Are you like many women who feel the need for a variety of bags when traveling? From needing a larger bag to accommodate a jacket, umbrella, and camera, to preferring a small crossbody for just essentials during dinner, the right travel bag is crucial. If you’re nodding in agreement, you’re not alone. Many travelers, even those committed to carry-on only (COO) travel, often juggle multiple bags to stay organized and prepared.
Through numerous trips and much trial and error, I’ve personally tested a wide range of travel bags. Each journey presents unique needs, and finding the perfect bag setup can significantly enhance your travel experience. To save you valuable time and money, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite travel bags, detailing their best uses to help you choose the ideal options for your upcoming adventures.
Woman with backpack and suitcase ready for travel
Travel bags packed for Spain trip
Top Travel Bags for Flights: Carry-On Perfection
For frequent flyers and those aiming for a streamlined travel experience, mastering the carry-on only (COO) approach is a game-changer. Typically, COO means one carry-on suitcase and one personal item. My go-to COO setup includes a 20” wheeled suitcase as my carry-on and a 28L backpack as my personal item. Any smaller bags like purses or crossbody bags must fit within these two larger pieces. If you’re interested in adopting the carry-on only lifestyle, check out my easy COO packing guide for more tips.
The Best Personal Item Backpack: Cor Surf 28L Backpack
For years, the Northface Recon 28L backpack was my unwavering favorite. However, after a redesign, it no longer met my needs. This prompted a six-month quest to find the best travel backpack replacement. My essential criteria were:
- Airline Personal Item Compatibility: Must fit under the seat in front of me on most major airlines.
- Laptop Protection: An internal, suspended laptop compartment to prevent damage from drops.
- Waterproof Durability: Ideally waterproof, or at least highly water-resistant, with waterproof zippers for added protection.
- Accessible Top Pocket: Easy-access pocket for items needed during the flight, when the bag is stowed.
- Spacious & Organized: Roomy interior without excessive, space-wasting pockets common in commuter bags. This is for travel, after all!
- Comfortable Straps: Padded and comfortable shoulder straps for extended wear.
After extensive testing and returns, the Cor Surf 28L Backpack emerged as the winner after a successful seven-day trip to New York City and Atlantic City. It was my sole bag for the entire trip and performed exceptionally.
On that trip, I packed it to capacity – it held three pairs of shoes, a week’s worth of diverse clothing for city exploration, beach outings, and a concert, and yet the straps remained surprisingly comfortable. Despite weighing 19lbs, the backpack was easy to manage on commuter trains, subways, Amtrak, and multiple flights.
Currently, it’s packed as the perfect companion to my 20” suitcase for an upcoming Spain trip. It comfortably holds my camera gear, extra batteries, tech accessories, liquids bag, makeup, a scarf, water bottle, my small crossbody purse, and various smaller pouches. The clam-shell opening makes packing and organization incredibly efficient. The ventilated back and padded straps ensure comfort, even when fully loaded, and the straps are thoughtfully designed to avoid digging into shoulders or breasts.
For me, using a backpack as a personal item alongside a rolling suitcase is the most effective carry-on only strategy, especially for those who prefer to avoid checked baggage. This combination offers both capacity and convenience.
Key Features: Clam-shell opening for easy packing and access, spacious interior, and waterproof construction.
Cor Surf backpack with cooler on top
Woman in airport with travel bags
Cor Surf and Level 8 bags ready for travel
The Best Carry-On Suitcase: Level 8 Voyager 20”
The Level 8 Voyager 20” is currently my preferred carry-on suitcase, and I highly recommend it. The square edges maximize interior space, and the flat top is ideal for stacking additional bags securely. Its wheels are exceptional, gliding smoothly over uneven surfaces and carpets. Having used this suitcase for over a year across numerous trips, I can attest to the durability and performance of the wheels. Level 8 also offers a 20” version called the Luminous Textured in a stunning bright green – perfect for easy spotting if you ever need to check your bag!
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The Ideal Checked Bag (When Needed): Level 8 Luminous Textured 24″
While I aim for carry-on only, sometimes a larger bag is necessary. I own the Voyager 28″ (pictured below), which is excellent for extended trips, like a six-month European adventure. However, for most trips, it’s too large. My previous 24″ Samsonite served me well, but the handle is starting to fail. I plan to replace it with the Luminous Textured in Green 24″ before my spring 2025 trip to Greece to test it out for you!
Key Features: Incredible wheels that handle any terrain, easy maneuverability, a wide and comfortable handle perfect for attaching a backpack, and a flat top for stable stacking.
