Lifestyle Trend: The 17 Best Travel Bags of 2026, Tested by Editors You Should Know

Why We Love It: Long weekend plans? You can count on this roomy duffel from Béis to effortlessly transport all of your belongings. It’s generously sized—our own editors put this weekender bag to the test and found it could hold up to four days’ worth of necessities—and has plenty of organizational pockets and compartments to keep your items in order. Cut from durable nylon, it withstands travel wear and tear like a champ, while its faux leather accents lend it a luxury look and feel (minus the luxury price tag).

Who It’s For: Ideal for a short business trip or a romantic weekend getaway, this bag is a solid option for a couple of days away from home.

Worth Noting: If your trips are on the longer side, the luggage sleeve makes it easy to stack with larger luggage as you navigate the airport.

Material: Nylon body, polyurethane trim, polyester lining | Size: 12 (H) x 21.5 (L) x 9 (W) inches | Capacity: 24.22 liters

Abby, tester: “Before this bag, I only had larger tote bags or a carry-on suitcase to choose from—the tote was never big enough for three days, but the carry-on suitcase felt superfluous for just three days. The Beis Commuter Duffle is truly the perfect in-between!”

Why We Love It: When it comes to how many pockets we want in our travel bags, the limit does not exist. Enter this Calpak duffel that comes with approximately a million pockets (technically, nine, including a laptop slip, a shoe storage area, interior slots, and zip-up compartments). “I use this as a gym bag, weekender bag, travel bag, and commuter tote,” says InStyle’s former senior wellness editor, Summer. “The soft shell material keeps me comfortable even when my bag is stuffed to the brim. It feels like a puffer coat.”

Who It’s For: If you like to keep all of your essentials—your clothes, laptop, passport, and wallet—in one place, you’ll appreciate this bag’s quick, hassle-free access to smaller items, especially while at the airport.

Worth Noting: This bag comes in 18 colors, from your classics to your monochromes. No matter what your style is, there’s a shade and tone for you. 

Material: Polyester shell | Size: 12 (H) x 16 (L) x 8 (W) inches | Capacity: 25 liters

Krisha, tester: “This bag is spacious with lots of compartments so that I can separate things…I was running a 5k in D.C., and it was helpful that this bag had a separate compartment for your shoes, so I could keep my stinky running shoes separate from all my clothes. It also has a trolley sleeve so I can secure it to a suitcase if I ever need to.”

Why We Love It: This tote is the rare unicorn that’s ultra-roomy, stylish, and genuinely comfortable to carry, even when it’s packed to the brim. The expandable bottom adds a game-changing 4 inches of space, turning an everyday laptop tote into a full-on weekender without ever feeling bulky. Thoughtful details like a padded laptop sleeve, multiple hidden pockets, a key strap, and a trolley pass-through make it a standout for commuting and travel.

Who It’s For: Anyone who routinely hauls everything—laptop, outfits, toiletries, and then some—and wants one bag that can handle long office days, overnight stays, and full weekend trips. It’s especially great for commuters, chronic over-packers, and travelers who prefer a tote to a duffel or carry-on.

Worth Noting: When fully packed, some people say the shoulder straps feel awkward or uncomfortable.

Material: Polyester | Size: 20 (L) x 13.5 (H) x 6.5 (W) inches | Capacity: 28 liters

Emma Greene, writer: “It’s the perfect size for carrying everything I need to get ready or stay at a friend’s house for the night. It holds my hair tools, outfit options, multiple pairs of shoes, and makeup with ease, even when the bottom isn’t expanded.”

Why We Love It: An everyday bag is an essential for anyone on the go. This Monos Metro Tote is the perfect size—large enough to fit all your essentials, from work items to weekend necessities, but not so big that things get lost in a “black hole.” Our fashion director calls it a “true workhorse” for a reason: it’s versatile, reliable, and effortlessly stylish.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants a classic tote that pairs almost perfectly with any outfit. Its versatile design makes it a reliable choice for work, errands, or weekend outings. 

Worth Noting: There’s no side pocket for a water bottle like most bags on our list. 

Material: Vegan leather | Size: 15.2 (H) × 12 (L) × 7.2 (W) inches | Capacity: 16.42 liters

Kevin Huynh, fashion director: “I’m obsessed with the size of this tote. It fits all my everyday essentials but isn’t so huge that I feel like I’m reaching into a black hole to find things.”

Why We Love It: There’s a reason the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote is so iconic. It’s the “anti-It bag” that gets you a ton of bang for your buck. Constructed from durable, heavy-duty cotton canvas, this expansive tote can truly hold your entire life—the large size alone boasts a 35-liter capacity and retails for under $50. Reinforced handles and double-stitched seams handle heavy loads without risk of snapping, while a zippered closure ensures your goods stay safe and secure. For just an extra $8, you can have it monogrammed to say, well, whatever you want! (If you recall, in late 2022, this monogram option sparked an “ironic” trend among TikTokers.)

Who It’s For: With 12 colors, four different sizes, two handle length options, and endless monogramming possibilities, there’s genuinely a Boat and Tote for everyone. To truly make it your own, consider shopping the style at Abbode, where you can choose from even more icons and fonts. 

Worth Noting: All sizes fit in a carry-on, and the medium size makes a perfect personal item.

Material: Cotton canvas | Size: 15 (H) x 17 (L) x 7 (W) inches | Capacity: 35 liters

Irene Richardson, associate editor: “Tote bags are an NYC necessity, but most are floppy, unstructured, and generally look sloppy. The L.L. Bean bag sits upright and holds all my miscellaneous doodads without toppling, so I don’t cause an embarrassing subway scene. I’m always impressed by how many bits and bobbles I can fit into it before it bulges—think cardigans, a laptop, and a few random grocery items. Most importantly, the brand constructed it to distribute weight evenly, so I never walk sideways if you catch my drift.”

