Upon first glance, the Aer Travel Weekender immediately showcases the sleek, modern aesthetic Aer is renowned for. Its design language closely echoes the popular Travel Pack 3, simply rotated horizontally. Think of it as a refined Travel Duffel, upgraded with Aer’s latest design innovations. We’re eager to discover if the Travel Weekender can successfully integrate the best aspects of Aer’s acclaimed daypacks and travel backpacks into a larger duffel format. Let’s dive in and explore its capabilities.
External Features and Build Quality
The Aer Travel Weekender is constructed from 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon, a material celebrated for its exceptional durability. This robust fabric provides the duffel with enough structure to maintain its upright form in most situations. Its professional appearance makes it suitable for a variety of settings, from business environments to city exploration and gym visits.
Aer Travel Weekender Shoulder
Aer Travel Weekender in Shoulder Carry Mode: This duffel’s versatile design ensures it looks sharp wherever your travels take you.
Throughout the Weekender, you’ll find a thoughtful assortment of YKK zippers in various types and sizes. This might initially seem unconventional, but it’s a smart design choice. Aer has strategically chosen zippers that are best suited for their specific function, enhancing overall performance and longevity. The zipper pulls are minimalist, featuring a simple cord and a durable plastic end tab.
The included shoulder strap utilizes robust Duraflex hardware, making attachment and detachment straightforward. The clips provide a secure snap, and their placement is unobtrusive. When the strap is removed, the attachment points blend seamlessly into the water bottle pockets, maintaining a clean look.
Aer Travel Weekender Studio
Aer Travel Weekender in a Studio Setting: Even under scrutiny, the Weekender’s design and build quality shine.
The shoulder strap itself is functional and comfortable, featuring a generously padded section with aeration channels. This padded section is adjustable, sliding along the strap to optimize comfort. The aeration is a welcome feature, promoting airflow and reducing heat buildup on warmer days, although some perspiration is still likely in high temperatures. It’s a noticeable improvement over straps lacking padding or ventilation.
The duffel incorporates dual water bottle pockets on each side. Constructed from the same durable Cordura nylon as the main body, these are simple slip pockets without elastic closures. While the lack of elastic is generally acceptable for typical carry, it can be a drawback if you use the duffel in a crossbody style, as bottles might slip out. However, these pockets are generously sized, easily accommodating large bottles, even a 32 oz Nalgene.
Aer Travel Weekender In Use 1
Aer Travel Weekender Water Bottle Pocket: These spacious pockets are designed to carry even oversized water bottles securely.
For traditional duffel-style carry, the Weekender features two top handles that connect with a snap button and fabric wrap. This handle section is padded, providing a comfortable grip. However, with a fully loaded, heavy duffel, the handles can become somewhat uncomfortable after extended periods. This is typical for duffel bag handles, and the Weekender performs admirably in this carry mode for short durations. The duffel hangs naturally at your side and remains unobtrusive when walking at a normal pace, making it ideal for navigating airplane aisles, public transport, or short transfers.
Aer Travel Weekender Zipper
Aer Travel Weekender Zipper Detail: Close-up showcasing the high-quality YKK zippers chosen for durability and smooth operation.
In keeping with Aer’s signature design elements, the Weekender includes a luggage pass-through on the exterior. This straightforward feature works effectively for securing the duffel to rolling luggage. Its placement on the same side as the internal laptop compartment is particularly convenient. While it won’t prevent luggage from tipping forward, it does offer added protection to your laptop by keeping it positioned against the luggage.
Fit and Carry Experience
Aer Travel Weekender Side By Side
Aer Travel Weekender Size Comparison: Demonstrating the duffel’s size relative to different body types. Left: 6’0″ (183 cm) male model, Right: 5’5” (165 cm) female model.
The Aer Travel Weekender offers multiple carry options: hand-carry using the top handles, over-the-shoulder with the included strap, or crossbody. The crossbody option is particularly effective for distributing weight more evenly, although it can feel a bit bulky, as noted by some users playfully comparing the look to that of a Ninja Turtle.
Aer Travel Weekender Back
Aer Travel Weekender Crossbody Carry: Showing how the duffel can be worn across the body for comfortable weight distribution.
All three carry methods are generally comfortable. However, the shoulder strap carries, especially crossbody, can feel slightly awkward for individuals with smaller frames. Given its 35-liter capacity, which is the same as the Aer Travel Pack 3 and Travel Duffel, the Weekender’s size can indeed feel substantial on petite body types.
