The 11 Best Convertible Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Dagne Dover Lagos Convertible Duffel Bag

View on Dagnedover.com

This wildly spacious bag has a cavernous middle section that opens up wide for easy packing and so many pockets and compartments that even the most chaotic of packers will stay organized. The medium-size option we tested 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 weeklong 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. It also comes in a larger version, though we wish there was also a smaller option.

Despite it's size, the duffel is relatively light when unpacked. We thought it was 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 work very well without any snagging or catching, even when fully packed. The bag is also extremely durable and protected all of the items when we dropped it off a table multiple times — 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-liter capacity | Recycled 900D poly | Water resistant

Most Durable

Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag

$225 $159 at Amazon $159 at REI $159 at Backcountry

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 (which is also waterproof). We tested the 40-liter version, but you can also choose from four different sizes (up to 100 liters) to find the perfect one for your travels. It's difficult to compress the bag down when it's empty, but you can store gear or large items in it instead.

The Details: 2.05 pounds | 21 x 13.7 x 10.6 inches | 40-liter capacity | Recycled polyester ripstop with a recycled TPU-film laminate | Waterproof

Best for Organization

Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

View on Calpaktravel.com

While some bags can feel like one giant pouch, the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack is packed with pockets and compartments so that all of your belongings have their rightful place. The main compartment on the bag has a regular backpack opening, but you can also open it like a clamshell, and the inside lid features a mesh zipper pocket and two sleeve pockets. There's a hidden phone/passport pocket in the back of the bag, which is a nice anti-theft feature, and a pocket on the side for a water bottle. The laptop pocket is a generous size with lots of padding for a 17-inch laptop (or smaller). There are also front pockets with various organization features, including a key ring. 

"My favorite thing about this bag is all of the pockets — I felt like I had a space for everything, and it was easy to find whatever I needed without having to dig around at airport security and on the plane," says Travel + Leisure testing editor Jackie Cucco, who brought this bag as her personal item on a trip to Jackson Hole.

There are plush handles on the side and top of the bag, which make it easy to grab, and there’s a longer strap to carry it as a duffel. It also has buckles on the sides of the bag to help compress it as tight as possible if you want to squeeze it underneath an airplane seat. After traveling with this bag for three months, we found that the shiny material scuffs easily (even when standing up against airport tram windows), but it's not difficult to buff the marks out, and it felt durable otherwise.

The Details: 2.9 pounds | 18 x 12 x 7.5 inches | 26-liter capacity | Recycled ripstop polyester with TPU coating | Water resistant

Best Carry-on

Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L

$220 at Away Travel

This 45-liter 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, which we love for a carry-on.

The zippers are really smooth and good for easily 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. Though we wish the backpack straps had more padding, we love the abrasion- and water-resistant materials that keep your gear protected.

The Details: 3.32 pounds | 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | 45-liter capacity | Recycled polyester | Water resistant

Best Checked

Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag

$185 at Amazon

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 you can use for clothing, toiletries, or even a pair of shoes — making it easy to stuff this large bag full and check it. We wish it had some outside pockets though. Whether you’re heading off on a camping trip or planning a backpacking 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-liter capacity | 1000D nylon, TPE laminate | Waterproof

Best With Wheels

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler

$229 at Amazon View on Backcountry View on Eaglecreek.com

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-liter capacity | 800D nylon dobby, 1680D ballistic polyester, recycled 200D polyester | Water repellent

Best Packable

Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L

$115 at REI $160 $112 at Backcountry View on Gregory.com

This bag works as a duffel and backpack, and even packs down to a significantly smaller size, making it a real jack of all trades. I personally tested this bag during our packable backpacks test and was thoroughly impressed with its capacity. It fit everything from our packing list and could have fit tons more. It comes with a packing cube, and you can fold the bag down into the cube if you want to carry it inside a larger suitcase.

The bag has two small interior pockets that are a part of the lid of the pack and one larger pocket on the outside of the bag. There are also removable backpack straps that allow you to convert it from duffel to backpack. It opens like a clamshell, making it easy to pack, although its large capacity might make it too heavy and bulky for some users when packed full. This bag is heavy-duty, durable, and water-resistant, and we feel like it would last for a long time, considering it sustained no damage during testing.

The Details: 3.4 pounds | 27.5 x 15 x 12.8 inches | 60-liter capacity | Recycled polyester | Water resistant

Best Weekender

Béis The Convertible Weekender

View on Beis

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 also completely removable and zips shut so you can pack it 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: 3.86 pounds | 19 x 10 x 16 inches | 49-liter capacity | Poly canvas body, vegan leather trim

Best Garment Bag

Mark & Graham Commuter 2-in-1 Garment Bag

$269 at Markandgraham.com

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 & 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. You can even add a personalized monogram.

The Details: 22 x 10 x 10 inches | Twill-washed nylon with leather accents

Best Tote

Caraa Studio Large Leather Tote

$348 at Caraa.co

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 weekender 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 | Leather | Water resistant lining

Best Lightweight

Samsonite Ecodiver Small Duffel

View on Samsonite

While most of the larger bags on this list weigh between 3-5 pounds, the Samsonite Ecodiver Small Duffel isn't going to weigh you down on any trip since it weighs closer to 2 pounds. It's made from post-consumer recycled PET outer material that's also water resistant, resulting in a sleek and functional bag. You can carry it as a backpack or duffel thanks to top handles and removable backpack straps that you can tuck away between uses. It's plenty spacious inside and has various compartments and pockets for organization. We also found it to be quite durable during testing and saw no signs of damage after throwing it around. Our only complaint about this bag is that we wish it came with a longer shoulder strap to carry it more comfortably as a duffel. Otherwise, we think it's a stylish, lightweight option that's great for short trips and light packers.

The Details: 2.2 pounds | 21.6 x 12.2 x 9.4 inches | 40-liter capacity | Water resistant