Rounding up the best personal travel bags for 2024, was a feat of style, functionality, and personal expression. In this tested and reviewed roundup, we filtered through a handful of bag options to decide which bag is best suited for different scenarios depending on the functionality of each bag.

Whether you're seeking sleek sophistication or a minimalist bag for only the bare necessities, check out the bags that our team tested and let us know if there is another bag we need to test and add to our list.

Our Top Picks

Best for Minimalists: Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack

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Why we love it: It’s for the minimalist. Small, lightweight, and not overloaded with pockets and zippers, AND you can fold it into itself to be even more compact. It’s versatile – I wear it as a crossbody when walking around the city or as a hip pack on a morning run and it stays put! My favorite feature is the small loop on either side of the pack, perfect for hanging my sunglasses or a water bottle.

What to be aware of: Pick the right color, it gets dirty easily.

Tested and reviewed by Carly, Operations Manager

Most Durable: Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag

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Why We Love It: It’s like the Mary Poppins bag of personal travel bags. The bag is large enough to carry more than just the essentials but isn’t abnormally large enough that it starts to hurt your shoulder or get in the way. On one particularly long travel day, I was able to easily fit a water bottle, umbrella, wallet, phone, and more in the bag. It has two interior zipper pockets which makes it easy to keep the little items in your bag organized. It’s also machine washable so it’s easy to clean!

What to Be Aware Of: It’s a very casual bag and it can easily become a black hole that’s hard to find things in if you’re not careful.

Tested and reviewed by Emme Parrish, Marketing Manager

Best for Every Day Exploring: Lo & Sons Pearl Crossbody Bag

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Why We Love It: It has lots of pockets to accommodate everything from notepads and receipts to hand lotion and chapstick, ensuring that your essentials are always easily accessible, yet secure. The bag sat comfortably at my hip, eliminating the annoyance of excessive bouncing during walks—a testament to its ergonomic design. Its blend of style and functionality makes it a great day bag for those who crave both fashion and practicality in their bags.

What to Be Aware Of: As a minimalist, I felt like I wasn’t making the most of the space available in the bag. The main middle pocket is kept closed with only snaps, so this section didn’t feel as secure to me as the zipper sections.

Tested and reviewed by Carly Dela Cruz, Operations Manager

Most Stylish: Lo & Sons The Nouvelle Crossbody Bag

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Why We Love It: This is my go-to everyday bag. I feel like it goes with everything–I wear it with workout clothes on walks, when I want to look cute on coffee dates, and would also wear it on our Italy trips when traveling light. When traveling, I like a bag that zips close on the top so this one fits the bill. It’s also water-resistant, so I don’t think twice about taking it out on rainy days. The organizational features like the front zipper pocket, inner mesh pockets, and the card holders inside (I like to ditch the weight of my wallet) make it so handy. The bag itself is super light, which is great, and the cushioned strap and hardware have that nice weight to them that feels more luxe. Highly recommend it for those who like a versatile crossbody bag and traveling light.

What to Be Aware Of: To help give an idea of the size, the bag can hold my kindle, a small notebook, phone, sunglasses, keys, chapstick(s), and a granola bar.

Tested and reviewed by Kathryn Bogley, Experience Advisor and Italy Tour Host

Best for Long Trips: Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L

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Why We Love It: This backpack has stood the test of time; I took it on my 10-day trip to Cuba (as my only piece of luggage!) and have used it on my travels between Peru and the US. You can fit quite a lot in this bag; it’s roomier than it looks! I love how it opens up like a suitcase - it makes packing easy and I like that I don’t have to take everything out to find the one thing I need at the bottom of the bag. The separate laptop compartment on the back is really handy for quickly pulling out my laptop when going through airport security. It’s really easy to clean and it’s Patagonia, so you know it’s going to last a long time!

What to Be Aware Of: Depending on the airplane size and how much you stuff the bag, it will sometimes fit below the airline seat in front of you; otherwise, it will have to go in the overhead bin. The straps aren’t as padded as I would like so if you’re planning on wearing the bag for hours on end, don’t pack too heavily.

Tested and reviewed by Christiana Jones, Administrative Assistant

Best for A Bag in a Bag: Kate Spade Chelsea Fanny Pack + Lo & Sons Seville Tote

Shop Fanny Pack here or Shop Seville Tote here

Why We Love It: Call me split personalities - I’m somewhere between a minimalist and a maximalist. I’m also varying on the spectrum of fashion, but I'm ALWAYS high on function. My fanny pack is my go-to travel item where I carry all my valuables. In airports, I can easily clip it around my body, and when I’m boarded on the plane I can slip it into my tote. I love my Seville Tote (which I just took to Costa Rica) because (1) it has a padded laptop compartment and organization pockets, (2) it adds a touch of adultness to carry a proper bag for a nice dinner, instead of my fanny pack, and (3) it has an interchangeable shell which slides over my suitcase handle. These two together make the perfect combo of minimal (grab the essentials in the fanny pack go bag), or maximal (bring the laptop, snacks, charger cords, etc.).

What to Be Aware Of: If you want to look extra chic, the more ‘polished’ leather shell doesn’t have the suitcase handle slot, only the ‘travel shell’ so it’s not quite as convenient. Additionally, if you’re an over-packer like me, there are only so many bulky items you can fit in and be able to still zip it closed.

Tested and reviewed by Annie Sim, CEO & Founder

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