The Best Crossbody Bags, Tested and Reviewed

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Whether headed to the mountains or a music festival, a crossbody is always on our editors' packing lists.

Ashley is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience reporting on products in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle space. Along with Travel + Leisure, you can find her work in Business Insider, WWD, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Best Products, and About Amazon.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price

In the realm of handbags, none match the convenience of a crossbody. This hands-free silhouette is an ideal travel companion, keeping you unencumbered to snap endless photos or sort through flea market finds. However, not all are equal when it comes to style and function. Fortunately, we’ve done the groundwork by testing our favorites around the globe, squishing them into suitcases and under airplane seats along the way to ensure they’re the very best.

Ahead, we share our top picks based on durability, capacity, and looks. While the Away Featherlight Crossbody takes the top spot for its all-around versatility, you can rest easy knowing each has been personally vetted during hikes, pool days, and even a trip to Japan.

It’s the right combo of roomy yet compact, plus it has thoughtful details like a pocket for a passport and a hidden spot in the strap for an AirPods case.

There’s enough room for a water bottle, but no dedicated pocket, so make sure the lid is on tight.

Of all the crossbody bags put to the test, Away’s Featherlight Crossbody earned our top spot for its thoughtful details designed with travelers in mind. The lightweight material is easy to pack and doesn’t feel bulky on the shoulder, yet there’s plenty of room and organization built in. What really makes this bag a standout is that it has a dedicated pocket for your passport and a hidden zip compartment in the strap to hold things like earbuds, lip gloss, or a credit card.

Along with being water-resistant, the bag can be wiped clean, so it’s a great choice for any day trips that might encounter some dirt. Senior editor Jasmine Grant chose the salt-white color that appears closer to beige in person, but she likes that it comes in a few non-neutral shades, too. Grant brought the bag on a trip to Croatia and is already planning to pack the crossbody for her next trip.

The Details: 11 x 11 x 3.9 inches | Water-resistant polyester

The clear design is a must-have for concerts and sports venues, but it’s so cute and functional that we bring it to the beach, too.

We’d love a nylon strap option, instead of just leather for added durability.

With so many venues switching to clear handbags only, this crossbody is an excellent option to have at the ready for your next concert or sports outing. However, T+L associate director Morgan Ashley Parker found the splash-proof material so functional that it’s become a regular for our beach trips and pool days, too. Despite the compact appearance, she squeezed in her phone, earbuds, lip gloss, and even a Kindle. Another great feature of this crossbody is the many colorful trim options that make it more visually interesting than your run-of-the-mill clear handbag.

The Details: 8 x 7.5 x 2 inches | Plastic, leather

The small body is way more spacious than it looks and the leather still looks new after multiple trips around the world.

Our editor (who is short in height) found the strap slightly long, even when adjusted to the shortest length.

With Italian leather and quilted stitching, this Quince crossbody looks nice enough to carry around daily, but we’ve also found it to be an ideal travel companion. It survived senior editor Lydia Price's trips to India and Japan, still looking polished and unworn despite some rough handling along the way. Another bonus is that the square body holds way more than you’d expect — Price managed to fit multiple pairs of glasses, a mini umbrella, a small tripod, a large wallet, and a collection of lip products all at the same time.

The Details: 8.5 x 6 x 3 inches | Leather

Slash–resistant with a simple, polished exterior makes this a crossbody with plenty of style and function.

The super compact size is ideal for traveling light, but it just barely fits our editor’s iPhone 15 Pro Max.

When it comes to travel safety, this crossbody has thought of it all. Arden Cove’s Crissy bag is made with slash-resistant lining, RFID-blocking credit card slots, water-resistant nylon, and zippers, and it even has a cut-proof steel cable shoulder strap. Price loves how sturdy it is while still looking polished and sophisticated. With just enough room for a smartphone and a few small items, it’s best saved for the days when you want to stick to the bare essentials.

The Details: 6.5 x 4.5 x 2.3 inches | Nylon, faux leather

Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price

A padded strap and water bottle holder make this bag perfect for hikes and day trips, plus it comes in several bright color options.

It’s supposed to be waterproof, but we think water-resistant is more accurate.

