I firmly believe that a strategically packed personal item is the key to a (mostly) stress-free travel day. It can make all the difference between a travel experience where you feel prepared and put-together—where everything you might need is within easy reach—and one where you’re constantly fumbling around for your phone or passport and losing your favorite lip balm to the depths of your bag. How you pack it is obviously important, but it all starts with the bag itself. If you want to maximize every possible inch of packing space, bringing your regular everyday purse or a basic tote bag as your personal item is not going to cut it. You need a personal item bag with plenty of built-in organization that will help you travel smarter, not harder. And, of course, it also has to meet airlines’ personal item size requirements.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options, start right here. I’ve laid out everything you should look for in a personal item bag (including the proper dimensions) and included some recommendations that our editors personally travel with and love.
Personal item size requirements
The golden rule: Your personal item must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. So what exactly does that mean? In general, your personal item should measure about 18 x 14 x 8 inches or less. These measurements sometimes vary by airline; United, for example, has slightly stricter size requirements at 17 x 10 x 9 inches. If you have a flight coming up (or a certain airline preference), it’s worth checking their baggage policy ahead of time. Some airlines will even make you stick your bag in a sizing bin to ensure it meets their required dimensions. If it doesn’t fit, you might be required to pay an extra fee or consolidate your bags. When in doubt, erring on the smaller side is a safe bet.
What to look for in a personal item bag
Beyond the airline size requirements, there are a few other criteria I always look for in a personal item bag. Number one: it’s gotta have lots of pockets. I like to pack my personal item with everything I could possibly need on the flight—think snacks, hand sanitizer, lip balm, a water bottle, my Kindle, etc.—so having designated pockets to store these items is a huge plus. I prefer a mix of exterior pockets (for easy access to things like my phone and passport holder) and interior ones (to organize all the aforementioned in-flight essentials). If you often travel with your laptop, look for a bag with a padded compartment that will keep it safe in-flight.
Whether you prefer a tote, backpack, or some other style of bag is totally up to you (as long as it fits those size restrictions). Whatever style you choose, prioritize a bag with padded straps so you can comfortably carry it around the airport, no matter how full you pack it. A durable, water-resistant material is also always a good idea, in case of in-flight spills or messes. I also recommend looking for a personal item bag that features a luggage trolley sleeve. This pass-through pocket slips over your suitcase handle, so you can set your personal item directly on top of your carry-on as you navigate the airport—without worrying about it flopping over onto the ground.
READ: The Best Travel Bags to Invest in Now Before Your Summer Vacation
The best personal item bags for every type of trip
The best personal item bag for you totally depends on your travel style and preferences. I polled our team of frequent-flying editors and spent a lot of time online shopping to find the absolute best options on the market. From an under-$30 Amazon find to a luxe leather option, these are the best personal item bags for every type of trip.
Best personal item bag for organization: CALPAK Luka Duffel
I personally own the Luka Duffel and love using it as a personal item on flights. With a whopping nine pockets inside and out, it’s perfect for travelers who like to stay super organized (me). The dimensions fall within the requirements for most airlines, but it feels luxuriously roomy—probably because all the built-in organization features make it easy to pack in a lot. It even features a dedicated shoe compartment at the bottom of the bag, which is perfect if you run out of suitcase space. You can easily pack an extra pair of shoes (and keep them separate from the rest of your stuff) or a whole backup outfit in case your luggage gets delayed or lost. The luggage trolley sleeve and side water bottle pocket are also big bonuses for me. And I love that the material is super lightweight and easy to wipe clean if anything spills on it.
READ: The CALPAK Bags Our Editors Swear By for Chic and Easy Travel
Best lightweight personal item bag: Baggu Small Cloud Carry-on
We’re big Baggu stans at The Everygirl, and several of our team members highly recommend this Cloud bag as a personal item. Made of easy-to-clean nylon, this tote is ultra-lightweight with a roomy interior that zips closed at the top to keep your stuff contained. The exterior features two side pockets for water bottles, a tech pocket for your laptop, and two front pockets that are perfect for easy access to items like your phone and passport. The zippered pouch on the inside is detachable, and the whole bag can pack down into the pouch for compact storage. Plus, the bag itself is machine-washable, so you can just toss it into the washing machine after your trip to wash away any messes or airport germs.
Best personal item bag for overpackers: BÉIS Mini Weekender
If you often find yourself running out of suitcase space, you know that your personal item is a prime opportunity to fit just a couple more things in. The BÉIS Mini Weekender is the perfect bag for that. Although the full-size version of this bag is too big to fit under an airplane seat, the mini version can totally work as a personal item as long as you don’t pack it too full. The main compartment features an easy-access, wire-frame opening, so you can easily see everything you packed, whether that’s your in-flight entertainment or a whole extra outfit. The interior also includes a padded laptop sleeve, a built-in key leash, and three additional pockets. There’s also a separate zippered compartment on the bottom, which you can use to pack extra shoes, a toiletry bag, or a spare change of clothes. When you’re all packed, slip the trolley pass-through sleeve over your luggage handle to make it easy to tote through the airport.
Poly canvas, vegan leather, 100% polyester lining, nylon zipper, and zinc alloy hardware
5 colors available
16″ H x 16″ W x 8″ D
READ: Is BÉIS Luggage Worth It? Our Editors Weigh In
Best budget personal item bag: BAGSMART Quilted Tote Bag
Travel is already expensive enough without spending a fortune on all the necessary gear. If you’re looking for a reliable personal item bag that won’t blow your budget, this quilted tote from BAGSMART delivers. It features tons of pockets, including several that are accessible from the outside and a padded laptop sleeve on the inside. The bag itself weighs less than a pound, so even if you pack it super full, it won’t be too difficult to lug it around the airport. Plus, you can use the luggage pass-through strap to secure it to your suitcase and free up your shoulder if needed. It also comes in several fun colors and can be tossed in the washing machine when it needs a good clean. Basically, it packs all the features of more expensive bags but at an under-$30 price point.
Best investment personal item bag: Away Leather Duffle
Maybe you often travel for work and need something that looks put-together and professional, or maybe you just like your travel essentials on the bougie side. Either way, this leather duffel from Away makes an ideal personal item bag if you’re looking to splurge. The genuine pebbled leather exterior looks super luxe and is water-repellent for extra durability. It’s designed for easy organization with tons of pockets, including a padded laptop sleeve that’s accessible without opening the main compartment. There’s also an exterior zippered pocket that runs the full length of the bag, which is perfect for stashing all your in-flight snacks and essentials. Plus, it’s perfectly sized for even the strictest airline size restrictions (United fliers, rise up).
Best personal item backpack: BÉIS Expandable Backpack
A backpack makes an ideal personal item if you prefer being hands-free as you walk through the airport or make your way to your hotel. This editor-loved backpack from BÉIS features a pocket for literally everything, including your phone, passport, e-reader, laptop, water bottle, and more. And if you’re running out of packing space, you can unzip it to expand it a few more inches—while still remaining within most airlines’ personal item size restrictions. It also includes a trolley pass-through sleeve, so if you get tired of wearing it, you can set it on top of your luggage without fear of it falling off.
Recycled polyester, recycled leather
4 colors available
13″ W x 15″ H x 5-7″ D
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestlye Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
