I’ve been traveling full time for more than 5 years, and in that time I’ve tested a lot of crossbody bags.
Two of them stuck. Both are on this list 😉
The other three are top picks from my Ways of Style community of thousands of women who love to travel.
That’s how I can write about the best crossbody bags for travel with a straight face.
Every bag here is stylish, durable, and zips closed, whether you’re rushing through an airport, working your way through a crowded market, or heading out for a nicer dinner.
One is roomy enough for women who hate a tiny bag, one is quilted nylon that shrugs off rain, and one is compact enough to become a clutch at dinner.
And none of them are anti-theft bags. My thoughts on that below 🙅🏻♀️
Here’s what you’ll learn today:
✅ The 5 best crossbody bags for travel, including the two I have carried for years
✅ Why a crossbody beats a tote on every single travel day
✅ What actually keeps your things safe, after more than 5 years of testing it in real cities
The Best Crossbody Bags for Travel (Tested Over 5 Years of Full Time Travel)
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Estimated reading time: 18 minutes
The best crossbody bags for travel sit flat against your body, close with a zipper that goes all the way, and hang from a strap you can adjust to your own height. I’ve carried the same two bags for 4 years and 3 years of full time travel, and neither one is a specialty anti-theft bag. A regular crossbody worn the right way does the job.
👜 Why the Best Crossbody Bags for Travel Beat a Tote Every Time
I’ve made this mistake myself. I packed a cute open tote for a trip to Europe and spent the entire time holding it closed with one hand.
That’s not a bag. That’s a pain in the 🍑
With a tote on a travel day, your hands are never free.
You are holding a coffee, a phone with a map on it, a train ticket, and a bag that keeps sliding off your shoulder.
A crossbody solves all of that.
It sits across your body, it stays where you put it, and it leaves both hands completely free.
And there’s the safety piece. An open bag is simply the easiest target in the crowd.
💡 Where totes still win: at home. I love a good tote for errands and grocery runs, and Quince has some really pretty tote bags if that’s what you need.
I just don’t recommend bringing one on your trip.
✅ What Makes the Best Crossbody Bags for Travel Actually Work
After years of carrying the same bags through the same situations, my list of what matters got very short.
- A zipper that closes the whole way. Not a magnetic snap, not a drawstring. A zipper.
- An adjustable strap. I’m 5’4″, so a strap that only comes in one length usually hangs too low on me.
- A neutral color that matches your travel wardrobe. One bag has to work with every outfit you packed.
- Small enough that it stays in front of you. If you can’t see it in a crowd, it’s too big.
Notice what’s not on that list: slash proof fabric, locking zippers, hidden wire mesh. I’ve never owned a bag like that and I’ve never needed one.
Here are some truths about anti-theft bags:
1️⃣ Bags get stolen because they get hung on the back of chairs, get placed on cafe tables, or left on a park bench by a distracted owner. There’s no replacement for simply being careful in crowded places.
2️⃣ Anti-theft bags often look like anti-theft bags. If you look like you’re carrying all your valuables, you’ll become a target.
3️⃣ The RFID card protectors sound nice, but statistically this isn’t something to worry about while traveling.
🏆 The Best Crossbody Bags for Travel (2 I Carry, 3 My Community Swears By)
The first two are mine. The other three are the ones I’d look at first if I were replacing them today.
1️⃣ Quince Gemma Crossbody (Best All Around)
Best for: every single day of a trip, in every season.
This is the Gemma Crossbody bag I’ve carried for over 3 years, in dusty pink. Three years of daily use, in one bag, in one color.
The dusty pink surprised me. The soft muted pink turns out to be a neutral in practice and it stops an all beige or all black outfit from going flat.
The pebbled leather is the reason it still looks good. A smooth finish shows every scuff, and this one just doesn’t.
It’s also big enough to carry all of your daily essentials, with an extra zipper pocket inside to stash your room keys and lip balm 😉
It’s the bag I reach for every single day. If I could only keep one, this is the one.
