A reliable crossbody bag can be a lifesaver when traveling. Not only does it keep your hands free for sightseeing, noshing on street food, or taking memorable photos, but a crossbody bag also offers some theft protection (since it can’t get ripped off your arm as easily as a standard shoulder bag). The best crossbody bags for travel come in various sizes, materials, and price points, and they’re also wildly adaptable—they work just as well for a day at the theme parks as on a romantic weekend getaway or a family vacation in Europe.
The Best Crossbody Bags for Travel
This list includes a range of price points from affordable to investment, plus different sizes to suit everyone from minimalists to the prepared-for-everything set. When choosing a crossbody bag for your travels, think about how much you want to be able to carry as well as the different ways you might want to wear and use the bag. Comfort, durability, materials, and looks should also be taken into consideration when choosing the best bag for your needs.
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1. Dagne Dover Micah Crossbody
Best overall crossbody bag
It’s a bit more of an investment than some of the other options on this list, but Dagne Dover’s neoprene Micah Crossbody is among the lightest water-resistant crossbody bags ever made, so it’s a good choice when you’re on the go all day in any kind of weather. And if you struggle with organization, this crossbody bag can help, with its front exterior zippered pocket with elastic loops and card slot, rear exterior phone pocket with magnetic closure, interior pockets, and handy key leash.
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It’s also got an adjustable strap, and the interior lining is made with fabric produced from recycled plastic bottles. The bag’s quality, durability, and functionality make the investment well worth it. It’s easy to take care of, too—just hand wash the bag with a mild detergent in cold water, reshape it while wet, and lay it flat to dry out of direct sunlight.
2. SG SUGU Lunar Lightweight Medium Dome Crossbody Bag with Tassel
Best affordable crossbody bag with a high-end look
Available in more than 40 color combos, the Lunar Lightweight Medium Dome crossbody bag made from vegan “leather” works with any outfit and style. It has two zippered pockets on the easy-to-clean exterior and a top zipper closure for accessing the fabric-lined interior, which offers another zippered pocket plus a slip pocket for phones or sunglasses. The shoulder strap can be adjusted from 12 to 24 inches depending on how you want to wear it.
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The bag offers designer good looks at an affordable price and can hold a lot without getting too heavy. All the pockets help you keep everything organized, and the wide range of color choices lets you express your individuality or match any outfit with ease.
3. Baggallini Triple Zip Crossbody Bag
Best crossbody bag for a day outdoors
Baggallini crossbody bags are great for action-packed outings like theme park trips and outdoor adventures. They’re machine washable for easily cleaning spills or dirt and water-resistant in case you get caught in the rain during your vacation. The small-but-mighty Triple Zip Crossbody Bag offers six interior credit-card slots, a phone pocket for fast access to that must-have item, and a slew of zippered pockets for stashing all your other essentials. The removable 52-inch adjustable strap provides adaptable wearability—it even allows the bag to transition into a waist pack thanks to the belt loops on the back.
Available in both solid colors and subtle prints, the bag is much loved for its small size that’s still capable of holding all your necessities—and its versatility makes it a great traveling companion. But if the Triple Zip Crossbody isn’t quite the right size for you, Baggallini has other crossbody bags in a range of shapes and styles to fit any need or situation.
4. L.L.Bean Boundless Expandable Crossbody Bag
Best expandable crossbody bag
L.L.Bean bags are known for their quality construction and durability, and the Boundless Expandable Crossbody Bag is no exception. It’s made with a sturdy nylon twill and available in five color options. The bag features an adjustable shoulder strap for over-the-shoulder or crossbody use, multiple zippered pockets for all of your must-haves, and a reflective trim for added visibility.
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If you need more carrying capacity, just unzip the expandable bottom to fit extra snacks for a day of walking or to stash small purchases you might have made while shopping in a new city. The bag leans toward no frills when it comes to looks, but it’s not too casual for use in a variety of settings.
5. Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag
Best anti-theft crossbody bag
The popular Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag boasts an impressive list of anti-theft features, including a slash-resistant strap, locking zippered pulls to keep contents safe, and RFID-blocking pockets to help prevent electronic identity theft. There are plenty of pockets to keep your belongings organized, an interior key clip with LED light to make finding things easier, and an expandable side water bottle pocket to help you stay hydrated on the go.
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The anti-theft crossbody bag comes in several go-with-anything colors and is made with water- and dirt-resistant fabric. It’s roomy without being too large and provides a polished, streamlined look to go along with its impressive functionality and safety features. It would be a great choice for a European adventure or for exploring a U.S. city like New Orleans or St. Louis.
6. Athleta Excursion Mini Belt Bag
Best crossbody/waist bag combo
Made of water-repellent recycled nylon and polyester, the sporty Athleta Excursion Mini Belt Bag can be worn as a crossbody bag or fanny pack, offering lots of versatility when you’re on the go. The interior includes a mesh pocket and other organizational features to help keep your phone, keys, and other gear in the right place.
The lightweight bag is easy to wipe clean should you splash a little coffee on it while on the move. It offers good quality at a reasonable price, comes in four attractive colors, and is comfortable to wear whether you’re hiking, browsing boutiques, or wandering through a museum.
7. Lux & Nyx Fan Crossbody
Best high-end convertible crossbody bag
The possibilities are almost endless with this bag from Lux & Nyx, which can be worn as a crossbody or shoulder bag, wristlet, clutch, or belt bag. Made of upcycled leather and available in multiple colors, it’s durable, stylish, and lightweight. And the interior is the stuff organizational dreams are made of: There’s a wallet section for holding your driver’s license, credit cards, cash, and phone. A built-in passport holder makes traveling a breeze, and two straps are just right for corralling pens or lipstick.
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The bag opens like a clamshell for easy access to what’s inside and zips back up with the help of two detachable tassels. You can also feel good about making a purchase from the woman- and minority-owned business, which supports gender equity, inclusivity, and the use of sustainable materials in its bags.
8. Kipling Women’s Alvar Solid Crossbody Bag
Best basic crossbody bag
The lightweight Alvar Solid Crossbody Bag from the much-loved Kipling brand has zippered pockets both inside and out plus interior slip pockets for stashing your phone and other necessities. An adjustable strap means it can turn from a crossbody bag into a shoulder bag, and it’s available in a variety of colors and prints in a crinkle nylon fabric that’s easy to spot clean.
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The bag’s a great size and weight for everyday use and serves as a practical but still stylish option for travel. Plus it comes with the company’s signature monkey key chain for an extra touch of cuteness.
9. FashionPuzzle Triple Zip Small Crossbody Bag
Best goes-with-everything budget crossbody bag
Available in almost every color in the rainbow, the simple but stylish FashionPuzzle Triple Zip is a faux-leather crossbody bag with a zippered top closure plus two exterior zippered pockets. Inside find a striped interior lining plus one open and one zippered pocket. An adjustable shoulder strap allows you to wear the bag in different ways.
The super affordable and compact bag can hold a lot while still remaining lightweight and comfortable to wear. It looks good with casual get ups and dressier outfits, and when you combine that with its adjustable shoulder strap that means lots of versatility for traveling.
10. Pacsafe Metrosafe X Anti-Theft Compact Crossbody
Best gender-neutral crossbody bag
The Pacsafe Metrosafe X Anti-Theft Compact Crossbody keeps your valuables protected with features like RFID-blocking pockets, cut-resistant fabric and strap, and lockable zippers. A detachable buckle lets you easily secure the bag to a fixed object while traveling or dining for even more security.
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The trusty, durable bag is made from recycled PET and is water-repellant and comfortable to wear. A padded sleeve is ideal for stashing an eight-inch tablet, and internal pockets, an attachment point for wallets and keys, and a pen loop keep everything else organized inside. It’s small but can hold a lot and looks good while doing so.
