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• Travel Products
• Luggage + Bags
• Backpacks, Totes + Small Bags

The 11 Best Travel Purses of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Keep your belongings at your side with these T+L-approved travel purses.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Other Purses We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

Organization while traveling is key, so we recommend having one designated spot for storing travel essentials like a passport, money, and technology. While you can store these items in a bigger bag en route to your destination, a more portable bag like a purse, mini backpack, or sling bag may be a better option.

We consulted our Travel + Leisure staff as well as other industry experts across our team to get recommendations for travel purses that are tried and true by frequent fliers. We received  submissions from over 30 seasoned travelers for bags they've used anywhere from six months to over four years all around the globe. We selected 11 purses that received the highest praise and broke down why we think you’ll love them, too.

Best Overall

Lo & sons o.g. 2.

Lo & Sons

• Capacity 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Ease of Use 5 /5

The large purse has a pocket for every travel essential you could ever need to pack.

It can get heavy when it’s packed full.

Lo & Sons makes some of our favorite travel bags, so it’s no surprise that this one came highly recommended for its spacious capacity and superior organizational features. The large shoulder bag comes with a padded laptop pocket that can store and protect devices up to 13 inches long, or you can place a laptop up to 16 inches in the main compartment, but it won’t be in the padded section.

For any other travel essentials, this bag has you covered with plenty of small pockets in the main section of the bag for phone chargers and snacks, and there’s a water bottle pocket to stay hydrated on the go. The front zippered pocket has smaller pockets inside to store grab-and-go items like a phone, wallet, and passport. Best of all, the bag has a discrete side pocket for a pair of shoes when you're using it as an overnight bag. And, of course, the more you pack the nylon bag, the heavier it will get, but it does have a trolley sleeve for securing it to a suitcase if it feels cumbersome to carry.

The Details: 16.5 x 13.75 x 6.75 inches | Nylon, Nappa leather | Water resistant | 13-inch laptop pocket

Best Overall, Runner-up

Cheruty backpack purse.

The stylish backpack has a modular design so you can carry it three ways.

The anti-theft design makes it less convenient to grab items.

Versatility is key with a travel purse, so we love that this backpack purse can be carried in multiple ways. While the purse is designed for use as a backpack with the built-in backpack straps, it also has a top handle and removable crossbody strap to convert the style as desired. Our favorite part of the backpack is the anti-theft design featuring a main compartment that is only accessible from the back zipper. There is a front zippered pocket to store small items like lip balm or a phone charger and the interior has four zippered and slip pockets for staying organized. The anti-theft design makes it a little less convenient to grab items quickly, but it offers peace of mind in crowded spaces since it’s much more difficult for pickpocketing to occur. This bag also earned praise for being effortlessly stylish thanks to the sleek faux leather look over two dozen color options.

The Details: 12.6 x 5.9 x 12.6 inches | PU leather | Convertible | 9.7-inch laptop pocket

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Quince Revive Nylon Large Tote

The nylon material is super lightweight and easy to wipe-clean on the go.

It doesn’t have a top zipper.

Looking for a purse that’s easy to pack? Quince’s nylon tote bag is impressively lightweight whether you’re toting it around while sightseeing or packing it away in a bigger suitcase. While we love a leather bag, nylon material can be a safer option for travel since it’s easy to spot-clean with some soap and water on the go, and is typically lighter so it won’t weigh down your shoulder when packed full of the essentials. This tote’s interior has designated pockets for a laptop and water bottle, and various slip and zippered pockets to organize smaller items. For security reasons, it would be nice if the bag had a zip-top instead of a magnetic closure, but the slim design of the bag makes it easy to keep it close to you while traveling. The tote also has two exterior slip pockets and it comes in Oxford blue, olive, and black color options.

The Details: 17 x 13 x 7 inches | Recycled nylon | Water resistant | 15-inch laptop pocket

Best Shoulder Bag

Uniqlo round mini shoulder bag.

• Capacity 2 /5

The nylon bag is easy to compress and pack down for excellent portability.

It’s not big enough to store tablets or laptops.

Crescent bags are a bit more stylish than a traditional fanny pack, but the style offers similar security to a sling bag that rests on the upper body. The simplicity of this Uniqlo shoulder bag makes it an excellent choice for travelers in search of a packable bag to store the essentials. It’s big enough to carry a phone, wallet, passport, or other smaller items, but it isn’t large enough to hold laptops or tablets. If you need to consolidate your personal belongings before getting on an airplane, this nylon bag compresses down and can be folded up to seamlessly fit in a backpack or carry-on. The water-resistant bag is also machine washable and comes in seven earthy colors. And, the purse is the most affordable option on this list if you can’t choose just one color.

The Details: 11 x 7 x 3.9 inches | Nylon | Water resistant

Travel + Leisure / Abigail Moore

Best Fanny Pack

Dagne dover ace fanny pack.

Dagne Dover

• Quality 5 /5
• Capacity 4 /5

The spacious fanny pack is made with durable and waterproof neoprene fabric.

Dirt and dust are easily attracted to the fabric.

If you’re traveling somewhere damp or rainy, you’ll want a purse made of waterproof materials to protect your belongings. This Dagne Dover fanny pack is made with the brand’s signature neoprene material that wards off inclement weather and rough handling thanks to the thick cushion of the fabric. While we love the protective material, it is prone to catching dust and dirt, but it can be easily spot-cleaned so it isn’t a deal-breaker by any means. The interior is big enough to fit phones, wallets, eReaders, and sunglasses with plenty of room to spare, but it isn’t so large that it feels bulky to wear. The nylon strap can be adjusted to wear the fanny pack comfortably around the waist and shoulder or as a crossbody sling bag, which is ideal for versatility while traveling or running errands. There are several slip pockets and a zippered one in the front to store and organize small items and the fanny pack comes in six color options.

The Details: 9.25 x 5.5 x 2.75 inches | Neoprene | Water resistant

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best Crossbody

Baggallini everywhere bagg.

The lightweight materials and adjustable crossbody strap offer all-day comfort.

The interior could benefit from a divider to separate the spacious compartment.

The Baggallini Everywhere Bag is travel expert-endorsed largely due to the fact that it offers superior comfort compared to other crossbody bags on the market. The entire bag and strap are made of a lightweight nylon fabric that won’t rub or dig when it’s being worn across the body or as a shoulder bag. Large enough to fit an iPad or tablet, the purse has an impressive capacity for storing everything from the bare necessities like a wallet and keys to tech gadgets for air travel. The medium-size purse is chock full of pockets on the inside and outside, and there’s even a discrete side pocket for easy access to phones or wallets. The main compartment has a pocket for tablets and a few small slip pockets, but we wish there was a divider or more pockets to prevent items from getting lost in the bottom of the bag. We also love that there is a trolley sleeve in the back and the bag comes with an RFID-blocking removable wristlet as a thoughtful touch.

The Details: 11 x 9 x 5 inches | Nylon | Water resistant

Best Clutch

Radley london sundown avenue weave medium flapover clutch.

Radley London

• Capacity 3 /5
• Comfort 5 /5

The compact purse can be worn as a crossbody bag or carried as a clutch.

The chain strap is not adjustable.

For travel looks that require a chic purse to complete the outfit, we recommend this convertible clutch from Radley London. It’s made with high-quality genuine leather with a woven design and elegant gold hardware that gives the purse a truly elevated design. And for the best part: it comes with a removable chain to style the purse as a crossbody or carry it as a clutch for upscale events like weddings or fancy dinners. The chain strap is effortlessly chic, but we wish it was adjustable or slightly longer since the shorter chain is a bit awkward to use with the bag. The size is small enough to fit in a backpack or suitcase, and the magnetic-closing bag can fit various small items like lipstick, credit cards, and a phone.

The Details: 11 x 6 x 4 inches | Leather | Detachable chain strap

Best Packable

Longchamp le pliage original backpack.

The backpack can fold up to a fraction of its original size.

It doesn’t offer any pockets for organization.

If you don’t want your travel purse to count as a personal item or carry-on for flying, Longchamp’s packable mini backpack is a game-changer for saving space. While the bag is already smaller in size, it can fold up with the help of built-in snap-closures to compress the backpack into a small rectangle that packs flat. The bag can then be placed into a large piece of luggage for travel and unfolded to create the perfect purse for a day of sightseeing. It can hold bulkier items like a tablet, camera, water bottle, and wallet without feeling heavy or weighed down. One thing to note is that the bag doesn’t offer organizational features like pockets, so you may want to use a small pouch to organize smaller items. The recycled polyamide canvas backpack looks elegant and it comes in seven color options, but if backpacks aren’t your preferred way of carrying items, the brand also carries a similar packable Le Pliage Original Tote Bag that came highly recommended by T+L travel experts, too.

The Details: 11 x 10.2 x 3.9 inches | Recycled polyamide canvas

Best Machine Washable

Baggu nylon crescent bag.

• Value 4.8 /5

You can toss this nylon bag in a washing machine after a trip for hassle-free upkeep.

Consider air-drying the bag to prevent pilling or shrinkage.

Traveling can speed up the typical wear and tear on a purse, especially for frequent fliers, so this machine-washable bag from Baggu makes it easy to breathe new life into it after trips. Baggu bags are notorious for being easy to pack and this larger crescent purse is no exception thanks to the flexible nylon material that can easily be compressed and folded. The medium size is surprisingly spacious with a large main section for water bottles, snacks, wallets, and a travel tablet , and two slip pockets for lip balm and keys. Plus, the nylon strap is adjustable for the most comfortable fit whether the bag is packed to the brim or with just a few items. Since all travelers have different styles, we love that the bag comes in various solid colors and bold prints to please everyone. While the bag is machine washable, we recommend hanging it up to air dry to prevent any shrinking or damage from a dryer.

The Details: 13.75 x 8 x 4 inches | Recycled heavyweight nylon

Longchamp Le Pliage Filet Mesh Bag

The material has plenty of stretch so it can hold bigger items like beach towels and jackets.

You’ll want to store keys and lip balm in a separate pouch since smaller items can fall through the mesh.

Whether vacationing somewhere tropical or swinging by the farmer’s market, this Longchamp mesh bag is a must-pack. Compact and easy to store in a bigger purse, the bag turns into a Mary Poppins bag once you begin packing it. From jean jackets to beach towels, the cotton mesh material has the slightest bit of stretch to hold bulkier items without anything falling through the perforated design. It can also store fruit, veggies, and flowers if you come across an unexpected farmer’s market while traveling. For smaller items, we recommend using a smaller pouch to keep keys, lip balm, and other skinny items safeguarded from the netting. Depending on your personal style, the bag comes in six color options featuring neutrals like white and brown or bolder colors like pink and green.

The Details: 15 x 12.2 inches | Cotton, gold hardware

Best for Laptops

John fluevog shoes nashua laptop bag.

John Fluevog Shoes

• Value 4.5 /5

This compact laptop bag comes with tote handles and a crossbody strap that offers both a comfortable and convertible design.

Larger laptops might be a tighter fit.

This recommended John Fluvog leather laptop purse offers protection for your technology while traveling. It’s basically a laptop case with straps to carry it as a crossbody or tote bag, so we love that it’s specifically designed for computers. The removable crossbody strap is made with the same soft leather material and it boasts two little pockets to store small items like lip balm or earbuds that are easy to access from the strap. The interior has a designated slip pocket that can store laptops up to 15 inches long, but anything bigger might be a tight squeeze or not fit at all. Aside from a laptop, travelers can store small water bottles, snacks, notebooks, headphones, or any other essentials in the spacious main compartment. There is a front zippered pocket to conveniently access boarding passes or a phone while traveling. With several color and texture options, shoppers have the choice between black and blue color options made with soft pebbled leather and a brown color made with sleek smooth leather.

The Details: 15 x 11.25 x 2.25 inches | Pebbled leather

Other Travel Purses We Liked

Several travel purses still came highly recommended, but didn’t have as much praise compared to our winner’s list.

Madewell The Transport Saddlebag : The crossbody bag has lots of space to hold travel essentials, but the leather strap isn’t the most comfortable for long periods of time.

Senreve Midi Maestra Bag : We love that the modular design makes it easy to carry the bag in three different ways, but the medium size is a bit awkward for travel since it’s too small to hold a laptop and too bulky to pack in a suitcase.

With recommendations from T+L editors and other trusted travel experts on our team, we compiled this of tried-and-true travel purses. While we accepted all submissions, we narrowed the list down to 11 options that stood out for quality, capacity, and portability. Each bag recommended has been used for at least six months (some have been tested for over four years) and has traveled all around the world with us on various trip types.

Tips for Buying a Travel Purse

Know your storage and organization needs.

Whether you’re a minimalist or maximalist packer, there’s a travel purse out there to fit your needs. For travelers in need of extra space for larger wallets or laptops, we recommend a tote bag or medium-size backpack that often have designated pockets for items of different sizes. Crossbody, sling, and shoulder bags are best for storing just the essentials like phones, credit cards, earbuds, or a small wallet. For an even more streamlined option, a phone purse could be a good choice.

Prioritize comfort

Comfort while traveling is essential, so if you know you’re an over-packer, opt for a backpack or purse with thick, padded straps to help distribute the weight and provide cushioning. In general, you want to look for bags that don't have thin straps (often crossbody bags) since this can often cause discomfort or rubbing.

Think about anti-theft protection

Pickpocketing is a very real threat when traveling and the best way to avoid it is by making sure all of your valuables aren’t easily accessible. Anti-theft protection in travel purses can vary, but the common traits include discrete pockets in the back or interior of the purse, lockable zippers, and cut-resistant fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

A personal item is anything (allowed on an airplane, of course) that can fit underneath the seat. That means that purses, backpacks, totes, shopping bags, or laptop cases can count as your allotted personal item. If the airline is strict about personal items, you can always stick your purse inside of a backpack or carry-on to consolidate the number of items.

It depends on the material the purse is made out of and the type of fabric lining. In general, purses should come with manufacturing cleaning instructions, but if not, you can always opt for some soap and water to gently spot clean until you can get the bag professionally cleaned or into a washing machine if allowed.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L commerce writer, Anna Popp , writes nearly all of the team’s Travel + Leisure Tested articles and participates in product testing from luggage and shoes to outdoor gear and apparel. Anna sifted through testing notes from dozens of bag submissions and pulled from her knowledge of travel accessories to recommend the best travel purses.

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Protect Your Trip »

The 12 best travel purses of 2024.

From hands-free to anti-theft options, discover the ideal companion for your journey.

The Best Travel Purses

Courtesy of Lo & Sons

When you're planning a trip, a key wardrobe decision is determining what purse works best for your itinerary. You may want anti-theft features and compartments with space for glasses, passports, sunscreen and more – but you can also find plenty of extras like built-in wallets, hidden pockets and key ring attachments. There's a wide range of different styles on the market to suit your travel purse needs.

To help narrow the options, the editors at U.S. News along with travel experts researched and shared their go-to bags for all of life's adventures.

The Top Travel Purses of 2024

U.S. News editors researched dozens of review sites, including Amazon, online retailers, travel industry review sites and more, to come up with this selection of the best travel purses.

Best Overall: TUMI Voyageur Tyler Crossbody

• Jump to features and traveler insights ↓

Best Crossbody: Lug Skeeter Convertible Crossbody

Best for europe: minooy eirene crossbody bag, best anti-theft: travelon anti-theft crossbody bag, best shoulder bag: vera bradley glenna satchel, best messenger bag: tory burch nylon small messenger, best backpack purse: calpak luka mini backpack.

• Best Small Travel Purse: Lo & Sons The Waverly 2 Small

Best Packable: LeSportsac Deluxe Everyday Bag

Best belt bag: dagne dover ace fanny pack, best sling bag: cluci small sling bag for women, best clutch: consuela thunderbird uptown crossbody.

(Note: Prices were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand or other factors. We update this article quarterly to ensure the bags we're recommending are in stock and continue to have great overall reviews from consumers, while also considering new product launches. Dimensions are listed in order of length by height by width.)

Courtesy of TUMI

Dimensions: 10.3 x 10 x 1.8 inches | Weight: 0.9 pounds | Colors: Five, including black with gold hardware and indigo

What sets it apart: This sleek design blends fashion with function. The Tyler Crossbody by TUMI has multiple organizational features, including a spacious main compartment for a passport, camera and other personal essentials; a U-shaped front pocket with a leather card pocket and key leash; two front zippered pockets; and a back slip pocket. The upscale nylon construction is durable yet polished and it can be spot cleaned for when those spills happen. What's more, the detachable leather charm can be monogrammed.

Travelers appreciate: Buyers love this bag because of all the pockets and separate compartments that keep everything organized and quick to find. They say the nylon has an upscale feel, and the overall design works perfectly for travel or daily use.

Price: $295 or less Shop now: TUMI | Amazon | Zappos | Macy's

Dimensions: 6 x 8 x 3 inches | Weight: 0.75 pounds | Colors: Multiple colors and prints, including red with white polka dots and solid options such as black or kelly green

If you love organizational details, the Lug Skeeter is a multicompartment crossbody bag with plenty of potential. You can leave your wallet at home and utilize the front compartment's built-in wallet, with its clear ID window and RFID protection, along with the bungee key ring that allows you to easily find your keys. There's a lined slip pocket with magnetic closure for quick access to your phone − making snapping a selfie oh-so-easy. The main compartment can fit your camera, snacks and personal essentials, with a plastic-lined zippered pocket for sunscreen, lotion or other small liquids. The back zippered compartment is ideal for wipes, a passport or other necessities.

Travelers appreciate: Owners of this style love the material of this bag, which comes in a variety of fun colors and prints. It's wipeable and water-repellent, so that spilled latte or sudden downpour won't be a problem. You can remove the adjustable strap and carry the bag with the top handle, depending on the needs of the day. Plus, the charm bar is a fun way to customize your handbag.

Price: $80 or less Shop now: QVC | Amazon | Luglife

Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.64 x 2.48 inches | Weight: 1.34 pounds | Colors: Black, brown, caramel and coffee

What sets it apart: When traveling abroad, versatility is key, and this chic design by Minooy offers just that. Constructed of high-quality full-grain leather in a choice of four classic colors, this multicompartment travel purse is packed with details. The separate main zippered pocket keeps everything from lipstick to a phone cord in its place. The crossbody bag offers understated luxury, the RFID-blocking internal compartment has six card slots, and the outside zippered pocket can hold up to an iPhone 14 Pro Max or Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Expert review: Marisa Méndez , senior travel editor at U.S. News, adores this purse. "I love how soft the leather is on this bag as well as all of the pockets and loops for organization," says Mendez. "My favorite feature is that the entire bag is RFID-blocking so I don't need to worry about carrying a wallet; I can just use the card slots in the bag."

Price: $159 or less Shop now: Minooy

Dimensions: 11.5 x 13.5 x 2.25 inches | Weight: 0.9 pounds | Colors: Multiple colors and prints, including wine-colored roses and solids like black or spruce

What sets it apart: Protecting your valuables is always important, but when you're traveling it's even more vital. This bag features Travelon's patented five-point anti-theft system, which includes slash-resistant handles and mesh panels within the walls of the bag. The bag also offers RFID protection, a locked main compartment, and the ability to fasten the bag to a chair or post to deter a thief in a restaurant, train station or airport.

Travelers appreciate: The lightweight construction of the bag, combined with the theft-proof security features and multiple pockets, makes this a traveler favorite. Owners of this bag say it holds all of your travel essentials from passports to sunglasses, and that it holds up well after years of use.

Price: $70 or less Shop now: Travelon | Amazon

Courtesy of Vera Bradley

Dimensions: 11 x 12.25 x 8 inches | Weight: 0.88 pounds | Colors: Multiple prints, such as paisley and plaid or solids like green and navy

What sets it apart: Machine-washable and available in an array of eye-catching prints to suit your style, the Glenna Satchel is a large shoulder bag ideal for city adventures, day trips, shore excursions and daily activities. The spacious main compartment has a zip pocket and three slips, along with room for a book, tablet, planner, phone and wallet. There are two exterior slip pockets to stow things like maps or handouts, and a hidden zip pocket on the outside as well to secure smaller items. For added options, the drawstring adjusts the size of the bag depending on your needs.

Travelers appreciate: Fans of this bag praise the functionality and the pretty print options of the satchel. Though, some do note that the straps could be longer.

Price: $110 or less Shop now: Vera Bradley | Amazon

Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.1 x 3.9 inches | Weight: 0.9 pounds | Colors: Black

What sets it apart: Constructed with a 100% recycled nylon shell and trimmed in leather, this design gives major '90s vibes in all the best ways. The unstructured messenger bag is perfect for travel with an interior compartment for your wallet, phone, keys and more, plus an interior slit pocket and zippered pocket to keep valuables secured. The front exterior pocket of the bag zips, and the back slit pocket is ideal for your phone or items you want to reach quickly. Finished with a magnetic closure flap and a removable crossbody strap, this bag adds an element of style to your travel wardrobe.

Travelers appreciate: Lightweight, practical and functional are a few of the words bag owners use to describe this messenger bag. They say it works well for sightseeing, and that the bag can hold a lot without looking clunky or overstuffed.

Price: $248 or less Shop now: Tory Burch | Amazon

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Dimensions: 10.75 x 8.75 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Colors: 16 options, including gold and lilac

What sets it apart : Designed with travel in mind, this mini backpack has a luggage trolley sleeve and matches the duffels and other items in the CALPAK Luka collection. You can put your tablet, wallet and other must-haves in the interior compartment; your cell phone and a travel umbrella in the exterior side pockets; your passport in the hidden back zippered pocket; and other items in the front zippered compartment. The bag's lining is water-resistant, the puffy exterior is soft and comfortable to carry, and the straps are adjustable to suit your needs.

Travelers appreciate: The compact and functional design is a key selling point for owners of this bag. They like that it fits an iPad, reading material, a wallet and even a camera. Plus, it's possible to coordinate your purse with other CALPAK luggage items. However, some note the two exterior side pockets could be slightly larger, as they can't hold a water bottle.

