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We Tested the Best Insulated Cooler Bags for Golf, Beach Days, and Road Trips

These reliable cooler bags keep things chill on the go.

Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.

In This Article

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• Our top picks

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Nothing ruins the fun like leaks or warm refreshments, so picking out the right insulated cooler bag calls for some research. The best insulated cooler bags are durable, some level of leakproof, have a good temperature retention, and are comfortable to carry. We’ve done the research and even tested the top options to help you narrow down the selection and make sure you buy a winner. 

A cute and roomy tote-style bag came out on top of our testing. But maybe you’re looking for a cooler you can float in the water, toss on your back, or cart around on wheels. We’ve tried those, too. We tested all of the picks below out in the real world or in our in-house lab. Either way, we’ve ensured the cooler is up to snuff and ready to stuff.

Best Overall

Hydro flask day escape cooler tote.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 4.5 /5
• Insulation 4.8 /5
• Durability 4.8 /5

It’s functional and fashionable. 

The ice retention is variable depending on the weather. 

We tested the Hydroflask Day Escape 26L in two different real-world scenarios, including in the hot southern sun and out on a boat trip . The 600D polyester exterior is durable and waterproof, and we really liked how they worked it into the cute tote design. The fact that it’s leakproof, easy to carry, spacious inside (one tester’s mom was loving the fact she could lay a veggie tray on the bottom with no issues), and stylish put it at the top of our list. There are no additional pockets or storage options, but the tote does have built-in loops and attachment capabilities so you can customize it with compatible extras as needed. 

One qualm was that the temperature retention wasn’t consistent. Most of the ice had melted within 2.5 hours when the cooler was out in Tennessee during the height of summer, but it kept more ice intact and drinks cool in lower temperatures out on the water. That said, we’re confident it could do the job on a day trip. We flipped the bag upside down when it was fully loaded and gave it a shake, and we’re happy to report there was no leaking. Overall, the Day Escape’s performance is outstanding. 

The Details: 26 liters | 3 pounds | 23.9 x 10.4 x 14.97 inches | Leakproof

Travel + Leisure / Thomas Bergerstock

Best Budget

Tourit cooler backpack.

• Design 5 /5
• Insulation 3.8 /5
• Maneuverability 4.8 /5
• Durability 3.5 /5

Several built-in features and storage pockets make it a good bargain. 

It disappointed us during our durability tests. 

The Tourit 30-can Cooler Backpack holds more like 20 cans with ice, and we love it for its bang-for-your-buck price and lightweight, multi-feature design. In addition to the main compartment, you’ll have your pick of extra storage options, including two side mesh pockets, a spacious front lid zip pocket, and a slim strap pocket (great for holding a phone or cash). It presents like a regular backpack and is easy to lift and carry, making it perfect for picnics in city parks . The thick-lined insulated interior is also leakproof (but the backpack itself isn't) and can keep ice for up to 16 hours. The padded, adjustable straps are comfortable, but there is no chest strap, and wearing the backpack at full capacity for significant distances may not be ideal for some. Unfortunately, we also experienced heavy leaking through the zippers and cans denting in the interior after we tossed this cooler off a table a couple times. However, no other damage was present, and we think this backpack performs admirably in most everyday scenarios.

The Details: 30 cans | 1.1 pounds | 13 x 7.5 x 15.8 inches | 16-hour ice retention

Travel & Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best with Wheels

Arctic zone titan wheeled cooler.

What’s better than a big cooler with wheels? A big cooler with detachable wheels! 

It isn’t leakproof.

We tested an unwheeled version of this cooler and liked it — but realized we’d love it with wheels. We’ve owned the wheel-less version of this cooler for two years and even trusted it to keep a baby’s milk cold during long 10-hour drives across the country and for chilled drinks at the beach in over 100-degree weather. We’re fans of the extra storage from the two front pockets and the two side mesh pockets that are big enough for magazines or books. A reflective radiant heat barrier and triple-layer Cold Block base will, quite impressively, keep ice for up to three days. At full capacity, this cooler can get heavy — luckily, the detachable trolley cart can transport up to 100 pounds (there’s also a padded shoulder strap) and features a telescopic handle. It’s worth noting that the capacity is listed as 60 cans, which actually breaks down into 10 cans in the front insulated pocket and 50 in the main compartment. Note that this is not a leakproof option and shouldn't be laid on its side or upside down. 

The Details: 60 cans | 6.75 pounds | 14.25 x 6.75 x 19.5 inches | 3-day ice retention

Best Ice Retention

Yeti hopper flip.

• Design 4 /5
• Insulation 5 /5
• Maneuverability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

The temperature retention is top-notch, and it feels virtually indestructible. 

The price is investment-level high. 

This 12-can cooler lives up to the Yeti name and gave us impeccable ice and temperature retention. The cooler was tested multiple days at the beach , where it sat in the hot mid-80-degree sun for hours and still kept things notably cold. Cold cell insulation gives the cooler its superb ice retention and makes it perfect for use in hot weather or on overnight trips. Did we mention the heavy-duty, mildew-resistant over shell is not only durable but also blocks UV rays? If you’re hesitant about the single-compartment design, it does sport Yeti’s hitch-point grid that allows you to attach things to the exterior. Even when fully loaded with 12 cans and ice, the extra-thick shoulder strap made it feel like less of a haul, and you also have top and side handles as options. The durability of this totally leakproof cooler cannot be understated as we really put it to the test, from throwing it against rocks and floating it out in the salty ocean water to checking it in luggage. The price is hefty, but consider it an investment, because this baby will last. 

The Details: 12 cans | 2.8 pounds | 12.4 x 8.6 x 10.6 inches | Leakproof

Travel + Leisure / William Price

Travel + Leisure / Brooke Dubuque

Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price

Best for Picnics

Iron flask soft cooler.

• Design 4.2 /5
• Maneuverability 4 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5

It has excellent temperature retention (even in high heat) and an impressively comfortable shoulder strap.

The rigid shape can feel bulky in certain situations. 

We admittedly prefer using reusable ice packs in coolers but ended up being pleasantly surprised at the ice retention of this bag during testing. While visiting a park in 90-degree weather, we found minimal ice meltage, prompting us to use it for transporting delicate frozen items like ice cream on summer walks home from the grocery store (but the size and rigid shape felt bulky when browsing the aisles). This is an ideal size for beach hangs or tailgating or any situation where you can just transport it to a spot, plop it down, and then dig in. 

It says it’s a 20-can cooler, but we easily fit 24 cans plus ice. We’ve found it’s large enough for storing food and drink for one to four people. After our toss test, there were a few scuffs that didn’t take much effort to remove. It comes with built-in cup holders on top and a bottle opener, and we couldn’t believe how comfortable the padded shoulder strap felt. It tipped over in the sun without leaking, likely thanks to the extra-tight zipper (it comes with zipper lube if needed). Our only pain point is the price, so we suggest taking advantage of any sales. 

The Details: 12 liters | 3 pounds | 17.3 x 11.4 x 7.9 inches | Leakproof | 48-hour ice retention

Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Best for Water Activities

Rtic insulated soft cooler bag.

It’s a heavy-duty, ultra-insulated cooler with high durability. 

It can feel cumbersome when full and carried on the shoulder for long periods. 

If you’re looking to snag all the benefits of a hard-sided cooler with the flexibility that comes with a soft-side cooler, the RTIC Soft Pack should be your go-to — especially if you’re heading out on the water. The thick, heavy-duty nylon exterior is highly durable and escaped our toss tests and beatings with minor scuffs. Any sand, mud, or dirt easily just rinses off. Yes, the leakproof zippers are tight, but they kept the cooler leakproof during our upside-down shake test. A noticeably thick interior insulating layer excels at temperature retention — we left the cooler out in the summer sun for over two hours, and barely any ice melted, and the drinks were crisp and cool. Want to take this cooler in the water? Go for it without worrying about water leaking inside (or outside of the bag back in your car). One downside we should mention is that the cooler wasn’t as comfortable as we’d have liked with a heavy load and carried on the shoulder. We suggest two people carrying it via the tote handles when it’s packed full and not using it solo on any excursions with long walks. 

The Details: 12, 20, 30, or 40 cans | 3 pounds for 20-can | 13.5 x 9.5 x 13.75 inches for 20-can | Leakproof | 24-hour ice retention

Travel + Leisure / Francine Price

Hydro Flask Carry Out Soft Cooler

• Maneuverability 4.7 /5

It has the perfect mix of portability and capacity for a day outing. 

It’s currently only available in three colors, and one is a limited edition. 

This 12-liter soft cooler was the perfect midsize we didn’t realize we desperately wanted for a day out at the beach with friends. It’s larger than a lunchbox cooler but still small enough to be manageable on an outing (and to fit in your suitcase). With nothing else, this ultra-portable cooler can carry around 12 cans. Since we were testing for temperature and ice retention, we filled it up with snacks for three: six cans, three sandwiches, a pack of string cheese, and a bag of ice — and it all fit easily and nice and cold as the cooler impressed us with its ability to retain about two-thirds of the ice after six hours at the beach in 80-degree weather. The padded strap kept it comfy on the shoulder, but we also found it easy to carry via the tote handles. Durability was not a problem, and wiping off the little bit of dirt from the exterior nylon material was painless. It’s even got a small stash pocket in the front, which we found perfect for hiding trash or holding keys. We're just left wishing it came in more than three colors. 

The Details: 12 liters | 1.77 pounds | 9.95 x 14.5 x 12.7 inches | 24-hour ice retention

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best for Commuters

Carhartt 2-in-1 insulated cooler backpack.

• Capacity 4.5 /5
• Insulation 4.7 /5

It works for cooler and dry storage, and it can pass as a regular backpack. 

Cooler space is limited. 

This insulated cooler backpack works perfectly for day trips where you’ll want to store both dry and chilled items. Only the bag’s lower zippered compartment is insulated, giving you a dedicated space for storing dry items and items that need chilling. Although the bag claims to be able to hold 24 cans, we could only squeeze in 10 cans comfortably (with ice) in the lower insulated space. (Note: more cans can be stored in the main compartment, but it’s not insulated.) The 600-denier water-resistant canvas material was extra durable, surviving our toss tests with top scores, but it didn’t perform as well as we wanted during the leak test. We don’t recommend storing any electronics in the dry compartment when the bottom is filled with ice unless the bag stays upright at all times. 

This backpack can easily be slung over your shoulders and won’t stick out as a cooler among other commuter bags — it’ll be your little secret. We think it’s a go-to bag for bringing lunch to work. Having the overall design of a regular backpack worked in our favor regarding features, too. There’s a front zippered organization pocket, two stretchy mesh side pockets, and two front slip pockets, making it felt more like a regular everyday backpack that just happens to have a cooler compartment than a cooler backpack. We also love how the bag’s extra padding made it very comfortable to wear, even when full. 

The Details: 24 cans | 2.1 pounds | 12.5 x 8 x 17.5 

Best Collapsible

Icemule pro cooler 23l.

• Design 4.8 /5

This is a durable, comfortable, and functional cooler that will last — plus, it's easy to store when not in use. 

There are no exterior pockets or storage compartments. 

This collapsible cooler bag takes a cue from the dry-bag playbook with its convenient buckle roll top and waterproof welding seam design. We tested the large 23-liter size and could easily fill the bag to its 18-can capacity — with room to spare — and kept our beverages super cold. The top-loading design makes it a cinch to load, unload, and peek into the bag to suss out available room. When you’re not using the cooler, it conveniently flattens down for easy transport and storage. IceMule is known for its high-quality materials, and this bag held up against our durability tests, leading us to believe it’s in it for the long haul. 

Packing food? The 18-inch height makes this bag great for stacking; just be sure any food is stored in sturdy, stackable plastic containers or boxes so nothing gets crushed. Overall, we found the weight was evenly distributed and the padded back and straps comfortable when wearing, but the chest strap does land at an awkward place for some people. Aside from the chest strap (which may depend on the wearer), we just wish this floatable, water-tight, and tough cooler bag had some exterior pockets. 

The Details: 23 or 33 liters | 2.6 pounds for 23-liter | 14 x 11 x 18 inches for 23-liter | Leakproof | 24 hour-ice retention

These products were evaluated as part of two different cooler testing processes. All backpack-style coolers that made the list were tested in our very own in-house testing lab. Each bag underwent a line of rigorous testing, allowing us to gauge their performance side-by-side and see how they measured up when it came to capacity (both full of 12-ounce cans and then one-third filled with cans and two-thirds filled with ice, the recommended ratio for optimal cooling and ice retention), comfort while wearing, extra features such as storage pockets, durability, leakage, and ice retention. We packed the coolers full, strapped them on and walked around wearing them, and did a push test off of a table. After two hours, backpacks were placed on their side for five minutes and inspected for leakage.

Non-backpack coolers were tested out in the real world on multiple outings. Environments included grocery shopping, picnics, beach days, and festivals. Before taking off, we noted the overall quality and appearance of the coolers, including any extra features like storage compartments. Coolers were filled with beverages plus ice. After 2.5 hours, we recorded the ice retention and the temperature of the drinks. Durability was tested by tossing the cooler down the stairs (twice!) and slamming it on a hard floor surface before checking for any damage or wear. 

We will continue testing these coolers over time, collecting insights for an additional six months and updating our picks and descriptions as necessary. 

Tips for Buying an Insulated Cooler Bag

Carefully consider capacity and size needs.

Like lunch boxes , insulated cooler bags come in all shapes, sizes, and capacities. Think about what you’ll want to pack inside the cooler, now and in the future. Remember to factor ice or ice packs into your capacity needs (capacity is often advertised without ice included).

Anticipate the appropriate accessories for your needs

Consider your insulated cooler bag as an investment. Think of different ways you will need to use the insulated cooler bag down the line. Buying a bag that can be accessorized may prevent you from having to purchase a different bag in the future. Some common accessories include ice packs, carabiner clips, and extra storage pockets.

Plan on using ice packs instead of loose ice

Using molded ice packs is a water-friendly alternative to fresh ice. Ice packs can be reused and will avoid possible leakage as they defrost. Keep an eye out for coolers that are designed to use with specific ice packs or have room inside to fit an ice pack.

Consider what features you need

Coolers with comfortable and thoughtful carrying features — such as padded straps, adjustable straps, and multi-carry options — can make or break your experience with a cooler bag, especially as you get into larger capacity sizes. You should also think about the situations in which you envision using your cooler bag. Consider how and where you will want to access the contents of your cooler bag, whether you’ll have a solid flat surface to set it down on, and any portability needs you may have, and choose styles with the most beneficial shapes, materials, overall look, and access points for your needs.

The answer depends on your specific conditions and needs. Hard coolers are known for having better durability in rugged scenarios and providing longer ice retention than soft, insulated cooler bags. Hard coolers are best for lengthy trips like camping, while insulated cooler bags are better for portability and organization.

Finding a leakproof cooler bag is key for preventing spills and for temperature retention. Lower-end cooler bags are less likely to be equipped with water-tight, leakproof zippers and closures. If you’re concerned about leaks, make sure to pick cooler bags with explicitly leakproof closures and lining.

When using fresh ice, the minimum suggested amount of ice to use is a 50/50 split, though it truly depends on what’s inside and how and where you’ll be using the cooler. The higher the ratio of ice, the longer the cooler will retain cool temperatures. Some manufacturers advise filling the cooler with two-thirds ice and one-third contents.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Katherine Alex Beaven combined research, T+L tester input, and personal experiences using insulated coolers while traveling for this list. 

Related : The 11 Best Beach Coolers to Keep Your Things Cool in the Heat

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The 6 Best Small Coolers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Nothing beats an ice-cold beverage in the great outdoors

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

There’s nothing worse than heading out to the woods or the beach and discovering that the ice-cold beverage you were looking forward to has somehow gone warm. But gone are the days of substandard coolers: The new generation keeps drinks colder—and colder longer—than ever before.

However, with new technology comes far more options, and with price tags that seemingly hit the sky, it’s essential to make a well-informed purchase. It’s also critical to think carefully about sizing. After all, you’re not just packing drinks in there, but ice, which can take up considerable space. We researched the top small coolers and tested more than a dozen for durability, portability, performance, and more.

Final Verdict

Product selection, how we tested, other small coolers we tested.

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, yeti hopper flip.

Built to last

Top-notch ice and cold retention

Great size for quick trips

Expensive, but still probably worth it

We're not saying that $250 isn't a lot to drop on a little cooler, but this one might be worth the investment if you're outdoors every weekend. The Yeti Hopper Flip comes in three sizes measured by the number of cans it can hold with ice—eight, 12, and 18. We like the 12, which is perfect for an afternoon out at the beach—and they'll stay cold with Yeti's ColdCell closed-cell foam insulation. We also love that the company's proprietary DryHide Shell delivers; it's both waterproof and mildew-resistant and is incredibly durable, thanks to the hazmat suit material. The only thing worse than a cooler that doesn't cool is a cooler that leaks, but worry not—this one is built specifically to protect against that. Yeti's HydroLok zipper claims to be 100 percent leakproof. Although Yetis can be heavy, this one only weighs around 3 pounds.

We've been using this cooler for over a year now, and it's definitely our go-to for picnics, beach days, and fishing trips. We once transported ice cream in it during a six-hour drive from Mammoth Lakes to Ventura County, California, and there was basically no melt. We've also had luck with it holding ice for days during camping trips. Is a Yeti an investment? Totally. Has it always been worth it to us? Absolutely.

Size: 10 x 11.5 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 3.1 pounds | Capacity: 12 cans with a 2-to-1 ice ratio

Best Budget

Coleman soft backpack cooler.