Level 8 suitcases road tested
Level 8 suitcases on dirt terrain
Best Daypacks for Sightseeing and Exploration
The Theft-Proof City Daypack: Pincnel Black Mini Backpack
The Pincnel Black Mini Backpack is a daypack I consistently recommend. Its sleek, minimalist design makes it suitable for city exploration. For days filled with tours and sightseeing, this backpack is my go-to. It comfortably holds an umbrella, light jacket, water bottle, snacks, camera, extra lens, battery packs, and more. I even tuck my small crossbody bag inside, allowing me to switch to a smaller bag for quick errands or crowded areas where easy wallet access is needed. The main compartment’s design, with the zipper positioned against your back, provides excellent theft protection. It also features two zipped side pockets. When traveling carry-on only, this packs flat in my suitcase; if checking a bag, it becomes my personal item. I prefer the balanced weight distribution of a backpack over a large crossbody or shoulder bag for comfort and ease, especially for longer days. Durability is another plus – it’s machine washable and has held up remarkably well after numerous trips.
While this bag is fantastic, there are minor drawbacks. When fully packed, finding specific items can be a bit challenging, and a few more internal zipped pockets would be beneficial. In hot weather, the nylon straps can sometimes cause slight chafing on bare skin if wearing a tank top.
Key Features: Theft-proof main compartment, water-resistant material, machine washable, and balanced weight distribution.
Pincnel daypack theft proof
Woman with daypack in Puerto Rico
The Adventure-Ready Daypack: Eddie Bauer Stowaway 20L
For trips involving hiking, biking, kayaking, or any outdoor adventures, the Eddie Bauer Stowaway 20L is my top pick. Made from durable rip-stop nylon, this daypack is spacious, comfortable, and incredibly packable, folding down to a compact 4” x 4” square for easy storage in your suitcase. While not fully waterproof, it’s water-resistant and perfect for rugged use. For water-based activities, I pack a lightweight dry bag inside for extra protection. These daypacks are frequently on sale, making them an excellent value. Mine has traveled the world with me for years and remains in great condition. It’s also machine washable!
Key Features: Rip-stop nylon for durability in rugged conditions, and machine washable for easy care.
Eddie Bauer Stowaway daypack hiking by lake
Eddie Bauer Stowaway daypack hiking in mountains
Eddie Bauer Stowaway daypack biking in Ireland
Compact and Convenient: Crossbody Bags and Belt Bags
Whether you call them hip packs, fanny packs, bum bags, or belt bags, these small bags are essential travel accessories when you only need to carry a few essentials.
The Stylish Crossbody: Citrusy Boutique Belt Bag
I recently purchased the Citrusy Boutique Belt Bag and I’m completely in love. It was perfect for a week-long trip to Budapest. Its sleek and stylish design is versatile enough for both daytime sightseeing and evening dinners. Though small, it comfortably held my credit cards, ID, passport, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, iPhone 14 Pro, battery pack, and cash. This is the ideal bag for short outings, dinner, or any time you want to travel light. It has become my everyday bag at home too! I’ve even ordered it in white and gold for next summer’s travels.
Citrusy Boutique belt bag in Budapest
The Rugged Belt Bag: Baboon to the Moon Fanny Pack 3L
For primarily outdoor adventure trips, the Baboon to the Moon Fanny Pack 3L is an excellent choice. On a road trip out west with my son, this served as my everyday bag instead of a purse. It’s easy to wear, holds all necessities, and my bright yellow version was easy to spot in a car full of gear! If purchasing again, I might opt for a darker color as the bright yellow does show dirt easily, but it’s machine washable and incredibly durable.
Citrusy Boutique belt bag in Budapest
Baboon to the Moon fanny pack in Badlands
Travel Bags That Didn’t Make the Cut
Not every travel bag is a perfect match, and I’ve invested in several that didn’t quite work for me. I wanted to embrace the suitcase-style backpack for travel. I tested the Osprey Fairview, Tortuga Travel Backpack, and eBags Motherload on week-long trips. Unfortunately, they were all too heavy and bulky for my 5’ 2″ frame. These backpacks overwhelmed my size and became too heavy too quickly. While I’m not thrilled about wheeling a suitcase over cobblestones, it’s still easier on my back! I can manage stairs with my wheeled suitcase and then roll it on flat surfaces. It’s simply a more comfortable system for me. I know many travelers love the backpack-only approach, but it would require me to significantly reduce my packing, which I’m not willing to do. These are all reputable bags and brands; they just weren’t the right fit for me personally!
eBags Motherload backpack not ideal
I hope this guide helps you in your search for the Best Travel Bag For Women. Finding the right bags can involve some experimentation, but hopefully, my experiences will save you time and money by guiding you towards some excellent options! Happy travels!
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