Troubadour Ki Crossbody Review: My #1 Chic Travel Purse

I’ll get right to the point: this is my favorite crossbody bag, ever. I know you’ve come to this review to read more about this modern and sleek crossbody bag, and you’re in the right place.

In this review, learn all about how the Troubadour Ki Crossbody is the bag I reach for when I am going out for the night, to a business dinner or packing for a trip when I’ll need a nice day-to-night purse.

Throughout my review, make sure to take a close look at the photos Dan has taken of me using it, throughout the years and in NYC and beyond! I’m sure you’ll see why this is a buy-for-life bag that’ll stand out in your closet.

The Score View detailed breakdown

Troubadour Ki Crossbody Bag

4.44 / 5

The Troubadour Ki Crossbody Bag is Becca's favorite crossbody bag with exceptional versatility, premium bio-leather construction and thoughtful design features that work perfectly for both day and night travel occasions.

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Ki Crossbody Bag: The background

When I first learned about the British travel bag brand Troubadour Goods several years ago, the Ki Crossbody was the first product I tried, and loved.

Originally, the Ki Crossbody was a fully leather product and it came at a high price, as you can imagine, because Troubadour uses sustainable practices for tanning the leather used in their bags.

But, wait for it: the Ki Crossbody was removed from shelves, and brought back in the Corn-based bioleather that it’s now been revamped with. This makes me happy, as someone who aims to buy vegan goods: the “bio-leather” used in the Ki Crossbody is waterproof, so it’s even better than a leather bag (which I’ve always tried to hide from the rain).

In the review that follows, you’ll see why I love this bag so much and why it is really the only night purse, cute day bag and even “clutch” that I consider when I want to look put-together and great. I’m excited to tell you all about it.

Where I use it

The Ki Crossbody is incredibly versatile. As you may know, I own it in both Black and Steel Blue. If that doesn’t show what a super-fan I am, what does?

One of the first memorable times I brought it out was for a client meeting at a hotel bar in NYC. I paired it with boots, jeans and a sweater, and kept the bag on my shoulder the entire evening.

I’ve also used the Ki Crossbody as a date night bag for when Dan and I go out to dinner in Manhattan. You’ll see all those photos throughout this review (we always try to pack in some sightseeing before dinner, even though we’re locals, and the Ki Crossbody is perfect for all my required essentials, with extra room to spare).

Not a joke: I’ve also worn it to weddings! It turns into a clutch by removing the big cushioned strap, with clasps at both ends.

Best features

I think this bag is perfect, and you might, too. After the “Best Features” section, I’ll jump to a few criticisms to consider before you get yours.

The design

Much like all my Troubadour bags, the Ki Crossbody is simply fantastic in how it looks. I like the large flap on the front, with the minimal ‘TROUBADOUR’ logo.

On either side, there are matte black clasps for attaching and un-attaching the crossbody strap.

I like that the entire bag is a perfect rectangle. It’s satisfying. It’s minimalist, timeless and classic. I think it goes with everything, from casual outfits to more formal dresses I’d wear to an occasion.

The pockets

Like every Troubadour bag, as you may have gathered from reviews of mine like my Momentum Backpack Review and my Ki Backpack review, this bag has a nice set of pockets for a bag so petite.

The hidden slit pocket at the backside is nice for holding my phone, a card or a key in a jiffy. It’s the side that stays against my body when I’m walking, so it’s quick and also secure.

The entire main compartment zips closed with a high-quality zipper, and has an elastic pocket inside where I keep something like jewelry that I’m taking off or putting on later.

The strap

The strap is where this bag gets interesting. It’s thick, for sure. It’s not like those other crossbody bags with a chain link strap or a thin leather strap. No, no: the signature Troubadour strap is ergonomic, supportive and also has a non-slip backing.

Transformation to a clutch

With a simple un-clasping of the clasps at either end of the bag, voilà: it becomes a clutch. This would be a good function for someone who isn’t in love with the strap.

Criticisms

The strap: some women may think it’s too thick, or is a bit too big for using as a one-shoulder bag (like in the photo above). And the Ki Crossbody doesn’t come with alternative straps, which I think is something that Troubadour could explore as an option.

The benefit, though, of a strap this wide, is that it is great for travel and wearing this bag around for long hours, to get all that ergonomic weight support.

Second, keep in mind that this bag is unisex, built for people of all genders.

Other noteworthy things to know

What I like about Troubadour bags is that they’re just seamless in how they’re crafted. The zippers on my Ki Crossbody bags slide beautifully, and the magnetic flap closure is a nice touch that never gets old.

I’m always finding new ways to wear this bag, from updating the settings I have on the crossbody strap via the adjusting sliders, to choosing new outfits that’ll compliment the Steel Blue color on my bio-leather Ki Crossbody.

This bag isn’t a statement bag: it’s actually not one that my friends compliment. That’s because it doesn’t quite stand out in a big way. It’s quietly chic and refined.

Rather, it’s the high-class day-to-night travel purse that it’s just expected to own as a 30-something professional who leads a busy life and is always on the go. That’s me.

I could own statement clutches and bags (and I do), but my Ki Crossbody bags are the ones that are going to go with everything, which makes them perfect for taking along for a short weekend trip or a more extended trip, when I know I need a go-with-everything sleek purse to count on.

