Packing the right bag for a trip is almost as important as remembering to bring your passport. Which bag to bring depends on where you are going and what is on the agenda. A simple sling might do perfectly for a weekend getaway, while a two-week beach vacation calls for an enormous tote. Want to be prepared for all possible trips? Here are seven bags — from a smart backpack to a stadium-ready clear fanny pack — to add to your luggage arsenal.
When you make a purchase using links on our site, The Week may earn a commission. All reviews are written independently by our editorial team.
Madewell Zip-Top Essential Tote
(Image credit: Madewell)
When you are on the go, you want a tote that carries a lot without being overwhelming. The leather Essential Tote hits that sweet spot, with plenty of room for basics like a phone, laptop and water bottle and small items you pick up along the way. The bag is structured but not stiff and has a zip-top, so your things will stay put.
Subscribe to The Week
The Week provides readers with a wide range of perspectives from 200 trusted news sources.
Try 6 Free IssuesSign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our daily WeekDay news briefing to an award-winning Food & Drink email, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our daily WeekDay news briefing to an award-winning Food & Drink email, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
$160, Amazon
Stoney Clover Lane Clear Fanny Pack
(Image credit: Stoney Clover Lane)
Stadiums and concert venues often require a clear bag for entrance, and no one craves being turned away at the gate. The Stoney Clover Lane clear fanny pack requires minimal space in your suitcase and will free up your hands so you can carry the important accessories at the venue, like a giant pretzel and $50 beer. The fanny pack can be worn around the waist or as a cross-body bag, fits a phone, wallet, keys and sunglasses. Stoney Clover Lane's customizable patches are eager to help you make this fanny pack your own.
$108, Stoney Clover Lane
Nordace Siena Backpack
(Image credit: Nordace)
This is one smart bag. The Nordace Siena has a USB charging port, a fleece-lined pocket for glasses, padded sleeve for laptops and tablets and an outer pocket that can hold a water bottle or umbrella. The Siena is spacious without being bulky and has cushioned shoulder straps. There is also a hidden back pocket to tuck away valuables (take that, would-be thieves!). The bag comes in a variety of colors, including a dusty baby pink and light aqua.
$109.99, Amazon
Away Everywhere Bag
(Image credit: Away)
The aptly named Everywhere Bag works in all situations. Bring it on a plane as your personal item (it fits under the seat), and then use it as a daily bag at your destination. The highlight of this water-resistant bag is its full wraparound zip opening, which makes it easy to grab items and see what's what. If organization is your love language, there are multiple interior pockets where you can store your phone, water bottle, tech products and keys.
$195, Away
Tumi Tyler Crossbody
(Image credit: Tumi)
The Tumi Tyler Crossbody is stylish and secure. This nylon bag has several organizational features, including media and card pockets and a pen loop, and its sleek shape works day or night. Each bag also has a unique 20-digit number as part of the Tumi Tracer program. If a registered product is found after being lost or stolen, Tumi works to get it back into the right hands.
$295, Tumi
Nomatic Navigator Sling
(Image credit: Nomatic)
You might be surprised by how much you can do with this streamlined sling bag. It has room for a phone, wallet, tablet and other necessities, plus several pockets for tech accessories, slots to hold passports and cards, a cord pass-through and a hidden exterior water bottle holder. For an added level of security, the bag's zippers are tamper-proof.
$129.99, Amazon
Travelon Classic Cross-body Bag
(Image credit: Travelon)
Pickpockets, beware. The Travelon Classic Cross-body Bag was designed with security in mind and has five anti-theft features, including a slash-resistant body and straps, RFID blocking organizer and a main compartment that locks. There are more than a dozen colors and patterns to choose from, with all of the fabrics water-resistant.
Starting at $42.99, Amazon
Explore More
ShoppingTravel GuidesThe Week Recommends
To continue reading this article...
Create a free account
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
register for free
Already have an account? Sign in
Subscribe to The Week
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more with a subscription to The Week.
Start your free trial
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Unlimited website access is included with Digital and Print + Digital subscriptions.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert in travel and luggage, and I can provide you with information about the different bags mentioned in this article. I have extensive knowledge of various types of bags and their features. I will use the information from the article to provide you with a detailed description of each bag.
Madewell Zip-Top Essential Tote
The Madewell Zip-Top Essential Tote is a spacious and versatile bag that is perfect for people on the go. It has plenty of room to carry essentials like a phone, laptop, water bottle, and small items you pick up along the way. The bag is structured but not stiff, and it features a zip-top closure to keep your belongings secure.
Stoney Clover Lane Clear Fanny Pack
The Stoney Clover Lane Clear Fanny Pack is a convenient bag that is ideal for stadiums and concert venues that require a clear bag for entrance. It is compact and won't take up much space in your suitcase. The fanny pack can be worn around the waist or as a cross-body bag and can fit a phone, wallet, keys, and sunglasses. Additionally, Stoney Clover Lane offers customizable patches to personalize the fanny pack .
Nordace Siena Backpack
The Nordace Siena Backpack is a smart bag that offers several useful features. It has a USB charging port, a fleece-lined pocket for glasses, a padded sleeve for laptops and tablets, and an outer pocket that can hold a water bottle or umbrella. The Siena is spacious yet not bulky, and it has cushioned shoulder straps for added comfort. It also includes a hidden back pocket to keep valuables safe. The bag comes in various colors, including dusty baby pink and light aqua.
Away Everywhere Bag
The Away Everywhere Bag is a versatile and water-resistant bag that works well in all situations. It can be used as a personal item on a plane and then as a daily bag at your destination. The bag features a full wraparound zip opening, making it easy to access and organize your belongings. It has multiple interior pockets for storing your phone, water bottle, tech products, and keys.
Tumi Tyler Crossbody
The Tumi Tyler Crossbody is a stylish and secure bag made of nylon. It offers several organizational features, including media and card pockets, a pen loop, and a sleek shape that works for both day and night. Each bag also has a unique 20-digit number as part of the Tumi Tracer program, which helps recover lost or stolen bags.
Nomatic Navigator Sling
The Nomatic Navigator Sling is a streamlined bag that offers surprising functionality. It has room for a phone, wallet, tablet, and other necessities, as well as several pockets for tech accessories, slots to hold passports and cards, a cord pass-through, and a hidden exterior water bottle holder. The bag's zippers are tamper-proof, providing an added level of security.
Travelon Classic Cross-body Bag
The Travelon Classic Cross-body Bag is designed with security in mind. It has five anti-theft features, including a slash-resistant body and straps, an RFID blocking organizer, and a main compartment that locks. The bag is available in a variety of colors and patterns, and all the fabrics used are water-resistant .
These bags offer a range of features and styles to suit different travel needs. Whether you're looking for a spacious tote, a compact fanny pack, a smart backpack, an all-purpose bag, a stylish crossbody, a versatile sling, or a secure cross-body bag, there is a bag on this list to meet your requirements.
Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with!
