11 Of The Best Travel Purses & Anti-theft bags in 2024 Reviewed
You’d probably agree with me when I say that nobody wants to travel with an uncomfortable bag, let alone stand around holding one in your everyday life.
However, with hundreds to choose from, it can be hard to find the “perfect” travel purse.
Most travelers have their own preferences when it comes to the type of bag they like to carry on the plane. It could be a cross-body purse, a tote bag, a small weekend bag, or a backpack. Check out our guide for picking the right kind here.
Whatever you choose, it should be something that you can also use when you reach your final destination.
A good travel purse has to be spacious, look stylish, have anti-theft features, and be highly functional, while still remaining easy to carry. There is no reason for someone to carry something around that ends up being 30 pounds when all you do at airports is move from one line to the next.
Our 11 top travel purses & anti-theft bags
After multiple trips and research, I’ve shortlisted my favorite travel purses that are available now. Many of these offer a lot of anti-theft features, so you can travel with peace of mind!
1. Travelon Anti-Theft Messenger Bag
Key Features:
- Zippered organizer
- Removable LED light
- RFID-blocking card slots
- Cable-reinforced cut-proof shoulder strap
This travel purse is not only an amazing carry-on option because of the many slots for your cards and passport, but it’s also perfect for big city travel. Its slash-proof straps and body panels will keep thieves from getting into your bag or cutting it off your shoulder (which unfortunately can happen in super crowded areas). Plus, all the compartments lock, which can really save you from pickpockets. On the flip side, it can take longer for you to access your belongings, which can be a bit of a pain.
2. Baggallini Pocket Travel Purse/ Crossbody Bag
Key Features:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Water-Resistant
- RFID Block Technology
Looking for something stylish yet practical? The Baggallini Pocket Crossbody Bag is designed to be a girl’s trusty travel companion. It has a plethora of organizational pockets reinforced with RFID blocking technology and is made from water-resistant (not waterproof) woven nylon.
The crossbody bag includes a removable RFID wristlet and 5 credit card slots. Best part? It comes in 20 different colors, so you’ll have no trouble finding the right match for yourself. According to some users, the bag does run a bit small so you might want to consider packing only the essential items.
3. Tumi Voyageur Canton Crossbody Bag
Key Features:
- Luxurious/ high-quality finish with a fabric lining
- Very functional with plenty of pockets
- Quite light at just 0.8 lbs
- A bit on the pricey side
The Tumi Voyageur Canton is the perfect example of when luxury meets practicality. The Voyageur Canton replaces the Voyageur Capri on our list and is quite the worthy successor. Made from Nylon this crossbody bag has a front pocket with a locking zipper pull & a back pocket for quick access items. The back pocket has a magnetic snap so you can keep that closed as well. There’s pretty much a pocket for everything—combs, lipstick, pens, and even smaller iPads. The Voyageur series has matching TUMI suitcases that you can purchase, too.
The strap, as you’d expect, is adjustable & detachable. The insides are fully lined & has a zippered pocket for storing more important items like keys, cards etc. As expected this bag comes with the TUMI tracer & a detachable key ring which can be monogrammed to your liking.
In terms of quality, this is a step up from the Baggalini we listed above. You’d definitely expect good durability for the price of this bag, and this one delivers on that; it’s one of the better-built bags out there, not just for travel. We thought the price was a tad high, but many users remarked that the quality was definitely worth the price.
4. Baggallini Everywhere Crossbody Travel Bag
Key Features:
- Available in 13 colors
- Super lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Comes with an RFID-blocking wristlet
- Comes in 2 sizes – the larger option is super spacious!
