Support TFG by using the links in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. Thank you, we appreciate it!
Call it a travel day bag, daypack, backpack, purse, personal item, etc. – it’s the smaller bag you take in addition to your carry-on, and it’s what will accompany you while you hike Machu Picchu or explore the heart of Paris. There are so many daypacks on the market, how will you choose what’s right for you?
The three qualities you should consider are size, complexity, and style. Let’s take a look at the best day bag options for every type of trip!
How to Choose a Travel Day Bag
Written by: Claire Gros
A travel bag for the day is a must for any journey you take. To help you choose the perfect bag for you, we’re looking at the most important features of a travel day bag, including:
Let’s dive into our recommendations:
Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack
Size
By default, travel day bags will be smaller than your carry-on, but how much smaller? Before you make any decisions, make sure to check what your airline defines as a personal item. Their website will often list the maximum dimensions allowed (to give you an idea, United Airlines’ max dimensions are 9 in x 10 in x 17 in / 22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm.)
Now think about how you see your day-to-day going while you’re traveling. Carrying around a bag that’s larger than necessary is never fun, so what are the essentials that you’ll need on you at all times?
If during your trip you’ll mostly be visiting cities, there will probably be a moment during the day when you can run back to your hostel or hotel to grab a sweater and a change of shoes. Look for a medium handbag that will comfortably fit a map, your on-the-go cosmetics, and maybe a scarf.
If you plan on eating out during the day, you don’t even need to worry about room for a water bottle.
Read my full review and find out why we think this is one of THE best purses for travel ever!
Functionality
Now that you know how big your travel bag should be, think about what kind of compartments you’ll need. This is the bag that you’ll put all of your valuables in while you’re on the move (when the nice man asks for your luggage to put under the bus for your 10-hr overnighter, keep your daypack on you!).
If you plan on bringing your laptop, look for a bag with a built-in laptop sleeve like the Backpack from Herschel.
Fjallraven – Kanken Classic Pack
Depending on how much space you have, your travel bag may double as your purse. If this is the case, look for a bag with small zipper pockets to hold your bills and loose change.
I carry a petite cross-body purse with me in addition to my daypack, so I went with the Fjallraven Kanken backpack in peach pink which just has two compartments – a small one in the front for things I need to access easily (boarding passes, maps, etc.), and a large one that I can place everything else in, including my small purse.
Here are out top cross body purses for travel!
Marc Jacobs Domo Arigato Packrat Backpack
Style
Here “style” refers both to aesthetics and comfort. Your day travel bag will be the item that you’ll have on you most often. You want to find one that you’ll be happy to see in most of your travel pictures and that you’ll be happy to wear all day long.
If you plan on walking around a lot, don’t get a bag that will wear you out. Your daypack has to be comfortable to carry. Look for a backpack with thin fabric and padded shoulder straps. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to go with a ‘sporty look,’ you can opt for a fashion backpack like this one from Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Take a look at these cute backpacks for women including TFG’s Top Pick: this black leather backpack by Rebecca Minkoff – WE’RE SO IN LOVE!
If you’ll often be in crowded areas notorious for pickpockets, you’ll want to be able to keep an eye on your travel day bag while not attracting attention from others. Look for a shoulder bag in an earthy tone that you can pull around the front of you, like this one from Fossil.
For more security conscious travelers, take a look at this list of “theft-proof” bags for travel!
Once you’ve zoned in on the travel day bag of your dreams, make sure to take it for a spin before your trip to make sure no unpleasant surprises are waiting for you. Good luck finding the perfect sidekick for your trip!
What do you prefer to use for a travel day bag? Share in the comments!
For more travel accessories related post, please read:
- Best Osprey Backpacks: 4 Styles Compared which Makes the Cut?
- Backpack or rolling bag: Which is right for me?
- Weekender Bag for Women: 4 Stylish Bags for Short Trips
- The Best Day Packs for Trips to Cities, Beaches, and Adventure Travel
Hope you liked this post on how to choose a travel day bag. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Author Bio: After three exciting years in New York, Claire Gros left the big city in pursuit of the alluring unfamiliar. She now finds inspiration in the traveling summer solstice and the affordable flights that keep the sun in her sky. Follow her journey on instagram: clurrgros.
Did a vry hectic sched in France & Zurick and had a small black crossbody bag pretty much same as the Fossil bag shown only probably smaller & softer so it stretched. After much travelling past year Ive secured the essentials down to little money, coins, lipstick phone & a pen. My passport & more money goes to my secret chest bag
Right now I have an Osprey Stuff pack for my packable day pack, but I’ve been on the search for a crossbody/ backpack convertible bag. my main luggage when I travel is an Osprey Farpoint 40 backpack, so I need something I can bring that is hands free, but that I can also use once I’ve reached my destination and am running around a city. It’s a bit elusive! Most are backpack/tote convertibles or they aren’t very nice. The search continues!
I use the Von Baer Liberty Women’s Leather Backpack. I just like the feel of backpacks and the Von Baer bag provides enough space for me.
Perhaps it’s an age issue, but after trying several backpacks, I’m sold on lightweight cross-body bags. I feel somewhat vulnerable in a crowd with a backpack. The purse can be placed in the front and cradled in your arms if need be.
Good point!
Excellent reviews. Extremely helpful for those of us that don’t get to travel too often, but want to do it like a pro! thanks
Thanks Brenda!
I always took my lightweight backpack to a plane;
thanks to your articles I tried a simple purse this time.
It was awesome!!! I could have it rest on my carry-on
and my shoulders were sooo thankful. 🙂
Have I not mentioned here before just how much I LOVE my Traveon Anti-theft bags? I own several now, and they are the PERFECT travel companion. I love all the anti-theft features, the various pockets (on most bags) that allows me to keep cards, cash & passport secure, and quick access to other items (like travel guides, airline tickets, etc). I stick to the cross-body bags because they’re so comfortable to tote, and I even use them for my day-to-day bag!
I’ve just recently become a new fan and will be writing alot more about them in the future 🙂
I agree completely, I own three Travelon bags, and one off brand Bagalini. They are so light, and have useful compartments and most now have RFID protection. The cross body style is adjustable, and it stores so much. I have a small clutch, with a wrist strap, but always go back to the medium sized, black cross body. I’m in Italy now, and debating a small leather cross body, for going out evenings, but it wouldn’t off the security features I’ve grown accustomed to.
You might like this small anti-theft clutch: http://amzn.to/2qmkuZD
Hi
I put my Travalon crossbody travel handbag into my Onyaback folds to nothing packpack together with the coat and scarf i am travelling in and this still meets the size for the small second piece of handluggage.
Perfect!
Great suggestions thanks!
Thanks Evangeline 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions. I am on the eternal search to find the best backpack that converts into a satchel. Any ideas are most welcome! Thanks 🙂
Here are a few ideas: https://travelfashiongirl.com/convertible-backpack-purse/ Thanks!
Thanks for the suggestions. I am on the eternal search to find the best backpack that converts into satchel. Any ideas are most welcome! Thanks 🙂