You’re after a holdall bag that you can use in the week to chuck all your gym stuff in, and then at the weekend throw enough stuff in for a cool few days away. And there’s one more thing. It needs to look good.

The new Hurley Barrel Duff holdall does it all. Styled with a 20 litre main compartment, this is going to be able to get all your stuff in as well as half the people down the street, and as well as there being plenty of room to stuff everything in on the inside, there’s also a zip fastening pocket to the outside to keep all those things you need to hand safely close to hand.

And it looks seriously good. Designed with nice little details like branded zip heads, this mens holdall bag has super thick silver polyester webbing carry handles that go all the way round the bag, and features a seriously cool diagonal style design on the black background of the main bag.

Finished off with a silver embroidered Hurley logo to the side of the bag, this is one seriously cool holdall at a seriously amazing price of just £29.99 at Hardcloud.

Whilst it’s all been about the backpack for the last few years the duffle bag is definitely making a comeback in 2010, and one company that’s leading that comeback is Eastpak with their Authentic Station range.

Designed to give you an incredible 57 litres of space (also known as room for just about everything you own), the bag is simple and uncomplicated in style, with the main focus instead being on practicality.

And practical it definitely is, because on top of having an adjustable shoulder strap (which can also be removed), the bag has a outside zip pocket to keep those essentials to hand, and can also be carried comfortably in your hand thanks to a padded haul loop.

Featuring taped seams throughout, the bag also has additional zippered pockets inside, as well as reflective pull tabs and rain covered zippers.

Perfect for as a bag for short breaks away, the Eastpak Authentic Station Duffle Bag is available in Grey, Black and Blue for £29.99 at Yukka.

Designed for the active man who also wants his gadgets to hand, the Gravis Bag collection is all about sourcing the hardiest of materials that will allow you to throw yourself and your bag around all over the place without worrying about damaging your phone / laptop / camera in the process. And this Gravis Gym / Weekend Bag is just one of a huge range available.

Designed out of a combination of Polyester and Nylon, this Japanese designed bag measures 51cm x 28cm x 22cm making it just the right size for stuffing a few days of clothes, slinging it over your shoulder and heading off to your destination.

And it’s going to do you proud on the journey, with the padded shoulder strap making sure however heavy you pack it it won’t do you any danger, the side pocket allowing you to have keys, phone and important documents to hand, whilst inside there’s a interior mesh zipper section to keep all those other valuables safe.

Holding 25 Cubic Litres of  your stuff, and sold with a 1 year warranty against manufacturer’s defects this bag is definitely designed to do the job, and manages to do it looking good in the process, made predominantly from a black material, with black and white detailing to the ends of the bag, and red Gravis branding to the shoulder strap.

The Gravis Dual Medium Holdall Barrel Bag is available for £40.00 from Urban Excess.

Some people are so talented they can make you sick, and one of those people is definitely Paul Smith, because alongside producing great fashion and footwear, the man has excelled himself with this stunning mens weekend bag.

Styled in out of 100% brown polyester with a 100% cotton lining, this bag is one of the coolest ones I’ve seen all year, ignoring the trend for plain colours, and instead emblazoning the whole of the bag with a forest print that features not only a ground layer of fallen brown leaves and bare trees, but also an old fashioned mini driving through it, covered with the multi-coloured stripes that immediately have you thinking of Paul Smith.

Continuing all the way around the edges and sides of this weekend bag, it is only interrupted by the leather trim to the bag which appears to the base of the bag, in a triangle to the bottom side of each edge and as the short handles. On top of these hand held handles, there is also an additional canvas strap that can be attached, or detached, if you want to wear it over your shoulder.

Measuring 27cm x 55cm x24cm this bag is more than capable of holding all you need for a short break, and offers a big, purple cotton lined, open space inside, complete with internal zip pocket for all those smaller things you want to be able to find quickly and easily.

The Paul Smith Brown Forest Mini Weekender is available online at My Wardrobe.

Every now and then I come across a man bag that really impresses me. Sometimes it’s because it’s pushed the boundaries with design, other times it’s down to fabric. With the Fred Perry Leather Holdall, it’s all down to it being a stunning bit of classic design.

One of those truly timeless pieces, this brown leather man bag is designed in a curved rectangular shape measuring 18″ x 12″ x 6″, and whilst the bag itself is styled in a dark brown leather, the handle are made from a white and navy striped canvas that attaches to the side of the bag from about a 1/6th of the way down, and ends at the bottom of the sides.  To make the bag more comfortable to carry, there is a leather surround to each strap, as well as a push popper closure that brings them together to form one handle.

Other detailing seen to the outside of the bag includes white piping around the edges of both sides of the bag, a Fred Perry logo to the lower half of one edge of the bag and a clear section to one side of the bag that’s perfect for a name tag.

Open up the bag and you will find a white and grey striped lining that contrasts beautifully against the chocolate leather that not only features on the outside of the bag, but also inside the bag where it forms the backing to the zip area as well as to the top of the removable partition to the centre of the bag.  Add to this an open pocket on the other side and you have a bag that is not only incredibly stylis, but wonderfully functional too.

The Fred Perry Leather Holdall Bag is available for £225.00 at Oki-Ni.

1. Bench Blunder Courier Bag

Gorgeously chilled out in styling, the Blunder Courier bag from Republic is perfect for throwing over one shoulder and heading off to college or into town. The fastening of the bag is via clips and velcro and opens to reveal a large open space perfect for throwing all those essentials of yours into, and should you be a mucky old pup you’ll be glad to know it’s wipe clean.

