The 10 Best Travel Purses, Tested and Reviewed

We were already fans of July’s luggage, but now we count the brand’s Everyday Crescent crossbody as a favorite, too. This versatile bag is way more spacious than it looks; it held three full water bottles, sunscreen, and a baseball cap during T+L associate editor Anna Popp’s 7-mile hike through Greece. The wide crossbody strap can be shortened to a shoulder bag for another look, and there’s a zip pocket inside. Another plus is that the bag is machine washable, though we took it on six flights where it was shoved under airplane seats, and the material held up wonderfully without so much as a scratch. If you do run into any issues, July offers a 100-day return window and a five-year warranty. We also love how the bag has a coated interior so you don’t have to stress about spills from makeup or snacks. With its minimal design, the Everyday Crescent is easy to tote around most days, but you’ll be especially thankful for its functionality during your travels.

The Details: 13.78 x 3.15 x 7.48 inches | Cotton with TPU coating

If you’ve been hunting for a new leather tote bag, T+L associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker found one that will upgrade your office wardrobe and travel accessories at the same time. Every detail of Cuyana’s Small Easy Zipper Tote has been carefully planned and wrapped in beautiful Italian leather. Inside, there’s space for a 14-inch laptop, water bottle, and makeup bag, along with a key hook. The crucial feature of this pick is the zip top, which is often missing from tote bags. What also makes this tote a standout is the ability to customize with add-on accessories (note that the add-ons are sold separately). You can adapt the bag to your needs by adding a wide or skinny shoulder strap or any of the inserts designed specifically to fit inside. We think it’s a great investment pick that’ll bring polish to your travel outfits, whether that’s a classic blazer or a pair of matching sweats. Plus, the organization makes heading through the TSA security a breeze by keeping documents within easy reach.

The Details: 18 x 10.6 x 4 inches | 1.32 pounds | Leather

This bag might look small, but it’s hiding tons of features that make it a perfect travel companion. After testing the bag for multiple international trips, Parker — who swears by Tumi luggage — discovered the bag can fit a phone, wallet, passport, earbuds, snack, and even a Kindle into the compact body. Plus, the back slip pocket provides easy access to an ID and phone while on the move, and the front zip pocket is ideal for stashing cash. While we swear by this bag for air travel (it’s easy to slip into other bags or under coats as a third personal item), the sporty design is great for keeping hands free during day trips and the like. As with most Tumi products, there’s a leather tag that you can customize with your initials so there’s less chance of mixups.

The Details: 7.5 x 5.3 x 2 inches | 0.6 pounds | Nylon, leather

Cole Haan’s Chance bag looks like an everyday purse, but a few extra features make it surprisingly travel-friendly. Along with its stylish looks, this leather handbag is superfunctional with its interior pockets and a back slip pocket that gives you easy access to your phone, even when the top is zipped closed. Popp also loved that it holds more than just a lip gloss but doesn’t feel bulky, and the shoulder strap can be adjusted. The front zip pockets are a nice touch, but you may want to avoid storing anything of value there in case of pickpockets. Best of all, the gold hardware gives the bag an elevated feel yet it can just as easily be worn more casually with jeans and a simple T-shirt.

The Details: 7 x 11 x 2.75 inches | 1.7 pounds | Leather

Matching the Uniqlo in popularity is Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag. The name is fitting – walk around any city center and you’re likely to spot a few. As the name says, it’s truly meant to go everywhere with you. T+L editor Sophie Mendel has taken it to the beach, the pool, out to brunch, and on long walks. There’s just enough room to hold the essentials so you can travel light but keep your keys and credit card on hand. Though it’s minimal, we still think it’s a cute addition to our outfits and it offers plenty of function at the same time. If wearing belt bags across the waist isn’t your favorite look, the adjustable strap is long enough to wear across the chest, too.

The Details: 7.5 x 2 x 5 inches | Nylon

Oleada is new on the handbag scene, but it’s already won us over. The brand’s signature Wavia bag gets high marks from us for its luxe styling and extreme functionality. The design is actually a two-in-one with both backpack straps and a top handle so you can commute to the office or airport without breaking your back. The inside makes the bag all the more special than a typical handbag. In addition to our basics, Popp has packed a water bottle, sweater, headphones, and passport with room to spare. Her favorite feature, though, is the laptop compartment with a latch that keeps it safely stored. The gold hardware has scuffed lightly with use, so we’d just suggest another pick if you expect to see a high level of activity. Although it’s on the spendy side, we feel like the leather and overall quality justify the price.

The Details: 15.4 x 11 x 6 inches | 2.2 pounds | Leather

If something more luxe is on your wishlist and within budget, the Loewe Puzzle tote bag is Parker’s top choice for a travel-ready designer handbag. The tote version of Loewe’s cult-favorite Puzzle bag has the same unique fold details but offers way more versatility with its roomy interior. While the designer looks won’t blend in with other tote bags, it’s classic enough to be a core wardrobe item for years. The suede lining means you’ll have to be conscious of spills, though, so we’d suggest keeping makeup or snacks in a separate zip pouch. You’ll also want to be mindful of the beautiful but scratch-prone calfskin. One of the coolest parts about this tote bag is that the origami structure folds flat, so you can pack it into a suitcase without taking up too much space or squishing its shape.

The Details: 12.4 x 10 x 5.7 inches | 0.95 pounds | Leather

Not all days are meant for traveling light, and on those days you’ll be happy to have the MZ Wallace Metro Tote Deluxe. This superspacious bag has several pockets and even a zip pouch inside, yet it’s also incredibly lightweight. Parker commented, “If this is the medium, I can’t imagine what the large would be like!”

On the outside, there’s even a hidden sleeve that slides over a luggage handle, so you know it’s designed with travel in mind. Plus, the zip-top closure gives us peace of mind that nothing will roll out during takeoff. A unique feature of MZ Wallace’s quilted material is that it is made from a proprietary nylon that’s entirely recycled. On top of looking nice, it’s also tough; we’ve owned other bags in the same material for 10-plus years, and they’re still holding up perfectly.

The Details: 11 x 13.5 x 9.5 inches | 1.9 pounds | Nylon, leather

Senreve’s Aria bag has versatility in spades. It can be worn five different ways, which couldn’t be more ideal for saving packing space. Parker has personally worn it as a fanny pack, sling bag, clutch, crossbody, and even swapped in a chain strap to dress it up on a night out. Like many of our other picks, there’s way more storage than you’d initially expect. We’ve packed our phone, keys, sunglasses, and even a small umbrella inside. Best of all, the leather material is resistant to stains, scratches, and inclement weather, which means it’s ready to go on just about any adventure by your side (literally).

The Details: 7.5 x 8 x 5 inches | 0.89 pounds | Leather