If your travel plans include hikes or outdoor activities, associate editor Amelia McBride shares that this crossbody is worth bringing along. The sling bag won’t get lost among the trees with its several bright color options, and the padded shoulder strap keeps hands free. The lightweight material stretches to fit tons of stuff, but her favorite feature is the outside water bottle pocket that doesn’t take up valuable space inside — it can also be used to hold an umbrella. McBride is also a big fan of the built-in zip pocket where we store our keys and other necessities.

The Details: 14.5 x 7.7 x 4 inches | Nylon

Travel + Leisure / Amelia McBride

There’s enough room to store sunglasses and a Kindle, yet it doesn’t feel cumbersome and the design keeps your hands free.

The belt loop that secures the end of the strap comes loose sometimes, so the strap can flap around until it’s secured again.

In editor Sophie Mendel's experience, the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag truly lives up to its name. The medium size is perfect for taking just about anywhere and has held her phone, wallet, sunglasses, and Kindle without feeling too cumbersome. This popular belt bag can also be worn across the body and comes in more than a dozen colors and patterns, ranging from sunny yellow to classic black. With so much versatility, this is a crossbody you’ll be happy to have whether you’re traveling abroad or just going for a quick jog near home.

The Details: 7.5 x 5 x 2 inches | Nylon

We’ve filled this bag’s many pockets and compartments to the brim with travel essentials and it still doesn’t look bulky or stuffed.

The iconic style comes in lots of iterations, but a neutral shade that goes with more outfits may help justify the investment.

For a designer crossbody that can keep up when traveling around the globe, we turn to the PS1 bag from Proenza Schouler. Though certainly an investment, the iconic bag won’t soon go out of style and is easy to transition from day to night — a big plus when packing space is limited. Editor Susmita Baral calls this her “Mary Poppins crossbody” for how much she can stash inside, yet it somehow never loses its shape. The many pockets are perfect for storing a passport and any knickknacks picked up along the way.

The Details: 10.2 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches | Leather

This scratch- and water-resistant crossbody has great storage space and can be worn as a clutch or a shoulder bag.

The zipper on the coin purse doesn’t glide very smoothly.

Writer Asia London Palomba discovered this crossbody that won’t break the bank and pulls triple duty with its three-in-one design. Multiple compartments and removable straps let this crossbody be converted into a clutch or a shoulder bag at a moment’s notice. It’s also deceptively spacious. She packed it with a portable charger, phone cable, multiple passports, phone, wallet, hand sanitizer, and camera batteries within the many pockets and still had room to spare. As if that weren’t enough features, the material is scratch-resistant and water-resistant, making it ideal for both travel and daily use.

The Details: 9.5 x 7.2 x 2.9 inches | Faux leather

Travel + Leisure / Asia Palomba

This sleek leather crossbody has a magnetic pocket on the outer back that keeps your phone or plane tickets hidden but within reach.

A micro-suede lining makes stains such as a lip gloss spill hard to clean.

Don’t be fooled by the mini size of this crossbody bag. The compact body stashes away essentials with ease, and there’s even a hidden pocket on the outside where you can slip in your phone. Associate editor Anna Popp has fit everything from lip balm to sunglasses within the sleek Italian leather exterior that also happens to be scratch-proof, waterproof, and even UV-resistant. Another fun feature is an adjustable shoulder strap that lets you carry the Mini Bowler as a shoulder bag. On the inside, a micro-suede lining adds a luxe touch, but you’ll want to be mindful of any products that could cause a sticky spill.

The Details: 9.8 x 6.3 x 3.1 inches | Leather

This bag’s soft leather looks and feels luxe, doesn’t dig into the skin, and the crossbody strap is adjustable so you can carry it by hand or shoulder.

The strap can be worn shorter, but we found it awkward to wear it that way.

If style is high up on your must-have list, Popp also recommends this crossbody bag from Cuyana. The Mini Paloma pairs an elevated design with buttery soft leather that doesn’t dig into your hip, and the wide belted strap can be adjusted for a completely different look. We also appreciate the zip top for added security, and how the minimalist silhouette can be worn in both daytime and evening. You can tell from both the look and feel of this bag that it doesn’t skimp on quality. It also comes with a handy dust bag to store the purse in your suitcase or closet without risking potential damage.

The Details: 11 x 7.1 x 5.1 inches | Leather

Although made for tech accessories, we love this as a travel bag thanks to its weather-resistant material and compact size.