The Baggallini is extremely light and ideal for taking your toiletries, iPods, tablets, documents are more. This bag is made of nylon, so if you get caught in a rainstorm, you have nothing to worry about—it’s water resistant. The zippers are well-made with plenty of pockets. However, you won’t be quite able to fit your phone into the outer compartments. The RFID-blocking wristlet is handy, although it’s meant only for your cards (not your phone), and it’s good in situations where you opt to leave your bag in the car or hotel. Some find the exterior slightly rough, but others like it. The construction is very good and this bag will definitely last you a long time. It’s pretty easy to clean as well, which we liked. It’s worth noting though that the bright colors, like the Papaya, accumulate dust more easily.
5. Pincnel travel purse backpack
Key Features:
- Comes in 2 sizes (13.7″ x 6.7″ x 14. 1″ or 13″ x 5.9″ x 1 3.2″)
- Waterproof
- As many as 8 pockets for different items
- Can hold small laptops too
- Weighs a mere 1.5 pounds
Messenger bags are not always effective when serving as travel bags. Sling backpacks, on the other hand, offer better versatility. You can wear this as a shoulder bag or a backpack as the strap is adjustable. It’s quite spacious with as many as 4 exterior pockets and 3 interior pockets in addition to the main compartment. The zippered pockets on the exterior are perfect for storing your cellphone, keys and the likes. You can store a Macbook fairly easily in the larger variant but do not expect the bag to provide any impact resistance. This is one of the most popular bags for women on the market today. The leather finish & the exemplary construction quality certainly more than justifies the modest price tag.
Related: 11 Best Travel Wallets & Passport Holders
6. eBags Piazza DayBag 2.0
Key Features:
- Available in 4 colors
- Phone pocket is safer but harder to access
- Adjustable straps but shorter on the 2.0
- Material quality is very good
The Piazza Daybag 2.0 is definitely a great bag for those that love to stay organized. It has several pockets, pouches, and compartments, so you can find a place for all of your necessities. It not only makes for a super travel bag, but it’s also perfect for everyday use. The first version was certainly one of our favorites, as it is featured on the list too, but the send is different and definitely has its charms. We thought the material on the second version was much better. The zippers are quite sturdy, but the seams do get frayed over time. The adjustable strap is a bit shorter on this version, which we didn’t like so much.
This travel purse has a couple of slots on the outside of the bag for you to store water bottles or your phone for easy access. Some users like the phone pocket, but others have noted that, despite the added security and closer proximity, it’s actually harder to access. The RFID blocking feature and many internal compartments (some hidden under a flap) make this one of the more secure bags out there.
7. Pacsafe Metrosafe LS140 Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag
Key Features:
- Many anti-theft features
- Weighs about 15 oz
- Available in 4 colors
- Great for carrying phones and essentials
- Holds 5L volume
- Slightly heavier than bags with no anti-theft features
Pacsafe is known for providing great anti-theft travel gear—If peace of mind is what you crave, then your search can end right here. This bag emphasizes function over fashion. Although not the largest bag around, you can still carry your cash, keys, passports, lip gloss, IDs, phones etc. quite easily. There is an RFID-safe compartment as well where you could even fit a loose change purse. The stainless steel mesh in the fabric helps prevent slash-and-run theft. You can even lock the zippers! A downside is that, if you do like bringing your water bottle when you shop, this purse might not serve your needs very well. Also, the shoulder strap isn’t the smoothest on your skin, but I still felt happy with the trade-off.
Related: 9 Best Travel Money Belts
8. Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag
Key Features:
- Available in 22 colors
- Slash-resistant construction
- RFID blocking
- Comfortable strap length
- Not the lightest mini around, but still reasonably light
Good things indeed come in small sizes. This second option from Travelon is an awesome travel purse for the minimalist. Other than its compactness, security is its main strong suit. The straps are slash-proof and so is the body panel itself, with a grill-type design inside the lining to prevent thieves from destroying the bottom of the bag. It has RFID blocking like any other anti-theft variant. To get a sense of its size, you can easily fit a Kindle into this bag. The main section is even lockable!
