Crossbody bags, also known as messenger bags, courier bags, carryalls, sling bags, and side bags, are designed to be worn over one shoulder, across the body and rest comfortably on the opposite hip. The geniusness of a crossbody bag—especially a crossbody bag for travel—allows you to be hands free in your commuting, sightseeing, and traveling.
And, as a bonus, this travel handbag can serve as the cornerstone of a functional and stylish wardrobe for men and women.
Why Choose a Crossbody Bag for Travel?
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Before a recent international trip, I began a search for the best crossbody bag for travel in Europe. While I love traveling with my North Face Recon Backpack (designed especially for women), sometimes it is nice to have smaller travel handbags for the evening, for day trips, to go shopping, or to keep essential travel items handy.
Yes, I still travel with my backpack. But, I also travel with a small travel handbag as well. If it becomes an issue at the security checkpoint at the airport or when boarding an airplane, I can easily tuck my Travelon crossbody bag inside my backpack.
While backpacks are one of the most convenient travel accessories, a crossbody bag—or messenger bag or purse or handbag—is a great travel essential too. Since crossbody bags hang in front of the body, it is easy to access all your valuables without having to take the bag off every time you need something.
With options for quick shipping through Amazon, I was ordering crossbody bags up until two days before leaving for our trip. The result? While some bags were nice, some were just too big; one did not have a comfortable shoulder strap and another was not an anti-theft bag for travel.
With Amazon Prime, I was able to easily return all of the unwanted bags when I returned home from my trip. Check the RETURN ELIGIBLE date in “YOUR ORDERS” on Amazon to determine your return window.
What did I end up choosing? The Travelon Heritage Crossbody Bag proved to be the best crossbody bag for travel for me.
17 Features of The Best Crossbody Bag for Travel that I LOVE!
1. Anti-Theft Bag for Travel Security with Lock-down Straps
Beyond being stylish, one of the most important features of the Travelon Crossbody Bag is its thoughtful anti-theft security features.
Be sure to keep reading to the end of this article to discover tips on how to be a savvy tourist who knows how to outsmart a pickpocket and avoid being a target.
Would you agree that many travelers focus on security when they travel? How do you carry all of the essentials—your passport, ID, money, credit cards, your phone—and avoid being a target of pickpockets?
Beyond being a bag that hangs in front of you to give you easy access, the Travelon Crossbody Bag has a number of anti-theft travel bag security features as well.
Lock down straps help prevent thieves from dashing off with your bag. You can securely unlatch and then strap your bag to a chair or stationary object and lock it in place. The straps are adjustable as well which is great if you need to adjust the straps to fit comfortably over a coat or sweater.
2. Locking Compartments and Zipper Pulls
These prevent a would-be pickpocket’s nimble fingers from reaching into your bag. The locking zipper pulls secure the compartments of your bag.
3. Slash-resistant Body
The slash resistant mesh fabric of the crossbody bag prevents slash-and-grab theft.
4. Slash-resistant Straps
These straps prevent a thief from slashing your crossbody bag strap. The strap is reinforced with a stainless steel wire inside the strap.
These are the anti-theft features YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR when searching for the best handbag for travel in Europe, for travel close to home, for weekend travel, and more.
5. Tethered Key Clip
Inside the Travelon Crossbody Bag, I was also happy to find a tethered key clip with an attached LED light.
6. LED Light
The light is perfect for searching inside the travel hand bag or even for lighting your way in dark places as you travel.
7. Water Resistance
The fabric of the Travelon Crossbody Bag is made of both water and dirt resistant fabric. This is so handy if you happen to get caught in the rain!
8. Cost
With so many options available to choose from on Amazon and in stores, unless you are choosing a spendy brand name, the cost is relatively inexpensive.
9. Hands-Free Travel Hand Bag
One of the things I really like about wearing a crossbody bag for travel is that the items inside are easy to access, and I can be “hands free”.
How to wear a crossbody bag? The nature of a crossbody bag means that you place the strap over your head so that the strap rests on your shoulder and the bag rests on the opposite hip, thus hanging “across your body”. Your hand naturally hangs by your side and rests on the bag.
Because the bag goes on over your head, it cannot be easily pulled off by bag snatchers.
