Crossbody bags let you go about your day hands free and are especially ideal for commuting, running errands and travel. To curate the best options, our fashion team evaluated the design and wearability of nine styles over the course of months. Following our extensive research and testing process, we selected the versatile as our top pick. Below, find our recommendations for every scenario, from daily errands to travel—along with a detailed buying guide informed by our in-house style experts.
Designer Clare Vivier’s popular crossbody bag comes in fun colors, prints and weaves, and it’s a popular pick with fashion enthusiasts. We tested the brand’s bestseller—the Midi Sac—which is made from beautiful, vegetable-tanned Italian leather with stripes down the center (there’s currently a waitlist for this design, but we also love the solid colors and handwoven iterations, which add a bit of texture to your ensemble). It’s a chic look that’s not too loud or showy. The inside is minimalist, too, with a single central interior, minus any pockets.
This compact-but-spacious pick excels in all the areas that matter. It is made from ethically sourced, buttery leather; has comfortable and easy-to-adjust straps; comes with a zipper closure that’s wide enough to get my phone in and out of quickly; and it’s priced extremely well (by comparison, 50% less than most luxury picks). The interior pocket holds just enough, and while the canvas lining is not as luxe as leather, it’s durable and keeps the overall price of this bag low.
Most bucket bags have a flat bottom, which provides a sturdy base that remains upright on its own, and a drawstring closure. Cuyana’s iteration has a wide opening with a magnetic closure that lets you reach in and out with ease, and a removable crossbody strap so you can wear it multiple ways. There’s one interior pocket that’s big enough for a small wallet or set of keys, and the main compartment is surprisingly spacious. “This has been my go-to bag for over a year, and I can’t say enough good things about the size,” says our tester. “I’m able to fit everything I need inside, including a mini umbrella, my wallet, keys, lip gloss, AirPods and backup charger.”
After a year of consistent use, our tester notes that this bag looks brand new, with no scratches or marks. It’s been through several New York rain (and snow) storms and has been carried—and knocked into—on countless subway and train rides. She also notes that the wide shoulder strap is extremely comfortable, and the bag’s elegant lines give it a polished look that makes it great for fancier occasions.
MZ Wallace’s crossbody can be worn two ways—as a crossbody or top handle tote—and it’s made from quilted, water-resistant oxford fabric. This style has so many handy, thoughtful touches: The nylon strap is amazingly easy to adjust (the best of all the bags I tested); the handles are padded and reinforced with Italian leather; the five interior pockets are great for organizing your phone, wallet, tickets and small stuff; and the detachable interior pouch can hold a spare pair of shoes. Plus, this bag is lightweight and expands to hold a lot or a little, and it folds down to a compact size for travel.
I’ve been using this bag for several years now (I usually carry this bag as my everyday “go to” bag for daily life and travel), and it has held up remarkably well. I've shoved my laptop, shoes, and gym clothes into this compact crossbody, and it has kept its shape; the fabric hasn't faded, and the stitching is still perfect and unfrayed. The only downside is that it reads more casual, and it may not be dressy enough for evening or special occasions.
French luxury brand Longchamp is known for its leather and nylon handbags, most notably the foldable Le Pliage collection. The Energy Crossbody is designed for running errands, going out at night and everything in between. The recycled nylon on the main body is lightweight, durable and accommodating for all your must-haves. “It’s small in size, but it holds all my essentials, including my iPhone, lip balm, cash and cards, keys and even little extras,” says our tester. “It’s a versatile travel bag, too: I took it on a trip to Europe, and it took up very little real estate in my suitcase.” This style has all the signature touches you’d expect—from the sleek flap closure to the leather Longchamp zipper pull.
Our tester also confirms that it has held up extremely well over time. She has taken it on multiple vacations and likes that it’s light to pack and that the sturdy zipper keeps her belongings tucked away. “It has been stuffed in suitcases, gotten soaked in rainstorms, and has withstood me constantly shoving things like my phone, sunscreen, and lip glosses into it, and it still looks like new,” says our tester.
Like most of Dagne Dover’s bags, the Micah crossbody is made from neoprene—the same durable material used in scuba suits, so you know it can hold up to the elements. One of the things our tester appreciated most was this bag’s well-organized design: the main compartment has a mesh pocket (great for snacks), a zippered pocket, a key leash and a roomy interior. There’s a second, smaller front compartment as well as a drop-in pocket plus pen holders. Overall, this smart crossbody held all the essentials for our tester and was stylish enough to wear out at night.
One of the most essential features of a good crossbody bag for travel is a well-organized interior, and this Tumi bag excels in that area. There are three zippered exterior pockets (one larger U-shaped pocket and two smaller side pockets), plus an open back pocket with a magnetic closure to help stash your phone. The interior provides just as much storage space as the exterior, with several smaller pockets, a leather pen loop, a key leash and a Tumi Tracer—a unique code that can be used to track lost or stolen items as long as your bag is registered.
