We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Luggage + Bags Backpacks, Totes + Small Bags The 12 Best Convertible Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Transform your bag for comfortable travel days with a handy convertible style. By Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 11, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOthers We Liked Our Testing Process Tips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova There’s nothing worse than dealing with achy back or shoulders when you have a long travel day ahead of you. Convertible bags, or bags that offer multiple holding styles, help keep you comfortable on busy trips when you may have packed more than you can carry. Transform your favorite backpack into a trendy tote or change your favorite duffel into a rolling bag with these stylish, easy-to-use convertible bags that are perfect for any adventure. We put hundreds of bags to the test in our New York City lab and also out and about during our own journeys. Each convertible bag on this list was evaluated with emphasis on portability, design, durability, and ease of use. From stylish designs to bags sporting comfortable padding, these are the best convertible bags for every traveler. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Dagne Dover Lagos Convertible Duffel Bag at Dagnedover.com (See Price) Jump to Review Most Durable: Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag at REI ($159) Jump to Review Best for Outdoors: Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L at Awaytravel.com ($220) Jump to Review Best Carry-on: Nomatic Travel Bag at Backcountry.com ($290) Jump to Review Best Checked: Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag at Amazon ($190) Jump to Review Best Weekender: Béis The Convertible Weekender at Beistravel.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Work: Aer Travel Pack 3 at Nordstrom ($249) Jump to Review Best With Wheels: Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler at Amazon ($199) Jump to Review Best Tote: Kreya Aurora at Shopkreya.com (See Price) Jump to Review Most Versatile: Peak Design Travel Duffel at Amazon ($140) Jump to Review Best Overall Dagne Dover Lagos Convertible Duffel Bag PHOTO: Dagne Dover View on Dagnedover.com Why We Love It It has more pockets than most bags and is perfect for packers who love organization or need spaces for storing gear. What to Consider We wish it came in a slightly smaller size to use as an overnight bag. This wildly spacious bag has a cavernous middle section that opens up wide for easy packing as well as so many pockets and compartments, even the most chaotic of packers will stay organized. The bag easily fit a four-day packing list (plus an extra laptop as there are two padded laptop compartments). If needed, light packers could probably use this 32-liter bag for a week long trip, camping excursion, or other lightweight adventure. The high-quality Dagne Dover bag comes with a removable shoe bag, and is designed with a luggage sleeve on the outside to pair with your rolling suitcase. Despite it's size, the duffel is relatively light when unpacked. It's easy and comfortable to carry with the handle, shoulder strap, and padded backpack straps that easily stow away. Because of is size, the bag is too big to fit as a personal item on planes, but easily slides into overhead bins. All of the zippers, snaps, and clips also work very well without any snagging or catching, even when fully packed. The bag is also extremely durable and protected all of the items during the drop test — including both laptops. There are no scuffs, rips, tears, or even dirt transfer after throwing it off a ledge and the outer material is water-resistant, making it a perfect choice for any trip. The Details: 2.15 pounds | 16 x 11 x 11 inches | 32 liters | Water-resistant Most Durable Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag PHOTO: Patagonia $159 at REI $130 at backcountry.com View on Patagonia.com Our Ratings Capacity 4/5 Design 4/5 Portability 4.5/5 Value 4/5 Durability 5/5 Why We Love It It’s the perfect size for a weekend getaway or storing gear long term. What to Consider It can be difficult compressing it down for storage. The Patagonia Black Hole duffel is one of the most spacious and durable bags we’ve tested. Not only does the main compartment hold far more than it seems, it also has plenty of pockets to keep your gear or weekend essentials organized. We love that the handle straps have a clasp to clip together for comfortable holding and that the backpack shoulder straps are removable and adjustable to suit your needs. After more than a month of regularly traveling with this sturdy bag, it didn’t suffer any scratches or scuffs thanks to the glossy ripstop polyester. You can also choose from four different sizes (up to 100 liters) to find the perfect one for your travels. The Details: 2.05 pounds | 21 x 13.7 x 10.6 inches | 40 liters | Waterproof Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Best for Outdoors Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L PHOTO: Away $220 at awaytravel.