If I need to quickly pull out my iphone to snap a picture (which I do quite often), the zippers on the crossbody are easy to pull. When I’m done taking the photo, my phone easily slides back into the exterior pocket and zips (and locks) for security.
Now, I would not be able to carry my Canon 6d Mark II DSLR in the crossbody bag, but a smaller point and shoot camera such as my Canon Powershot G1 would fit just fine.
10. Stylish
I will admit that I chose the Travelon Crossbody Bag over one other simply because I liked the stylishness of the Travelon Heritage series more. The Heritage series make great hand bags for traveling, whether it is a tote or a travel hand bag.
The interior of the bag features a classic striped lining with nicely reinforced seams. For you fashion savvy travelers, it’s a fantastic choice. And in my opinion, it is gender neutral. My husband can slip the bag on and it looks as great on him. So yes, it is great as a mens crossbody bag for travel.
Good thing Chris has own. At 6’4″ to my 5’2″, he would definitely need to adjust the straps for his travel handbag!
11. It Comes in a Variety of Colors
Made from durable cotton canvas, the travel handbag comes in a variety of colors with beautiful brown suede trim and matte silver hardware.
12. Lightweight
You want a crossbody bag for traveling that is lightweight as well so that when you have added your essentials, it isn’t a burden to carry.
13. RFID Blocking
The RFID blocking pockets in the Travelon Crossbody Bag help prevent against electronic identity theft with an interior RFID zippered pocket. The RFID gives added security and protection to your belongings and makes it the perfect anti-theft bag.
14. Lots of Pockets
The Travelon Crossbody Bag has an abundance of pockets:
- A zippered RFID blocking pocket on the interior that is big enough to fit your passport and credit cards.
- A lightly padded interior pocket for a 10″ iPad, tablet, or notebook and pen.
- Two easy-to-access, zippered and locking front pockets
- One easy-to-access, zippered rear pocket
- Mesh expansion pockets on either side of the travel hand bag that easily hold a water bottle or an umbrella.
15. Exterior Canvas Grab Handle
I appreciate the small canvas grab handle on the top of the bag making it is easy to carry by hand.
16. It is Perfect for a Day at Disney
I really fell in love with the Travelon travel handbag when our family visited Disneyland in Paris. I did not want to be encumbered with my backpack all day long as we raced around the park and enjoyed the rides.
I filled the crossbody bag with:
- sunglasses (in a case)
- iPhone
- blistex
- a water bottle
- hand sanitizer
- a mini umbrella (just in case)
- face mask
- gum
- snacks
This crossbody bag for travel is not meant to be overloaded. It is perfect for a day trip, and at Disneyland Paris, it easily went on all of the rides with me.
What do I carry for snacks? Built Bar puffs are my favorite. They are convenient, low in sugar, and high in protein. Perfect for an “on the go” snack while traveling.
>> Related: Plan the Perfect Disneyland Paris Day Trip from Paris
17. Great for Day Trips
If you don’t want to pack all of your stuff for a day trip or carry around a backpack, the Travelon crossbody handbag is also great for day trips. If you want to experience the charm of European villages outside of major tourist cities such as Paris, Rome, and Florence (to name a few), pack your crossbody bag for the day with a water bottle, blistex, snacks, and your iPhone and you’re good to go exploring.
Do You Really Need An Anti-Theft Travel Bag?
Obviously, this is a personal choice; however, if you plan to travel to a destination that is congested with tourists and locals or to a place that has a reputation for pickpockets, I highly recommend getting an anti-theft travel bag.
The nature of a crossbody bag makes it more challenging for thieves to get at your stuff or to snatch and grab your bag.
A great crossbody bag should be durable, functional, comfortable and safe. If the bag you are considering ticks these boxes, then it might just be the best one for you.
Using Common Sense as a Savvy Traveler
These are a few of the tips concerning using common sense and having “situational awareness”.
What is situational awareness? Being aware of your surroundings. Showing good sense. Using your noggin.
- Keep your hand on your valuables in crowded areas. Beware of pickpockets.
- Don’t keep valuables, cash, your wallet, or your phone “handy” for the convenience.
- If you are traveling in a group, learn to keep an eye on each other.
- Carry only enough money for the day; leave the rest in your hotel safe.
- Be aware of your surroundings. If it doesn’t feel right use common sense and leave!
Using the Anti-theft features of the Travelon Crossbody Bag is not a guarantee of safety. Bad things sometimes do happen. Be situationally aware and use common sense.
