The 121 Best Cross Body Bags
How we rate the bags
We have checked 194,784 Cross body bag reviews, so we can show you the weighted average rating of all the bags.
Using the average ratings, you can check what all the reviewers think instead of just viewing the subjective opinion of one specific reviewer.
It's much simplier to find the best bags that way.
We have checked 194,784 Cross body bag reviews, so we can show you the weighted average rating of all the bags.
Using the average ratings, you can check what all the reviewers think instead of just viewing the subjective opinion of one specific reviewer.
It's much simplier to find the best bags that way.
Buyers Guide to Cross Body Bags
Contents
Fortunately, we are here to clear up all confusion. This guide gives you all of the hints and tips that you need to know to choose the best possible cross body bag. This way, you certainly will not be disappointed with what you get.
An Easy Guide to Choosing a Cross Body Bag
Cross body bags are known by several other names including saddle bags, messenger bags, etc. Regardless, they all perform the same function – to make it easier for you to carry around your belongings. These type of bags continue to be popular with a wide variety of people as they work well in several environments.So, seeing as these bags will not be going out of style anytime soon, it stands to reason that you should get your own. To prevent you from having to muddle through numerous options though, we have done most of the heavy lifting for you. Here are the important points:
Why Carry a Cross Body Bag
In case you aren’t certain that a cross body bag is for you, let’s discuss some of the advantages associated with this type of bag. Since this bag is worn diagonally, across your torso, it leaves your arms free. While this bag can be considered a sort of over the shoulder backpack, it surpasses the backpack as it doesn’t restrict your movement.The other benefit is the way that you can position the bag. If you want it out of the way, you can adjust the strap so that the bag is positioned at your back. For a more secure option, the bag can be kept to your side. Last but not least, when reaching for things in your bag, you will not need to take it off as you simply have to swing the bag forwards.
The great thing about this bag is that it can be styled in a myriad of ways which means that it can be dressed up or down. You will certainly be able to find a design, regardless of the occasion. There are casual ones for shopping, official looking ones for businesspeople, and elegant options for nighttime events.
Types and Designs
As mentioned, there are more than a few types and styles of cross body bags that you can choose from. The most common design is the messenger bag – with a medium to large sized bag whose main purpose is to store as many items inside as possible. Messenger bags tend to be strictly for functional purposes and are usually used by school kids, businesspeople, or shoppers.Then there are the cross body backpacks. As the name suggests, these look like traditional backpacks, complete with panel compartments and exterior pockets. The only real difference here, of course, is that these bags have one long strap instead of two shoulder straps. These type of bags make organization easy due their numerous compartments and pockets.
Cross body bags also have sports bag-like designs as well. They are basically a cross between traditional gym bags and messenger bags. These bags tend to be a bit larger and have additional padding to protect sports equipment.
Then, there are the cross body bags that can fit the categorization of pouches. These can be rectangular, square shaped or even circular. These are more fashion statements as they tend to be a bit on the small side.
Capacity
Cross body bags come in many different sizes, depending on what you need them for:- Small bags (0 – 10 liters): on the smaller end of the scale, bags that fall in this range are typically good for carrying keys, phone, and some money (maybe a wallet). The larger bags work well for a wallet, book, or even a tablet, although not much else.
- Medium Bags (10 – 20 liters): these are great for carrying books, laptops, documents, and similar items. Essentially, you will be able to carry anything that you will need on a daily basis. These bags also tend to have compartments of various size so that organization becomes easier.
- Large bags (20+ liters): large cross body bags are ideal for people who are always carrying large loads such as sports equipment. However, they also serve well as travel bags and can be taken on trips, even on an airplane journey. Depending on the dimensions of the bag, it could be considered as carry on luggage.
Materials
Cross body bags are actually made from a surprisingly large number of materials. This is partially why they are so adaptable and great for all environments.There are lots of cross body bags that are still made from canvas material. Bags made of this fabric are typically carried by school or college kids. The main advantage of canvas is that it is actually quite strong and durable, making it perfect for everyday use. It is able to resist wear and tear quite well and also has the benefit of looking quite chic. Canvas is also a quick-drying material so if it happens to get wet, you can be quite sure it won’t remain this way for long.
With sports cross body bags, you need something that is able to handle a great deal of weight. For this purpose nylon or nylon hybrids work well. This fabric is strong but also lightweight enough to add too much additional burden to you. Many of these bags also have a water-resistant coating. So, while it may not protect your belongings from a downpour, it can keep the water at bay for a while.
Then there are leather cross body bags. These are usually meant for businesspeople as one of their main functions is aesthetic. At the same time, they are quite sturdy and can carry a moderate load. One of the biggest downsides of bags made from this material (apart from the price) is the level of maintenance required. These bags are scuffed and marked quite easily so you do have to look after them well or they will begin to fade, crack, or peel.
Carrying System
Now, as you can see, the carrying system on a cross body bag is quite simplistic – it just consists of one long strap. Nonetheless, you should always check that the strap is adjustable. You will need to change the length to suit your own height so that you will be able to walk easily.Also, to make certain that the weight of the strap and bag is evenly displaced, you should look for a wider strap. These will not dig into your skin. The strap should have a portion of thick padding that can be placed on your shoulder to alleviate discomfort.
If you want some variety in how you can carry your bag, you may want to consider one or more small handles on the bag so that you can hold it parallel to the ground while walking.
Storage Features
When it comes to storage, there are quite a few options available with cross body bags. Some have just one main, large compartment, maybe with a tiny pocket or two. The advantage of these bags is that all of your items are immediately on hand. Of course, since they aren’t organized, it may be a little difficult to find.If you prefer to keep all of your things separate from one another, you should look for either dividers or large, external pockets. If the bag has a flap, there may be compartments in this area as well. You will need to ensure that the pockets are the right size for what you need.
These days, many of the cross body bags also come with laptop or tablet compartments. These are usually sleeves or pockets where the digital device can be stored. The areas do tend to be quite padded to offer protection to the devices, though. When buying a bag with this feature, you should check that is suitable for the dimensions of your laptop or tablet.
Additional Features
Here is a list of some other features that you should look for in your cross body bag:
Security Features
One of the downsides of these bags is that, depending on the design, they can be unsecure. So, it is important to look for a bag that is difficult to steal from. This is why cross body bags with flaps are best as the main zipper isn’t easily accessible. Also, if you have external pockets, look for ones with buckles clasping them to the bag. Typically, you should stay away from magnetic clasps or anything that can be opened easily.TSA Friendly
If you are looking for a cross body bag to take with you on flights, then it can help to get one that has been designed to be TSA friendly. These are usually constructed with thin dividers, no metal snaps or other features, etc. The purpose of this is to make the bag easier to screen so that you can get through security checkpoints more quickly.RFID Blocking Features
If you are planning on taking your cross body bag with you wherever that you go, you may want to consider an RFID blocking chip feature. These help to protect the security information present on your credit cards, thus preventing anyone else from stealing it.These are the things that you will need to know when looking for a cross body bag. Armed with this information, you will have a much better chance of wading through all of the options available to you. Not only that, you have a greater chance of ending up with a high quality, great looking cross body bag.
28 More Cross Body Bags
Classic cross body bags and models that haven't yet got enough reviews to be ranked.
Last updated on January 22, 2019
