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Crossbody bags are an undeniable staple for frequent travelers. They’re supremely useful, with room for essentials like your passport, credit cards, cell phone, and AirPods, and yet still lightweight enough to carry around all day. Plus, with a crossbody bag, your hands are free—which means you can easily snap a photo or look up directions while you’re on the go. We also love how versatile the crossbody bags are, taking you from daytime hikes and city walking tours to evening dinner dates. To help you discover the best crossbody bags to wear this spring and beyond, we rounded up a list of our favorites for travelers, with varying price points and styles. Below, 29 crossbody bags you'll take everywhere, from timeless leather purses and water-resistant camera bags to beach totes with removable straps.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Kristi Kellogg.
Shop our top picks:
- Best travel bag: Baggu nylon crescent bag
- Best leather bag: Madewell Sydney crossbody
- Best for active days: Lululemon crossbody camera bag
- Best for parents: MZ Wallace Metro crossbody bag
- Best day-to-night bag: Banana Republic shoulder bag
Find the best crossbody bags by category:
For everyday wear
The viral Baggu bag is popular for a reason. It holds a lot, and I mean a lot. Water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, tablet—you name it and this thing probably fits it and more. A favorite of associate articles director Megan Spurrell, it also features two interior pockets for stashing small essentials. Made of recycled ripstop nylon, the crescent-shaped bag is machine washable and can be worn as a shoulder bag or a crossbody, thanks to its long adjustable strap. Choose from several fun colors, including pink, lemongrass, candy apple, and peony.
Madewell sells some of our favorite crossbody bags—they're well-priced, practical, and chic. This bestseller is made of smooth luxe leather and features both a top handle and a removable crossbody strap. Everyday essentials like your wallet, sunglasses, and keys will stay safe thanks to its magnetic closure. This is that perfect wear-everywhere-with-everything bag you'll reach for time and time again.
MZ Wallace designs some of our top editor-recommended sling bags and duffels. We equally love this lightweight, diamond-quilted crossbody bag that's ideal for busy parents or travelers on the move who need something reliable. There's an exterior zippered pocket for easy access to items like your phone or wallet, and the bag is water-resistant and washable.
Dagne Dover's 100 percent vegan neoprene crossbody is ultra lightweight and soft—a crucial detail for travelers carrying this bag around all day. It's the perfect blend of sporty and stylish; wear it to the airport, on a hike, or on a city walking tour. There are several interior pockets to keep travel essentials organized and it's just the right size for day trips.
This roomy bag comes highly recommended by senior commerce editor Madison Flager. Inside you'll find a few mesh pockets, credit card slots, and a zippered pocket to keep important items secure. On the outside, there's another zippered pocket on the side thats large enough to fit your phone or wallet, giving you easy access to essentials while on the go. It holds a whole lot (Flager has fit a hardcover book inside) and can be worn as a crossbody or shoulder bag. The lightweight bag can even be transitioned from day to night—the strap converts into a shorter top handle, giving it a more elevated, nice-dinner-friendly feel—making it a versatile staple.
When you want the practicality of a crossbody but the option of a shoulder bag, this stylish leather number is the perfect solution. It has a flat base for stability, an interior zip pocket and card slots, and a thick adjustable strap. Best of all, it'll look good with both casual and dressier outfits.
A newer style from Cuyana is its Double Moon saddle bag. Made of Italian leather, this is an ideal bag for vacation: smart, stylish, and spacious enough to store everything you need while exploring a new city center. In addition to its two main compartments, it also features a back slip pocket and a magnetic closure. This neutral color will match just about everything you pack.
Searching for something that's a little more durable? Look no further than the July Carry Me crossbody, a hardshell bag that's both water-resistant and easy to clean. This practical crossbody comes from Australian luggage brand July—known for designing the world's lightest carry-on. The Carry Me crossbody features two deep pockets, snap closures on each side to keep it secure, and a removable strap that when taken off, turns the bag into a clutch.
This everyday crossbody has been tested to hold up to 50 pounds—and while you're unlikely to ever fill it with that much weight, it's a comfort to know the strap is durable enough to fit all of your essentials plus a little extra. The bag features a zipper closure to keep your items secure and interior slip pockets for cards or your phone. What we love most: As with everything Rothy's, it's sustainably made and machine washable.
Another favorite of ours from Lululemon, the All Night Festival Bag is great for concerts, day trips, or as a personal item on your next flight. We love this option because of its wide opening that makes it easy to find what you need on the go and the extra front pocket for storing small items. It features water-repellent fabric, an adjustable strap, and the white opal shade looks sleek with just about any outfit.
A favorite of ours from Banana Republic is this slouchy leather staple that can be carried as a traditional handbag or as a crossbody. It features an adjustable shoulder strap, an interior pocket, and a clasp closure. Any of its four shades—black, ivory, brown, or yellow—would be great additions to a capsule wardrobe.
