Luggage
We found the best options for hauling around your essentials
By
Christine Luff
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ChristineLuff-7ddc3c7fbcac42acbc2203a483a954a0.jpg "These Are the Best Travel Purses to Stay Organized on the Go (1)")
Christine Luff
Christine Luff is a New Jersey-based writer specializing in travel and health. She's covered everything from camping tents to natural sunscreens for TripSavvy.
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Updated on 02/27/23
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A travel purse is an important investment with many roles to fulfill: it must secure your belongings, make them accessible while going through airport security, and keep them organized while sightseeing. The best travel purses allow you to move through your journey hands-free while offering aesthetic versatility. When choosing a travel purse, look for anti-theft features such as RFID-blocking technology and locking compartments. A bag worn across the body is inherently more secure than a shoulder pick, and thoughtful organization keeps your belongings accessible and away from would-be pickpockets. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a worthy splurge for a lifetime investment, here are the best travel purses. The Rundown Best Overall: Best Lightweight: Travelon Anit-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag at Amazon ($37) Best Fanny Pack: Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack at Amazon ($43) Best Backpack: Table of contents Our Picks What to Look For FAQ What We Like External compartments Has anti-theft features Easy to spot clean What We Don't Like No interior dividers Baggallini Everywhere Bagg Review Travel purses help secure your items when you're abroad—without sacrificing style. A popular choice among female travelers, the Baggallini Everywhere Bagg is perfect for comfortably holding all your essentials. With thoughtfully designed pockets and sections, there's plenty of space for you to keep everything organized. Some compartments feature RFID-blocking technology, so you can protect your personal information on credit cards, passports, and key cards and avoid identity theft. The travel purse features super lightweight, water-resistant nylon material, so your stuff will stay dry and protected in case of rain or spills. With cool colors and a stylish design, this bag works just as well for the office as it does for traveling abroad, so it's a great choice if you're looking for a very functional, multi-purpose bag. According to our tester, the Everywhere Bagg feels substantial without being clunky. It can be worn on the shoulder or across the body and looks equally at home on your everyday commute as on your next international trip. Size: 9 x 11 x 5 inches | Weight: 15 ounces| Pockets: Internal and external | Care: Machine washable What We Like Durable strap RFID-blocking Water-resistant What We Don't Like Slim top opening This versatile bag from Travelon has the security features you want in a travel purse but still excels in style and affordability. With an adjustable cut-proof strap and slash-proof construction, it conveniently works as a cross-body purse and a travel shoulder bag. It features organized, lockable compartments and a handy, removable LED flashlight. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck with this simple and classic bag, which comes in almost a dozen colors and patterns. Our tester appreciated the sturdy construction of this bag, which is ideal for a travel item. The shoulder strap buckles open easily, allowing you to secure the bag to a luggage handle or stroller. Size: 9.75 x 10 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 12 ounces| Pockets: Internal and external | Care: Wipe clean What We Like Adjustable strap Removable LED light Secure zippers What We Don't Like Slow access to security pockets Travelon's Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder Bag Provides Peace of Mind This mini shoulder bag is perfect if you're looking for a lightweight, stylish travel purse that will keep your valuables secure. With the roominess of a bigger bag, it features a main locking compartment and convenient front and rear pockets. The RFID-blocking card, passport slots, and slash-resistant body and shoulder strap will give you peace of mind that your valuables are protected. Our tester mentioned that while the back pocket doesn't have a locking zipper, it lays against the body and would be much more difficult for a pickpocket to access. With a low price and many fun colors to choose from, you may decide you want more than one. Size: 8.5 x 8.5 x 2 inches | Weight: 10.9 ounces| Pockets: Internal and external | Care: Wipe clean What We Like Versatile Slim profile What We Don't Like No crossbody strap This multi-functional travel pouch keeps all your essentials secure and organized. Use it as a casual clutch with an included wristlet to stay streamlined while traveling, or toss it into a larger purse or travel bag. Made with vegan leather, the clutch features card slots, a money slot, and a removable, cleanable PVC pouch for travel toiletries. Add a monogram for a customized touch. Size: 9.8 x 11.4 inches | Weight: Not listed | Pockets: Internal and external | Care: Spot clean The 11 Best Wallets for Men What We Like Built-in key clip Packs down into own pocket Made of 100% recycled fabric What We Don't Like No RFID-blocking tech Travel days can be long, and sometimes you just need