When I travel, I pack my personal item as if it'll be my lifeline on a deserted island. I get separated from my check-in luggage early on in the airport experience, and depending on the flight's capacity, my carry-on suitcase might have to be gate-checked.
Not to be dramatic but... my personal item is all that I can be certain will be with me every step of my journey.
With that in mind, I want to make sure that my travel bestie is worthy of riding shotgun with me. It has to fit these main criteria:
- Fitting under the seat— a non-negotiable — while being able to hold my essentials
- Functional organization— I don't want to endlessly search through an abyss for that one lip balm or charging cord
- Frees my hands — whether it's a backpack that literally allows me to be hands free or a shoulder bag that doesn't slip down my shoulder or easily sits on top of a rolling suitcase, it shouldn't be an additional burden while I'm rushing through the airport
What I Keep in My Personal Item
Obviously, this is different for each person, but in the last decade, I've realized what really matters to me and what I personally need to keep on hands at all times. This is what I am generally packing in my personal item for every trip and what I need my personal item to fit:
- Essentials/Documents: Passport, wallet, any folders that contain necessary documents
- Streamlined Toiletries: A mini bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, moisturizer, lip balm. I tend to treat flights as my bedtime so I keep products for a barebones routine to wash my face and practice dental hygiene during take off and landing
- Electronic Needs: I keep all charger blocks, cords, converters (if necessary), and portable chargers in a separate pouch to easily find it in my personal item. Something like this
- Water Bottle: I typically use my 32 oz Owala. I bring it empty so I get through security without issue and then fill it with a fountain or purchased water so I can stay hydrated on the flight and until I get to my lodging at my final destination
- High Value Items: This includes jewelry, any luxury items (sunglasses, small purse, shoes), laptop
- Emergency Outfit: Sometimes, your flight gets canceled or delayed. Sometimes, your luggage gets lost. I like to keep an emergency outfit (usually a dress so it's one piece, or something else similarly lightweight and easy to pack) that fits the local weather so I have something to change into post-flight or in case there's a quick turnaround time between leaving the airport and your itinerary. I've done quick changes in the airport bathroom before getting into an taxi/shuttle to my next spot
Backpack Recommendations
I mention in my starter pack recommendations that this backpack was one of my first purchases from the travel brand. It's larger than one might expect for a backpack, but that roominess means I can fit a lot of my essentials.
For reference, I'm 5'3". The BÉIS backpack measures 13" W x 19" H x 5.5" D and it definitely feels like a larger backpack when I use it. My favorite features are that it has a lot of internal pockets and organization, including but not limited to: a padded laptop sleeve, compression straps, an inner mesh pocket and plastic pocket, a front pocket with sleeves and pen holders, and a key leash
The BÉIS backpack also contains a large wrap-around zipper so that it can lie flat. This is great for when you're unpacking so you can see everything at once.
I use the compression straps to hold in my emergency outfit (including bag and shoes) while I use the main space for the electronics pouch and mini toiletry bag. The inner pockets are ideal to hold frequently-grabbed items like my passport and wallet, which I don't keep in the front pocket in case of pickpockets.
I have a video review here
Shoulder Bag Recommendations
BÉIS Original Weekender in Beige
Ok, disclaimer: this is definitely bigger than most personal item specifications. However, I've gotten away with using it as a personal item on United Airlines domestic flights and international flights to Mexico and Costa Rica. Emirates Airlines gave me a hard time about it on my flight to Athens and I had to check my carry-on rolling luggage to consider this bag as my carry-on even though it still fit underneath the seat.
You can see how the Weekender bag looks like it's about to fall off the top of the carry-on roller.
My favorite part about this bag is the separate bottom compartment to put shoes or dirty clothes. The inside has typical BÉIS organization, padded laptop sleeve, key leash. I was also able to fit all my usual personal item essentials.
It was, however, trickier to dig into it mid-flight without pulling it out completely to rummage through. But this bag is absolutely perfect as a bag for road trips or a weekend trip (as the name suggests).
I'll admit, I was late to the game with this one. It went viral on TikTok last summer and I finally discovered it shortly before my trip to Ireland and Scotland.
While I usually enjoy a backpack because it's handsfree traveling, I do like a shoulder bag for easy access to grab items without removing the bag from my back when I'm walking.
This bag is smaller than the BÉIS Weekender but has a lot of the same functionality. It has what Calpak calls a "secret" shoe compartment. It's different from the Weekender because while the Weekender shoe compartment is external to the main compartment, the Luka shoe compartment will take up room inside the main compartment. It's hard to explain, but I have a video explaining this on Instagram here.
The Luka duffel has an external pocket, protective laptop sleeve, and interal mesh and zipped pockets for easy access. I'm able to fit my usual essentials and have even fit little takeaway boxes from my meals I couldn't finish in the airport before boarding.
Since I first got these bags, starting in 2019, I've used one of these three exclusively and haven't veered to another bag. I think each one best suits a specific type of trip, but my overall favorite is the Calpak Luka duffel.
It has a wire frame that keeps it structured and it's so easy to find things in it. At the same time, it's soft and squishable if it needs to fit anywhere. The biggest thing is that it fits under the seat and is accepted as a personal item for budget airlines like RyanAir, TAP, and Iberia. Technically, it's a little larger than some of the specifications for airlines like Iberia, but I haven't had any trouble from any of the airline employees.
Whether you already have a favorite personal item bag or you're intrigued and decide to try one of these three recs, just remember to keep in mind your personal travel style and consider if you're someone who just likes to have your things nearby or you're someone who's always rummaging through the bags, whether you like easy access or prioritize being handsfree, and other details like that.
If you want to receive $15 off of your first order with BÉIS you can use the link here.
