Antler Icon Overnight Bag review: stylish, premium and perfect for a night away

After the chaos of Black Friday, a few days off were exactly what I needed. It also happened to be my birthday on the Sunday of the Black Friday weekend, which meant my partner surprised me with a little getaway. Naturally, my mind immediately drifted to all the lovely things we’d be doing – but, being a lifestyle journalist, I also jumped straight to wondering what can I test, review and take with me?

This time, the answer was the Antler Icon Overnight Bag, which had recently landed in my review pile. I pulled it out, started packing and began making mental notes so I could share everything with you when I got back.

Antler Icon Overnight Bag review: price and availability

The Icon Overnight Bag comes in at £140/€175, and ships to multiple countries including the UK, Canada and many EU destinations. It’s available via Antler’s online store as well as John Lewis.

I’ve been testing the bag in black, but it also comes in dark khaki and sand, both of which are equally as stylish.

Antler Icon Overnight Bag review: design and features

Size wise, the Icon Overnight measures 26 x 41.5 x 18 cm, weighs just under 1kg, and has a 19-litre capacity. It’s made from 100% recycled polyester, which means it's eco-friendly whilst still feeling sturdy and premium. In terms of travel allowances, it will comfortably qualify as hand luggage on British Airways, but it’s a little too large for the free under-seat option on easyJet or Ryanair.

Carrying options are plentiful, which is something I really appreciated. You get a sturdy top handle, a detachable shoulder strap for hands-free carrying, and a trolley-handle sleeve that slides neatly over a suitcase.

Inside, the organisation is thoughtful and surprisingly roomy for a compact bag. There’s space for a 14-16 inch laptop, as well as a padded sleeve to keep it protected. You also get internal and external pockets, including a quick-access one for keys or your phone, and hidden compartments for passports and cables.

The bag has a slightly structured shape, which keeps everything looking tidy, and the water-resistant finish is really useful and far harder to find these days than you’d think.

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Antler Icon Overnight Bag review: performance

Overall, the Antler Icon Overnight Bag is one of the best-made and most stylish overnight bags I’ve tested. It feels luxurious, and the zip mechanism is wonderfully smooth. I particularly love the sleeve that slips over a suitcase handle, and whilst I didn’t use it on this trip since we stayed local, I know it’ll make airport travel so much easier next time.

One thing to be clear on is that the bag really does live up to its name. I made the mistake of being optimistic and assuming it would stretch to two or three nights, but was quickly proved wrong when packing. I managed to pack one outfit, one jumper, one pair of shoes, my straighteners and a wash bag, which meant no room for my laptop or Kindle. Unless you’re an exceptionally light packer, I’d stick to using this for very short trips or even day travel. That said, Antler markets it as an overnight bag, so I really can’t complain.

I also loved the wipe-clean fabric and water-resistant coating, which make it durable enough for real-life use whilst still looking premium. It’s definitely pricey, but in my opinion, it’s worth the investment.

Antler Icon Overnight Bag review: verdict

The Antler Icon Overnight Bag is one of the most high-quality and stylish overnight bags I’ve tested. It feels very premium, and the multiple carry options and water-resistant finish make it versatile. Just keep in mind that it really is an overnight bag, so it works perfectly for a quick 24-hour stay or day trip, but unless you’re a very light packer, it won’t stretch to a full weekend. For what it’s designed for though, Antler has absolutely nailed it, and despite the higher price tag, I’d say it’s worth every penny.

Antler Icon Overnight Bag review: alternatives to consider

If you’re after something that will comfortably take you through a weekend or even a week, I’d highly recommend the Antler Discovery Wheeled Duffel. It combines the flexibility of a holdall with the sturdiness of a suitcase, and it's 80-litre capacity is more than enough. However, if you want something compact and easy for short stays, stick with the Icon Overnight Bag.