Compare the 6 best travel bags
More travel bags I recommend
Longchamp Le Pliage large bag, $180: This best-selling product is the equivalent of a classic white T-shirt: timeless, versatile and designed to be passed down through generations. Inspired by origami, the Le Pliage folds compact when you need to pack it, but is also roomy enough to double as your personal item. I can provide all the essentials here – laptop, Kindle, airport toiletries, snacks, etc. With its minimalist design and zipper closure for valuables, it’s also the perfect business bag for business trips. My only issue with this travel bag is the lack of interior compartments (besides two unwieldy flat pockets), but if you’re someone who has small bags and tech organizers for your gear, you might not miss this bag.
Cincha the Vegan Leather Go-Tote for $130: This vegan leather bag is deceptively huge. The base is 7.5 inches deep, so although it doesn’t look very large in the pictures, it holds a surprising amount of stuff. I packed enough clothes for a full weekend trip. I usually have concerns about vegan leather cracking and breaking with use, but the Cincha’s soft, pebbled texture doesn’t look or feel overtly plastic. This is the handbag I took with me on a multi-week trip to the Philippines, and the leather has stood up to the rain and being kicked around airport lounges, ferries, and train depots. However, it is over 2 pounds heavier than the Longchamp Le Pliage, so this is strictly for when you can place it on top of your carry-on bag. -Adrian Su
Vera Bradley Original Duffel for $105: If there is a product that I would refer to as “reliable,” it is without a doubt the Vera Bradley bag. The bright pattern, durable materials, and washable cotton construction have held up remarkably well over more than a decade of travel. Even when I fully pack it and take it with me on planes, trains, and car travel, I don’t notice stress on the handle stitching. There are no internal pockets, but you do have four external pockets located around the sides of the bag for easy access (or last-minute additions to your planned outfits). –Julia Forbes
BaubleBar Custom Icons Large Bag for $98: What sets BaubleBar apart from others is fun customization. Your chosen icons (up to six, depending on size) are embroidered directly onto the canvas bag. The process is very easy to use, with pre-defined locations to help you visualize your choices. Choose from zodiac signs, cute foods, initials, and more. Just note that it is a final sale, so confirm your design before ordering. The large size fits everything you need for a day trip to the beach, and the medium and small options are better for light shopping or exploring the city. It closes with just a quick button, and is not the safest for crowded areas.
Aer Simple Bag, $139: Have you ever held a nylon or leather bag in your hand and realized that slinging it over your shoulder would instantly cause you to scoliosis? Then you want a simple, ultra-lightweight sailcloth bag from Aer, which weighs less than a pound. The 15-litre capacity felt surprisingly spacious. I wear two jackets inside while walking with my kids, and the 3-inch-wide bag is tucked neatly under my arm. The two exterior pockets fit my Nalgene and Kinto cups, and my phone fits neatly in the exterior zippered pocket. This is a great upgrade if you’re tired of carrying everything in your duffel bag from Umami Mart and want a bag that won’t get soaked in something questionable if you put it in the wrong place on the subway. He – she He is A little more expensive, though. -Adrian Su
Cuyana System 16-Inch Tote for $378: The Cuyana System Tote is a modular gear carrier that changes shape with your itinerary. Designed to withstand the vagaries of fast fashion, this travel bag starts with the bare minimum, but the genius is in its additions. This laptop sleeve or insert organizer creates on-the-go structure, with dedicated slots for your computer, water bottle, and other work essentials. The System Flap can be used as a tote or an in-bag organizer, and a detachable and adjustable crossbody strap (also available in a wide model) transforms the bag, making it perfect for hands-free airport sprints if you’re accidentally trying out airport theory. Instead of stitched straps that are prone to failure, System Tote handles are cut directly from their leather body, reducing wear points. The main compartment is closed rather than zipped, which is something to know if you’re the type who hates spills.
Avoid this bag
Calpak Diaper Tote Bag with Laptop Bag $195: This bag was already puffy, but it seemed bulky, and space was lost to give puffiness to the layers of the bag. It was fairly large for everyday use, but not big enough when I needed a lot of stuff I brought with me for a day trip or long hikes. She also didn’t really feel like the diaper bag was centered around her; The only thing about diapers is the baby wipes compartment on the outside, but I would have preferred an outside pocket to store actual diapers with. You can fit some diapers in the flat front pocket, but it’s not as perfect as other designs I’ve tried. Insulated bottle pockets are useful if you travel with bottles, but feel useless after your baby graduates from bottles (which they graduate much earlier than diapers!) It’s not a bad bag, but I’d recommend a different design for parents and travelers alike. –Nina Farrell
To determine the best travel bag, I put each bag through real-life travel scenarios to see how it performs. That means packing it with laptops, chargers, clothes, and toiletries, and testing the comfort of wearing it over the shoulder or holding it in the hand. I will stuff the bags to check for sturdiness, organization, and accessibility. I will evaluate its fit under airplane seats, its protection of technical equipment, and its resistance to abrasion and weather. If it’s supposed to be waterproof, I’ll take it out in the rain to determine if it will survive without soaking its contents.
I check every pocket, compartment and zipper for ease of use. When it comes to design, I pay attention to the details: interior fabric options that make contents easy to see, convenient pocket placement, and hardware options like zippers and zippers. I also like to take note of key design elements, such as the length of the handle and the overall construction.
I prioritize quality and sustainability, and include eco-friendly brands for environmentally conscious consumers. I also made sure to include a range of fabrics for stylistic variety. Finally, I think about how each bag compares to its price point, ensuring that the quality justifies the cost.
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