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Organization 5/5 Design 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Why We Love It It's water-resistant and opens like a clamshell to make packing gear and other items a quick and easy process. What to Consider The shoulder straps aren't very padded, so may not be comfortable for wearing long-term. This incredibly spacious bag fits everything you would need for a four-day trip and more thanks to its incredibly spacious main compartment that opens wide for easy packing. The inside is designed with one main compartment and a smaller zipper pocket and outside there is another zip-up pocket that is large enough for a phone and some other small essentials like passports, wallets, and more. While the bag is large and durable, it is relatively lightweight. When full, it's a bit cumbersome to carry since the backpack straps aren't well padded, but the abrasion and water-resistant materials still make this a great choice for outdoor adventuring. The zippers are also really smooth and good for easy zipping open and closed for quick access. After dropping the bag three times, there was no signs of damage on the bag. It's made with a durable yet soft recycled nylon which helps protect all of your items from the elements. The Details: 3.32 pounds | 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | 45 liters | Water-resistant Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Best Carry-on Nomatic Travel Bag PHOTO: Nomatic $290 at backcountry.com $290 at Walmart View on Nomatic.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 Why We Love It The bag’s rectangular shape makes it easy to pack clothing and other items. What to Consider The straps are a bit stiff and uncomfortable for long term use. For a sleek and stylish bag that also has enough capacity to pack enough items for a weeklong vacation, consider Nomatic’s 40-liter Travel Bag. You can carry it as a traditional backpack, or fold the padded back straps down and hold it as a duffel instead. Plus, it comes with a detachable hip belt to distribute weight and enhance your comfort. The stiff shape to the bag makes packing a breeze and we love the additional shoe pockets, laptop sleeve, and spots for smaller items and even work supplies. The bag also comes with an additional laundry bag so you can level-up your travel organization, too. The Details: 3.42 pounds | 9 x 21 x 14 inches | 40 liters | Water-resistant Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Best Checked Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag PHOTO: Amazon $127 at Amazon $133 at REI $130 at backcountry.com Our Ratings Capacity 4/5 Design 4/5 Portability 4/5 Value 4/5 Durability 5/5 Why We Love It The backpack straps are durable and well-padded. What to Consider It doesn’t have any outside pockets. The Thule Chasm Sport Duffel may have some of the most comfortable straps of all the convertible bags we tested. They’re padded, adjustable, and easy to carry even when the 90-liter bag is packed to capacity. We love that the bag is solidly made of strong, weather-resistant TPE laminate and nylon. It is easy to clean, too, and, after testing for six months, only shows minor scratching on the outside. The duffel also comes with a packing cube that can be used for clothing, toiletries, or even a pair of shoes. Whether you’re heading off on a camping trip or planning a backpack adventure, this bag will be your new go-to for years to come. The Details: 4.98 pounds | 29 x 17 x 13 inches | 90 liters | Waterproof Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova Travel + Leisure / Nick Kova The 10 Best Backpack Brands for Travelers, Tested and Reviewed Best Weekender Béis The Convertible Weekender PHOTO: Beis View on Beistravel.com Why We Love It The bottom shoe compartment can be fully removed to make the bag smaller. What to Consider For its size, this is a fairly heavy bag. This Béis weekender really takes “convertible” to a whole new level. Not only can you carry it as a crossbody or tote bag, but the bottom compartment is completely removable and zips shut to be packed inside larger bags. This means it’s two bags in one, and you can separate out dirty shoes, wet bathing suits, or leaky toiletries. Even without the bottom compartment, it is a great size and we were able to fit everything we would need for a long weekend getaway. There’s also a large, removable laptop sleeve with extra pockets for charging cables which is great if you’re storing the weekender in an overhead bin, but you still want your laptop mid-journey. The Details: 3.8 pounds | 19 x 10 x 16 inches | 49 liters The 11 Best Weekender Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best for Work Aer Travel Pack 3 PHOTO: Nordstrom $249 at Nordstrom View on Aersf.com Our Ratings Capacity 4/5 Design 4/5 Durability 5/5 Why We Love It It has many compartments, handles, and organizational features that make for smooth traveling. What to Consider It’s about the size of a standard backpack, so may be too small for long trips. For business trips or weekend journeys, this convertible bag may be just what you need. Unlike traditional backpacks, the main compartment fully opens up so you can pack this one like a suitcase for easy organization. The bag is compact with compartments for everything you need including a padded laptop sleeve, a smart tracker pocket, and plenty of small external pockets. The back panel is firm, yet cushioned for support and comfort when carrying as a backpack and the side handle is durable, so you can confidently carry it as a duffel, or sling it over checked luggage instead. After our tests, the bag didn’t show any scuffs or other marks and the fabric was easy to clean to make it look good as new. The Details: 4.12 pounds | 21.5 x 13 x 9 inches | 35 liters Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph The 11 Best Convertible Backpack Totes of 2024 Best With Wheels Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler PHOTO: Amazon $190 at Amazon View on Backcountry.com View on Eaglecreek.