Price: $72 or less Shop now: CALPAK

Best Small Travel Purse: Lo & Sons The Waverly 2 Small

Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 2 inches | Weight: 0.6 pounds | Colors: More than 25 color and fabric options, including black saffiano leather or cognac cactus leather

What sets it apart: For a compact design with adaptability, this Lo & Sons design checks all the boxes. This convertible style has a two-part strap to transform into a belt bag, crossbody, clutch, shoulder bag or wristlet with ease. The neatly organized interior compartment has space for your phone and essentials with a three-slot zippered pocket, an interior slip pocket, and an exterior card slot ideal for a room key or transit card. Offered in a choice of natural-grain nappa leather, scratch-resistant textured Saffiano leather or plant-based cactus leather, this style can easily go from day to night or boardroom to ballgame.

Travelers appreciate: Buyers of this bag really like the option to adjust the strap to suit the day's events. They compliment the quality construction and overall look, with many saying it's great for travel because it can easily fit into a duffel or backpack.

Price: $210 or less Shop now: Lo & Sons

Dimensions: 14 x 9.75 x 5 inches | Weight: 0.84 pounds | Colors: More than 20 options for solids and patterns, including black and seasonal prints

What sets it apart: Made of recycled ripstop nylon, this lightweight and durable handbag can easily be packed into your suitcase and pulled out for use when you arrive at your destination. It lays flat when not full of your belongings. This roomy travel purse has plenty of space in its two main compartments for a wallet, water bottle, cell phone, on-the-go necessities and a few fun things you find along the way. The front has two exterior zippered pockets, and there's a back zippered pocket as well. With the adjustable crossbody strap, the bag can also be worn as a shoulder bag. What's more, LeSportsac continuously adds to the color and pattern choices in this classic bag with everything from Peanuts characters to florals or plaid.

Travelers appreciate: Handbag owners rave about the pockets, durability and color options for this style. Many note while it is great for travel, it's also ideal for everyday use with plenty of space for everything.

Price: $105 or less Shop now: LeSportsac | Amazon

Courtesy of Dagne Dover

Dimensions: 9.25 x 5.5 x 2.75 inches | Weight: 0.3 pounds | Colors: 12 options across neoprene and mesh materials, including black, navy and ube purple

What sets it apart: Offered in a choice of neoprene or air mesh, this versatile option is U.S. News' top fanny pack pick . This hands-free belt bag has an adjustable belt, a small front zip pocket (a great spot to stash cash for tipping) and a back panel exterior credit card. The roomy main compartment comes equipped with an elastic loop, a key clip and a card pocket to keep things easy to find.

Travelers appreciate: Wearers of this belt bag like the quality construction, color options and the overall versatility of the design. They also compliment the fabrication and say it holds the essentials without being bulky.

Price: $95 or less Shop now: Dagne Dover | Nordstrom | Saks Fifth Avenue

Dimensions: 10.6 x 6.5 x 2.95 inches | Weight: 0.7 pounds | Colors: Nearly 20 options, from dark coffee to apricot

What sets it apart: Available in a wide variety of colors, this hands-free crossbody bag is perfect for those on the go. The three zippered pockets are roomy enough for travel essentials like keys, sunglasses, lipstick, wallet and sunscreen. Place your ID and credit cards in the five interior card slots, so you can leave your wallet at home. The back pocket of this sling bag is ideal for keeping important items close to your body to prevent theft, and the adjustable strap makes it comfortable to carry.

Expert review: "My favorite travel purse is the vegan leather crossbody bag by CLUCI," says Sharael Kolberg , a U.S. News travel contributor. "Not only is it environmentally and animal-friendly, it's also stylish and easily fits my wallet, passport, reusable water bottle and snacks. Plus, the front pocket allows easy access to my smartphone."

Price: $25.99 or less Shop now: Amazon

Courtesy of Consuela

Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Color: Antique white

Perfect for a night out on the town, exploring the city or even running errands, this clutch style is essentially a wallet that can be carried as a clutch or wristlet, or worn as a crossbody. Its eye-catching snake print exterior is trimmed in natural leather and adorned with a hand-woven friendship bracelet, a tassel charm and a hand-painted leather bag tag. There's also an exterior zippered pocket. Open the magnetic closure to reveal two interior zippered compartments for essentials, along with six card slots.

Expert review: "I bought this purse on a whim after seeing it in a Facebook ad, and it's my favorite wallet-style crossbody among all I have owned," says U.S. News travel contributor Holly Johnson .

Price: $215 or less Shop now: Consuela

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Rachael Hood has had a serious love for handbags her entire life. For everything from daily errands to global journeys, she has tried a variety of travel purse styles from an array of brands, discovering the good, the bad and the very best options. For this article, Hood used her personal experience along with retail merchandising background and research expertise to curate this list.

You might also be interested in:

• Editor Picks: The Top Travel Accessories
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• The Top Carry-on Luggage Pieces

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The 17 Best Travel Purses of 2024 for the Stylish Jetsetter, Tested & Reviewed

Including crossbody bags, shoulder bags, and RFID-protected options.

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Our Testing Process

What to keep in mind, your questions, answered, why shop with us.

InStyle / Alli Waataja

Your favorite shoulder purse might be perfect for brunch or wearing out for drinks with friends — but would you take it on a plane? The answer might be “no,” because while aesthetically pleasing, not all purses have enough useful features to work well in transit.

“For me, a great travel purse has a balance of organization, durability, and design ,” says travel creator and digital storyteller, Alexa Moore , who has traveled to 49 countries. “Travel takes you often through different environments, from sightseeing in a quaint city to rushing through an airport, and everything in between,” which is why having something that can withstand it all is important. And this is not to be mistaken with a travel bag , which is slightly bigger and can hold a few outfits. It’s all about purses here, namely ones vetted by editors and travel experts . Find the best in show here and add one to your cart ahead of your summer holiday.

Best Overall

Dagne dover landon carryall bag.

Dagne Dover

What We Love: It’s durable, organized, and sold in five sizes, so if you want to match your purse to your duffel, you can.

What We Don’t Love: The neoprene needs to be reshaped if you wash it.

We’re big fans of Dagne Dover at InStyle, having written about the backpacks and weekend bags many times over. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the brand tops this list, too. Even though the viral Landon bag comes in five sizes (and eight colors), for a purse, we recommend going for the XS or S sizes because it will hold all your essentials — and work as a personal item on the plane — without being too cumbersome. It can be carried by its top handles or adjustable, detachable crossbody strap , giving you that much-needed versatility while on the go. Both sizes offer plenty of space with organization capabilities and an exterior pocket for storing your phone; however, the small size might be a touch more useful because it specifically features an added tablet sleeve, a large interior zip pocket, a mesh pocket on each end of the interior, and a detachable key leash connected to an included Air Mesh Pouch — all of which proved necessary when traveling.

Like all of the Dagne Dover products, the neoprene, while durable, still needs to be reshaped if you plan to wash it, and if not stored properly, it can gain permanent wrinkles in the fabric. And if you need a little less room, say, for a quick weekend flight or a road trip, New York City-based fashion stylist Audree Kate López , also recommends The Dagne Dover Micah Crossbody , which is a more traditional purse silhouette and more slender.

Material: Neoprene | Dimensions: 14 (W) x 9 (H) x 4.5 (D) inches | Colors:  4

Best Budget

Lands' end all purpose messenger bag.

What We Love: There’s a padded laptop sleeve in the interior.

What We Don’t Love: The material felt a little thin.

Traveling is already expensive as is, so we completely understand if you want to save where you can. We originally tested this bag for our crossbody bags story and quickly learned it doubles as a great traveling companion. The main compartment closes completely with a zip but opens up wide so it’s easy to pack . Inside there was a padded laptop pocket with a velcro security strap. On the exterior two pockets, we kept some of our essentials, but the simple snap-button closure made us worry sometimes for their security. The bag was lightweight and easy to carry around, particularly due to its cushioned shoulder strap. It’s not the most stylish option of them all, but it has plenty of features and comes with an affordable price tag.

Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 14.75 (W) x 11 (H) x 5.5 (D) inches | Colors:  1

InStyle / Jhett Thompson

Cuyana Sling Bag

What We Love: It’s made of recycled plastic bottles.

What We Don’t Love: There isn’t a ton of structure to the bag.

If you’re only allowed two personal items on the plane, you may as well get something large enough to fit a few vacation outfits. We tested this sling bag by stuffing it with a bunch of essentials, and it kept giving way to more space and consuming whatever we placed into it. A jacket was easily folded into the pouch alongside our laptop and the bag was still able to fully zip . Because the canvas material was so lightweight (not to be mistaken with flimsy, quite to the contrary it was very strong ), no matter how much we stuffed into the bag it didn’t weigh us down. We love that it’s knitted from recycled landfill plastic as well.

Material: Global recycle standard-certifies landfill plastic | Dimensions: 12.5 (W) x 18 (H) x 6 (D) inches | Colors:  2

Best Water-Resistant

The north face base camp voyager.

What We Love: The exterior is abrasion-resistant, on top of water-resistant.

What We Don’t Love: It’s not particularly stylish.

Rain or shine, you want to go sightseeing in your new town. If you’re carrying around some valuables, it’s important to keep them dry and safe while on the move. Enter this Base Camp messenger bag. It has a water and abrasion-resistant exterior that protects not just what’s inside, but the outside from looking worn down. We found the strap to be very wide and distributed the weight equally on our shoulders. It had just the right amount of compartments that allowed us to organize without feeling overwhelmed by the pocket options. We especially loved the key strap!

Material: Recycled polyester tarpaulin | Dimensions: 16.5 (W) x 10.8 (H) x 4.5 (D) inches | Colors:  4

Best for Organization

Bellroy tokyo work bag.

Backcountry

What We Love: There’s even a little water bottle holder on the side.

What We Don’t Love: It’s not water-resistant.

Anyone privy to losing all their stuff in the black hole that is their purse will benefit from this work bag. While not technically a purse, the Tokyo Work Bag was too good of a travel bag that we had to include it here. There was a compartment for absolutely all our needs , including a padded laptop sleeve, tablet slip, pockets for notepads and sunglasses, and a water bottle holder on the exterior. If we needed to find something, it never took more than three seconds to do so. We continued to be impressed with the capacity and comfort of this bag, making it an excellent travel companion.

Material: Recycled polyester | Dimensions: 17.3 (W) x 14.2 (H) x 6.3 (D) inches | Colors:  3

Best Splurge

Milaner woven handbag.

What We Love: It has the design and quality of a designer bag but for a fraction of the price.

What We Don’t Love: The snap closure feels a little less safe during travels.

If you want the quality of a designer leather bag but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, we found this option to be equal in style and luxury but for a fourth of the price . The woven bag (which is both chic and trending right now) is handcrafted in Italy using genuine leather. The interior features a deliciously soft suede which not only looks opulent but protects our belongings from scratches as well. We’ve used this bag as a personal item to Palm Springs and got an incredible amount of use out of it. Because it carried just about anything including laptops, books, cameras, change of clothes, and all our other essentials, it functioned both as a carry-on bag and a sight-seeing purse. Unfortunately, it has a snap closure instead of a zippered closure, which makes things feel slightly less secure during trips. But if you’re confident in your ability to keep everything safe, the bag is well worth the splurge.

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 20 (W) x 14 (H) x 3 (D) inches | Colors:  9

Best for International Travel

Athleta all about crossbody.

What We Love: The crescent shape is spacious and comfortable to carry under your arm for safe-keeping while traveling abroad.

What We Don’t Love: It has no outside pockets.

When we traveled internationally, we turned to this Athleta crossbody bag. Its lightweight nature made it easy to move through busy airports and unfamiliar cities without weighing us down. “This is a fanny pack meets crossbody — it’s spacious, close to your body (so it’s no-fuss while walking around) and lightweight, so you can roll or fold it into luggage,” López says. The bag, which is made in part with recycled water bottles and comes in three versatile neutrals, features a wide adjustable strap, a key leash, and a spacious interior to easily store a phone, wallet, passport, hotel key, and more.

Material: Polyester | Dimensions: ​​12.25 (W) x 7.5 (H) x 4 (D) inches | Colors:  3

Best Backpack

Paravel mini fold-up backpack.

What We Love: The lightweight backpack is made sustainably using water-resistant nylon.

What We Don’t Love: It costs extra to get it customized.

You would think just any backpack would do for travel, and then you try this option from Paravel and realize you’ve been mistaken all along. This backpack is made of ultra-lightweight durable nylon that not only feels as light as a feather but has a water-resistant finish to it. So even if you’re schlepping your way through the rain to your Airbnb, you don’t have to worry about your essentials getting soiled. On top of that, it comes with a convenient little pouch that you can fold the backpack into, making it extremely easy to transport when not in use. It hardly takes up any space, so you could even keep the pouch in your purse if you know you’ll need an extra bag (say for groceries) while out and about. It fits an impressive amount of items into the bag, including a change of clothes, water bottles, passports, and more. The fact that you can customize it to include your initials is just the icing on the cake, although it will cost you an extra few dollars.

Material: Recycled plastic bottled nylon | Dimensions: 10 (W) x 12 (H) x 6 (D) inches | Colors: 6

Best Anti-Theft

Arden cove crissy full crossbody.

What We Love: The waterproof bag not only has a lot of room for essentials, but an RFID-blocking wallet built-in and locking zippers for additional security.

What We Don’t Love: The straps feel flimsy and thin.

If you’re super worried about being pick-pocketed (or losing anything), we recommend the Arden Cove Crissy Full Crossbody. The waterproof, slash-proof bag is designed with a large main zip compartment with a smaller front zip compartment. The main compartment contains two additional slip pockets and a key ring for easy organization, while the smaller one offers a built-in wallet made of RFID-blocking material, which accommodates eight cards and a few bills. Additionally, the zippers on this bag lock together, so nobody will be able to slyly steal your belongings. It comes in eight different colors, including neutrals and some punchy jewel tones.

Material: Waterproof nylon | Dimensions: 8.5 (W) x 6.5 (H) x 3.5 (D) inches | Colors:  8

Nomatic Navigator Sling

What We Love: There is anti-theft protection on it with ample amounts of organizational capabilities.

What We Don’t Love: The hard shell makes it less flexible and hard to pack when not in use.

We were incredibly impressed with this thoughtfully designed sling bag. This was truly made with the traveler in mind, with anti-theft protection , organizational features, and a water-repellent exterior . There was ample space, pockets, and hidden slits to carry just about everything we could need on a day out, including our 17-inch tablet, makeup, sanitizers, wallets, passports, and keys (in the keyholder). There’s even a water bottle holder on the exterior of the bag, which turned out to be an appreciated feature that allowed us to maximize the space inside the bag. There’s an RFID front card pocket which, although unlikely, is designed to protect our contactless credit cards from being accessed. And thanks to the charging cable hole, we could charge our electronics while on the go and still use our devices.

Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 9 (W) x 13.5 (H) x 4 (D) inches | Colors:  2

InStyle / Hang Pham

Best Belt Bag

Calpak luka belt bag.

What We Love: It’s spacious, organized, and sold in a bunch of colors.

What We Don’t Love: The lighter colors stain easily.

InStyle contributor Rebecca Norris owns this belt bag in six colors — that’s how much she loves and uses it. Most recently, it accompanied her on a 12-day trip through Europe, allowing her to zip through the airport and explore new cities without any trouble. But at home, she still uses it for casual errands, shopping trips, and gym seshes, so trust us, it’ll be useful even when not in transit.

We appreciate how roomy it is compared to other belt bags. The spacious bag features a trendy puffy exterior with a back zip pocket that can sit on our chest or waist. Inside, there’s a front mesh zip pocket and a back opaque zip pocket, which makes grouping items a cinch. The bag is sold in 15 colors, as well as a new miniature size if you prefer something a bit smaller (and something more in line with the often sold-out Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag.) Both sizes, though, work with the Luka key pouch, an additional accessory that clips onto the band for a smidge more storage — we recommend it for items that get easily lost in a purse or you wouldn’t want to be mixed with other items (i.e. dog treats). Just be careful with the lighter colors as they tend to stain easily.

Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 11 (W) x 5.5 (H) x 3.5 (D) inches | Colors: 15

InStyle / Taylor Calta

Béis East To West Tote

What We Love: There are ample amounts of compartments for perfect organization.

What We Don’t Love: The top zip doesn’t close all the way.

The Beis East to West Tote was our favorite travel tote in our tote bag roundup , so it only makes sense to reiterate all the reasons why we loved it here. This bag was intentionally designed for the aesthetically inclined traveler. We were met with every compartment we could want without it being overwhelming — a laptop sleeve, passport slot, water bottle socket, and even a key strap helped to keep everything organized. And still, there was enough space in the middle for spare clothes, snacks, books, and more.

We could carry it on the top handle or the detachable shoulder strap, but even more impressive was the sleeve intended for suitcase handles. We simply plopped the bag on top of our suitcase and it remained flush against the handle without falling off.

Material: Nylon, recycled polyester | Dimensions: 17.13 (W) x 14.17 (H) x 9.06 (D) inches | Colors:  2

Best Shoulder Bag

Polène numéro dix.

What We Love: You can wear it as a shoulder or crossbody bag.

What We Don’t Love: The hard cover makes it more difficult to pack in suitcases.

We’re going to take a wild guess here and assume you’d like to travel in style, in which case we recommend this gorgeous shoulder bag from Polène. The Parisian label has become somewhat of a superstar on social media, thanks to its luxurious materials (in this case, Italian textured calf leather) and designs. Author of this roundup Bianca Kratky owns this bag and has been using it non-stop for adventures where she needs to carry her essentials, keep her hands free, and look chic. Despite its crescent shape and smaller size, the bag fits an impressive number of items in it. Valuables like phones, wallets, AirPods, keys, chapstick, and hand cream fit in like a dream. She can wear it over the shoulder, or extend the strap to become a crossbody bag. While its hard cover makes it a little more difficult to pack, Kratky’s tip is to stuff it with socks and underwear before placing it in the suitcase.

Material: Italian pebbled calf leather | Dimensions: 9.4 (W) x 7.9 (H) x 3 (D) inches | Colors: 17

Best for Work

Everlane luxe italian leather tote.

What We Love: The sleek Italian leather still looks luxurious after three years of use.

What We Don’t Love: The top can’t be closed.

We’ve used this tote for the office as well as on business trips because its sleek exterior and spacious interior make it ideal for such occasions. And of course, knowing that style icon Meghan Markle is out there somewhere carrying the same bag makes us feel pretty cool. It’s made of smooth Italian leather and features one slip pocket on the interior. It’s big enough to fit our 15-inch laptop, a sweater, books, snacks, a toiletry bag , and more , which is why it’s been so useful during our long hauls across the country. It’s weathered the last three years pretty well, despite our not-so-gentle handling.

Material: Italian leather | Dimensions: 20.8 (W) x 12.8 (H) x 7 (D) inches | Colors:  3

Best Crossbody

Fossil carlie leather satchel bag.

What We Love: It zips completely closed and fits an impressive amount of items in.

What We Don’t Love: When the bag isn’t full, the shape isn’t as rectangular and folds in softly.

Kratky’s first big-girl purchase was this bag from Fossil (or at least an earlier version of it from six years ago). She intended it as her travel bag while she rucksacked her way around the world. For 365 days, this was the bag she used to carry her passport, camera, snacks, tickets, phone, and notepad . It was ideal because it came with both a top handle and a crossbody strap , making it cute for strolls into cities and practical when her hands needed to be free.

It closes completely with a zip , making it safe from any theft. The bag opens up impressively wide as well — Kratky never had to leave anything behind as everything always miraculously fit. When it’s half empty, however, the bag looks less rectangular, collapsing into itself a little. Because the leather weathered all the hustle and bustle so well, it's still in great condition. She’s keeping it to hand down to her children one day, when they’re ready to go off and explore the world, too.

Material: Leather, polyurethane | Dimensions: 10 (W) x 8 ( H) x 5.5 (D) inches | Colors:  2

Best Convertible

We the free soho convertible sling.

Free People

What We Love: It has various compartments and can be worn as a sling or backpack. 

What We Don’t Love: The non-traditional shape might be a bit oblong for larger items.

While many bags these days are convertible from crossbody to shoulder iterations, fewer can be worn as a sling and a backpack. But that’s exactly what this rugged leather convertible sling from Free People can do. “I love the zippered details and all the color options,” says travel content creator Alli Talley . But aside from looks, the bag has three compartments , so you can easily keep your items organized. The vaguely triangular shape might make storing larger items inside a bit more challenging, but we promise it is still a roomy bag — and it allows you to easily go hands-free.

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 10 (W) x 14 (H) x 5.5 (D) inches | Colors:  7

Best Lightweight

Baggu fanny pack.

What We Love: Despite how lightweight it is, it’s extremely durable.

What We Don’t Love: The strap is a little slim, and a bigger version would have felt more secure on the body.

We’ve tested a bunch of bags from Baggu thus far, and their materials always impress us with how durable yet lightweight they are. This one has the bonus of being extremely spacious, despite its compact size. Not unlike a Mary Poppins bag, you can keep placing items in it and it always seems to be able to take in more, be it books, notepads, wallets, snacks, makeup, chapstick, and more. The fanny pack can be worn across the hips, chest, and over your shoulders, all of which leave your hands free for exploration.

Material: Nylon, recycled nylon | Dimensions: 8 (W) x 6.5 (H) x 2 (D) inches | Colors: 16

Our editors evaluated their go-to bags on ease of use, transportability, safety, compartmentalization, and quality of material . To cover all of our bases, our team also called in a variety of internet-popular bags for testing. Bags with thoughtful design features, like a waterproof exterior or a packing pouch, received high remarks.