🎯 If the dusty pink isn’t your color, browse all of the Quince crossbody bags here to find the same shape in a shade that matches what you already own. The Gemma Quilted crossbody bag is gorgeous!
2️⃣ Quince Gemma Raffia & Leather Crossbody (Best for Warm Weather)
Best for: summer in Europe, beach towns, and anywhere with warm-weather vibes.
I’ve had the Gemma Raffia Crossbody for 4 years now. It’s the oldest bag I own and I still love the way it looks.
Raffia does something leather can’t. It instantly makes a plain outfit look like you are on vacation, even when the outfit is just a tank and linen pants.
The black leather trim and strap are what make it work with more than sundresses. A raffia bag with a tan strap reads beachy, and this one doesn’t.
The size is the same as the leather Gemma bag I shared above. Big enough for your cell phone, sunglass case, and other daily essentials.
⚠️ One honest note: raffia is a warm weather texture. I don’t pack it for a fall or winter trip, so if you only want one bag for the whole year, get the leather one instead.
Both of these first two bags come from the brand that fills most of my closet, and the good, the bad, and my Quince favorites are all in one place if you want the full picture.
🧳 Not Sure What Else Goes In the Bag?
Picking one of the best crossbody bags for travel is the easy part. Deciding what goes in the suitcase is where most of us get stuck.
Answer 2 quick questions and I’ll send you a packing list built for that exact trip.
Answer them here ⬇️
3️⃣ The Sak Melrose Crossbody Leather Bag (Best If You Carry More)
Best for: anyone who carries more than a phone and a wallet.
This one is $149 and it’s real leather, which is a good price for a bag this organized.
It also comes in 16 colors. 16!!!
It has a main zipper closure, a slip pocket on the front, a zip pocket on the back, and three more pockets inside. Plenty of ways to organize your most important belongings before heading out!
The measurements are 11.5″ long by 8.5″ high by 3″ deep, with a 23″ strap drop, and it weighs 1.06 lb.
The Sak calls it “a manageable bag with real toting capacity.” Comfortably bigger than the other four on this list and even big enough to stuff a smaller water bottle inside.
My Ways of Style community loves it, and this Sak bag has a 4.8 rating on Nordstrom with over 500 reviews… that’s unheard of!
4️⃣ MZ Wallace Bowery Quilted Nylon Crossbody Bag (Best for Rainy Trips)
Best for: wet weather, and any trip where your bag needs to wipe clean.
This one is quilted nylon with leather trim, so it wipes clean and it doesn’t care about rain the way leather does.
The great part is the strap. It adjusts from 15″ to 26″, so it goes long across your body while you walk and short on your shoulder at dinner, and there’s a chunky chain handle that dresses the whole thing up.
The light weight and the elevated look are what make this one work for travel.
It measures 9.4″ wide by 8″ high by 3″ deep and has two separate compartments inside.
⚠️ Two honest tradeoffs. Nordstrom lists the interior capacity as small, so this is a phone, wallet, and sunglasses bag rather than a water bottle bag.
And at $275 it’s the priciest pick here.
5️⃣ Lo & Sons Waverley 2 (Best Convertible)
Best for: one bag that changes shape depending on the day.
This one can be worn four different ways. It goes from crossbody to shoulder bag to belt bag to wristlet, all on the same two part strap.
The strap adjusts from 23″ all the way out to 57″, which is a wider range than anything else in this post.
It’s also the lightest pick here, at 0.6 lb in the small size and 0.8 lb in the large.
Inside there’s a slip pocket and a zip pocket with three card slots, plus a card slot on the outside for a hotel key. There’s even a little leash to clip your keys to.
I love the understated look of the Waverley 2. That kind of simple shape goes with basically any travel outfit.
🎯 It folds down into an evening clutch too, so it covers a full day of sightseeing and then dinner without a second bag.
⚠️ One honest tradeoff: it’s only 2 inches deep. This is a phone, cards, and passport bag, not somewhere to stash a water bottle or a scarf.
🤔 Which of the Best Crossbody Bags for Travel Is Right for You?
