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15 Of The Most Functional Bags You’ve Ever Laid Eyes On

Feb 11, 2024

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Get ready for plenty of pockets, convertible straps, and unexpected features that'll make your other bags want to step up their game.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "I love that this bag accommodates my work iPad and even a laptop, keeping it all separate from my morning breakfast so nothing gets smooshed. I can even throw my purse in there so I’m not dragging a bunch of extra bags while commuting. It’s become my favorite work bag. I bought one for my husband and he loves it as well!" —Courtney A. Kays

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two sizes and in three colors).

If you already have a bag you love that could use a little organizing, try this bag organizer insert that comes in multiple sizes for a perfect fit and boasts a whopping 12,600+ 5-star ratings.

Promising review: "I was looking for a handbag that was smaller than the bag I carry for work. I searched and came across this one. I was looking for something very basic, nothing super fancy, and something that would keep me organized. I love this one because while the basic bag is great, it comes with a bonus insert that can be left in or out, and it keeps all your things together and neatly organized!! I have to say this is one of my favorite purchases from Amazon!!" —Pam E

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "I take it everywhere and it fits all my daily essentials. Such a good bag, I'm recommending it to everyone I know." —Ava P.

BuzzFeed writer Haley Zovickian, who's always lugging around either a Nalgene or a Yeti tumbler, says this pack has majorly upgraded her life. For the full scoop, check out her full Calpak bottle holder review (#5)!

Get it from Calpak for $42 (available in seven styles).

Promising review: "So I bought this bag last minute as a personal item on a flight so I wouldn’t have to pay $50 for a carry-on, and I am so glad I did! I fit my Canon camera, three camera lenses, and all my camera accessories, wallet, phone charger and port, makeup bag, tablet, and a sweater (rolled up). It fit perfectly under the seat, and I loved the variety in how to wear the bag. Definitely a must for traveling." —Alexandrea

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two sizes and in seven colors).

Promising review: "I recently went on a trip through Europe. I wore this to keep my important information, money, GoPro, and little things like lotion, hairbrush, etc. It was PERFECT! You can wear it a few different ways. I mostly wore it diagonal across my body because it made it feel more secure. The size was a little large for wearing it this way but I had no issue. Better than wearing a backpack or something on the front of your body! I recommend this to anyone looking for a comfortable, secure bag to use while traveling or to an event." —Emily B.

Get it from Amazon for $28.95 (available in eight colors).

Mali + Lili is a BIPOC woman-owned small biz that launched in 2017 with a mission to create multitasking bags and accessories that don't sacrifice on style.

FYI, this is included in Prime Try Before You Buy so you can give it a trial run if you're a member!

Promising review: "This is a great small purse. Much roomier than you would think. It can be worn crossbody or over the shoulder. It's really lightweight and great to take out when you don't want a bulky purse. Great colors and really reasonably priced! I had to buy another one because I lent mine to my daughter and she didn't want to give it back!" —LDC14

Get it from Amazon for $35.20 (available in 35 colors/styles).

The bag has a separate compartment to hold up to a 15.6" laptop, a hidden anti-theft pocket on the back for valuables, a luggage strap, hanging clasps, and an external USB port to hook up to your own power bank.

Promising review: "Really happy with this backpack. Took it on two flights and walked all over with it. It is just at the limit for TSA guidelines. Many pockets — I kept so much stuff in it and everything was in its place. No damage to things. Lightweight and sturdy. No regrets at all. This was meant for travel but I think I'll use it for work too because I'm so happy with it." —Angela A.

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and in nine colors).

Promising review: "This bag is PERFECT for traveling…it has pockets for everything and there is plenty of space for all our travel needs — a shawl, laptop, iPad, wallet…and, then the phone pocket as well as the crucial suitcase handle sleeve! I love it! I have a couple to match my suitcases! LOVE LOVE LOVE!" —Asfa M.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma McAnaw says, "My Dagne Dover duffle fits soooooo much more than it seems (especially when you fight to the death to fit everything as I do), and it's a super easy carry-on! I just put it under the seat so I don't have to fight people to get the overhead bin space. Also, I've gotten away with bringing it for free on airlines that try to charge for carry-ons because it looks so small."

Get it from Dagne Dover for $185 (also available in four other sizes and nine colors).