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 4/5 Maneuverability 3/5 Durability 4/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It The large capacity makes it perfect for long trips or transporting gear, and for families or groups wanting to pack together. What to Consider Because of its size, it can be hard to maneuver when fully packed. This Eagle Creek duffel may be one of the largest bags we’ve tested at 130 liters with plenty of pockets for small storage as well as loops for attaching extra gear. While heavy-duty straps mean you can carry this bag on your back or as a duffel, sturdy wheels certainly come in handy when it is loaded up. We did find that the sides of a fully packed bag may protrude to the point where the bottom fabric can drag on the ground if you’re not careful but the fabric is still highly durable even over long periods of time. The protective materials make this bag a great option for camping or hauling gear as well. The Details: 5.13 pounds | 34 x 13.75 x 15 inches | 130 liters | Water-repellent Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Best Tote Kreya Aurora PHOTO: Kreya View on Shopkreya.com $495 at verishop.com Why We Love It The straps easily convert from tote to backpack without having to remove anything or deal with extra clips. What to Consider It is a bit stiff, so it’s not as easy to stuff this bag with extra items. For a petite personal item or work bag, this stylish leather convertible bag is the perfect option. It’s big enough to easily fit what you may want for a full day at the office or an afternoon adventuring in a new city. Unlike other totes, it fully zips at the top to keep your items secure, plus adds snaps for extra space if needed. To convert the bag from a tote to a backpack, simply pull the straps downward until you have enough space to comfortably fit your arms through. Throughout our tests, this bag shined when it comes to portability because it’s also a slim size that is comfortable to carry all day. It’s also made of firm leather that has a hint of a sheen, so there are no visible watermarks, stains, or scratches after months of using this bag on a daily basis. The Details: 14 x 13 x 3 inches Most Versatile Peak Design Travel Duffel PHOTO: Amazon $140 at Amazon $140 at REI $140 at peakdesign.com Why We Love It It can be used for anything from gym visits to camping trips. What to Consider The removable backpack straps aren’t very padded. For a do-it-all convertible bag to complete your athleisure look, consider the Peak Design Travel Duffel which can be packed and comfortably carried as a sling, tote, or backpack. We found this bag to be quite comfortable for walking long distances no matter how you tote it, and the durable and sturdy shape protects your items in transit. After one month of regularly traveling with this duffel, we love its weatherproof fabric to keep all items dry no matter what we throw at it. Plus, it's 100 percent carbon neutral which also makes it sustainable luggage. The Details: 2 pounds | 22 x 13 x 10 inches | 35 liters | Waterproof liner Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Best Style Caraa Studio Large Leather Tote PHOTO: Caraa $348 at caraa.co Why We Love It We love the roomy interior and organization. What to Consider It doesn’t have a luggage sleeve. The Caraa Studio Tote is a stylish and versatile bag you’ll want to take with you everywhere. It comes with detachable backpack straps, which we love since most convertible bags leave extra straps dangling when not in use. The main compartment is roomy and easily fits a full sweatsuit or winter coat — perfect for a personal item or weekend bag. We also love all of the built-in organizational elements including two deep internal pockets, a zippered padded laptop compartment, an internal cinch pocket for a water bottle or phone, and a key leash with a detachable pouch. There is also one external zippered pocket on the back, which is great for a phone, work ID, passport, or anything else you may want to quickly grab. The Details: 2.38 pounds | 13 x 18 x 7.5 inches | Water-resistant lining Best for Garments Mark & Graham Commuter 2-in-1 Garment Bag PHOTO: Mark & Graham $210 at markandgraham.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Quality 5/5 Capacity 5/5 Performance 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It The garment bag sleeve will help keep your clothing wrinkle-free. What to Consider It doesn’t allow for easy access to some items. Convertible garment bags may just be our new favorite way to carry clothing for business trips, destination weddings, and any other trip in with nicer items. Simply roll out the bag to store your suits, slacks, or formal dresses and then pack toiletries and other essentials on top as you zip the bag into an easy-to-carry duffel. This Mark and Graham bag even has side pockets to store shoes separately and smaller pockets around the interior to keep you even more organized. We also love that this bag is lightweight, so you can really pack it to capacity without having to worry about feeling weighed down. The Details: 22 x 10 x 10 inches Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson The 6 Best Mark & Graham Travel Products of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Other Convertible Bags We Liked We’ve tested hundreds of bags both in our lab and during real-world travels and, while the following bags certainly featured components we liked, they didn’t impress us quite as much as other options. Modoker Convertible Garment Bag: This bag was easy to use and has a great price point, however it has a limited capacity and minimal storage compartments, so it wouldn’t be as practical for long trips. Rains Duffel Bag: We think this bag is a solid option for weekend and overnight trips, but the polyester material wasn’t as durable as similar bags we tested, and the crossbody strap wasn’t comfortable for carrying. Herschel Outfitter 30L Duffle: We love the durable structure and deceptively high capacity this bag offers, but the cross-body straps hit at an awkward place, and we wish the shoe compartment was in a space separate from the bag's main body. Lululemon 2-in-1 Travel Duffle Backpack 45L: This bag's backpack straps are incredibly comfortable and well-padded, but the arm handle is too short to comfortably use, making this more of a backpack then anything. Our Testing Process Our team tried dozens of different bags both in our New York City lab and during real-world travels to determine the best convertible bags for every user. We also tested some bags in our Travel + Leisure airplane set that features a real overhead bin and row of plane seats. We began by weighing and measuring the bag and evaluating its features. Testers were asked to pack each bag to its full capacity, utilizing all compartments and organizational features as they normally would. During this process, we made note of structural features of the bag, ease of use, and functionality. Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim After packing the bags, testers were asked to try all the possible transportation methods including tote handles, shoulder straps, backpack straps, and even wheels. We then noted whether each was comfortable or not and provided details as to why. We placed the bags on the top shelf of a ladder or on a table countertop and pushed them off 3-5 times while fully packed, with attempts to land on a different part of the bag each time. We then surveyed the products for scratches, marks, or scuffs on the outside and opened the bag to look for damage to items inside. We also carried the bag around again to check for any changes or problems. Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph At the end of the longer testing period, we evaluated the bag’s exterior, looking for new scratches, marks, or scuffs. We also analyzed the bag’s overall quality and construction noting whether the bag appeared to be unharmed and durable enough to use over the years, or if bags were easily scuffed and needed to be cleaned frequently. Many of the bags were also tested over a one-month, three-month, and/or six-month period. Tips for Buying a Convertible Bag Prioritize desired carrying styles When investing in a bag, focus on your preferred methods for carrying it throughout any journey and once at your destination. If you know your adventures often call for long-distance commutes or even running through airports, you may want to opt for a convertible bag with the option to wear as a backpack. Similarly, if you know you’re a heavy packer or unable to carry large bags for long periods of time, you should consider a convertible bag with wheels. Consider trip length and type Whether you’re a weekend adventurer or enjoy long vacations, you should be sure your travel bag suits your trip. Convertible bags come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll want to look for a bag that can fit everything you need and is easy to carry. Frequently Asked Questions How do convertible bags work? Many convertible bags have extra straps attached to the bag so you can easily switch from one carrying method to the other. Other bags have straps that you add on using clips or carabiners, so unused straps don’t drag or get caught on things while in transit. To find a convertible bag that suits your needs, be sure to read all of the product descriptions and carefully look at photos to evaluate the strap locations, padding, and maneuverability. Can I bring a convertible bag as my personal item or carry-on? Many convertible bags are small enough to count as personal items or carry-on bags. To guarantee your bag will fit, check your specific airline’s size requirements and either measure your bag or check its specifications on retailer websites. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Taylor Fox is a commerce writer at T+L where she researches, reviews, and writes about a wide range of products. To select the best convertible bags, she called on her own experience as a traveler, plus worked with editors and T+L testers on a series of lab and real-world tests. The 13 Best Travel Pouches of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco is a Commerce Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure, where she assigns, edits, and writes travel-related product reviews based on in-depth product testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, has a Master’s degree in journalism, and has over six years of experience creating gift guides and writing about various products. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends. learn more