9 Best Personal Item Bags for 2024
Planning a weekend getaway? New budget airlines mean you can score plane tickets on the cheap—but those lower prices mean you usually have to forgo a checked bag or even a carry-on. To avoid paying unnecessary fees, you need a personal item bag that can easily fit all your essentials under the seat. These are our favorites.
What qualifies as a personal item bag?
A personal item bag is a type of hand luggage that can fit under the seat in front of you. Basically, it's anything smaller than the luggage you’d usually place in the overhead bin. For example, a personal item bag could be a small backpack, a tote bag, a small duffel, a briefcase, etc. Just remember: Every airline has different specifications for what they consider a personal item bag, so make sure you check before you fly!
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9 best personal item bags for women
1. Best overall personal item bag: Lo & Sons
The Catalina Deluxe Tote from Lo & Sons has everything a girl needs in a personal item bag: It's lightweight, functional, and stylish, all in one. A bottom pocket keeps your shoes or dirty clothes separate from everything else, while a key leash keeps your keys from disappearing at the bottom of the bag. Plus, it's made with recycled poly and eco-friendly canvas that doesn't compromise on durability.
Price: starting at $205
2. Best versatile personal item bag: Away
If spontaneity is your travel game and you never know where you're headed next, then The Everywhere Bag from Away is going to be your new travel companion. With six interior pockets, a trolley sleeve, a padded laptop sleeve, an adjustable shoulder strap, and even a zippered, waterproof umbrella pocket, The Everywhere Bag is designed to carry your essentials in style and comfort wherever you go. Available in nylon, leather, and a slew of limited-edition fabrics, you'll want to take it everywhere.
Price: starting at $195
3. Best personal item bag for a laptop: Calpak
You may be traveling light, but that doesn't mean you can leave your laptop behind. With Calpak's Kaya Laptop Backpack, a zippered back compartment keeps your 15-inch laptop snug and secure whether you're traveling for work, school, or pleasure. Adjustable shoulder straps mean you can maximize comfort for long travel days, while its luggage trolley sleeve means you can easily strap it to trolley suitcases if you decide to check or carry on another bag.
Price: starting at $128
4. Best personal item bag for the over-packer: TravelPro
Don't think you can cut down your travel essentials to a single personal item bag? The Travelpro X Travel + Leisure Women's Convertible Tote helps you have it all … and fit it all under the seat. A combination of exterior pockets and zippered interior pockets means you can pack it all in securely, while the Travelpro QuickSlip™ front pocket with magnetic closure gives you easy access to your cell phone and boarding pass. Bonus: TravelPro's Built For a Lifetime Limited Warranty even protects you against damages caused by airlines for the first year.
Price: starting at $275
5. Best personal item bag for weekends: Arden Cove
The Dolores Commuter & Weekend Backpack is the best personal item bag for taking you from the office straight to a weekend getaway. Compact yet sleek, it's large enough to fit a 13" laptop in its padded laptop sleeve. Outside, a magnetic front pocket gives you quick access to smaller items, while two hidden, back-zipper pockets help you protect your valuables. Best of all, gold or silver (your choice) D-rings let you transform this faux-leather backpack into a shoulder bag so you can wear this personal item bag how you want it.
Price: starting at $439
Read our full review of the Dolores Commuter & Weekend Backpack here.
6. Best convertible personal item bag: Ecosusi
Gone are the days when convertible accessories were boring and ugly. This convertible backpack from Ecosusi gives you modern functionality with multiple compartments and a laptop sleeve. And whether you want to carry it by hand, across the body, or as a backpack, the two adjustable (and detachable) straps ensure you'll always be comfortable when you travel.
Price: starting at $43
7. Best high-end personal item bag: Briggs & Riley
The Underseat Duffel from Briggs & Riley makes sure you travel in luxury and comfort, wherever you go. Available in three timeless colors, this small duffel bag features a large main compartment, two generously-sized pockets, and the brand's signature SpeedThru™ pocket to give you convenient access to your items at security checkpoints. Never one to skimp on style, Briggs & Riley adds premium leather touchpoints and monogram detailings for an air of sophistication.
Price: starting at $289
8. Best personal item bag for organization: Dagne Dover
Rummaging through your bag to try and find your boarding pass with an impatient line of passengers behind you is never fun. That's why Dagne Dover created its Pacific Tote with four exterior pockets and five interior pockets so you can always stay organized on the go. There's even a Neoprene bottle holder and cotton key leash to keep you from losing your essentials. Made out of 100% organic cotton, this tote is light, portable, and easy to clean—no matter where you take it.
Price: starting at $165
Check out our list of the best Dagne Dover dupes here.
9. Best personal item bag with wheels: Tumi
For 30 years, Tumi has been bringing ballistic nylon to travelers with their exclusive FXT™ ballistic fabric that makes this personal item bag highly durable and virtually abrasion-proof. Its four dual spinner wheels mean you can transfer terminals with ease, while its built-in USB port helps you stay charged and connected during long travel days. And you don't just get durability with Tumi—you also get style. Make the Compact 4 Wheeled Brief yours with complementary classic monogramming. In case you're not ready to invest a substantial sum in Tumi luggage, you may want to take a look at our article featuring the top Tumi alternatives here.
Price: starting at $950
Personal item bags - common FAQs
What’s the difference between a carry-on and a personal item bag?
A personal item bag is one size smaller than a carry-on. That is, while your carry-on bag has to be stored in the overhead, your personal item bag should be small enough to be stashed under the seat in front of you. For example, while a carry-on is usually a small suitcase, your personal item bag could be a tote bag, small backpack, crossbody bag, briefcase, etc.
How big can a personal item be?
The exact dimensions for a personal item bag will vary from airline to airline (bummer, we know). Before you travel, you should always check with your specific airline. But in general, a personal item bag should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches.
Can a tote bag be a personal item?
You bet! Again, you should always check the exact dimensions of the airline you're flying with before you travel. But as long as it can fit under your seat, a tote bag is always a comfortable, functional, and stylish choice for a weekend getaway.