>> Related: Top Trending Apps for Planning a Trip
Travel Tip * Alert your credit card company when you travel to avoid having a freeze placed on your card. (Hmmmmm, been there, done that!)
Tips to Outsmart a Pickpocket
Wherever you plan to travel, you’ll likely find people who are adept at pickpocketing, phone grabbing, committing petty theft, and using other means to distract you and rip you off.
Travel is a time when you may be preoccupied with finding directions, feeling overcome with jet lag, rounding up children, or looking at famous tourist sites and not giving your full attention to your surroundings.
Tourists are a target for thieves. And you need to be on your guard at all times. Here are a few tips:
- Keep your valuables secure by USING an anti-theft travel bag and all of its features.
- Always keep your travel handbag in contact with your body.
- Leave your valuables in your hotel room.
- Don’t be flashy with your valuables and jewelry—leave your bling at home.
- Be constantly aware.
- Create travel habits to avoid misplacing or forgetting items.
The World is FULL of Adventures…Discover Yours!
Additional Travel Safety Tips
There is little that can ruin a trip faster than finding your cell phone grabbed from the pocket of your travel handbag or having items stolen from you. Consider adding these tips to your travel habits to keep you and your belongings safe as you travel:
- Remove all items from your rental car at night and place travel bags out of site during the day as you travel.
- Do not carry all of your cash with you when you are sightseeing. This goes the same for credit cards.
- Keep digital copies of your important documents in a secure online password program.
- Use the in-room safe in your hotel room.
- If you are going to drink, drink responsibly.
- Use an ATM attached to a bank. Do not change your money at the airport.
- If you are traveling solo, do not announce it.
- Try to blend in.
- Consider traveling with a tour group.
- Use reputable transportation and travel companies.
- Check-in often with family and friends at home. Let them know where you are
- Leave a copy of your itinerary with family and friends.
- Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, then leave.
Click “Take a Look!” You’ll find the Travelon Crossbody Bag here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear a crossbody bag on a plane?
You can, but it often counts as your personal item. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Are crossbody bags safer than a backpack?
According to The Points Guy, “Security experts say that crossbody handbags are a good bet since you can easily keep an eye on your belongings. With these bags, your items are safely secured to the front of you or your side via bag straps that go all the way around your body.”
Do you recommend a backpack for travel?
I actually like my crossbody bag for travel as well as The North Face Recon backpack. If it becomes an issue having two personal items, I can fit my crossbody bag into my backpack when boarding an airplane. If you are traveling with a backpack, be sure to turn it around and wear on your front if you are in tight spaces or on transit. If you are traveling with someone else, be sure to keep an eye on each other’s bags as you travel.
Which one should I choose—a backpack or a crossbody bag for travel?
As a general rule of thumb, backpacks offer better support for your back than a travel handbag. If you will be carrying heavier loads or have a long commute in your sightseeing day, then a backpack is probably the best option for you. If you just need to carry the essentials, then a crossbody bag might just be the perfect thing for you.
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Final Thoughts on 17 Features of the Best Crossbody Bag for Travel the I LOVE!
It has taken me ten years of traveling and learning and packing to consider something more than a travel backpack. The Travelon Crossbody Bag became my best bag for travel in Europe. I even convinced my husband that he would love one too!
As Chris and I began to notice what other men were wearing, there were many sporting a variation of a messenger or crossbody bag. Even GQ encourages men to not overthink the crossbody bag!
As you continue to travel, you’ll find that you change and adapt and look for accessories to make travel easier and more efficient. And you might just find that you don’t need to travel with quite so much stuff. Paring down what you bring with you is good to consider each time your travel.
Since you invest money in having the right travel accessories, toiletries, or luggage, you want to make sure you choose wisely. Learn from the travel experts who have “been there and done that.” For me, my newest favorite travel item is the perfect travel handbag, an awesome mens crossbody bag, and an essential bag for weekend travel ALL IN ONE.
That’s when you know you’ve found a “keeper”!
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This bag looks great! I love that it is stylish and secure – ideal for my next city break! Thanks for the great guide!
Thanks for such a great review. It’s hard to find a good travel bag for every day use.
There’s nothing like finding THE best bag for travel. I will have to check this out!