• Size: Purses come in all shapes and sizes, and if you need to carry a lot of items while traveling, a clutch isn't going to work. With this in mind, it’s important to consider your essentials while traveling to determine what size works best for you. If you plan on carrying no more than your phone, wallet, and keys, a smaller bag works great. Anything more, like a laptop or water bottle, a larger silhouette makes more sense. No matter what your needs, López says to avoid micro bags, as they’re just not realistic while traveling.
• Material: The material of your travel purse can determine two things: how durable it is and how formal it looks. Generally speaking, Moore says that leather is the most durable — and it’s arguably the most professional in appearance, too, hence why we love the Everlane The Luxe Italian Leather Tote and the Polène Numero Dix bags. She also recommends nylon, which is renowned for its weather-resistant finish. “Leather or nylon will always fare best,” she assures us. That’s because in addition to being strong materials, they’re harder to scuff or stain, and they’re easy to wipe down.
• Functionality: We love a pretty purse but when traveling, function is of the utmost importance. “As far as design, a good travel purse is something crossbody — it allows you to keep the bag close to your body and makes it far more difficult to be taken off,” Moore says. But that’s not all it takes to be a travel-friendly bag in her book. “A great travel bag has organization, specifically a great pocket system,” she says. “One of my big travel tips is to never have all of your important or high-value items in the same bag, or even in the same pocket. I like to keep my phone in one compartment of my bag, and money and IDs in different pockets.” Re-touching on the crossbody feature, it’s not just great for security’s sake. “A crossbody will help with weight distribution on your shoulders during long travel days,” López says. This makes for more comfortable wear and a smoother, more positive travel experience overall. For Talley, comfort and pockets, in addition to a low-maintenance material, are important factors. “Those long-haul travel days can be brutal — the last thing you want is an uncomfortable purse that's always falling off your shoulders or giving you back pain," she says. As a mom of two active toddlers, she uses her bag's pockets for snacks, sunscreen, pacifiers, and chapsticks. A full zipper close is always a bonus. It secures your items when storing the bag under the seat in front of you.

Do I need to use an anti-theft purse while traveling?

As many pick-pocketing horror stories as there are swirling around social media, Moore says that anti-theft purses are great but not necessary. “I think it’s better to know how to protect your purse and belongings no matter the bag you decide to bring,” she says because “a lot of the anti-theft bags are just not the most attractive,” she admits. Doing things like not leaving your purse on the back of the chair, on the seat next to you, or at a table — especially in situations where you’re easily distracted, like a restaurant or nightclub.” She says it’s also important to be mindful of how you’re carrying your bag. While it may be more comfortable to sling it over your shoulder, on your back, or behind your hip, keep a purse tucked under your arm or held closely to your body in front. Even just choosing something that zips will help you avoid getting pick-pocketed since it makes getting into your bag more challenging.

Is a travel purse considered a personal item while flying?

Generally speaking, a purse is often considered an item in itself. If you’re not checking a bag especially, it’s important to find a silhouette that can easily fit into a larger personal item (not your carry-on), to maximize your packing imprint.

Still, it depends on the airline and who’s working the desk when you start to board. “I travel with both a backpack and a purse/crossbody bag on every trip, and I’m not usually stopped on standard airlines like Delta or United for having too many personal items,” Moore shares. “If I’m flying one of those budget airlines that are pretty strict, my little secret is ditching traveling with a handbag altogether and rather opting for a cute crossbody sling bag. Those bags lay flat against your body, and are rarely seen as ‘extra baggage.’"

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer with three years of experience covering fashion and beauty. She’s also an avid traveler, having wandered around the world by herself for a year, and therefore knows a thing or two about smart packing. Rebecca Norris has covered women’s lifestyle content for the past 10 years. For this roundup, they spoke to the below experts.

• Audree Kate López is a New York City-based fashion stylist.  
• Alexa Moore is a travel content creator.
• Alli Talley is a travel content creator and owner of the account @traveling_newlyweds .

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25 Best Travel Purses That Are Actually Stylish

By Brigitt Earley and Paula Lee

Your go-to tote bags and carryalls may be perfect for every day, but when you’re on the road, the best travel purses can make a world of a difference. Dedicated travel bags come in all shapes and sizes— fanny packs , laptop backpacks , cross-bodies , work totes , anti-theft purses, and more—but generally feature multiple compartments (hi, mesh pocket) to keep your essentials organized, a usually convertible or detachable strap that’s comfortable enough to wear all day, and even anti-theft features to secure your things against pickpockets.

Whether you’re traveling internationally (finally taking that long-awaited trip to Europe?) or planning a short weekend getaway, we typically find that the best travel bags are those that you can wear close to your body, such as a cross-body, a sling, or a belt bag . When you have a bigger haul or need a convenient carry-on, you can’t beat a smartly designed backpack or packable travel handbag.

If this sounds like the stereotypical tourist bag with a less-than-flattering design, though, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. From top-rated anti-theft purses that leave your hands free for a day of sightseeing to mom-approved diaper bags and water-repellent backpacks that’ll see you through any adventure, we’ve rounded up the most reliable and stylish travel purses that will take you from the house to the airport to your destination—and back.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Lululemon Mini Belt Bag , $38
• Most Versatile: Athleta All About Belt Bag , $35
• Best Backpack: The ReNew Transit Backpack , $95
• Best Anti-Theft Bag: Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag , $75
• Best Cross-Body Bag: Dagne Dover Micah Water Resistant Cross-Body Bag , $110
• Best Luxury: GG Marmont Belt Bag , $1,700
• Most Lightweight: Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag , $20
• Best for Airport: Cincha Travel Belt Bag , $60

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Athleta All About Belt Bag

Fanny packs are great travel companions—they're unassuming yet have space for all the essentials you don't want to lose at the bottom of your tote. We've used this one from Athleta for running, but it's just as clutch for traveling since the front zippered pocket can hold passports, sanitizer, and other documents needed for the trip. The adjustable strap is great for converting into a waist bag when your shoulders get tired—although it's so lightweight you won't even notice it's there. The DWR finish also means you can safely wear it in the rain. Yay!

• Pros: Lightweight; adjustable strap, easily accessible front zipper, water-resistant material
• Cons: Small sizes makes it better suited for holding just the essentials.

Save when you shop on the best running fanny packs with these Athleta promo codes .

Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack

If you’re flying, this water-resistant backpack makes a great carry-on. You’ll breeze through security, thanks to a TSA-friendly 15-inch exterior laptop pocket and a catchall zip pocket to keep your passport and ticket at the ready. Of course, there are multiple compartments inside for everything else you need to tote: a spacious main area, a magazine and notebook pocket, and two water bottle holders. It also has a pass-through strap that attaches to rolling luggage.

• Pros: Spacious interior plus exterior laptop pocket, side water bottle holders; can be slipped onto the luggage handles of a carry-one.
• Cons: Water bottle pockets don't fit containers of 32 ounces or more; some reviewers say the color isn't as pictured.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L

This waist bag, which comes in an impressive array of colors, keeps your hands free for navigating the ticket counter, shopping for souvenirs, or touring museums. It has an interior pocket that’s roomy enough for the essentials—a wallet, keys, and your cell phone—plus an exterior zippered pocket that’s sandwiched between you and the bag to protect any valuable personal items from pickpockets.

• Pros: Comfy to wear, versatile; comes in many colors; can fit a charger
• Cons: There are none.

Save when you shop on the best running fanny packs with these Lululemon promo codes .

Kate Spade Sam Icon KSNYL Nylon Medium Belt Bag

Wear it as a belt bag or a cross-body—either way, this small nylon and leather bag is the perfect solution for day trips and other small excursions. Pop larger items like your wallet into the main compartment, and stash smaller items like keys in the exterior pocket.

• Pros: Compact; various zippered compartments
• Cons: Expensive

Save when you shop the best travel purses with these Kate Spade promo codes and Nordstrom promo codes .

By Emily Tannenbaum

By Danielle Sinay

GG Marmont Belt Bag

If you’re on the hunt for a stylish but still relatively affordable designer bag , Gucci’s GG Marmont Belt Bag is a worthy investment you’ll have for years to come. The soft quilted leather bag with its resin strap and black brass hardware isn’t just head-turning; it’s also highly versatile. Wear it as a belt or shoulder bag.

• Pros: Sleek design, convertible strap
• Cons: Small; doesn't fit a ton.

Dagne Dover Micah Water-Resistant Cross-Body Bag

Dagne Dover

Made from a unique and highly durable neoprene-like fabric, this roomy cross-body is as hardworking as they come. With three main compartments—one of which is on the backside of the bag to keep valuables safe—this purse has more space than most comparable options. It’s also water-resistant, so you won’t have to make a mad dash when the skies open up.

• Pros: Water-resistant, roomy for its size, easy to wipe clean
• Cons: Some reviewers say the strap is too short and they don't love the boxy shape.

Save when you shop the best travel purses with these Nordstrom promo codes .

Longchamp Le Pliage 21-Inch Expandable Travel Bag

A classic for a reason, Longchamp’s Expandable Travel Bag is both stylish and ultra functional. The durable water-resistant nylon bag features a one-of-a-kind zip inset that expands to meet your needs. Open it all the way to use it as a carry-on for your flight; once you’ve unpacked, size it down to hold as a purse while you tour.

• Pros: Water-resistant, expandable
• Cons: Some reviewers say the size is too big when unzipped; heavy to carry.

Tumi Just in Case Nylon Travel Backpack

Tumi calls this the Just in Case backpack, because you can fold it flat and stash it in your suitcase—just in case you need extra space to bring a few souvenirs home. This particular feature also makes it easy to store when you’re not traveling. We don’t see that happening, though. The sleek bag has a roomy interior, a sizable exterior pocket, and attractive gold hardware that makes it hard to resist for everyday use.

• Pros: Packs flat; back sleeve for slipping over suitcase handles.
• Cons: No padded laptop pocket

Charmore Women’s Travel Backpack

For proof that budget-friendly can be just as functional, peep this backpack. The faux leather looks a lot like the real thing but is fully water-resistant. It’s packed with compartments too. Inside, there are dedicated spots for documents, keys, glasses, your phone, and more. Outside, two water bottle holders serve as a home for your favorite beverage or a compact umbrella.

• Pros: Water-resistant, wallet-friendly
• Cons: Not super sturdy

Fjallraven Women's Kanken Mini Backpack

Available in a whopping 45 colors, there’s something to suit every personality and style. But it’s not all about aesthetics. This compact backpack is super lightweight, so you can carry the essentials in one of four compartments—a main pocket, a zippered exterior pocket, and two side pockets—on an all-day tour without growing tired and sore. As a nice bonus, the durable canvas-like fabric is dirt- and water-resistant and wipes clean.

• Pros: Popular style, great gift for teens ; lots of colors, durable canvas
• Cons: Not super big

Coach Kitt Messenger Cross-Body

If your travel plans include concerts, sporting events, and other venues that don’t allow large bags, make sure to pack a compact purse like this one. Not only does this leather option look great; it has two convenient compartments, including an outside open pocket for easy access to your tickets.

• Pros: Compact; easy access to essentials

Rebecca Minkoff MAB Cross-Body

A fantastic day-to-night option, this cross-body is made of buttery-soft lambskin that looks super sophisticated and features multiple pockets inside and out as well as an adjustable strap for continued comfort.

• Pros: Adjustable shoulder strap, versatile design

Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag

If you’re worried about security, you can’t beat Travelon’s anti-theft features. The bag has a hidden slash-proof chain link construction and a cut-proof shoulder strap, plus a locking zipper to keep your wallet and travel documents as safe as can be. There are plenty of organizational features to love too: slots for credit cards, pockets for notebooks and documents, a water bottle holder, and an expansion pocket for larger items like a camera or sunglasses.

• Pros: Anti-theft design; utilitarian
• Cons: Smaller than expected; water bottle pocket doesn't hold larger sizes.

Cuyana Recycled Overnight

It may be made out of recycled plastic, but this travel purse is as easy on the eyes as any. Available in two sophisticated shades—cappuccino and black, both with brass hardware—the bag is constructed with three spacious compartments, protective metal feet, sturdy handles, and cross-body straps for versatility.

• Pros: Comes in two sizes; convertible straps, eco-friendly design.

LeSportsac x Warm & Wonderful AEC Shoulder Bag

Rowing Blazers

A nod to Princess Diana’s iconic black sheep sweater, this limited edition mini hobo is part of a LeSportsac and Warm & Wonderful collaboration (designed by the Rowing Blazers ’ creative director Jack Carlson). The adjustable strap converts it from shoulder to cross-body, the ripstop nylon is durable, and there are pockets aplenty—in short, it’s a charming take on a classic travel purse.

• Pros: Durable material, convertible strap, interior and exterior pockets
• Cons: On the smaller size

Calpak Luka Belt Bag

With a matte puffy look, this adjustable waist bag is stylish, practical, and comfortable against the body. It’s generously sized and features a hidden outside pocket to fit a passport or a phone. Pair it with the coordinating duffel for a sleek set.

• Pros: Lightweight, versatile; scratch-resistant material

Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag

This best-selling half-moon bag from Uniqlo is deceptively large (I’ve fit a water bottle and Kindle in it, along with my other essentials) and has interior slip pockets. It’s also very lightweight, packs flat, and will serve you long after you return from your trip.

• Pros : Lightweight, affordable, roomy; seven colors
• Cons : No interior zip pocket

Free People Movement Renegade Sling

Free People

Sling bags lend themselves very well for a day of exploring. This thoughtful, sporty design has multiple compartments, a front pocket to stash your phone, and a padded strap for comfort.

• Pros: Lots of convenient compartments, padded strap, seven colors
• Cons: Side water bottle holder fits only smaller sizes.

Save when you shop the best travel purses with these Free People promo codes .

Aloha Collection Pinstripe Mini Hip Pack

Aloha Collection’s bags are all “splash-proof” and water-resistant, ideal if you’re headed to a rainy destination, beach locale, or even a theme park. This belt bag is super lightweight (clocking in at a little over three ounces), so you won’t be dragged down when wearing it for extended periods of time.

• Pros: Water-resistant, lightweight; packs flat
• Cons: Small

Baggallini Pocket Crossbody Travel Bag with RFID

No need to worry about identity theft with this cross-body that will keep you safe on the go. Stash your credit cards and ID in the removable wristlet with built-in RFID blocking technology. Plus, there’s a back pocket for quick phone access.

• Pros: Anti-theft RFID technology, removable wristlet, organizational features; machine-washable
• Cons: Compact size; some reviewers wish the shoulder strap were more substantial.

Mali + Lili Mackenzie Water Resistant Nylon Cross-Body Bag

A cute and colorful take on the trendy nylon bags, this affordable cross-body version is perfect for a city escapade. The little detachable pouch is useful for AirPods or lip balm, and there’s a back slip pocket for other items you want easily accessible, such as a transit card.

• Pros: Water-resistant material, clip-on pouch, printed lining so you can see your things
• Cons: Available only in green

Madewell The Transport Camera Bag

Prefer a leather bag? This vintage-y structured camera bag style gets better with age and embodies that life-well-traveled feel. It has an exterior front pocket and an interior slip pocket and also comes with interchangeable strap options (leather and webbed) so you can switch up the looks. Opt for the larger size if you want to fit an actual camera in your purse.

• Pros: Two straps; available in a larger size
• Cons: No inside zip pocket

Away FAR Messenger 16L

Throw everything into this roomy yet lightweight messenger bag, from snacks and a water bottle to a tablet or even laptop (there’s an interior slip for it). There’s also a hidden side pocket on the outside so you can easily get ahold of your phone or passport without having to frantically dig around.

• Pros: Lightweight, durable; trolley sleeve

Béis Backpack

This cotton backpack with faux-leather trim has dedicated space for almost everything to keep you organized: padded laptop sleeve, inside elastic compression straps, water bottle holders, key leash, and inside zip compartments. We also appreciate the full zip opening that opens flat and lets you easily find what you’re looking for.

• Pros: Full zipper opening, minimal and versatile design, lots of pockets, cushioned straps
• Cons: Some reviewers note that the water bottle pockets don’t expand when the bag is full.

Cincha Travel Belt Bag

When you’re wrestling with multiple bags at the airport (guilty), it’s helpful to have a belt bag on you. This one pulls double duty: In addition to being worn as a sling, it functions as a clever travel belt to keep your personal bag fastened on top of your roller suitcase—no more slipping or sliding around when you’re in a rush.

• Pros: Versatile design, secure zipper closure, back exterior pocket; water-resistant

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The 15 Best Travel Purses for Your Next Vacation

The hack for easy, breezy adventuring.

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Don't underestimate the power of a good travel purse. The best ones make your trips all the more seamless, whether that means easier access to essentials in security lines or less spillage of snacks. While these bags are as practical and functional as it gets, they can also be stylish. And that's where we come in.

Keeping all of that in mind, we found the 15 best travel purses that eagerly await your next adventure. And if you don't have a trip planned, well, this is your excuse to satiate that wanderlust.

Travelon Classic Mini Shoulder Bag

For a bag that foils the pickpockets, this simple shoulder bag is a solid choice. From the slash-resistant construction to the locking compartments to the RFID-blocking card and passport slots, it's as secure as it gets.

FP Collection Hudson Sling Bag

Free People's sling bag is beloved by many, and for good reason, too. Choose from seven different hues for a bag that suits you, with an adjustable woven strap and exterior zip pockets for practicality.

Baggallini Take Two Bryant Crossbody

Stay protected on the go with a crossbody that gives you two RFID-protected card slots. This will prevent anybody from scanning your cards and stealing your personal information as they pass by.

Calpak Stevyn Mini Crossbody Bag

You have probably seen Calpak's carry-ons, but don't sleep on the brand's mini bags. This one has a water-resistant exterior and zippered pockets to safely store items.

Mansur Gavriel Vegan Apple Leather Mini Crossbody

While we love Mansur's totes, here the brand takes its thoughtful craftsmanship to the crossbody silhouette. The Italian apple-based material (yes, you read that right) keeps the style sustainable so you can shop this bag with a clean conscience.

Alo Yoga Utility Crossbody Bucket Bag

Exterior mesh pockets make for quick access to your belongings, while a drawstring cinches for security. Zippered pockets and an adjustable carrying strap finish off the features of this bucket bag.

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall

Dagne Dover's neoprene duffel is a durable, lightweight design that will go everywhere and anywhere with you. Aside from being entirely vegan (which we love), it also has some hidden assets. Think: laptop sleeve, dust bag, shoe bag, and more. Pick from a variety of sizes and colors.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

Lululemon's convertible belt bag style can be worn as a fanny pack or crossbody, making this petite purse incredibly versatile. Featuring a water-repellent fabric, an exterior zip pocket, and a few interior ones, this bag packs a punch.

Longchamp Le Pliage

Made from recycled canvas, you've surely spotted Longchamp's signature style at the airport or train station before. The exterior wipes clean, while the interior features two slip pockets for organization. One of the best things about this bag is that it can be folded into the size of a paperback book.

Paravel Mini Cabana Tote

Sustainability is at the core of Paravel's collections, constructed from plastic water bottles. Attach the crossbody strap for hands-free carrying, or keep as a top-handle top. Multiple pockets stow your smaller accessories.

Golden Goose Star Shoulder Strap Bag

For a travel bag that's ultra-cool and undeniably unique, look no further than Golden Goose. With an adjustable shoulder strap, inside pocket, and external pocket for your phone, this bag was made for travel and weekend wear. The playful pops of color and sneaker keychain make this a standout select.

TUMI Asra Shoulder Bag

It's to no surprise that Tumi, a purveyor of high-quality travel products, has just delivered one of the chicest purses for your next trip. The nylon construction is super easy to clean, and multiple pockets (including a zip one) make for ample storage.

JW PEI Aylin Canvas Crossbody Bag

This Oprah-approved crossbody is perfect for the person who's looking to carry their phone and a few credit cards. It doesn't hold much, but it holds all your bare essentials. Perfect for quick trips out and about.

PAK Rêve The Origin PAK Backpack

You can rest assured that this nylon backpack, founded by a travel writer, was essentially made for any and all trips. Between the front pocket that unzips into a jacket sling and oversize side pockets for extra-large water bottles, every detail that went into this bag aims to make your life easier.

Dorothee Schumacher Raffia Shoulder Bag

If you're headed on a beach vacation, this raffia bag from Dorothee Schumacher brings the boho chic vibes in functional fashion. The adjustable shoulder strap makes for easy carrying, and concealed magnetic fastening keeps your possessions secured.

Gaby Keiderling is a New York–based writer working on fashion, lifestyle, travel, and sports features. She also covers celebrity style for Esquire 's “Get Ready with Me” franchise. Her work can also be seen in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar , and more. Sometimes you can spot her around the West Village, out on a walk with her dog, Sneakers.

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TL;DR: The best travel purse is the Travelon Anti-Theft Messenger Bag if theft prevention is your highest priority or the Lo & Sons Pearl if you need something a little more versatile and stylish. The Travelon messenger bag has locking zippers and tons of organizational pockets. The lightweight Pearl crossbody bag has zippered compartments and transforms into a clutch for dinners out. I’ve been testing the Pearl for about three months now and it has become a great everyday purse for my travels.

You’ll rarely catch me on the road without a purse or backpack. They’re essential for carrying valuables and staying organized. 

But there are differences between travel purses and everyday purses.

When traveling, you’ll carry extra items like your passport, laptop, and camera (aka valuables that you should keep a tight grip on!). 

And the right travel purses will help you do exactly that.

The best purses for travel are versatile, secure, and comfortable. Some are anti-theft bags, and others double as carry-on luggage when you’re flying.

As a regular traveler who has tested out a lot of purses over the years, I wrote this article to help you find the best purses for travel in every category–from stylish crossbody bags to the best anti-theft purse.

By the end, you’ll know what to consider when choosing the perfect travel purse for you.

Short on time? Here’s a quick look at the top 15 travel purses.

Table of Contents

#1 Cuyana Classic Zipper Tote

Best Stylish Travel Purse

Size: 13.5 x 18 x 5.75” Weight: 1.8 lbs Features: Made from LWG environmentally-friendly tanned leather, zipper top, and zippered interior pocket

The best purses for travel are more than practical, they make you feel glamorous.