Here’s the short version, so you don’t have to scroll back up.
- You want one bag for the entire year 👉🏻 the Quince Gemma Crossbody, the one I’ve carried for 3 years.
- Your next trip is somewhere hot 👉🏻 the Quince Gemma Raffia Crossbody, still going strong at 4 years old.
- You carry more than the basics 👉🏻 The Sak Melrose, the roomiest bag here, with six pockets and real leather for $149.
- Your trip involves rain 👉🏻 the MZ Wallace Bowery, quilted nylon that wipes clean and dresses up at night.
- You want one bag that changes shape 👉🏻 the Lo & Sons Waverley 2, worn as a crossbody, shoulder bag, belt bag, or clutch.
- You would rather carry nothing on your shoulder at all 👉🏻 look at a belt bag instead, worn across the chest rather than at the waist.
👗 How to Actually Wear a Crossbody Bag Outfit (and make it look good on your body)
A crossbody strap draws a diagonal line straight across your torso.
That line is doing something to your outfit whether you planned it or not. So you might as well plan it 😉
Start with where the bag lands
Every bag arrives with the strap set at one length, and that length wasn’t chosen with you in mind. Adjust it before you decide whether the bag works.
The bag wants to rest at the narrowest part of your torso. For most of us that’s at or just above the hip bone.
Here’s why that matters more than it sounds. Where the bag lands decides where the strap crosses you, so raising the bag raises the strap right along with it.
If the strap cuts across your chest
This is the reason a lot of women give up on crossbody bags altogether. It’s a strap problem, not a body problem, and there are three ways to fix it.
- Let the strap out. A longer strap drops the line lower and further to the side, so it falls beside your bust instead of across it.
- Pick a thin strap over a wide padded one. A thin strap looks like part of the outfit. A wide padded one looks like you’re wearing hiking gear to dinner (no thanks).
- Wear it over an open cardigan, jacket, or trench. The strap rides on the fabric edge instead of pressing on you, and the layer breaks up the line.
And if none of that feels right, take it off your body. A crossbody doesn’t have to be worn across you every minute of the day, only in crowds.
💡 This is exactly why an adjustable strap made my list of what matters. The Bowery adjusts from 15″ to 26″, and the Waverley 2 goes from 23″ all the way to 57″.
Wear the strap over your layer, never underneath
Wear the strap on top of your coat or cardigan, always. Buried under a layer it just looks like you forgot to take something off (and it’s a pain every time you need your phone).
Honestly, it’s the easiest style upgrade there is.
3 crossbody bag outfits that actually work!
For a travel day, keep everything in one tonal family so the bag disappears into the outfit.
- Ponte pants, which I own in five colors and wear on almost every flight
- A cashmere sweater as your layer, because planes are always cold
- White leather sneakers, the pair I’ve worn through more airports than I can count
- The Gemma Crossbody worn over the sweater, sitting at your hip
For a warm day of walking, let the raffia be the only texture in the outfit.
- The Gemma Raffia Crossbody against everything else smooth and plain
- Flat leather sandals, the ones I actually pack
- My Venice sunglasses and simple gold hoops
For dinner, shorten the strap and let the bag sit high under your arm.
- Black jeans, my go to when I want to look pulled together without thinking
- A short trench coat over the top, with the strap worn outside it
- Comfy flats instead of heels, because cobblestones don’t negotiate
🔐 A Few Extra Things I’ve Learned About Carrying a Crossbody
More than five years of full time travel with two ordinary bags, and nothing has ever been taken from me. Here’s what I think actually does the work.
- Close the zipper every time. Not most of the time.
Every time you put something back in, zip it before you take a step.
- Move the bag to the front of your body in a crowd. Trains, markets, festival streets, the queue outside a cathedral.
Nobody reaches into a bag that’s sitting right under your chin (ask me how I know 👀).
- Nothing lives in a back pocket. Not your phone, not your money, not a card.
That’s the single easiest thing to lose and the easiest habit to change.
