Arden Cove Review: The Crissy Full Crossbody Bag
Product Review Summary
From the amazing security features like 100% slash-resistant lining, RFID-blocking technology to protect your credit cards, organizational compartments, durable water-resistant nylon, and custom locking hardware, Arden Cove’s Crissy Full Crossbody with Faux Leather Strap is one of the best travel purses on the market.
Ratings
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★★★★★
This crossbody is made from durable nylon and waterproof zippers that are water-resistant against rain, snow, drink spills, and more. The custom locking hardware is designed to clasp together, preventing someone from quickly unzipping your bag.
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★★★★★
The purse comfortably fits my (very clunky) wallet and sunglasses case and sits snug on my hip. I loosened the faux-leather strap just a bit to give it a little more length, but at no point did I feel like the purse was cumbersome or in the way when I was out running errands.
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★★★★★
The stylish design is 100% what I love most about this purse. It looks great with every outfit and doesn’t give off a very obvious “I’m a tourist here” look. It’s sophisticated, and on top of that, it’s incredibly functional. How’s that for a win-win?
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★★★★★
The Crissy Full Crossbody starts at $169, though other colors run a little cheaper. It’s definitely an investment piece and is much more expensive than other travel purses on the market (which typically run around $50). Despite the price tag, there’s no way I could deny that this purse is absolutely worth the price.
Pros:
Sophisticated design with ample storage
Quality materials and craftsmanship
Water-resistant nylon and zippers
Adjustable, slash-resistant strap
RFID-blocking card organizer
Cons:
More expensive, definitely an investment piece
Color combinations may not suit some people
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Since 2016, Arden Cove has been delighting female travelers with their stylish designs and custom locking hardware. From purses and wallets to totes and backpacks, every Arden Cove bag is created with your safety in mind. In this review, we’re doing a deep dive into Arden Cove’s Crissy Full Crossbody with Faux Leather Strap, which happens to be their best-selling travel purse.
Arden Cove: What To Know About the Brand
Karin & Carmen, two sisters born and raised in San Francisco, are the visionaries behind Arden Cove. The concept for Arden Cove was first incepted by both sisters during two unfortunate travel experiences. Karin had been studying abroad in Paris, France when all of her classmates were getting pick-pocketed left and right. She happened to remain safe, even though her travel purse seemed to be falling apart at the seams. Carmen was on her honeymoon with her husband in Bali, Indonesia when she found herself caught in a rainstorm while on a hike in the open rice paddies. All of her belongings in her anti-theft crossbody became thoroughly soaked.
Tired of anti-theft purses that were cheap and unfashionable, Karin and Carmen set out to make travel purses that were actually water-resistant, constructed from high-quality materials, and actually stylish. Arden Cove officially launched in 2016 and has quickly grown in popularity ever since.
Arden Cove Purse Review: The Crissy Full Crossbody
First introduced to the brand by a fellow traveler while on a Remote Year trip, we’ve heard only the best things about Arden Cove and were super excited to see if their bestselling purse lived up to all its hype.
The following is a review of Arden Cove’s Crissy Full Crossbody with Faux Leather Strap, complete with locking Hardware in Black with Gold Hardware.
Unpacking and First Impressions
My Crissy Full Crossbody arrived quickly and packed in their branded Arden Cove box. On the side of the box was text that read “Take Off With Confidence” and a fun leafy print that wrapped around the outside. As I opened up the box, there was a short message from the founders with background on the brand and a very sincere thank you for supporting Arden Cove. I absolutely loved this small detail because I immediately felt connected to the brand’s mission and their products. I also appreciated that the brand’s story was printed on the box instead of on additional flyers, reducing the overall amount of fulfillment materials used. The message also gave insight into the features of the bag: waterproof exterior, RFID-blocking, locking hardware, and 100% slash-proof lining (as opposed to just the bottom or sides that other anti-theft bags do).
Quality of Materials
This crossbody is made from durable nylon that is water-resistant against rain, snow, drink spills, and more. I was personally impressed with how the purse seals shut with the YKK waterproof zipper. Because it is completely water-tight, you have to use a little bit of force to open and close the zipper, but it’s nothing too difficult to be concerned about. I also loved the custom locking hardware that’s designed to clasp together, preventing someone from quickly unzipping your bag. Having had my phone stolen out of the front pocket of an older purse in Colombia, I definitely appreciated this feature. Overall, the purse felt elevated and well-constructed.
Sizing and Fit
To be honest, I was nervous this purse wasn’t going to fit everything I travel with on a daily basis. Even though I tend to pack pretty light, I always have several clunky items with me: my phone, a thick wallet, sunglasses, keys, and several kinds of chapstick (I’m a desert girl at heart). To my surprise, my wallet and sunglasses case fit in the main pocket comfortably - which usually isn’t the case with other travel purses. I also loved how the purse sits snug on my hip. I loosened the faux-leather strap just a bit to give it a little more length, but at no point did I feel like the purse was cumbersome or in the way when I was out running errands.
Overall Design
In the past, I have avoided using an anti-theft purse while traveling because of one reason only: the look. My previous travel purses, while safe and secure, just blatantly didn’t look cute. You tend to take plenty of photos while traveling and I hated that I would have a clunky or unflattering purse on me in the majority of those pics. We live in the age of Instagram and I hate to say it, but I want to look chic and stylish. And this is 100% what I love most about this purse. It looks great with every outfit and doesn’t give off a very obvious “I’m a tourist here” look. It’s sophisticated, and on top of that, it’ss incredibly functional. How’s that for a win-win?
Value for Money
The Crissy Full Crossbody starts at $169, though other colors run a little cheaper. It’s definitely an investment piece and is much more expensive than other travel purses on the market (which typically run around $50). Despite the price tag, there’s no way I could deny that this purse is absolutely worth the price. From the amazing security features like 100% slash-resistant lining, RFID-blocking technology to protect your credit cards, organizational compartments, durable water-resistant nylon, and custom locking hardware - this purse is one I will not only use while traveling but at home too. The best part? Every bag comes with a 1-year warranty where any defects or repairs are taken in for no additional cost. After that, they offer repairs at a set price.
The Bottom Line
It’s easy to see why this is Arden Cove’s best-selling purse. Their bags are versatile, fashionable, and guaranteed to keep your belongings safe. I appreciate their mission to help women “travel beautifully” and shake up the otherwise very mundane travel purse space. The bottom line: this is easily the best travel purse on the market and is well worth the investment.
Arden Cove Purse FAQs
Are Arden Cove purses slash-proof?
Yes! Arden Cove purses and bags include 100% slash-resistant lining. Other anti-theft bag brands just line the bottom or sides, while Arden Cove covers the entire bag with the same material used in bullet-proof vests. A box cutter won't be able to get through to your valuable belongings.
What features does the Crissy Full Crossbody come with?
The Crissy Full Crossbody comes with an RFID-blocking built-in wallet with 8 card slots and 1 bill pocket, a large compartment with 2 wall pockets, 1 zippered pocket, and a D-ring to attach a key. It also comes with detachable and adjustable straps, bottom studs, and is made from a waterproof nylon exterior and waterproof zippers.
Do Arden Cove purses come with a warranty?
Yes! Every bag comes with a 1-year warranty where any defects or repairs are taken in for no additional cost. After that, we offer repairs at a set price.