13 Best Crossbody Bags for Travel: Lightweight & Anti-Theft Options

If I’m not sporting a backpack when I travel, it’s because I’m sporting a crossbody bag. I’ve always needed the design of a crossbody bag to support the weight across my shoulders, and to keep an eye on all my things when I’m in a new city.

I love how crossbody bags give me that perfect hands-free feeling when I’m out exploring! Whether I’m wandering through busy city streets, hitting hiking trails, or navigating airports, a good crossbody bag keeps all my essentials right where I need them while spreading the weight comfortably across my shoulder. If you prefer something even more compact, check out my guide to the best fanny packs for travel as an alternative.

In this guide to the best crossbody bags for travel, I’ll walk you through my favorite lightweight shoulder bags, anti-theft options, and stylish crossbody purses from brands I trust. From minimalist designs to feature-packed security bags, I hope you find the perfect crossbody bag that matches your travel style!

Topologie Bottle Sacoche (Large)

By far the most innovative crossbody bag in this list is the Topologie Bottle Sacoche. It is like no bag I’ve ever owned before, and it’s especially exciting to all travelers who like to have a reusable water bottle with them (or a travel-sized umbrella) during travel days, sightseeing, flights or long car trips. This is a crossbody bag that stores your water bottle inside.

And for that reason, it takes the place of a travel daypack as the only type of bag that has water bottle pockets. The Topologie Bottle Sacoche itself is a water bottle holder in the center (the bottle is held in with elastic cords that tighten) and two zippered compartments on either side to hold daily essentials like my phone, wallet, keys, chapstick, mini sunscreen, tissues and a granola bar.

It’s part of the Topologie Wares System, the premise of the entire brand, so once you choose your “sacoche,” you also choose a crossbody strap or a wrist strap (or both), and build your own personalized Topologie bag product.

My Topologie Bottle Sacoche is the most interesting of any crossbody bag for travel that I own, and it helps me stay hydrated during my trips because my reusable drink bottle is with me all day long. Read more about how it travels at my Topologie Bottle Sacoche review.

Thank you to Topologie for gifting me a Bottle Sacoche for inclusion in this travel gear list.

Troubadour Ki Crossbody in Bioleather

When I set eyes on the new Troubadour Ki Crossbody bag, I couldn’t believe it wasn’t real leather. This is such a polished crossbody purse that works perfectly for both city travel and business trips. What I like about it is exactly what I like about the original Ki Crossbody in leather that I have, in black, as well as my other travel bags from the Troubadour brand.

My tip for this bag is to enjoy the unique and thick strap. It’s not like the straps on other bags, and that’s the point! In my opinion, this bag is the perfect one to have on a trip when I’m going to upscale events, like weddings or reunions. It goes with dresses, relaxed outfits or anything else! See my full Troubadour Ki Crossbody review for more photos.

Quince Transit Quilted Small Crossbody Tote

The Transit Small Crossbody Tote looks like a tote, but instead, it’s an adorable mini tote with a cross-body strap. You can wear it both ways (although for travel, I always opt for a crossbody hands-free bag to carry).

Why is it great for travel? It lays flat and can be folded into a suitcase like my Quince hard shell carry-on, so it’s super simple to pack up. I can also fit it into a backpack, and pull it out when I get to my destination. Like everything from Quince, it’s highly affordable and perfect for budget-conscious travelers who want style without breaking the bank.

Canvelle Zip Crossbody Tote

More favorites for travel, from Canvelle, are here! I tried the Canvelle Zip Crossbody Tote in a few sizes, like the cutie X-Small, as well as the Medium. What I like best about Canvelle products like my oversized fanny pack from the best fanny packs for travel is that they are so lightweight. Here are photos of the X-Small, followed by the Medium:

All Canvelle products are made of recycled plastic bottles that are turned into performance fabrics. So for me, being short and narrow-framed, and always dreading heavy bags, these lightweight choices are superb for travel days. There are LOTS of pockets and a key clip in these. Learn more about this brand at my Canvelle brand review.

lululemon Crossbody Camera Bag 2L

I like that lululemon products are simple and functional. I’ve always been a fan of the lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag, and just like that bag, the lululemon Crossbody Camera Bag 2L is casual, with a back-side pocket and great zippers.

What’s more is that it has water-repellent fabric that makes me way less nervous about getting caught in an unexpected rainstorm with it. I can also fit my camera into mine, with the main space fitting 2 liters of volume. This makes it perfect for travelers who want to carry both essentials and camera gear in one compact crossbody bag.

Topo Mountain Accessory Shoulder Bag

Topo Designs products are funky — take for example my Topo Designs Global Travel Backpack. Rather than the outwardly fat zippers like on most Topo products, the Mountain Accessory Shoulder Bag has concealed zipping on the two exterior pockets.