After several months of use, our tester notes that the nylon material hasn’t shown any visible wear and tear. The bag feels secure on, and “it’s great for days when I don’t need a larger bag but want to have my essentials easily accessible.” One small design drawback: The front side pockets feel almost unnecessary, especially when paired with the larger U-shaped pocket, and they add to the slightly more utilitarian look.
We like this saddle bag from Madewell because it’s a great size for everyday wear and the sculptural gold hardware on the front adds a dressy element. It’s crafted from 100% leather, and the shoulder strap is adjustable. The magnetic closure keeps your belongings secure, and reviewers say it’s large enough to fit your essentials without looking bulky. It’s currently available in two colors, Midnight Forest and Garnet Stone.
Our tester, who has been using this for several months, was impressed with the overall construction of the bag: “The suede looks gorgeous in person; my friends all asked about this crossbody when I first wore it,” she says. “The gold hardware is very striking.” She also notes that it’s a nice size for going out, and the magnetic closure is strong enough that it won’t pry open—even when you’re squeezed onto the subway, and people are pushing past you.
With its clean, structured silhouette, shiny gold hardware and belted strap, this bag is elevated enough for work and dressier events while also functioning as an everyday option. In addition to the removable strap, the top handles allow it to be carried multiple ways. An interior zip pocket keeps small essentials handy, while the magnetic snap lets you grab them at a moment’s notice. You can also choose from croc-embossed leather and linen, if you’re looking for something with a little more visual interest.
Our tester, who has been using this bag for several months, says the leather construction is thick, smooth and durable. “I haven’t been too precious with it, and have worn it for different types of outings, often throwing my bag in my car, and I haven’t seen many signs of wear at all.” Although its main closure is magnetic, with a little extra cinching provided by the belted strap across the top, our tester likes that the opening is fairly small yet allows for easy access into the interior.
Other Top Options To Consider
We've curated more great options below, based on editor testing and market research. From an eye-catching circular crossbody to an iconic Bottega woven pouch, there are bags to suit a variety of tastes and preferences.
How We Tested The Best Crossbody Bags
To curate our list of the best crossbody bags, we relied on independent reviews, research and testing by members of our editorial team.
Research And Selection Process
We researched top crossbody styles, then narrowed down the nine top contenders to test over several months in real-world settings. Our selections were evaluated by our fashion team, with final picks approved by Sung. We reviewed all the brands featured on this list to ensure each has a strong reputation and positive reviews.
Field Testing
We evaluated each bag in a variety of scenarios—doing daily tasks and errands, traveling on short trips (for the weekend) and longer trips (for a week), running around with kids, going out in the evenings and attending work events. By using these bags in diverse environments, we identified the use cases that each crossbody bag would be best for. We ultimately narrowed down the contenders to a single best overall option, the .
Evaluation Criteria
The winners were evaluated based on their performance across several key categories:
- Design: The quality of materials and closure type.
- Capacity: Interior and exterior pockets and overall dimensions.
- Style: The range of available colors, patterns and finishes.
- Value: Whether or not the bag is worth its price.
What To Consider In A Crossbody Bag
When shopping for the best crossbody bags, several factors should be considered. Here’s what to look for.
Materials
The most common materials for crossbody bags are leather, polyester and nylon. Here’s a breakdown of each:
- Leather: Bags made of leather are durable, versatile and wear in nicely over time. Our best value pick, the , is crafted from 100% Italian leather, featuring a quilted design for texture. The resulting look is stylish and transitions well from daytime activities to more formal events.
- Polyester: This synthetic material is a popular choice for crossbody bags due to its lightweight nature and affordability. However, it’s not as durable as nylon and reads more casual than leather.
- Nylon: Another synthetic material, nylon is known for its toughness and water resistance—and it often outperforms polyester in these categories. However, like polyester, nylon isn’t as formal as leather.
Closure Types
Bag closures range from zippers to magnetic snaps to drawstrings. While the closure might seem like an irrelevant detail, it can affect the overall aesthetic and function. For example, a twist lock (or turnlock) closure has a more vintage feel and is usually more expensive than a zipper, so they’re often associated with luxury purchases. Zipper closures are the most common type, and the majority of bags we tested feature this closure. Zippers keep the contents of your bag securely contained, which can be helpful if you’re using your bag while traveling or going through the airport.
Additional Features
When you’re on the go, having a bag with multiple pockets for your essentials can help keep you organized and make it easier to find things. If you prefer a pocket for easy access on the outside, consider an option like the . Aside from pockets, other helpful features include adjustable (or removable) straps, a key leash and removable pouches to store makeup or liquids.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted fashion section includes several stories on handbags and purses based on research, expert interviews and hands-on testing conducted by our fashion team. Our editors collectively have decades of experience covering fashion and lifestyle.
- Coauthor and former deputy editor Kari Molvar has more than 25 years of writing and editing experience on lifestyle topics.
- Coauthor and lifestyle commerce editor Katherine Louie contributed additional insights and testing to this article. Louie has over seven years of experience writing about products, with accessories being one of her areas of expertise.
- This story was reviewed and edited by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the fashion vertical. Sung has more than two decades of experience covering women’s accessories, clothing and more.