It can be hard to decide what to pack for vacation…there are always too many things to bring and not enough space to put them all! But it can be even harder to decide on the bags to bring with you to put all your stuff in. Will you bring a suitcase? Will you bring carry-on only? And what will you use as your personal item bag?
If you’re in this boat and are currently trying to decide what to bring for your travel personal item bag on your next flight, then this article will help you figure out what to look for and which is the best bag for you. So whether you plan to maximize your space and travel carry-on only or plan to check luggage and only carry on the essentials, you will soon have the perfect personal item bag for you and your travel style!
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Best Personal Item Bags Quick Comparison Guide
Want to see the best personal item bag options at a glance? Here’s a quick comparison chart to help you see them side-by-side.
[table id=9 /]Check out my favorite personal item bag for airplane travel!
What is a Personal Item Bag?
A personal item on a plane is a small bag that you can place under the seat in front of you…often a purse, laptop bag, small backpack, or the like. This is different from a carry-on bag, which is usually larger and goes in the overhead compartments.
Many airlines allow you to bring a carry-on bag plus a personal item for free, although occasionally (with budget airlines especially) you will find that only one or the other is offered without a cost. But since many still offer both bags for free with an economy ticket, having a great personal item bag can help you travel carry-on only if you so desire. If you plan to travel carry-on only or are just looking for a great bag to make your travel life easier, then this article will help you decide on the best personal item bag for you!
What to Look for in a Personal Item Bag
Here are some tips on what to look for in a personal item to make sure you choose the right one for you!
1. Size
Before choosing a personal item bag, you will want to consider the airlines you plan to fly. If you plan to fly budget airlines (especially budget airlines in Europe) you will have different restrictions than international flights or many US flights. Doing a quick search of your airline carrier plus “personal item size” will make sure you know exactly what size bag you can bring.
Here are a few common airlines and their size restrictions for personal items:
- American: 18″ x 14″ x 8″ (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
- United: 9″ x 10″ x 17″ (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm)
- Southwest: 18.5″ x 8.5″ x 13.5″ (47 cm x 22 cm x 34 cm)
- Ryanair: 15.7″ x 7.9″ x 9.8″ (40 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm)
As you can see, there is a slight variation between allowed personal item size. If you know you will be traveling an airline with a smaller size allowance, then you will want to make sure you purchase a bag that will fit this size restriction.
2. Shape
In choosing your personal item, you will also want to consider the shape. I always opt for a soft-sided bag as it can be squished down (especially if it’s a tiny bit too big for the airline’s restrictions!) This also helps when putting it under the seat in front of you, as it is easier to squeeze it in particularly when there isn’t much room.
Another aspect of shape to consider is how well the bag holds its shape. I opt for less structured bags and backpacks, as I travel with a lot of photo gear. When you have a camera body, 2-3 lenses, a GoPro, a tripod, and a ton more you want to fit in your personal item…well, the less structure the better so you can fit it all in!
However, there are lots of great personal item bags that are more structured and restrictive in shape. It really all depends on your travel style and what you plan to pack and need to pack in your bag.
3. Type
The next thing you need to consider is the type of personal item bag you want. Do you want a bag like a purse or do you want a backpack? To answer this, you’ll want to ask yourself which style is easiest to carry and easiest to use based on how you pack. You’ll also want to consider whether you want to look stylish with a purse or choose a backpack for city life or outdoor adventures.
4. Versatility
Along with the type of bag you choose, you’ll want to consider the bag’s versatility. Is this a bag you will use as a personal item and as your everyday bag at your destination? I always make sure that the bag I bring is one I want to use throughout my trip, because there’s really no point in packing a bag just for airline travel and having to pack a second bag for your destination.
If you plan to use a backpack at your destination, use a backpack for your personal item. If you plan to use a purse, bring a purse for your personal item. And of course, make sure that the pattern and/or color fits with your aesthetic for your destination! Choosing a versatile bag for your personal item means you have one less extra thing to pack or worry about.
5. Security
If you are using your bag for airline travel and for travel at your destination, you may want to consider getting a bag with some extra security features. Many bags come with lockable zippers (or space to lock the zippers) as well as slash proof fabric or other security considerations. This can be great for travel as you have less to worry about from pickpockets or thieves.
6. Durability
Last but not least, make sure you choose a quality bag. If you do, it will last you for many years to come…and you can rest assured that it won’t fall apart during your travels. This is especially important if you’ll be carrying anything heavy, like all the camera gear I mentioned that I carry.
Best Personal Item Backpacks for Airplane Travel
Many people ask: can a backpack be a personal item? The answer is yes for most airlines but only if it fits within the size limits. If you’re considering a backpack for your personal item, here are the backpacks I use and recommend!
1. Pacsafe Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Backpack (My top pick!)
This Pacsafe anti-theft backpack is my favorite personal item to travel with on all my flights. It is 14.6″ x 10.6″ x 6.3″ (37 x 27 x 16 cm) and only has a 17L capacity, but when you fill it with everything you need to bring you will be surprised because it seems to fit a lot more than it should be able to!