If you want a true crossbody bag, there’s an option to add a shoulder strap for an extra $20.

The Wandrd Tech Bag is specifically designed to keep tech gear organized, but that hasn’t stopped T+L writer Anne Taylor from carrying her lip balm, wallet, and hand sanitizer, too. The weather-resistant material and lined zippers give Taylor peace of mind in the event of rain, and it can be worn as both a sling bag and a belt bag. Even though the bag looks quite small, the interior is lined with mesh pockets and pen loops so that everything has a place. A unique perk of this crossbody is that it comes with a lifetime guarantee, and it’s also designed to be clipped onto Wandrd backpacks.

The Details: 7.75 x 4.5 x 2 inches | Tarpaulin

Travel + Leisure / Anne Taylor

Along with its stunning leather and two-handle design, this deep bucket bag is spacious enough to hold a sweater.

A magnet closure instead of a zipper top makes this bag easy to navigate but less secure.

If the opposite of compact is what you’re after, Madewell’s bucket bag offers plenty of space — so much so that senior writer Merrell Readman keeps a spare sweater inside when traveling. What we also love about this bag is how nice the leather exterior looks, even when we’re hauling around a bunch of stuff. A second shoulder strap lets you switch if the crossbody starts feeling too heavy, and the timeless style is one you can expect to use for years. Our only improvement would be a zip closure, but an open top does make it easier to dig around for a phone or keys.

The Details: 12 x 8 x 4 inches | Leather

This crossbody is spacious and stylish, and it comes in tons of color choices.

The zipper closure could be smoother and is prone to snagging.

Free People’s sling bag has something for everyone with its 12 color choices that range from vibrant pink and green to espresso brown. Both Readman and Popp own this bag and they swear by it because of how soft and comfortable it is to wear, and how the stylish design is much more spacious than its slim U-shape looks. She even managed to fit a water bottle and an umbrella inside. When you want to keep your hands free, but you also want a pop of color to punch up your outfit, this bag is a great choice for both travel and everyday wear.

The Details: 15.7 x 2.2 inches | Leather

Two zip compartments keep things extra organized, and there’s enough room for a paperback book.

There may not be as roomy as a bag with just one main compartment.

This crossbody won over T+L editor Taylor Fox with its durability and two main compartments that offer easy access to necessities. And while perfectly travel-sized, this bag doesn’t lack space. We’ve filled it with a pair of sunglasses, a wallet, a phone, lip balm, and even a paperback book inside. With its neutral color scheme, you can spend less time coordinating with outfits in your suitcase and more time planning new adventures. Plus, an extra zip pocket on the outside takes the organization to another level.

The Details: 5.8 x 8.3 inches | Polyester, leather

To find the best crossbody bags, our team of writers and editors tested out options across continents to find the best ones for every travel need. We stuffed them into suitcases, carried them to sports games and beach trips, and squeezed in as many items as we possibly could. We also considered qualities such as durability, organization, style, function, and weight.

A key feature to look for in a crossbody bag is an adjustable strap. This will ensure you get the right fit for your height and body, which can make all the difference when it comes to all-day comfort. Consider also looking for straps with padding or extrasoft material for added comfort.

While some of our crossbody picks have enough room for an extra pair of clothes, others barely have room for an iPhone. Be sure to check the measurements to get a bag that fits all your must-haves, whether that’s a few small essentials or bigger items like a book.

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

A leather bag that looks great during city trips may not hold up as well during hikes. For destinations such as the beach or mountains, consider weather-resistant and splash-proof materials such as plastic, polyester, and nylon. Soft fabric bags may also pack down easier than structured bags when suitcase space is limited.

Crossbody bags hang diagonally across one shoulder so that both of your hands stay free. While convenient for daily life, these bags are especially useful while traveling when you need to carry shopping bags or luggage. Many crossbody bags are designed to be worn as shoulder bags or belt bags, too.

Just like any other handbag, a crossbody bag counts as a personal item and must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. We always suggest checking the airline’s website for specific guidelines.

Travel + Leisure contributor Ashley Phillips is a fashion writer and editor with more than a decade of experience writing about handbags and accessories. As an avid bag collector, she has tested and reviewed dozens of handbags of all types over the past several years. Ashley worked with T+L editors to put together this list of the best crossbody bags which have all been heavily researched and worn in real life.

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