Sizing
What Size Bag Do You Actually Need?
Most people buy a bag one size too big. Use these simple liter and inch ranges to size a daily bag, a laptop bag and a travel duffle for how you really pack.
Size is the single most common reason people return bags or stop using them. Too small and it doesn’t close. Too big and it’s heavy, floppy and full of things you don’t need.
Leather makes this matter more. A bigger leather bag is noticeably heavier before you put anything in it.
Liters, inches and what they mean
Makers list size in liters, inches or both. Liters tell you volume. Inches tell you if a laptop or a folded shirt will lie flat.
| Size | Liters | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 5 to 10 | Tablet, wallet, phone, keys, a book |
| Daily | 10 to 20 | 13 to 15 inch laptop, charger, notebook, water bottle |
| Large daily | 20 to 28 | 16 inch laptop plus lunch and a layer |
| Weekend | 35 to 45 | One or two nights of clothes, toiletries, one pair of shoes |
| Long weekend | 45 to 55 | Three or four nights, or two nights with bulky winter clothes |
| Week | 60+ | Usually checked luggage |
Sizing a daily bag
Use the pile method from our guide to choosing a bag: lay out what you carry every day plus what you carry most days. Fill an open box or a canvas tote with it. That’s your volume. Add 10 to 20 percent for the jacket you stuff in at lunch.
For most people that lands between 12 and 18 liters.
Sizing a laptop bag
This is where listings mislead people. “Fits 15.6 inch laptops” usually means a thin modern one. A thicker laptop, or one in a case, may not fit.
- Measure your laptop’s width and depth in inches.
- Find the bag’s inside sleeve dimensions. If the listing doesn’t give them, ask or look at owner reviews. Laptop fit is one of the most common complaints in bag reviews.
- Look for about half an inch of room on width and depth.
Sizing a duffle
| Trip | Duffle length | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Gym or overnight | 18 to 20 in | 25 to 35 L |
| Weekend | 20 to 22 in | 35 to 45 L |
| Long weekend | 22 to 24 in | 45 to 55 L |
A 22 inch duffle is the sweet spot for most people. It fits two or three nights and squeezes into most overhead bins.
The weight check
Before you buy, look up the empty weight. A rough rule from what owners report:
- Under 3 lb feels light.
- 3 to 5 lb is normal for full-grain leather daily bags.
- Over 5 lb is heavy, and you’ll notice it on a long walk.
If you love a heavy bag, that’s fine. Just make sure the strap is wide and padded.
When in doubt, go smaller
Every owner of a too-big bag says the same thing: it got heavy and messy. A slightly small bag forces you to carry less, and that’s usually a good thing.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters is a weekend bag?
For one or two nights, about 35 to 45 liters. For three or four nights, about 45 to 55 liters. Above that you're into checked-bag territory.
How do I measure a laptop for a bag?
Measure the laptop itself, width and depth, not the screen size. Then compare against the bag's inside sleeve dimensions. Leave about half an inch of room on width and depth.
Will a leather duffle fit as a carry-on?
Many 20 to 22 inch duffles do, because soft bags squeeze into sizers. Check your airline's size limit and the bag's listed dimensions with handles included.
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