Best Travel Bags
We’ve never met a passport stamp we didn’t like—or a travel bag that didn’t have to earn its place on our packing list. Whether we’re jetting off for a two-week trek or just sneaking in a long weekend, the right gear makes all the difference.
Forget the overbuilt suitcase with wheels that jam at the worst moment. We want something we can sling, stash, or stuff under the seat. We need bags that are versatile, durable, and ready for whatever adventure (or airport mishap) life throws at us.
This guide rounds up the best travel bags for women on the move—bags that go from campground to cross-country flight without missing a beat.
Which Type of Bag Is Best for Travel?
The best bag is the one that helps us make the most of every inch of packing space, keeps our gear organized, and still fits into the overhead. For us, that usually means something lightweight, tough, and ready to go the distance.
Whether we’re packing like a minimalist or prone to overpack (guilty), these are the bags that hold it all together.
Best Travel Duffel Bags
Black Hole Duffel 40L
For the woman who packs like she plays: hard, fast, and with zero time for broken zippers. The Black Hole Duffel by Patagonia is our ride-or-die when it comes to durable travel bags. This beast of a bag is made from rugged nylon ripstop with a DWR finish that shrugs off rainstorms and baggage handlers alike.
Why it’s unlike any other:
- • Packs down into its own pocket, yet expands to carry days' worth of gear
- • Backpack straps when we need ‘em, grab handles when we don’t
- • Weather-resistant, padded, and practically indestructible
This is the bag we reach for when we’re off the grid—or headed somewhere that might turn into that.
Aloha Weekender
Splash-proof, sand-resistant, and stylish enough for impromptu airport upgrades, the Aloha Weekender is a low-key powerhouse. Lightweight but tough, it’s the bag we throw in the car for a weekend away—or sneak under the seat for in-flight essentials.
What sets it apart:
- • Trolley sleeve = hands-free airport maneuvering
- • Machine washable and made to wipe clean after messy adventures
- • Water-resistant ripstop keeps contents dry from beach to baggage claim
Best Travel Totes
Allpa Gear Hauler
We’ve never met a tote that could handle more mayhem. The Allpa Gear Hauler by Cotopaxi holds running shoes, rain shells, energy bars, and our “just in case” gear. And somehow still has room for more.
Why it rules the tote game:
- • A cavernous 60L capacity with organizer pockets galore
- • Daisy chains for lashing on even more gear
- • Built tough and ready for adventure
Utility Tote by Thread
Organization lovers, this one’s for us. The Utility Tote is like having a built-in assistant. Six pockets, a laptop sleeve, an elastic holder for your water bottle, and small enough to count as your personal item? Yes, please.
Standout features:
- • Structured enough to stand up, soft enough to stash
- • Smart interior layout = no more bottomless pit panic
- • Fits in from 9-to-5 to your post-work HIIT class
Best Travel Backpacks
Rover Pack Classic
Not all heroes wear capes—some carry the Rover Pack. With enough compartments to organize the chaos, this recycled nylon pack is built for spontaneous day hikes, city exploring, or just hauling life around.
What makes it our go-to:
- • Drawstring closure + multiple pockets = organized and secure
- • Laptop sleeve + rugged build = workday or wanderlust
- • Slim profile = easy to slide under plane seats or into overheads
Best Belt Bags & Sling Packs
Terravia Mini Hip Pack
This is the grab-and-go bag we didn’t know we needed—until we used it once and never looked back. The Terravia Mini Hip Pack fits all the essentials and wears crossbody or around the waist.
Why we love it:
- • Durable recycled materials, light as air
- • Hands-free convenience for trail days and travel days
- • Perfect for passport, snacks, tampons, and that rogue Allen wrench
Atom Sling Bag
This over-the-shoulder hero brings ergonomic fit and effortless access together. The Atom Sling Bag by Patagonia is our everyday secret weapon when we’re covering serious ground from bike to board to everything in between.
Travel-tested perks:
- • Sling-style strap = secure and comfy all day
- • Compact but roomy enough for tech, snacks, and a change of gear
- • Recycled, water-resistant fabric fights off unexpected drizzle
Best Travel Pouches
Aloha Small Zipper Pouch
Because the small stuff deserves superstar treatment too. The Aloha Pouch is clutch when it comes to organizing toiletries, tech cords, or whatever lives at the bottom of our bigger bag.
Why we always pack it:
- • Splash-proof Tyvek® keeps spills contained
- • Toss it in the wash post-trip, no worries
- • Small but mighty for everyday or emergency stashing
Best Convertible Tote Backpacks
Terravia Tote Pack
Carry it as a tote, sling it on as a backpack, or grab the handles and go. The Terravia Tote Pack is the shapeshifting bag we take when we don’t know what the day (or weather) has in store.
Why it’s our travel ride-or-die:
- • Weighs less than a pound but hauls like a champ
- • Packs into itself = magic
- • Water bottle pockets, internal and external zips, and a tough build
We’ve never met a passport stamp we didn’t like—or a travel bag that didn’t have to earn its place on our packing list. Whether we’re jetting off for a two-week trek or just sneaking in a long weekend, the right gear makes all the difference.