2.  Bench Deliver Holdall

Looking for a bag to head to the gym with? Bench have just the thing with their Deliver Holdall. Simply designed this holdall bag is styled predominantly out of a matt black fabric with a shiny leather style fabric layered on top to make the bottom third of the bag. There are two opening to the bag, one that runs from the bottom of one side of the bag to the bottom of the other side on the left end of the bag, and another which opens along the top of the whole of the bag. There are two carrying options – either the short handles that allow you to hold the bag down by your side or alternatively a longer strap that allows you to wear across your chest.

3.  Bench Dark Shoulder Ice Shoulder Messenger Bag

I spotted this Dark Shadow Ice Messenger from Bench over at Amazon and fell head over heels with it’s sophisticated look. Great if you’re something a bit less urban and a bit more smart from work, this bag features a main pocket that’s perfect for A4 size folders, and as well as having an open pocket to the front also has two open pockets inside and another for small valuables.

4.  Bench Deliver Back Pack

Everyone needs a good old backpack, and this one from Bench will be just as good for work as play thanks to its simple, sophisticated design. Coming from the same range as the holdall, this bag is predominantly black in colour, with the shiny leather type fabric running along the bottom 6th of the bag and just under half of the side of the bag. In terms of pockets there’s a large main pocket area for popping all the files, books etc you need in, and a smaller pocket to the front that’s perfect for keeping those keys, wallets and phones to hand.

5. Bench Deliver Record Bag

Definitely the most fashion orientated of the lot, this Bench bag wouldn’t look out of place on the catwalk with it’s unique flap. Designed in the shape of a L turned 90 degrees clockwise, and out of a shiny leather style material which also makes up the bottom third of the bag this is a bag that’s definitely going to grab attention. The good news is it’s just as practical as it is good looking, having been designed with a small pocket to the front of the bag that’sperfect for popping your keys into, and there’s another on the inside, alongside the main open section.

Styled out of a khaki coated canvas, this Nom de Guerre duffel bag may not be the most colourful or excitingly designed bag you’ll ever have seen, but it’s definitely one of the most functional, measuring a massive 28″ x 18″ x 14″ that allows you to take everything, including the kitchen sink when you head off for a weekend away.

Designed with two different forms of handles – a long adjustable shoulder strap and two short handle straps that are made up of straps that run from the bottom of the bag round to the top, this is great for carrying down by your side when you’ve filled it up so much you can’t lift it any higher, or for wearing across your back when it’s not quite so full.

Fastening at the top with a central zip, this bag also features a pressed stud placket for additional security and offers two open pockets on the inside of the bag which is lined with a shiny black fabric.

The only downside of it is that it’s so bag it’ll have to be for domestic trips only as it’s too big for check in at the airport!

Available to buy online for £215.00 at Oki-Ni.

Designed to hold the kitchen sink, your wardrobe and just about everything else you can think to take, this bag also comes complete with inner pockets for putting all those knicks knacks you don’t want to lose amongst everything else, as well as a couple of outer pockets that makes finding your passport and travel documents a breeze at the airport.

And it’s not just good for organisation. The high quality urethane wheels and retractable handle will make sure you can whizz from airport terminal to airport terminal with ease, and there’s no need to worry about not being able to close it when it starts looking full because this bag comes complete with quick release compression straps, as well as lockable zips to keep everything nice and secure.

Available to buy for the currently reduced price of £104.99 (usually £119.99) at Hardcloud.

All prices were correct at the time of  writing but may change at any time.

Looking for the travel holdall equivalent of your tailored pinstripe suit? Antler have just the thing with their Gladstone Tote bag, available to buy now from Bags Direct.

Designed in a classic style that’s sure to impress, this bag is described as being French Black in colour, and features widely spaced vertical yellow and white stripes to the mid section and sides of the bag, with a plain adjustable shoulder strap that can be either worn over the shoulder or across the body.

There are also shorter, thicker handles to the top of the bag with a centre grip if you want to carry it down at your side, and there’s plenty of room for packing your clothes and other essentials in, thanks to a main space as well as  a seperate enclosed zip compartment to the bottom of the bag, a zipped section to the front of the bag and a fill sized interior zip pocket .

Oh and of course the essential ID Holder.

Seriously though, this is an incredibly well made bag, that is made to last (it comes with a 7 year guarantee) and make sure your trips are worry free from the security angle, as it not only comes with  TSA Padlock security, but is also  Transportation Security Administration Approved making it ideal for using when you’re travelling to the US.

This Antelr Gladstone Travel Holdall is available to order online for £119.00 at Bags Direct.

If you’re looking for a bag that’s guaranteed to get you noticed when you’re off travelling this Summer, then the Der Sammler Solo Printed Holdall is the one for you.

Styled out of canvas, this man bag from Der Sammler is sure to get you some attention with it’s bright colourful print that has a real American feel to it thanks to the red, white and blue colouring and stars and stripes design.

Designed with light leather straps and buckle that contrast with the colouring of the holdall wonderfully, this bag offers you more than enough room for all your belongings measuring 21” x 13”, and hasthree closed zip pockets inside for valuables like keys, phones and passports, alongside three larger open ones for easy access.

Held closed by a central leather strap, you have two choices of how to carry this bag  either by the two short handles dowen by your side, or using the longer one across your chest.

It’s a bag that’s going to look great whether you’re wearing a suit or in your jeans and a t-shirt, but you really want to co-ordinate with your bag, you can even buy shorts and t-shirt in the same design!

The Der Sammler Solo Holdall Bag is available to buy online at Oki Ni.