Whether you’re heading to Tokyo for two weeks or simply doing a few days in Montreal, a crossbody bag is a very practical thing to pack for a trip. Unlike a slippery tote, a crossbody will stay on your shoulder while you remove your shoes and simultaneously scramble for your boarding pass at security. And once you reach your destination, a crossbody feels like a slightly more secure way to carry around important items, like, say, your passport. While the words “crossbody travel bag” might bring to mind a stodgy nylon number with a few too many zippers, that doesn’t have to be the case. We talked to nine travel editors, trip planners, and a documentary photographer to hear about their go-to bags, including an ultra-secure, gorpcore-esque nylon version with plenty of interior pockets, and a structured cylindrical leather option elegant enough to carry from a day spent touring to a nice dinner. Read on for bags that don’t scream tourist, and that you might even consider using once you get home.

Best leather crossbody travel bags

Madewell The Leather Sling Bag

Jacinta O’Halloran, a senior editor at Fodor’s Travel, says she loves this Madewell leather crossbody so much that she just bought a second one. “I’ve used it in Thailand, in the Amazon, in Barcelona, in Ireland, and I use it every day in New York,” she says. “I can fit a paperback book, a wallet, passport, glasses case, and a small bottle of water in it.” The bag doesn’t have compartments, so O’Halloran uses smaller pouches (a favorite is Clare V’s leopard print one) to organize her keys, lip gloss, pens, and other small items. And while many traditional travel bags are made of nylon, O’Halloran says the leather saves her extra packing space: “I used to bring an additional ‘nice’ bag for events and dinners,” she says, “but I find this slim, unfussy, leather design easily takes me from airport to dinner.” The affordable price point is a draw, too: “I don’t have to be precious with it,” she says.

Lo & Sons The Pearl bag

If you prefer a leather bag with built-in compartments, TripSavvy editorial director Laura Ratliff recommends Lo & Sons’ The Pearl bag, which she says is made from “super soft” leather and has a design that makes it easy to organize passports, boarding passes, headphones, a Kindle, and whatever else she’s carrying. “It has three different ‘chambers’ for storage inside,” Ratliff says. “Plus, it’s just a sleek bag that looks just as at home at a nice restaurant as it does on the Global Entry line.”

Everlane Form Bag

A slightly larger option — big enough to fit a laptop, even — comes to us from Lyndsey Matthews, destination news editor at Afar, who says she’s used Everlane’s Form Bag almost every day since she bought it a few years ago. “When I’m in New York, I use it as a shoulder bag for commuting (it can fit my MacBook Air vertically along with my wallet, phone, book, and a water bottle),” says Matthews. “When I travel, I extend the shoulder strap so it can be used as a crossbody and swap my laptop out for my camera and an extra layer in case it gets cold.” The bag has a magnetic top closure, which Matthews has found helps her move from place to place with ease. “The magnetic top closure is strong enough so that your stuff won’t go flying out on the conveyor belt at airport security or under the airplane seat, but easy enough to open when you actually need to get something out of it,” she says. Matthews told us the bag is lighter than other leather bags she’s used, and doesn’t weigh down shoulders during a long day of walking. It’s also a useful day-to-night bag: “While it’s big enough to fit all of the things I need for the day, it doesn’t look gigantic so I can also use it at night when I go out to dinner,” she says.

Rag & Bone Field Leather Messenger Bag

Rag & Bone’s small messenger bag may be pricier than some of the other picks on this list, but For the Love of Travel founder and CEO Tara Cappel says it’s worth the splurge. “I think it’s a great travel bag for so many reasons,” she says. “The main compartment zips closed and there’s a sneaky back compartment for important items like your passport, credit card, etc. Also, the fact that it’s leather and not nylon means it doesn’t scream ‘tourist’ when you’re walking around foreign cities.” Unlike the other leather bags on this list, this one can become a clutch — the strap is completely removable. And for Cappel, it’s the Goldilocks of bag sizes: “It’s big enough to hold all of the essentials but small enough to fit into a backpack or suitcase when not in use — or when you’re trying to comply with the two-item carry-on rule,” she says.

Nisolo Simone Crossbody Shopper

Rachel Coleman, social media lead at Berlin-based travel booking agency GetYourGuide, told us that she’s trying to reduce the number of items that she buys, and home in on ones that are sustainable. This Nisolo crossbody fits the bill — the brand produces their leather goods under fair-trade conditions in Peru, and it’s the right size and shape for both traveling and everyday use. “It’s big enough to fit all the contents of my purse plus a book, a water bottle and a few bags of snacks,” Coleman says. “And the leather is sturdy enough to stand up on its own so my things don’t spill all over the airplane.” The handle knots differentiate the bag from other shopper-style options, and the classic color options make it ideal to go “from a day of travel to a night out in a new city,” Coleman says.

