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This handy accessory gives you space for your EDC and then some. Leather Fashion Pu Handbags
Crossbody bags, however trendy they may be, are incredibly practical. Ideally, a crossbody bag comes with compartmentalized pockets within — even if it's just a simple nylon or mesh divider. This way you can toss your keys and an iPhone, for example, into the same bag without the latter getting scratched. It's smart to be sure the bag zips shut, too. Sure, a velcro-closing one might look cool and feel a bit easier to open, but you shouldn't worry about whether something's secretly fallen out.
Crossbody bags, by design, shouldn't be capable of carrying a small load of groceries home — just your wallet, keys, phone, headphones, camera and maybe a water bottle. That being said, there's no real set formula for these types of bags. Pick what works best for you.
We test and use crossbody bags regularly at Gear Patrol. They accompany us on bicycle rides, subway commutes, trips to the grocery store and walks with dogs, among other things. Some are more suited to specific activities and we've noted that below.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
Moment's Fanny Sling is the ideal crossbody bag. It's the right size; it has compartmentalized pockets for a phone, your keys, wallet and even a camera within. Plus, it's contoured to wrap nicely around your chest or shoulder blades, depending on how you wear it. There's even a 4-inch expander for a packable jacket or paperwork. Pick from five different colors (and one ripstop variation), each with water-sealed zippers and an adjustable strap. (For reference, it can store three 12 oz beer cans.)
Read our full review here.
"We offer 3.5Liter and 7Liter versions of our Side Pack," 1733 founder Phil Schade says. "7L is about the max in my opinion as anything larger, fully-loaded will start to get heavy on a single strap worn asymmetrically. Don't carry a pair of shoes in your crossbody bag. If you need any extra pair of boots, you're either packing wrong or you need a different type of bag."
The 1733 Side Pack 7L Sling should instead be used for your essentials: your keys, phone, wallet, water and so on and so forth. And you easily can with this durable bag, which has separated pockets and a padded back panel for pressing evenly against your body.
Lululemon's Everywhere Belt Bag is always sold out — but for good reason. It's a super solid crossbody bag: It's simple, carries quite a bit and usually comes in a sleek colorway, like all-black. The new Everywhere Bag Large is a little bit bigger (barely), and it comes in an equally cool color called Grey Sage.
Bellroy tops our guide to backpacks, so it's only right they fit into our crossbody coverage, too. The Sling is built on the same principles: to be simple yet super convenient. There's a front pocket for your phone, a soft-lined interior pouch for a pair of sunglasses and a ring to attach your keys to. It's big enough to store a full-size water bottle but yet comfortable to carry.
It doesn't matter whether you carry this out on the trails or on the train: It'll do the same job. The North Face's Field Bag is the right shape to wrap tightly around your body or hang near your hip. (The former's more comfortable, to be fair.) Choose from either vintage white or this plain black, and reap the benefits of a mini backpack. That means a dedicated sleeve on the backside for your phone, a spacious center pocket and an adjustable strap.
Available in four sleek, simple colors, Everlane's The ReNew Transit Bag makes commuting with and carrying your necessities no task at all. (Bye, bulging pockets!)
I'm a big fan of Colorado-born brand Topo Designs' Mountain Sling Bag. Why? It's the right size; it mixes outdoor and city influences; and the inside is just compartmentalized enough. There's plenty of free space within but also a zipper pouch for fragile items. Plus, there's a hook to attach your keys to so they don't jangle as you hike or run. Best of all, the bag's made from 100-percent recycled nylon.
Made from hummus-colored 330D Robic fabric, Mystery Ranch's Full Moon Hip Pack has plenty of straps to keep the bag close to your body, but enough room to be serviceable on a day trip, too. Think: a camera, a small water bottle and all your EDC.
A viral darling at an incredible price, this sling bag is all over social media and, frankly, people are obsessed with the value proposition of a $20 bag with this much style and substance. Find out what all the hype is about for yourself by picking up your own — it certainly won't break the bank.
Billykirk's new canvas crossbody bag doesn't have the most advanced strap, but that's okay, because you couldn't make it too heavy if you tried. It's a compact carry-all, just big enough for a point-and-shoot (or phone), wallet and keys.
The durable waxed canvas exterior matches a more mature wardrobe, too — one that doesn't mesh well with, well, mesh or polyester.
Janji's compartmentalized Multipass Sling Bag wraps securely around the body, which means it's perfect for runners, bikers or simply brisk walkers (or subway commuters). It's big enough to carry a few cards, your keys and phone, but little more — probably AirPods but maybe not a notebook.
The security, though, is enough reason to wear Janji's bag, especially since there's a second strap that secures it across your chest.
The Canyon Crossbody Pack is big enough for a water bottle and some snacks but slim enough to be slipped beneath a jacket or an oversized hoodie. Besides its versatility, the naturalness of this option proves most impressive. There are leather accents and the exterior's cut from 10-ounce waxed canvas, an equally waterproof alternative to nylon or polyester.
Herschel makes an endless assortment of backpacks and duffle bags — shoulder bags, too, clearly. This one looks and feels a lot like the aforementioned backpacks, but streamlined. There's still a roomy, unstructured interior pocket, but it's balanced out by a zippered front one for your valuables. It's on the bigger side, by the way, so you couldn't layer it beneath a coat — or at least I wouldn't recommend it.
State Bags turned its most popular Bike Bag into something you can carry, too. It's the convertible of crossbody bags, if you will. That means when you're riding to work or just for exercise, the bag easily attaches to your handlebars. When you're done riding, removing it only requires two clicks and it can go right back across your chest. I will say, though, the bag definitely cuts some corners in favor of versatility, but these are minor complaints. I found that the handlebar straps do dig into your chest if you wear it super tightly.
Eastpak makes, in my opinion, the best cheap backpack. So, surprise, surprise that the brand's taken a similarly affordable approach to the crossbody bag. It's so simple, and that's quite refreshing in a category rife with hyper-modified bags with pockets and storage capabilities no one really ever uses. No, there isn't a divider within, meaning your phone might get scratched if you put it in there with a ring of keys, but that's a minor issue. (They make carabiners, you know?) Trust that this option will keep its contents dry, protected from pickpockets and comfortably snug to your person.
The Etna Sling is an easy-to-carry crossbody made in Joshu+Vela's independent San Francisco studio using military-grade materials. The hardware is all brass; the nylon is waterproof and rip-resistant; and the mesh pocket gives you room for larger, less fragile items. Although they show a model carrying their phone in there, I wouldn't. Think: water damage, dings off poles or other pedestrians, etc, etc. Otherwise, this bag checks all of the boxes. It's big enough for your essentials and little more, and it compartmentalizes them so they don't damage each other.
Aer's Day Sling 3 Max Belt Bag comes with a ton of internal organizational elements, including three pockets with plenty of dividers within. There is a large zippered sleeve, mesh and nylon dividers, plus mesh pockets, too. It's all waterproof, too, and it was big enough to fit a full-size bike lock, my phone, wallet and keys, a water bottle and headphones.
Be mindful of fabrics and materials when shopping for a crossbody bag. Leather and synthetics like nylon and polyester better withstand the elements, and because these products experience wear-and-tear like other daily accessories, these fabrics are also important in maintaining a bag’s shape and integrity. If you’re in a climate that’s prone to rain or snow, consider gravitating toward a synthetic bag that’s easy to clean and provides water-resistance.
Fur Fashion It also may be worth considering the thickness and size of a bag’s strap. A thicker strap means more support and comfort over the shoulder. Something thin may dig into your skin if your bag is too heavy.