Held up well during our testing

Excellent weight-to-capacity ratio

A few different storage pockets

Leaking can occur if turned upside-down

Coleman's 28-can Soft Backpack Cooler is an excellent budget cooler. We like the convenience of its backpack style and that it has some external pockets and straps for attaching other gear. We tested this cooler in our Brooklyn testing lab with dozens of other soft and backpack coolers, and it performed very well compared to its competitors. Our testers particularly liked how well it maintained cold temperatures and its soft shoulder straps. We see this pack as an ideal budget option for trips to the park with the family, picnics, fishing outings, hiking trips, or even music or other outdoor festivals.

Size:  12.2 x 6.3 x 19.29 inches |  Weight:  1 pound, 1 ounce |  Capacity:  28 cans

Best Hardside

Orca cooler.

Excellent temperature control

Burly materials and design

Drain spout

A bit heavy

We love the evolution of soft and backpack coolers. But even the best-insulated soft coolers can't compete with the cold and ice retention of hardside coolers. Our favorite small hardside cooler is the Orca Cooler. With a capacity of 20 quarts (5 gallons), this cooler can hold ice and cold temps for days. Thanks to roto-molded construction and a stainless steel carrying handle, it's also incredibly durable. We found this cooler perfect for weekend camping trips when you don't need as much cooler space but want to keep items cold for multiple days.

Size:  21.7 x 13.75 x 14.75 inches |  Weight:  18 pounds |  Capacity:  20 quarts (5 gallons)

Best Backpack

Icemule pro cooler 23l.

Wearable for extended periods

Great temperature control

Compressible for easy stowing

Just one large compartment

The IceMule Pro backpack cooler impressed us throughout our lab and field testing. Its cold retention is superb. It's comfortable and easy to carry. And an air valve helps compress it to a smaller size for storage, packing, and travel. The Pro is constructed with a slew of proprietary features like the super durable MuleSkin material and PolarLayer foam insulation. The result is a highly functional and practical cooler that has become our go-to all-around cooler for everything from paddleboarding missions to fly fishing sessions to a recent wine hike in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Size:  14 x 11 x 18 inches |  Weight:  Not listed |  Capacity:  23 liters (18 cans plus ice)

Out of the Woods Seagull Cooler

Out-of-the-woods

Most sustainable pick

Good value for the price

Multiple ways to carry

Not ideal for overnight trips

The Seagull Cooler from Out of the Woods is a solid—and relatively inexpensive—cooler option for grocery store runs and beach days. It's got a surprisingly large capacity and looks more stylish than the more outdoors-focused coolers on this list. It's also more planet-friendly, with a proprietary "Supernatural Paper" outer material made from tree cellulose. We also like that there are two ways to carry this bag: a shoulder strap and handles.

Size:  15.7 x 6.3 x 14 inches |  Weight:  Not listed |  Capacity:  24 cans

Best for Road Trips

Rtic insulated soft cooler bag.

Similar performance to Yeti

Great value for money

Tough zipper

RTIC's Soft Pack Cooler is the more affordable alternative to the Yeti Hopper Flip above. And, according to our lab and field tests, you're not sacrificing much in terms of performance compared to the Yeti. During our 24-hour ice test, the Yeti did hold a bit more ice than the RTIC. And the RTIC's internal temperature rose by about 11 degrees compared to just 7 degrees with the Yeti. But considering the RTIC is at least $150 less, those might be slight sacrifices to save quite a bit. RTIC uses similar closed-cell insulation, durable ripstop nylon, and a burly zipper to ensure contents stay inside the cooler. Bonus: This cooler also floats.

Size:  13.5 x 9.5 x 13.75 inches |  Weight:  3 pounds |  Capacity:  20 cans

Anyone familiar with the outdoor gear industry won't be surprised to find a Yeti product topping our list. The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is the portable, practical, softside cooler of our dreams thanks to the brand's ColdCell technology and DryHide Shell that keeps your drinks cold for days. From another household name, the Coleman 28-Can Soft Backpack Cooler held its own against more expensive counterparts during our testing and boasts plenty of storage options.

We selected products based on our previous knowledge and experience with coolers and cooler brands. We also researched online reviews and popularity on sites like Amazon and REI. To narrow the list, we looked for coolers with various functions, styles, and prices.

The coolers on this list were tested with dozens of others in our Brooklyn testing lab as well as out in the field. We tested for functionality, durability, portability, and cold retention in the lab. Each cooler was filled with ice and the number of cans companies claimed could fit inside. We then took a temperature reading of the inside of each cooler. Our testers took turns pushing coolers off tables and ladders to test their durability. Then they carried them around the lab and up and down steps to test portability. Another internal temperature reading was taken to measure cold and ice retention at the end of the day.

Everlasting Comfort Insulated Backpack Cooler : The pros of this backpack include stellar durability—demonstrated by zero visible damage after being dropped several times—and thick, cushioned straps that support the load well without overwhelming the carrier. Unfortunately, its cold retention was not as good as other options, and its zippers leaked right off the bat.

The Get Out Cooler Bag : Our tester was impressed with this softside pick. It has a fun, retro style with rounded corners; it was easy to carry fully loaded by the backpack straps and the side handles; and our tester gushed over how leakproof it proved to be. In terms of downsides (and now we are truly splitting hairs), the price is not the lowest for similar items; the front pocket is so slim it approaches uselessness; and while it kept temperatures cold for 24 hours, it was narrowly outperformed in this aspect.

Igloo KoolTunes : This adorable and colorful cooler features integrated Bluetooth speakers and survived our drop tests with only a few scratches. We didn't find it very comfortable to carry, and ultimately it was one of the worst performers in the cold-holding tests.

Pelican 20 Quart Elite Cooler : You could do a lot worse than the Elite Cooler. It's a hardside model with a large lid and tapered silhouette that makes a great extra seat. Tough and well-insulated, the few disadvantages included a latch design that virtually requires two hands to open and middle-of-the-pack ice retention.

Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler : The M20 cooler sets the standard for softside picks. With attributes like a sleek, attractive design, a leakproof double closure system, and top-notch cold retention, the only real downside is the upfront investment, which will set you back a few hundred dollars.

Yeti Roadie 24 : Beautifully designed and tall enough to fit wine bottles, the Roadie 24 comes in over 15 different eye-catching hues. Surprisingly for this brand, the surface temperature of the cans inside increased significantly between two and 24 hours, and the rubber latches popped open upon impact with the ground.

What to Look For in a Small Cooler 

Most coolers are measured by how many cans or bottles they can hold—but keep in mind that you’ll want to save room for some ice and maybe a few snacks. To get an idea of how much you'll really be able to fit, deduct a few cans from the overall capacity.

Another way to think about capacity is in terms of how many people will be in your group and how long the trip is. The Yeti Flip 12 is the smallest cooler on our list, and it could function well as a personal cooler for a solo weekend adventure or chill drinks for two or three people for a day at the beach.

Coolers filled with drinks are already heavy enough, so you don’t need the cooler itself to be super heavy. Look for lightweight coolers if you’re planning to carry them long distances; softside coolers tend to be among the lightest options, though they don’t protect the contents quite like hardside coolers. Expect the latter to weigh a little more—and consider getting one with wheels if you go that route. 

Coolers are one of those items where, within a specific range, what you pay for is what you get. Price-per-use is always a good metric to start assessing your ideal price point. It breaks down to how often or how frequently you anticipate using it: If you golf or go fishing every weekend, getting a well-built cooler that offers features like easy portability or extended insulation time might be worth the money. If you're only using it to tailgate twice a year, you may want to look into cheaper options. Also, think about what types of trips or excursions you need the cooler for; cheaper coolers might not have some pretty nice-to-have functions—like leakproof zippers—that more expensive models do.

No matter what you do, a cooler will inevitably pick up some dirt. Always check the instructions provided by the company on how to clean a cooler. Generally, a little wipe-down with dish soap or mild detergent should take care of small jobs. One all-purpose natural solution for when things get a little funkier? Hose the cooler out, clean it with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub it down and rinse it all off.

Both types of coolers serve a purpose: Hardside coolers better protect the contents, are more durable, and tend to keep things colder longer than softside coolers. But they’re also far heavier. On the other hand, softside coolers are far lighter and, therefore, easier to tote around—which is handy if you’re bringing it somewhere you can’t easily drive to.

While it might seem like coolers are inherently waterproof, many aren’t. You might do well to look out for waterproof exteriors and zippers in your search. Chances are you won’t just be carrying drinks inside of it—you’ll probably want to bring along some snacks at some point—and in the case of a sudden downpour, it’ll keep water from getting inside.

Krystin Arneson has been writing for TripSavvy since 2018. Based in Berlin, Germany, she has been published in Conde Nast Traveler, Jetsetter, National Geographic Traveler, and Oyster.com. If she's not working or on the road, you can find her paying yet another visit to one of Berlin's incredible museums, hitting the dance floor, or exploring the city's wonderfully dynamic restaurant scene.

Nathan Allen is TripSavvy's Outdoor Gear Editor. He's been using coolers for camping, picnics, fly fishing, beach trips, paddleboarding, road trips, grocery store missions, and bringing back beer from the local brewery via bike. Now, his go-to coolers are IceMule's Pro, Yeti's Hopper Flip, and the Out of the Woods Seagull Cooler.

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Best Small Cooler for Travel and Everyday

Choosing the best small cooler for you will ensure that you’re hydrated and energized on any trip. Here’s a list to help you decide!

If you’re headed into the wilderness, to the beach, or across town, there’s a good chance you’ll bring a drink, snacks, and maybe a meal or two. If you bring along a travel cooler, your food and beverages will still be cold when you arrive, so you can comfortably quench your thirst and manage your hunger. First, we must determine what kind of cooler you’re looking for.

If you plan to bring items that are easy to break, like glass bottles, delicate sandwiches, or eggs for camping, a hard-walled cooler makes more sense, as the exterior will protect those items. If you’re one-bagging it and need to save space and weight, a soft-walled cooler is your best bet, as they compress and are easier to stow inside your pack. Or, you might be an infrequent cooler user who wants a budget option that won’t break the bank. No matter which bucket you fall into, there’s something on this list for you!

Now that you know what kind of cooler you’re looking for, let’s dive in!

• YETI Hopper Flip 8 Soft Cooler
• Hydro Flask Day Escape 20L
• ICEMULE Jaunt 15L
• Stanley Adventure Easy Carry Lunch Cooler (16 QT)
• Snow Peak Soft Cooler 11
• Able Carry Able Cooler
• Ozark Trail 6 Can Soft-Sided Cooler
• Mountainsmith Sixer Cooler Bag
• AKASO 6L Cooler Bag
• Polar Bear 24 Pack Original Nylon Soft Cooler
• RTIC Soft Pack Cooler (20 Can)
• Igloo RECOOL 16 Qt Cooler
• Igloo Retro Fanny Pack
• Coleman Chiller 9-Quart Portable Cooler

Why We Like It: Easy to carry and is the perfect size for picnics.

What You Should Know: We worry about the zipper’s longevity.

Not every YETI cooler is the massive kind you’d take on a week-long fishing trip. The YETI Hopper Flip 8 Cool Bag is small enough to carry over your shoulder and durable enough to take on any adventure life might throw at you. The 8 Soft Cooler is suitable for a small picnic (or 11 beers), the 12 Soft Cooler is a perfect size for a smaller car (it’ll fit 24 cans), and the 18 Soft Cooler will load a 30 rack of cans with ease. However, keep in mind that as you go up in size, they become less comfortable to carry.

This portable cooler comes with a padded shoulder strap to make getting from point A to point B more manageable, but there’s a handle on the top for shorter trips, like from picnic table to picnic table or trunk to backseat. The zipper doesn’t feel terribly durable; however, we haven’t had any issues with it malfunctioning.

Why We Like It: The backpack design makes it easy to carry over rugged terrain.

What You Should Know: There isn’t a ton of shoulder strap padding.

If you’re looking for the best small cooler bag you can take anywhere, look no further than the Hydro Flask Day Escape. This model comes in backpack form, so you can wear it to spread the weight and tackle rough terrain with lunch or a brew on your back. You can stow up to 36 cans inside without ice, so there’s more than enough room for a picnic lunch, water for a hike, or to throw the day’s catch inside at the river.

The exterior is crafted from 600D polyester, so you know your food and drinks are in good hands. The shoulder straps aren’t as padded as we’d like for such a large pack; however, we dig that there’s a sternum strap for when the going gets rough. There are attachment loops to secure extra gear on the exterior and a water bottle pocket to stay hydrated on the trail. So long as you have a friend to carry your other equipment, this might be the best small cooler for travelers who love to take a day hike or two.

Why We Like It: Doesn’t take up too much space and has an external zippered compartment.

What You Should Know: Rolltop design is slow to access.

You'll love this small cooler if you often buy travel backpacks and daypacks that are as colorful as your personality. The ICEMULE Jaunt 15L is a mini cooler backpack that can stow 15 cans and comes in various fun colorways, from Devoe to Mango. Don't worry—there are minimalist options, too!

This pack utilizes a rolltop closure, which isn’t as secure as a latch, but we’ve found it’s less likely to pop open accidentally. The shoulder straps are well-aerated, which helps keep things cool on warm days. There’s a sternum strap, too, which keeps the harness system comfortable on long hikes.

We wish there were more options to attach gear to the exterior of this pack; however, there’s a zippered compartment on the front that you can stow smaller gear inside. If you are looking for a colorful backpack-style model, this might be the best small cooler for you!

Why We Like It: Hard shell protects food and drinks.

What You Should Know: Fairly heavy for its size.

If you hate nothing more than a crushed sandwich, we’ve got you covered. The Stanley Adventure Easy Carry 16-Quart Cooler has a hard outer shell that won’t be trifled with, even if your Uncle Larry drops it five times on the hike out to the lake. That way, all the sandwiches Aunt Edna made back at camp will be in superb condition when they arrive at their final destination.

The top handle is large and easy to carry, but there isn’t any padding. It isn’t uncomfortable, but you wouldn’t want to walk more than a few minutes with it in tow. There are bungees on the top to secure extra gear so you can bring along extras (like condiments) for the ride, too. You won’t be able to bring the whole dinner table, but you’ll have enough space for a small group to snack it up. What else can you as for from a mini cooler?

Why We Like It: Has good ice retention and can compress smaller when not in use.

What You Should Know: Strap padding isn’t super comfortable.

Soft-sided small coolers are perfect for the beach or other outdoor activities because they’re more comfortable resting against your side on the walk to your destination. The Snow Peak Soft Cooler 11 offers ample space for lunch, beverages, or both, and you can even stow a wine bottle. There’s just one colorway to choose from at the time of writing, which is a bummer, but this thing performs well where it matters. It keeps your food and drink cold!

When empty, you can fold it down flat, which is helpful for packing. It isn’t tiny but much smaller than most small cooler bags or lunch coolers with hard shells. The padding on the strap isn’t meant for long trips across the city, but for shorter trips, it remains comfortable and easy to manage. Plus, you can access the cooler in transit, so you can grab a bite to eat, a drink, or slide some ice down your brother’s shirt without him noticing. Who knew a small cooler could be so fun?

Why We Like It: The perfect size for your lunch.

What You Should Know: Interior isn’t completely seald so it could leak.

The Able Carry Able Cooler is small but mighty when transporting your lunch, a few drinks, or a mess of snacks for the day. A six-pack fits inside, so you can treat your friends to a cold drink when you reach the summit of your hike. Or, pack your lunch for the day to save money while traveling. Regardless of how you use it, the Able Cooler is a lightweight option for those trying to keep their food or drinks cold.

The interior isn’t completely sealed, so there’s a chance some water could seep through from the interior. We’ve only found this was the case over extended periods, but it is possible. We’re working with high-quality materials, from the X-Pac exterior to the YKK zippers. This ensures that it’ll survive your trip, whether you’re headed across the city or the globe.

There's a handle on the top to carry it by, but it also comes with a carry strap you can attach to keep your hands free. It has no padding and will dig in if you have a heavy load, but it's helpful in some situations. The interior has two padded dividers you can move to meet your needs, which makes packing food and drinks easier. Given this model's customization options, this might be the best small cooler for you!

Why We Like It: Very budget-friendly.

What You Should Know: Looks and feels a bit cheap.

If you’re looking for a mini cooler that won’t break the bank, look no further than the Ozark Trail 6 Can Soft-Sided Cooler. This offering from Walmart’s in-house brand is less than $10 at the time of writing and is widely available at Walmart locations across the United States, sometimes for less than online.

This travel cooler comes in two colors, red and blue, and has an extension on the top to give you more room for goodies. It can fit a six-pack with a small amount of ice, but nothing more than that. The strap isn’t very comfortable, so it’s more than capable on a short walk from the parking lot to a picnic table or streamside.

There’s a front pocket to stow smaller gear or your keys while eating and drinking so they don’t get lost. This cooler isn’t the best at keeping ice for long periods, but for the price, it’s hard to argue with how it performs. If you’re looking for a budget option that gets the job done on short trips, this might be the best small cooler for you!

Why We Like It: Lots of excellent colorway options.

What You Should Know: Won’t keep things cold all day long.

Sometimes, a piece of gear will catch your eye because it has rad colorways. Regarding portable coolers, the Mountainsmith The Sixer Cooler Bag meets those criteria. At the time of writing, there are three options to choose from. Cedar Green feels like a walk in the woods, Frost Blue looks like the morning sky before the sun rises, and Light Sand has the aura of the area between the rolling hills of the countryside and the sandy beaches before the sea. If that doesn’t make you thirsty for a cold beverage, what else will?