Boasting luxurious soft leather, the Cuyana Classic Zipper Tote is a simple slim tote bag. 

This stylish travel purse is great for sightseeing because it holds everything you can possibly need from morning to evening.

The main compartment is spacious and you can even add a Tote Organization Insert for more interior pockets.

If you haven’t seen a pickpocket in action, search it on YouTube. The zipper on this tote is essential for detouring thieves.

Additionally, I feel good buying from Cuyana because they don’t feed the unsustainable fast-fashion industry.

Their durable and classic designs look good year after year.

• Stylish no matter the season
• More secure than the average open-top tote bag
• Built to last
• Only one internal pocket unless you buy the additional tote organizer

#2 Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 

Best Belt Bag

Size: 7.5″ x 2″ x 5″ Weight: 6.7 oz Features: Front zippered pocket, an internal mesh pocket, and a hidden external pocket, adjustable strap, large buckle

Belt bags, aka fanny packs, are hot stuff right now, and the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag functions as a cute travel sling purse or waist bag.

It’s as well-made as any of Lululemon’s other beloved activewear products, which isn’t surprising with the quality. of the Lululemon brand.

One of my favorite features of this bag is the exterior pocket hidden on the backside, which is very important for travel bags.

This means you can easily zip your phone in for easy access without exposing your wallet. 

Meanwhile, the inside mesh pocket is perfect for organizing just the essentials: sunglasses, lip balm, and keys.

Looking for more options? Read our guide to the best hiking fanny packs .

• Best lightweight travel purse
• A stylish and sporty option for touring cities or hiking
• You can wear it in front so your possessions are within view at all times
• Versatile as a day bag, but not as nice for a fancy dinner

#3 Away Packable Carryall

Best Purse for Carry-On Travel

Size: 15″ x 19.7″ x 9″ (6.3” x 4.3” x 2.4” when rolled up) Weight: 0.55 lbs Features: Zipper closure, spacious interior, and made from recycled nylon

Don’t be that person on your next flight who spills the contents of their bag in the middle of the aisle.

Not only is it embarrassing and frustrating, but it’s a good way to lose something.

That’s why it’s essential to have a carry-on purse or tote that zips closed like the Away Packable Carryall .

Its long handle offers comfortable shoulder carrying or holding on top of your roller bag.

And the trolly sleeve and roomy interior easily make this Away bag the best handbag for flying.

It fits a change of clothes, notebooks, a tablet for watching movies, and snacks.

I also always carry a sleeping eye mask and earplugs while traveling, which fit nicely into the interior zip pocket. 

Because it zips closed, I can slip it under a seat or into an overhead bin. Plus, its clean design will never go out of fashion.

• Returnable within 100 days
• Rolls into a small pouch when not in use
• More of a large travel tote
• Trolly sleeve
• Made of recycled nylon
• Not as much structure as a traditional purse

#4 Lo & Sons Pearl

Best Small Crossbody Travel Purse

Size: 7.75” x 9.5” x 3” Weight: 0.9 lbs Features: Lightweight, clutch or crossbody design, internal zippered compartments, and has a key leash

Ready for your small purse dreams to come true?

The Lo & Sons Pearl has the internal space of a Marry Poppins bag but is just the right size for lightweight travel days.

The Pearl also has two external zippered compartments and a smaller zippered pocket in the center. 

I love this bag for its plentiful, yet uncomplicated organization. It’s one of my favorite travel purses.

It comes in Saffiano leather, Nappa leather, and plant-based Cactus leather. And there are several colors to choose between.

But what really makes the Pearl the best small travel purse, is its versatility. It transforms from a crossbody purse to a clutch. Small but mighty!

Alternatively, you might also like the Lo & Sons Waverly 2 , which is a little smaller and comes with a waist belt to transform into a belt bag.

• Slim but has plenty of space
• Detachable crossbody strap and clutch strap
• Available in leather or plant-based vegan leather
• Sleek and stylish
• Plastic-free, metal hardware!
• Doesn’t fit big wallets
• Not as secure as travel purses with locking zippers

#5 Longchamp Pliage Original

Best Travel Purse for Europe

Size: 11” x 10.4” x 6.1” Weight: 7.76 oz Features: Foldable, leather trim, and has a zipper closure

The Longchamp Pliage Original is a leading brand from Paris that will help you blend in among fashionable Europeans.

A French girl in my self-defense class in Italy actually carried this Longchamp tote as her study abroad purse.

It’s no wonder the Longchamp Pliage has a cult following in travel circles–it folds flat for easy packing. 

Plus, it has a genuine leather handle and a water-resistant coated canvas body with leather trim. 

Set this baby down on the damp ground at a sidewalk cafe without worrying about your book getting wet inside.

Overall, this tote offers a high-end look, zips closed, and wipes clean for day-to-day freshness while traveling.

• Stylish purse alternative to a generic canvas bag
• Water-resistant
• Only two organizational pockets inside

#6 Pacsafe Women’s Citysafe Cx Anti-Theft Convertible Backpack

Best Convertible Travel Purse Backpack

Size: 8.9” x 9.8” x 4.3” (purse mode); 13.9” x 9.8” x 4.3” (backpack mode)  Weight: 0.99 lbs Features: Expands from a purse to a backpack, locking zipper, and RFID-blocking material

The genius Pacsafe Citysafe Cx Convertible Backpack is the lightest and most versatile bag you’ll find.

I’m always buying souvenirs, books, and snacks while sightseeing. This purse unfolds into a backpack large enough to carry all of your goodies. 

Plus, no worries if there’s a morning drizzle because it’s water-resistant.

Like Travelon bags, the Pacsafe Citysafe Convertible Backpack comes equipped with locking zippers and clips and slash-resistant fabric. 

It’s also made from RFID-blocking material that will protect your credit cards from being scanned.

• Anti-theft technology protects your credit cards
• Sustainable materials 
• A little bulky as a purse

#7 Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Shoulder Bag

Best Anti-Theft Travel Purse

Size: 12.5” x 4” x 12” Weight: 15.5 oz Features: Locking clips and zippers, slash-resistant material, RFID-blocking pockets, compact, and it has an adjustable strap

The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Shoulder Bag is reasonably priced and features a minimalist design for any outfit.

However, what makes this the best crossbody travel purse is its safety features.

This Travelon anti-theft purse has a slash-resistant body constructed from an interlocking mesh barrier, so it can’t be cut open. 

And the adjustable shoulder strap has an internal anti-slash wire and a locking main compartment.

RFID stands for “radio frequency identification.” Some thieves try to scan your credit card information using special devices without ever reaching into your purse.

Not with this purse! The individual credit card slots feature RFID-blocking technology.

The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Shoulder Bag can also lock to stationary objects, so no one can snatch it while you’re relaxing at a sidewalk cafe. 

As a purse for international travel, these features are particularly important. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of travel and be taken advantage of.

Travelon’s Mini version is another of the best purses for travel if you want something smaller. 

This anti-theft classic mini shoulder bag is the ultimate secure lightweight travel handbag to slip on before heading out for the night.

• Travelon anti-theft technology
• Lots of organizational pockets
• Reasonably priced
• Might not fit your aesthetic

#8 Cluci Backpack Purse

Best Travel Purse Backpack

Size: 13.5″ x 6.25″ x 14.25″ Weight: 2.09 lbs. Features: Hidden back zipper pocket, adjustable strap for crossbody-carry, and hand-carry straps

Some of the best purses are convertible backpacks. 

The Cluci Backpack Purse is one example–it can be worn on your back, carried by hand, or slung across your body.

Not to mention, Cluci backpacks are cute and stylish. It’s the kind of bag you’ll want to carry around every day.

In terms of organization, it has stretchy pockets on either side, fits a 14-inch computer, and has a small hidden zipper pocket on the back for securing your wallet.

Made of high-quality PU leather, this is one of the best purse backpacks because it looks super cute and can hold up under daily use.

But if this backpack doesn’t feel quite right for you, check out the famous Fjallraven Kanken Backpack (another favorite of mine).

Looking for more versatile backpack options? Read our guide to the best EDC backpacks .

• Durable and stylish
• Fits a 14-inch laptop and notebooks
• Convertible from a backpack to a purse
• Zippers don’t come with locks–but luggage locks are cheap!

#9 Tory Burch Robinson Pebbled Tote Bag

Best Luxury Travel Purse

Size: 12.25″ x 8.75″ x 4.7″ Weight: 2.1 lbs Features: Zips closed, four internal pockets, fits up to a 13” laptop, and features a pebbled leather

This Tory Burch Robinson Pebbled Tote Bag is elegant and sophisticated whether you’re on a work trip or out for coffee in a new city.

It works well as a travel bag because the top zips closed and it goes with any outfit. Plus, there’s an internal zipper compartment to keep your wallet extra safe. 

Inside, it’s easy to keep everything organized with the internal side pockets. It’s the perfect size for carrying the necessities plus a little more.

Just keep in mind, that it’s a shoulder bag, which isn’t optimal if you prefer crossbody-carrying.

There aren’t any external pockets, but sometimes that’s for the best since everything will be securely zipped inside.

This large zippered tote is made from premium leather for a refined style.

It will look right at home on your European vacation and add to the glamour of your travel pictures.

• Stylish all day and all night
• Zipper-protected middle pocket
• Made from quality materials
• Fits a small water bottle
• Can’t be worn across the body

#10 Travelon Women’s Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag

Best Purse with a Water Bottle Holder

Size: 9″ x 12.5″ x 3.5″ Weight: 10.4 ounces Features: Lockable clips and zippers, slash-resistant strap and outer panels, and a key leash with a light

The Travelon Women’s Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag has all of the same features as the other Travelon bag on this list, but it’s a little bigger and has a water bottle pouch. 

I highly recommend buying anti-theft travel purses or messenger bags if you expect to be in heavy crowds.

This Travelon anti-theft bag isn’t quite as fashionable as some of the other purses on this list.

However, the lockable zippers, adjustable shoulder strap, and slash-resistant material will reduce your risk of being pickpocketed. 

This messenger bag also has RFID-blocking material so that thieves can’t scan your credit cards while standing next to you.

• Anti-theft technology
• Water bottle holder
• Super durable messenger bag
• The mesh water bottle holder will tear if you overload it

#11 PINCNEL Backpack Purse

Best Waterproof Travel Purse

Size: 12.99” x 5.9” x 13.28” (medium); 13.78” x 6.69” x 14.17” (large) Weight: 1.3 lbs (medium); 1.54 lbs (large) Features: The main compartment unzips on the back instead of the top for anti-theft protection

The most unique feature of the PINCNEL Backpack Purse is its anti-theft design. 

Unlike traditional backpacks with a zippered front pocket, this pack opens from the back. You have to take it off to reach inside. 

This is important because no one can access your laptop or wallet while you’re standing in line…and we all know how many lines there are while traveling.

It’s also made from waterproof nylon and comes in two sizes and six colors. And it includes internal organizer pockets and a small zipper pouch.

PINCNEL stands apart from the standard anti-theft backpacks, which aren’t quite as cute.

With this rucksack, you’ll have peace of mind, making it a good bag for stylish and safe travel.

• Anti-theft design
• Very affordable without sacrificing style
• Max laptop size is 11 inches

#12 Lola Mae Quilted Crossbody Bag

Best Budget Travel Purse

Size: 8” x 2” x 6” Weight: 1.46 lbs Features: 30 colors to choose from, zips closed, and its internal organization

Being a broke backpacker doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice style. 

The Lola Mae Quilted Crossbody Bag is cute and affordable for every budget-conscious jet-setter.

For the price, you obviously aren’t getting Louis Vuitton leather, but it’s still made from good quality materials and wipes clean. 

This is also the perfect Goldilocks crossbody bag: not too big and not too small. 

While wearing it, you can easily adjust the crossbody shoulder strap to keep your valuables close and secure in the zippered pocket. 

• Very affordable
• Looks high fashion
• Crossbody design
• Versatile size that’s not too big or small
• No locking compartments
• Doesn’t come with the clutch strap

#13 Baggallini Everywhere Crossbody Bag

Best Durable Travel Purse

Size: 9” x 13.5” x 5” Weight: 1 lb Features: Multiple pockets inside and out, trolly sleeve, water bottle holder, and it comes in unique prints

Crossbody purses feature a comfortable design, sitting against your hip or under your arm and offering automatic theft protection.

The Baggallini Everywhere Bag is a hobo-style crossbody purse built for travelers and anyone who wants an ergonomic purse to carry everything in one place.

Baggallini is a trusted brand known for its durability. This purse is also machine washable, which boosts its longevity by looking fresh again and again.

Additionally, the Everywhere Bag slides onto a luggage handle and features an RFID-blocking lining to protect your credit cards from hackers.

And the exterior pockets are convenient for less important items like granola bars and hand sanitizer.

It’s also super adjustable with a shoulder strap that reaches 52” and an adorable matching coin purse. 

The one downside? Unlike other anti-theft travel purses, the zippers don’t lock. If this is a deal-breaker, check out the Travelon travel purses above.

Overall, this stylish travel purse is for anyone who prioritizes practical features. You really can’t go wrong with a Baggallini purse.

• Trusted brand
• Lots of colors
• Multiple pockets
• A little bulky
• Not as fashionable

#14 BAGSMART Laptop Bag

Best Laptop Travel Bag

Size: 17.1″ x 6.5” (up to 8.7”) x 13″ Weight: 2.31 lbs Features: Expandable pockets, zippered external pocket, adjustable crossbody strap

This BAGSMART Laptop Bag is practical without looking too techy. It has a padded laptop sleeve that fits 17.3-inch laptops.

The outside is made of water-resistant polyester, and it’s even expandable.

Cushioned straps distribute the weight of a heavy computer to help prevent shoulder pain.

As a travel laptop bag, it’s also very important to note that the main compartment zips closed.

The last thing I want is for someone to reach in and grab important work documents.

Or for pens and sticky notes to fall out when I slip my bag under the seat on a plane. 

Overall, this bag’s large capacity means that it can double as a carry-on and an everyday bag, no matter where your travels take you.

• Sleek and professional
• Slim but spacious expandability
• Comfortable straps
• Long handle drop is comfortable over the shoulder or carried in hand
• No anti-theft technology
• Not high fashion

#15 Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack

Best Purse for New Moms

Size: 11” x 13.5” x 7” Weight: 1.75 lbs Features: Made from recycled materials, with a detachable shoulder strap, grab straps, and everything from stroller clips to a changing pad.

Now it’s time for the best on-the-go travel purse for moms.

Having a baby shouldn’t stop you from looking your best and traveling the world. 

The Dagne Dover Wade Diaper Tote is my favorite purse diaper bag where parents can fit everything they need, from diapers to baby bottles and fruit rollups to swimsuits. 

Its main compartments are spacious, and there’s even a spot for 13″ laptops–not that the baby is coming on business trips, but maybe a “working play date.”

And Dagne Dover has you covered with included features like a washable water-resistant bag for soiled clothes, stroller clips, a mini pouch, and a changing mat.

Plus, the Premium Neoprene and Performance Air Mesh are made of recycled water bottles for sustainable luxury.

The cushiony material is an excellent alternative to leather when you’re around kids. It’s just what new moms need.

• You can carry it two ways
• Goes with any outfit
• Nine pockets, plus plenty of open space
• Detachable strap
• Doesn’t look like a diaper bag
• A little boxy
• Not the best backpack option

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Travel Purse

What to Look for in a Travel Purse

Versatility

While traveling, your purse needs to work around the clock. Choose something that will look good at your most casual and glamorous moments.

Organization

If you like to toss everything into a soup of lip balm and pens, go for a big zippered tote. 

If you believe everything has its special place, double-check that there are plenty of organizational pockets.

Travel bags range in style from crossbody to sling, belt, backpack, and shoulder totes. 

Choose something that feels comfortable for your body type and fashion style.

Portability

Traveling with a lightweight purse is liberating. Additionally, look for something that fits in your luggage if you don’t plan to wear it every day.

When sightseeing all day, you need a purse with shoulder straps that don’t make your shoulders sore in the first hour.

Consider the types of purses you’ve enjoyed in the past. 

A convertible purse means that you can change the carrying position throughout the day.

Anti-Theft Features

As a traveler, you’re more vulnerable to pickpockets. You’ll be tired, distracted, and out of your element.

This is why it’s good to look for anti-theft features like slash-resistant fabric, lockable zippers, and RFID-blocking pockets. 

Types of Travel Purses

Small vs Medium vs Large

The smaller the purse, the more portable it will be. This is especially important if you like to go out at night.

Medium purses and convertible backpacks are perfect for all-day adventures when you want to carry snacks, a camera, or a water bottle. 

On travel days, large purses are handy for carrying valuables instead of risking having them stolen or damaged in a rolling suitcase. 

If I have the space, I usually carry at least two differently-sized purses with me on my travels. 

I generally pack one small purse for going out at night or to dinner and one medium/large purse for daytime adventures and travel days.

Anti-theft purses come with special features like locking compartments and an RFID-blocking pocket to keep you safe from thieves. 

Fashionable/Luxury

Luxury bags are the perfect travel purses for France, Italy, and other fashion-renowned places.

You’re on vacation, after all, so why not enjoy being part of the fashion scene? 

Plus, depending on where you’re traveling, you might fit in more as a local and, therefore, not be as targeted by pickpockets. 

Convertible Purses 

The best purses for travel are versatile. I especially like purses that transform into backpacks for carrying my accumulation of souvenirs and brochures.

Totes are always in style and allow you to carry everything your heart desires. 

Make sure to choose a tote with enough organization on the inside, and keep in mind that all of the weight is carried on one shoulder.

It’s also not as hands-free as a crossbody bag.

Shoulder Bag

Shoulder bags have longer shoulder straps than tote bags. They hang on the shoulder and free up your hands a little better.

Crossbody Bags

Crossbody bags are hands-free and sit on your hip for safekeeping. Plus, the crossbody design helps distribute the weight evenly. 

It’s unsurprising why they’re one of the most popular styles for travel purses. 

Sling bags are another great option if you want a hands-free purse. They hug your body and sit under your arm for safekeeping. 

Typically, sling bags have a lower capacity, which is perfect for going out but not the best for a carry-on bag.

FAQs About Travel Purses

What style of purse is best for travel? 

First of all, the best purse for traveling is something that you feel comfortable using. 

I prefer anti-theft crossbody purses because they’re comfortable, easy to keep track of, and overall a very versatile bag.

What is the safest type of purse to travel with?

An anti-theft travel bag is the best option for protecting your belongings. They’re built with safety in mind. 

Most have a locking main compartment and special materials that utilize the crossbody or shoulder bag design.

What type of travel bag goes with everything? 

Black leather is the little black dress of purses. It matches every outfit, activity, and time of day.

Likewise, a medium size purse with a simple design looks good while eating lunch along the Parisian Seine or touring castles in Germany.

What should I pack in my travel purse?

Aside from a wallet, keys, and phone, pack anything that will keep you healthy and comfortable during a long and strenuous day of sightseeing.

This might include:

• Books and travel guides
• Notebook/sketchbook
• Pens/pencils
• Hand sanitizer
• Water bottle

How do you stop a bag from getting snatched or pickpocketed?

The first and most important rule for avoiding theft is vigilance. Be aware of your bag and surroundings at all times.

Don’t leave your purse where you can’t see it or put a hand on it. Keep it close, in your lap at a cafe, and wear it on the front in crowded areas.

Especially on public transportation, don’t appear too lost in your thoughts or like you don’t know where you’re going.

Once you’ve covered the basics, anti-theft technology can close any gaps. 

Should I even travel with a purse?

I always bring a purse on my travels. You’ll want to have essentials with you even when you leave your luggage behind at your hotel, hostel, or vacation rental. 

Travel purses vs backpacks–which one is better?

I’m a big proponent of backpack purses because they’re the most comfortable for my body.

That said, backpacks are out of your line of sight and therefore more vulnerable to pickpockets.

Some packs, like the PINCNEL Anti-Theft Rucksack , have solved this problem and are well-protected with hidden pockets.

It ultimately comes down to what fits your style and body best. 

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Travel Purse

So, which is the best pick out of all the travel purses on this list? 

All of the options in this article have their benefits, depending on what’s most important to you when you travel.

However, my personal favorite is the Travelon Women’s Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag .  

It features a simple design with a ton of interior organization and safety features.

The body and strap are made of slash-resistant material, and each pocket zips closed with anti-theft zippers.

And you can choose between the sleek black, stylish enough to go with everything option, or a pattern, which is tasteful and fun.

This is the perfect bag for carry-on travel or for a full day of adventures when you need peace of mind.

Plus, it comes from a trusted travel brand and will last for years.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for an even more stylish purse, I can’t get enough of the Lo & Sons Pearl . 

This purse comes in leather and vegan leather with 20 color and material combinations to match your style.

There are two zipper pockets for your wallet and phone and slip pockets for lip balm and masks, so it’s great for staying organized as well.

It’s small enough to take on any adventure and big enough to pack all the essentials, plus a notebook for a day of exploring.  

It’s one of the best crossbody bags for looking professional and fashionable. Plus, it transforms into a clutch or shoulder bag when needed. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elina Ansary

As a visual artist, Elina is a frequent traveler and pathological overpacker who often finds herself transporting lots of objects while traveling–from artwork to art materials to gifts and souvenirs. She’s tried tons of different suitcases, backpacks, purses, and bags in her quest to resolve her baggage dilemnas. She grew up in San Francisco, CA, and spent her childhood camping up and down Northern California.

These days, Elina visits artist residencies in locations around the world, including Amsterdam, Finland, Italy, and Australia, and has exhibited her work in galleries and museums in the US and abroad. When she isn’t writing and editing for The Atlas Heart, Elina is pursuing a Master’s degree in Visual Art at Cornell University and splits her time between Ithaca and Brooklyn.

Looking for more travel gear recommendations? Check out our related posts below!

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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The 15 Best Travel Purses to Carry You in Style

From durable leather crossbodies to versatile canvas totes, your “just right” bag for journeys near and far does exist.

