Every traveler needs a bag you can throw on your shoulder and go, whether you’re bound for a weekend in the woods or a few days in the city. These 9 picks are carry-on compliant (of course, you’ll want to check your airline’s requirements before heading to the airport), and they run the gamut from outdoorsy to fashion-forward, so they’ll suit any style – and at less than $300 apiece, they’ll fit most budgets too.
1. Savage Industries EDC Two
A collaboration between MythBuster Adam Savage and the US-based Mafia Bags, the tool bag–style EDC Two was inspired by the McDivitt purse Neil Armstrong carried on Apollo 11 – and designed to be just as indestructible. With an upcycled sailcloth exterior, a spring-steel supported clamshell mouth, and a synthetic para-aramid reinforced base, each bag is one of a kind, and comes with a lifetime repair warranty on stitching and construction, just in case.
EDC Two, $145; adamsavage.com.
2. Dagne Dover Landon Carryall
Totes can be a bottomless pit, but Dagne Dover’s extra-large Landon Carryall offers the organizational elements to make a type-A packer’s heart sing. A lightweight 3.3 pounds of water-resistant neoprene, it boasts an internal water-bottle holder, a slew of interior pockets, a zippered laptop sleeve for a 15-inch computer, a dust bag for shoes, a separate mesh pouch with a removable key leash, and an exterior pocket that’s perfect for your phone or ID.
Extra-large Landon Carryall, $185; dagnedover.com.
3. Vessel Signature 2.0 Boston duffle
For an upscale look minus the sticker shock, Vessel’s Signature 2.0 Boston duffel is an elegant alternative to leather – the synthetic micro-suede might not look exactly like the real thing, but the bag’s sleek design offers ample compensation. There are plenty of pockets inside and out to keep you organized, a trolley sleeve helps you navigate the airport with aplomb, and at the bottom, a 300-degree ventilated compartment quarantines your dirty kicks.
Signature 2.0 Boston faux-leather duffle bag, $265; vesselbags.com.
4. WP Standard canvas travel bag
If you’re looking for something with staying power, it’s hard to improve on the classic good looks of WP Standard’s travel bag. Made with heavy-duty 22-ounce duck canvas and featuring full-grain leather handles, a detachable leather strap with a shoulder pad, an internal pocket, and a fun luggage tag, it also comes with a lifetime guarantee, so you’re protected if the worst should happen.
Canvas travel bag, $289; wpstandard.com.
5. Boundary Supply Aegis duffel
For the transition from trains to trails and everything in between, Boundary’s Aegis is the way to go. You can carry it as a duffel or wear it as a backpack, and it’s made with tough, waterproof fabrics that are monitored throughout the production chain by Bluesign to ensure responsible and sustainable manufacturing. With a wet-dry shoe compartment, a magnetic compression system, a luggage pass-through, and commuter-friendly features like a key clip and quick-access pockets, it works for the day-to-day and longer trips as well.
Aegis duffel, $150; boundarysupply.com.
6. Away Everywhere Bag
If you’re packing light, Away’s Everywhere bag is a streamlined option with room for a few changes of clothes, a toiletries kit, a 15-inch laptop, and a notebook or two. (If you’re not restricted to a single piece of luggage, it also has a trolley passthrough.) It’s made from water- and abrasion-resistant nylon to guard against spills and tears, though leather and limited-edition colors and materials are available as an upgrade. There’s a zippered waterproof umbrella pocket at the bottom, an adjustable shoulder strap, and six organizational pockets inside and two outside; plus, it’s small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, so you won’t be fighting for bin space with everyone else in basic economy.
The Everywhere Bag, from $195; awaytravel.com.
7. Pendleton Glacier Canopy canvas tote
Pendleton’s bold stripes are iconic for a reason, and the brand’s Glacier Park motif predates World War II – the oldest design in the family-owned company’s historic National Park collection. The Glacier Canopy cotton-canvas tote puts a modern spin on tradition, and helps you stand out from the crowd too, with a stain-resistant, matte PVC coating, a wipe-clean polyester lining, sturdy 11-inch handles, and pockets inside and out.
Glacier Canopy canvas tote, $70; pendleton-usa.com.
8. Cotopaxi Camello 50L
Even if you stuff Cotopaxi’s Camello to the brim, you should be able to squeeze it into the overhead bin, but it’s also great for road trips, yoga retreats, and outdoor pursuits of all sorts. Between the 50-liter capacity and the magnetic-buckle compression system, it can accommodate all manner of apparel, and its thoughtful details – an internal cinch bag for shoes and dirty laundry, velcro straps on the bottom to hold accessories like a yoga mat or skateboard, stowable shoulder straps that convert to a backpack – make packing and carrying a breeze.
Camello 50L, $140; cotopaxi.com.
9. Backcountry All-Around 60L
An even larger-capacity pick, Backcountry’s 60-liter All-Around duffel can accommodate pretty much anything you can think to pack, from ski boots to climbing gear to sleeping bags, tents, and more. There’s a waterproof compartment that’s perfect for wet swimsuits or mud-covered footwear, and the stowable, well-padded shoulder straps make hands-free navigation a cinch. Constructed from hard-wearing tarp, with compression straps, gear loops, and organizational pockets galore, it should have the legs to last for many an adventure.
All-Around 60L, $120; backcountry.com.
