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We found the best backup bags, backpacks, and totes for travel days. two wheeled trolley
When I vacation, I like to pack a backup foldable travel bag. Though it takes up virtually no space in my luggage, this type of carryall comes in handy throughout my trips as a day bag or shopping tote. I’ve even used it as a personal item for the journey home to hold all the souvenirs I’ve accumulated along the way.
Even if you use a foldable travel bag as your primary luggage, it offers conveniences. They have a lightweight design that makes them less taxing to carry, and they’re also more convenient to stow when not in use.
To help you narrow down your options, T+L editors tested 12 foldable travel bags and sorted through our insights to compare the standouts. We put together a comprehensive list of nine of the best picks — ranging from belt bags to rolling suitcases — that ranked highest in our lab and real-world tests. Scroll through to see which foldable bags made the cut.
It’s extremely light, but still offers an 18-liter capacity.
It lacks padding and only has a few organizational features.
If your trip includes daytime adventures like hikes, consider bringing a lightweight, packable backpack. This budget-friendly version only weighs 5.3 ounces and is quite pliable thanks to its limited pockets and light padding. While it’s not suited for hauling a heavy load for an extended period of time, we found it makes a perfect day bag for essentials like a jacket, sunscreen, bugspray, a wallet, and a small water bottle. “This backpack is the lightest thing in the world — it's like it's not even there,” said T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco. “It packs down into an itty-bitty mini square that feels as light as a feather. It literally takes up no room at all, and you'd be able to pack this anywhere, even in your pocket.”
Though the nylon fabric looks a bit thin, it’s actually quite durable and can withstand wear and tear. The larger main compartment unzips with easy pull tabs, and inside you’ll find a small zippered pouch and a key clip. The two stretchy slip pockets on the outside can hold water bottles or shoes.
The Details: 7.48 x 8.66 x 16.54 inches (unfolded) | 5.3 ounces | 40D high-tenacity nylon
The water-resistant 43-liter tote is great for beach or pool excursions.
It’s made from a thin nylon material that isn’t structured.
Whether you use it as a backup personal item, water-resistant beach tote, or as a weekender bag, Away’s 43-liter Packable Carryall is spacious enough for the job. It holds clothes, towels, books, and even a laptop comfortably thanks to its thick carrying straps. The structureless bag doesn’t stand on its own, however. If you plan to utilize the trolley sleeve, you’ll want to pack it well with the weighty items in the middle so it stays put on your suitcase. You may also want to protect sharp items like pens or tweezers, which could damage the thin fabric.
When not in use, the nylon bag folds down to about the size of a photograph and weighs only half a pound, so you can keep it as a backup in your purse or car. When you are carrying the tote, you can repurpose the pouch for small items like tissues, gum, and a chapstick.
The Details: 15 x 19.7 x 9 inches (unfolded), 6.3 x 4.3 x 2.4 inches (folded) | 8.8 ounces | Recycled nylon
The water- and stain-resistant material is lightweight and durable.
It’s pricier than other options on this list.
This duffel stands out even among non-packable bags for offering four (yes, four) ways to carry it: as a crossbody with one long strap, over the shoulder with two medium-sized straps, by hand with two additional short straps, and hands-free thanks to a strap that slides onto your suitcase handle. Another clever design feature: the storage pouch snaps inside the fully open duffel bag, serving as an extra interior pocket with enough room to store keys, a wallet, headphones, and other small items. This prevents the storage bag from being lost or becoming wasted space. There are also two exterior side pockets.
Despite a lightweight, compact shape that packs down nicely, we found the nylon duffel surprisingly roomy. We packed four dresses, two pairs of shoes, pajamas, and a toiletry bag with plenty of room to spare. Though it’s great as a gym bag or personal item on flights, it can handle an overnight stay or a concise packing list for a weekend trip. It’s a splurge, but we believe the durable fabric makes it worth the investment. You can even customize it with an embroidered monogram.
The Details: 10.3 x 18.9 x 10.3 inches (unfolded) | 1.1 pounds | Nylon
This foldable carry-on can be packed inside a checked suitcase.