These coolers will fit a six-pack of cans or bottles and can pack up a lovely picnic for you and your partner. There’s a zippered compartment inside the lid to stow gear you don’t want to lose, but remember, it’ll get cold, too. The straps on this thing are removable, so you can take it off if it gets in your way or repair it if something happens to it. Whether you’re walking in the woods, before the sun rises, or from the hills to the beach, your food and drink will stay cold with the Mountainsmith The Sixer Cooler Bag

Why We Like It: Folds down to fit inside your pack.

What You Should Know: Ice retention isn’t the best.

If packability is more essential to your trip than ice retention, we’ve found the best small cooler for you. The AKASO 6L Small Collapsible Cooler Bag folds up when not in use to slide just about anywhere, so you don’t have to lug around a big empty piece of plastic when you aren’t using it. The top ensures the materials fold around whatever you have stowed inside so that you won’t waste space in your pack.

Just because it’s packable doesn’t mean it won’t keep your food or drinks cold. The AKASO will keep a meal cold for a morning or an afternoon, but we’ve struggled with all-day cooling. However, adding more ice or a new ice pack can solve that issue. The exterior is crafted from 420D nylon with a TPU film, so you know your food is safe, and the cooler won’t leak inside your pack. There are a few colorways, so you can choose a model that suits your style.

Whether you’re looking for a lunch cooler or a travel cooler, you’ve found it!

Why We Like It: Duffle Bag design makes carrying it easier.

What You Should Know: A bit large for what it can hold.

You’ve heard of a duffle bag, right? How about a duffle cooler? Jokes aside, the Polar Bear Original Nylon Soft Cooler offers two convenient carry methods that pair with an offering that will keep your food and drink cold for up to 48 hours in extreme heat. We wish there were more colorways to choose from, but that’s just us being nitpicky; this thing rocks!

There are handles like on a standard duffle bag and a shoulder strap system for going on a long journey. The strap has a padding section you can slide to where you need it most, which helps with comfort. You can compress the cooler to save space in your luggage, car, or closet when not in use. Plus, the seams are RF welded, so there won’t be any leaks. The top closure utilizes a YKK zipper, a brand we have great luck with on all gear, from packing cubes to slings .

If you can get over the lack of colorways, this might be the best small cooler for your next trip.

Why We Like It: It floats for trips down or into the water.

What You Should Know: Expensive for the size.

If you’re constantly on the river and are looking for the best small cooler that floats and is durable enough to handle all kinds of weather and terrain, the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 20 Can model is an excellent shout. There are 12, 30, and 40 can options, but the 20 is a versatile option for solo and group use. Plus, there are over 12 colorways, so you can get one that matches your style (or car).

You can carry this travel cooler by the handles or over your shoulder with the strap. The crossbody option has padding, so your journey will be comfortable. However, you can remove the strap if you prefer to use the handles. There’s a small zippered compartment on the front of the cooler to secure small items like your keys. Whether you’re drinking beers on the lake while casting out a spinner bait for bass or floating down a river and want to bring a few snacks, the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler has you covered!

Why We Like It: A sustainable cooler that you can reuse.

What You Should Know: The lid doesn’t seal well and it looks like a disposable cooler.

The words sustainable and cooler typically don’t go together. Most models are made from plastics and other materials that, even when sustainably sourced, aren’t great for the environment. Enter the Igloo Recool. Igloo says this is the world’s first cooler made from biodegradable materials. In addition to keeping your food and drinks cold, the materials won’t be around for thousands of years after you’ve discarded them.

You can reuse this cooler, unlike other sustainably sourced options. The unique design can get waterlogged, though it’ll work again after it dries. This isn’t ideal if you want to use it day after day all day long, but for a casual cooler user, it will work well.

The style likely isn’t for everyone—it looks like a single-use cooler made from cardboard. However, the Igloo Recool is a conversation starter that Mother Nature will thank you for using!

Why We Like It: The design is fun.

What You Should Know: The look might not work for everyone.

Be honest; you know you want this thing! It doesn’t get more minimalist than this—you can wear the Igloo Fanny Pack Cooler and still fully use your legs, arms, and back, making it one of the finest options for adventures, big and small. Plus, look at those colorway options! Can you say Miami Beach? We can’t contain our excitement!

Even if you aren’t into loud colors, nostalgia, or fun, a fanny cooler makes a lot of sense. You aren’t bringing any more than you need and can stow other gear inside when not stowing food or drinks. The harness system isn’t anything to write home about, but it works well for short trips to the beach or a night in the park listening to live music.

Most importantly, this offering from Igloo holds up to three cans. Whether those are all for you or yourself and two buddies, that might make the Fanny Pack Cooler the best small cooler on the market!

Why We Like It: A small cooler with a hard shell to protect the interior.

What You Should Know: Lid will occasionally pop up when you don’t want it to.

Nothing says classic camping like Coleman. However, the Chiller 9-Quart Portable Cooler can be used for far more than camping. Whether heading to the beach, down the river, or on the back porch, there’s enough room in here for pops, beers, or lunch for you and the family.

This cooler’s classic design is easy to love but sometimes hard to lug. The handle has no padding or a crossbody strap, which can be hard to carry long distances. However, for short jaunts, it’s more than manageable. For the price point, it’s hard to go wrong.

At the time of writing, there’s just one colorway available on Coleman’s site. However, if you browse around the internet, you might be able to find a few others. If you’re looking for a classic look that doesn’t break the bank, this might be the best small cooler for your next adventure!

So there you have it; some of the best and most unique coolers for your next trip down the trail, highway, or countryside. Whether you want something big, tiny, or somewhere in between, hopefully, you found your pick!

May 9, 2023

Author: Eric Hergenreder

Eric has been across the globe, but his favorite place to explore is his home state of Michigan. His love for photography has taken him all around the Great Lake State, often writing about his travels so that others can enjoy them, too. Eric loves messing around with analog photography, watching soccer, and searching for the world’s best burger in his spare time.

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open up your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

This is your moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

What we considered

A 45-liter bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; 35-liter bags tend to be more manageable.

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is the easiest to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally tends to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed with packing cubes.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization. Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to ultimately replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best mobile office: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, best bag for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best bag if you need a large suitcase on your back: tortuga travel backpack pro 40l, other good carry-on travel backpacks, how we picked and tested, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. I personally try to do most of my travel with a single backpack, whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that, and I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

I reached out to writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .

We researched and tested bags designed for those who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some people, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey.

• When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier to adjust your plans mid-trip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, then one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
• Size and weight still matter. If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you’ll want a bigger travel backpack . These larger bags tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
• No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: the city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes it easy to organize your stuff. And due to its strap design, this bag can be worn on your back or carried in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. There are handles on all four sides of this bag, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

It comes in various sizes, but we think the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when it is fully packed, and we’d prefer that it had a more-robust hip belt. At 28 liters, the bag becomes a touch small for most people, and its internal organization feels fussy for shorter trips, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack , which is designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it is worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

It’s organized, easy to pack, and easy to carry. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when unzipped. On the right side is a deep compartment, spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothing (which you access through a mesh zippered flap). On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that there are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of these reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom; so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer. The other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’s hip belt—which can be removed while the bag is on your back—is substantial enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa bag is comfortable to carry over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’s straps are contoured to fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The Allpa pack is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) It feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to toss into an overhead compartment as it is into the back of a rusty pickup truck. And it also includes a rainfly, which is unique in this category.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, there are a few nooks you can hide things in. The front organizer is deep enough that you can also fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.
• We prefer the model without the TPU front. Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa pack without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but after many years of traveling with our bag, we’ve found that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: adventurous Colors: assorted

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind. Yet most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice for those carrying more expensive gear—especially camera gear. It’s also great for those who prefer a large, backpack-based packing system.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be carried on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. That’s not the case with the Peak Design: This bag looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. You can access the bag through a back panel (which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch) as well as a front one (if you unzip the pass-through divider). You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps, which run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. In this configuration, it will still feel larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa.

It has fold-away straps, for easier storage. The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Although the straps are thin, they’re still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in five sizes. And if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (a photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

• It’s expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes.
• More complexity means more things that can break. The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga bag instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: back-panel loader Style: minimalist and unobtrusive Color: black, sage

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two leaves (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC bag, like the Cotopaxi Allpa, is a welcome exception to this rule. The MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap, for easy carrying. When they're not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, all of the straps can be stowed away easily. When fully loaded, the bag was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design or the Osprey, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s very similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU, for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers (the industry leader) and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, the Black Hole MLC bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty , and we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond other comparable companies.

• We wish the Maximum Legal Carry (despite the name) came in a few more sizes. The 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people, and there is no alternative.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell Style: retro Colors: tan, black, olive, green

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, this bag has shoulder straps that are slightly lower, to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances.

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint 40 bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most mid-length distances—such as walking across a city for an afternoon. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint pack also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint bag for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than other bags do. In practice, the Farpoint pack’s available space is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration Osprey has put into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 40 stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa pack is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. The Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 packs basically have the same design, but the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. However, it has the features and durability of the Farpoint bag. It also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. It’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

• For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to not like. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight (Farpoint): 3 pounds 3 ounces Weight (Fairview): 3 pounds 2 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: active Colors (Farpoint): green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors (Fairview): blue (Winter Night), red (Zircon), blue (Night Jungle), black

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is built to occupy the maximum carry-on space available. It’s a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage.

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re really committed to one-bag travel). The Tortuga is available as a 40-liter pack (the maximum space for a carry-on bag), which we tested; there is also a 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those uses, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L bag.

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, in both the 30- and 40-liter versions. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4½ pounds when empty—roughly 1½ pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design ). The hip straps are removable if you need, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

• Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the shoulder straps (as they can with our other picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa ) a disqualifying factor. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if these mysteries beneath the airport also make you nervous, you might prefer our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design.
• It's heavy. We’ve fielded complaints from some testers who said that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. The additional padding does add weight. At 4½ pounds, this latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than it used to be (the difference is noticeable), and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. We are currently testing a new, lighter, and less-expensive version of this pack—aptly named the Travel Backpack Lite 40L —and will report back soon.  In the meantime, if you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers. And after testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for the bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability—you need to buy the internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap . On a bag that already costs $330, all of this adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw, from our perspective—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells laptop sleeves (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clip into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

If you want a budget pick (but only when it’s on sale): The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (our former budget pick) is still your best budget option, if you can catch it on sale for at least half off the list price. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve (which holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders), and an easy-to-access main compartment. This pack also has the largest capacity of any bags we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s casual-to-basic looks might not be to everyone’s taste. In 2024, eBags raised the price of the Mother Lode to $200. We have seen it on sale for $100, and in our opinion it’s worth getting only at the sale price.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great bag to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

• Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening, for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

• Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps are, the easier traveling will be. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
• Hip-belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
• Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you exotic, light, and strong materials, such as Dyneema or sailcloth.
• Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’re packed for a two-week journey, all bags are going to feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty.
• Stowable straps: These are nice to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
• Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people will love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
• Style: This is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or got in the way of efficient packing.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is a rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. There are better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag at this price should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this might be the way to go—unless you can pick up the eBags Motherlode bag for under $100, which we think is a better deal at that price.

The GeniusPack Travel Backpack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think those who have to travel with a suit (or clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . GeniusPack now offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

For certain people, the GoRuck GR3 is almost worth the cost. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear, and it’s good at displacing the weight of a 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. After testing it, however, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, it’s difficult to keep clean, and it clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for business people. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. If you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, this is a well-thought-out pack. But we think our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint pack. The Sojourn Porter bag is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this would be an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

The Best Travel Backpack

by Geoffrey Morrison

For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)

by Kit Dillon

A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

I Took 5 Trips in 6 Months. My Go-To Weekender Bag Was This Surprisingly Spacious Backpack.

by Elissa Sanci

Struggling to pack for your weekend away? The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L fits so much more than you’d expect.

Protect Your Trip »

The 8 best cooler bags.

Carry your beverages and picnic to the beach in cool styles.

The Best Cooler Bags

Getty Images

Nothing beats a cold drink on a beach or at a camping site.

Keeping snacks and drinks cold when you're on a road trip, at the beach or car camping is essential. Depending on what you want to pack, where you're going to be and how much you need to take, there are different cooler bags to meet your needs.

The right cooler bag can save you money, keep the kids happy with fresh snacks and offer convenience. U.S. News researched online retailers, travel industry review sites and more to come up with this selection of the best cooler bags.

The Top Cooler Bags

Best overall: rtic outdoors soft pack cooler, best budget: tourit cockatoo insulated backpack, best wheeled: igloo maxcold fusion 36-can roller bag, best backpack: rei co-op cool trail pack cooler, best duffel: l.l.bean soft pack cooler, family, best collapsible: icemule classic medium 15l, best tote: rovr keepr cooler caddy, best durable: yeti hopper flip 18 soft cooler.

(Note: Prices and availability were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to supply chain issues or other factors.)

Capacity: Sizes range from 12 cans to 40 cans

What sets it apart: Don't you hate it when you pack a cooler with ice only for it to leak everywhere and let your food and drinks get warm? That won't happen with this lightweight cooler because it is designed to be completely leakproof. This RTIC cooler is made with heavy-duty nylon and a durable zipper that won't let liquid spill out.

If you're heading to a pool or lake, you'll be happy to know that it floats. You can pack this cooler on even the most rugged adventure since the liner is resistant to punctures and tears. The 2-inch closed-cell foam insulation is intended to keep your items cold for up to 24 hours. There are four sizes ranging from a 12- to 40-can capacity as well as nine color options. Need something smaller? The 6-can Everyday Cooler is compact and collapsible.

Travelers appreciate: Owners of this cooler bag say it is the perfect cooler bag for lake, river and ocean activities since it floats, though a few travelers noted the zipper can be a little tough to unzip.

Price: $149.99 or less for 40-can size Shop now: RTIC | Amazon

Courtesy of TOURIT

Capacity: 16 cans

What sets it apart: If you're looking for a budget-friendly cooler bag with lots of bells and whistles, this is the bag for you. The soft-sided backpack design makes it easy to carry, and its dual compartments keep your cool items separate from snacks that don't need to be on ice. The leak-resistant cooler includes front and side pockets, as well as a handy bottle opener on the backpack strap. Available in three colors, this insulated backpack keeps food cool for up to 16 hours.

Travelers appreciate: Purchasers praise the multiple pockets for storing gear, with some reviewers mentioning that this bag is also great to use as a lunchbox.

Price: $37.77 or less Shop now: TOURIT | Amazon

Capacity: 36 cans

What sets it apart: Whether you're heading for a picnic in the park or a day at the beach, this wheeled cooler makes it easy to transport your snacks and beverages. It has a sturdy, wide base and locking telescoping handle, as well as five exterior pockets to store your phone, reading material, sunscreen and reusable bottles.

There's also a handy compartment on top for additional nonperishable items – a great place to pack plates and utensils. The hard plastic interior liner makes the cooler easy to clean. If you want a cooler bag with a bit of glam, check out Igloo's Luxe Collection , made with vegan leather.

Travelers appreciate: Customers appreciate the effortless portability of the cooler bag, saying that the cooler is easy to pull and lift when navigating a number of environments.

Price: $91.59 or less Shop now: Igloo | Amazon

Courtesy of REI

Capacity: 20 cans

What sets it apart: For those who want to go for a long hike, this cooler backpack is essential for hitting the trail, especially since it can keep your items cold for up to 40 hours. Able to hold up to 20 cans and 10 pounds of ice, the cooler has a padded, adjustable hip belt and a chest strap to hold it in place while you're on the move.

Three exterior pockets provide room for storing other supplies. The best feature is the removable leakproof cooler insert – take it out to easily clean it or use it as a separate cooler and backpack. You can also feel good about this purchase since it is made with recycled materials.

Travelers appreciate: Recent purchasers were grateful for the comfortable straps, which they say made the cooler easy to carry.

Price: $99.95 or less Shop now: REI

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Capacity: 36 to 48 cans

What sets it apart: If you're packing for a family or large group, this bag has plenty of room. In addition to its large capacity, the cooler features external zippered pockets and pouch pockets with elastic cuffs. The shoulder strap and interlocking carrying handle make it easy to haul. An added plus with this design is that the flip-top lid stays open while you're grabbing something from inside. This cooler is available in three colors.

Travelers appreciate: Customers love this cooler bag for trips to the grocery store, camping and long road trips. Users mentioned that it works best with bagged ice or ice blocks, rather than loose ice that can lead to leaks.

Price: $84.95 or less Shop now: L.L.Bean

Capacity: 16 to 24 cans (15 liters)

What sets it apart: The crossbody strap allows for hands-free carrying of this high-performance cooler bag that can hold 15 liters (up to 16 cans with ice or 24 cans without). With this durable design, liquids won't leak out or get in. You also don't have to worry if it falls off the boat, because it's water-resistant and it floats. When you're not using it, you can easily roll it up for storage.

Travelers appreciate: Customers who own this cooler bag highly recommend it for keeping items cool all day. Others commented that they appreciate the roll top, rather than a zipper closure.

Price: $84.95 or less Shop now: ICEMULE | Dick's Sporting Goods

Courtesy of RovR Products

Capacity: Around 12 cans (13 liters including ice)

What sets it apart: This unique design makes a great portable cocktail bar, with room for spirits, mixers, garnishes, drinkware and even some finger foods to snack on. Use it as an alternative to a picnic basket to keep your food fresh while enjoying a concert in the park or a romantic alfresco meal. The stainless steel, vacuum-sealed ice container nestled in the middle keeps things cool and can also be used as a removable ice bucket. There are separate compartments to keep things organized and a sturdy carrying handle. Order one for your next outdoor event.

