base of the bag off the ground, ensuring the fabric never rested flat against dirty surfaces when set down in airport terminals, subway stations, or hotel lobbies.
The second change involves the height of the bottom shoe compartment, which measures 3.5 inches on the new bag compared to 4 inches on the original. While packing standard sneakers and casual sandals proved entirely manageable within the slightly reduced clearance, that extra half-inch of vertical space could prove crucial for travelers attempting to pack bulkier items like heels or structured boots.
Final Verdict on the Upgraded Weekender
Ultimately, the new model emerges as a superior product compared to the original. Many of the implemented tweaks make the bag feel distinctly more modern and significantly more comfortable to carry. Because of the rigid internal wiring used in the past, the older bag frequently dug uncomfortably into the user’s armpit when carried by the double shoulder straps. The newer, extended straps and the frameless structure successfully eliminate this ergonomic issue.
Interestingly, personal preferences can vary; another tester who also owned the original model actually preferred the shorter strap length because it allowed for easier lifting and holding from the bottom. These nuances ultimately come down to individual height and carrying habits. While the internal wiring kept the original weekender rigidly boxy even when completely empty, the updated design offers a more flexible silhouette while retaining enough structural integrity along the sides to prevent the bag from collapsing while packing or unpacking. A lingering question remains as to whether the softer fabric will eventually begin to sag over years of heavy use.
Even with these thoughtful improvements, this remains a travel accessory best suited for road trips or train journeys rather than commercial air travel. Travelers searching for an ideal personal item for flights would likely be better served by the Mini Weekender—which has also received a recent redesign—or a dedicated travel tote or backpack. However, for those looking to upgrade an aging weekender or seeking a reliable, stylish bag specifically for weekend getaways by car, the thoughtful adjustments made to this iteration render it a worthwhile purchase.
This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s fourth annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were rigorously road-tested by the publication’s editors.