the essentials close at hand. Enter Patagonia's Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack. From one of the industry leaders in sustainability and quality, this small pack is easy to wear thanks to an adjustable strap that extends from 8 to 36 inches. Its 1-liter capacity is divided between a main zippered compartment and a smaller security pocket, also zippered, with a built-in key clip. True to the brand, the weather-resistant nylon is light, tough, and made of recycled materials. Size: 8 x 4.75 x 2 inches | Weight: 3.5 ounces| Pockets: External | Care: Not listed The 9 Best Fanny Packs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed What We Like Can be worn multiple ways Available in a variety of colors What We Don't Like No internal dividers If you're already a fan of Fjallraven's iconic line of backpacks, you'll love this mini version, too. Borrowing the same design as its larger counterpart, this 7-liter backpack features a main zippered compartment, a front zippered pocket, two open side pockets, adjustable straps, and top handles for convenient carrying. The 100 percent Vinylon F material means the bag is water-resistant and easily wipes clean. Combining the functionality of a backpack with the portability of a travel purse, you truly get the best of both worlds with the Kanken Mini Backpack. Size: 11.4 x 7.9 x 5.1 inches | Weight: 0.5 pounds| Pockets: Internal and external | Care: Spot clean Chances are, you’re getting a travel purse because you want the extra security features it offers when you’re on the go. So look for travel purses incorporating RFID-blocking technology so scammers can’t swipe your credit card details from afar and locking compartments to keep valuables where they belong. Some bag types are inherently more secure than others. Shoulder bags, for example, can be a little easier to swipe because they’re so easy to yank off. On the other hand, messenger bags and crossbody bags are harder to remove and run with. They also keep your valuables closest to your body. When it comes to travel purses, external compartments are handy for keeping items you need to access easily, like phones and car keys. However, these are also extremely easy for thieves to grab, especially if the pockets aren't secure. Think carefully about how you use your purse. If having external pockets makes you nervous, you can always throw your need-to-haves into a pouch in a deeper tote bag. Frequently Asked Questions What should you pack in your purse when you're traveling? Always keep your passport in your purse while traveling; it should stay with you versus in any checked luggage out of your sight. The same goes for any essential medicines. Carry a portable charger for your key devices. Bring hand sanitizer and wipes for cleaning up when a proper sink isn’t available. Lip balm helps soothe lips dehydrated in flight. And if you’re flying internationally, bring a pen if you have customs forms to fill out before you land. Will TSA let you carry hand sanitizer in your purse on a plane? TSA’s current guidelines allow one liquid hand sanitizer container of up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. (All other liquids, gels, and aerosols brought to a checkpoint are still limited to 3.4 ounces.) Can you use a purse as your personal item? Each airline has its own specific requirements, so consult your carrier’s rules for your fare class. But generally speaking, yes: a purse, briefcase, or laptop case in typical sizes should all be considered personal items. Christine Luff is a New Jersey-based freelance writer specializing in travel and health. She has held staff positions at Reader's Digest and Ladies' Home Journal and has written for numerous magazines, websites, newsletters, and books. The 10 Best Travel Tote Bags of 2024:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TRIPSAVVY-9-best-travel-purses-4169467-final-01-e45a0cfe50514c54b22e0617663d044a.jpg "These Are the Best Travel Purses to Stay Organized on the Go (2)")
Best Overall: Baggallini Everywhere Bagg
Best Lightweight
Travelon Anit-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/travelon-anti-theft-classic-mini-shoulder-bag-8d9fe4502deb41dbac2dc4865af42bda.jpg "These Are the Best Travel Purses to Stay Organized on the Go (5)")
Best Fanny Pack
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/patagonia-ultra-light-black-hole-mini-hip-pack-1l-6ed8e67fd4a04efea0271ee6a7e69bfc.jpg "These Are the Best Travel Purses to Stay Organized on the Go (7)")
Best Backpack
Fjallraven Kanken Mini Classic Backpack
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fjallraven-kanken-mini-backpack-4bf8aa9feccc457299f1352bae259021.jpg "These Are the Best Travel Purses to Stay Organized on the Go (8)")
What to Look for in a Travel Purse
Anti-Theft Protection
Style
Organization
Why Trust TripSavvy
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/baggallini-everywhere-bagg-with-rfid-1bcc82e3fb3a4176b11a3475de763664.jpg "These Are the Best Travel Purses to Stay Organized on the Go (3)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/travelon-anti-theft-classic-essential-messenger-bag-832d7c675d054d25886f68abbaf126b6.jpg "These Are the Best Travel Purses to Stay Organized on the Go (4)")
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Article Sources
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Transportation Security Administration. "Hand Sanitizers." Accessed Dec. 15, 2022.
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