Travelers appreciate: This caddy has been praised by customers for its compartments that make things easy to organize. Some do express, however, that the plastic handle for the ice bucket seems flimsy.

Price: $149.99 or less Shop now: RovR | Amazon

Courtesy of YETI

Capacity: 30 cans

What sets it apart: Looking for a sturdy and durable cooler bag? This is it. YETI's Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler can hold 30 cans or 28 pounds of ice. The material is designed to protect the bag from punctures, UV rays, and mildew both inside and out. This rugged cooler is ready for any adventure with a high-performance zipper, a leakproof construction and closed-cell rubber foam insulation. If you want a smaller-capacity cooler than the 18, the cooler comes in sizes 8 and 12 as well. A Rambler Bottle Sling can be attached using the Hitchpoint Grid system. For keeping things on ice for one person, YETI also makes a lunch box and lunch bag .

Travelers appreciate: Shoppers who purchased this cooler bag recently noted that the ice did not melt for hours, but some felt the zipper was difficult to open and close.

Price: $300 or less Shop now: YETI | Amazon | REI

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Sharael Kolberg is a U.S. News & World Report contributor with a wealth of knowledge when it comes to cooler bags. She often uses a cooler bag for road trips, hikes and days at the beach. Her favorite bag for long hikes with friends is the REI Co-op Cool Trail Pack Cooler . For beach and boat outings or picnics at the park, she prefers the Igloo Maxcold Fusion 36-Can Roller Bag . Kolberg used her experience as a frequent traveler and research expertise to curate this list of top cooler bags.

You might also be interested in:

• Beach Packing List: Essentials to Bring
• The Top Beach Bags
• The Top Beach Wagons
• The Ultimate Camping Checklist
• Road Trip Essentials: What You Need on Your Next Road Trip

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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The Best Travel Bags for Wherever You’re Headed

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best Carry-On for Most People Travelpro Maxlite 5 Read more

Best Hard-Shell Carry-On Away Carry-On Read more

Best Soft-Shell Carry-On Yeti Crossroads 35L Read more

Best Bag for a Lifetime Briggs & Riley Baseline CX Read more

Whew! You've made it all the way across the globe. But have your toothbrush, pajamas, and running shoes made it, too? If you're a frequent traveler, it's easy to obsess over the logistics of getting your stuff clean, organized, and in good working condition upon arrival. Paying for a decent travel bag and a few useful accessories means buying a little peace of mind, especially when a few yards of zippers and some nylon are the only barriers between your precious belongings and the belly of an airliner.

Whether you're slinging a duffel into a car trunk for a weekend trip or packing for a whirlwind jaunt across Asia, we've got you covered. Need a bag for your passport or groceries? Don't forget to check out our other guides, like the Best Laptop Backpacks and the Best Recycled Bags , for more picks.

Updated April 2024: We reorganized this guide and added new picks, such as the Yeti Crossroads, Tom Bihn Aeronaut and Trinity, the Frame Carry-On Max, the Lo & Sons O.G. 2, the Camelbak A.T.P. 20, the Calpak Luka Duffel, and the Rux 70. We also updated the information on sizing and checked links and prices.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED. com. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best Carry-On for Most People

Look around any airport—if you see flight attendants or pilots, they will probably be rolling around a Travelpro suitcase. We like Travelpros because you get a lot of bang for your buck. They're durable, light, and not too expensive.

For only a little over $100, the Maxlite 5 is one of the more affordable Travelpro suitcases, and at 5.4 pounds, it's very light! The exterior toiletry pocket is a nice touch for when you go through security and need to take out your liquids, and the zippers are also quite strong and don't tend to get stuck. The wheels also rolled nicely on both the spinner and roll-aboard versions. Reviewer Matt Jancer did note that the aluminum handle extensions did sometimes stick and the main grab handle on the bag is only single-stitched, which may cause durability issues farther down the line. However, he has seen no issues yet. This probably the best bag you can get in the $100 to $150 price range.

Best Hard-Shell Carry-On

Away's business practices may have raised some eyebrows , but there's no denying that this company changed the travel market entirely. It has increased in price since we first tested it, but multiple WIRED staffers still use the classic Away hard-shell carry-on ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) as their travel suitcase.

Hard-shell suitcases tend to be heavier. There's also not as much give in the case, so you may find it hard to squeeze in more items than in a soft-shell bag, bu they look a lot sleeker than their soft-shell counterparts and protect fragile items better. The Away weighs 7.5 pounds, which is pretty standard for a hard-shell carry-on. When I tested it, I liked that it had multiple height settings and that the polycarbonate shell wiped clean and stayed mostly scuff-free (it helped that my tester was in the darker navy color). Away's suitcases also come with a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, four spinner wheels capable of rotating 360 degrees, and an included laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from the rest of your stuff. The handle did feel a bit wobbly, though.

★ Alternatives: So many companies now offer a direct-to-consumer, stylish, hard-shell carry-on similar to the Away's. We've tried ones by Monos ($255) and July ($295) . Besides price, the differences are mostly negligible. I like July's aluminum bumpers, but they do add weight. The Monos's handle rolls out more smoothly, but the July's pebbled surface doesn't show scuffs as badly. Both have survived multiple cross-country trips, being checked as baggage, and being ridden on by two small children with no damage.

Paravel also offers an Aviator carry-on ($395) that touts itself as the world's first carbon-neutral carry-on; it has an interior lining made of recycled plastic bottles, a telescoping handle made of recycled aluminum, and vegan leather trim to help it stand out from all the plain black bags at the airport. Product reviewer Jaina Grey fell in love with its roomy interior and durable, anti-scuff hard-shell exterior.

Best Soft-Shell Carry-On

Yeti's coolers and cups are famous for being bomb-proof. The company recently launched a luggage line that's similarly overbuilt. The Yeti Crossroads 35L is a 22-inch roller bag that's carry-on size for most major airlines. It weighs 7.7 pounds, on par with soft-sided competitors of the same size.

I recently spent a week dragging the Crossroads up and down grimy subway station escalators, thumping it across cobblestones, and scrunching it into overfull overhead bins during a trip to London, Paris, and Brussels. The blue 700D nylon on the front and sides looks just as fresh as it did out of the box while the molded polycarbonate shell on the back has a few well-earned battle scratches. The two extra-large fixed wheels are rolling as smoothly as ever and hopped up curbs so well that I grew to favor them over smaller spinner wheels. The Crossroads has a half-dozen well-placed pockets and sturdy zippers that didn't give me any anxiety even as I tugged them hard while smooshing down to fit souvenirs into a carry-on with 8 days of clothing. —Martin Cizmar

Best Bag for a Lifetime

Do you only want to buy one suitcase and never think about it, ever again? Briggs & Riley is one of the few companies with a lifetime unlimited warranty. I bought a Briggs & Riley carry-on as my first and only post-college purchase. Right now, it has lasted over 20 years. Periodically, I bring it into the one Briggs & Riley-approved dealership in my town to get a zipper pull put back on, and it's fixed for free in a few days. Its components are top-of-the-line. The face fabric is a heavy-duty ballistic nylon that’s water-repellent and abrasion-resistant. After having been dragged all over the globe, from the Philippines to Turkey to Iceland, the gleaming red is just as bright.

The low-profile wheels nor handles have never broken. The grab handles are also luxuriously smooth and padded, and there's an interior folding garment bag for my husband's suits. The only downside is that at 9.3 pounds, it’s pretty heavy.

★ Alternatives: If you need an absolutely bomber-tough rolling suitcase and don't mind its 9.6-pound weight, the Pro Front-Access Carry ($799) will stand up to more abuse than most rolling bags, with its aluminum frame and 70-percent-recycled polycarbonate body. WIRED reviewer Chris Haslam says it's his favorite rolling bag in years. Jancer also likes Travelpro's Platinum Elite carry-on ($315) , which he calls one of the most high-end polycarbonate bags on the market.

Juliane Bergmann

Kathy Gilsinan

Julian Chokkattu

Best Backpack

When I reviewed the Cotopaxi Allpa in 2018 ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ), it had only recently launched. Now, a half-dozen years later, it is one of the most popular travel backpacks that I see online and in airports all over the world. It's a combination of a camping backpack, a suitcase, and a soft, frameless duffel. You can splay it open like a sandwich to pack it easily; access items through a side zip; put it on your backpack and secure its weight with a sternum strap; or squash or stomp it into any overhead compartment or corner of your car trunk. The use case for this bag is extremely specific—the same people who are bopping around Thailand for several weeks in one backpack are not the same people trying to look professional at a work conference. But it is sturdy and comfortable.

★ Alternative: I took the Ekster Packable Duffel ($250) on several weekend trips this spring, and found that it more than upheld its claims of being built for “smoother journeys, on and off the grid.” This travel bag converts from a backpack to a duffel, with two separate compartments that also splay open for easier packing. The 600-denier exterior and water-resistant zippers are so sturdy that when we ran out of space in the car, we lashed it to the roof rack with surf straps and drove for hours in the rain. It, and its contents, remained pristine.

Best Convertible Bag

Every serious traveler knows the name of Seattle-based Tom Bihn, manufacturer of bomber bags that will last you a lifetime. The Aeronaut 45 is the classic Tom Bihn convertible carry-on, which the size of the maximum allowable carryon bag on a plane.

You get everything from a Tom Bihn bag that you pay for. It’s made of incredibly sturdy 1050 denier ballistic nylon, with bombproof YKK zippers. It has both hidden backpack straps and an extremely comfortable cross-body strap. This is commerce director Martin Cizmar's bag, and he's tossed it around and lugged it down rough streets and through crowds where roller bags are a liability. He owns two and the first lasted for more than a decade. This is the bag that both he and I would use, if we didn't have to constantly test other bags.

Best Personal Item

Some airlines are not content with charging you extra for checking a bag and now charge you for overhead bin space . The Tom Bihn Trinity ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) addresses that problem by providing a space for you to pack everything you need while still fitting underneath the seat in front of you. As the name suggests, it has three main compartments and three ways to carry—either as a briefcase with padded grab handles, a backpack, or as a shoulder bag with two attachment points.

It has three main compartments which can be arranged to your liking; for example, on one of the side compartments, you can zip a water bottle holder into place or unzip it for more room. It wasn't quite as versatile as I expected; I found that I prefer a small duffel with one main compartment that I can organize as I like. However, it does fit under the seat in front of me, even with clothes, laptop, and four (four!) hardcover books that I somehow stuffed inside it.

Best Work Bag

I've been traveling a lot for work and for family reasons in the past few months, and the bag I prefer for my personal item is the Lo & Sons O.G. 2, which is the larger version of the brand's Nouvelle purse ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). It comes in a medium and a large version; the medium is adequate as an everyday bag, but the large turns it into a versatile work/travel bag. It’s low-profile and has both smooth leather grab handles as well as a shoulder strap. I have kicked it under plane seats and around airports, and the nylon doesn't show any damage. There's a hidden separate compartment if you spill water on yourself, and it has sturdy feet so you can put it on an airplane bathroom counter and dig for your makeup without it falling over or getting the bottom of the bag too disgusting. The toothed zippers do tend to crinkle and snatch at your knuckles when the bag gets overstuffed, but I suppose you could always, uh, avoid overstuffing your bag.

★ Alternatives: We have plenty of recommendations in our guide to the Best Laptop Totes , but we love Lo & Sons. The Catalina Supreme Tote ($338) is also great for weekend trips. Again, there's also a bottom compartment for a pair of shoes, or anything else you need to keep separate.

The Best Hiking Daypack

The Camelbak A.T.P. is so useful that I’m always startled to realize it only has a 20-liter capacity. I have it in the 100 percent recycled white color, which saves water and only emits half the greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the dying process. It’s a panel loader, which means you can unzip the top and see exactly where everything goes, like a duffel. This is convenient when packing for trips—I was able to fit clothes, a Dopp kit, and electronics for an overnight trip. (I know these types of zippers fail more often than top loaders, but it does make it easier to arrange and sort items near the bottom of the pack.)

I particularly like how narrow it is. It fits my back and goes under airplane seats that even my children’s backpacks can’t. The bottle pocket has a zipper that makes it expandable so it can fit a little coffee thermos or my giant Yeti water bottle . Exterior compression straps also help squeeze my clothes even smaller. This is a great backpack if you want something that looks sleek enough for a work bag but is durable enough to take on a weekend trip to Yosemite.

★ Alternative: I also love the Patagonia Black Hole Backpack ($149) . This 25-liter bag is the perfect combination work/adventure bag. The suspended 15-inch laptop pocket clips shut, and the rest of the pockets are thoughtfully placed. It’s extremely light (a little over a pound) and is made from 100 percent recycled ripstop fabric.

Best Duffel Bag

The Big Haul ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is our favorite duffel because it hits the right balance of robust build materials and pockets without being too heavy to lug around all day. The standout feature of the Big Haul series, which comes in 28-liter to 120-liter options, is the ability to easily reposition the carrying straps, which feature plastic fishhook-style ends that slip into fabric loops. You can connect one strap end-to-end or double up on two straps in an H pattern for more stability with heavy loads. Adding and removing the straps isn't super fast, but it's not difficult, either, and six low-profile loops seems less intrusive than six rattling plastic buckles.

Two small interior pockets and an exterior pocket keep small things organized, and its water-resistant fabric is thick and tough without being stiff. All the sewing around the grab handles feels very robust too. Padded backpack straps hide away under a padded pocket on the top of the bag. This means that when you sling the Big Haul over your shoulders to give your arms a rest, your back is against the relatively clean top of the duffel, rather than a wet, dirty bottom side that's been set down on the ground. The current iteration of the Big Haul is also made with recycled nylon. What's not to love? —Matt Jancer

★ Alternative: For slightly more money, the classic duffel in this category is the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel ($159) , which also comes in a variety of colorways and sizes. You can either carry it by the grab handles or with the shoulder straps, and it's made from 100 percent recycled polyester with a TPU-film laminate. I (Adrienne) have had the 40-liter version for almost 15 years now and the laminate has yet to peel. It also fits as a carry-on on flights.

The Best Expedition Bag

If you like outdoor sports, you probably need a good expedition bag—that is, a huge, burly duffel that you can just throw all your pointy ice axes, trekking poles, or camp chairs into that you can take anywhere and everywhere. Reviewer Matt Jancer's expedition bag of choice is the Red Oxx PR5. He's used it for whitewater paddling trips and to lug mountain climbing equipment from coast to coast without a single frayed thread. Everything about Red Oxx is overbuilt. The zippers are huge, its thick pieces of nylon webbing are robustly sewn, and chunky metal rings hang the detachable carrying strap. All that said, it's not abominably heavy. At 3.4 pounds it's still lighter than many wheeled bags.

★ Alternative: If you've ever gone to a popular outdoor destination, like Yosemite or Everest, you've probably seen stacks of North Face Base Camp duffels . This is the quintessential expedition bag. My own personal bag is the OnSight Tarmac EPO , but the company no longer exists; I also have a Mountain Hardware duffel ($180) and after 20 years, the coating has finally started to peel.

Best for Camping

We love everything from Rux; I'm currently testing the waterproof adventure tote ($150) and I use it for everything from my climbing gear, to picnic gear, to bringing my kids' roller skates and soccer balls to the park. I have also leaked an entire water bottle in it and it stayed contained and out of the bottom of my car.

But for camping (or any outdoor pursuit, really), what you need is a Rux storage system , which, as the artist and filmmaker Van Neistat puts it, will help you kit your shit . It holds its frame shape, which means you can stack and organize inside of it just like a box, but it folds down like a bag for easy storage once you're at your destination. It's also light and waterproof and comes with a wide array of accessories . This is an upgrade for everyone who currently sorts their camping, climbing, or snowboarding gear in a series of $5 plastic totes and stacks them in their trunk.

The Best Aluminum Suitcase

Perhaps you've seen those Instagram-friendly, shiny aluminum suitcases and wonder whether it's worth the investment. Aluminum is extremely durable and can be machined with precision. That means it will protect your belongings better, and you can close them with latches instead of zippers. Your suitcase will last longer and be more secure— zippers are pretty easy to break into —and generally have fewer points of failure.

In my opinion, the cost-benefit analysis generally weighs against them. Aluminum suitcases are usually heavier and won't flex as much if you have overpacking tendencies, and I find them painfully conspicuous. Any suitcase with a decent warranty policy will painlessly cover any repairs. If you must have one, we like Arlo Skye's the Frame. Arlo Skye was founded by alumni from Louis Vuitton and Tumi, and reviewer Matt Jancer says that everything about the Frame screams robust quality, from the leather grab handles to the combination-lock latches. It also comes with a removable battery bank and has a few more liters of carrying capacity than the similarly-sized Away. The main disadvantage is that the interior organization is a bit lacking.

★ Alternative: Do you want the benefits of an aluminum suitcase without the drawbacks? You might want to consider Monos's Hybrid Carry-On ($325) . You won't fool anyone into thinking you've shelled out for a 100 percent aluminum suitcase, but Jancer notes that it's only a pound or so heavier than the competition and the aluminum frame offered better protection than any 100 percent polycarbonate suitcase that he tried.

A Good Emergency Go Bag

To be clear, any bag here could be considered a go-bag—even a grocery bag works when you have to leave the house imminently. But reviewer Nena Farrell used Calpak's duffel for an emergency surgery, and she is kicking herself for not getting it sooner. It was big enough for everything from makeup bags and extra outfits to a massive book and Nintendo Switch, and was comfortable to carry thanks to the large straps.