Forget the overbuilt suitcase with wheels that jam at the worst moment. We want something we can sling, stash, or stuff under the seat. We need bags that are versatile, durable, and ready for whatever adventure (or airport mishap) life throws at us.
This guide rounds up the best travel bags for women on the move—bags that go from campground to cross-country flight without missing a beat.
Which Type of Bag Is Best for Travel?
The best bag is the one that helps us make the most of every inch of packing space, keeps our gear organized, and still fits into the overhead. For us, that usually means something lightweight, tough, and ready to go the distance.
Whether we’re packing like a minimalist or prone to overpack (guilty), these are the bags that hold it all together.
Best Travel Duffel Bags
Black Hole Duffel 40L
For the woman who packs like she plays: hard, fast, and with zero time for broken zippers. The Black Hole Duffel by Patagonia is our ride-or-die when it comes to durable travel bags. This beast of a bag is made from rugged nylon ripstop with a DWR finish that shrugs off rainstorms and baggage handlers alike.
Why it’s unlike any other:
- • Packs down into its own pocket, yet expands to carry days' worth of gear
- • Backpack straps when we need ‘em, grab handles when we don’t
- • Weather-resistant, padded, and practically indestructible
This is the bag we reach for when we’re off the grid—or headed somewhere that might turn into that.
Aloha Weekender
Splash-proof, sand-resistant, and stylish enough for impromptu airport upgrades, the Aloha Weekender is a low-key powerhouse. Lightweight but tough, it’s the bag we throw in the car for a weekend away—or sneak under the seat for in-flight essentials.
What sets it apart:
- • Trolley sleeve = hands-free airport maneuvering
- • Machine washable and made to wipe clean after messy adventures
- • Water-resistant ripstop keeps contents dry from beach to baggage claim
Best Travel Totes
Allpa Gear Hauler
We’ve never met a tote that could handle more mayhem. The Allpa Gear Hauler by Cotopaxi holds running shoes, rain shells, energy bars, and our “just in case” gear. And somehow still has room for more.
Why it rules the tote game:
- • A cavernous 60L capacity with organizer pockets galore
- • Daisy chains for lashing on even more gear
- • Built tough and ready for adventure
Utility Tote by Thread
Organization lovers, this one’s for us. The Utility Tote is like having a built-in assistant. Six pockets, a laptop sleeve, an elastic holder for your water bottle, and small enough to count as your personal item? Yes, please.
Standout features:
- • Structured enough to stand up, soft enough to stash
- • Smart interior layout = no more bottomless pit panic
- • Fits in from 9-to-5 to your post-work HIIT class
Best Travel Backpacks
Rover Pack Classic
Not all heroes wear capes—some carry the Rover Pack. With enough compartments to organize the chaos, this recycled nylon pack is built for spontaneous day hikes, city exploring, or just hauling life around.
What makes it our go-to:
- • Drawstring closure + multiple pockets = organized and secure
- • Laptop sleeve + rugged build = workday or wanderlust
- • Slim profile = easy to slide under plane seats or into overheads
Best Belt Bags & Sling Packs
Terravia Mini Hip Pack
This is the grab-and-go bag we didn’t know we needed—until we used it once and never looked back. The Terravia Mini Hip Pack fits all the essentials and wears crossbody or around the waist.
Why we love it:
- • Durable recycled materials, light as air
- • Hands-free convenience for trail days and travel days
- • Perfect for passport, snacks, tampons, and that rogue Allen wrench
Atom Sling Bag
This over-the-shoulder hero brings ergonomic fit and effortless access together. The Atom Sling Bag by Patagonia is our everyday secret weapon when we’re covering serious ground from bike to board to everything in between.
Travel-tested perks:
- • Sling-style strap = secure and comfy all day
- • Compact but roomy enough for tech, snacks, and a change of gear
- • Recycled, water-resistant fabric fights off unexpected drizzle
Best Travel Pouches
Aloha Small Zipper Pouch
Because the small stuff deserves superstar treatment too. The Aloha Pouch is clutch when it comes to organizing toiletries, tech cords, or whatever lives at the bottom of our bigger bag.
Why we always pack it:
- • Splash-proof Tyvek® keeps spills contained
- • Toss it in the wash post-trip, no worries
- • Small but mighty for everyday or emergency stashing
Best Convertible Tote Backpacks
Terravia Tote Pack
Carry it as a tote, sling it on as a backpack, or grab the handles and go. The Terravia Tote Pack is the shapeshifting bag we take when we don’t know what the day (or weather) has in store.
Why it’s our travel ride-or-die:
- • Weighs less than a pound but hauls like a champ
- • Packs into itself = magic
- • Water bottle pockets, internal and external zips, and a tough build
contributing T9 Travel Expert
AMI, Product team
Product team member Ami is equal parts trailblazer and travel guru. When she’s not fine-tuning colors and prints in-house, she’s chasing sunsets across time zones. Planes, trains, hiking trails—she’s tested our travel-ready gear every step of the way.