Best crossbody leather bucket bags

Want Les Essentiels Mini Munro Leather Bucket Bag

Whether you prefer a bucket bag or something more square really comes down to personal preference — but should you want something a little more cylindrical, Vanessa Montenegro, the head of marketing and partnerships at traveling club Prior, suggests this (on sale) one from Want Les Essentiels. “I love that this bag is structured and polished but functional, which makes it perfect for travel,” she says. “It’s versatile and works for use in-transit and stylish enough to wear out when I get there — whether I’m exploring a new city, headed to meetings, or meeting a dinner date.” Despite its compact size, Montenegro says it fits all of her necessities, including a passport, face mist, wallet, and something to read. The adjustable strap is also removable, should you want to convert the crossbody into a handheld style.

Paravel Crossbody Capsule

Travel + Leisure editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford is also a fan of a cylindrical bag for travel — specifically, this petite zippered one from Paravel, a company that Gifford tells us is known for their statement duffels and wheeled carry-ons. “There’s something even more appealing to me about the simplicity of this bag: the cylindrical shape, the leather detailing, the gold zipper,” she says.

Tory Burch McGraw Camera crossbody

If all of the neutral-toned bags are starting to feel a little plain, Gifford also likes this colorful number from Tory Burch. “The flower pattern really does work in any destination: Paris, Napa, Marrakesh,” she told us. “It’s destination neutral.” It’s a slightly smaller size than some of the other bags here, but just the right size for the essentials for a night out on a trip, and goes with the kind of solid-colored basics one might opt for when traveling. “I would wear this with jeans and a white blouse, or a more formal dress in a solid color, or cut off white shorts and a navy t-shirt,” says Gifford.

Best nylon and fabric crossbody bags

LeSportsac Flight Crossbody

Nylon, of course, is lighter than leather — and this classic from LeSportsac is a favorite of Lexie Silverman, who works for the group travel agency Travendly. “It definitely has enough room for a wallet, phone, and extra battery pack,” she says — noting that a water bottle or book might be a bit of a squeeze. The major draw for Silverman is the bag’s zipper pockets, which she says are secure enough to hold your passport during a day of exploring. “It’s also super lightweight, and so easy to pack in another bag,” she says. “I’ve also found it to be pretty water resistant in case it rains when you are out and about.”

Osprey Flap Jill Micro Shoulder Bag

Silverman also likes this small bag from outdoor gear company Osprey, which she notes is not a traditional crossbody, but can be used as one if you extend the shoulder strap. It’s a bit larger than the LeSportsac and can hold a water bottle in addition to your wallet and phone, and, importantly, it also has a lot of zippered compartments and pockets. “Overall, the amount of pockets in this bag is great — especially for days when I have a lot of things with me,” Silverman says of the gorpcore-ish style. “I also like that one of the pockets folds over — it makes me feel like my valuables are that much more secure.”

Best extra-secure crossbody travel bag

Travelon Anti-Theft Heritage Tour Bag

Visual artist Maria De La Guardia says she has used this Travelon bag for years and highly recommends it. The bag features front pockets that actually lock, and a padded interior pocket that keeps your iPad safe and sound. De La Guardia says that the layout of the bag’s multiple pockets “actually make[s] sense” for organizing sunglasses, iPhones, and notepads. Plus, she says, it’s not bulky, though it can carry a ton — “It hugs your body, has adjustable and even a removable strap, and has two adjustable side pockets for umbrellas or water bottles.” The adjustable strap makes it easy to wear the bag whether you’re in a T-shirt or a winter coat, and De La Guardia notes that the canvas makes it machine washable.

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Whether it’s a $400 pair of Common Projects or a $50 pair of Chuck Taylors, all sneakers have one thing in common: They get dirty. And there’s no miracle product to prevent that, says Eduard Shimunov of Cobbler Express in the Financial District. “Unless you put a bag over them, there’s nothing really out there. Dirt is dirt. If you walk on the street, you’re going to get it onto your shoes.”

Even though you can’t really prevent them from getting dirty, you can still clean sneakers to get them looking more like new. There are of course lots of capable cobblers and sneaker-cleaning specialists who can do that for you, but many at-home cleaning methods exist, too — some of which cost about a third of the price of a visit to a professional. To find the best and easiest things for cleaning your kicks at home, we spoke to four cobblers and professional sneaker cleaners, who share their favorite solutions, brushes, and spot treatments below. (But to treat more serious damage like discoloring, you’re better off taking your shoes to a pro, who can mix a custom dye to disguise it.)