The shoe compartment was big enough for sandals and slides, but not big enough for shoes with an ankle. It was also a great place to stash haphazard Ziplocs of emergency toiletries and medications. There are some side pockets inside too, plus an exterior side pocket and a pass-through panel to place it on top of your luggage. It was a great hospital companion, but Farrell can't wait to take the Luka somewhere a little more fun.

Other Bags We Like

Not every good product can snag a best-in-category title, but there are several more bags we've tested that get our thumbs-up.

Osprey Ozone 40L for $280 : At 4.47 pounds, Osprey claims this bag is the lightest carry-on suitcase. It's also made from 400D recycled bluesign-approved nylon and is treated with DWR. This bag is light enough to easily hoist above my head and has also been checked multiple times.

Gregory Alpaca 40 Duffel for $140 : This duffel weighs a scant 2.7 pounds, but the water-resistant fabric and extraordinarily beefy (though plastic) buckles make it a solid bag for adventuring. There's an exterior pocket for storing shoes or dirty clothes. The backpack straps don't tuck away for storage—you have to unclip them—but might be the most well-padded, comfortable straps I've encountered on a duffel. Exterior daisy chains and an interior zippered pocket round out the impressive features list.

Land's End Waxed Canvas Duffel for $180 : Most duffel bags these days are made of nylon, and while it's tough to call a material that's been popular since the 1940s “modern,” nylon bags don't have the old-school charm that this waxed canvas bag does.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 40L for $149 : This bag weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces, which is only slightly heavier than air. It also has backpack straps that stow away in a front pocket.

Skyway Epic Carry-On for $160 : At 7.1 pounds, the Epic is an average weight. The handle is a wee bit more finicky than our top pick, and the Travelpro's wheels glide a little more nicely. Still, the Epic is a solid choice.

Target Signature Weekender Bag for $81 : Looking like a cross between a duffel and a handbag, the Weekender has a structure that product reviewer Louryn Strampe says can become overfilled, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring it onto a plane as a carry-on. She appreciates its durability and the many internal pockets for organization, though, and its rather long five-year warranty.

Solgaard Carry-On Closet Plus for $345 : It's a tiny bit over what most airlines list as the maximum dimensions, but the difference is so small that it's accepted 95 percent of the time. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe praises its optional clip-in closet clothing organizer, which makes for efficient packing. The built-in TSA lock is easy to use, and there's an internal power-bank pocket. This suitcase is included in our Favorite Recycled Products guide.

Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $200 : This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. Standout features include an interior fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles and a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage.

Adidas Defender Duffel for $40 : If you're looking for an inexpensive duffel that'll handle some light-duty traveling, this is a good way to save $100. The fabric is significantly thinner and less sturdy than that of other duffels in this guide, and it lacks backpack straps. But for taking on the train or tossing into a car trunk, it'll do the trick.

Bags We Don’t Like

Some bags just aren't worth the asking price, especially with so many good alternatives at all price points.

Peugeot Voyages Carry-On Spinner for $595 : What a price tag for a plastic-case suitcase. You can see where Peugeot tried to imbue the Voyages with some luxury, such as the metal riveting and built-in travel locks, but the case felt no more solid than a budget hard-sided bag, and the USB charging port felt cheap, like an outlet you'd find built into a seat in an airport terminal.

Eagle Creek Caldera Convertible International Carry-On for $469 : At 6 pounds, 2 ounces, this bag is a bit heavy. There's a zip-off 19-liter backpack that you can separate from the rest of the 37-liter bag, but when they're zipped together, the combined size doesn't meet carry-on restrictions.

Ebags CTS Carry-On Spinner for $200 : This one wasn't awful, but there are much better options for the money. Its hard plastic sides felt more brittle than the hard-sided plastic Away suitcases. The handle rattles a lot and it didn't roll quite as smoothly as other bags.

A Few Travel Accessories

Once you've got your bag, you'll want to pack it with a few more useful items:

Apple AirTag for $24 : If you have an iPhone, it's one of the best ways to keep a digital eye on your bags. Drop an AirTag into an interior pocket to make sure you and your luggage are reunited at your destination. Don't have an iPhone? We suggest the Chipolo in our guide to the Best Bluetooth Trackers .

Eagle Creek Specter Pack-It Cubes Three-Pack for $35 keep everything inside your bags organized by allowing you to separate it into different cubes, so you won't ever have to hunt through seven pairs of socks to find your bathing suit again.

Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case for $75 : Calpak’s viral clear cases come in three sizes and a ton of colors for the edge trims. Reviewer Nena Farrell loved the small size for my gym bag and traveling with a smaller carry-on bag, while the medium was a great size for my daily makeup or larger suitcases.

Troubadour Buddy 2.0 Tech Case for $75 : You probably need a case to organize your spare charging cables and power banks. I've been testing this compact, waterproof, and recycled bag that fits neatly into my personal item.

UrPower Portable Steamer for $24 beats a travel iron because it's far lighter and you don't need to hunt down an ironing board at your hotel. WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano and I both have been using UrPowers for years. For a tiny thing, it's powerful and effective at steaming practically anything. You just need to refill it often.

Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale for $15 is handy when you're packing a heavy bag for an upcoming trip. Use it to weigh your luggage and make sure it's within the weight limits. International airlines are sticklers for carry-on weight, and even American airlines will be unforgiving about weight for checked bags.

InCase MacBook Sleeves for $50 will keep your laptop from bearing the damage caused by airport security lines. Travel through an airport without a case and it's only a matter of time before a bare laptop or tablet picks up nasty scratches and dents. Check our guide to the Best MacBook Accessories for more.

How to Pick the Right Size Bag

Every airline sets its own dimensional requirements for carry-on baggage, so if you want to be safe, you should check your airline's requirements before packing. But broadly, they're split into two categories: domestic and international.

Domestic flights by US airlines (and a few others) have standardized on 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

International carry-on bag sizes tend to be about 21 inches tall and a bit narrower, but they're all over the place. It's tough, because many international airlines will measure your bags at the airport and reject anything even slightly bigger than the allowed size. If you fly outside the US a lot, you may as well buy a bag sized for international flights.

You'll also want to check each airline's weight limits. They vary wildly, but some international airlines restrict you to 15 or 20 pounds, including the weight of the bag itself. For example, there are some East Asian airlines that limit carry-on bags to 11 pounds. Once you subtract 6 or more pounds for the bag, you're not left with much wiggle room to put stuff inside.

When to Remove Battery Banks

Battery banks, also known as power banks, are a travel must-have. Whether you're using a tablet to watch movies on your flight or relying on your phone to coordinate rideshares, hotel check-in, and handle your boarding passes, you've got to keep those devices charged and topped up. Many bags offer a removable battery bank that slides into a special pocket or notch of the suitcase.

For carry-on luggage on a flight in the US, you're allowed to bring a lithium-ion battery of 100 watt-hours or less. You don't need to remove it from the suitcase's pocket if you're storing your bag in the overhead bin.

Lithium-ion battery banks are not allowed in checked luggage. If you check your bag or have to gate-check it, make sure to remove the battery bank before you give your suitcase to the gate agent. Slip the battery bank into your purse, backpack, or pocket for the duration of the flight.

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Travel Coolers

If you’re heading off on your next camping trip or driving cross country, you’ll want a cooler to keep snacks and drinks fresh on the road. Igloo makes a variety of portable coolers, backpack coolers, and grab-and-go tumblers that lock in freshness—and are as ready for the next adventure as you are.

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18 Best Travel Backpacks, According to Frequent Flyers

By Gabrielle Porcaro

As someone who frequently travels, I've slung duffels, totes , and travel purses on my arm, but nothing compares to using the best travel backpacks. Depending on the length of your trip, a suitcase can either be too bulky or not big enough, so you'll need the vital second bag to make sure all your clothes, tech, and gear securely arrive at your destination. Plus, traveling with a backpack can be more supportive for your back, freeing up your arms and hands to pull out directions on your phone or to hold an iced coffee. Backpacks can also be surprisingly roomy, so everything you need (or want) on your trip fits as comfortably as possible. The good news is there are a wide range of excellent options to suit any and all of your needs. Below, we found the most travel-friendly options and tapped Glamour editors and some of our frequent-flier friends to share the best travel backpacks.

What to look for in a travel backpack

When shopping for luggage items like a travel backpack, the comfort and capacity of the bag is key. You want it to feel easy on the body, which means wide straps or a hip belt to distribute weight, which comes in handy if you're running to catch a plane or carrying it through a crowded subway. Bonus points if the straps are they adjustable and padded. Consider the material: Is it lightweight, soft, and made of durable material like water-resistant fabric? As for size, think about the use of the backpack. There are weekender bags and carry-on size options you can use for long weekends or smartly packed weeklong vacations and styles for short day trips, hikes, or shopping excursions.

The best travel backpacks, at a glance

• Best Overall : Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack , $210
• Best on Amazon : Shrradoo Extra Large 52L Travel Laptop Backpack , $33
• Best Daypack : Lululemon Everywhere Backpack , $78
• Best Budget : Coofay Carry On Backpack , $30
• Best for Commuters : Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack , $95
• Most Stylish : Tumi Voyageur Just in Case Packable Nylon Travel Backpack , $150

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Overall : Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

Here's a simple, sleek backpack with plenty of built-in organization. “My twin sister and I have traveled the world together, and this bag came in particularly handy on our trip to South America when we both needed more room besides our carry-on luggage. What I loved about this piece is it's essentially a suitcase with straps. The wrap zipper fully opens up, allowing you to see and organize your goods into the compartments. Crafted in repurposed nylon, the exterior is one of a kind, and the colors made it easier to spot one another through the crowds,” says Glamour contributor Gabrielle Porcaro .

Capacity: 42 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros: Repurposed nylon body; suitcase layout; weight-distributing harness system
• Cons: Can easily show dirt

Best on Amazon : Shrradoo Extra Large 52L Travel Laptop Backpack

As a runner-up, consider this the Swiss Army knife of backpacks. Hidden in this compact, durable bag are 20 pockets and compartments to accommodate and organize everything from clothes to an umbrella to power cords. A practical standout feature of this travel backpack is an external USB port with set-in charging cables to charge your phone (just remember to charge your power pack before heading out on your trip). Another noteworthy aspect is the U-shaped 3D breathable mesh straps designed to relieve stress from shoulders and reduce a sweaty back.

Capacity: 52 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros: So many pockets for organizing; USB charging port; comfortable
• Cons: Chunky, technical look

Best Daypack : Lululemon Everywhere Backpack

Lululemon gets a lot of love for its Lulu leggings and activewear, but don't sleep on accessories like its laptop bags . A classic backpack with a modern design, the Everywhere Backpack has a clean appearance that will effortlessly match your look. Inside it's spacious and has a padded pocket that fits a 16-inch laptop. On the exterior is a front zipper pocket for keys, antibacterial wipes, headphones…whatever you need handy while on the go.

Capacity: 22 L / Waterproof : Water-repellent

• Pros: Internal laptop sleeve; side water bottle pockets; lightweight
• Cons: No luggage strap; not a ton of pockets

Best Budget : Coofay Carry On Backpack

This affordable, multifunctional pack is lightweight but can hold a lot and easily fit under an airline seat as a carry-on. “I loved the space and compartments of this bag. It's durable and packed a lot of room for so many things. The luggage handle strap is also a bonus if you're hauling a roller bag,” wrote one Amazon reviewer . Bonus: It has a shoes and a wet pocket compartment.

Capacity: 17 L / Waterproof : Yes

• Pros: Separate shoe compartment, 29 color options; USB port design
• Cons: Short luggage strap

By Malia Griggs

By Emily Tannenbaum

By Elizabeth Logan

Best for Commuters : Everlane the ReNew Transit Backpack

Whether you're a college commuter or in the office most days, this is an excellent option for everyday travel or work trips. It's a go-to for Condé Nast associate director of box business operations Haley Welch . “The separate laptop compartment makes organizing seamless, as does the front and upper zipper compartments, which is great for a Kindle,” she says. She likes that the chic and minimal look effortlessly mixes with every outfit, from comfy travel joggers and hoodies to a work-appropriate suit or dress.

Capacity : 27 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros : Internal and external water bottle holders; zipper pocket on top; made from renewed materials
• Cons : Only holds a 15-inch laptop

Most Stylish : Best Tumi Voyageur Just In Case Packable Nylon Travel Backpack

For anyone looking for a dressier option for their everyday commute or regular work trips, Tumi has a gorgeous style. Don't let the sleek appearance fool you; the zipper reveals a very roomy interior but still folds flat. A two-way zipper makes it easier to grab whatever you need from the inside with a smaller front pocket as well. There’s also a very convenient add-to-a-bag sleeve to secure this nicely over your suitcase handle, making it one to use on daily and international excursions. It's so stylish it can double as a cute work bag for office days.

Capacity: 15"H x 12"W x 4 1/2"D. (Interior capacity: large) / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros :Packable; folds down flat; lightweight
• Cons: Doesn’t fit a ton

Best for Organization : Snoffic Travel Backpack

If remaining organized is of the utmost importance while traveling or in everyday life, look no further than this North Face backpack. This wallet-friendly pick has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon and under $35 price tag. “I was able to pack a week's worth of summer clothes in it, which included two summer dresses," says one Amazon reviewer . Not only does this bag offer ample space and waterproof material, but it also includes two clear toiletry bags (also waterproof) to help you reduce your zip-lock baggie usage. Plus, it comes in a wide range of pretty shades.

Capacity : 40 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros : Nicely priced; roomy; includes two toiletry bags
• Cons : Boxy shape

Best for Pockets : Athleta Excursion Backpack

This pick, courtesy of Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs , is one that can hold every little trinket or gadget you own. “I thought this backpack was going to my go-to for hiking, but it’s actually my go-to for pretty much everything. I love how sleek it is, and yet, despite its slim appearance, it manages to fit my 15-inch laptop, my secondary screen, charger, headphones, e-reader, and mouse. It has handy organizational features, like an inner key ring, zippered outer pockets for me to stash my lip gloss and phone, and not one but two mesh pockets that fit my water bottle and an umbrella. Its handles are also made of a breathable fabric—so useful when I’ve worked up a sweat while out and about.”

• Pros :Lightweight; ripstop material resists snags and tears; mesh back panel for added support
• Cons: Larger on top shape

Best Minimalist Design : Dagne Dover Dakota Medium Neoprene Backpack

“On my last flight I saw not one, not two, but multiple travelers with this style hanging from their backs. As someone who regularly takes Dagne Dover bags on trips, I understand the popularity. The neoprene material is strong, soft, and stretchy, which causes the bag to flex to your body and whatever you put inside. It's forgiving, allowing you to fit in and possibly overstuff everything you need for a trip. It also washes well, ensuring it will always have that chic appearance even after some wear and tear,” says Porcaro. Dagne Dover also makes excellent diaper backpacks like this parent-approved Indi Diaper Bag .

Capacity: 16 L / Waterproof : No

• Pros: Packs a lot; machine washable
• Cons: Neoprene is a bit heavier than other material; material creases easily

Best for Airplane Travel : Augustnoa Classic Noa

“So many features drew me to this bag: the eco-friendly (plus water-friendly) material, smart design, and luggage sleeve—a must for any travel carry-on piece. There are ten pockets and compartments to organize essentials, something I took full advantage of when using. As an active person trying to hydrate more, I also appreciated the side pockets that securely held my water bottle (I bent over, and it didn't budge). It also includes a removable drawstring bag, something I always forget to pack for morning workouts and overnight travels,” says Porcaro.

Capacity: 21 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros: Pockets on straps; laptop and tablet sleeve; two water bottle holders
• Cons: Pockets in the back and on straps are small

Best Roll Top : Roark Passenger 27L 2.0 Bag

Expandable storage is always a plus with any travel bag. This backpack, from super cool brand Roark, has an adjustable top to allow more room. The roll-top also has a magnetic entry, allowing for easy and secure access on the move. Interior and exterior pockets, including one for your tablet or laptop, sunglasses, and a hidden pocket for your passport, are specific details that make this a unique backpack. Ergonomic air mesh padded straps, a quilted back, and chest straps prevent this from adding any discomfort to your travels. The appearance calls for adventure, but it equally works in cities.

Capacity: 27 L / Waterproof : 100% Nylon

• Pros: Streamlined look; quilted back; magnetic closure top
• Cons: Could use more internal pockets

Best Large Travel Bag : Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

The beauty of this bag is it says it right in the title—it's a black hole. With a 55-liter capacity, there's no doubt it will hold everything you need for a long weekend or even a long weekend trip. Ultra-comfortable to carry, it's perfect for hiking excursions, camping trips, or multi-city European backpacking adventures. Durably made with 100% recycled fabric, this fits in the overhead bin; if you want to check it, you can trust it will return to you just as you left it.

Capacity: 55 L / Waterproof : Water Repellent

• Pros: Large, carry-on size, top and side handles; removable shoulder straps
• Cons: Rugged design

Best for Laptop : Herschel Kaslo Dayback Tech Backpack

If you're looking for a laptop backpack , this is a top choice. Hershel backpacks are a go-to for marriage and family therapist and mom of two boys, Whitney Steller. “I have had this for almost six years, and the quality is amazing. No rips or anything and the straps are still comfortable. “The classic grade school look was also a draw and the fact that it fits perfectly under a plane seat. This style, in particular, is eco-friendly, made from post-consumer water bottles, and has a padded compartment to fit up a 15-inch laptop.

