We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What Are the Different Types of Travel Handbags?

By Lauren Romano
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

From the small theft-proof bag to one that can handle being tossed around, there are so many types of travel handbags on the market that it can be difficult to know which one to choose. When going on a quick business trip, some may find it easy to just use a laptop organizer bag. A security purse is ideal when traveling to a high-crime area or a big city. A carry-on is useful for almost any type of travel while a duffel bag is best for those who who want something that's rugged. Carefully considering each aspect of the trip beforehand can help with choosing which bag is best.

The primary use of a laptop organizer bag is to protect a laptop computer while it's being carried from one location to another. Although the laptop takes up the majority of the space, some are large enough that toiletries and a few pieces of clothing can also fit. The combination of extra-sturdy materials designed specifically to protect a laptop along with spare room for travel items makes this one of the best types of travel handbags for someone taking a short business trip.

Although travel handbags are typically thought of as what someone would carry all their travel items in, a security bag can accompany the main travel bag. The strap of the security bag hangs on the shoulder while the bag itself sits under the arm or down at the side. Security features, some of which include tamper-proof zippers, slash-proof straps, adjustable straps and built-in stainless steel mesh, are designed as part of the bag. The features help prevent criminals from stealing the purse or from pickpocketing.

Many are familiar with using a carry-on when traveling by airplane, but it's one of those travel handbags that's also useful when going by almost any other mode of transportation. It typically comes with an adjustable strap and one or two outer compartments. The inside of the carry-on usually has one main section as well as smaller sections and pockets.

A duffel bag usually has a simple design comprised of one large inside section, a couple of pockets on the outside and inside of the bag, and an outside compartment on either end of the bag. They come with two small handles and one long adjustable, removable shoulder strap. Typically made from reinforced nylon, duffel bags are usually durable enough to get tossed around without accidentally ripping. However, due to its pliable exterior, the bag is not ideal for carrying breakables.

Before leaving on a trip, consider which bag is the easiest to carry, what the destination area is like, and what items are going into the bag in order to decide which of the travel handbags is best. Carry-ons are usually ideal for most standard trips while duffel bags are best for someone who isn't carrying breakables and doesn't want to worry about tossing a bag around and having it rip or get dirty. A security bag is useful for those who want a separate bag to carry around in a large city or high-crime area where purse snatching and pickpocketing is prevalent.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.