The perfect small purse

Tom Bihn small Cafe, Side Effect, Side Kick, or Travel Cubelet.

https://www.tombihn.com/collections/briefcases-and-messenger-bags/products/small-cafe-bag?variant=12881476681791

https://www.tombihn.com/collections/briefcases-and-messenger-bags/products/side-effect?variant=14364335898687

https://www.tombihn.com/collections/briefcases-and-messenger-bags/products/side-kick?variant=13763106963519

https://www.tombihn.com/collections/briefcases-and-messenger-bags/products/travel-cubelet?variant=13808327098431

That Travelon looks great! Love the small size, and wow, great price. A very smart purchase, Horsewoofie!

The price is even better when compared to the Tom Bihn ones linked in the post above. I know Tom Bihn stuff is well made, but sometimes you're just paying more for the name. A lot lower priced purses are just as well made.

Maybe do a test with your new purse. Just to ensure the red color won’t transfer or bleed onto your shirt or jacket, try wearing it all day with a light colored old shirt and spritz some water on the strap. You wouldn’t want to end up with “red sashes” in your clothes during your trip! ; )

Good point Jean. Since it’s washable, I’ll wash it a couple time before using it. That will get any excess dye out. I have not had any problems with black nylon purses, but red can be more apt to bleed.

Blockquote Posted by Nancy
The price is even better when compared to the Tom Bihn ones linked in the post above. I know Tom Bihn stuff is well made, but sometimes you're just paying more for the name. A lot lower priced purses are just as well made.

I don’t buy much of anything these days based on price. But the name is not where the value is hidden. I support Bihn because of everything the company has going for it and a TB product is an easy buy-for-life decision. My Cafe is now five or six years old and should be with me another ten, easily. Amortized, that’s about $5/year.

I love this bag. It can fit an iPad mini if that helps to visualize size.
https://www.eastpak.com/eu-en/shoulderbags/shop-by/the-one-c7845.html

I’ve been using this bag which I bought at 1/2 price ($12.50) at the Eddie Bauer outlet store. Very handy size, lightweight, and useful pockets. https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/82300049/connect-3-zip-travel-bag?sp=1&color=Dk%20Smoke&size=ONESZE

I always use my RIck Steves Velocé bag to transport my iPad when traveling, and pack the Eddie Bauer bag to use during the day. Takes up hardly any space in my suitcase, and I can revert to the Velocé bag if I need more space, like to carry an umbrella on a rainy day.

After trying many travel purses, I really like the PacSafe Daysafe Crossbody purse.

1. Packs flat in bag.
2. RFID safe pockets.
3. Comfortable when worn crossbody. It doesn't pull on your shoulder.
4. Available in several colors.
5. Has devices to deter pickpockets on each zipper.

https://www.containerstore.com/s/travel/security/pacsafe-navy-dots-daysafe-slim-crossbody/12d?productId=11007902

I want to add that this Travelon purse should be consider extra small. Amazon lists it as 7” tall by 8 1/2” wide. That’s backwards. It’s 8 1/2” tall by 7” wide with a 1” gusset. Perfect size for my wallet, phone and sunglasses. Price was cheaper than anything at TJ Maxx recently and red was perfect.
Glad everyone has found her perfect purse. Happy Travels!

Just returned from two weeks in Italy and loved the travel purse I used: Eddie Bauer 3 Zip Travel Bag. On sale right now for less than $20. There is a zippered pocket on the back side of the purse that was extremely secure because it was against my body - I put my daily cash in a small wallet there. I used a small carabiner from REI to clasp the main top zipper to the buckle of the strap. In the body of the purse I was able to fit compact reading glasses, a small notebook and pen, sunglasses. There is a third zippered pocket on the outside. I would totally use this purse for my next trip.

I have been using this bag https://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/anti-theft-small-crossbody/353312?productid=10614507 for my daily purse and find it comfortable and a good size (but have not yet traveled with it). It is similarly sized to the Travelon purse. Current color selection is pretty drab, but they occasionally offer brighter colors. Ebags has frequent deals (currently 30% off with code SAVE)

CL, That's the exact bag I use at home, and so far on domestic trips. I can fit my compact dslr in it and my other glasses, along with all my financials. I love how it zips small when I am not carrying my camera or glasses. This is great for traveling also because it will slip into my personal items; ie, a backpack or crossbody larger purse. I love this bag, too.

Here one I was looking at.

https://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Anti-Theft-Classic-Messenger-Size/dp/B002B3FWXY/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=29S4Y5ON0HGIO&keywords=travelon+anti+theft+bags&qid=1571399820&s=apparel&sprefix=travelon+ani%2Cfashion%2C162&sr=1-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2MlZQSEs1V1VTQTcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3MzQ5NTIzRjMyUUIzUkxUNU8mZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDg2MjY4NFYyN0M2U0s0M1VPMSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

We just returned from our 17 night trip to Italy (Sicily, mostly, with Naples and Rome as our "extension") and I used this Travelon
cross body bag, purchased on sale from AAA. It was a great bag for sightseeing and didn't feel too bulky or casual going out in the evening. I love it -- lots of inner compartments and enough space to stash a scarf or packable jacket. In fact, I like the design so much I'm looking for something similar in leather for my fall/winter work bag. It lies flat, the strap isn't the seat belt type material that causes pilling and is easily adjustable.

Over the years I have found the perfect travel purses at thrift stores.
A couple of Eddie Bauer ones, and recently one from Roots Canada which is in perfect shape and is the perfect size....for $2.99!
They get bashed around on a trip, so I don't want to spend a lot.
My friend I went on my last trip with had bought a PacSafe purse, and it had so many tiny pockets in it she spent the whole two weeks looking for stuff in it, getting annoyed with it, and probably won't use it again.

Gal in the south, I love your idea! Thank you.

I'm a BIG fan of anti-theft bags and backpacks. I own a number of PacSafe items and they're top quality. Next quality below would be the anti-theft lines from Baggallini and eBags, still very good. Bottom of the heap is the Travelon brand. I bought a nice-looking Travelon purse one time and gently placed my hand inside a pocket to check the depth. The lining rrrrripped, that bag got sent back and I'll never trust Travelon again.

That being said, an anti-theft purse or backpack only works when all the latches and clips are engaged AND the owner takes full pickpocket precautions. This includes keeping the bag in front with one arm/hand over it, latching it to a chair or table and keeping it on one's lap, etc. I avoid public transportation during rush hours and ALWAYS am aware of surroundings. I remove myself from situations that seem risky (crowds, kids coming up to me) and I've yelled at people at times when things "didn't seem right." In high-threat big cities I wear a neck wallet crossbody under my cardigan or button-front shirt.

I've been traveling for 50+ years and have never been the victim of pickpocketing. A couple of years ago I was sitting in an outdoor cafe in a French town. A sketchy-looking guy sat down at a nearby table, fiddling with his phone. Something seemed off. I put my bag on the table, looked inside, made a fuss of latching it, then wrapped the strap around the chair, latched it, and put the bag in my lap. Then I stared at the man. He quickly got up and walked away. Being alert and avoiding crowds PLUS an anti-theft bag or backpack will keep one safe.

I follow the RS advice and carry essentials in an UNDER shirt neck wallet. Daily comforts go in the purse/backpack. Sometimes, I use a tiny luggage lock on my bag.

Fortunately, my husband and I have not been pickpocketed. (Scamming, overcharged is another matter.). Having said that - I believe we were targets of a pickpocket group on a Rome bus. But, because of the precautions we took, we didn't lose anything.
Being aware of one's surroundings as stated above is key. But, you can still end-up in a pickle through no fault of your own.