Capacity: 20 L / Waterproof : No

• Pros: Optional strum strap to help disturbed weight; padded compartment for laptop
• Cons: No luggage sleeve

Best Y-Pack : Topo Designs Y-Pack Backpack

This is an awesome option for anyone who ends up leaving a trip with more than they brought. “The adjustable Y-shaped strap can be tight and secure or loosened to allow for more room, which is the reason why this is a piece of heavy rotation for me. It always shocks me how much I can fit/shove into the main compartment yet still slide my laptop out of the back sleeve. No matter if it’s filled with a hoodie and various pouches holding makeup, power cords, and snacks; it's easy to access. I like to use the zip pocket on the top to store antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, headphones, and anything else I want easy access to once I arrive on the flight,” says Porcaro.

Capacity: 23.8 L / Waterproof : No

• Pros: Drawstring closure offers more space; zip pocket on top for easy access; durable material great for travel and the outdoors
• Cons: G-hook buckle closure can sometimes be tough

Best Waterproof : SealLine Skylake Dry Pack

The beauty of this piece is that it rolls up for easy packing within a suitcase or larger travel backpack. The fact that it's created from an extremely lightweight material also ups the packability and wear factor. Jen Ator, a personal trainer, used this on her honeymoon in Thailand. “Not only was it super sturdy and waterproof, but it fits everything we needed during day trips.” She also pointed out how handy the exterior pocket was for easy access to essentials like a phone to snap a picture of her and her husband.

Capacity : 18 L / Waterproof : Yes

• Pros: Lightweight; stowable
• Cons: No interior pocket

Best Convertible : Thule Crossover 2 Convertible Backpack

Adaptability is vital when traveling, and this Thule convertible backpack offers various ways to hold it. If you're in a tight space, de-boarding, or want to give your shoulders a break, there is a longer shoulder strap and top handle to hold. Inside the backpack, you'll find compartments that look like your favorite easy-rolling carry-on suitcase, making it easy to keep everything with you secure and organized. Another standout feature is the exterior crush-resistant SafeZone compartment that's perfect for storing sunglasses or a phone.

Capacity: 21 ¾"H x 14"W x 8"D. / Waterproof : Water Resistant

• Pros: Crust resistant, two-way zip closure, RFID-shielded pocket;
• Cons: Expensive

Best for City Travel : PAK Large Nylon Backpack

“As a backpack I recently added to my collection, I was impressed by how many features were hidden in what seemed like a pretty basic bag. First, it’s worth noting how seamlessly this slid on and off my back, making it a breeze to sit on the subway or grab my wallet to buy coffee. At first glance, I was confused about the zipper on the bottom of the front pocket, but when I realized it was a coat sling, which, as someone who runs cold and always has an extra layer, is something I will use again and again. Another made-for-me feature is an extra large pocket for water bottles since it’s a personal pet peeve when they aren’t wide enough for standard sizes. Having only worn this around the city for daily life, I appreciate that the shape and look of the pack are city-ready and more polished. When I take this on international trips, I look forward to using the hidden theft-proof compartments,” says Porcaro.

Capacity: 13.5”L x 7” W x 14” H / Waterproof : No

• Pros: Easy access pocket in the back, Coat sling, Large side pockets
• Cons: Not super large

Best Customizable : Roam Continental Backpack

Anyone who is a fan of customization will appreciate this pick. Buyers can choose the color they want on the front, back, side, and straps to create a bag that is uniquely theirs. This is favorite of Glamour commerce editor Jenifer Calle , who has been using it for years. “It fits enough for weekend trips and vacation travel. I particularly like that the side zippers fit my Owala water bottle and there are plenty of zipper and pockets to hold my wallet, keys, chargers, lip balms, and more” says Glamour’s Calle.

Capacity : 26 L / Waterproof : Water Repellent

• Pros : Customizable; 100-day trial period; soft material; luggage sleeve
• Cons : Expensive

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The 21 Best Travel Bags, According to Frequent Fliers

By Alyssa Lapid

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Whether you have travel lined up or your friend’s recent travel posts are inspiring your next out-of-office getaway, it’s high time to shop for the best travel bags. The type of travel bag you decide to get will depend on your travel destination, your budget, and your personal style. But with so many choices, it's hard to know what to pick. We spoke with frequent fliers and travel experts on the best tips to pick the right travel bag for comfortable, secure, and easy travel. Below are the expert-recommended picks and tips to help you choose. And if you’re flying, remember to try to keep up with safety travel precautions as best as you can.

• Makeup and Toiletry Bag

How to choose a travel bag

When it comes to shopping for luggage , experts agree that you should never sacrifice quality. “If you plan to travel often or take longer trips, it’s worth investing in higher-quality luggage,” Ciara Johnson , full-time travel blogger at Hey Ciara , tells SELF. Big-ticket items like suitcases should be long-lasting and durable. Otherwise, you’d be shelling out way more to keep replacing damaged bags. 

We know that wear and tear can’t be avoided, especially with luggage taking a beating on planes and buses. Megan Homme , a travel blogger who also works in the airline industry, has a tip for that. She says to opt for a dark-colored suitcase to hide scuffs better. “Lighter colors will show wear and age much more quickly,” she says. Pro tip: Add a unique luggage tag to make your bag stand out from the others at the conveyor belt seat.

If possible, try to opt for carry-ons to save time at check-in lines and speed through baggage claim—just make sure it passes the size requirement. “These days, it’s more important than ever to use carry-on because of the chaotic systems at understaffed airports,” says Caroline Eubanks, writer and author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States . “You should ideally be able to manage your own bags and not rely on flight attendants.” Her pro tip: Always look up what type of plane you’ll be on. She notes, “for small, regional routes, the standard carry-on bag won't fit in the overhead bin.”

Shopping tips

When it comes to the actual shopping part, Johnson recommends shopping by need and tendencies. Will you be staying in hotels or hostels? Will you be taking shorter or longer trips? Will you be traveling in places with an established or developed infrastructure? Spinner wheels are easier to haul through airports, but if you’re backpacking in Europe, ditch the spinners for a backpack to avoid the cobblestone streets that will surely wreck the wheels.

Johnson also adds, “If possible, you should examine the product in-store. However, the most innovative luggage brands typically only exist online." She recommends doing research and comparing various luggage brands before you make a purchase. She adds that some brands even offer a “try-before-you-buy policy, along with a lifetime warranty.” Generally speaking, travel bags are not the place to save some money on your travels, but there are ways to find deals, especially during shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And if you enjoy the thrill of secondhand shopping, Eubanks says she’s gotten a deal or two shopping thrift. “Secondhand can be a good way to save money.” 

You also don’t need to be a pro packer or inherently organized to pack well. All you need are pockets. Johnson says a good rule of thumb when shopping for any travel bag is “the more pockets [and] organizers, the better.” Use them for separating clean clothes from sullied ones. You can even separate gifts for loved ones to take home after your vacation. According to Johnson, you can’t go wrong with the following features for luggage options: 360 spinner wheels, expandability, compression straps, endless pockets, a side handle, built-in TSA locks, and polycarbonate material.

Best travel bags

Here are 21 expert-recommended travel bags for every kind of traveler to help you narrow down your options and focus all that logistical planning on your itinerary. We broke it down by luggage and suitcases, carry-on bags, backpacks, fanny packs , crossbody bags, tote bags, and makeup and toiletry bags.

Béis The 29-Inch Rolling Spinner Suitcase

As far as check-in bags go, Johnson says the Beis 29-Inch Large Check-in Roller is “one of the most functional suitcases on the market.” Beis is owned by Pretty Little Liars alum Shay Mitchell and has been a hit since its launch. Its many features include everything you’d need in a check-in suitcase: multiple pockets and organizers, a built-in TSA lock, a laundry and shoe bag, and an ergonomic handle for easy lugging. Her favorite feature? “There's a built-in weight indicator that tells you if your bag is overweight.”

Hartmann Ratio 2 Global Carry On Expandable Spinner

For soft-side suitcases, the technologically-advanced Hartmann Carry-on comes highly recommended. Eubanks loves the bag’s “flexibility,” including the pockets for reading materials and documents that are often lacking in hard-shell cases. The best features are the padded, trifold garment suiters it comes with for keeping formalwear or business outfits tidy and pressed, and the bag has built-in USB ports, so you can charge your gadgets while in transit.

Away The Carry-On Flex

Away Travel

Frequent fliers love Away’s suitcases. Homme, who always travels carry-on only, prefers Away’s The Carry-on Flex because its expandable feature ensures extra storage allowance for shopping. Plus, she points out, “I recommend hard-shell luggage because you never know what could leak out of someone else’s bag in the bins.”

Away The Bigger Carry-On with Pocket

“The quality of Away luggage is incredible across the board,” says Johnson, who is a fan of the brand and prefers The Bigger Carry-on with Pocket. Most hard-shell suitcases in the market don’t have external pockets, but this one features a water-resistant front pocket—perfect for keeping your travel documents and boarding passes available for easy access. It can even hold a 15-inch laptop. It has a removable, washable lining and a hidden laundry bag.

LuggageWorks Stealth Premier 22" 737 Rolling Bag

Luggageworks

Cierra Mistt, a flight attendant and TikTok travel influencer , only has one carry-on go-to: LuggageWorks’s Stealth Premier 22-Inch 737 Rolling Bag. Apparently, her crew feels the same way. “I know pilots and flight attendants who have had the same roll-aboards for 10 years and never had to get another,” she says, adding, “Durable is an understatement.”

Tumi International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On

Another expert favorite brand is Tumi for “extremely resistant and durable” bags. Though just in case it breaks when you’re on the go, Tumi offers worldwide support anytime, anywhere. Mar Pages, co-founder of Solo Female Travelers and Solo Female Travelers Tours, says the Tumi Carry-on in particular is a popular choice for vacationers for a reason. “You will recognize this bag because they have been making it for well over 20 years with minimal improvements.” She particularly enjoys the “nifty details” like “outside hooks to hang your laptop bag” and “double bar handles so you can slide your laptop bag.”

Béis The Backpack

Another Béis favorite is The Backpack. “It is really, really spacious,” Kristina Rodulfo , beauty content creator and former Elle editor, tells SELF. Rodulfo notes that the bag “opens really wide which makes for easy packing” while still looking sleek as a solo bag for short getaways. It's designed to carry everything from your laptop to your gym stuff. If you want to pair it with a trolley, use the sleeve to attach it to your luggage.

Pacsafe Citysafe CS300 Anti-Theft Compact Backpack

This Pacsafe Citysafe backpack is a great hands-free, anti-theft option thanks to its slash guards, smart-zipper security, and an RFID-safe pocket. “The zippers can be attached with a clip, and one shoulder strap has a locking mechanism if you want to secure it around a table leg,” adds Eubanks. There are also a ton of pockets and compartments, including a laptop sleeve and two side pockets for holding water bottles or umbrellas.

Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack

If you're looking for an outdoor backpack , check out the Osprey Porter Travel Pack 46. Kristen Bor, founder of Bearfoot Theory Outdoor , recommends it if you're going on an adventure or outdoor trip and need a bag that can double as a daypack. “The U-zip compartment allows for easy packing and access to your gear, while the stowaway shoulder harness and hip belt give you options on how you want to carry your luggage: backpack style or over the shoulder like a duffel.” Osprey has been continuously perfecting the bag with slight improvements yearly, and it’s built with recycled fabrics making it an eco-friendly option.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Think a short hike will be on your itinerary? According to Bor, Osprey’s smaller Daylite Pack is a great find for light outdoor adventures. The lightweight backpack has compartments for a laptop and two water bottles for an itinerary that’s incredibly versatile. Take it to a coffee shop, a festival, or to a mountain summit.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia

Bor dubs the Cotopaxi Allpa 35 Del Día Travel Pack an “all-around functional, rugged carry-on bag” that can weather rougher terrain. “The exterior polyester and nylon shell resists moisture and defends your belongings against rough scrapes or tears during transit,” says Bor. It even comes with a rain cover.

Herschel Seventeen Hip Pack

Fanny packs are a great option for hands-free travel, and this versatile Herschel Seventeen Hip Pack Fanny comes highly recommended by Eubanks, who wears it on her hip and as a crossbody. Plus, she loves that there are some 25 colors to choose from. You could even wear it with a backpack like she does to have easy access to essentials like documents or a camera. 

Lululemon Clean Lines Belt Bag

This Lululemon bag is another great, stylish option with several pockets that make grabbing smaller items like lip balm, credit cards, and headphones easy. “I always recommend a belt bag for the airport to breeze through security and keep your ID and ticket easily accessible,” says Homme. Keep it on your hip during your flight if you’d rather not dig through the bag under the seat. 

Travelon Anti-Theft Parkview Hobo Crossbody

Many frequent fliers prefer anti-theft bags for venturing out during travels—especially when traveling alone. Pages recommends using the Travelon Anti-Theft Parkview Hobo Crossbody for places where pickpocketing might be a concern. “These bags are specifically designed with these types of thefts in mind and have added security features such as anti-slash straps to avoid the common motorbike run theft.” The bag also features other security features like secure zip locks and anti-RFID mesh compartments to keep credit card information safe.

Lululemon Easy Access Crossbody Bag

Here's another great crossbody bag option. “I normally keep my passport, cards, and phone in there when I’m walking through the airport and can easily access that when I get off the plane. In fact, it’s so easy that when we’re boarding, I can easily just slip it into my personal item and stow it under my seat with no worries," says Mistt.

The Daily Edited Mini Black Saffiano Leather Cross Body Bag

“Everyone needs a crossbody purse for travel,” Rodulfo insists, and her choice is TDE’s mini leather bag. It fits daily essentials including documents, a camera, and even sunscreen . The bag’s minimalist style also allows for outfit versatility. "It works for evenings out as well as during the day,” says Rodulfo. It helps not to look like a tourist all the time. Another cool feature? TDE items can be monogrammed, making it a great travel gift .

Tumi Everyday Tote

Lord & Taylor

If roomy tote bags are more your style, check out Tumi’s Everyday Tote. The lightweight nylon material makes it easy to lug around without hurting your back. The small details are what make it stand out, such as its pen loop, key ring, and magnetic snap phone pocket to ensure you don’t spend time rummaging through your belongings each time you need to get something. Pages likes to slide her tote on top of her Tumi Carry-on when traveling.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Travel Tote Bag

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 is a great hybrid tote with several organizational compartments. "It’s roomy enough to fit all of my actual personal items including electronics, chargers, and even snacks,” says Mistt. And it’s compact enough to fit comfortably under the plane seat or in the overhead bin. 

Kusshi Makeup Bag Plum Collection

You don't have to strip down your beauty or skin-care routine on vacation—at least, not with Kusshi’s Vacation Makeup Bag, which can hold 20 to 25 products. “Kusshi [bags] are by far my favorite because they are washable, fit a ton (including full-sized products), and have plenty of pockets for easy organization,” says Rodulfo. If you have a bigger beauty arsenal that includes makeup brushes and other skin-care tools , just add the attachments. “You could even include attachments like the makeup brush organizer for less fuss and digging while getting ready.”

Herschel Travel Kit

Another option for toiletries big and small is the Herschel Travel Kit. Johnson laments that it’s surprisingly difficult to find the perfect toiletry bag. She recommends this bag because it is extremely spacious with multiple pockets and slots for easy organization. It also comes in multiple colors, proving that toiletry kits don’t need to be boring.

• The Best Weekender Bags for Last-Minute Getaways
• 19 Packing Tips Frequent Flyers Swear By
• What to Bring on a Road Trip to Make Your Time So Much Better

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

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21 Cute Purses For Travel That Will Actually Fit All Your Stuff

Scroll down for purses that are both stylish and spacious.

BuzzFeed Contributor

1. A transformable tote  you can wear four different ways! You can rock this as a shoulder bag, crossbody, backpack, or as a handheld purse. And, it 👏  has 👏 pockets 👏  for 👏 days — including compartments for water bottles and a laptop.

It comes with removable straps to turn it into a crossbody or backpack, has a padded compartment to hold a laptop up to 15 inches, two side pockets, and two inner mini pockets.

Pond Los Angeles is an Asian woman-owned small biz making luxurious travel products.

Promising reviews: "Brought mine on my first business trip of the year, and I LOVE IT! Size = perfect, handle length = perfect, outer pockets for passport and hotel room key = perfect, durable and looks fab = perfect! Great job!" — Lisa

"First of all — the bag is beautiful. It's beautiful to look at and beautiful to carry around. You'll get compliments. Second — it's incredibly sturdy and well-constructed. Great size, too — not too big, but just big enough to carry your laptop and all the baby stuff. Tons of large and small pockets to keep your lipstick, lip balm, pens, and moisturizers all organized. The straps are a highlight — use one for single-shoulder strap or two for backpack. YES, it's comfortable when worn as a backpack. Third — the leather quality is impressive. I spilled a matcha latte on my bag and nearly cried. One baby-wipe later, it looks brand new . Accidents happen, but the Transform tote is prepared! Did I mention that my peony bag came with adorable little pink feet?" — Phoebe

Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $185  (originally $285; available in five colors). 

2. A popular  crossbody phone purse  that may look small, but it has so much room to hold all of your essentials without being bulky. It has three zipper compartments, a ton of slots for credit cards and money, and it'll fit most smartphones. I have to confess, I've been trying to decide which one to get for longer than I'd like to admit 🤫 — because not only does it have a bunch of room, but it also comes in a bunch of colors and styles!