Have you ever felt like Goldilocks while purse shopping? This one is too big. This one is too small. This one would be just right if it had a slip pocket for my phone or a zipper across the top to keep everything contained.

Finding the perfect everyday bag can take time with so many factors to consider: type, size, material, color, and features. But picking a travel purse can be even more challenging. (Those vacationing at select Four Seasons properties can forgo the stress of buying and borrow a designer bag for free.) The list of must-haves grows to include secure, comfortable, versatile, and durable. The material you choose could impact all those considerations.

Slash-resistant fabric can allay fears of losing your belongings to a thief. Leather can be heavy on its own. However, it remains a popular pick as one of the hardiest materials that easily transitions from casual and carefree to formal and professional. Vegan leather is typically lighter, not to mention more sustainable and less cruel. Featherlight raffia, wicker, or straw evokes both cool girl style (think Jane Birkin ) and warm weather vibes. Mesh, while great for a beach getaway, might not be practical in all situations. Rugged waxed canvas develops a beautiful patina over time. Nylon can be folded up and packed for that inevitable shopping spree; you might even be able to toss it in the washing machine when you get home for a quick cleanup.

Hands-free crossbody bags and carryall totes are obvious choices for your adventures, but they are far from the only options. Read on to discover our recommendations for the best travel purses to take you everywhere you want to go.

Longchamp Le Pliage Medium Nylon Shoulder Tote

French luxury brand Longchamp had the Japanese art of origami in mind when creating its cult classic Le Pliage bags, available in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and seasonal colors. Loved by editor in chief Steele Marcoux, this foldable tote is fashioned from nylon and trimmed in Russian leather. It was practically made for crisscrossing the globe, but it works for your daily commute too.

Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger

This best-selling messenger bag pairs security with convenience. Body panels are lined with patented slash-resistant mesh. The strap contains stainless steel wire to prevent cut-and-run theft and a clip to secure the bag to a stationary object or chair. There’s no need to worry about your identity being stolen electronically with an RFID-blocking organizer in the rear panel for credit cards and passports. And locking zippered pulls guard against pickpockets. Expandable mesh pockets on each side keep a bottle of water, a small umbrella, or sunglasses close at hand, while you can stash your phone in the front zippered pocket hidden by a magnetic flap.

Saint Laurent Lou Camera Bag

Leather has a reputation for starting out stiff. Not the quilted calfskin of this camera bag. Reviewers describe it as “buttery soft.” The structured silhouette is roomy enough to fit all the necessities without losing its iconic shape, and the addition of a back slip pocket has been deemed a “game changer.” Go for the Deep Marine as a slightly unexpected neutral.

Stella McCartney Logo Crossbody Bag

Wear the subtle logo on this bag proudly. As all of Stella McCartney's accessories, the bucket-style crossbody is made from nonleather materials, in keeping with the brand's cruelty-free ethos. The body is crafted from its signature smooth Alter Mat and lined in supple, eco-friendly Alter Suede. The strap is made from 100 percent postconsumer recycled polyester.

Vera Bradley Triple Zip Hipster Crossbody Bag

Performance twill makes this crossbody easy to wipe clean. The sleek fabric features two-inch quilting as a nod to the brand’s heritage and repels water. Monogram your bag for a personal touch.

Lo & Sons Waverley 2

Need a travel purse that can multitask? This convertible bag is a crossbody, belt bag, wristlet, and shoulder bag all in one. You could even remove the two-part adjustable strap and use it as a clutch. Choose from a variety of colors and hardware finishes in three premium materials: textured Saffiano leather, smooth Nappa leather, or plant-based cactus leather.

Leatherology Kress Mini Top Handle Bag

For traveling, our deputy digital editor, Jaime Milan, reaches for this mini top handle bag. She appreciates that you can wear it as a crossbody during the day and carry it by the handles at night.

Dagne Dover Micah Neoprene Crossbody

Made from the same material as wet suits, this lightweight neoprene bag is a sporty and low-key travel companion that will keep you organized. The thoughtful design incorporates an interior mesh slip pocket in the main compartment, an exterior zippered pocket with two elastic loops and a card slot, and a phone slip pocket with magnetic closure on the back. You might even have a little space to spare.

Béis The Phat Sack

Carry everything you could ever possibly need in this nylon mesh sack. A zippered pocket on the front and another inside, along with two slip pockets, corral smaller items. The 13-inch padded laptop sleeve and trolley pass-through mean you don’t have to reserve this bag for beach trips or boat outings. And the crossbody strap helps distribute the weight once you load it up.

Staud Perry Bag

This slouchy raffia hobo isn’t your typical straw bag. It is fully lined, boasts pockets for organization, and possesses an elevated style, thanks to its classic stripe pattern and wrapped leather handle. The plush suede lining not only protects items like your sunglasses and phone but also extends the life of your bag, ensuring sharp objects like keys don’t come in contact with the potentially delicate outer material.

Brunello Cucinelli Cotton and Linen Canvas Shopper Bag with Monili

Add a sophisticated touch to any ensemble during your summer vacation and all season long with this shape-shifting shopper bag. Fasten the two internal ties to make the bag more compact and more difficult for pickpockets to reach into. The fabric is softened by 63 percent cotton and strengthened with 37 percent linen.

Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Double Bag

When mixing business with pleasure, you can’t go wrong with a timeless travel purse inspired by a style icon. The Lee Radziwill collection includes handbags in various sizes, silhouettes, and textiles. We're partial to this large, two-tone, leather-and-suede satchel composed of layers that unfold like the collar of a trench coat to reveal four open compartments, one center zippered section, one side wall zippered pocket, and one side wall slit pocket.

Mission Mercantile Leather Goods Heritage Waxed Canvas Commuter Tote

Sara Clark, VERANDA’s associate style & market editor, has been eyeing this “superfunctional” waxed canvas tote. She notes its versatility: Park it on top of a carry-on at the airport, or attach the shoulder strap and haul it to the local farmers’ market. Bonus: It can hold a 15-inch laptop.

Tumi Liv Backpack/Tote

A favorite among frequent fliers, Tumi offers a convertible leather backpack with a place for everything. Inside, you'll find a padded laptop compartment, three media pockets, a pen pocket, a zippered pocket, a collapsible water bottle pocket, and a key leash. If you want quick access to your phone, passport, wallet, or cash but are nervous about sticking it in one of the two exterior zippered pockets on the front, then turn to the hidden magnetic slip pocket on the back of the bag.

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• People Tested

The 16 Best Travel Purses of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Our top pick is the Cheruty Backpack Purse that's under $40 at Amazon

Elizabeth Marino is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE, focusing on home products. A lover of all things home and family, she is thrilled to help consumers find the perfect products to fit their domestic needs. In her spare time you can find her traveling to any and all historic sites and museums – and food spots – throughout the country. You can read some of her history-based writing on the Smithsonian Ocean Portal. She holds a BA in American Studies and History from Columbia University.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks

Our Verdict

• Things to Consider

How We Tested

Why trust people, what is people tested.

People / Marcus Millan

Whether you’re off to the beach, Europe, or headed out on business and want to put your most professional foot forward, a good travel purse can make your next travel experience easier. What do we mean by a travel purse? Any easy-to-carry purse, belt bag, tote, backpack, crossbody, or sling bag that's small enough to count as your personal item or underseat bag on an airplane. With a seemingly endless collection of different styles, sizes, and materials on the market, finding the right travel purse, tote, or backpack to take on your trip can be an overwhelming task. 

We tested popular travel bags on planes, trains, and, yes, automobile rides, and asked our team members to share their favorites. After reviewing 30 different travel purses on their capacity, portability, ease of use, design features, durability, and value, we put together this list of the top 16 travel bags, tested by real people.

Best Overall

Cheruty backpack purse.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Ease of Use 5 /5

It has a large main pouch with a wide zipper-flap for easy access.

The opening is on the back (next to your body) to keep your items safe.

There are two sizes and more than 25 colors available, so you can get exactly what you’re looking for.

There isn’t an easy way to make it stay on top of your rolling luggage.

Earning perfect scores across the board , this elegant travel backpack from Cheruty was our favorite. Featuring water bottle pouches, small interior and exterior pockets for passports and small devices, and soft, adjustable straps, this travel backpack has it all. Our favorite part, though, features a cavernous main pouch (with access only from the back, keeping your items extremely secure!) with a giant flap zipper opening, allowing you to easily pack your bag with all your items, small or large. Plus, it’s made with vegan leather that’s been coated with polyurethane, making it water-resistant . It also comes in two sizes and more than 25 colors .

It doesn’t include a sleeve to keep it on top of rolling carry-on luggage , but you can keep it strapped on your back while you maneuver your luggage through the airport. While it’s not a name brand, this backpack’s combination of capacity and features for a great price make it a truly fantastic option for a travel bag.

Size: Medium: 12.6 x 12.6 x 5.9 inches, large: 13.7 x 14.7 x 6.3 inches | Body Material: Vegan polyurethane leather | Available Colors: 26 colors and patterns

Best Overall, Runner Up

Dagne dover landon carryall bag.

Dagne Dover

This bag has a super spacious interior with tons of pockets.

It folds up compactly, which makes for easy storage.

It includes convenient features like a key leash and a shoe bag.

It doesn’t contain any main interior dividers, so it can be easy to lose your things inside.

This duffel tote from Dagne Dover also earned perfect scores in all of our categories . Featuring a long zipper offering an easily accessible wide top opening, a cavernous interior, and various straps that allow you to carry it or wear it on your shoulder or crossbody, this bag has it all. It’s super lightweight and folds into itself, making for efficient storage.

While it doesn’t have interior dividers in the main section, it has a ton of pockets — including an interior laptop sleeve, four small interior side pockets, an exterior phone pocket, and a luggage handle sleeve — and it comes with a key leash, a small mesh pouch, and a shoe bag. Plus, it cleans super well — it looked as good as new after we washed it! We absolutely loved this well-made, well-designed travel duffel for any and all travel.

Size: 16.5 x 11 x 9 inches | Body Material: Neoprene | Available Colors: Neoprene: storm, onyx, heather gray, dune, camel, dark moss, air mesh: onyx, dark moss, warm dust

People / Nick Kova

The Spruce / Nick Kova

Best Budget

Uniqlo round mini shoulder bag.

• Capacity 2 /5

It has a large capacity despite its small size.

The style is trendy, and it comes in a wide array of colors.

It doesn’t have any exterior pouches for easy access to frequently-used items.

If you’re looking for something more compact that will still hold a lot of items, this trendy crossbody or shoulder bag from Uniqlo is a great option. While only 11 inches by 6.7 inches at its widest points, the side pleats enable it to open up to almost 4 inches at the bottom, allowing you to fit a surprising amount inside . Plus, it’s wide enough to hold a small device like an iPad mini or a small notebook — ideal for travel purposes.

Although it doesn’t have exterior pouches, it also features flat pouches inside to help you keep your items organized. And with an adjustable strap and a wide array of fun, water-repellent colors , we know can make it suit any outfit.

Size: 11 x 6.7 x 3.9 inches | Body Material: Polyester | Available Colors: Black, pink, natural, beige, yellow, green, blue, navy

People / Abigail Moore

Best Belt Bag

Lululemon all night festival bag micro.

• Capacity 3 /5
• Ease of Use 4 /5

It’s a durable, high-quality bag.

It has a versatile design and can be worn in several ways.

It has convenient zip pockets in different sizes.

We wish it included slots to organize credit cards.

This small Lululemon belt bag is the ideal bag for anyone looking to keep their important items accessible and organized without the bag getting in the way. This affordable and high-quality travel purse features a thoughtful design with multiple zip pockets of different shapes and sizes, making it great for many different uses. The front zip pocket is the ideal size for money, a couple of credit cards, and a phone, so you can easily access the things you need in a jiff. (We just wish it had slots to organize the credit cards.) Plus, it’s made of water-repellent nylon (which is super easy to spot clean!) and has held up remarkably well over the year our tester has had it.

This bag’s small size makes it a fantastic option if you’re looking to keep your heavy-use items organized and accessible, and it can easily be tossed into a larger bag during travel. It has a versatile design and can be worn as a shoulder bag, crossbody, or fanny pack.

Size: 5.5 x 5.1 x 2 inches | Body Material: Nylon | Available Colors: Spiced chai, white opal/silver, black/silver, black/gold

Best Crossbody

Kavu sydney satchel.

• Capacity 4 /5

It’s a sturdy and well-constructed bag that's easy to clean.

It comes in fun colors and prints.

It is spacious enough to hold a sweatshirt.

The style and prints may not be super professional.

This fantastic crossbody satchel from Kavu can accompany you on any trip. With enough capacity to hold even a bulky sweatshirt, this cotton purse is great for any time you want to bring along some belongings without it feeling unwieldy or heavy. It’s super easy to clean and quite sturdy and well-made, so it’s great for trips where you might be doing rough outdoor activities, like hiking or enjoying an amusement park. With a large exterior zip pocket, an interior zip pocket, and two small interior flat pockets, this bag is great for keeping your items organized while remaining easily accessible.

Plus, it has a long, adjustable strap and comes in 16 fun colors and prints, so you can find one right up your alley. The prints are rather bold, so this satchel might not be ideal if you need a more professional-looking bag.

Size: 15 x 13 x 1.5 inches | Body Material: Cotton | Available Colors: 16

Best Medium-Sized

Baggu nylon crescent bag.

• Comfort 5 /5
• Value 4.8 /5

This bag is lightweight so you can pack everything you might want without it becoming cumbersome to carry.

It’s machine-washable.

It comes in a bunch of fun colors and patterns.

It has two pockets but no interior separators.

If you’re looking for a travel purse that’s not too big or too small, is easy to clean, and is super durable, the Medium Nylon Crescent Bag from Baggu may be the ideal fit. Made of durable heavyweight nylon (which is machine-washable and super easy to spot clean), this stylish bag featuring a variety of funky colors will hold all of your important items, and you can keep the most essential ones like keys and credit cards out of the fray in the interior zippered pouch. It doesn’t have any interior separators, but the pockets can keep most things organized.

Plus, it's lightweight , so it won't be cumbersome to carry even if it's full. And since it isn’t too big, your items won’t get all mixed up and lost in a dark corner, either. It also has an adjustable strap , allowing you to hold it close to your body, and it zips shut and has no exterior pockets, so you can rest assured your items will be safe while you wander the airport, the beach, or the streets of Europe. And, if you’re looking for something a bit bigger, Baggu has released a large version as well.

Size: 13.75 x 8 x 4 inches | Body Material: Recycled heavyweight nylon | Available Colors: 14

Best with Multiple Pockets

Multisac lorraine crossbody bag.

• Portability 4 /5

It’s a great price for such a well-designed vegan leather purse.

It has a sleek style that's appropriate for more formal settings.

It’s the ideal size: not too large, not too small.

The narrow top opening can make it hard to find your belongings quickly.

This well-designed vegan leather travel purse from MultiSac is the ideal option if you’re looking to keep many different items organized throughout your travels. It features four exterior pockets — three on the front (two flat, one gusseted) and one on the back (which is extremely secure and can even be a bit difficult to access oneself) — as well as three interior pockets (two small gusseted ones, and one big enough for a small device like a tablet). With this variety of pocket shapes and sizes, you’ll definitely be able to keep all your important documents organized and accessible. 

Plus, it comes in various colors and prints , and the adjustable strap allows you to wear the purse crossbody or on your shoulder. It also has a sleek style that's appropriate for more formal settings. This affordable purse is the ideal size for traveling — it’s not too large or too small. One small drawback: The narrow top opening of the purse can make it challenging to find and access your belongings quickly.

Size: 11 x 12 x 2.5 inches | Body Material: Vegan leather | Available Colors: Beach glass flowers, black (heirloom), gingham/hazelnut, margate floral, tropicana floral

Best Foldable

Away the packable carryall.

It has a large capacity and is super lightweight.

The bag includes a storage pouch with a loop, so you can clip it wherever you need.

It includes a trolley sleeve to attach to your luggage.

It doesn’t contain any interior organizing compartments.

If you’re looking for a bag that will hold a lot but can be easily stored throughout your trip or while you’re home (or is a great “just in case” bag), you can’t do better than this foldable carryall from Away. Made of water-resistant nylon , this bag folds up into a tiny 6 by 4-inch storage pouch with a loop that can easily be tossed anywhere.

While it doesn’t feature organizing compartments, it has one flat exterior pocket, one zipped interior pocket, and a whole bunch of capacity — ideal for any trip where you want to fit it all in one bag. It also features a trolley sleeve for easy transport in the airport, and it comes in a variety of beautiful, fun colors.

Size: 19.7 x 15 x 9 inches | Body Material: Recycled nylon | Available Colors: Jet black, navy blue, cayenne

Best with Shoe Compartment

Minkars weekender bag.

It has a dedicated padded laptop sleeve.

It features a USB charging port to use with a portable charger.

It has a wide opening and a sturdy design that holds its shape while you fill it.

There are not a ton of color options.

With a spacious and easily accessible shoe compartment at the bottom, this travel tote by Minkars is great for any weekend trip. It looks a lot like a piece of Béis luggage but at half the price. It has a super wide opening and a sturdy design that holds its shape while you fill it, so you’ll have an easy time packing, unpacking, and accessing items in this bag. Plus, the shoe compartment is super spacious and easy to access.

This bag also comes with a matching toiletry case and a detachable crossbody strap , so you can carry it however works best for you. This thoughtfully designed bag also has a padded sleeve for your laptop, a trolley sleeve for hands-free rolling through the airport, and a USB charging port that’s available when you need it. This bag is a great value with leather detailing, a thoughtful design, and three elegant color options.

Our team member who has this bag absolutely loves it. She shared, “It truly holds a lot, and it has the quality of more expensive bags that it's a dupe of (specifically the Beis Weekender one). The leather details make it feel more expensive than it actually is. I spent a lot of time scrolling through Amazon and Béis's website trying to compare bags, and I found this one seemed to look the most well-made for the price tag.”

Size: 17 x 16 x 8 inches | Body Material: Waterproof | Available Colors: Beige, black, pink

Best Sling Bag

Patagonia atom sling bag.

It’s made of durable, easy-to-clean, water-repellent material.

It’s ideal if you want to keep your items close to your body.

This bag features several pockets and pouches to keep your belongings organized and accessible.

It’s a casual bag, so it doesn’t have a professional look.

Another travel bag that earned top scores, this crossbody sling bag from Patagonia is excellent for anyone looking to comfortably free up their hands without sacrificing capacity. The bag itself rides on the wearer's back (close to your body), keeping your items safely out of the way without swinging everywhere and becoming a nuisance. Plus, the adjustable strap is padded and designed for comfort — and our favorite part: It features a small zipper pouch on the front for important or heavy-use items like a phone or keys.

We love how spacious this bag is and the fact that it’s water-repellent and easy to clean. The pockets and pouches in this bag are thoughtfully designed. In addition to the strap pouch, the bag features an exterior zip pouch along with the main zip pouch (and inside, there is a separator to keep your items organized), plus straps for carrying something bulkier like a yoga mat. This bag is casual, so it may not be the first choice if you’re looking for something more professional.

Size: 13.5 x 9 x 3 inches | Body Material: Water-repellent recycled polyester | Available Colors: 6

Best Lightweight

Longchamp le pliage filet mesh bag.

This bag can be scrunched up into a really small bundle or folded up, which makes it easy to travel with and store.

It has more capacity than it may seem.

It includes long straps to wear on your shoulder and handles to carry as a handbag.

The contents of the bag are always visible.

If you’re looking for something unique, versatile, and stylish, this mesh bag from Longchamp (in collaboration with FILT) is the ideal option. With a surprisingly high capacity (think towel, sweater, book, sunglasses, water bottle , and more ), this scrunch-upable purse is great for any time you may need an impromptu bag — especially at the beach; no sand getting stuck in the bottom here! And don’t be concerned about your items falling out — we had no issue with this throughout our use. Keep in mind that everything is visible with this bag. It also has both the iconic Le Pliage flap and snap closure and handles as well as a longer set of straps, so you can wear it however works best for you.

Size: 15 x 12.2 inches | Body Material: Cotton | Available Colors: Ecru, tobacco, black, pink, green, lilac

Best Versatility

Longchamp le pliage expandable travel bag.

• Design 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

This bag features a zipper expander, so you can easily switch between a medium and large size tote.

It features Longchamp’s signature Le Pliage foldover closure that allows you to fold your bag up into a small rectangle for easy storage and transport.

The polyamide canvas material is incredibly easy to clean.

There are no interior organizational compartments.

Another one of the travel bags on our list that earned high ratings, Longchamp’s expandable travel bag is great for so many uses. Even without opening the expansion, this bag already has quite the capacity, but if you’d like some extra space, just zip open the expansion and you’re good to go. Plus, this bag comes with both Longchamp’s iconic leather flap and snap closure and handle, as well as a detachable strap for on-the-shoulder wear. And, like most of Longchamp’s Le Pliage bags, this tote is designed to be folded up into a compact little rectangle , making this the ideal bag for tossing into your suitcase “just in case,” or hiding away in your checked luggage when not in use. It doesn’t feature interior organizational pockets, which would be helpful.

One of our testers shared that she considers this Longchamp “the everything bag.” She uses it as her daily purse and fills it with her wallet, keys, phone, and water bottle, but she also uses it for weekend trips. “I can use it as my laptop carrier on my way to work or on the airplane, and the material makes it so easy to clean up if I spill water, coffee, or food inside."

Size: 17.7 x 13.8 x 9.1 inches | Body Material: Recycled polyamide canvas | Available Colors: Black, navy, steel, sage, graphite, cognac, ebony

Portland Leather Leather Tote Bag

This bag is made of high-quality materials and comes in a wide array of beautiful colors.

It’s also available in four sizes, each with an open-top and zipper-top option, so you can get exactly the bag you need.

It has a professional and sophisticated look.

It doesn’t have any zippered interior pockets for added safety.