Internal Organization and Compartments
A discreet, almost hidden pocket is located on the back panel of the duffel. The zipper pull, subtly peeking out, is the only indication of its presence. This pocket is an excellent secure spot for valuable items like a wallet, passport, phone, or important travel documents. When carried, this side rests against your body or against your rolling luggage, providing extra security and protection.
Aer Travel Weekender In Use 2
Aer Travel Weekender Hidden Pocket: This cleverly concealed pocket offers secure storage for essential valuables.
Moving to the laptop compartment, it’s situated on the back side of the duffel, the same side as the luggage pass-through. It features a water-resistant YKK AquaGuard zipper, a valuable addition for protecting your electronics from moisture. While it lacks assistance tabs typically seen on larger AquaGuard zippers, they aren’t really necessary on this smaller zipper.
Overall, this laptop compartment is simple yet highly functional. An internal divider splits the compartment into two sections, both fully padded except at the zippered top. It comfortably accommodates up to a 16-inch laptop, and theoretically, could hold two laptops, one in each section. More practically, it’s ideal for carrying a laptop and a tablet or similar-sized device.
Aer Travel Weekender Laptop
Aer Travel Weekender Laptop Compartment: Ample padding and a dedicated space ensure your laptop stays protected during travel.
On the opposite side of the duffel’s interior, the organization becomes more extensive, consistent with Aer’s typical design philosophy. A vertical YKK AquaGuard zipper runs across the short side of the pack, opening to a generously sized quick-access pocket that spans half of the duffel’s front face. This pocket is perfect for stowing items you might need readily, such as a hat, gloves, or a packable rain jacket, ensuring preparedness for changing weather conditions. The zipper includes a garage, and tabs on either side facilitate easier opening and closing of the robust AquaGuard track.
The entire front panel of the duffel unzips to reveal a comprehensive organizational compartment. This area is packed with various pockets and dividers, allowing for excellent separation of tech gadgets from clothing in the main compartment.
Aer Travel Weekender Secondary
Aer Travel Weekender Organization Panel: A detailed look at the extensive organization options within the secondary compartment.
Inside, you’ll find two large liner pockets suitable for flat items like books or e-readers. A small zippered pocket is included for smaller items you want to keep secure and prevent from getting lost. Two liner pockets with elastic tops are ideal for larger charging cables. Finally, a small mesh pocket is perfectly sized for a battery bank or wall charger.
A key ring is also incorporated within this compartment. It features a magnetic Woojin clasp in the center of its cable, allowing for quick detachment and reattachment for ease of use. While the keys can occasionally detach after rough handling, it generally functions reliably.
Aer Travel Weekender Keys
Aer Travel Weekender Key Clip Detail: Showcasing the magnetic key clip for convenient and secure key management.
The usable storage in this organizational compartment is somewhat dependent on the volume of items stored in the adjacent quick-access pocket with the AquaGuard zipper. If that pocket is filled with bulky items, the capacity of the organizational panel will be reduced accordingly.
The main compartment is spacious and straightforward, primarily designed for clothing and larger items. It includes a single zippered mesh pocket on the front panel’s interior, which is useful for securing smaller items within the vast main space.
Aer Travel Weekender Stuffed
Aer Travel Weekender Main Compartment: Illustrating the generous capacity of the main compartment, ideal for packing cubes and clothing.
The rest of the main compartment is essentially open space, ideally suited for packing cubes, which maximize organization and space utilization. Loose clothing can also be packed directly, but items might become less organized.
The bottom of the duffel features minimal padding, providing some protection but not sufficient for delicate electronics without additional cases, especially if you anticipate setting the bag down frequently and firmly.
Aer Travel Weekender Side Handle
Aer Travel Weekender Ready for Travel: The Aer Travel Weekender, demonstrating its structured design and travel-ready aesthetics.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Aer Travel Weekender is a highly commendable duffel bag. It strikes a great balance between structure and organization. It stands upright on its own and provides ample organizational features to keep smaller travel essentials neatly separated from clothing. In many respects, it mirrors the design ethos of Aer’s popular Travel Pack series but in a duffel bag form factor. Whether you’re embarking on cross-country trips or heading to the gym, the Aer Travel Weekender ensures you’re well-equipped and organized for your journey.