Good for travel?

I wrote above that this is a nice travel purse to have when I have more upscale occasions, or a set of a few of them with varying levels of formality.

The Ki Crossbody bag is excellent for a business trip, or a wedding weekend, a bachelorette weekend or a getaway to a city in Europe. It can add to a casual outfit of a T-shirt and jeans, or it can blend in with the style of a cocktail dress and heels. I listed it as one of the best zippered crossbody bags for travel, and it’s for a whole host of reasons.

One thing I did was I kept the two dust bags that my Ki Crossbody bags each came with. I also store them both in the dust bags, and if I pack either of them up, I give the strap a four-way “M” fold, and place it on top of the bag itself, all inside the dust bag.

I recommend placing the dust bag on the top of the rest of the weight in your luggage, so that the Ki Crossbody does not get crushed during transit!

How to buy yours

Like with any Troubadour product, the best place to get them directly is the Troubadour website. It’s simple as to why: your purchase gets 100-day returns, the Troubadour five-year guarantee warranty and free delivery and shipping for orders $100+.

I talk about the benefits of the Troubadour Five-Year Guarantee at my Troubadour Brand review, so I suggest checking that out.

Comparison with similar products

Here's how this product compares to similar options. Use this table to find the best of the bunch!

Troubadour and sustainability

In every Troubadour product I’ve reviewed, I commend on sustainability, and it will be no different for the Ki Crossbody. I’d like to point out that Troubadour is a certified B Corp, and with that, the company aims to seriously lesson carbon emissions and use responsible practices when producing their bags.

To learn more about Troubadour’s exemplary sustainability goals, check out the Sustainability info page.

Detailed score breakdown

Troubadour Ki Crossbody Bag

4.44 / 5

The Troubadour Ki Crossbody Bag is Becca's favorite crossbody bag with exceptional versatility, premium bio-leather construction and thoughtful design features that work perfectly for both day and night travel occasions.

Carry comfort & fit

90%

The thick, ergonomic strap with non-slip backing provides excellent comfort for long hours of wear. The strap width and padding prevent digging into your shoulder during extended use. Some may find it too thick for one-shoulder carry, but the ergonomic design excels for crossbody wear. The bag sits well on your hip and torso without bouncing or tilting forward awkwardly.

Organization & access speed

84%

Good organization for a petite bag. The hidden slit pocket on the body-facing side provides quick access for phone, cards or keys without taking the bag off. The main zippered compartment opens wide enough for easy access, and the elastic pocket inside works well for jewelry or small items. Internal visibility is decent, though the compact size limits how much you can see at once.

Tech & device protection

70%

Basic protection for phone and small items in the hidden pocket, but not designed for larger tech items or laptops. The phone pocket provides some padding against drops, but there's no dedicated tablet or iPad mini compatibility. For small items like phones and cards, the protection is adequate, but this isn't a tech-focused crossbody.

Materials & build quality

96%

Exceptional quality with corn-based bio-leather that's waterproof and more durable than traditional leather. The strap hardware feels strong, with secure clasps at both ends that hold up to repeated attachment and removal. Zippers slide smoothly without binding, even at angles. The magnetic flap closure adds to the premium feel. Shape retention is excellent, maintaining structure even when packed.

Weather resistance

92%

The bio-leather material is waterproof, making it better than traditional leather bags that need protection from rain. The zippers aren't fully sealed, but the waterproof exterior fabric handles light rain well. The bottom panel resists moisture when the bag rests on wet surfaces. This performs better than most crossbodies in wet conditions.

Strap adjustability & wear modes

94%

Excellent versatility with strap adjustability via sliders that work smoothly. The bag transforms into a clutch by removing the strap entirely, thanks to clasps at both ends. The strap adjusts easily for different wear preferences and body sizes. No stabilizer strap, but the main strap design works well for crossbody and shoulder carry modes.

Compressibility & travel packability

88%

Good packability with dust bag storage and four-way "M" fold for the strap. The bag packs flat in luggage without taking up too much space. It doesn't deform permanently when compressed, though you'll want to pack it on top of heavier items to avoid crushing. Works well as an in-flight personal item organizer when not packed away.

Security & closure confidence

86%

Good security with zippered main compartment and hidden body-side pocket that stays against your torso. The magnetic flap closure adds an extra layer of security and makes the zipper less obvious to pickpockets. The zipper pull has decent friction, making it harder for someone to quietly unzip from behind. The body-side pocket placement is smart for passport and wallet storage in crowded places.

Versatility for daily use & travel

98%

Extremely versatile for daily use and travel. Works for business meetings, date nights, weddings, casual outfits and formal occasions. The bag pivots between daily routine and travel seamlessly, handling phone, keys, wallet and sunglasses easily. Business-casual friendly design that adapts to different use patterns without feeling out of place.

Overall value for price

88%

Higher price point but excellent value considering the premium materials, craftsmanship and versatility. The five-year guarantee and sustainability credentials add value beyond the initial cost. Build quality and performance justify the price compared to competing crossbodies, especially given the waterproof bio-leather and day-to-night versatility.

How we score gear

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Thank you to Troubadour for providing me with two Ki Crossbody bags through the years in order to write this product review. All opinions and experiences are my own.