This backpack is my top pick for a personal item for several reasons. First, it fits a lot. A LOT. I can fit my travel tripod, my Sony a7R III camera plus two lenses, my GoPro and a few accessories, as well as other miscellaneous items I need for travel including my wallet, charging cords, portable charger, and more. All of this without bulging!
Second, I adore all the organization features. Inside the main compartment there is a laptop sleeve, two open pockets, and an RFID blocking zipped pocket. Plus the front zippered pocket on the backpack also has a few open pockets that you can use to divide up small things you want to keep organized!
Third, this Pacsafe backpack is equipped with a lot of security features that give me peace of mind when traveling and when in big cities. The body of the backpack and the straps are made from a slash proof fabric so no one can slice it open and grab it from you and run. The zippers also come with a locking system and a secure zip tab to make sure pickpockets can’t sneak inside your bag without you knowing. I had to look at the instructions the first time I used this bag to figure out how to open the zippers, so unless the thief has this same bag they’ll have a lot of trouble trying to get it open without you knowing! But if you want even more security, the zippers are also compatible with a set of combination locks like these to make it even more difficult for someone to get inside.
With all of these amazing features, it’s no wonder this has become my new favorite backpack for travel and for everyday use! It works great as a personal item on the plane, but the design and material makes this a stylish bag that you also won’t mind wearing in all your vacation pictures. I really can’t recommend this Pacsafe bag enough, as to me it really is the best personal item backpack!
Click here to check the price and read more reviews!
2. JanSport Superbreak Backpack
I’ve used a JanSport Superbreak backpack for much of my life as my everyday backpack and my personal item on planes. In fact, I’ve used the same JanSport backpack since junior high! While this backpack at first glance looks a little basic, it is comfortable and versatile and holds a lot while still looking small…which makes it a perfect personal item for flying!
This backpack holds 25 liters and measures in at 16.7″ x 13″ x 8.5″ (42 x 33 x 21 cm). Although this seems a little on the big side for some of the regulations, I have never had an issue bringing this as my personal item on a plane even when I am carrying my Osprey Farpoint 40 backpack as my carry on. This is because this JanSport backpack does not have a frame, so it easily squashes down and looks smaller than it is, even when you have it filled to capacity.
The straps are comfortable and make this backpack easy to carry, and it’s nice to have the extra pocket on the front for smaller items that you don’t want to lose in the big main compartment. I usually use this front pocket for items like my portable charger and charging cords, pens and pencils, etc…but never my wallet or passport because it’s too easy to pickpocket from there!
When my old JanSport backpack finally started giving out earlier this year and the straps started to slowly break, I finally decided it was time to find a new backpack. That’s when the Pacsafe Citysafe became my new backpack of choice. So why did I change from a JanSport backpack that had served me so well? Mostly because I was looking for some better organization capabilities, better security features, as well as a slightly more stylish look. I will still use my JanSport occasionally, but when I’m headed to do more city travel I now grab my Pacsafe bag instead.
The features of this JanSport backpack are overall quite great and I still recommend it as an excellent personal item for airplane travel. It’s a versatile bag that holds a ton…so I really can’t recommend it enough if you need to bring a lot of things with you on the plane!
Click here to check the price and read more reviews!
3. Fjällräven Räven 20 Backpack
The Fjällräven Räven 20 backpack is an excellent choice for a personal item on your next flight. It holds 20 liters and measures 18″ x 11″ x 8″ (45 x 27 x 20 cm).
As I talked about in my full review of the Räven 20, this little backpack comes with a lot of organization features and plenty of pockets while still remaining streamlined and sleek! (You’ll find that its various pockets come in handy for holding all the little items you need while traveling…especially your passport, airplane tickets, a pen, and more!)
Additionally, this backpack’s structured nature and foam padding means that it remains comfortable to carry even when you have heavy items inside, which makes it a great choice to carry around with you while at the airport.
Click here to check the price and read more reviews!
4. Tentree Mobius Modular 4-in-1 Backpack (Eco-friendly!)
The Tentree Mobius backpack is a unique backpack and one that I really love! What’s so unique? Well, it’s a modular backpack which means you can expand or shrink it as you need! At its smallest it is 16 liters and 12″ x 5″ x 18″ (30 x 12 x 46 cm) while at its largest it expands to 35 liters and 12″ x 8″ x 23″ (30 x 20 x 59 cm). This means that it’s small enough to use as a personal item on a plane when you have it in its smallest form, but it can also expand and you could use it as your actual carry on if you wanted (or as your main bag for road trips or other purposes).
Another feature that I love about this backpack is that it is eco-friendly! It is made from REPREVE® fabric (fabric made from recycled materials including plastic bottles) and its padding is BLOOM foam (made by harvesting excess algae from algae blooms that damage ecosystems). This is one of the things that really drew me to this backpack when I first heard about it, because what could be better than finding the perfect, expandable, eco-friendly backpack?!