As far as comfort goes, the nylon fabric isn’t too rough but still doesn’t score too many points for how it feels. There are 22 color options with some differing in size, not just color, so be sure to check when you buy. The one we’ve shown above is 8.5″ wide and 9.5″ wide. One last positive feature: this bag has easy-access pockets on the front and rear, which many users found to be very useful for storing ticket stubs and souvenirs from their travels.
9. Pacsafe Citysafe CS400 Anti-Theft Travel Tote
Key Features:
- Available in 3 colors
- Slashproof mesh and straps
- RFID blocking for the main compartment
- Practical and versatile design
The Pacsafe CS400 is one of our favorites. It provides a combination of excellent safety features, well-designed interiors, and capacity, all while retaining aesthetic appeal—something that most anti-theft bags seem to lack. As far as travel purses go, it doesn’t get better than the CS400 in terms of security. The wire-reinforced strap and the flexible steel wire mesh ensures that the bag is slash-proof. A strap can be impractical if it’s rough, no matter how sturdy it is, but this bag has removable shoulder padding for your comfort. The bag isn’t too heavy, weighing in at just under two pounds. The CS400 has a nice balance of lightweight and effective security features that is hard to find in most anti-theft bags. Design wise, there is a zippered compartment on the exterior and pouches on the inside for staying organized. The CS400 is a tad pricey compared to other solutions like the Travelon, but if peace of mind is what you’re after, the PacSafe is a safe bet.
10. MOSISO Sling Backpack
Key Features:
- Available in 33 different colors & designs
- Made from water repellent Polyester
- Adjustable and comfortable straps
- Spacious
- Extremely light
If you have back problems, the best bag you can carry while traveling is a backpack. Backpacks allow you to evenly distribute weight on both of your shoulders rather than putting too much pressure on one side of your body. This bag goes a step further—it’s designed with a padded back and padded straps for optimal comfort. If you’d like something similar to the Pincnel but for a cheaper price then this will work well for you.
Our favorite thing about it was that you can use it as a crossbody bag, messenger bag or even a casual daypack. It measures 15.3 x 7.5 x 3.5 inches. Meaning you will easily be able to fit small tablets & books into the main compartment. There are plenty of pockets to help keep you organized. When you factor in the price, the features & how light it is, you can see why this is one of many people’s favorites.
11. NeatPack Crossbody Bag for Women
Key Features:
- Lockable Zipper
- RFID Credit Card Slot
- Padded Shoulder Straps
- Money-Back Guarantee
This casual crossbody bag by NeatPack is an ideal accessory for ladies who value comfort and convenience beyond all. The interior is thoughtfully organized with plenty of pockets, while the exterior features an adjustable padded shoulder strap, allowing you to fit the bag according to your preference.
It also features an RFID slot for credit cards, as well as a lockable zipper to keep your valuables safe from prying eyes. It’s made from tough nylon that deters stains and moisture and features strong zippers, so you don’t have to worry about any fussy hardware getting jammed. Some users did regard the water bottle pocket too small, so you want to go with a smaller sized bottle the next time you pack for a trip.
Other Notable Mentions/ Anti-theft travel purse options
PacSafe Citysafe Cs100 – The Citysafe series in general caters to folks looks for a bag for travel & for everyday use. The Cs100 is a popular pick that features the eXomesh Slashguard which is a lightweight stainless steel wire mesh that’s built into important compartments of the bag. You can fit a 10″ iPad in there too. The Cs100 & Cs200 too, are options worth checking out is the Metrosafe LS140 isn’t your style.
Roma Leathers Crossbody Bag – An expensive/ compact mini travel purse that is made from genuine leather. If you need something with many exterior pockets to store basic items then this would be a good alternative to the Travelon Mini.
How Anti-theft travel purses help travelers
As you can tell from the list above, Travelon and Pacsafe are the two main brands providing anti-theft bags for women that come with a host of security features. There are plenty of other bags in the market that provide some, but not all, anti-theft features. At this point, it’s quite natural to ask if these features really matter and if it’s worth sacrificing looks for something practical. The answer is… “It depends.”
