The Best Small Purses for Hands-Free Travel Days
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When traveling I tend to face the same question, regardless of the type of trip. Be it a hotel stay or a cruise, I always ask: Do I bring a purse with me, or just carry my phone and room key in my hand? If I'm heading for a quick dip in the pool or walking to grab lunch, I don't want to have something in my hands at all times, but it also feels silly to carry around a mostly-empty crossbody bag. Cue the small purse: slim, lightweight bags meant for just a phone, card, and maybe a lip balm or other tiny essentials. Tiny purses are perfect for travelers—they take up little suitcase space, keep you hands-free, and don't weigh you down during a busy afternoon of sightseeing.
Plenty of travel-friendly brands like Cuyana, Nex, and Quince make small purses that are just as stylish as they are functional. Consider carrying one of our 17 favorite small purses the next time you're heading to the hotel bar or that coffee shop across the street from your Airbnb.
Our top picks:
- Best small leather purse: Quince phone crossbody
- Best for active travelers: Nike running fanny pack
- Best water-resistant: Nex Voyager crossbody
- Best designer bag: Louis Vuitton Mini Boite Chapeau
- Best affordable find: Free People quilted micro purse
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Madison Flager.
Cuyana Concertina phone bag
Our editors rave about Cuyana's sustainably-made leather goods, namely the Easy Tote Bag and System Tote Bag. The brand's Concertina Phone Bag is equally well-made and sleek. This petite pebbled crossbody bag with an adjustable strap and gold hardware offers three sections for organizing your essentials. As slim and minimalistic as this bag looks, it's actually surprisingly roomy—it fits a wallet, phone, hand sanitizer, and a few lip products.
FP Movement quilted micro pouch
Available in seven different colors, this under-$30 puffed quilted micro pouch is aptly named and perfectly priced. Affordable and trendy, this functional bag fits a few small items like keys, cards and IDs, lip balm, and earbuds. Thanks to its lobster-clasp hook, travelers can clip it onto any personal item or day bag they're carrying.
Lululemon Easy Access Crossbody bag 1.5L
Lululemon's Easy Access crossbody bag is perfect for active days hiking, biking, or clocking 20,000 steps on a city walking tour. It's made of water-repellent fabric, so you can safely bring it along on rainy travel days. The two-way zipper makes opening and closing this bag simple, and its multiple pockets help you stay organized. If you already love the brand's viral Everywhere Belt bag, you'll equally adore this crossbody for its versatility.
Quince Italian Leather Phone crossbody
Made from 100 percent Italian pebbled leather, this slim crossbody looks a lot more expensive than it is. Currently priced at $50, Quince's crossbody bag features a snap closure, an adjustable strap, and convenient credit card pockets on the interior—meaning you can leave your bulky wallet behind and just bring along your room key. Choose from olive (pictured), dusk blue, stone, burgundy, cognac, navy, and classic black.
Nex Voyager crossbody
This water-resistant crossbody bag is perfect for storing those smaller essentials like cards, coins, and your smartphone. I wore mine, both poolside at the Four Seasons Oahu resort and farming at the Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe Hawaii. It comes in three colors––black, beige, brown––and has an adjustable strap that allows it to be worn three different ways. The best part? It’s covered by the brand’s Million Mile Care Program, which offers trade-in and warranty policies, based on how much a customer travels with their bags.
Calpak croc wallet
If you’re looking for a super compact shoulder bag that’s equal parts chic and pragmatic, the croc-embossed wallet from Calpak is an easy option. The well-organized interior combined with its adjustable crossbody and shoulder straps means it has all the same features of your everyday bag—only with a lot more storage. The bag is available in black, cognac, emerald, pink sand, and iris, which is a surprisingly versatile shade of purple that will go with just about everything.