It rolls on two wheels, which can be more difficult to maneuver.
The most dedicated souvenir collectors can benefit from an additional carry-on suitcase that will securely accommodate their haul. With the push of a button, the structured bag compresses fully to fit inside a checked suitcase, so you can pack it on the first leg of your trip and use it on the return flight. People with limited storage space at home will also appreciate the luggage’s minimal bulk when collapsed. Still, we were able to fit three sweaters, a dress, two pairs of jeans, a jacket, a toiletry bag, and a pair of loafers into the lightweight rolling suitcase, which was easy to hoist into the overhead bin. Three interior zippered pockets and a large exterior pocket kept our undergarments, shoes, and quick-access items organized.
The bag only uses two wheels to help make it collapsible. In our lab tests, we still found it fairly easy to maneuver through obstacles, though some people will prefer a four-wheel option. The softside coated fabric proved durable, and the wheels and handles are made from sturdy plastic that’s built to last. Despite its durability, it has an elevated look compared to more rugged bags.
The Details: 8.7 x 21.7 x 14.6 inches (unfolded) | 5.2 pounds | Nylon
The design is compact yet sturdy.
The bag’s athletic look isn’t suited for dressier events.
A belt bag is great for travel because it’s a lightweight, hands-free option to keep your essentials close. We love that this foldable iteration from Paravel is tiny enough to slide into a small backpack pocket. When folded down, it fit in the palm of our hands and was thinner than a notebook. We found the nylon material, which is made from seven recycled plastic bottles, holds its shape well, and is durable enough to take on a hike or other rugged adventure. You can even customize it with embroidery.
The Details: 8 x 5 x 2 inches (unfolded), 3.75 x 5 x 1 inches (folded) | 4.96 ounces | Nylon
The lightweight, water-resistant bag has well thought-out design features.
The straps are difficult to adjust when the backpack is on.
Some folding bags can feel like a puzzle to close up, but this one requires just two folds and a zip for easy stowing. That makes the mini backpack the perfect just-in-case companion for traveling, running errands, or hikes. Crafted from water-resistant nylon, the compact rucksack is high-quality but still lightweight, and we were impressed to find zippered pockets inside and out — a rarity for folding bags.
Another design highlight: the super soft straps. During our lab tests, we loaded it with two t-shirts, a water bottle, hand sanitizer, a wallet, keys, and a phone. Even when stuffed full, the wide straps kept the backpack comfortable with no chafing or rubbing. Available in six hues with contrast straps and gold-tone hardware, the stylish carryall can also be monogrammed (like most Paravel luggage).
The Details: 10 x 12 x 6 inches (unfolded), 4.5 x 5 x 2 inches (folded) | 7.04 ounces | Recycled nylon
This chic two-in-one bag can be carried multiple ways.
In the way of organizational features, it only offers two small open-top pockets.
Longchamp’s signature Le Pliage line is beloved for its simple, practical, and elegant designs. This versatile version scored extra points in our tests for its ability to expand to 20.5 inches or contract to a 14-inch height in a matter of seconds. In its smaller state, the bag functions as a handheld purse (with leather handles) or crossbody bag (with a thick, adjustable shoulder strap). Unzip the middle to transform it into a stylish tote and unleash an extra 20 liters of packing space. The fully expanded 50-liter bag is equipped to handle a four-day vacation packing list and more. The only downside is a lack of interior pockets, but that can be solved with packing cubes.
Though Longchamp bags are a splurge, T+L editors who are longtime fans of the brand can attest to their longevity and durability. The nylon material is easy to wipe clean in the event of spills or other mishaps, and the leather trimming is expertly crafted. The fact that this design pulls double duty makes it even more worth the investment, in our opinion.
The Details: 17.75 x 9 x 14-20.5 inches (unfolded) | 1.56 pounds | Nylon with leather details
The chic duffel offers a whopping 66.6 liters of room.
The large interior compartment lacks organizational features.
