Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandoulière vs Ghurka Cavalier II: which one should you buy?

Where they differ

The Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandoulière wins on keepall 55. The Ghurka Cavalier II answers with twill and leather duffle. Material: Monogram canvas on the Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandoulière, Twill and leather on the Ghurka Cavalier II. Size: 55 x 31 x 26 cm on the Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandoulière, 51 x 30 x 27 cm on the Ghurka Cavalier II. Hardware: Gold-color on the Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandoulière, Brass on the Ghurka Cavalier II. Made in: France on the Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandoulière, USA on the Ghurka Cavalier II.

Reasons to buy the Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandoulière

Roomy, Tough. What to accept: may not fit cabins. Usual price: $3,500–$4,000. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandoulière review.

Reasons to buy the Ghurka Cavalier II

Durable. What to accept: heavy. Usual price: $1,700–$2,100. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Ghurka Cavalier II review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best weekender bags has every other piece with its own call. Cabin size: most airlines allow about 55 × 40 × 20 cm; a 50 cm duffle usually fits, a 55 cm one may not when full.

Also consider the Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 50 ($3,300–$3,800): monogram canvas holdall that fits overhead bins. Buy it if you want the definitive designer weekender.

Also consider the Goyard Boeing 45 ($3,000–$3,600): hand-painted Goyardine canvas duffle. Buy it if you want a lighter, insider weekender.

Buyer tip

A canvas or nylon weekender with leather trim is the best mix of weight, durability and value; full-leather holdalls are beautiful but heavy.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT (around 20%), while US prices exclude sales tax, so a bag can look cheaper in Paris or Milan than it really is. Visitors from outside the EU and UK can often claim a VAT refund on purchases made in the EU, which is why many Americans buy Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès while travelling.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.