Tote bag lovers, rejoice: This beautiful leather tote from Portland is a wonderful option for those seeking a travel bag that’s easily accessible while also looking professional and sophisticated. Although it has minimal interior organization , with a deep, wide interior , you can fit so much into this bag (we tested the large size). We wish this tote included an interior zippered pocket for added safety.

We were easily able to fit a laptop, a wallet, a book, a Kindle, and keys (especially easy thanks to the snap-open key loop), and had room for more. Plus, each size and color also comes in open-top and zipper-top options, so you can achieve the level of ease or security you desire. Our favorite part, though: The thick, sturdy, genuine leather doesn’t slouch and has shown no signs of wear in over two years of use, even on the straps and rivets.

Size: Small: 13 x 11 x 4.5 inches, medium: 15 x 12 x 5.5 inches, large: 18 x 12 x 6 inches, oversized: 13.5-21 x 13 x 6 inches | Body Material: Leather (or suede) | Available Colors: Nutmeg, cold brew, honey, cognac, pebbled black, black, grizzly, Dakota, storm-tan

Best Backpack

Longchamp le pliage original backpack.

It’s super secure with zippers that close tightly.

It's lightweight and water resistant.

It has a great capacity with plenty of room for a backpack, sweater, and water bottle.

It only has one flat interior pocket.

Another one of our bags that earned high ratings, this elegant Longchamp is great for anyone who prefers a backpack for traveling — and wants to know their belongings are safe. With a zipper closure as well as Longchamp’s famed Le Pliage foldover snap closure, you can rest assured your items will be secure. It also folds down to a portable size that’s easy for storage and traveling.

While it only comes with one flat interior pocket and doesn’t include organizational pockets or compartments, we were impressed by how much capacity this backpack has — we’ve fit a laptop, makeup, a sweater, a couple of water bottles, and snacks with no issue. Plus, it comes in several bright, fun colors , and it's lightweight and water-resistant . This Longchamp is a sophisticated way to wear a backpack, wherever you’re headed.

Size: 10.2 x 11 x 3.9 inches | Body Material: Recycled polyamide canvas | Available Colors: 7

Best Leather

Portland leather camera bag purse.

This bag comes in a variety of fun colors in pebbled and smooth scales.

Given this bag’s compact size, it holds a lot of stuff.

It has a classic, long-lasting style.

It only has one interior and one exterior pocket.

For those looking for a small bag that’s both sophisticated and timeless , look no further. This beautiful leather crossbody bag from Portland Leather comes in two sizes and is super spacious . The bag has one interior and one exterior pocket and will hold all of your essential belongings without becoming a nuisance. With a squared-off design that’s made to hold its form and a zipper that extends an inch or two down the sides, you can fill this belt bag up and still be able to access your items with ease.

It’s available in a variety of colors and finishes , including pebbled and smooth scales. Plus, with an adjustable strap , you can wear it as a crossbody or a shoulder bag — whichever you prefer. This elegant bag is a quality product with a timeless design and is a great choice.

Size: Small: 5 x 7.5 x 2 inches, large: 9.25 x 6 x 2.5 inches | Body Material: Leather | Available Colors: 16

Best Investment

Lo & sons o.g. 2.

Lo & Sons

It has super spacious and well-thought-out pockets that allow you to keep your items organized.

There are different strap options, so you can wear it whichever way works best for you.

It comes in several sophisticated but fun color options — all of which come with gold or silver accents.

We couldn’t find any!

Another product with high scores, this sophisticated, functional, and versatile tote from Lo & Sons is ideal for any trip. With more pouches, pockets, and padding than we could imagine, this overnight bag can hold so much — and keep it organized. “Having a way to secure your travel bag on top of your roller luggage is a game changer, along with having secure but easy-to-access pockets for your passport and important items,” Jan Lo, cofounder and CEO of Lo & Sons shares.

This particular bag features a laptop sleeve, a flat exterior pouch, a shoe compartment, interior water bottle holders, small interior flat pouches, and a suitcase handle sleeve, plus a key leash and a detachable crossbody strap, allowing you to carry or wear it however you like. We also love that the nylon material makes it super easy to clean and that the bag has barely shown any signs of wear after over four years of use (just some slight fraying along the strap). Even better, it comes in a wide array of colors .

Size: Medium: 16.5 x 13.75  x 6.75 inches, large: 16.5 x 14.75 x 6.75 inches | Body Material: Nylon | Available Colors: 8

After considering all of our surveyed results of avid traveler members of our team, the Cheruty Travel Backpack is our favorite, thanks to its low price tag, durable material, and clever design. Coming in a close second is the Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag which comes in five sizes and includes a laptop sleeve and a luggage handle.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Purse

“Look for a bag that maximizes the space inside of the bag while not getting too big for the under-seat compartment," says Lo. Also, take into account what you may be using it for, as different types of trips may require different sizes of bags. For example, if you travel by plane often, you'll want to take note of your favorite airline's specific size constraints, whereas weeklong road trips allow for a little more flexibility.

With many different kinds of travel purses, what style will work best for you is worth considering before hitting the stores (online or in person). Our favorites? Backpacks, totes, and small purses, each of which offer different benefits. Backpacks , like the Longchamp Le Pliage Original Backpack and the Cheruty Backpack Purse , can be great for staying organized as they often have many pouches and pockets of different shapes and sizes.

Totes are best for holding a lot of items and are a great option, especially if you’re trying to get away with taking just one big bag for your trip. We especially love the Away The Packable Carryall and the Dagne Dover Landon Large Carryall Bag because they can hold a lot but are super easy to store (both at home or during your trip).

Finally, small purses , like the Lululemon All Night Festival Bag Micro 2L , are great if you have just a few important/heavy-use items that you want to keep easily accessible (like your phone, wallet, keys, passport, etc.). Smaller crossbody bags, like the Kavu Sydney Satchel , are also great for trips where you may be hiking or going to amusement parks.

Heavily impacting both a travel bag’s style and its functionality is the material the bag is made of. Leather is going to look professional but be hard to clean. Cotton is going to be durable and easy to clean. Nylon is both professional and easy to clean. In terms of durability, stylist Lindsay Albanese tells us her favorites are leather (we like the Portland Leather Tote Bag ), nylon, or even patent leather, adding that she loves a good print to hide stains or dirt.

Just like with luggage and travel makeup bags , travel purses can run the gamut when it comes to price: For this article, we tested bags at every price point, ranging from as low as $15 to as high as $400. It’s important to take your budget into account when shopping and try to find a well-made travel bag without being unduly pricey. We believe all of the options on our list are great choices when it comes to value.

To find the best travel purses, we surveyed our team on their favorite travel bags, asking them all about their experience traveling with different products. 

• Recommendations: Each travel purse submitted for recommendation had to have been used for six months or more. We received a list of 30 favorite bags to consider for the best travel purse.
• Evaluation: We then had our team rate their favorite travel purse on capacity, portability, ease of use, durability, design features, and value.

This truly depends on what you hope to carry: backpacks are great for keeping many different items organized and out of the way, whereas purses are best for carrying just a few things like your important documents, wallet, and keys. Backpacks also make great work bags .

While this really comes down to personal preference, both Lo and Albanese shared that they prefer to travel with backpacks. Lo shared that, with more compartments, backpacks can hold more contents and are more comfortable and convenient. Albanese said she prefers backpacks for traveling because they’re the most functional kind of travel bag, with many different pouches to keep your items separated and organized.

The best way to keep your valuables safe while traveling is to make sure your bag is fully enclosed and wear it close to your front. Lo suggests a crossbody bag (we like the MultiSac Lorraine Women's Crossbody Bag and the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag ) to achieve both of these. Lo says that if you need something bigger, choose a fully enclosing tote (which you can keep to your front in crowds) instead of a backpack. (In fact, the reason Lo & Sons originally designed the brand’s Waverley 2 was because their mom’s wallet had been stolen from a backpack while traveling.)

Carry-ons are what go in the overhead compartment (and are usually rollaboards), whereas personal items must fit under the seat in front of you. If your purse is small enough to fit under the seat, it will not count as a carry-on, and you can bring a rollaboard as well. The personal item dimension limits are generally around 16 x 13 x 7 inches, but be sure to check your air carrier’s specific rules.

Larger bags like the Lo & Sons O.G. 2 and the Cheruty Backpack Purse count as personal items (not carry-ons) and are a great choice if you’re hoping to use your travel bag to carry a lot of your stuff. 

In addition, you can also bring a smaller purse, like the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag , Lululemon All Night Festival Bag Micro 2L , or Kavu Sydney Satchel , to carry important items and documents, which you can easily throw into a larger bag to get around bag number limits — which is one of Albanese’s favorite travel hacks.

Elizabeth Marino is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE, focusing on home products. A lover of all things home and family, she loves to help consumers find the best products to fit their domestic needs. In her spare time, you can find her traveling to historic sites and museums — and food spots — throughout the country. She holds a BA in American Studies and History from Columbia University.

• Lindsay Albanese is a fashion stylist and entrepreneur.
• Jan Lo is the cofounder and CEO of Lo & Sons.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

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Home » Gear » The VERY Best Travel Purses To Keep Your Gear Organised In 2024!

The VERY Best Travel Purses To Keep Your Gear Organised In 2024!

A great trip is all about the details, and this is one I hate! Your boarding pass always picks the worst time to disappear, especially if it’s crammed into one of 50 different side compartments in a rush to get through security.

I always like to wear my heaviest clothing through the airport to save luggage space, which generally means  a lot  of pockets. I got sick of searching through every nook and cranny of my raincoat and day bag every time I had to show a travel document or pay for a coffee, so I strapped the essentials to my waist and took off a new traveller. Life-changing I tell ya!

The best travel purses turn you from a frantic pedestrian into a prepared thespian, beating TSA records and sitting down at your destination without breaking a sweat. Whether you are shopping for your daily commute or a backpacking adventure, keeping your shit together (physically and mentally) is easy with a travel purse!

Full of handy pockets (more pockets!) and surprising features, travel purses can function as carry-on bags, day packs, wallets, and more. All these travel purses are all carry-on friendly and easy to throw over one shoulder or have just in your hand.

Heading on an adventure these days means jumping through more hoops than a toddler on a sugar high! From check-in to take off you’ve got to present enough bits of paperwork to destroy a small forest! Let alone the amount of caffeine this process requires to get through! So, there’s a fair bit of juggling passports, visas, health forms and credit cards going on before you can finally sit back in your seat and relax!

So, what’s the solution? With some planning, a decent travel purse will keep everything you need organised, safe and close at hand. When you hit the road you want to be travelling with the least amount of bulk as possible whilst having your essentials exactly where you need them without making them vulnerable.

So what exactly makes a purse built for travel? Any purse can be called a travel purse, but only certain features truly make your travel days easier.

You’ll want to have a storage area for important paperwork and documents, to work as a wallet and also somewhere to safely keep your phone too. Travel purses also come in different shapes, sizes and wearability. Some are pretty minimal just for the essentials whilst others can double as a carry on bag and hold extra items like a compact camera and an iPad. Some are over the shoulder bags or cross-body bags whilst other purses are designed to be able to fit in a pocket or a larger bag.

Above all else, any quality travel purse is built to last for thousands of miles.

We searched far and wide for travel purses that are uniquely capable of holding the essentials without adding too much weight and bulk to your setup. So let’s get down to business and find the perfect purse for travel for you.

Quick Answers: What Are The Best Travel Purses?

• #1 Pacsafe Go Anti Theft Purse –  Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag
• #2 Osprey Arcane Pouch –  Arcane Zip Pouch Medium
• #3 Kodiak Leather Purse –  Leather Purse
• #4 Mahi Leather Classic Vegan Purse –  The Classic Purse (Vegan)
• #5 Harber London Crossbody –  Crossbody Bags
• #6 Harber London iPad Sleeve –  Ipad Sleeve

Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag

• > Slash-proof travel purse
• > Five muted colour options

Arcane Zip Pouch Medium

• > Covered by a lifetime guarantee
• > Uses recycled plastic

Leather Purse

• > Zippered exterior pocket
• > Heavy-duty nylon liner

The Classic Purse (Vegan)

• > Eco-friendly travel ensemble
• > Waterproof lining and YKK zippers

Crossbody Bags

• > More extensive travel arsenal
• > Enthusiastic metal buckle

Ipad Sleeve

• > Space for an additional keyboard, stylus
• > Ability to fold into a stand

The Best Travel Purses That Money Can Buy

Before you spend your hard earn cash, you’ve got to find the perfect place to store it right! The great thing about these travel purses is that they can double as a daily carry for your essential items as well as organising your important documents on those busy and stressful travel days.

We’ve scoured the market to find the most durable, sustainable, high tech, and good looking travel purses on today’s market. So, it’s up to you to decide which one will serve as your man bag! Let’s take a took and see if you can find the best vacation purse for your trip.

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#1 Pacsafe Go Anti Theft Purse –  Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag

Now we all know that travelling can be a magical and mind-altering experience, but let’s also not be naive and forget that travelling around the world with a heap of cash, expensive phones and western passports doesn’t make us a target. “what is the best purse to use when traveling?” Well, it’s the one that keeps your gear the safest for us!

Let them come. Slasher and dasher, the evil twins of prancer and vixen, frequent every city south of the North Pole and they can be an absolute nightmare when it comes to your trip. Protect your hard-earned gear with a slash-proof travel purse that has plenty of tricks up its sleeve and keeps those pickpockets in places like Rome , at bay!

This compact crossbody bag has enough storage for things like a small camera and a tablet alongside your documents, so it’s great not just for transiting through an airport but for those days out exploring too. Instead of hiding your stuff under your shirt and being all uncomfortable and fumbling around, with the Pacsafe slash-proof bag and shoulder strap, you can be confident to wander around with your gear in a convenient location.

Pacsafe have nailed the practical, rugged, and quality categories to bring home a theft-proof purse that fits into any adventure and also look pretty swish at the same time, especially in the coastal blue and yellow colourway which is a personal favourite.  

If you’re travelling with a larger camera and laptop and are looking for something just as secure but with a bit more storage, why not check out the Pacsafe Venturesafe X 12L backpack as well.

Our team loved this bag and felt it was the perfect travel purse for keeping your stuff safe, especially in high-risk areas or even as a great beach bag . They loved that they could throw inside all their valuables, including a small camera, and walk around with absolute confidence that they were safe. They also felt that the bag still looked pretty good considering all the wild and crazy features packed into it!

#2 Osprey Arcane Pouch –  Arcane Zip Pouch Medium

From the largest backpacking bags to itsy bitsy bum backs (fanny packs for the Americans), Osprey makes the best in the business. It’s a company we’ve trusted to keep our gear safe and organised on many trips. So what you get here with this travel purse is a take on the concept from a serious and well-respected adventure company and with that comes their lifetime guarantee.

Another bonus is that no animals were harmed in the making of this vegan zip pouch and instead it uses recycled plastic to create this miniature masterpiece, so great for the environment too. Don’t expect to fit an overnight flight’s worth of necessities inside the Arcane pouch, in fact, it’s pretty minimalistic. You’ll find space for your travel documents, charging cords, headphones, phone and keys, as well as efficient credit card storage. 

The nice thing is that it comes in a few different sizes so you can shuffle through and find the perfect version to suit your needs and travel style.  

Are you a vegan traveller looking for other great cruelty-free products for your trip? Check out our rundown of the best vegan backpacks .

Our team loved that this purse was pretty minimalist and low-key, for them it meant they could fit in all they needed without overpacking and carrying more than was necessary. They loved how flat this thing was due to it’s minimalist design and so how easily it could fit into a pocket or compartment of their bag without bulking it out.

#3 Kodiak Leather Purse –  Leather Purse

This leather travel purse puts on a masterclass of long-lasting efficiency right by your side and is the smallest bag in the Koyuk collection. The three straps balance out the load and mean despite them being pretty thin, they’re still super comfy even when the bag is fully laden. The stylish look also means it’s a travel purse you can bring out with you even when you’re dressed up and it won’t look out of place.

There’s a convenient zippered exterior pocket at the front, this comes in super handy when you need to grab something quickly like spare change or mints. The large main compartment has an additional heavy-duty nylon liner giving your gear inside an extra layer of protection from the elements as well as from scratching. There are also 4 cardholder slots too for easy access without having to get your wallet out.

Synthetic materials are bridging the gap, but nothing lasts longer than leather. This Kodiak clutch could be the last travel purse you ever have to shop for. The top-grain grows a personality by bending, creasing and subtly shifting colours over time. 

If you’re err, into leather, then check out the selection of leather travel bags on offer and see which one suits your style best.

Our team felt this was the best traveling purse for those wanting something lowkey but with a surprising amount of storage space whilst looking pretty fly! They loved that it had that traditional purse look and feel to it, which combined with the leather material made it feel like something they could take out for a fancy meal at night and exploring a new city during the day.

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#4 Mahi Leather Classic Vegan Purse –  The Classic Purse (Vegan)

If you’re looking for something super minimal and compact enough to fit the essentials without taking up too much space, the Mahi Mahi cork purse might just be the one. This pocket-sized vegan offering functions more like a traditional purse or wallet and can easily be thrown inside a larger bag or even be used every day as your main wallet.

What is really unique about this purse is the materials it’s made from. With a cork exterior, it’s not only a head-turner but it’s a sustainable and vegan material. Don’t worry though, because on the inside there is a waterproof material lining it so all your gear will stay safe whatever the weather.

For such a small offering there’s plenty of organisation inside, with three pockets and five compartments, you’ll never be left digging through your wallet again!

Mahi has cork day bags and luggage that can work alongside this vegan purse to present an eco-friendly travel ensemble capable of taking a beating. You can also give this bag a personal touch with a custom monogram. Each option is handmade to order and built to last.   

If you’re into the style of the Mahi Mahi but you’re looking for something a bit different, check out the selection of travel wallets on offer too as they offer some similar features in a smaller size.

Our team loved this wallet style purse and how low profile it is and how easily that meant it fit inside their bags or even smaller cross body packs. They loved the unique cork material which they found to be durable and hard wearing as well as looking stylish. The inner zippered sections and card slots were also a stand out feature for organisation too.

#5 Harber London Crossbody –  Crossbody Bag

Let’s be honest, we all wanna look stylish when we’re getting about and travel purses should we say, just sometimes ain’t it when you’re trying to have a bit of swag. In fact, many of them can look a bit geeky and we’re not about that! But who says style and function can’t come together?!

Whether you’re getting about around town or crossing continents on an intrepid adventure, this Harber bag has you covered for all eventualities! With its stylish brown leather interior, this versatile bag won’t look out of place wherever you take it.

But it’s not style over substance either. There is enough room to fit your passports, documents, notebooks, phone, headphones and wallet easily in here and with the wide but soft strap it all sits on your body comfortably and within easy access. It’s a great accessory to add to your travel pack as it doesn’t take up any unnecessary room for the versatility it offers.

It’s the perfect grab bag for a day or night out when you don’t need to drag along 20l worth of gear! It doesn’t just look the part either, with the hardwearing leather finish and the tough metal buckle, this hardworking bag is ready to sit by your side for decades.

If you fancy yourself as a bit of a stylish icon when you’re on the road and you’re looking for some extra special gear, then check out the extensive line of Harber travel gear on offer.

Our team felt this was the best small travel purse for those wanting to look super stylish on the road. They felt the cross-body style was both comfortable and added an extra sense of security. They loved the size and felt it was perfect for keeping their essentials without becoming heavy.

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

#6 Harber London iPad Sleeve –  Ipad Sleeve

Hey, we did say Harber had an extensive collection and here’s another one for you! It can be tempting to bring along the laptop but why not give it a rest, pack light and instead bring along an iPad or tablet so you can sit back and focus on some cocktails at sunset rather than emails!

With space for an additional keyboard, stylus, and the ability to fold into a stand, your sleeve will mean it’s a great compromise for lightweight travellers looking to escape the office whilst still having the ability to check in here and there when needed.

There is no such thing as too much protection for your expensive electronic equipment. The stylish but functional design of the sleeve means that you can either chuck it in a larger bag or carry it around on its own without worrying about dropping it! The hardwearing and weather-resistant leather exterior also means it’s protected from a light shower and the woollen interior is scratch-free.

Even though it’s primarily an iPad sleeve, the generous space of the interior means that you can easily slip inside a passport and documents whilst travelling through the airport.

Our team loved this purse for professional use when you need to carry your laptop plus a few extra items on a business trip, commuting or between buildings at work. They found the materials not only to be stylish and good-looking but durable and great at protecting their gear too. They felt the purse was great on it’s own or combined with a larger bag for extra protection.

Still bringing your laptop? Check out the best laptop backpacks for travel instead!

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Final Thoughts on The Best Travel Purses

From glorified wallets to full-on satchels, you just got an inside look at the best handbags for day-to-day wear as well as the best travel purse for international travel. Whatever you’ve got planned, these purses will make sure all your important documents stay safe and organised!

As you can see from the broad spectrum of choices on this list, we’ve got more purse styles to choose from than Harrods! That means your perfect bag is somewhere out there, just waiting for you to come along and rescue it from travel obscurity! Do the right thing and it might become one of your favourite pieces of travel gear .

Take this list and cross-reference these purse options with your plans. Need something pretty versatile that can accompany you not only on a night out but also on the red eye the next morning? Or are you a pretty minimalist traveller looking for the most compact way to keep all your shit organised? Maybe you’re just a hardcore traveller who just wants to make sure your passport doesn’t get nicked! Well, there’s some great travel purses for every need here.

Pairing up your travel purse with a day bag like the Aer Tech Pack 2 and a larger backpack or suitcase, or even as a complement to one-bag travel, is a great way to get the most out of your setup. These specific travel tools aren’t made to be stuffed full or to serve as your only bag for an entire trip, but as an ideal way to keep your passport, wallet and documents organised, safe and handy whilst travelling.

Hopefully, you’ll find the right bag from this list of best travel purses for 2024 that will keep the crucial things handy and help your trip set off without a hitch. You’ll be sipping Champaign and watching movies at 32,000 ft before you know it!

