
As we head into the season when travel picks up, choosing the right travel bag is an important point for a stress-free trip. Right before departure, you find yourself thinking, "It would be so convenient to have a bag that's easy to move around with and holds a lot," but once you're back from your trip or visit home, you forget all about it—only to have the same thought again before your next departure. Beyond planned trips, having a bag with enough capacity for an overnight stay tucked away in your closet gives you peace of mind for sudden business trips or visits home as well.
This is a special feature on large-capacity bags for those who don't have a suitable bag for short trips, or who have been using the same bag for so long that they're considering a replacement.
There are many types of bags, but this time we'll look at them in three categories: "those who want to travel light and prioritize mobility," "those whose luggage tends to increase at their destination," and "those who carry a lot of luggage both to and from their destination."
・For those who want to travel light / prioritize mobility
・For those whose luggage tends to increase at their destination
・For those who carry a lot of luggage both ways
For those who want to enjoy walking a lot on their trip and stay light on their feet, a backpack or shoulder bag is ideal. These are popular not only with people who value ease of movement, but also with those who don't want to look like they're obviously "traveling," and who want to enjoy the scenery while on the move. If you have one big bag that covers everything, transferring between trains or getting around by bicycle or motorbike becomes effortless. It's best to choose one that's sturdy and won't let its contents show or spill out when you're on the move.
✔︎ Convertible 2-Way Weekender Bag 22L/FJALLRAVEN
Convertible 2-Way Weekender Bag 22L
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This 2-way design functions as a duffel bag normally, but switch the straps to the hooks at the top of the bag and it transforms into a backpack. Made from recycled nylon, this series was designed with an emphasis on being lightweight and highly versatile. With a capacity of 22L, it's ideal for day trips or one-night, two-day travel. It's also a convenient size for commuting to work or school, making it useful in a wide range of situations.
When packing, or while traveling, you want to be able to take things in and out smoothly. This bag opens completely flat, making it easy to organize your belongings and eliminating the hassle of digging around for things.
Also recommended for day trips or one-night, two-day travel
It also comes with one zippered mesh pocket on the outside and three on the inside. Being mesh makes it easy to see where you've stored things, which is very convenient. This is a bag we recommend for those who aren't confident when it comes to packing for a trip.
>>Convertible 2-Way Weekender Bag 22L
✔︎ LITE Duffle Bag/bellroy
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This Boston bag is part of bellroy's LITE series, which adds "lightness" to the brand's signature functionality. While lightness is the key feature of this bag, in the hands of bellroy—a brand that always pursues functionality from the user's perspective—the result is an outstanding bag that combines durability, functionality, and design, all in one.
The ripstop material used is about one-third the weight of bellroy's other materials. Because the fabric is flexible, it can be flattened or rolled up, so besides using it as your main bag, you can also tuck it into your suitcase for peace of mind in case your luggage suddenly increases while traveling. Lightweight bags often can't stand up on their own due to their soft fabric, but the LITE Duffle Bag maintains its three-dimensional shape, making it just as easy to load and unload as a conventional Boston bag.
The main storage space features a double-zipper design. One zipper opens without obstructing the opening, which is a distinctive feature of this bag—the opening spreads wide. With large-capacity bags, you can sometimes waste time searching for items, but with this bag you can see everything at a glance, and you can load and unload bulky items like shoes without them getting caught.
For those whose luggage tends to be much heavier on the way home than it was when they set out, having a compact sub bag on hand is reassuring. It's also handy as a backup for when you end up buying extra shirts or pants locally on a sudden outing, or when souvenirs start piling up.
✔︎ RAIN TRAVEL BAG/TO&FRO (Two & Fro)
RAIN TRAVEL BAG
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This packable waterproof tote folds down to the size of a pouch. When unfolded, it's large enough to hold the luggage for a one-night, two-day trip—big enough on its own for a light-packing trip. Keep it inside your main bag and use it as an extra bag if your belongings increase on the way home.
It folds down this small
Another key point is that it's fully waterproof. You can travel smartly and without worry, even if you're caught in sudden rain on your trip.
The zipper is a water-resistant type, making the bag fully waterproof
It's a common sight on trips: not only does your luggage simply increase, but while you may have packed with plenty of room on the way out, on the way back you're rushed and can't seem to get everything organized. A larger tote bag that lets you gather your belongings easily comes in handy in moments like these.
It's also easy to use in situations beyond travel, and can be tucked into your everyday bag much like an eco bag. With a capacity of about 16L and a light weight of about 54g, it's a highly versatile tote bag that's easy to carry around.