Ashya Heritage Checker Bolo bag
From hiking between hot springs in Iceland to boating around Curaçao, my bolo bag has become my go to everyday bag when I’m traveling. The adjustable crossbody strap gives me ample styling options, whereas the interior is surprisingly spacious, allowing me to carry my passport, cardholder, claw clip, and keys with ease. It comes in a handful of colors, including the toffee brown pictured.
Longchamp Le Pliage pouch with handle
Longchamp’s standard-sized Le Pliage bag has been a fan favorite among the style set for years, thanks to its roomy interior and flexible design. The brand’s smaller, mini iteration is perfect for outings that call for your card and phones, only. It’s made from a recycled canvas material with a sturdy leather handle and a snap fastening to keep your belongings secure.
Coach top handle card case
Behold: A leather top-handle card case that will look chic with every outfit in your fall capsule wardrobe. This slim and sleek bag is one of the smallest options on our list, neatly carrying only your banking essentials and a few cards. Thanks to the ring details and detachable chain-link strap, it's elegant enough to wear day or night.
Nike Slim running fanny pack
Nike nails the sporty feel with this extra small sling. This slim fanny pack features slip pockets that hold a few cards, and a reflective, adjustable strap for those exploring at night. What we love most: It’s barely-there silhouette is made from a black and silver technical fabric that fits seamlessly under and over any base layer.
Brandon Blackwood mini metal minaudiére
Brandon Blackwood designs some of my favorite everyday bags, so it's no surprise it offers an elevated yet practical option for travelers that want to carry a little bit less along with them. Made from stainless steel, this mini metal minaudière comes with a chain-link strap that keeps you hands-free in style. It features a push-lock closure and a fully-lined interior to ensure your cards are secure, without getting scuffed or scratched.
Athleta All About Phone Crossbody bag
The under-$30 All About Phone crossbody bag is perfectly named and perfectly priced. Affordable, sleek, and ultra-soft, this super slim bag fits just your phone and keys. It's made from recycled polyester fabric and has a thin adjustable strap. It's a nice option for sightseeing, museum hopping, or hiking.
Ododos crossbody bag
This under-$25 Amazon find has racked up an impressive average rating of 4.5 stars. Made of a durable, water-resistant nylon, this practical sling is a great option for running, hiking, or other outdoor adventures. It can be carried as a belt bag, shoulder bag, or a sling—making it a versatile option to toss in your carry-on just in case. It also comes with a removable small pouch that holds your AirPods or a lip balm.
Dagne Dover Mara phone sling
Dagne Dover has plenty of practical bags and purses for all sorts of occasions, whether you're looking for a diaper bag or a laptop case. The brand has a few great mini options, too, like this neoprene phone sling. Bring it to a concert or show when you want to be hands-free. It'll fit your cards, Chapstick, and other small essentials—there's also a sleeve pocket on the back where you can slip a phone into, making this one among the roomier options on this list.
Gucci GG Marmont Mini bag
If you're loving the mini bag trend, but want something elevated enough for a night out, consider a designer option that will last for years to come. We're eyeing this classic Gucci style, with quilted leather, antique gold-toned hardware, and the brand's logo. It features two card slots on the interior and there's enough room for your phone, lip gloss, and some cash.
MZ Wallace Metro crossbody bag
MZ Wallace is one travel-friendly brand we turn to for just about every type of bag—weekenders, totes, fanny packs, and small purses, too. The Metro Crossbody bag is great for busy parents on the go: soft, lightweight, and it fits more than you think. Made of the Metro collection's signature diamond-quilted material, the bag features a long adjustable strap, one main compartment for your wallet and phone, and a zippered exterior pocket for other essentials like your AirPods or some cash.
Béis The ID crossbody bag
Béis has plenty of practical bags for all sorts of occasions, whether you're looking for a weekender tote or an everyday pouch. The brand has a few great mini options, too, like this ID crossbody. Bring it on a hike or to a concert or show when you want to be hands-free. It'll fit your cards and other small essentials—there's also a sleeve pocket on the back where you can slip a phone into, making this one among the roomier options on this list.
