The best bag for every use
Short, opinionated roundups: the bags that earn their place for one job, and why.
There is no best bag, only the best bag for something. A tote that's perfect for the office is a nuisance in a crowded train station, and the duffel that swallows your gym gear looks wrong at a dinner.
So we sort bags by what you need them for. Every roundup ranks a handful of bags for one use case and says, for each one, what it does better than the rest.
Roundups by use case
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The best bags for work for women
Five work bags for women that carry a laptop, look polished in a meeting and survive the commute: leather totes, light nylon ones and a tote made for work trips.
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The best bags for the gym
Four gym bags that keep sweaty gear away from clean clothes and fit your shoes: three duffels from 40 to 58 liters and a neoprene carryall that can come to work with you.
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The best purses for travel
Five travel purses that keep your passport close and your hands free: two anti-theft crossbodies, a washable nylon crossbody, a bag that rides on your suitcase and a tote that folds flat.
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The best handbags for everyday use
Five everyday handbags that go with most outfits, hold the daily essentials and stand up to daily use: shoulder bags, crossbodies and a tote.
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The best purses for moms
Five purses for moms that hold diapers, snacks and your own things without turning into a bottomless pit: diaper backpacks, a daypack, a tote and a crossbody.
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The best bags for petite women
Five bags in proportion with a petite frame: small shoulder bags and compact crossbodies, all under 11 inches wide, that don't swamp you or hang in the wrong place.
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Try on a lookFAQ
How do you pick the bags?
By use case first: what the bag has to carry, how you carry it and where you take it. Each pick then says what it brings to that job, from the maker's own specs: size, weight, pockets and straps.
Can I buy the bags here?
No, we don't sell anything. Every pick links to a shop that sells it; prices and availability are the shop's, and the price ranges we show are approximate.
How many bags does one person need?
Most people get by with three: an everyday handbag, a bag that carries a laptop, and a duffel or weekender for the gym and short trips.