I’m an avid traveler — which means I have to pack...a LOT. And with the constant flying, training, or driving, I’ve garnered a pretty good sense of what packing gear and accessories serve my nomad needs. Understanding which suitcases, backpacks, or makeup bags work for you takes a lot of trial and error, especially when comparing different companies and all their offerings. One of the most aesthetic and viral companies being, BÉIS Travel, by actress, well-known for her role in the OG Pretty Little Liars, Shay Mitchell.
The brand has likely come up on your FYP in the form of a funny TikTok or been spotted with your fave celebrities — cue Jessica Alba, Hailey Bieber, and Ariana Madix. While The Weekender Bag certainly survived the BÉIS craze, is it actually worth the hype? Ahead I’ll give you my honest thoughts on the luggage, and you can determine if it’s worth opening up your wallet for.
Image via Beis
The Weekender costs $108 and is offered in nine different colors. My choice is matte black — I tend to opt for darker colors in order to avoid stains or marks from the hustle and bustle of traveling. This bag is designed to take on quick weekend trips or as a carry-on travel bag. Personally, I only use this bag for road trips. Although acceptable in terms of measurements to be a carry-on for a plane, I’ve found that it can be a bit large and clunky, which leads me to often choose a backpack instead. The Weekender can also hold quite a good amount of clothes, shoes, etc. So, if you stuff it to the max, be aware that it can become quite heavy. I’ve witnessed many frequent plane goers utilize the bags along with a carry-on suitcase successfully, so it’s really up to personal preference.
Image via Beis
As a freelance journalist who always needs a laptop on hand, I really enjoy the padded laptop sleeve pocket with a vegan leather velcro strap closure. I’m normally a bit picky with laptop sleeves because they can be so flimsy, but this one fits my Macbook Pro comfortably and I feel it’s secure.
As described on the website, there is a wire frame with a double zip to open and close the bag and a double zip around the bottom compartment. In terms of zippers, they are seemingly sturdy and I’ve never worried about the bag opening accidentally.
Image via Beis
The Weekender also offers a trolley pass-through on the back of the bag—which is a lifesaver when you are sprinting through the airport to make your connecting flight and can just place the bag onto your roller luggage (this may or may not have happened to me recently). There’s two carrying options: a removable and padded shoulder strap and rolled in middle handles. Because of the bag's ability to get on the heavier side, I almost always use the shoulder strap. There are metal feet on the bottom so you can place the Weekender on the ground.
Image via Beis/Instagram
Now, let’s talk about the bag’s most talked about feature: the bottom compartment. Personally, I think this extra area is a smart move. I become frustrated if I have to put my dirty shoes, wet bathing suits, or leakable makeup/skincare in the same space as my clothes and electronics, making this compartment the solution to that. I can easily fit a medium-sized toiletry bag, two pairs of shoes, and other small miscellaneous items (always bring double the socks and underwear, people!).
Image via Beis
There are two slip pockets and one large zipper pocket within the Weekender itself. I use the slip pockets for smaller items such as hair ties, hand sanitizer, etc. An additional pocket on the front body of the bag is a great place to put your passport, boarding pass, or any other things you’ll need to grab easily. If you do carry vital documents in that pocket though, always make sure to keep an eye on your bag.
Overall, I’d recommend the BÉIS Weekender bag for a two-day trip (as a fashion and beauty girlie, I can rarely pack it for more days than that!). Try it out on a road trip and as a plane carry-on to see which mode of transportation you prefer to lug it on—it might be both! The $108 price tag can also be a bit of a splurge. In my opinion though, solid travel luggage that’ll last you a few years is worth the buy.
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Header image via Beis/Instagram
