the best bags for traveling
“Trusted companions that fit all, no matter the size of your itinerary.”
There are many demands placed on the humble travel bag: it must be roomy, but with enough organizational solutions to ensure stray belongings aren’t lost in the abyss; able to accommodate as many spontaneous vacation purchases as possible, but not too hefty to lug through the airport; beautiful, and easy to keep that way should your adventures take a messy turn. Fortunately for the frequent flyers among us, a growing assembly of luggage brands have risen to the occasion, upping the ante on the once-rudimentary companion bag.
The options are infinite — seemingly bottomless canvas totes, tricked-out backpacks, chic weekenders, not-your-dad’s duffles — to the point where decision paralysis is inevitable. This is why, as summer careens around the corner, bringing with it much-anticipated travel plans, we’ve rounded up some of the most recommended bags from our well-traveled passerby community. No design is one-size-fits-all, but ultimately, the perfect travel bag should minimize stress so you can embark on a monthlong overseas escapade or spontaneous weekend road trip without a care in the world.
Rains
recommended by Helen Fampas and Claire Brodka
Helen calls Rains’ rendition of the weekend duffle her ‘designated carry-on bag for travels,’ and for good reason: With an adjustable (and removable) shoulder strap, roomy interior, and $55 price tag, it’s practical and an accessible alternative to the many pricier options. The perfect no-fuss companion for quick weekend getaways and overseas jet-setting alike.
Thule
Recommended by Clémence Polés and Sydney russo
This is not your school backpack. Made entirely out of recycled materials, with a waterproof lining, storage compartment for electronics, and space for a water bottle, Thule’s design is tailor-made for travel — by ground or by air. With a capacity of 40 liters, the pack will fit the maximum amount of belongings you can bring onboard in a carry-on. What’s more, its waxed canvas makes cleaning effortless, no matter how rugged an exploit the bag accompanies.
Porter Yoshida & Co
recommended by Rachel Nguyen and Abby Reynolds
When in doubt, take a cue from Rachel Nguyen, who admits that ‘truthfully, I always end up borrowing my boyfriend's Porter tote bag. Resilient, tactile, useful, invisible.’ Attractive descriptors when seeking out a no-nonsense carry-all! Just as important is the care that goes into the creation of the piece, and according to Porter’s Editor’s Notes, each bag is ‘made by one craftsman from start to finish to ensure… quality standards are upheld.’ The simultaneous presence of a shoulder strap and top handles adds an element of choice and ensures that your arms won’t start to ache.
Little Liffner
recommended by Alexis Badiyi
An enticing option for those who view the airport as not just a liminal space, but a destination that deserves its own sartorial showcase. Little Liffner’s riff on the travel tote features a brown calfskin finish and petal-like asymmetry that render it understated, yet elevated. What’s more, its just-right size ensures it meets stylist Alexis Badiyi’s travel bag criteria, which is ‘to be as big as possible while still fitting underneath my seat.’ Always in Alexis’ bag: ‘My laptop, headphones, a cashmere sweater, a book, and some skincare to refresh upon arrival.’
MZ Wallace
Recommended by Erika veurink and Jane O’Dwyer
Erika Veurink describes MZ Wallace’s do-it-all tote as ‘suburban mom chic,’ an apt description for a bag with as much multitasking potential and durability as this one. Its luggage sleeve, multitude of pockets, adjustable crossbody strap, and top zipper are, in Erika’s words, ‘no joke,’ and a whole gamut of colorways — from acidic yellow and platinum to a more demure black — mean functionality and flair can coexist.
Pacific Tote Company
recommended by Karolyn Pho
This open-top canvas tote is a standout, both aesthetically and functionally. Rendered in an intrepid shade of tangerine, it is ‘ideal for overstuffing at the beach, at the farmers market, shoving way too much laundry in your bag, or loading with tennis gear,’ according to the Pacific Tote Company. Unlike more bare-bones canvas totes, into which small but precious objects too often vanish, this one is engineered with an inside pocket that snaps closed, so you’ll never have to rummage for your keys again.
Lo & Sons
recommended by Lily Consuelo Saporta Tagiuri
Lo & Sons’ bags speak for themselves, with separate bottom pockets for shoes, inner compartments to keep belongings organized, and foam-padded messenger straps, but the story behind the much-loved weekenders only adds to their appeal. When Helen Lo, a frequent traveler, lamented over a lack of stylish and practical travel bags, her two sons encouraged her to make her own, even quitting their jobs to help their mother kickstart the brand. The result? An impeccably crafted carry-on, with every detail fine-tuned by people who know what’s required of one.
Béis
recommended by Mireille Gamba
Founded by actor Shay Mitchell in an attempt to make luxurious luggage more affordable, Béis has proven itself to be more than just another celebrity brand. Their lauded Weekender was Mitchell’s first order of business — conceived as ‘a sketch on a cocktail napkin,’ it has since become a bestseller. The reason for its popularity is easy to deduce: with a bottom compartment large enough to stash everything from shoes to a hairdryer, plus a trolley sleeve to fit over a carry-on, the bag is a jack-of-all-trades.
Baggu
recommended by Claire Dauge-Roth
Says Baggu: ‘Our Travel Cloud Bag fits everything yet packs down into nothing.’ What could be more appealing to regular occupiers of the air than a light-as-a-cloud receptacle for the items they need to keep close? Fill it to the brim and bring it on board as a companion bag, or keep it folded to tote around once you arrive at your destination, then throw it in the washing machine when you get home. A heavy lifter that makes carrying and maintenance a breeze.
Because the perfect bag is a personal matter, we’ve rounded up some more recs from our Instagram community:
De María Graciela Tote (recommended by Mercedes de Maria Genoveva)
The North Face Explore Fusebox (recommended by Claire Rousay)
Aesther Ekme (recommended by Clémence Polès)
Longchamp le Pliage (recommended by Marina Sulmona)
Prada Re-Nylon Backpack (recommended by Leticia)
Away (recommended by Stephanie Page)
Lipault (recommended by Elisabeth Subrin)
Muji (recommended by Marina Sulmona)
Kassl Editions (recommended by Clémence Polès)
Words by Sydney Russo