For evenings out
Some occasions call for something a little more special than your everyday crossbody—and YSL's take on the camera bag is an elegant affair. It's crafted with calfskin in a matelassé chevron pattern, and has a wide open interior with an interior side pocket. The designer bag is made in Italy and is available in three shades.
Coach has stepped up its game over the last few years with new sleek designs on its classic silhouettes. One popular style is the Tabby pebbled leather crossbody bag. The sleek, structured look and stylish gold strap makes it great for evenings out.
This elegant bestseller from Banana Republic fits a ton. Its Italian pebbled leather exterior mixed with the slouchy, half-moon silhouette makes it one of the most versatile bags on our list. Whether you're dressed casually for a museum outing or wearing a dress and heels for a night out, this shoulder bag that doubles as a crossbody is the perfect companion. Versatile bags like this are perfect for quick trips when you're only packing one purse to wear with every outfit.
This simple, cream-colored crossbody from Tory Burch is a great bag for day or night. Its slim yet surprisingly spacious, making it a practical bag to pack without taking up a ton of space. It's also available in black, lavender, brown, and a gray-beige shade.
Versatility is key in a good crossbody bag. Whether you're museum hopping in New York City or grabbing gelato in Florence, this leather bag from Kate Spade has you covered. It's easy to dress up or down and fits just the right amount of must-haves without being too bulky or heavy to tote around all day or night long. Grab it in classic black or white and it will match everything.
For active days
Whether you're hiking, biking, or heading out for a game of pickleball, this convenient and compact water bottle holder saves you the hassle of lugging around a heavy, full-size bag. My favorite feature is the insulated and water-resistant interior, but it also comes with multiple pockets, a detachable shoulder strap, and a drawstring closure—a nice touch when you're on the move. It's available in more than a dozen colors and fun patterns.
Made of lightweight, water-resistant fabric, this sporty crossbody from Fjällräven is a smart choice for travelers no matter what's on the agenda. It features two interior mesh pockets, a zippered exterior compartment, and a convenient top carry handle. Plus, at $50 it's one of the most affordable options on our list.
Simply put, this Free People bag just looks cool, thanks to its crescent moon silhouette and effortless, slouchy shape. It's sporty enough to wear to a workout class, but versatile enough for everyday wear. It holds plenty of essentials and can lay flat and re-shape quickly, making it a great option to pack in a carry-on.
You know Athleta for it's activewear, but don't sleep on its accessories, especially this functional crossbody. Its perfect for a theme park visit, shopping day, or commute, and it's roomy enough to fit a whole lot, including your sunglasses, portable charger, and some snacks. Grab it in oak (pictured), teal, green, dark lapis blue, light gray, or black.
Toss your bug spray, sunscreen, or small water filter in this hands-free option that is perfect for outdoorsy travelers. It fits more than you think—and it features a front sleeve pocket and a soft strap.
If you love the functionality and effortlessly cool vibe of Lululemon's Everywhere belt bag, you'll equally adore its crossbody camera bag. It's ultra lightweight and made of water-repellent fabric. There's two separate zippered compartments to keep items organized and it's available in a variety of colors like brown, wine berry, black, gray, white, and more.
In need of a cute stadium-approved bag for an upcoming concert or sports game? Here's one you'll actually want to rewear. It's clear, compact, and under $15 on Amazon.
If you're headed on a vacation—especially a beach vacation—this Paravel tote is a must-pack. It transforms into a crossbody with the cabana strap add-on, and is made out of heavy-duty, water-resistant canvas; plus, it has a vegan leather base and accents, and zip and slip pockets throughout. The bag is customizable, too: It comes in two sizes, four colors, and can be monogrammed.
Shop more of our favorite travel tote bags here.
For just the essentials
This small, chic leather crossbody holds just the essentials—your phone, credit cards, and a lip balm. It can be worn day or night and with just about any outfit, making it a worthy companion on any trip. Not to mention, it won't take up much suitcase space at all.
If your vacation outfit needs a pop of color, toss your essentials into this bold cobalt blue mini tote. The fun crotchet bag features floral detailing at the center and two different strap lengths, so you can wear it as a crossbody or hold it by its shorter handle.
Cuyana delivers an elevated crossbody that's practical for daily use with the Mini Double Loop bag. The structured piece has an adjustable strap, which you can even monogram in tiny gold lettering, as well as a magnetic flap closure and interior slip pocket. The Italian leather crossbody is handmade by artisans in Turkey. Shop it in core colors black, ecru, cappuccino, dark olive, or stone.
This petite leather crossbody bag keeps you hands-free and looking good. It features an exterior zippered pocket and a detachable strap. Choose from this shade of light blue, black, or beige.