Promising review: "Bought for a beach trip, and it was also perfect in the airport. Space for my phone, easily accessible cards, and an extra pocket for my pill container and lip balm! It’s durable and compact, also pretty sturdy — I hung my sandals from the strap while beach-combing and didn’t give them a second thought." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 33 colors and three styles). 

3. The well-known Marc Jacobs Tote Bag  you've probably seen all over social media because it's super chic and spacious. And, if you want extra compartments to keep it organized, reviewers recommend adding a purse organizer insert.

Promising review: "I love this bag. It’s cute and has so much room inside! I used it as a carry-on for plane rides a few times now. I’ve been able to fit my curling iron, make up, a sweater, wallet, sunglasses, some shower stuff, and more — it’s so roomy. And it zippers shut which is a plus. I got beige and really love it but I am not sure how to wash it without messing it up. I would probably go back and get black. It’s canvas material so dirt doesn't stick to it. I may buy black in the future." — jen6209

Get it from Nordstrom for $225 (available in three colors), from Marc Jacobs for $225 (available in six colors), or from Amazon for $173+ (available in eight colors). 

4. Or, a less expensive casual canvas tote  with three deep pockets that can hold your water bottle, umbrella, phone, and other essentials. And, it has a ton of space in the main compartment.

This is so roomy (and goes with everything), that it can even be used as a beach or gym bag and even as a weekender.

Tiacheung is a small biz that sells cute bags in various styles and colors.

Promising review: "Great everyday bag! So many compartments, which is handy. It is also quite sturdy, and the canvas material is nice and thick." — Vivi-Anna Leman

Get it from Tiacheung on Etsy for $33.29+  (originally $36.99+; available in six lining colors and an option to choose a custom color/size).

5. A  reversible faux-leather tote  because we all know it's super hard to choose the right purse when traveling to match with all of your outfits. Now, you'll have two options without having to pack an extra bag. This also has a lot of space to hold everything you'll need and it includes a zipper pouch that can double as a clutch.

Promising review: "Great bag. I bought the bag to use for my laptop and other things for when I travel. I used it this week to go to New York, it held my laptop and chargers, my wallet, my Kindle, wallet, and earphones, and shoes for changing when I got to the office. I put some smaller things in the pouch that I used to have in a zipper pouch in the side of another laptop bag I had. This was so much better and stylish and not heavy . Held up well for travel." — Carol Kennedy

Get it from Amazon for $39.99  (available in 20 colors).

6. A  backpack purse  if you want a very versatile option. You can get so much use out of this because you can use it for school or work and as the perfect vacay bag. And, just between us, you can use it as a backpack at the airport, and then switch it to a purse if any of the locations on your itinerary don't allow backpacks, like museums (shhhhh, I won't tell).

Promising review: "This bag is gorgeous. I’ve gotten lots of compliments on it. It’s a soft vegan leather and the color is very pretty. Lots of pockets, spacious and durable. I love how versatile this bag is. I use this for college and carry a ton and it all fits nicely. Im also able to transition to a purse and diaper bag. It does come with a messenger strap so you’re able to wear this over the shoulder which I love. It’s perfect for what I need. Great quality for the price. My only wish is that the lining was lighter, to make it easier to see items that are at the bottom of the bag. Other than that I highly recommend this bag." — Veronica

Get it from Amazon for $40.99+ (available in 28 colors/designs).

7. A wayyy more affordable  laptop bag that looks like the well-known Beis work tote you've likely seen all over your feed recently. This bag is perfect if you go on a lot of work-related trips or need to travel with a laptop or tablet.  

Let's get into this bag: It has three sections, one padded pocket designed for laptops or tablets up to 15.6, two big open pockets for documents or books, one large zipped pocket for your private belongings, two slip pockets and two pens pockets, and one small zipper pocket for smaller items like your ID, card, or wallet etc.

Promising reviews: "Love this bag! It fits everything I need and I love the size! Great look alike for the Beis work tote!" — Briana Ellis

"Everyone in my office thought this was an expensive bag; I received a lot of compliments. It fits two laptops and additional items and it’s cute! Also great for traveling!" — Gianna

Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in 11 colors).

8. A crossbody sling because reviewers say it's spacious and perfect for travel. The best part? You can be handsfree and have easy access to important stuff like your passport, phone, or wallet. It also comes in a variety of cute colors and has over 22,000 5-star ratings.

Promising reviews: "Used to travel around Disney with two kids. Although it seem small, it holds a lot. Love the separate pocket for my phone." — Amanda Gulla

"Great size for traveling and hiking. Love all the compartments. Light weight. Durable. Weather resistant. Vibrant color. Love it!" — nat_jax

Get it from Amazon for $22.07+ (available in 21 colors).

9. A sleek  anti-theft messenger bag to keep all your belongings safe. This bag is slash-resistant to prevent anyone from cutting the strap. It also has RFID blocking pockets, a light, and a locking system that keeps zipper pulls secured. Plus, it has a ton of room to keep all your essentials while traveling, including two side pockets that can hold drinks, so you won't have to shell out $7 for a tiny bottle of water.

Promising review: "I bought a much smaller bag to wear for vacation in Italy and was not as happy with it. So I bought this bigger bag. It fits much more of what I want to ensure stays with me. It is a good size, very lightweight, has all the right security features, and can be used as a cross-body bag. Very comfortable and accommodating of all my "necessities." I recommend this bag for traveling. " — Christel Lopez-Berryman

Get it from Amazon for $50.99+ (available in three colors).

10. Or! An anti-theft backpack purse  with a hidden storage compartment that zips from the back, so you can keep your travel essentials secure at all times *and* easily find your tech accessories or snacks without searching too much.

Not only does the backpack open from the inside, but it also has a phone pocket, document pocket, front zippered pocket, and an exterior side pocket. It's also made of nylon, so it's waterproof and has a strap to change it into a shoulder bag.

Promising review: " This backpack lasted an entire trip through several airports and layovers, and all across our trip through Europe. It was amazing. Because the main zipper sat against my back, I never worried about getting my items stolen. But I also had the luxury of having the two front zippers that were also surprisingly spacious to hold nonprecious items such as water bottles or cheap sunglasses, etc.  This backpack also is extremely durable. It was the perfect day pack to gather knick-knacks and souvenirs for friends and family and hold whatever I shoved in it!" — H Bradshaw

Get it from Amazon for $34.99  (available in two sizes and 14 colors).

11. An Aldo dome satchel handbag  because it can be worn as a top handle or crossbody and reviewers say it's " very spacious ." This is the perfect bag to go straight from the airport to dinner because it's just that cute and versatile. And, it includes a super adorable pom-pom (btw, it's removable if it's not your thing).

Promising review: "This bag is just what I ordered it’s versatile and it’s looks exactly like the picture.. spacious inside and the design of this beautiful bag is quite amazing.. I really like it.Yes I recommend this bag for any occasion. 💕🌷BEAUTIFUL. 🌷🌷" — Linda L. Mckinney Williams

Get it from Amazon for $45.48+ (available in three colors).

12. A Badgley Mischka quilted vegan leather tote  that has two large front pockets and a trolley passthrough so it can attach to your luggage easily. It's one of those bags that doesn't require you to sacrifice fashion for practicality. You can still look super stylish while traveling and carry everything you could possibly need.

Promising review: "This bag is simply beautiful! Can’t wait to travel with it! Very high quality!" — Tweebie

Get it from Macy's for $200  (available in two colors) or Badgley Mischka for $119   (available in two colors).

13. A fold-over purse , because it can be worn as a tote, crossbody, clutch and shoulder bag so you can rock this in a variety of ways all throughout your trip from the airport, to dinner, or even a wedding. 

Olena Molchanova is a woman-owned small business that sells unique handmade purses and bags for a variety of occasions.

Promising review: "Absolutely beautiful! I ordered this in the small size in yellow to use for an upcoming summer wedding and I LOVE IT!! Even my husband commented on how stylish and modern it is - and that is saying a lot! The quality surpassed my expectations. I will definitely be ordering again in the future!" — irenebozzini7

Get it from Olena Molchanova on Etsy for $225+ (available in five sizes and with add-on accessories like a tassel, an adjustable strap, and an interior zipper).

14. An affordable  water-resistant canvas tote bag that has a front pocket, a large interior,  three compartments including one for a laptop, and a matching zippered pouch. This durable bag can even double as a beach bag!

Promising review: "I have a bigger laptop (sorry I don't know the size), and was worried it wouldn't fit. Well, it DOES! I took this bag on the plane, and I love the little travel size bag that comes with it! This bag is PERFECT for many storage needs, and SO CUTE!!!" — Ms. C

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+  (available in four colors).

15. A mini duffel  because it has more pockets than I can even count and comes in a variety of super cute colors. 

Promising review: "Perfect travel bag! I'm happy so far with my beautiful bag. It will fit my kindle and many personal items for traveling. Great find and good price." — Lucy O'Connell

Get it from Amazon for $35.99+  (available in 20 colors/styles).

16. A four-piece set  that includes a tote bag, wallet, clutch, and a mini crossbody bag to meet your every need while traveling. If you love all your accessories to match, you'll be obsessed with these! And, it has over 29,000 5-star ratings because reviewers say this set is a great value and super durable.

Promising reviews: "I think this group of purses is a real bargain. The largest one would be great for traveling. It holds a whole lot in the middle size purse is great for every day I really like it." — N. Armstrong

" This set is just perfect for what I was looking for to travel. The large bag is well made and roomy to hold everything I want to carry-on the plane. The only criticism would be to have a lighter lining at least other than black. The purse is also nice with a comfortable colorful strap which I can use walking around the city. The other small pieces are nice as well. All in all a very good value that covers all bases!" — AAMartin

Get it on Amazon for $30.59+ (available in various colors/styles).

17. A sleek leather  bucket bag  with a large front pocket, spacious interior, and a removable pouch. Plus, it includes one leather and one colorful woven strap.

Promising review: "I had my doubts when I bought this purse, but let me say it is fabulous! Beautiful leather and expensive-looking design with two very nice straps. I prefer the matching leather strap but the woven strap is cute and on trend. Great tote size for traveling or everyday. I totally recommend!" — Texas Rancher

Get it from Amazon for $96.99  (available in 17 colors).

18. A nylon tote bag because it has a ton of compartments and pockets to secure and store all your stuff. It also comes in cute colors and patterns if you're looking for something fun. And, reviewers love that it's easy to clean.

Promising review: "Great travel bag. This bag was amazing! It fit my iPad Pro and laptop along with a notebook, book, and many other small items. It was great as my carry-on." — Tabitha Sharkey

Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in 11 colors/patterns).

19. A fanny pack  for a hands-free option so you can sip on an iced coffee while you're walking through the airport looking for your gate. It's perfect to tote around while sight-seeing, shopping, or even cycling because it has a number of pockets to hold all your things. The adjustable strap means you can wear it so many different ways! AND reviewers say it totally comes in clutch when you're wearing an outfit without pockets.

Promising review: " This bag holds a lot more than I expected and it’s great for travel or just running errands. I wear a lot of pants that don’t have pockets so this comes in really handy I usually wear it cross body style and love how efficient it is. Well worth the price." — martyigirl1

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in various colors/styles).

20. A triple zip crossbody bag  so you'll have separated sections for all your things, making it much easier to find what you're looking for. Now, you won't have to panic as you rummage through your bag searching for your passport.

Promising review: "My old purse needed replacing, and this was the perfect replacement. Not too big, not too small, great for traveling, waiting rooms in doctor offices, to carry kindle tablet, paperwork, small wallet, keys, phone, small hand sanitizer, etc. Roomy for what I need it for. Very pleased with this item and the purchase. LOVE the grey color. Highly recommend." — Ang

Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in 17 colors).

21. And an  Arden Cover anti-theft *and* waterproof vegan-leather purse  that'll keep your passport, credit cards, keys, and phone within arm's reach and protect them from rainy weather.

Arden Cove is a woman-owned brand founded by sisters Carmen and Karin Yuen after carrying disappointing bags and gear while globetrotting. 

It has a waterproof body and zipper, slash-proof lining all around, locking zippers, RFID blocking material, a chain shoulder that strap attaches to a post or chair, built-in wallet, shoulder pad on strap for added comfort, bottom studs to protect it from wear and tear when setting the bag down, and an interior D-ring to attach a keychain.

Promising review: "I have been using this bag as my ONLY purse for a full year now. I travel full time, and my #1 priority is to keep my belongings and my information safe, so this purse is a game changer for me.  I love the cut-proof chain, the slash-proof material, it's waterproof and it keeps RFID readers from stealing my credit card info. I get compliments on it all the time as I wear it through Europe, Asia, Canada, and the States! LOVE my Arden Cove!" — Kashlee Parmiter

Get it from Amazon for $149 (available in six colors and three chain drop lengths). 

You, amazing everyone with how much fits in your new purse:

Reviews have been edited for length and clarity.

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12 Travel Garment Bags to Look Good Everywhere

Be wrinkle-free everywhere you go

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

But choosing the best travel garment bag for your needs can be a challenge. There are a lot of options on the market, so we asked an expert about how to find the right one. According to Tumi creative director Victor Sanz, “Your garment bag should be sturdy, functional, and sleek. If you’re frequently traveling by plane, a garment bag that folds to fit carry-on requirements is essential.” He adds, “You want to find the size that will fit all your clothes without having to overfold them and will allow you to reach your destination in style.”

Best Quilted Garment Bag

Mz wallace michael garment bag.

Best Luxury Garment Bag

Tumi alpha garment bag trifold carry-on.

Best Garment Duffel

Halfday the garment duffel.

Best Timeless Garment Bag

Longchamp boxford garment bag.

Best Packable Garment Bag

Calpak packable garment bag.

Best Affordable Garment Bag

Amazon basics premium garment bag.

Best Durable Garment Bag

Hartmann metropolitan two-garment sleeve.

Best Personalized Garment Bag

Mark & graham commuter 2-in-1 garment bag.

Best Expandable Garment Bag

Samsonite ascella 3.0 softside expandable luggage.

Best Water-Resistant Garment Bag

Stitch ultimate garment bag.

It’s also important to consider bonus features, like pockets and organizational compartments, and, as Sanz notes, “A crucial function is to ensure that you’re able to hang your garment bag when you arrive at your destination, so that you can prepare your outfits as easily as possible and to ensure that all your clothes are crisp.” Keeping all this in mind, we found the 12 best travel garment bags out there today. Once you start using one of these, you’re never going to go back.

MZ Wallace’s signature quilting isn’t limited to the brand’s totes, appearing here in garment bag form. The thin design is extremely lightweight, ideal for quick trips when you need to bring one to three outfits. There is even an exterior pocket for bonus storage.

Dimensions: 22" × 3" × 39"

Materials: Oxford, leather

What reviewers are saying: “I have been interested in a MZ Wallace garment bag for a while. It is perfect! Just right proportions and size. Thoughtful design and construction details.”

Tumi always delivers premium luggage that will last you over a decade, and this garment bag is no exception. Sanz says: “It’s foldable, with a sturdy handle for easy carrying, making it convenient and compact for every type of travel. I also love that it has several zipper pockets, so I can pack my toiletries and other travel essentials all in one bag. When I arrive at my destination, I hang it in the closet and I know that I will be ready to go.”

Dimensions: 15" x 22" x 6"

Materials: Ballistic nylon

What reviewers are saying: “This bag stores so much for a carry on. I was able to comfortably fit 2 suits and more for a destination wedding!”

This duffel has been receiving high praise ever since its release. A few of the reasons it’s so popular: The duffel is carry-on friendly, water-resistant, and has interior and exterior pockets. And those are only a few of its distinguishing features. Choose an original or compact size for the style that suits your needs.

Dimensions: 22" x 12" x 12"

Materials: Polyester

What reviewers are saying: “The Garment Duffel is a great purchase, especially for anyone in an industry that takes short frequent trips. I was actually able fit quite a bit more clothes than I had anticipated. Took the bag to work and my company bought 20 of them to give to customers. Great purchase.”

Longchamp’s iconic nylon and leather trim takes on a garment bag silhouette. The two-tone design exudes sophistication, with practical touches like a top carry handle, built-in hanger, and front zip pocket.

Dimensions: 23.25" x 41.25"

Materials: Nylon, leather

What reviewers are saying: “I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend who travels a lot and needed a nice garment bag particularly for his suits. This bag is perfect! It fits his suit as well as a few extra shirts. The fabric is an amazing, durable quality, and the leather details make this product look incredible.”

This garment bag is actually designed to fit inside of your carry-on, rather than serving as a stand-alone piece. The water-resistant exterior protects against spills, and exterior zip pockets hold small accessories. It gets the job done, while taking up the least possible amount of space.

Dimensions: 40" x 19"

What reviewers are saying: “I use this bag when I need to workout at work. I go from a suit to athleticwear in minutes.”

Looking for an affordable option that is available ASAP? Amazon’s garment bag holds up to three suits or dresses and boasts multiple zipper compartments.

Dimensions: 40" x 4" x 20.5"

What reviewers are saying: “I bought this bag in 2019 and it has held up incredibly well since then, performs all functions advertised at a great price value. I have taken it on many flights, buses and train rides and have never had an issue with fitting it in the overhead bin on both longer-haul flights and short budget-airline carriers.”

Hartmann’s garment bag adds contemporary touches to an otherwise traditional design. The result? A chic, useful travel accessory that will stand the test of time. The padded shoulder strap and multiple interior pockets enhance the convenience of this style.

Materials: Nylon

What reviewers are saying: “Hartmann was an anniversary gift from my work place, and I am still proud to own it 35 years later.”

