Key Takeaways
- The purse you choose for travel needs to meet different requirements than your everyday tote or crossbody bag.
- Travel bags must prioritize comfort, organization, and security to withstand the demands of wandering through a new city or rushing through airports to your terminal.
- Frequent travelers should look for lightweight bags that feel balanced for all-day carry, as well as security features, like zippers and anti-theft designs.
What You Need In Your Next Travel Bag
Whether you’re already a frequent traveler or you plan to do a ton of wandering in the near future, your travel bag should be an important consideration. This isn’t the suitcase or carry-on you pack when you get on the plane. Iit’s the purse or tote that you will carry around a new city as you explore.
Wondering what makes a travel bag different from your everyday purse? Take a look at the top features of the perfect travel bag to decide what will best suit your travel style and destination.
1. Versatility
No matter where you’re going, your bag will need to adapt to so many different situations. From getting through airport security to running around sightseeing, you’ll only have one bag, and it needs to handle it all!
As you look at the various options for travel purses, make sure you’re choosing a piece that offers enough chic elegance for a date night, as well as the durability you need for long days walking through a city. You may even need to consider a bag that can handle hikes, carrying snacks and water during a trek.
A versatile bag will simplify your packing experience and allow you to minimize the baggage (pun intended) you’re carrying throughout your travels.
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2. Comfort
Many people see a cute bag and completely forget about ergonomics and comfort. Unfortunately, many bags are designed to put all their weight on one shoulder, resulting in an overwhelming imbalance over time. Since you spend most of your travel days out and about, a bag that’s comfortable to carry around for hours at a time is essential. Some ergonomic features that can help you prioritize comfort include:
- Lightweight Materials
- Adjustable Straps
- Convertible Designs
- Hands-Free Options
- Straps for Both Shoulders
3. Security
Traveling among the crowds in busy cities means dealing with the potential for theft and pickpocketing. Anti-theft designs are common in travel bags and include everything from lockable zippers and cut-resistant straps to RFID-blocking pockets and inward-facing openings. You’ll need to safeguard your personal items, as well as your information, so a blend of physical and digital protection is a necessity.
4. Organization
Since you’ll be away from your home base for hours throughout the day, carrying your essentials at all times means you’ll be ready for anything. Unfortunately, that can result in a travel bag that looks like a jumbled mess.
Instead of a bag with a large central area, look for purses with lots of pockets on both the interior and exterior. You can keep less important things, like chapstick, sunscreen, and sunglasses, in the exterior pockets, as well as travel essentials, including cash and travel documents, in the interior areas for extra protection.
5. Accessibility
Have you ever been delayed at the airport digging through your purse desperately seeking your boarding pass or passport? Have you been the person to delay an entire line of people, looking for cash to pay a street food vendor? These experiences show that keeping your essentials accessible to you while impenetrable to thieves is a fine balance.
While many travel purses offer myriad pockets to categorize and organize your essentials, it’s still up to you to remember where you’ve placed each item. Skip the stress when you place the most important items, like money and travel documents, in the same pockets every single time.
6. Performance & Durability
Traveling involves a lot of wear and tear on your bags, so you need durable materials that can withstand a variety of environments. Look for bags made of lightweight materials that also offer waterproofing and easy-clean features to enhance their performance and keep them looking new for longer.
Types of Travel Purses
There are several types of travel purses that can work for you. Check out a few of the most popular options:
- Belt Bags: An updated version of the fanny pack, these bags can be worn on the hips or across your torso for extra security and accessibility. However, they’re typically more compact and won’t be able to accommodate a ton of extras. You’ll find athletic belt bags available in more durable materials for rough travel, as well as stylish leather options.
- Crossbody Bags: The hands-free option that blends style and functionality, crossbody bags can come in a variety of sizes, including larger messenger bags and smaller clutches. These bags also offer the security of keeping your items close to your body without getting in the way if you’re bending down or getting active.
- Backpacks: The ideal option for a traveler who needs to carry a ton of stuff, these travel bags also feature some of the most intense security measures. They also offer the most balanced ergonomics of all bags, sitting evenly on both shoulders. Travel backpacks that prioritize security are usually sleek and minimalist, while those that focus on organization offer more stylish designs.
- Foldable Bags: While they aren’t typically the most stylish, foldable bags are the most compact and space-saving travel option available. You can stuff them away in as small a space as your pants pocket until they’re needed to carry souvenirs or essentials for a day hike. However, you’re not limited to a basic nylon tote! Foldable bags in tons of variations, including duffles, backpacks, and even full luggage sizes.
Whether you feel a crossbody phone bag is enough or you need the capacity of a daily backpack, there’s something out there for every type of traveler. Explore your options before you explore the world!