After months of reporting to find the best crossbody bags, here’s what I quickly learned: Once you start carrying one of these super convenient bags, you can never go back to a heavy tote again. My top pick overall, Quince Italian Leather Quilted Crossbody Bag, proved to be game-changer in this regard, as did many of the other options I tested. Designed to be worn across the body (hence the name), crossbody bags let you go about your day hands-free and are highly convenient for commuting and travel, not to mention running errands (especially if you have kids) or going out at night when you don’t want an oversized bag on your shoulder.
Given their appeal, there are no shortage of designs on the market. To find the best crossbody bags, I spent months testing and scrutinizing the options so you don’t have to: I evaluated hard facts and metrics, like weight and capacity sizes, materials and strap lengths, and then gave my fashion editor’s take on the style appeal and versatility of the bags. But since no one bag is perfect for everyone, I tested different options for specific use cases: Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag, for example, is the best crossbody cellphone bag while MZ Wallace’s Small Sutton Deluxe is ideal for travel.
Here are all my picks for the best crossbody bags, along with my reviews on each, as well as answers to readers’ most commonly asked questions and expert tips at the end. And for more accessories advice, we also have guides to the best travel totes and work bags for women.
Best Crossbody Bag Overall
Materials: 100% leather | Colors: 4 total, including Cognac and Black | Closure: Zipper | Lining: Canvas | Interior pockets: 1
- What’s notable: It’s made from buttery leather and has the right amount of storage, plus a chic chevron pattern.
- What could be better: The leather strap curls up every so slightly, but there’s a slide tab that keeps it in place.
After testing 15 crossbody bags for more than 3 months, you might think it was hard to pick a winner. Yes, there are many bags that are perfectly functional, but Quince’s bestselling Italian Leather Crossbody really stood out to me. This compact-but-spacious pick excels in all the areas that matter: It’s made from ethically-sourced, buttery leather; has comfortable and easy to adjust straps; comes with a zipper closure that’s wide enough to get my phone in and out of quickly; and it’s priced extremely well (by comparison, 50% less than most luxury picks). The interior pocket holds just enough, and while the canvas lining is not as luxe as leather, it’s durable and keeps the overall price of this bag low.
Lightweight,Business Casual Letter Graphic Waist Bag For Teen Girls
This sleek, large-sized unisex handbag is designed for versatility and modern appeal. Crafted in a timeless black color, it combines functionality with a stylishly minimalist look, featuring both plain and lettered patterns that add a subtle yet distinctive touch. Made from durable 100% nylon with a polyamide material composition, this bag is lightweight yet resilient, perfect for everyday wear or travel. Its adjustable strap allows for a customized, comfortable fit, making it easy to wear across the body or around the waist. As a bum bag, it’s ideal for hands-free convenience while keeping essentials secure and easily accessible, blending practical design with understated style.
Best Affordable Crossbody Bag
Exterior materials: 100% leather | Colors: 4 total, including Cognac and Black | Closure: Zipper | Lining: Linen | Interior pockets: 2
- What’s notable: It’s very high quality for the price and the monogramming adds a personalized touch.
- What could be better: The zipper has a tassel at the end, which is not everyone’s taste (I lean more minimalist), and there’s no way to remove it.
In my opinion Mark & Graham doesn’t get enough attention for its excellent leather goods. Their Essential Crossbody Bag is made from premium leather, minus the premium price tag, and can be personalized with your initials or fun characters in a variety of fonts and colors for an additional $12.50, which still keeps the overall price low in comparison to other customized bags. I loved the size and shape—the zippered oval design made it easy to take items in and out, and the gold-toned hardware added a stylish touch. It also has two interior pockets (one that zips; the other is open so you can access small stuff like keys quickly).
Best Luxury Crossbody Bag
Exterior materials: 100% leather | Colors: 3 total, including Stone and Black | Closure: Magnetic flaps | Lining: Leather | Interior pockets: 2
- What’s notable: The bag is lined in leather and has both interior and exterior pockets.
- What could be better: I found it slightly time-consuming to open the saddle flaps to get into the interior compartments.
Cuyana’s leather goods are beautiful, and the Double Moon Saddle Bag has a quality that I could really feel in my hands: The Italian leather is pebbled and certified by the Leather Working Group for its environmentally-responsible tanning methods. This crossbody is fully lined in leather—the only bag I tested with this detail—and the saddle-bag design has two front compartments, each accessible with a magnetic flap. There’s also an exterior pocket on the back for storing your phone, and although it’s on the pricier end, this bag has a luxury construction that justifies the price. You can also add your monogram to the strap without an extra charge.
Best Crossbody Bag For Travel
Exterior materials: 100% recycled oxford (polyester, nylon) | Colors: 12 total, including Black and Dawn Red | Closure: Zipper | Lining: Recycled oxford | Interior pockets: 5
- What’s notable: It’s water-resistant, lightweight and comes with a handy detachable interior pouch.
- What could be better: The metal buckles and hardware add a little extra weight, but they also make the bag extremely durable.
MZ Wallace’s crossbody is genius for travel. It can be worn two ways—as a crossbody or top handle tote—and is made from quilted, water-resistant oxford fabric. This crossbody has so many handy, thoughtful touches: The nylon strap is amazingly easy to adjust (the best of all the bags I tested); the handles are padded and reinforced with Italian leather; the five interior pockets are great for organizing your phone, wallet, tickets and small stuff; and the detachable interior pouch can hold a spare pair of shoes. Plus, this bag is lightweight and expands to hold a lot or a little, and it folds down to a compact size for travel. I also found it stylish for day or night.
Best Crossbody Cellphone Bag
Exterior materials: Recycled polyester, nylon | Colors: 15 total, including Silver Drop and Black | Closure: Zipper | Lining: Recycled polyester | Interior pockets: 3
- What’s notable: It’s water-resistant and comfortable to carry—and you have the option to wear it around your waist.
- What could be better: This bag sells out in certain colors, and if you need to tote a lot, you may want to invest in the larger 2L size.
I was curious to see if Lululemon’s wildly popular Everywhere Belt Bag would live up to the hype. For certain use cases, it definitely did. If you only need to carry the essentials—your phone, keys, lip balm—this crossbody is great. While it’s compact in size, it has three mesh pockets inside and a zippered pocket on the back for your phone. The material is water-resistant and the strap fit comfortably across my chest and body. As the name implies, you can also buckle this around your waist but found it most useful to wear slung across my body.
Best Designer Crossbody Bag