Need more ideas? Check out the best travel organisers too.

Aiden Freeborn

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The 14 Best Travel Purses for Women

01/10/2024 by Kristin Addis Leave a Comment

Traveling is just as much about the destination as it is about the journey and the gear that gets you there. Having a reliable purse is essential, because it holds your most important travel “accessories,” like your passport, wallet, and phone. Truth is, the right travel purse can be the difference between feeling safe and prepared, and well, not so much.

I’ve tested a lot of purses in my 10+ years of traveling the world. These are my top 14 best travel purses for women, many of which I still use today.

Table of Contents

1. Baggallini Everywhere Bagg with RFID – $110

Baggallini’s Everywhere Bagg is a traveler’s dream for staying organized on the move. It’s lightweight and water-resistant, and comes with RFID-blocking technology, which keeps your personal information safe. With its multitude of pockets and adjustable strap, it’s just right for daily adventures.

If you’ve not read my Baggallini review , spoiler alert: I adore this bag. The material is super sturdy, the zippers are of excellent quality, and the overall value for the price is stellar.

2. PacSafe Citysafe CX Antitheft Cross-Body Bag – $100

PacSafe is a travel safety veteran known for its security-focused designs, and the Citysafe CX embodies this to a T. It’s a sleek, minimalist cross-body bag with advanced antitheft technology, including RFID blocking and cut-resistant materials. Sometimes the best travel purses for women are those that have top-of-the-line security features. Hey, I don’t make the rules!

Ideal for urban explorations, it keeps your valuables safe without sacrificing style. I love that it comes in a few colors and doesn’t scream “I’m a safety bag.” I’ve used PacSafe products for years now, and they’ve never disappointed me. Plus, they truly do withstand the test of time.

3. Arden Cove Antitheft Waterproof Full Cross-Body Bag – $179

Perfect for the security-conscious traveler, the Arden Cove Cross-Body Bag combines antitheft features with style. It sets itself apart from other antitheft bags because its style mimics luxury handbags, which could be a great selling point for people who aren’t into the ultraminimalist look. It’s also waterproof and slashproof, offering a spacious main compartment with organizational pockets and a key ring. The front section includes a built-in wallet with RFID-blocking technology, thereby safeguarding your cards and cash.

This is a super bag for a night out, because you can pair it with a fancier outfit and nobody would know that it’s an antitheft purse. Luxury travelers, rejoice!

4. Nomatic Navigator Sling 6L – $130

The Nomatic Navigator Sling 6L is a standout choice for travelers who are obsessed with staying organized and also want to make sure their things are super safe. Its water-repellent exterior and antitheft features are a testament to thoughtful design. It boasts ample space, with various pockets and hidden compartments, perfect for everything from a 17-inch tablet to keys (using a convenient key holder). A unique feature is the external water bottle holder, which frees up interior space.

The bag includes an RFID front card pocket for added security against electronic theft and a cable hole for on-the-go device charging. While the bag’s hard shell provides security, it also means less flexibility and difficulty in packing when not in use, so bring it as your personal item instead of trying to stuff it into your checked bag. However, its ease of adjustment and the ability to comfortably move it from front to back make it a practical and secure option for long and complicated travel days.

5. Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag – $52

For those who crave a blend of style and practicality, the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag is a dream come true. It’s the ideal size, neither too big nor too small, striking a balance between portability and capacity. Made from durable, heavyweight nylon, it’s not only tough but also machine-washable — a rare find in travel accessories. Plus it comes in 11 colors, so you can choose one that fits your personality or travel aesthetic.

The bag’s design is simple yet effective, featuring an interior zippered pouch for your essentials, like keys and credit cards. Its adjustable strap and zip closure add to its security, making it a worry-free companion for diverse travel environments, from bustling airports to serene beaches. I think this is one of the best travel purses for women, because it’s one of the only ones out there that is machine washable.

6. Away The Packable Carryall – $75

The Away The Packable Carryall is a game-changer for those moments when you need extra space without the bulk. Its standout feature is its ability to fold into a compact 6 x 4-inch storage pouch, complete with a loop for easy clipping and carrying.

Crafted from water-resistant nylon, it’s durable yet super lightweight. While it may not have interior organizing compartments, it compensates with a flat exterior pocket and a zipped interior one, offering ample room for all your travel essentials. Its large capacity is great for trips where you want everything in one place.

7. Travelon Anti-theft Classic Messenger Bag – $51

If security is your priority with your travel gear, the Travelon Antitheft Classic Messenger Bag is a top contender. Priced affordably, it offers advanced antitheft features without compromising on style or functionality. The bag is equipped with hidden slashproof chain-link construction and a cutproof shoulder strap, alongside a locking zipper. These features work in tandem to ensure that your wallet, travel documents, and other valuables remain secure.

Beyond its security measures, the bag is a type-A traveler’s best friend because of its organizational features. It includes slots for credit cards, pockets for notebooks and documents, and a water bottle holder. An additional expansion pocket is perfect for larger items like a camera or sunglasses. Its utilitarian design is both practical and sleek. With this purse, it’s all about the pockets!

8. Calpak Luka Belt Bag – $58

The Calpak Luka Belt Bag is small but mighty, chic but functional. This bag’s matte, puffy look not only adds a touch of style but is comfy to wear. It also has a secret pocket for your valuables.

Its lightweight and scratch-resistant material adds to its appeal, making it a versatile choice for various travel scenarios. Whether you’re exploring city streets or navigating airport terminals, you’ll have a hands-free way to keep your essentials close to you. Who says a glorified fanny pack can’t be one of the best travel purses for women?

9. Pata gonia Atom Sling Bag 8L – $65

Your adventure awaits, and you need a bag that is up for the ride. The Patagonia Atom Sling Bag 8L is designed to keep your belongings securely close to your body, making it superb for active adventures or city explorations. Made from durable, water-repellent material, it’s both easy to clean and practical for various weather conditions. You’ll also enjoy several pockets and pouches, including a small zipper pouch on the front for important items like your phone or keys.

The adjustable, padded strap makes it extra comfy for long travel days, ensuring that the bag stays in place without swinging or digging into your body. While its casual look may not tick all your style boxes for a night out, the Atom Sling Bag is an outstanding choice for day-to-day travel where convenience and accessibility are key.

10. Dagne Dover Micah Water-Resistant Cross-Body Bag – $110

For those who need a sturdy yet stylish travel companion, the Dagne Dover Micah Cross-Body Bag is here to support you. Crafted from a unique, neoprene-like fabric, this bag is both durable and water-resistant, so it’s ready for any travel scenario.

The bag’s design is thoughtfully practical, featuring three main compartments, including a secure backside pocket for valuables — an essential for the safety-conscious traveler. Its roominess is a standout, offering more space than many of its counterparts. Whether you’re navigating city streets or braving unpredictable weather, this bag ensures that your essentials are protected and easily accessible.

11. CHERUTY Women’s Backpack Purse – $30

If you want an antitheft bag that doesn’t look like an antitheft bag, the CHERUTY Antitheft Mini Backpack is perfect for you. It stands out with its modular design, allowing you to carry it in three different ways: as a backpack, a handbag by its top handle, or as a crossbody bag using the removable strap.

The bag’s antitheft design is particularly impressive, featuring a main compartment accessible only via a back zipper, adding an extra layer of security in crowded spaces. The front zippered pocket is great for smaller, frequently used items, while the interior offers four zippered and slip pockets for efficient organization. Plus, it’s stylish, and you can have your pick of nearly two dozen colors!

12. Lo & Sons O.G. 2 – $378

The Lo & Sons O.G. 2 epitomizes the ideal luxury travel bag. This large shoulder bag is celebrated for its ability to neatly pack every travel essential imaginable without sacrificing style. The O.G. 2’s design is centered around functionality, featuring a padded laptop pocket suitable for devices up to 13 inches. For larger laptops, up to 16 inches, there’s space in the main compartment, albeit without padding. The main section also includes numerous small pockets for items like phone chargers and snacks, and a dedicated water bottle pocket to keep you hydrated on your journeys.

The front zippered pocket contains smaller compartments for quick-access items like your phone, wallet, and passport. A unique feature of the O.G. 2 is its discrete side pocket, excellent for storing a pair of shoes, making it an excellent option for overnight trips. While the nylon bag can become heavy when fully packed, its trolley sleeve is a thoughtful addition, allowing easy attachment to a suitcase for effortless transport.

13. Longchamp Le Pliage Original Backpack – $140

The Longchamp Le Pliage Original Backpack is a marvel of packability, folding up to just a fraction of its original size, thanks to its built-in snap-closures. It’s great for those who prefer not to use their travel purse as a personal item or carry-on, because it seamlessly fits into larger luggage, making it just right for unfolding and using during day trips. Despite its compact nature when folded, it’s surprisingly roomy, and capable of holding essentials like a tablet, camera, water bottle, and wallet comfortably.

While it lacks organizational pockets, its spacious main compartment can be complemented with a small pouch for better organization of smaller items. Crafted from elegant recycled polyamide canvas and available in seven colors, this backpack is practical and chic.

14. John Fluevog Shoes Nashua Laptop Bag – $200

Digital nomads or travelers who can’t imagine leaving their laptop at home, meet the John Fluevog Shoes Nashua Laptop Bag . It is sophisticated, polished, and also quite functional. Its compact design includes tote handles and a removable cross-body strap, providing versatility and comfort in carrying options. The strap, crafted from soft leather, features two small pockets for essentials like lip balm or earbuds. Plus, the interior boasts a slip pocket that can accommodate laptops up to 15 inches, making it terrific for most travelers.

In addition to laptop storage, the main compartment is spacious enough for small water bottles, snacks, and other travel necessities. A front zippered pocket offers convenient access to items like boarding passes or a phone. Available in several colors and textures, including black and blue in soft pebbled leather and brown in sleek smooth leather, this laptop bag is as stylish as it is practical.

The best travel purses for women won’t all look the same because female travelers are not all the same. I hope this list has plenty of variety for every traveler, whether you’re a mountain hiking adventurer or a city explorer.

Which travel purse is your favorite?

*Some links in this post are affiliate links that support this site at no extra cost to you when you purchase through them. Everybody wins!

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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The 24 Best Travel Tote Bags for Your Next Big Trip

Whether it's your only bag or a carry-on supplement, a travel tote will take your packing game to the next level.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

T&C Tried and True

Medium metro tote deluxe.

Separate Compartment for Organization

Lo & sons catalina deluxe tote.

Luxurious Essential

Cuyana easy travel tote.

Folds Small for Easy Packing

Lululemon packable tote bag.

Classic Tote

Longchamp large le pliage tote.

Everyday to Travel Tote

Etronik travel duffel bag with usb charging port.

Minimalist and Functional

The renew transit weekender.

Bargain Bag

Bluboon travel tote bag.

Madewell The Shopper Tote

Heavy Lifter

Boat and tote.

Whatever your travel needs for the season ahead, odds are that a good tote can make your packing life more organized, and less stressful—honestly, what more could you hope for? With that in mind, we've scoured the internet for the more durable, functional travel totes for every type of traveler, from the serial overpacker to the organization fiend. Here, our favorite finds for all of your journeys.

Perpetually trying to find space in your carry-on for one last thing? Meet what one T&C editor calls, "the personal item of every overpacker's dream." Featuring five exterior pockets, plus six on the interior and an detachably pouch, it will keep all of your travel essentials organized while it's sturdy-yet-lightweight construction makes it easy to tuck in "just in case" items to your hearts desire without overwhelming your arms.

The cushy, reinforced straps are easy on the shoulders, but it also has a detachable crossbody strap and a built-in sleeve to slip over the handle of your luggage if you don't feel like toting. It also comes in four sizes (we're fond of the medium for it's ability to hold oodles of stuff while still slipping neatly beneath the seat in front of you on a plane) and a seasonally-refreshed roster of more than a dozen shades, making it as stylish as it is functional.

Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Tote

For the "a place for everything and everything in its place" traveler, this tote has you covered with a zippered bottom pocket that's perfect for separating out toiletries or dirty shoes from the rest of your haul (an interior panel also allows you to open the bottom compartment fully, if you're craving a deeper bag.)

Available in recycled poly or sturdy canvas, at 15" x 14" x 7", it qualifies as a personal item for most airlines and has a handy luggage sleeve to pair with your suitcase. For those looking for larger options, it comes in four additional sizes as well.

Cuyana bags are a favorite of T&C editors and royals alike ( Meghan Markle is a big fan ) for their timelessly stylish silhouettes, buttery soft leather, and effortless functionality. This, their latest launch, is made specifically with travel in mind.

Crafted with lightweight, durable pebbled leather (currently available in four colorways) it offers ample interior space (a 37L volume, to be precise) plus two large pockets, a phone slip, and a key clip, as well as snaps for Cuyana devotees who want to mix in their System Flap Bag or System Zipper Pouch .

If you're more of a "shop when you get there" traveler, this bag brings the souvenir space without taking up lots of room in your primary bag. Water-repellant and roomy (it holds 32L by volume) it features rugged shoulder straps, plus an extra strap that lets it slip over the handle of roller luggage, and can fold into its own exterior pouch when not in use to make a tidy, handheld bundle.

Some things are classic for a reason. Case in point: this timeless Longchamp tote; just ask T&C 's associate shopping editor, Sophie Dweck, who's been carrying hers for over a decade . Made from sleek, easy-to-clean nylon that comes in a cornucopia of colors, it features a simple, spacious interior and strong leather straps that ensure it can stand up to anything your travels throw at it, and look good doing it.

Looking for a tote that's as useful in your day-to-day as it is when you're far away? This multi-use tote has racked up thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon for its versatility. A separate, vented shoe compartment makes it as friendly to gym sessions as beach trips, while its multiple pockets keep essentials organized. It also includes a luggage strap and a USB charging port so you can plug in your tech without rummaging through your bag for your battery pack, and comes in two sizes and almost 30 shades so it will match your travel style.

One reviewer writes: "I must say, it exceeded my expectations in every way! This bag is the perfect blend of style and functionality, making it a must-have for any woman on the go."

Type-A packers, take note: this 100% recycled polyester is all about options. Its four colorways can be worn crossbody, carried in hand, or over the shoulder, and include a zippered exterior pocket, a luggage sleeve, two water bottle holders, and a padded laptop sleeve—all with Everlane's signature modern minimalist vibe.

Available in 20 colorways and textures, this canvas tote features a luggage sleeve that also doubles as a tech pouch so your gadgets will always be at the ready. The sturdy construction and bargain price tag have made it a hit with reviewers, who site its roomy 16.5" x 9" x 14" size and comfort.

One reviewer writes: "I am so happy with this purchase! Reasonable price, large main compartment, and a few zip compartments to organize smaller items. Bag fits perfectly under airline seat, even when stuffed FULL. It stayed in place when I had it on top of my roller bag, and I noticed the shape of it kept it from making everything tip forward (which happened with my previous bag)."

For a travel bag that you can use as a purse all trip, this simple Madewell leather tote brings a perfect mix of style and space (12.75" x 12.75" x 7.5".) It even comes with an interior strap that allows you to change the shape, and doubles as a keyring.

True L.L. Bean lovers know that the brand's classic Boat and Tote bag is hard to beat—after all, it's been one of their signature styles since 1944. Crafted from rugged cotton canvas, it's tested to hold up to 500 pounds, so no matter how much you manage to overpack, this bag is guaranteed to take it on. And with four sizes and two interior lengths to choose from, as well as a dozen colors, there's a perfect one for all your needs.

Caraa Studio Tote

Whether you prefer a classic tote style or a backpack, this Italian leather bag gives you the best of both worlds. Along with the usual amenities (a slew of pockets, adjustable straps) it also has a collapsible waterproof shoe pocket for those days your travel plans call for a quick change.

More: The 18 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Easy, Breezy Packing

Béis The Convertible Weekend Bag

This tote brings two-for-one power with a removable bottom compartment that can be used as is, or as a separate packing cube. Easy to clean polyester and polyurethane make it a cinch to keep looking like new, with a built-in luggage sleeve and removable laptop sleeve give it plenty of function for that rush through TSA.

Tumi Voyageur Just in Case Packable Nylon Tote

Some people pack an extra suitcase when traveling abroad. We propose this packable Tumi tote instead. It folds out to an impressive 8" x 14" x 8 size when fully opened and weighs less than a pound, so you can shop to your heart's content while getting those passport stamps.

More: The 13 Best Luggage Brands for Every Type of Traveler

Carhartt Legacy Tote East/West

Built to work hard, this water-repelling polyester Carhartt bag is tough enough to handle all of your travel adventures. It includes two exterior pockets as well as an interior divider and pockets, so it's and functional on the inside as it is on the outside.

One reviewer writes: "Even better than expected! I used it as my personal item for a trip to Mexico…placed my purse, tablet, magazines, etc inside…lots of pockets! Hides dirt, wipes off easily, very well made."

Revive Nylon Large Tote

Available in five-shades, this nylon tote (made with fabric crafted from 27 recycled water bottles with recycled leather trim) has jumbo exterior slip pockets (plus three interior pockets and a keyring) and a built-in padded laptop sleeve to match its roomy interior with organization.

One reviewer writes: "Great color, roomy, lots of pockets to keep things organized and easy to locate. Perfect for work and travel. Very happy with it."

Dagne Dover Jemi Tote

Want a travel tote that makes a style statement? Bring your puffer coat style to your bag with this versatile, vegan tote made from recycled plastic water bottles. At less than a pound and half (it holds 16.2 L volume), it's super lightweight, and has two sets of comfy handles—one for hand-held use and one for shoulder use—plus a luggage sleeve, so it's great no matter your travel style.

Naghedi Jet Setter Small Tote

Fully lined, basket-woven neoprene brings beautiful texture to this travel tote, making it ideal for those situations when you have to go straight from the plane to an event. It also has a zip closure and zippered interior pocket to ensure that your stuff stays in place even on the wildest travel days.

Scout Travel Bag Large

You want all of the weight in your travel bag to be from your must-haves, not from the bag itself. This colorful version from Scout (it comes in half a dozen colors and patterns) is a featherlight 1 pound, yet can hold up to 65 pounds of your gear, and can fold flat when not in use. It also comes with a zipper pocket and reinforced bottom so everything you pack stays comfortable where you want it.

Barbour Medium Travel Explorer Leather Tote Bag

The biggest name in waxed cotton jackets brings their British heritage sensibility to travel with this luxe 100% leather tote. Measuring 17.72'' x 14.96'', it comes with sturdy top handles and an adjustable shoulder strap for comfortable carrying.

More: The 13 Best Luxury Luggage for Traveling in Style

WONHOX Large Travel Tote Bag

This waterproof travel tote features a luggage sleeve, three interior pockets, including a special compartment to separate wet and dry items (looking at you, still-damp swimsuit) and four external pockets, as well as a zip-open expansion on the bottom so your bag can be as big, or small, as you need.

One reviewer writes : "Schlepped this bag all over Europe and it holds a surprising amount of stuff! The little expander area on the bottom really helped me squeeze in a few extra souvenirs. The trolley sleeve is a MUST from now on. It hooks on to your roller suitcase so easily and is sturdy! I was throwing my baggage up on the train, in and out of taxis and through many airports easy peasy."

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.

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12 Travel Garment Bags to Look Good Everywhere

Be wrinkle-free everywhere you go

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

But choosing the best travel garment bag for your needs can be a challenge. There are a lot of options on the market, so we asked an expert about how to find the right one. According to Tumi creative director Victor Sanz, “Your garment bag should be sturdy, functional, and sleek. If you’re frequently traveling by plane, a garment bag that folds to fit carry-on requirements is essential.” He adds, “You want to find the size that will fit all your clothes without having to overfold them and will allow you to reach your destination in style.”

Best Quilted Garment Bag

Mz wallace michael garment bag.

Best Luxury Garment Bag

Tumi alpha garment bag trifold carry-on.

Best Garment Duffel

Halfday the garment duffel.

Best Timeless Garment Bag

Longchamp boxford garment bag.

Best Packable Garment Bag

Calpak packable garment bag.

Best Affordable Garment Bag

Amazon basics premium garment bag.

Best Durable Garment Bag

Hartmann metropolitan two-garment sleeve.

Best Personalized Garment Bag

Mark & graham commuter 2-in-1 garment bag.

Best Expandable Garment Bag

Samsonite ascella 3.0 softside expandable luggage.

Best Water-Resistant Garment Bag

Stitch ultimate garment bag.

It’s also important to consider bonus features, like pockets and organizational compartments, and, as Sanz notes, “A crucial function is to ensure that you’re able to hang your garment bag when you arrive at your destination, so that you can prepare your outfits as easily as possible and to ensure that all your clothes are crisp.” Keeping all this in mind, we found the 12 best travel garment bags out there today. Once you start using one of these, you’re never going to go back.

MZ Wallace’s signature quilting isn’t limited to the brand’s totes, appearing here in garment bag form. The thin design is extremely lightweight, ideal for quick trips when you need to bring one to three outfits. There is even an exterior pocket for bonus storage.

Dimensions: 22" × 3" × 39"

Materials: Oxford, leather

What reviewers are saying: “I have been interested in a MZ Wallace garment bag for a while. It is perfect! Just right proportions and size. Thoughtful design and construction details.”

Tumi always delivers premium luggage that will last you over a decade, and this garment bag is no exception. Sanz says: “It’s foldable, with a sturdy handle for easy carrying, making it convenient and compact for every type of travel. I also love that it has several zipper pockets, so I can pack my toiletries and other travel essentials all in one bag. When I arrive at my destination, I hang it in the closet and I know that I will be ready to go.”

Dimensions: 15" x 22" x 6"

Materials: Ballistic nylon

What reviewers are saying: “This bag stores so much for a carry on. I was able to comfortably fit 2 suits and more for a destination wedding!”