Why We Love It: High-quality, premium leather is luxurious and quite durable, too, making it an excellent choice for your travel accessories. This sturdy tote from Mansur Gavriel is sleek and simple—a stylish bag to make your airport outfits feel more put-together—but also lightweight, roomy, and still small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.

Who It’s For: Large but not too large, this stylish tote makes a chic in-flight personal item that doubles as a commute-friendly work tote. It’ll fit your wallet, phone, and laptop with room for a water bottle and even an extra sweater, just in case you get chilly on your flight.

Worth Noting: There’s no need to be precious about inevitable scratches or wear and tear, either—it’s cut from a premium leather that looks better with age.

Material: Leather | Size: 11.5 (H) x 19 (L) x 6 (W) inches | Capacity: Not listed

Summer, tester: “This tote could fit my apartment in it, I swear. It’s like a black hole but with organization. The sleek bag comes with an attached pouch for storing things like your wallet, passport, or keys so they’re easy to snag when needed.”

Why We Love It: A personal item is ideal for anyone constantly on the go who needs a bag that works. Our associate editorial director, a frequent commuter and traveler, swears by this lightweight, durable, and highly functional backpack. From laptops to gym clothes, it makes traveling to work—or across the globe—effortless (it’s already been to Croatia and Alaska and is soon headed to Japan). Thoughtful interior organization, padded straps, and secure back pockets make it perfect for commuting and flying.

Who It’s For: This backpack is perfect for anyone who’s always on the move. It can handle everything a busy day or a quick trip throws at it. Plus, the water-resistant, high-tech fabric means you don’t have to worry about a bit of rain slowing you down.

Worth Noting: The water bottle sleeve is located inside the bag, which our writer noted could be a concern if you’re worried about potential leaks.

Material: Neoprene, polyester | Size: 11.5 (L) X 5 (W) X 17 (H) inches | Capacity: 16 liters

Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director: “The medium is my ideal size for commuting—laptop, book, charger, lunch, gym clothes—whatever I need for a full day and its much easier on the shoulders than lugging around tote bags.”

Why We Love It: Calling all fashion lovers to the front, please. If you’re anything like me, you don’t usually consider backpacks the pinnacle of style. But this Tumi beauty will change your mind. An editor favorite, this sleek, structured bag fits everything from shoes and belts to cosmetics and those inevitable “just because” purchases you pick up while roaming the streets of NYC. The luxe leather construction doesn’t just look sophisticated; it also delivers serious durability, making this backpack as practical as it is chic.

Who It’s For: If you want a backpack that won’t weigh you down or ruin a carefully curated outfit, this is the one. Designed in versatile neutral shades, it blends seamlessly with any look, so you can stay comfortable and pulled together without giving your bag a second thought.

Worth Noting: Our editor prefers the Tumi version with the zipper rather than the clasp, and you might feel the same if you want the extra security of knowing everything inside will stay perfectly in place.

Material: Leather | Size: 14.8 (H) X 11.3 (L) X 5.6 (W) inches | Capacity: 15 liters

Tessa Petak, news editor: “I took my beige leather Tumi backpack to Italy with me, and it looks incredibly chic. Plus, it’s well-made with leather, so it’ll hold up for all of your worldly adventures.

Why We Love It: Don’t have a lot of stuff, but don’t feel like schlepping a bag around all day? A mini roller will make your life easier by keeping your things in place while relieving your back and shoulders. Small but mighty, this style from Calpak fits under most airline seats yet holds up to 28 liters. What’s more, the durable polycarbonate shell comes in a bunch of fun colors, including vibrant limited-edition neons, making it super easy to spot your bag on the luggage carousel.

Who It’s For: Given its smaller size, this bag is great for overnight or day trips.

Worth Noting: If you have an upcoming, longer trip and need to pack for a few days or more, consider opting for the standard size.

Material: Polycarbonate shell | Size: 16 (H) x 14 (L) x 9 (W) inches | Capacity: 28 liters

Why We Love It: Overpackers, you’re not alone. And because of that, we found the perfect option for you. This three-piece set combines style, durability, and innovative organization. Spacious interiors, smooth-rolling wheels, and TSA-approved locks make it ideal for trips from a simple day trip to a full-blown cross-country adventure. Our associate editor can easily fit four pairs of shoes in the zipped compartment and dozens of outfits. So think of this as your tiny closet on wheels. 

Who It’s For: Ideal for those who like to pack like a pro. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a two-week adventure, this set has you covered. 

Worth Noting: We’d love to see a dedicated bottom compartment for packing shoes.

Material: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | Size: 15.2 (L) X 9.1 (W) X 22.4 (H) inches | Capacity: 38 liters

Christina Perrier, assistant editor: “I love all three pieces in this set. I’ve used the carry-on luggage for two-week trips; the weekender for, well, a weekend; and the toiletry bag always. I love how spacious each bag is.”

Why We Love It: This medium-sized crossbody hobo is the definition of an everyday essential. With space for your keys, phone, and even your iPad, it’s designed to handle whatever your day throws at it. We also love that unpredictable weather isn’t an issue. The water-repellent finish keeps your essentials protected, offering peace of mind even when the weather turns unexpected.

Who It’s For: A crossbody bag is ideal for anyone who’s always on the move but prefers to keep their daily needs close. It stays securely in place, letting you navigate busy commutes or travel without the constant tugging and adjusting.

Worth Noting: When overfilled, the strap can occasionally slip off the shoulder, which may feel a bit uncomfortable. Fortunately, it’s easy to readjust and keep moving.

Material: Polyester | Size: 14 (W) x 11 (H) x 6 (D) inches | Capacity: Not listed