The 8 Best Leather Overnight Bags of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Handcrafted from American cowhide and finished with natural oils and waxes, the Korchmar Twain Duffel stood out in our tests for its thoughtful craftsmanship, timeless aesthetic, and versatile performance. Travel + Leisure associate editor Anna Popp and her fiancé tested the bag on multiple trips including long weekend getaways and weddings, and it consistently impressed them. “It’s a really attractive leather bag,” Popp said, adding that it was especially useful for quick trips where looking polished matters.

The Twain is carry-on friendly, and during a four-night trip to Austin, we packed it with several outfits, a toiletry kit, shoes, and accessories without running out of space. Its streamlined, minimalist design has just one interior zippered pocket and no external compartments, which we found worked best when paired with packing cubes. Though the robust leather adds some weight, the bag remains easy to carry, even when full. The top handles fasten together with a button latch for a more comfortable grip, and the adjustable shoulder strap with an ergonomic pad helped distribute weight well.

Durable and elegant with antiqued nickel zippers and hardware, it’s a quality long-term investment piece. It also comes with a five-year warranty on defects, which speaks to the brand’s confidence in its materials and construction. While we would’ve liked more color options, it’s hard to beat this piece for travelers who want style, substance, and simplicity in one handsome bag.

The Details: 22 x 10 x 14 inches 

This beautiful bag impressed us with its sleek, structured silhouette and travel-friendly versatility. Crafted from full-grain leather with a cotton twill lining, this bag combines thoughtful design with a polished look. It meets most carry-on size requirements (though we recommend confirming with your airline), and while it appears compact, we found it more spacious than expected. It’s ideal for weekend getaways or as a supplemental bag for longer trips. T+L’s senior testing editor Jackie Cucco stuffed it with three outfits, pajamas, shoes, and a toiletry kit, though it lacked the space for “a ton of extra accessories.” 

Interior organization is smart but minimal, with one large zip pocket and two slip pockets (though we found the smaller one less useful). The exterior slip pocket was a standout feature for easy access to travel essentials. Cucco appreciated the adjustable side tabs, which make the bag feel more compact when not fully packed, though she wished they didn’t hang awkwardly when unbuckled. While the shoulder strap could use a bit more padding, the structured handles and durable hardware helped make this bag easy to carry for long stretches. 

The Details: 22.25 x 10 x 13.5 inches

This oversized leather tote stands out for its rare combination of generous capacity and featherlight feel that offer true ease in transit. While many leather bags are structured and heavy even before packing, this one felt lighter than even some nylon alternatives and proved easy to carry whether tossed over a shoulder or worn crossbody with the long adjustable strap (sold separately). 

Weighing less than three pounds, it’s the lightest full-sized leather tote in T+L associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker’s collection. Still, it’s roomy enough for everything she needs for a day of sightseeing or a commute to the office, including a 15-inch laptop. “I love that it fully zips shut so I’m not worried about pickpockets or about anything slipping out if I put it under the seat on the plane,” Parker noted. It’s sleek, minimal, and available in a range of unique and classic colors.

The Details: 14.2 x 25.3 x 6.3 inches | 2.9 pounds | 37 liters

Technically a tote but with the capacity of a small weekender, this Leatherology bag impressed us with its thoughtful organization and durable materials. Parker packed it for overnight and weekend trips and was “pleasantly surprised by all this built-in organization in a bag this stylish.” With nine interior pockets (including a padded laptop sleeve), two exterior slip pockets, and a luggage sleeve that doubles as storage, it’s both versatile and secure. The full-grain leather has a soft, textured finish that feels luxe but not delicate — “a nice hefty kind,” Parker added — and the trapunto-style stitched personalization ensures a monogram won’t fade over time.

We’ve owned several Leatherology pieces over the years and can confidently say they hold up with time and travel, making the brand’s personalization options well worth the investment. This tote is an especially smart pick for gifting as well. 

The Details: 25 x 8.5 x 12 inches (25 x 10 x 12 inches when expanded)

With a 33-liter capacity and a structured, suitcase-like build, the Carl Friedrik Granville Weekender offers the kind of space and organization we typically expect from a carry-on roller. Parker used it for a long weekend trip and managed to fit everything she and her dog needed, including multiple outfits, two extra pairs of shoes, toiletries, and pet supplies. Despite the volume, she found it easy to travel with. “I thought it would have been bulky or awkward to carry when it was full, but shockingly it was not,” she shared.

The bag slings easily over the shoulder or can be worn crossbody with the wide strap that’s ideal for navigating train stations or city streets. It also includes a luggage sleeve that blends cleanly into the design, plus a roomy exterior zip pocket that was Parker’s favorite feature. Crafted from textured full-grain leather with vegetable-tanned vachetta trim, the bag feels especially durable and high-end. Smooth double zippers, magnetic interior pockets, and a reinforced structure make this a well-balanced choice for travelers who want capacity without bulk.

The Details: 20.9 x 11.8 x 8.3 inches | 4.4 pounds | 33 liters

Leather is a heavier material and can be cumbersome to carry, so we appreciate a leather bag that’s designed with a more lightweight construction. This unlined tote stands out for its simple, oversized silhouette that’s both sturdy and easy to travel with. During a trip to Chicago, T+L senior editor Jasmine Grant used it as her personal item and found it ideal for tossing in everything she needed for the flight and subsequent train commute: “Just when I thought I was running out of room, I found I could always fit more.”

This tote’s minimal structure is part of what makes it so portable. Available in four sizes ranging from small to oversized, it has a wide-open main compartment with just one small interior pocket and a large slip pocket on the outside that’s great for quick-access items like a phone or lip balm. The English bridle leather handles felt secure and comfortable, even when the bag was full. While it lacks a trolley sleeve and doesn’t close at the top, we found its spaciousness and pared-down design ideal for light, casual travel.

The Details: 21 x 13 x 14 inches (oversized)

This Italian leather tote immediately impressed us for its elegant, design-forward approach to a practical travel bag. Hand-stained and vegetable-tanned, the material feels both supple and durable, lending a sophisticated finish without sacrificing functionality. T+L editor Taylor Fox found it to be lightweight and easy to carry, with structured over-the-shoulder straps and a slim profile that makes it a breeze to stow under a seat on trains or most flights.

While it’s a bit too large to be an everyday commuter bag, it’s perfectly sized for overnight stays or all-day outings. Inside, the layout is simple but effective, featuring two interior pockets and a built-in key lanyard that helped us stay organized. We especially appreciated the smooth zippers and aesthetic touches like the exterior buckle accents, which elevate the look without adding unnecessary bulk. 

The Details: 11.75 x 18.75 x 7.5 inches | 2.9 pounds 

With its 55-liter capacity and classic half-moon silhouette, this leather duffel is a versatile option for travelers who prioritize both form and function. We found it impressively spacious, easily holding four to five days’ worth of clothing, shoes, and toiletries. Still, it was compact enough to fit in an overhead bin. The cavernous main compartment made packing straightforward, especially with the help of packing cubes, and its slim internal zippered pocket kept essentials like a phone, wallet, and headphones organized.

Despite its generous size, it was surprisingly comfortable to carry. The short handles can be slung over a shoulder, and the adjustable strap is practical for longer hauls (though less polished in appearance). “The exterior leather feels really durable and is grooved so it doesn’t show scuffs or scratches so easily,” said Fox, who also noted “the interior cotton is a bit more delicate.” It held up well through crowded subways, train travel, and Uber rides. 

The Details: 21.25 x 14.56 x 11 inches | 2.86 pounds | 55-liter capacity