This duffel has been receiving high praise ever since its release. A few of the reasons it’s so popular: The duffel is carry-on friendly, water-resistant, and has interior and exterior pockets. And those are only a few of its distinguishing features. Choose an original or compact size for the style that suits your needs.

Dimensions: 22" x 12" x 12"

Materials: Polyester

What reviewers are saying: “The Garment Duffel is a great purchase, especially for anyone in an industry that takes short frequent trips. I was actually able fit quite a bit more clothes than I had anticipated. Took the bag to work and my company bought 20 of them to give to customers. Great purchase.”

Longchamp’s iconic nylon and leather trim takes on a garment bag silhouette. The two-tone design exudes sophistication, with practical touches like a top carry handle, built-in hanger, and front zip pocket.

Dimensions: 23.25" x 41.25"

Materials: Nylon, leather

What reviewers are saying: “I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend who travels a lot and needed a nice garment bag particularly for his suits. This bag is perfect! It fits his suit as well as a few extra shirts. The fabric is an amazing, durable quality, and the leather details make this product look incredible.”

This garment bag is actually designed to fit inside of your carry-on, rather than serving as a stand-alone piece. The water-resistant exterior protects against spills, and exterior zip pockets hold small accessories. It gets the job done, while taking up the least possible amount of space.

Dimensions: 40" x 19"

What reviewers are saying: “I use this bag when I need to workout at work. I go from a suit to athleticwear in minutes.”

Looking for an affordable option that is available ASAP? Amazon’s garment bag holds up to three suits or dresses and boasts multiple zipper compartments.

Dimensions: 40" x 4" x 20.5"

What reviewers are saying: “I bought this bag in 2019 and it has held up incredibly well since then, performs all functions advertised at a great price value. I have taken it on many flights, buses and train rides and have never had an issue with fitting it in the overhead bin on both longer-haul flights and short budget-airline carriers.”

Hartmann’s garment bag adds contemporary touches to an otherwise traditional design. The result? A chic, useful travel accessory that will stand the test of time. The padded shoulder strap and multiple interior pockets enhance the convenience of this style.

Materials: Nylon

What reviewers are saying: “Hartmann was an anniversary gift from my work place, and I am still proud to own it 35 years later.”

Mark & Graham Commuter 2-in-1 Garment Bag

Another convertible duffel, but this time with a personalized touch. That’s right—Mark & Graham lets you monogram your duffel. With a plethora of zippered and snap interior and exterior pockets, this bag gets creative with its storage solutions.

Dimensions: 22" x 10" x 10"

This spinner-style garment bag makes navigating a chaotic airport easy. The ergonomic design has expandable capabilities, as well as various compartments, a hanger bracket, and a pocket for liquids.

Dimensions: 20.5" x 24" x 9.5"

What reviewers are saying: “It’s easy to maneuver and overall great quality and very neat design (many compartments and zippered areas).”

For golfers and non-golfers alike, Stitch makes a duffel that is water- and stain-resistant, and includes a hanger hook, shoulder strap, elastic shoe pockets, and webbed handles. You can even get it customized with your initials.

Dimensions: 22.5" x 11.5" x 12"

What reviewers are saying: “Love it! Fits into the airplane overhead bin, no trouble bringing it along as a carry-on bag. Very sturdy, zippers are tough enough. Shoulder strap is removable. My suit arrived in top shape using this garment bag. Highly recommended.”

Ralph Lauren Leather-Trim Hybrid Garment Duffel

Ralph Lauren’s duffel design is the epitome of understated elegance. An accompanying shoulder strap makes it easy to carry around.

Dimensions: 15" x 21.5" x 9"

Materials: Polyester, leather

Gucci Savoy Garment Bag

Embrace the bold luxury aesthetic with a Gucci bag covered in the house’s monogram. Containing a big compartment with a hanger and two zip pockets, this garment bag will hold all your essentials.

Dimensions: 21.5" x 16.1" x 6.7"

Materials: Canvas, leather, cotton

.css-p3fpzg{font-family:NewParisTextBook,NewParisTextBook-roboto,NewParisTextBook-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:-0.015rem;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2.625rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-p3fpzg b,.css-p3fpzg strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-p3fpzg em,.css-p3fpzg i{font-style:normal;font-family:NewParisTextItalic,NewParisTextItalic-roboto,NewParisTextItalic-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;} Why trust Harper’s Bazaar ?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

Gaby Keiderling is a freelance writer, working on fashion, lifestyle, travel, and sports features.

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The 14 best college backpacks, tested and reviewed

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As any college student knows, your backpack is the most important accessory you'll wear all year. We tested the best college backpacks for their ability to carry a day's worth class essentials neatly and comfortably. Naturally, we also looked for the best-looking ergonomic designs — our favorite bags look sleek and polished, even when filled to their brim.

Our top pick for the best college backpack is the The North Face Recon Backpack . Men's style editor Amir Ismael especially liked its ultra-supportive straps, chest and back clips that distribute weight evenly, as well as its defined pockets for your laptop, books, water bottle, and phone. For something a little more fashionable yet still as functional, I love the popular Dagne Dover Dakota for the plush straps, luxe look, and neat removable compartments.

Our top picks for the best college backpacks

Best overall: The North Face Recon Backpack - See at Amazon

Most comfortable: Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L - See at Patagonia

Best for travel: JanSport Main Campus FX - See at JanSport

Most stylish: Dagne Dover The Dakota - See at Dagne Dover

Best convertible:  Lo & Sons Edgemont - See at Lo & Sons

Best minimalist: Vera Bradley Campus Backpack - See at Amazon

Most spacious: L.L. Bean Comfort Carry Pack - See at L.L. Bean

Best gym bag: Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0 - See at Amazon

Best storage: Carhartt Medium Pack + 3 Can Insulated Cooler - See at Amazon

Best for taller students:  Herschel Little America Backpack - See at Amazon

Best budget: Carhartt 25L Classic Laptop Backpack - See at Amazon

Best sporty:  The North Face Borealis Backpack - See at Amazon

Best expandable: Fjällräven Kånken Laptop 15" - See at Amazon

Best for outdoors: Eddie Bauer Adventurer Backpack 2.0 - See at Eddie Bauer

Best overall: The North Face Recon Backpack

When searching for the best college backpacks, we look for durability, functionality, and style. Undoubtedly, The North Face Recon Backpack is the perfect combination of everything you need.

It features a medium-size main compartment with a laptop sleeve, a front mesh pocket filled with practical separations for all of your smaller devices and writing utensils, and two water bottle pockets on the sides. One of the best features of this backpack is the chest and back clips meant to alleviate back pain when carrying heavier loads, and the shoulder straps are well padded as well for optimal support. We also include the Recon in our guide to the best backpacks for students , as it makes a great confidence-boosting gift for pupils heading off to a new school. In terms of style, its minimal design and array of colorways make this a versatile choice for those who use a backpack for work or when traveling in addition to on campus.

Most comfortable: Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L

Patagonia is one of our favorite B-corp retail companies and we appreciate it's eco-conscious approach to outdoor gear. What we love most about its Refugio backpack is how plush the padding feels on the shoulders and its sternum strap that balances heavy cargo, preventing extra pressure on the spine.

The Refugio's recycled nylon structure makes a great candidate for the best college backpacks because of its high-quality feel, protective laptop and tablet sleeve, and side pockets. It also has a small outer pocket that's in the perfect spot for quickly grabbing something like a sweater or snacks.

Best for travel: JanSport Main Campus FX

Out of the best college backpacks, JanSport's Main Campus FX is a top rated travel backpack . It's perfect for a student who's carrying a 15-inch laptop with a heavy load of books and random accessories like headphones, a water bottle, beauty products, and assorted writing utensils. The padded straps make carrying its weight a bit breezier. Its dedicated laptop pocket is nicely padded, and there are two other full-size compartments, making room for anything and everything. It also has a keychain in the front pocket to keep your dorm or apartment keys handy. JanSport's Right Pack is also a helpful but downgraded option that's probably best for the techie who has gone paperless.

The Main Campus FX is great for students when they're in school and even after they graduate. Not only is it built perfectly for carrying books and laptops, but it's also versatile, making it easy to use for everything from classes to road trips to the gym.

Most stylish: Dagne Dover The Dakota

If you like a minimalistic design with ample space and clever compartments, this neoprene bag will be your saving grace. The Dakota comes in three sizes, all of which are water-resistant, shock-absorbent, and complete with sleek straps. Inside, there are pockets galore, so no space is wasted. The laptop compartment in the large version fits a 16-inch laptop, which is bigger than the average college device. The main compartment holds up to 20 liters and has a mesh tablet pocket, five medium-sized pockets, and a convenient detachable pouch. Two exterior pockets can carry your water bottle and a stash of snacks. 

We can confidently say this luxury backpack fits everything you'd ever need: a laptop, tablet, textbooks, water bottle, notebook, snacks, and a spare pair of shoes. On the outside, it looks chic and simple, but inside, it gives you all the power to be your most organized self. It even has a nearly-invisible slip pocket by the handle where you can keep small items like a snack or headphones. 

One of our favorite features is the luggage handle sleeve that allows you to slide the backpack onto any carry-on you're wheeling around. Read more in our full Dagne Dover Dakota backpack review .

Best convertible: Lo & Sons Edgemont

Sometimes a tote is more convenient to access your belongings at a moment's notice, but the one-shoulder design is bound to cause more discomfort than two straps. Instead of deciding between the two, the Edgemont combines them into one convertible bag. "The backpack straps have clips that attach to loops at the bottom of the backpack (which hide away into their own pockets when not in use). If you want to use the bag as a tote, just un-clip the straps and fold them into the back compartment. They bulge a tiny bit, but I barely noticed them, and neither will anyone else. 

When using the bag as a backpack, the top straps act like any standard backpack top handle. In tote mode, they're the main straps you can carry in your hand or over your shoulder. They're very sturdy and also comfortable to hold." — Connie Chen, former senior reporter

Best minimalist: Vera Bradley Campus Backpack

For the college student with a maturing style and an appreciation for a spacious bag, this may be a great stylistic and functional choice. It has a gently padded 15-inch laptop compartment along with two side pockets for a water bottle. It has a sizable 25-liter main compartment containing two mesh slip pockets and outer pockets to store smaller items. It zips smoothly, has comfortable straps ergonomically designed for women, and a luggage handle on the back.

This is one of the best college backpacks that combines utility with a minimalistic look. The small brand tag is monochromatic and located on the side, so it blends in with the rest of the backpack. Once you open its pockets, you get a pop of paisley pattern and personality.

Most spacious: L.L. Bean Comfort Carry Pack

This backpack is all about functionality, protecting your laptop, and basic storage. The Comfort Carry Pack has a spacious 30-liter capacity, but not an extravagance of pockets. There's a main compartment with a laptop pocket as well as a second compartment with an organizer for pencils. Made with a chest belt, hip belt, and padded straps, this is a great choice for going between school and other activities. The bungee cords on the front are also a perfect place to store one last bulky item, like a jacket or sweatshirt.

Best gym bag: Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0

Lululemon's lightweight Everyday Backpack does exactly what a college backpack needs to do without too many frills. The wider-set bag has a 23-liter capacity and a padded laptop pocket that fits a 16-inch device. It's made with a water-repellent fabric, two side pockets for water bottles, inner mesh pockets, and a small outer pocket. It has a luggage sleeve and the minimalistic logo doesn't scream "I love Lululemon." While not made of the thickest material, the popular fitness brand's Everyday Backpack is designed with exactly what a college student needs. The sleek shape and neutral colorways also mean it can go with lots of different looks, making this one of the best college backpacks for toting around anything from gym clothes to textbooks. 

Best storage: Carhartt Medium Pack + 3 Can Insulated Cooler

The Carhartt Medium Pack, bundled with the three-can insulated cooler, might be one of the best college backpacks for hauling books and lunch. The backpack is made from Cordura, an incredibly durable ripstop material that's also been treated to be water-repellent. The outside of the bag features a mesh pocket for a water bottle, a Hook-n-Haul system for adding extra items like the insulated cooler, and air-mesh shoulder padding. The inside of the bag has plenty of practical storage compartments. From the 15-inch laptop sleeve to the fleece-lined eyewear compartment, you can keep all of your belongings organized and easily accessible. 

"My favorite feature is the attached cooler. It can fit up to three 12-ounce cans, but it's also the perfect spot to keep snacks or a lunch for days when you have a packed schedule of classes. And when you're not on campus, it's perfect for hiking, trips to the beach, or anywhere else you'd want to enjoy a cold drink while on the go. It's also easily removable if you prefer to carry the backpack without it." — Amir Ismael, style editor

Best for taller students: Herschel Little America Backpack

The Herschel Little America backpack is a classic carryall with a deceiving name. With its spacious 25 liters and nicely padded laptop compartment, the pack is made to help you carry everything you need for school while sporting a timeless style. The main compartment is like a huge pit where you can fit a lot of things: books, snacks, tech, and more. It also has two small side pockets on the inside. Little America is easily expandable and easily collapsible. The single outer pocket is perfect for storing quick things you may need throughout your day.

The backside is thoroughly padded for comfortable carrying. Though, personally, we think this backpack works best on taller people since it's 19.25 inches long. On an average-height woman, the bag is a bit overwhelming on a shorter back.

Best budget: Carhartt 25L Classic Laptop Backpack

We've tested the now-retired Carhartt Classic Work Pack, but thankfully, the 25 L Classic Laptop Backpack is an excellent upgrade. It's water-repellent, durable, and accommodates a medium-size cargo load. Thanks to its front zippered pocket with keyring clip and separated mesh slots for your phone, notebooks, or pens, you won't lose any of your smaller items at the bottom of the bag. It has a dedicated 15-inch laptop sleeve at the back of the main compartment, and this new model even comes with side pockets of water bottle storage. 

If you're a brand loyalist, this is one of the best college backpacks for you because it comes in the classic brown colorway that the Michigan-made workwear brand is recognized for. 

Best sporty: The North Face Borealis Backpack

The North Face is known for making durable and high-quality gear and the Borealis Backpack, one of the brand's most classic styles, is no different.

The 28-liter size fits just about everything you need for class and then some. It has the standard features: a nicely padded laptop pocket, a spacious main compartment, side pockets for water bottles, a small fleece-lined outer pocket, and a bigger outer pocket with pockets and places for pens. It's built with a chest and hip belt, making it useful for hikes too.

There's also a small but thoughtful feature to appreciate: U-pull zippers that make unzipping any of its pockets 10 times easier. The Borealis Backpack may not have a bunch of hidden compartments in the niftiest spaces, but it does what it needs to with quality materials made to last a long while. And for the same price, the Women's Borealis is specifically designed to fit a slighter build.

Best expandable: Fjällräven Kånken Laptop 15"

I see this backpack all the time on my college campus, and here's why: The compact rectangular design can be expanded, making it especially versatile. The sleek look makes this a functional piece as well as a nice addition to almost any outfit. It has three pockets: a laptop pocket, main compartment, and outer pouch. The laptop pocket is well padded and the zipper is tucked away in the back. The straps are nice and soft, though oriented differently than the typical backpack, and it has two side pouches that can be used to store a water bottle and possibly even an umbrella. Read more about its upgraded version in our full Fjällräven Tree Kånken review . 

Best for outdoors: Eddie Bauer Adventurer Backpack 2.0

We tested Eddie Bauer's previous Adventurer backpack, but their 2.0 version is even better. It stands out as one of the best college backpacks because of its versatility and durability. They aren't kidding when they say this backpack is for adventures — it has a hydration-compatible compartment and two water bottle pockets for your next hike to campus. As for its functionality, this backpack has a unique side access 17" laptop pocket and small fleece-lined front pockets for your smaller items. This water-repellent bag is built to battle with you all through college and after.

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What fliers need to know about new refund rules for airlines

Starting in about six months, U.S. airlines will have to offer customers cash refunds before vouchers

New federal rules for airlines will go into effect later this year, giving travelers a better picture of the full cost of flights before they book — and getting them an easier refund if things go awry.

After a process that lasted more than a year, the Biden administration announced the rules on passenger protections Wednesday.

“This is a big day for America’s flying public,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a news conference at Reagan National Airport.

While the trade group Airlines for America said its members “abide by — and frequently exceed — DOT regulations regarding consumer protections,” consumer advocates praised the administration’s move.

“These rules are not only critical but also common sense,” said William McGee, senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, who spoke at Wednesday’s event.

Most new rules go into effect in the fall

At the event Wednesday, Buttigieg said that “the bulk of these protections” will go into effect in about six months. Others will start in a year.

That means refund rules that get customers automatic cash refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change flights won’t be in place during the busy summer travel season. But they should be set in time for the Thanksgiving and winter holiday season rush.

Buttigieg said that the department expects airlines to take some time to develop the processes to return cash to travelers, but added that he doesn’t want them to drag their feet.

“They don’t have to wait the number of months that it’ll technically take for this to go into effect,” Buttigieg said Wednesday. “They could and should be doing this right now.”

You should get refunds without having to ask

Instead of first offering a voucher or credit, airlines “must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops,” the Transportation Department says. The refunds need to be issued within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days when bought through other methods.

However a traveler originally paid is the way the refund needs to be issued, the rule says, whether that’s by credit card or airline miles . Other types of compensation are allowed only if a passenger chooses one of those alternatives.

“No more defaulting to vouchers or credits when consumers may not even realize that they were entitled to cash,” Buttigieg said.

You can still choose to be rebooked

If travelers’ flights have been canceled or significantly changed, they can still continue with their trip. Passengers are only eligible for a refund if they have declined to accept alternative transportation.

Airlines will have to pay for delayed bags and broken WiFi

There are many ways for a trip to go awry, and the new rules cover more than just a late or canceled flight.

If a checked bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight arriving at the gate, or within 15 to 30 hours of an international flight arriving, depending on how long that flight is, passengers will be entitled to a refund of their checked-bag fee. They will need to file a mishandled baggage report.

Refunds will also be given if passengers pay for a service such as WiFi, seat selection or in-flight entertainment and the airline fails to provide.

‘Significant’ changes will be the same for all airlines

Automatic cash refunds are due to passengers if their flight experiences a “significant change.” But what does that mean? Previously, the definition could vary from airline to airline.

The new rules provide some consistency. A change is considered significant if a departure or arrival is different by more than three hours for domestic flights or six hours for international trips.

Other changes considered significant: the departure or arrival is from a different airport; there are more connections; passengers are downgraded to a lower class; or service or flights are on planes that are less accessible for a person with a disability.

No more hidden fees for bags and seat selection

The rule on extra fees — what the Biden administration refers to as “surprise junk fees in air travel” — will require airlines and online travel booking sites to disclose up front the fees for a checked bag, carry-on bag, reservation change and reservation cancellation. Those fees must be clearly noted and not shown through a hyperlink, the rule says.

Consumers must also be informed that they don’t have to pay for a seat assignment to travel and that a seat will be provided without an additional price.

“Healthy competition requires that, as a consumer, you comparison shop, which means knowing the real price of a trip before and not after you buy,” Buttigieg said. “Airlines will now be required to show you these costs up front, so you have all the information you need to decide what travel option is best for you.”

Travelers can either search without providing their personal information to see standard fees or, after entering their information, see more tailored fees that might apply given their military status, frequent-flier membership or credit card use.

“The final rule puts an end to the bait-and-switch tactics some airlines use to disguise the true cost of discounted flights,” the Transportation Department said in a news release. “Prior to the rule, some airlines were offering deceptive discounts that consumers may have believed applied to the full fare that was being advertised but only applied to a small portion of the ticket price.”

You will still have to report complaints

Buttigieg said the main way for the department to find out about a violation of the rules is when people submit complaints through the site flightrights.gov . But he said he hopes that by making refunds automatic, there will be less need for complaints — and more flexibility for employees to perform audits or spot-checks of airline compliance.

Europe-style compensation is still not in the rules

Some travelers heading to or from Europe who experience delays under certain circumstances are entitled to compensation worth more than $600. That kind of system does not exist for domestic flights in the United States, but Buttigieg said it is on the agenda.

“On compensation, we continue to develop that — and to be clear, with this rule on the books, that does not stop or slow the progress that we’re driving in terms of a compensation rule,” he said.

More on air travel

Leave flying to the pros: Think you could land a plane in an emergency? Experts say you’re wrong . Here’s what you should actually do if something goes awry during a flight .

Pet peeves: Why do “gate lice” line up early for a flight ? Psychologists explained for us. Another move that annoys airline workers: abusing the flight attendant call button . For more on how to behave on a flight, check out our 52 definitive rules of flying .

Plane mess: Stories about extremely disgusting airplanes have been grossing out travelers. The question of plane cleanups became the subject of a recent debate after a flight attendant allegedly told a pregnant passenger to pick up the popcorn spilled by her toddler.

Frequent flying: Airline status isn’t what it used to be, but at least there are some good movies and TV shows to watch in the air. And somewhere out there, experts are trying to make airline food taste good.

THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Tourist Information Center Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Orekhovo-Zuevo

Hotels near tourist information center orekhovo-zuyevo, property types, distance from, traveler rating.

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• Distance from Tourist Information Center Orekhovo-Zuyevo See properties located closest to the place of interest first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners.

1. Pokrovskiy Medved

2. Busel Club-Hotel

3. Apelsin Hotel

4. yesenin hotel, 5. hotel berezhki hall, 6. kalipso hotel, 7. areal congress hotel, 8. shaturaholl, 9. apart hotel yantar, 10. wesendorf hotel in ramenskoye, 11. continent hotel, 12. yakor hotel, 13. country club zolotye karasi, 14. park hotel bogorodsk, 15. yakhonty noginsk, 16. hotel edem, 17. artiland, 18. piccadilly, 19. business-hotel voskresensk, 20. park hotel rayki, 21. vorkug sveta hotel, 23. hotel a108 voskresensk, 24. 3a balashikha, 25. kupavna hotel, 26. voskresensk hotel, 27. hotel kornilov, 28. novokosino hotel, 29. sosnovy bor park hotel, 30. kamelot, hotels near tourist information center orekhovo-zuyevo information.

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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