The feeling of freedom that comes with travelling light is unrivalled. We’re all for space-saving luggage solutions that help us save on baggage fees, and that goes doubly when we’ve arrived at our destination. Especially when exploring a city, where you’re never far from a bar, cafe or shop to stop into, valuables such as your mobile, cards and hotel key should be all you really need to bring along for the day. And in those instances, that’s when travelling with just a phone bag is ideal.
These bijou pouches keep your mobile within easy reach, so you can whip it out quickly for photos without needing to dig it out from the depths of your handbag. They’re usually large enough to keep your cards and keys as well. Naturally, they’re lightweight and unobtrusive, so you won’t feel achey towards the end of a long day, like you may with a heavy backpack or shoulder bag.
On the other hand, a bag this size won’t fit your water bottle, raincoat or anything other than the bare essentials. For hiking days or if it’s likely to rain, it’s best to stick with a rucksack or tote bag. Below, our top picks of the best mobile phone bags for days spent blissfully unencumbered.
Aspinal’s London Phone Case
Aspinal has a lovely range of accessories, including some of our favourite luggage tags and passport covers. This leather crossbody phone bag will complete your set. It’s handcrafted from full-grain leather and lined in moiré silk, with two card holders at the back. There are nine colours on offer, from classic black through to glamorous silver, and personalisation is available for an additional cost.
Cambridge Satchel Binocular Bag
There’s not much more classic than a good old satchel, and Cambridge Satchel is the name to know. The brand’s binocular bag has all the style of its regular satchels in a smaller package. Choose from black or brown leather, finished in a lovely textural Celtic grain.
Fiorelli Kristen Phone Bag
Fiorelli’s faux leather Kristen bag is small but perfectly formed, with a pleasingly mini price tag to match. It comes in silver and red, and has a generous five card slots on the back. Your essentials are kept secure inside thanks to the magnetic fastening.
Been London Elia Phone Bag
The recycled leather bags on offer at Been London are one of my personal favourite new finds of late – extra soft and supple, you’d never know they were made from offcuts destined for landfill. The brand’s minimalist Annis Sling has been my go-to whenever I’ve headed out in recent weeks. For days when a smaller bag will do, there’s the Elia. The leather version is available in this chic forest green, or there’s a vegan leather alternative in black.
Tory Burch Miller Phone Crossbody
Tory Burch’s leather phone crossbody has a chic pebbled finish, a suede-like interior and that glamorous signature gold buckle. A zip adds extra security for peace of mind on long sightseeing days, and there’s a card holder on the back.
Mulberry Mini Anthony Bag
Mulberry’s beloved Anthony messenger bag has been reimagined in mini in this newly-slimmed down version. There are eight colours, all with a different leather grain or texture. This green features a heavyweight leather paired with a butter-soft suede, but we also like the high-shine cream version, which feels eminently wearable for all occasions.
Lulu Guinness Rita Crossbody Bag
It’s all in the details with this Lulu Guinness bag, which sports a retro squared off design, a delicate chain strap and the brand’s signature turnlock fastening. Choose from four pretty muted shades.
Crocodile Orb Phone Bag
A mock croc finish feels classic yet elevated, and the deep red hue here adds extra style points. It’s also available in shiny black. Inside, a silver lining ups the glam-factor, and of course, there’s the brand’s signature orb stud to finish. A card holder on the back gives you somewhere for your travel pass.
Prada Leather Mini-bag
Prada’s offering is made in a heavy grained leather in a choice of six colours, finished up with a removable nylon strap and a nylon lining. Naturally, you’ll look effortlessly cool with this slung over your shoulder, but practically speaking, take note that it doesn’t have any exterior card slots.
Lady Dior Phone Holder
Of course, Dior’s lambskin leather phone bag has a distinctly feminine feel, with its quilted design, three card holders and detachable D.I.O.R charm. It also has two removable straps; a shoulder strap and a shorter wrist handle, so you can use it as a crossbody in the day before switching to a clutch for dinner.
John Lewis Leather Phone Pouch
Simple and sweet, this leather sling bag has good looks beyond what its price tag would suggest. It’s available in three colours, has a card holder at the back and a magnetic clasp to close. It’d also make a lovely gift for a travel-loving friend or family member.
Monos Metro Mini Crossbody
Monos’s uber-sophisticated designs, free from unnecessary bells and whistles, paired with superior quality have ensured the brand’s pieces have made their way into multiple of our best luggage pieces – from cabin cases to backpacks, it’s often a go-to brand for Conde Nast Traveller editors on the move. This crossbody can now join the ranks. It has a main compartment with more than enough room for your phone and wallet, along with a passport pocket (the only bag on the list with this feature) and two card slots. Choose from four neutral shades.
Anya Hindmarch Everything Pouch
We’re fans of Anya Hindmarch’s in-flight bag. The labelled pockets make for swift access to travel documents and essentials as you head through the gate, helping make the experience as stress-free as possible. Add the matching phone bag to complete your travel bag set. There are sections for your glasses, phone, and a carabiner ring for keys (something we’ve not seen in any of the other bags here), and another pouch for bits and bobs. You’ll never have felt more organised.
Radley Large Phone Cross Body Bag
Radley’s mallow bag, named after a marshmallow of course, is dubbed so due to the extra soft leather and on-trend, ever-so slightly puffy design. Timely, given we’ve been seeing puffer coats everywhere this year, as the temperature’s started to drop. It has an adjustable strap for over-shoulder or crossbody wear, two slip pockets and a main zipped compartment. Choose from six colours.
Casetify Leather Cord Crossbody Strap
So not a bag so much as a lanyard strap – but it is a chic, rounded leather cord strap, for what it’s worth. This gives you a way to keep your phone close by while still allowing you to go hands-free. They’re a fantastic option for when you’re taking lots of pictures, and much safer than leaving your phone in your pocket, reducing the risk of you being pickpocketed. They’re suitable for use with even the largest phones, so good for iPhone Pro Max owners. You could even use it with your tablet, should the need to tote it about ever arise. Very handy.
Bandolier Hailey Holster
Like the Casetify number above, if you’re looking for a dedicated phone sleeve, you’ll likely have heard of Bandolier; the US-based brand that makes luxe leather phone accessories that are as stylish as they are useful. This best-selling Hailey holster is comprised of a main phone holder compartment, suitable for all mobiles from iPhone through to Google, with a detachable crossbody strap. At the back, a pocket with a zip for lip salve, keys and other essentials, and a back wallet section for credit cards and cash.
Lululemon Easy Access Crossbody Bag
You’ll know Lululemon for its quality fitness gear, but we’re also fans of the brand’s travel backpack and this little phone cross-body. It’s lightweight and water-resistant, with room for your phone, cards and passport. It comes in three colours.
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