True to its name, this spacious duffel makes an excellent choice for a hospital bag. However, it’s much more versatile than that, and we’ve gotten plenty of additional use out of it for weekend getaways. T+L editorial director Jamie Hergenrader swears by this bag, saying she “did use this as my hospital bag when my baby was born, but I've continued to use it beyond that time for travel as well.” With over 66 liters of packing real estate, she was able to fit everything her baby needed for a weekend trip including outfits, bibs, burp cloths, toiletries, medications, toys, books, a package of diapers, two baby blankets, and more. We also love that the adorable tie straps can be carried two ways, as a backpack or a duffel.
The water-repellent organic cotton shell is quite durable, and it survived being squished in a car trunk multiple times without sustaining any scuffs. If you do happen to get it dirty, it’s conveniently machine washable. Though we’d ideally like the bag to have a few more interior compartments, we appreciate that it folds down nicely to about the size of a travel pillow.
The Details: 12 x 24 x 14 inches (unfolded) | 2.2 pounds | Organic cotton with vegan leather detailing
The durable tote holds up to 50 pounds.
It gets pretty wrinkled when folded.
Baggu’s signature reusable tote is a T+L editor favorite for vacations and daily use. “I love to shop when I travel, which means I'll collect quite a few things throughout the day that won't fit in my standard travel purse,” explains associate editor Anna Popp. “This foldable tote bag from Baggu is always in my packable bag rotation since it can fit in virtually any size purse or luggage without taking up much room.” The nylon material is durable and held up well for over five years of continued use — although it does get pretty wrinkly, so it’s not the most elegant option. Still, the zipperless bag is perfect as a just-in-case shopping tote to keep in your suitcase, car, or purse since it folds down flat to the size of your hand.
The Details: 25.5 x 15.5 x 6 inches (unfolded), 5 x 5 inches (folded) | 1.9 ounces | Nylon
Three packable bags we tested had standout features that may meet the needs of some travelers, but fell short in other areas.
In order to provide the best foldable bag recommendations, T+L editors put each item to the test in both lab tests and real-world settings. In our lab, we tested each bag’s foldability, paying careful attention to the smoothness of the zippers and the expanded bag’s proneness to wrinkling. Durability tests included stuffing, pulling, and dropping bags to measure their ability to withstand wear and tear. We packed each bag to make sure it could easily accommodate the type of items it's designed to carry, and then carried it to assess its comfort.
In addition, we used these bags on real-life trips to better understand how they functioned in a variety of settings. Testers will continue using the products and collecting insights for at least six months after the initial test to further assess longevity.
Before you choose a foldable travel bag, decide how much space you’ll need according to your intended activities. If you want the bag for everyday use, prioritize a smaller style that folds up nicely and can be carried as a backup. Hiking trips or outdoor adventures require more rugged, comfortable styles that can withstand moisture and brushes against rocks or branches.
If you’re intending to use the foldable bag for weekend trips, consider a duffel or a tote with enough packing capacity for clothing, shoes, and toiletries. For longer trips in which you plan to return home with more than you came with, consider a foldable rolling carry-on suitcase that can be packed into your checked bag.
Beyond its fully packed capacity, the bag’s compactness when folded is equally important. If you’re looking for a just-in-case bag for daily use, make sure it’s small and lightweight enough to fit in your purse or coat pocket. You’ll also want to ensure it's fairly simple to expand and contract, so you’re not stuck fidgeting in a pinch. If it’s a bulkier piece, such as a rolling suitcase, it should fold flat for easy storage.
Before folding up your bag, make sure it’s completely empty. Close the zippers while pushing out any air, then lay the bag on a flat surface. Make sure any straps are folded flat against the bag’s surface to keep it smooth. Fold the bag carefully according to the manufacturer instructions, using existing creases when possible to prevent additional wrinkles. Avoid overstuffing and be gentle with zippers.
Foldable travel bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can serve as a carry-on or personal item as long as they meet the airline’s size requirements when expanded. Airline requirements vary, so be sure to check with your carrier before bringing it on board.
A seasoned style writer and avid traveler, Talia Ergas often vacations with a foldable travel bag. Away’s Packable Carryall is her personal favorite to use as a beach tote or backup bag. For this story, she spent hours researching each item and combed through T+L editors’ testing notes to understand how each bag performed in lab and real-world settings.
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