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Review cover Ekster The Weekender (Merch)
Official GBAtemp Review

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Tech accessories company Ekster has been expanding its catalogue and today we’ll take a look at one of its latest products: The Weekender travel bag. Is it a worthwhile contender to be the companion for the tech user on the move?

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Ekster delivered a strong impression with its Laptop Sleeve that we reviewed before. The accessory displayed a minimalist design paired with expert craftsmanship without compromising on functionality. This set the company as a premium-tier one for tech accessory needs without being extreme on the pricing. 

Ekster seems to have adopted a similar philosophy with its latest product, The Weekender, made in collaboration with Travelteq. At the time of writing, it sells for $240 (instead of the regular $315) and features the following specs:

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Premium look and feel

Simply looking at The Weekender will give a sense of a premium product. This is accentuated by the all-black design with leather accents that add a classy touch to the bag. 

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And it’s not just the looks that are premium with The Weekender but also the make. The main body is made of high quality rip-resistant canvas that ensures it is sturdy and it also sports Italian vachetta leather for the hand straps. The latter wrap around the body and are sturdily stitched. The underside of the bag features an extra layer of canvas as well as small foot stands which I found to be a nice touch to keep the underside from extra damage or getting dirty. 

Another welcome addition is the detachable shoulder strap which features a leather padding. This option makes The Weekender more versatile based on your needs and preference, should you prefer to carry it for hands-free.

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Generous in storage and versatile in use

When it comes to a bag, you’d want it to look good and also offer good storage space. The Weekender checks out on the former requirement, but what about the latter? Like with its Laptop Sleeve, Ekster once again does not compromise on the function while packing a stunning form.

The main compartment is accessed through a zipper and offers a generous, easily accessible storage space to fit in your belongings whether it’s clothing for your travel or your gaming handheld and peripherals.

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There are also smaller pockets on the inside and outside where you can store keys, cables, power banks or Ekster’s Tracker Card. The latter is a handy, $36 solar-powered add-on that, once pocketed in the bag, allows you to track the bag’s location. This adds an extra layer of peace of mind to know that you can trace back your bag and belongings in case of lost luggage.

On the outside, you’ll also find extra zippered compartments which are nice extras that The Weekender offers. These include a padded laptop compartment that allows you to slide in a laptop or tablet, separate from the main storage area for easy retrieval and extra protection. The other compartment is an integrated wet-bag to keep items such as gym clothes and shoes separate from your other contents. These extras enable The Weekender to be a versatile kit to be used as a travel, work or gym companion; or all of them at once if you’d be going to work, travel and the gym regularly.

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One major downside

However, there are some downsides to note with The Weekender. Most notably, even if it has an integrated wet-bag, the main compartment itself isn’t waterproof. Such an inner lining could have been included for some extra peace-of-mind but as it is, The Weekender isn’t that appropriate for rainy weather.

Also, given that Ekster advertises the Travel Card as a handy add-on to the bag, the latter does not feature any transparent pocket or external attachment for the solar-powered tracker card. This means you’ll have to occasionally take out the tracker card to recharge it (solar energy is the only way to charge it; no USB port in this device); while it could have been recharged while you commute with the bag. 

A minor note is that Ekster sells only the all-black variant of The Weekender. While I personally find it classy, having more options would be welcome.

That said, if you won’t be using The Weekender in rainy conditions, then it will prove to be a premium, versatile accessory for your daily items whether it’s your tech, gym or wok accessories.

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Premium quality product
  • Spacious storage options
  • Padded compartment for tech devices
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Main compartment not waterproof
  • No options for other colour variants
8.5
out of 10

Overall

With The Weekender, Ekster yet again strikes a delicate balance between form and function, without compromising on either.
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