✔︎ Backpack FREEFLY 16L/Matador
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Matador's backpack is convenient not only as your main everyday bag or for outdoor use, but also as a sub bag for travel. If you use a carry-on bag or tote as your main bag, we also recommend a backpack—which leaves both your hands free—as a sub bag.
What's more, thanks to the highly durable, waterproof UTS (Ultra Tear Strength) coating, sealed seams, and roll-top opening, the main storage compartment is fully waterproof—giving you peace of mind even when traveling in the rain.
The shoulder straps are made of a breathable mesh material, designed for comfortable wear even during seasons when you tend to sweat. This is a backpack that pursues light weight and packability while never compromising on functionality—a testament to Matador's strong attention to detail.
When packed away, it measures about 14cm wide × 9.5cm high × 9.5cm deep.
If you're the worrying type whose luggage stays about equally heavy both coming and going, make a large-capacity, sturdy bag—one that can hold plenty even for a short trip—your main bag. For domestic travel, rather than a hard-shell suitcase, a 2-way (or more) carry case that's also easy to move around on trains is convenient.
✔︎ Farden Roller Suitcase 35L/FJALLRAVEN
Farden Roller Suitcase 35L
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This is a 35L carry case that can also be carried by hand. Rather than being entirely a hard shell, it's designed so you can adjust its thickness using the compression strap.
On the way there, pack a little extra room into your luggage, and on the way back, fill that empty space with souvenirs. Keeping things slim also makes it easier to carry around, so you won't need to lug a heavy, bulky case with you at all times.
Comes with a handle so you can carry it like a hand-carry bag
The interior is lined with mesh material, making it easy to see and sort your belongings. Elastic cords let you secure your items in place, and there's also a built-in laptop pocket for quick access. It's easy to organize clothing and gadgets, letting you neatly pack everything you need for a 1- to 3-night business trip or short getaway.
A main compartment plus a side pocket roomy enough for shoes.
It also meets the carry-on size requirements of major airlines (*), so you can fit everything into this one bag and move smoothly through the airport. On top, there's a small pocket rarely found on ordinary suitcases, which is handy for storing things like your wallet that you want to grab quickly.
*Carry-on size requirements vary by airline, so please check in advance.
✔︎ Backpackable Carry 35L / FJALLRAVEN
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As its name "Backpackable Carry" suggests, this is a "backpack/boston bag with the storage capacity of a carry case." It's a bag recommended for anyone who wants to carry a large amount of luggage at once, whether for travel or outdoor activities.
Open the zipper that runs all the way around the inside of the bag, and it opens up wide, letting you pack your belongings just like a carry case. The storage space is easy to see into, and there are plenty of pockets, so you don't need a small organizer (pouch) for things like chargers—something that becomes especially satisfying once you actually start packing.
You can use it as a backpack when walking, and carry it like a boston bag by the handle when you're on a train or in tight spaces. When placed on the luggage rack of a plane or bullet train, the sturdily attached handle also makes it easy to take back down.
Durability is also important for a fabric bag, and this Backpackable Carry is made from highly durable G-1000 material, so it's built to be used for years to come. The original G-1000 fabric, a high-density weave of 65% polyester and 35% high-quality cotton, is a versatile material developed for the wear and tents needed on adventures and world travels. As an outstanding outdoor material with top-class durability, wind resistance, and UV protection, it gives you the peace of mind that it won't easily wear out even with continued use. What's more, the "G-1000 Heavy Duty" used here is an even tougher version of the original, so you can use it with confidence.
✔︎ Backpack SEG28 / Matador
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Getting your belongings out smoothly usually calls for a bit of extra effort—using bag-in-bag organizers or sorting items into pouches by category. Matador's SEG series lets you skip all that hassle.
The first thing you'll notice is the four zippers on the front. This is what sets it apart most from an ordinary backpack, and it's also this bag's greatest appeal.
Open these zippers, and each one reveals a separate pocket-like section, allowing you to organize your storage however you like. For example, you can divide your belongings by day of your stay, by category of item, or by activity—whatever suits your preference.
Open the fastener that runs along the body of the bag, and it unzips wide, just like a carry case, giving you the freedom to use that section however you like on your trip—storing shoes, worn clothes, or other items you'd rather keep separate, or fitting in anything too large for the four pockets. What's more, the back panel of the backpack has a slit that fits over a carry case's handle, so when you're not carrying it on your back, you can attach it directly to your carry case and pull them along as one.
Browse the Boston Bag / Travel Bag category here