Promising review: "I was looking for the perfect purse for an extended trip to Europe that would keep my money, credit card, and passport secure and this did the trick. It was perfect in every way — size, crossbody length so I could keep it in the front of me when in crowded areas, and the locking zippers were easy to maneuver. Yet there were some 'easier access' zipper pockets without zippers I could slip receipts, etc in. So happy I purchased this product and I have continued to use it as an every day purse now that I'm home." —kdsportsmom

Get it from Amazon for $41.99 (available in two sizes and in 14 styles).

Promising review: "Looks and feels like real leather; I actually had to triple check to make sure this was actually vegan! It is the perfect size to hold my water bottle, iPad and keyboard, notebook, and every little extra thing I carry like lotion, lip balm, etc. I love the key clip. I didn't think I would use it, but it is extremely useful since you can just pull it and your keys come up no matter how buried they are. I'd recommend this bag to anyone looking for a more professional, smaller tote bag. I am a petite woman so average size (aka large) tote bags are too distracting/unmanageable." —Rikki Palma

Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "This bag is perfect for when I travel with our sports teams. Usually 2–4 days on the road and it fits everything I need. Can carry it different ways and waterproof. Can’t get much better." —Savannah W.

Get it from Baboon to the Moon for $199 (available in two other sizes and in 7 colors).

Promising review: "I had been carrying around a tote bag for about two years, maybe longer. It was not very pretty and had almost no compartments, but it held everything I needed to carry with me, including my iPad. After searching online for an alternative, I finally came across this purse on Amazon. There are two sizes so I ordered the large one. I couldn’t be more pleased! It has so many compartments! All my stuff is organized and I can find it when I need it AND my iPad fits in there, too! There’s even two pouches for carrying a water bottle or a small umbrella. No more ugly tote bag for me. The workmanship on my purse is just fine. The material can be cleaned simply by wiping it with a damp cloth and the strap can be adjusted to make it a cross body bag. And it doesn’t look like a tote bag. It’s a win/win for me. 😃" —Theresa Lupino

Get it from Amazon for $29.69 (available eight colors).

Promising review: "I love everything about this bag. It's incredibly well made and sturdy both inside and out. The outside leather is quite stiff, but that only means it's built to last — and will soften and develop a lovely patina and character as it ages. I've had so many handbags with flimsy inner linings that rip or develop holes, and I'm having to dig around in the 'pockets' these tears create in order to find my keys or my lip balm or what have you. This bag's inner linings are a durable canvas. It looks like and wears like something I could use while on an expedition with Indiana Jones, which, you know...might happen someday. I anticipate using it for years (and years) to come." —jayloudub

Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in four colors).

Lux and Nyx is a Asian woman-owned small business creating fashionable and functional bags and accessories designed by women, for women.

Promising review: "This bag is exactly what I was looking for in a day-to-day work bag and more! It’s practical, convenient, durable, stylish and lightweight. There’s space for all of my everyday necessities without the clutter. I love that it’s great for work and travel." —Marina H.

Get it from Lux and Nyx for $288 (available in two other sizes, two hardware finishes, and two fabric types).

Beblaue is a small business based in Bercelona that's creating smart and stylish organizers that make it easy to keep all your essentials on-hand no matter where your work takes you.

Promising review: "This product is a lifesaver for a teacher on the go. I use it for my iPad Pro and my school-issued laptop. I no longer drop things as I move from place to place! Just the basics will fit — pen, cards, small writing tablet." —Elementary Techy Teacher

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in gray and blue).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Promising review: It’s become my favorite work bag.Promising review:I love this one because while the basic bag is great, it comes with a bonus insert that can be left in or out, and it keeps all your things together and neatly organized!!Promising review: Promising review:It fit perfectly under the seat, and I loved the variety in how to wear the bag.Promising review:I wore this to keep my important information, money, GoPro, and little things like lotion, hairbrush, etc. It was PERFECT!I recommend this to anyone looking for a comfortable, secure bag to use while traveling or to an event.Promising review:It's really lightweight and great to take out when you don't want a bulky purse.Promising review:Lightweight and sturdy. No regrets at all.Promising review:it has pockets for everything and there is plenty of space for all our travel needsPromising review:So happy I purchased this product and I have continued to use it as an every day purse now that I'm home.Promising review:I'd recommend this bag to anyone looking for a more professional, smaller tote bag. Promising review:Promising review:All my stuff is organized and I can find it when I need it AND my iPad fits in there, too! There’s even two pouches for carrying a water bottle or a small umbrella.Promising review:It's incredibly well made and sturdy both inside and out.his bag's inner linings are a durable canvas.I anticipate using it for years (and years) to come.Promising review:Promising review:I no longer drop things as I move from place to place!