Looking for the best travel handbags? Whether you’re going on a business trip, beach vacation or around the world trip, the best travel handbags offer a variety of styles and features to fit your needs. Here are a few travel handbags we have found that looks and works great for in and out of town.
PLAN - PRICE
Description
MZ Wallace Paige Crossbody
12"L x 2.5"W x 9"H
Fits iPads easily, adjustable strap, waterproof nylon material, black Italian leather trim, gold hardware, zip top closure, 4 exterior pockets, 6 interior pockets, 1 detachable pouch, phone pocket, key ring strap, 1.25 lbs in weight, multiple colors available.
Baggallini Everywhere Crossbody
13.5"L x 5"W x 9"H
Fits iPad easily, 100% polyester, adjustable strap, RFID wristlet, 6 exterior pockets which includes zipper pouches on both sides, 1 detachable bag, 8 card slots, sleeve on back for luggage handle which can also be zipped to make 1 extra pocket, 1.1 lbs weight, multiple colors available.
Travelon Anti-Theft Messenger Bag
12.4"L x 2.2"W x 11.1"H
Fits iPad or Kindle easily, polyester material, RFID blocking pockets, lock down adjustable straps, 4 exterior pockets with pockets on both sides for water bottle, zipper top, zipper interior organizer card & passport slots, wall pocket, pen loop, 1.4 lbs weight, multiple colors avialable.
Tumi Voyageur Canton Crossbody Bag
10.2"L x 2"W x 10.6"H
Fits a Kindle or iPad Mini easily, waterproof nylon material, 2 exterior zipper pockets, zipper main compartment, 2 additional interior pockets, 3 media pockets, card & pen pockets, TUMI tracer, key leash, adjustable straps, 0.81 lbs. in weight, multiple colors avialable.
Our review process:
Handbags Considered
Hours Researched
Experts & Consumers Surveyed
Buying guide:
If you are a person who doesn’t carry much when travelling, then a handbag or shoulder bag may not be for you and you should consider having a money belt or travel pouch for just your phone, credit cards or money. However, if you tend to carry a few more things and prefer a handbag for more storage then you should first ask these questions:
- What kind of travel is involved? If you don’t plan on going to too many places and will mostly stay in a central hotel or apartment complex, then a smaller handbag may be better for you. Also, keep in mind that some tourist attractions these days (such as museum, sports events, etc.) do not allow you to enter with large bags. But if you plan on doing an all-day site-seeing excursion, you may want to consider a bigger handbag to fit a water bottle, camera, sunglasses, etc.
- How long is the travel? For short visits, a small purse may do just fine. But if you are travelling for a few weeks, you will need something bigger.
- How do you carry your handbag? There are several ways or styles to carry a handbag – on your shoulder, across your chest or slung over your arms. For short trips, a shoulder handbag may work for you. But for traveling extended periods of time or for anti-theft purposes, the best handbag is carried across your chest. Hence, the reason SyncroReviews has recommended crossbody handbags. If you have any conditions such as a neck or back problem, you will also need to take that into consideration.
Did you know? A crossbody handbag may relieve pressure on your back as the weight is more evenly distributed on both your sides vs. a shoulder bag that may put more weight on just one of your side.
- What will you carry? You don’t want to have a handbag that’s overloaded and will become a burden to carry. But you also don’t want to underestimate. Some things to consider is if you will be traveling with children, or you will be carrying an iPad, larger camera, water bottles which may require a larger bag.
- How often will you use the handbag? You should think about if you need your handbag all day or for evening wear or work. If you will be going to many nice restaurants, you may want to consider a look that’s dressier or if you are partaking in many outdoor activities, you may want to consider a more casual look.
- How often will you need to access your stuff? You may need to use your phone every minute or you may need easy access to your passport/IDs or credit cards while traveling. Having exterior pockets or a card slot in the main compartment that you can easily slip into will be important.
Handbag Features:
Here are key features we’ve identified that make up a good travel handbag:
- Durability: if you are a frequent traveler, you know how important it is to have a handbag that can withstand all sorts of wear and tear. You want a durable material and sturdy fasteners & straps that will last many years to come. These are the most common materials for travel handbags:
- Ballistic nylon: a thick, very durable and easy to clean synthetic nylon fiber. Ballistic nylon has the ability to resist abrasion and tearing, making it the most popular material for travel handbags, especially luggages. However, this material is hard to dye so there will be less color choices and usually comes in black or similar dark colors. Handbags with this material are in the mid-price range ($75 – $175).
- Cordura: is known for its durability and residence to abrasions and offers higher tear strength but weighs slightly less than ballistic nylon. Cordura also takes dyes more easily so you can choose from many different colors. Handbags with this material are in the higher price range ($180+).
- Polyester: is the cheapest in the material option and handbags with this material are in the lower price ranges (less than $75). Polyester handbags can vary in quality but can be excellent value for your money.
Did you know? Nylon material makes your handbag water-resistant. So, you may want to consider this to keep your contents dry.
- Safety Features: one of the most important feature of a handbag is to have an anti-slash mesh or locking zipper to enhance anti-theft. Slash-resistant consists of an all-around plus bottom stainless steel mesh that lies between the outer fabric and the bag’s lining to protect against slash and grab thieves.
- Size: with all the technology out there today, you may need a bigger size handbag for all your electronic gadgets including cameras, cell phones, tablets and laptops. The average handbag (about 13.5”L x 3.5”W x 9”H) can carry all these, and other items needed. You also want to make sure the size of the handbag meets the airline’s measurement requirements for taking it onboard the plane – it must be able to fit under the seat in front of you or the overhead compartment and be part of the allowed maximum carry-on luggage policy.
- Pockets: can be located on the exterior or interior of the handbag. The exterior may have pockets on the sides of the handbag used for carrying water bottles. For all other pockets you want to have zippers or lock down snap feature to secure your contents from thieves or falling out. You may also want to consider a handbag with RFID blocking pockets and slots. This feature shields your credit cards and passport with RFID chip from scanners and protecting you from electronic identity thieves.
- Style: this not only goes for the fashion statement that fits your style, but considering a handbag that looks more “local” may help you not to stand out like a “tourist”.
- Comfort/Carrying Options: the most common carrying options for a handbag are on the shoulder, across the body or the backpack style. As mentioned before, across the body may be the best option for travelers for anti-theft purposes and relieving pressure off your back, especially if you have a back problem. Comfort is key since you will most likely be carrying the handbag around most of the day. So, consider thicker straps that are adjustable and doesn’t slip off or slap across your middle section.