Mark & Graham Commuter 2-in-1 Garment Bag

Another convertible duffel, but this time with a personalized touch. That’s right—Mark & Graham lets you monogram your duffel. With a plethora of zippered and snap interior and exterior pockets, this bag gets creative with its storage solutions.

Dimensions: 22" x 10" x 10"

This spinner-style garment bag makes navigating a chaotic airport easy. The ergonomic design has expandable capabilities, as well as various compartments, a hanger bracket, and a pocket for liquids.

Dimensions: 20.5" x 24" x 9.5"

What reviewers are saying: “It’s easy to maneuver and overall great quality and very neat design (many compartments and zippered areas).”

For golfers and non-golfers alike, Stitch makes a duffel that is water- and stain-resistant, and includes a hanger hook, shoulder strap, elastic shoe pockets, and webbed handles. You can even get it customized with your initials.

Dimensions: 22.5" x 11.5" x 12"

What reviewers are saying: “Love it! Fits into the airplane overhead bin, no trouble bringing it along as a carry-on bag. Very sturdy, zippers are tough enough. Shoulder strap is removable. My suit arrived in top shape using this garment bag. Highly recommended.”

Ralph Lauren Leather-Trim Hybrid Garment Duffel

Ralph Lauren’s duffel design is the epitome of understated elegance. An accompanying shoulder strap makes it easy to carry around.

Dimensions: 15" x 21.5" x 9"

Materials: Polyester, leather

Gucci Savoy Garment Bag

Embrace the bold luxury aesthetic with a Gucci bag covered in the house’s monogram. Containing a big compartment with a hanger and two zip pockets, this garment bag will hold all your essentials.

Dimensions: 21.5" x 16.1" x 6.7"

Materials: Canvas, leather, cotton

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Home » Europe » Moscow

5 AMAZING Neighborhoods and Areas in Moscow (2024)

Russia’s capital Moscow is known for a number of things; history, culture, nightlife, and crazy architecture.

But with over 100 distinct neighborhoods spread amongst 12 main districts, figuring out where to stay in Moscow can be a bit tricky. While Moscow does have an extensive public transport system, it’s best to stay in an area of Moscow that suits your interests.

This guide will break down the five best neighbourhoods to stay in Moscow, as well as the top things to do in each. That way, you’ll be able to find somewhere that suits your travel style and budget.

Top 3 Recommendations for Where to Stay in Moscow

Moscow neighborhood guide – places to stay in moscow, 5 best neighborhoods to stay in moscow, faq about finding a place to stay in moscow, what to pack for moscow, don’t forget travel insurance for moscow, final thoughts on where to stay in moscow.

Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Moscow.

For more information on hostels, check out our post:  best hostels in Moscow .

Loft 3 Vokzala | Best Airbnb in Moscow

This stunning Airbnb in Moscow is ideal for groups or families. The apartment has been recently renovated and is bright contemporary. Guests can enjoy a full kitchen and internet access, and free parking and a gym are available on-site. The bedroom is a bit cosy, but you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Loft Hotel H11 | Best Hotel in Moscow

Loft Hotel H11 is the coolest hotel in Moscow. Conveniently located on the borders of Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod, this hotel is a short walk Moscow’s major attractions as well as several metro stations.

Godzillas Hostel | Best Hostel in Moscow

Godzillas is Moscow’s largest and most famous hostel. In the heart of Tverskoy, this three-story hostel is a short walk from the city’s major sights and attractions. With comfortable beds and modern amenities, you won’t find a better hostel in the city.

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Kitay-Gorod

Kitay-Gorod is the neighbourhood at the heart of Moscow. Home to the city’s most famous attractions, Kitay-Gorod is the place to stay on your first visit to Moscow.

Travelling on a budget is difficult, but not impossible in Moscow. The best place to stay to get the most value for your money in the Presnensky neighbourhood.

North of Kitay-Gorod is the hip, trendy and lively neighbourhood of Trverskoy. This centrally located neighbourhood is not only home to a number of amazing attractions, but it is within walking distance to the city’s main landmarks.

Arbat/Khamovniki

The neighbouring districts of Arbat and Khamovniki are one of the best places to stay in Moscow for trendiness. Home to luxury shops, unique boutiques, and outstanding museums, Arbat/Khamovniki are where bohemian flare and modern creativity meet.

If you’re travelling with children, Basmanny is the best place to stay in Moscow. A calm oasis in the heart of the city, Basmanny is a neighbourhood known for its relaxed atmosphere, clean streets, and lush surrounding scenery.

Moscow is an impressive city, to say the least. Covering more than 2,500 square kilometres, Moscow is the home to nearly 12 million people.

Thanks to its rich and complex history, thousands of travellers flock to Moscow each year. From iconic sights and unique Russian fare to its vivid nightlife or cultural attractions, there’s so much to see and do in Russia’s capital.

The oldest section outside of the Kremlin, Kitay-Gorod is located at the heart of the city. Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral are located within walking distance of this neighborhood. It’s one of the best places to stay for getting to know the area, making it our top pick for first-time visitors.

If you’re traveling on a budget , Presnensky is an affordable and convenient location to stay in. Close to Moscow Zoo and within walking distance to other attractions, accommodation here is generally cheaper than other areas.

Tverskoy is home to Moscow’s best nightlife scene. It’s a luxurious and trendy neighborhood, home to clubs, bars, and world-class restaurants.

Arbat is a very hip district, and one of the coolest places to stay in Moscow. The area attracts many young professionals, and is full of trendy cafes and rustic restaurants.

Basmanny sits in the east of the city. With its laidback atmosphere, Basmanny is a great place to experience the slower side of Moscow life. It’s our top pick for families visiting Moscow, as it’s a peaceful base from which to explore the city.

Still not sure where to stay in Moscow? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Read on for a more detailed breakdown of each area.

Each of Moscow’s neighborhoods offers something special to visitors. Whether you’re looking for an all-night party or to immerse yourself in the city’s dynamic history, there’s a neighborhood that will cater to you.

1. Kitay-Gorod – Where to Stay in Moscow for your First Time

Kitay-Gorod lies at the heart of Moscow. Home to the city’s most famous attractions, staying here is the best way to discover the city. It’s walking distance from many major attractions, including Red Square, the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Church.

The area is also home to impressive architectural masterpieces, an exotic restaurant scene, and fascinating museums. Whether you’re interested in the arts, architecture, or seeing the sights, there’s something for everyone in Kitay-Gorod.

Entire Flat in Kitay-Gorod | Best Airbnb in Kitay-Gorod

This modern flat in a central location is ideal for couples visiting Moscow for the first time. Guests can enjoy the full kitchen, laundry facilities and free Wifi. The location is ideal, as the Airbnb is within walking distance of shops, cafes, and cultural attractions.

Kremlin Lights | Best Hostel in Kitay-Gorod

Despite sitting in the heart of Moscow, dorm rooms in this hostel are pretty affordable. The hostel comes with a fully equipped kitchen, and is within walking distance of shops and restaurants. The location is also hard to beat, as the Kremlin is less than 200 metres away.

Hotel Maroseyka 2/15 | Best Hotel in Kitay-Gorod

This three-star hotel is one of the best places to stay in Moscow for the first time, thanks to its central location and affordable rates. While it’s not as cheap as a hostel, the hotel offers an airport shuttle, laundry facilities, Wifi, ensuite bathrooms and a TV. The Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral are within walking distance, and shops and restaurants are right next door.

Top Things to do in Kitay-Gorod:

• Walk through the iconic, impressive and imposing Red Square.
• Explore Moscow’s Kremlin, the epicentre of Russia’s political power and fortified complex in the centre of the city.
• Marvel at a myriad of Russian treasures, imperial arms, jewellery and more at the Armoury.
• See the iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral, with its colourful spires and patterned façade.
• Line up at the western corner of Red Square to enter Lenin’s Mausoleum, where you can see the embalmed body of Soviet Russia’s infamous leader.
• Visit Grand Kremlin Palace, the official residence of the Russian president.
• Climb 137-steps to the top of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, and take in one of a kind views of Moscow.
• Visit the Moscow GUM Department Store, a lively shopping mall with hundreds of shops and restaurants.

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Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

2. Presnensky – Where to Stay in Moscow on a Budget

Budget travel can be difficult, but definitely isn’t impossible in Moscow. Located on the north side of Boulevard Ring, Presnensky (or Presnya) is home to numerous attractions, restaurants and top literary sites.

With affordable hotels, hip nightlife and impressive architecture, Presnensky has a lot to do for even the tightest of budgets.

Bright and Cosy Studio | Best Airbnb in Presnensky

This modern studio sleeps two guests, and is perfect for couples or solo travelers visiting Moscow on a budget. You’ll have all the comforts of home including a full kitchen and Wifi. The studio is steps away from the famous 1905 Street, and there are numerous bars and restaurants in the area. If you want to travel further afield, the metro is within easy walking distance.

Boutique Hotel on Mukomolniy | Best Hotel in Presnensky

Rooms in this boutique hotel can sleep up to three guests and come with free Wifi. The hotel also provides a very affordable breakfast each morning, so you can eat well without breaking the budget. Public transport is a short-walk away, so you can make the most of the city at a fraction of the price of other hotels.

High Level Moscow | Best Hostel in Presnensky

High Level is the first hostel in Moscow to be set in a skyscraper! Sitting 171m above ground level, you’ll be sure to get incredible views of the city from every window. The building is set in the commercial district, so you’ll have plenty of shops nearby. It’s also close to public transport, so the best things in Moscow are within easy reach.

High Level Moscow is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Top Things to do in Presnensky:

• Enjoy a traditional Russian meal of blinchiki, caviar, and vodka at the iconic Café Pushkin.
• Spend an afternoon learning about space, the stars and beyond at the Moscow Planetarium, one of the city’s most popular museums.
• Sit back and relax in Patriarch’s Pond, a favourite haunt of Moscovites of all-ages.
• See the stunning works of Russia’s impressionist artists at the city’s newest museum, the Museum of Russian impressionism, located in a former Bolshevik chocolate factory sugar silo.
• Explore the remarkable Gorky’s House (Ryabushinsky Mansion, the art nouveau mansion of famed writer Maxim Gorky.
• Marvel at the immense Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic Church in Russia.

3. Tverskoy – Where to Stay in Moscow for Nightlife

North of Kitay-Gorod is the hip, trendy and lively neighborhood of Trverskoy. This centrally located neighborhood is not only home to a number of amazing attractions, but it is also within walking distance to the city’s main landmarks.

Home to luxury boutique and upscale restaurants, Tverskoy is a neighborhood where history and elegance mesh seamlessly with modern amenities and opulence. If hitting the town is a key aspect of your Moscow itinerary, then Tverskoy is the place to be.

Studio Apartment Mayakovskaya | Best Airbnb in Tverskoy

This apartment can accommodate up to four guests, and sits close to shops and restaurants. The Airbnb comes with a full kitchen and all the comforts of home including Wifi, a TV, and laundry facilities. It’s right by the metro, so all of Moscow’s best bars and nightlife are within easy reach.

ARIUM Hotel | Best Hotel in Tverskoy

ARIUM Hotel is a great choice for travellers interested in culture and fun. The hotel is central to Moscow’s nightlife scene, located just minutes away from all of the city’s hottest clubs.

Godzillas Hostel | Best Hostel in Tverskoy

Godzillas is the largest and best hostel in Moscow , and for good reason. Situated in the heart of Tverskoy, this three-story hostel is a short walk from the city’s major sights and attractions. With comfortable beds and modern amenities, you’ll have everything you need for an awesome stay.

Top Things to do Tverskoy:

• Enjoy cheap beer, table games, and Russian techno tunes at Gogol, one of Moscow’s oldest and most popular clubs.
• Night Flight is a world renowned venue. It’s expensive af, however if you can afford to head on over then it’s absolutely worth it.
• Spend an evening enjoying the ballet or an opera at the Bolshoi Theatre : the heart and soul of Moscow’s arts and culture scene.
• Enjoy art, festivals, food and fun at Hermitage Park, a charming garden and one of the most popular and trendiest places in the city.
• Visit VDNKh, a Stalinesque theme park featuring gilded statues, grandiose pavilions, and thrilling rides.
• See an impressive collection of 20th-century paintings, sculptures and other works of art by famous Russian and foreign artists at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art.
• Enjoy luxury boutiques and upscale restaurants as you walk along the lively and grand Tverskaya Street.

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4. Arbat- The Coolest Place to Stay in Moscow

Home to luxury shops, unique boutiques, and outstanding museums, Arbat is where bohemian flare and modern creativity meet.

Moscow’s former warehouse and factory district, Arbat now attracts numerous Moscow elites. From advertising to tech execs, young professionals flock to Arbat to enjoy its world-class restaurants, stylish bars and irresistible cafes.

Perfect City View Apartment | Best Airbnb in Arbat

Stylish, spacious, modern and conveniently located, there’s no better Airbnb in Arbat. Close to a myriad of restaurants and the Moscow metro, you’ll feel at home in this apartment in the heart of Arbat.

Hotel Grafskiy | Best Hotel in Arbat/Khamovniki

Modern amenities and an unbeatable location make Hotel Grafskiy the best hotel in Arbat. A 10-minute walk to the city centre, Hotel Grafskiy is close to restaurants, bars and attractions. You’re guaranteed a comfortable and relaxing stay at Hotel Grafskiy.

Jedi Hostel | Best Hostel in Arbat/Khamovniki

With incredible views and an amazing location, Jedi Hostel is the best place to stay in Arbat. Enjoy comfortable and private capsule-like rooms at this clean and safe hostel. The hotel is less than 20-minutes away from the city centre, and is close to metro stations and grocery stores.

Jedi Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Top Things to do in Arbat:

• See priceless works of art at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Art, Moscow’s premier foreign-art museum.
• Enjoy some of the best seafood in the city at Rico one of Arbat’s best-kept secrets.
• Be amazed by the magnitude and magnificence of the historic and ostentatious Cathedral of Christ the Saviour .
• Immerse yourself in history at Park Pobedy, a green space filled with fountains, monuments and statues commemorating the sacrifices and triumphs of war.
• Sample retro Russian fare at Varenichnaya No 1, an old-school style restaurant with delicious food and amazing prices.
• Climb to the top of the Sparrow Hills lookout and enjoy amazing views of the surrounding city and scenery.
• Take a stroll down Arbat Street, a 1-kilometre long pedestrian boulevard and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of this lively neighborhood.

5. Basmanny – Where to Stay in Moscow for Families

If you’re travelling with children, Basmanny is the best place to stay in Moscow. A calm oasis in the heart of the city, Basmanny is known for its relaxed atmosphere, clean streets, and lush surrounding scenery.

Well situated to the east of the city-centre, Basmanny is a short walk or subway ride to Moscow’s main attractions. Within this charming neighborhood, there’s plenty of activities for travelers of any age.

Loft Hotel H11 | Best Hotel in Basmanny

Conveniently located just over a mile from the city center, this hotel is a short walk Moscow’s major attractions and several metro stations. Enjoy a continental breakfast each morning, before heading out to enjoy all awesome things that Moscow has to offer.

Good News Hostel | Best Hostel in Basmanny

Comfortable beds, free wifi and a decent location, this hostel has it all! Good News Hostel is close to a myriad of cafes, bars, and noteworthy attractions. It even offers bike hire if you’d prefer to skip the metro and explore the city on two wheels.

Good News Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Top Things to do in Basmanny:

• Rent paddleboats in the summer or ice skates in the winter and enjoy Chistye Prudy, a clean, quiet and quaint pond in that runs along the Boulevard Ring.
• Step back in time and see Lubyanka, headquarters of the infamous Russian KGB.
• Hop on a bike and enjoy the crisscrossing paths through Sokolniki park, home to a manicured rose garden, cool places to eat, and an open-air swimming pool.
• Enjoy Russia’s biggest toy store, Central Children’s Store, located just west of the Basmanny neighborhood.
• Head 60m underground and explore Bunker-42 Cold War Museum, a 700 square meter museum housed in a defunct Cold War communications centre.
• Slow down and smell the roses and ornamental flowers at Aptekarsky Ogorod, Moscow’s pleasant and pretty botanical garden.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of Moscow and where to stay.

What is the best neighborhood to stay in Moscow?

Kitay-Gorod is our pick for the best neighborhood in Moscow – especially if it is your first time here. It is centrally located and full of quirky hostels like Kremlin Lights .

Which places to stay in Moscow are good for families?

Basmanny is known as an oasis within the bustling Moscow city. This makes it great for families! There are family-friendly hotels too like, Loft Hotel H11 .

Where should I stay in Moscow for nightlife?

Tverskoy is where you want to be to party! It’s full of lively bars and clubs, as well as cool hostels full of other adventurers to meet.

What are some good airbnbs in Moscow?

There are lots of cool airbnbs to stay in Moscow, but two of our favourites are this modern loft and this cosy apartment .

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Moscow is full to the brim with awesome neighborhoods and places to visit. It’s simple to travel across the city, but staying in a neighborhood that suits your travel style is the best way to make the most out of your trip.

If you’re still undecided, we recommend Godzillas Hostel for their top location and modern amenities. If you’re after a private room, check out  Loft Hotel H11 . Located centrally, you’re sure to have a comfortable stay.

• Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in Moscow .
• Planning out an itinerary for Moscow is a great way to maximise your time.
• Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
• Our in-depth Eastern Europe backpacking guide will help you plan the rest of your adventure.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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Is the recommended hotel Loft Hotel H11 close enough to the center?

Good tips, this is one of those cities where you want to be as close to the center as possible, even if it isn’t the cheapest option.

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

Click Here For More City Street Guides!

(A New Guide Posted Every Other Wednesday)

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