Where and how frequently you travel will determine what you decide to go for. Here are some travel stats that may surprise you. About 3800 people out of every 100K are victims of theft in Sweden according to the UN office on Crime. on Crime. The US number hovers around the 1700 mark as well. While you might not be solving any underlying issues causing all this theft by getting a great bag, you’re definitely protecting yourself and your belongings. Here are some of the most common safety features found on anti-theft bags.
Slash-proofing
Brands achieve slash-proofing in many ways. Some use a lightweight stainless steel mesh to ensure that the body of the bag can’t be cut off your body. Others are reinforced with a polyethylene variant which, combined with a high-speed knitting process, results in a robust solution. Kevlar is another material from which some travel purses are made.
Shoulder straps can also be cut-proof, thanks to stainless steel cables inside the fabric layer. These do a very good job against slash-and-grab thieves. You sometimes see mesh solutions employed in shoulder straps too, but the cons outweigh the pros with those bags. The mesh can cause the strap fabric to rip and damage your skin.
RFID Blocking
Radio (R) Frequency (F) Identification (ID) blocking prevents thieves from skimming data off your credit or debit cards. With this data, a thief could steal your identity and make purchases with your cards. Despite the debate raging for years about whether RFID skimming is a threat or not, this is a pretty handy feature to have in a purse or wallet. RFID-blocking materials are usually poor conductors like aluminum or carbon fiber. If the bag that you’ve chosen doesn’t have RFID-blocking capability, then you can either wrap your cards in aluminum foil or use a more elegant solution, like an RFID sleeve such as the one from Baggallini.
Zip Lock Clips
While this may seem like a simple addition, it can come in handy to prevent your zippers from being quickly and stealthily opened while you’re not looking.
A Comparison of the top anti-theft bags & travel purses
| Name | Size: (W x H x D) | RFID Blocking | Can Hold | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travelon Messenger Bag |  | 11" x 10" x 4.5" | Yes | Kindles, compact cameras & 7-8" tablets |
| 2 | Baggallini Pocket |  | 8.5" x 8.5" | Yes | Phones, Keys, Wallet, Cards |
| 3 | Tumi Voyageur |  | 11" x 10" x 2" | No | iPad Air, Compact Cameras |
| 4 | Bagallini Everywhere | 11" x 9" x 5" | Yes | Up to 10" tablets | |
| 5 | Pincnel |  | 13.4" x 6.7" x 13.4" (Large) 13" x 5.9" x 13. 2" (Small) | No | up to 13.3" laptops, books, compact camera |
| 6 | eBags Piazza Daybag 2.0 |  | 9.2" x 9" x 3.5" | Yes | Up to 7" tablets, phones |
| 7 | Pacsafe Metrosafe LS140 |  | 9.45" x 7.48" x 3.94" | Yes | Kindle, iPad Mini |
| 8 | Travelon Mini |  | 8.5” x 8.5” x 2” | Yes | Phones, mini iPad |
| 9 | Pacsafe Citysafe CS400 |  | 18.1" x 13.4" x 5.9" | Yes | DSLR Cameras, 15.6" Laptops |
| 10 | Mosiso |  | 15.3" x 7.5" x 3.5" | No | Up to 11" tablets, kindle, water bottle |
| 11 | NeatPack |  | 12x 4 x 11.5" | Yes | Water bottle, phones, iPad, magazines |
| Note: Some bags can hold a bit more than we have mentioned but we took into account the fact that you might be carrying other items as well, not just a tablet or laptop alone | |||||
Bottom Line
As you can tell by now, there are a number of different bags and types, and I hope this list has helped you make a concrete decision. Always make sure you keep in mind things like safety features, pocket count, and so on, since their versatility comes into play after you reach your desired destination.
We hope this list helps you pick the right travel purse for your budget. If you think we’ve missed a bag or purse that you think is great, let us know!
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