🎯 Also read: the 5 best shoes for travel, because comfortable feet and free hands are the two things that make a long day work.
Quick Recap: My Top 5 Picks for the Best Crossbody Bags for Travel
- Quince Gemma Crossbody. Mine for 3 years, and still the one I grab first.
- Quince Gemma Raffia & Leather Crossbody. Four years old and my whole summer bag.
- The Sak Melrose Crossbody Leather Bag. The roomiest one here, with six pockets.
- MZ Wallace Bowery Quilted Nylon Crossbody Bag. Quilted nylon that shrugs off rain.
- Lo & Sons Waverley 2. Four ways to wear it, and the lightest of the five.
And there you have it. Two bags, seven years of wear between them, and zero regrets.
If there’s one thing I want you to take from this, it’s that the best crossbody bags for travel aren’t the ones with the most features. They’re the ones you’ll actually reach for every day.
Buy one good bag, zip it, wear it in front in a crowd, and stop thinking about it. That’s genuinely the whole thing.
Thanks for reading!
XO,
Aimara
PS: Got the bag sorted but no idea what goes in the suitcase? Answer 2 quick questions here and I’ll send you a customized packing list for your trip.
About the author:
I’m Aimara, and I’ve been living out of a 20 inch carry-on for more than 5 years with my husband Gordon. Everything I own fits in one bag, so every single thing in it has to earn its spot (including the bag I carry around all day).
I created Ways of Style to help women travel lighter, dress better, and actually enjoy the packing process. No giant suitcase, no giant closet, and no outfit you have to overthink.
MORE TRAVEL ARTICLES 👇🏼
- The 5 best shoes for travel
- The 5 best pants for travel, tested by a full time traveler
- The ultimate guide to the best travel clothing for women
- What to pack for fall in Europe, by region
- How I built a 25 piece capsule wardrobe using only Quince pieces
Travel Crossbody Bag FAQ
What size crossbody bag is best for travel?
Look for something in the range of 9 to 12 inches wide. That’s big enough for a phone, a wallet, sunglasses, and a small water bottle, and small enough that you can still see it when you pull it to the front of your body in a crowd. Anything larger stops being a travel crossbody bag and starts being a day bag you’ll get tired of carrying.
Are crossbody bags for travel Europe safe enough on their own?
Yes, if it zips and you wear it properly. I’ve used regular crossbody bags for travel in Europe for years, across busy cities and packed trains, and the habits matter far more than the hardware. Zip it, keep it in front of you in crowds, and keep nothing in a back pocket.
Do I need a special anti-theft bag?
I’ve never owned one, so I can’t tell you they don’t work. What I can tell you is that more than 5 years of full time travel with two ordinary zippered bags has been enough for me. If a specialty bag makes you feel calmer, buy it, but don’t assume a regular crossbody leaves you exposed.
Can a crossbody bag count as my personal item on a plane?
Yes, a small crossbody counts as a personal item on most airlines. The catch is when you’re also carrying a backpack, because strict budget carriers can count the crossbody as a second bag. That’s why I tuck mine inside my backpack for boarding and pull it out once I’m seated.
What is the best travel crossbody bag for women who carry a lot?
If you carry more than the basics, go for pockets rather than volume. A travel crossbody bag for women with several internal compartments will hold the same amount as one big empty bag but stay flat against your body instead of turning into a heavy lump. The Sak Melrose is both the roomiest and the most organized pick in this post.
Leather or nylon for a travel crossbody?
Leather looks better for longer and dresses up easily at night, which is why both of my own bags lean that way. Nylon is lighter to deal with in rain and wipes clean in a second, so it’s the better call for wet climates or trips with a lot of outdoor time. Neither one is wrong, it just depends on where you’re going.
How do I wear a crossbody bag outfit without it looking bulky?
Wear the strap over your coat or sweater instead of underneath it, and adjust the length so the bag rests at your hip bone rather than up under your arm. A crossbody bag outfit reads as intentional when the bag looks like a chosen accessory, and it reads as clutter when the strap is buried under a layer.
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