The 10 Best Duffel Bags for Travel if You Want Something Practical but Still Chic

If you haven’t heard of Bagsmart yet, it’s about damn time. These bags are TikTok-famous for being super affordable, cute, and seriously functional. The puffy material is trendy, but you won't be sick of it in, like, a month. Plus, it’s got all the handy features you need—like an external pocket for snacks, a side compartment for your emotional support water bottle, and a trolley strap.

I’m not even kidding when I say I’m drooling over this garment duffel bag. My cursor is hovering over the “buy it” button as we speak because the rave reviews, epic features, and photos of it in action are…just everything.

Here’s the scoop: It lays flat like a traditional zipped garment bag when you first open it, and you can stash important clothing items in it like normal. But once you zip the garment bag portion of it up, you still have room inside to pack the rest of the stuff you're traveling with (just look at the videos on the website, you'll see what I'm saying!). And get this—it’s got two shoe compartments, making it perfect for couples jetting off on a weekend getaway, or single folks who love having options.

Say hello to the number-one bestselling duffel bag on Amazon. With over 15,000 five-star ratings, it's a no-brainer if you're looking for a compact duffel that does the job and does it right. The size? Juuust right to be used as a personal item on most flights. And that price? Ridiculously affordable. Dare I say you should buy one in every color?

If you're a regular Cosmo reader (and if you are, yay, we <3 you!), this bag might look familiar—it scored a spot in our best rolling duffel bags roundup, too. But if it’s new to you, go ahead and picture how put-together you'll look when carrying it. It’s every bit as luxurious as it looks, with its chic croc texture, sexy red satin interior, and perfectly structured shape. And it’s not just about the looks—this bag is seriously functional too, with tons of space inside and six pockets to keep all your smaller accessories in check.

If I spot you with this duffel at the airport, I'll know you’re all about that “very demure” lifestyle, à la TikToker Jools Lebron. It’s got just the right amount of style without looking like you’re trying too hard, and the cute personalization options (bag color! font type! font color!) make purchasing it feel more like a trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop than your usual bag shopping experience. It has a mix of exterior and zippered pockets along with a classic large interior pocket for those who appreciate a more traditional duffel.

Don’t worry, vegan-leather-loving friends—I didn’t forget about ya. In FACT, I’m pretty sure I’ve found the last duffel bag you’ll ever need. Not only is this Monos pick chic as hell, but it’s got next-level organization, both inside and out (and I bet you’re already eyeing it in the photo).

That sleek setup you're looking at is the brand’s signature QuickSnap Modular Kit System. The duffel comes with a pouch that snaps onto the bag with a strong magnet, giving you just the right amount of space and compartments to stash essentials you need quick access to, like your phone or Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment (duh). It’s perfect for when you want to store your bag in the overhead bin but keep your must-haves, like AirPods and other travel gadgets, right by your seat.

As someone who isn’t exactly a Mother Nature girlie (though, hey, that could change!), I’ve never even come close to needing this duffel. But every single one of my adventure-loving friends—and pretty much every outdoor enthusiast I know—swears by it. It’s been around since the early 2000s and is still the It Girl of outdoor duffel bags, thanks to its near-indestructible design. From the water-resistant exterior that makes water just bounce right off it to the ultra-durable ripstop fabric, this bad boy is basically everything-proof.

Few brands hit me with nostalgia quite like Vera Bradley. When it’s in, it’s in—and guess what? It’s back, baby. I’m just as obsessed with this duffel now as I was when I rocked it in high school. It’s serving serious I’m-going-to-my-friend’s-house-for-a-sleepover energy, but with just the right amount of internal and external compartments to handle a grown-up weekend getaway. I'm telling you, it's gonna sell out fast.