I think the design is super smart, with a way to keep all essentials close to my body while hiking or out sightseeing. Although the “crossbody strap” is just a cord, it’s adjustable and removable, and I think it makes this crossbody bag really unique (and unisex).

Cotopaxi Lista 2L Crossbody Bag

Everything from Cotopaxi is cool and outdoorsy, and don’t forget about how awesome their colorful products are! The Lista 2L Lightweight Crossbody Bag has an outdoorsy vibe to it, with a pretty flat design and a cord as a crossbody strap. This one is ideal for hiking, boating or doing things outdoors, as long as you keep it out of your activity.

Is it really lightweight? Yes, it really is! It weighs in at 3 ounces only, and somehow, even though it’s so streamlined and minimal, it has a 2L capacity.

Tom Bihn Sidekick Shoulder Bag

Tom Bihn products are known to be unbelievably high in quality, and they are super durable, which is how I came to find out that the brand makes crossbody bags. The Sidekick isn’t “cheap,” but it’s made to last a lifetime with the Tom Bihn craftsmanship.

Highlights that’ll keep you sane during travel are the organizer panels on either side of the interior, strong zippers on the outside (with ergonomic pulls) and O-rings for tethering other pouches.

Bellroy Lite Sacoche

I got to know Bellroy from my Transit Backpack that I included in the best travel backpacks for women. Bellroy’s quality is pristine, which leads me to the Bellroy Lite Sacoche, a modern and travel-worthy crossbody bag for both men and women.

True to Bellroy’s signature style, it’s made from super strong ripstop nylon that’s also water-resistant, which helps it stay lightweight. The main compartment is surprisingly big, and the entire capacity is 3.5L! Check that out.

REI GO Crossbody Bag (Pacsafe)

I had to include the Pacsafe GO Crossbody Bag as the most anti-theft crossbody bag for travel, in this bunch. The best thing to highlight is the cut-proof materials used in the consruction of this bag, in order to protect against hit-and-run thievery like I’ve heard about in Vietnam and parts of Latin America.

There are zip clips, key attachments and RFIDsafe™ blocking materials, so this crossbody bag is a purse to have with you to avoid pickpockets during travel. I always recommend this one to friends heading to places where pickpockets are common! For more security tips, check out my complete guide on how to avoid pickpockets when traveling.

LeSportSac Daniella Crossbody

LeSportSac makes some of the most lightweight travel bags I know of, and I used my LeSportSac waist pack for years, around the world! The Daniella Crossbody is made of recycled materials, so it helps me feel better about the environment. It’s full of zippers, located at the top closure, interior and exterior back side.

What I like about LeSportSac is that the brand has a signature style that never goes off-trend. Getting one of these crossbody purses to take on trips will serve for years to come, in my opinion.

The North Face Berkeley Crossbody

Made for adventures, the North Face Berkeley Crossbody from one of my favorite outdoors and travel brands is affordable and does its job. It’s a basic design, one that goes well with outdoorsy backpacks and hiking gear.

I like the fleece-lined electronics pocket that can also be used for keeping sunglasses secure and un-scratched. As a plus, it actually fits 4.75 liters of your stuff. This is the perfect crossbody bag for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travelers who need something rugged and functional.

What I Look for in a Travel Crossbody Bag

After years of testing crossbody bags on trips around the world, here’s what I’ve learned matters most:

Security Features: I always check for anti-theft bags with slash-resistant materials, locking zippers, and RFID-blocking pockets when I’m heading to places where pickpockets are common. Trust me, it’s worth the extra peace of mind! This is especially important for solo female travelers who need extra security. For comprehensive strategies on safely carrying money while traveling, see our complete travel money guide.

Weight & Comfort: Lightweight crossbody bags are a must for all-day wear. I look for padded straps and designs that distribute weight evenly - my shoulders thank me later! For more minimalist packing tips, check out my guide to packing light.

Size & Capacity: Think about your travel style! City exploration needs different capacity than hiking or business travel. Most of my favorite travel crossbody bags range from 2L to 5L capacity. If you’re a backpacker looking for lightweight alternatives, check out my travel accessories for backpackers guide.

Material & Durability: Water-resistant or waterproof materials are lifesavers when traveling. I stick with brands I know make quality gear that’ll last through multiple trips.

Style & Versatility: I love crossbody bags that work with my travel wardrobe and can go from day to evening activities. Versatility is key when you’re packing light! For more essential travel products for women, check out my complete packing guide.

Uniqueness: Can it do something like store a water bottle? Can it convert into multiple ways to wear? Does it have special pockets, whether zippers, snaps, buttons, Velcro or something else? I look for a unique crossbody bag for travel, like one I haven’t seen the likes of before. This keeps things interesting!