Additionally, while it is a roll-top bag, there is a clamshell opening at the back which allows you to access your items easier or in a suitcase-like format. It also has a laptop sleeve that fits up to a 15″ laptop, a front compartment that contains several organizational pockets, and a few other features like a hidden pocket and space for a water bottle on the side.
I purchased this backpack because it sounds so amazing—and it is! Except for one minor thing that meant I had to ship it back. Those of you who have read my review of the Osprey Farpoint 40 know that I had to purchase the S/M size because I have a small torso and the M/L was too long for my body. The same thing happened to me with this bag, only it doesn’t come in a size for those of us with smaller torsos. 😞 This meant that when I wore the backpack it would gap uncomfortably between my back and the bag. So if they ever make it in a size that fits me I will buy it in a heartbeat…and in the meantime, for those of you with normal/long torsos I recommend it all the way! 🙂
Click here to check the price or here to read a more in-depth review!
Best Personal Item Bags/Purses for Airplane Travel
While I personally opt for a backpack as my personal item most of the time because I have so much camera gear to carry with me, a lot of people prefer a slimmer profile and an actual purse/bag instead. Here are some great options for purses that will work perfectly as your personal item for your next flight!
1. Travelon Anti-Theft Heritage Tote Bag
This Travelon tote bag is a great choice for a personal item bag because at 13.5″ x 13.5″ x 5″ (34 x 34 x 13 cm) it will easily fit all airline guidelines but is roomy enough to hold all the necessities.
This is also a great bag to have for your personal item and for traveling around your destination because it is equipped with anti-theft features including an RFID blocking pocket, locking zippers, and slash resistant shoulder straps. And even though it has all these security features, it doesn’t look overtly like an anti-theft bag, which is a big win in my book!
You’ll find the main compartment to be quite roomy and have multiple pockets (zippered and open top) for organization. In this compartment you can easily fit a tablet or small laptop or a few A4 notebooks plus any other essentials you may want to bring with you on your flight. There is also a locking front zippered pocket, two hidden zippered side pockets, and a rear zippered pocket…all of which makes staying organized very easy during your flight and at your destination.
Click here to check the price and read more reviews!
2. Pacsafe Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Satchel
The Pacsafe Citysafe Satchel is the smaller sibling of my favorite personal item backpack, and the two have nearly identical features although the satchel carries differently and is a slightly smaller size at 9.8″ x 11.4″ x 4.7″ (25 x 29 x 12 cm).
It comes with all the standard Pacsafe security features including an RFID blocking pocket for passport and credit cards, a detachable strap to secure it to objects like chairs, slash resistant material and straps, and lockable zippers.
Inside are a few pockets to keep your stuff organized and hold your phone, the RFID blocking zippered pocket, as well as a tablet sleeve that fits up to a 10 inch device.
All of this means this Pacsafe satchel is the perfect stylish addition to any traveler’s arsenal of personal item bags!
Click here to check the price and read more reviews!
3. Fossil Rachel Tote Bag
While my preference is generally toward anti-theft bags that I can use in crowds in large cities without worrying, it is entirely possibly to choose a “normal” bag from a brand you see in the stores as your personal item and travel bag. A bag like this Fossil tote bag makes an excellent choice, as it has plenty of room while still being stylish.
Measuring 14″ x 4″ x 13″ (36 x 10 x 33 cm), this tote should be able to fit a small laptop or tablet as well as your normal travel items. It comes with a zipper closure at the top, which is great as pickpockets won’t be able to just reach in as easily without you knowing. This bag also has one zipper pocket inside as well as two extra pockets for organization.
Do keep in mind if you go with this purse or another regular purse that there are no real safety features on these bags beyond the usual zippers, so you may have to be extra vigilant in some cases. I prefer the security for everyday and for travel of knowing that whatever I put in my bag is well secured, so this isn’t my top choice…but for some people the extra security features don’t matter as much, so that is your choice.
Click here to check the price and read more reviews!
4. Baggallini Everywhere Bagg
This Baggallini bag is on the smaller side of personal items for planes at 11″ x 9″ x 5″ (28 x 23 x 13 cm), but it is still a worthwhile option particularly if you don’t have as much you want to carry with you. You can still easily fit a small tablet inside alongside your other essential items.
This bag’s main compartment contains multifunctional pockets including one with RFID protection, and on the outside it has a quick access phone pocket on the side, a hidden zipper pocket on the other side, and three front pockets for extra storage. Plus it comes with a removable RFID wristlet!
If you’re looking for a slightly smaller bag that will still handle all the items you need to bring, this is a really good option to look into as it has quite a few ways to help you compartmentalize and organize your stuff. And with a luggage sleeve on the back, it’s super easy to throw it on your suitcase handle as you wheel your way through the airport. It doesn’t get any easier than this!
Click here to check the price and read more reviews!
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