This looks like the perfect bag to take on your travel, love the little light to help see in darker conditions.
I’ve always loved crossbody bags for travel since they feel so much safer and secure, but this one takes it to the next level! Thanks for the recommendation.
This looks like the perfect travel bag. If I hadn’t just started using a new one during my last international trip, I’d look into purchasing this one. Love that there’s so much space and a pocket for a water bottle; that’s something I wish I’d had during all of our walking tours in Scotland and Belgium! Thanks for sharing for future reference ?. Xx Sara
It looks like a great bag! Now, if only it would fit a SLR… Crossbody bags are my default travel bags though, I find them a lot safer than a backpack.
Nice bag. I too love cross-body bags when I travel as I feel they are more secure and safe.
I agree.
This is a great post, well researched and informative. I used to go for the cute little bags (impractical) or basket style bags (invitation to pickpockets) but I’m all practicality now. I’d not considered RFID blocking but will do some research. I guess modern technology throws up new problems!
I think you would love this bag.
So what bag did you use for the 6D?? I am looking to ditch my heavy camera backpack
I’m on the lookout for a new crossbody bag, these are the only handbags I use for travel. So thanks for this excellent suggestion
Just what I’m looking for. I love travelling with a crossbody bag, and my current very well-used one is falling apart and looks more roomy than the one I have, and that’s what I am looking for. Not heard of this brand before, so I will check them out.
Love cross body bags! Love that this one is big with lots of pockets and not too flashy. Great recommendation!
All of my purses are cross body. Having had my purse stolen in Madrid, I always want my bag fully secured across by body. Adding anti-theft protection is another great way to keep a bag safe. Good point about cross body bags allowing you to be hands free. Some great suggestions for people who have not tried these bags.
Nice suggestion! I too always look out for a lot of pockets in any bag. The pockets provide a lot of convenience.
Looks like a great option for city breaks! I particularly love the water bottle compartment and all the security features.
Such a handy bag for traveling. Definitely looking into getting one of these.
I also travel internationally with a Travelon crossbody bag! I love the security features. And they aren’t too flashy to catch unwanted attention.
I have one of these also that I travel with – they are the best. Great minds!
I love all of the safety features in this bag! It’s a simple style as well. Thanks so much for sharing these tips. Definitely a great bag to have when traveling!
That does look like a very practical bag for the adventure days when you are out and about. I could picture using this hiking too! I love the anti-theft features!
This looks very handy for Europe where pickpockets are everywhere 🙂
This came at the right time I was just looking for a cross body bag!
Thank you! I’ll get this for my next trip!
I’ve been thinking about getting one of these bags, you’ve convinced me it’s worth the money Thanks 🙂
Looks functional, practical and attractive! 🙂
Wow, this looks like such a great bag! I wish I would have had this cross-body when I was pickpocketed in Paris back in 2019. I’ll have to pick up an anti-theft bag for my next trip abroad!
Love this. Honestly, having a good bag when traveling is so important!
What a useful and versatile bag, definitely a great accessory for travel.
Will definitely check it out! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like such a versatile and handy bag to have for a trip! I’ll have to get this bag for a future Europe trip. Thanks for sharing this find!
I love the ease of a cross body! Also love how thorough and descriptive you are in your post. My favorite is the little light to help see in darker conditions.
Love a good travel bag especially for a city trip with lots of walking!
Took notes! seems like a nice pack for my bike
I love a good crossbody bag for travel especially one with all the anti theft features. So important as you never know when a pickpocketer is around.
Looks very attractive and secure. And looks lightweight as well, especially for those who walk a lot.
This bag looks awesome! I’m not a handbag carrier but do like something to organize essentials. And those security features would definitely add peace of mind when traveling.
Very thorough! Travelon is definitely the best!
I love these stylish bags. And they r so practical, I have small one but I really need something bigger.
Need this for my next big trip!
I am not one to wear cross body bags but this made me reconsider… i sometimes refuse to bring my backpack because I don’t have a lot to carry with me, but end up overwhelmed by the amount of little things I end up carrying in my hands
Cross body bags are a must when traveling. Mine doesn’t have a key tether though 🙁 I wish it did.
Cross Body Bags are the best for Travel. Awesome Article It is really helpful.
What a thorough review. I’ve been looking for a good cross-body for travel that’s not too big. I need to look into this more.