Best overall sneaker cleaner

Reshoevn8r Shoe & Sneaker Cleaner

The two experts we spoke with who specialize in sneaker cleaning — as opposed to general shoe repair — cited Reshoevn8r by name as their favorite all-purpose sneaker cleaner. “This solution works well on mostly all materials — leather, suede, nubuck — and gets the job done when it comes to cleaning sneakers,” says Steven Tran, a cleaning expert at Jersey City–based sneaker cleaning and restoration shop Sole Fresh. Richard Brown — the founder of another sneaker restoration company, Proof Culture, which also makes custom sneakers — agrees, saying Reshoevn8r is an “everyday all-purpose cleaner” that’s mild and won’t leave behind much soapy residue. He adds that when “combined with a medium-bristle shoe brush or toothbrush,” the product “allows for a clean wash and maximum dirt removal on the products most commonly used in sneakers, like leather, nubuck, and rubber.” To use the cleaner, Brown says to dilute it with water, then “dip your cleaning brush in the solution, and gently scrub away the dirt on the sneakers, giving them a quick rinse so as to prevent water-logging of the shoes.”

Best everyday sneaker cleaner

Sneaker Lab Shoe Wipes

The longer you go without cleaning your sneakers, the harder it is to get the dirt out, which is why Joe Rocco of Jim’s Shoe Repair in Midtown recommends using these every day (especially if you’ve got pricey sneakers). “They’re almost like baby wipes, but for sneakers,” he explains. “A lot of times the dirt stays on too long. If you have leather shoes and the wipes, you could just wipe the shoes every time you wear them because they’re going to get dirty every time you wear them — there’s no doubt. These will get the dirt off.”

Best brushes to clean sneakers

Reshoevn8r Brush Shoe Cleaning Kit

“Aside from the solutions, using the proper brush is key to cleaning sneakers,” says Tran. “Hard brushes should only be used on the undersole, and some midsoles. A medium brush can be used all around the sneaker, but should not be used on delicate materials such as suede, nubuck, or satin. A soft-bristle brush is key when dealing with delicate materials.” He says while lots of companies’ brushes are similar, at Sole Fresh they usually use Reshoeven8r brushes, which you can buy in this convenient set of soft-, medium-, and hard-bristled options (it also comes with the brand’s cleaner that our experts like). “The important step in cleaning sneakers is, while brushing in a circular motion, letting the solution and brush work up a lather to break down the dirt and stains,” Tran says.

Best cloth to clean sneakers

AmazonBasics 24-Pack Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Tran says, along with the brushes, you’ll want to “use a microfiber towel to lift and pick up the dirt and stains.” Any kind of microfiber cloth will do, he says, noting that “sometimes using the microfiber towel to rub on a stubborn stain can lift the stain.” These microfiber cloths have some very high customer ratings, so they seem like a good place to start (and you can use them to clean all sorts of things, not just your sneakers).

Best cleaning solution for leather sneakers

Jason Markk Premium Shoe Cleaner

In addition to the Reshoevn8r, Tran also likes this cleaner from Jason Markk. “This solution works well on leather sneakers, and has a nice smell to it,” he says. But stick to using it on smooth leather, not suede, he says. “We found that it does not work well with suede material from trial and error.”

Best cleaner for suede sneakers

Angelus Foam Tex Sneaker Cleaning Kit

For suede and other more delicate materials, Tran suggests using Angelus Foam Tex. “This is a foam solution we like to use on delicate materials that should not be heavily saturated. It works well on suede, where the material shouldn’t be heavily saturated with water, causing damage to the material.” Tran also says you can use this to clean Uggs.

Best cleaning cream for leather sneakers

Saphir Medaille d’Or Leather Renovator

Whether you use a cleaning solution or a cleaning cream comes down to personal preference, as both will help remove dirt from your shoes. If you typically prefer cream-based products, you could try Saphir — the same product, Rocco says, that “Hermès uses on bags.” He uses a rag or an old shirt to apply the cream to sneakers (a microfiber cloth would work just as well), and then rubs the sneakers with the cloth until the dirt comes out.

Best (less-expensive) cleaning cream for leather sneakers

Tarrago Shoe Cream 3-Pack

Rocco also uses Tarrago cream at his shop, and although it may not be as high-end as the Saphir, he says it will “do the trick.” This one would be applied in the same way as the Saphir, with a cloth and some elbow grease.

Best spot cleaners for sneakers

Clorox Bleach Pen

Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Liquid Pen

If you’re spot cleaning or trying to reach some of the smaller bits of your sneakers — like the stitching along the sole — Brown suggests a Clorox bleach pen for white sneakers, or a Tide detergent pen for more colorful pairs.

Best product for cleaning scuff marks from sneakers

Eternal Professional Nail Polish Remover

For scuff removal, Brown recommends applying nail-polish remover to the scuff with a Q-tip. But to ensure that the nail-polish remover won’t discolor your shoes, he advises to first “test an inconspicuous area of the shoe for colorfastness before applying to the scuff.” And although you might want to use a non-acetone nail-polish remover on your nails, when it comes to sneakers, you may actually want to pick up a formula that does have acetone, which Shimunov says is a “last resort” at his shop for cleaning tough stains. But be careful: Shimunov also says acetone is “smelly and dangerous,” and that if you “inhale a lot of it you might get high.”

Best products for cleaning sneakers’ insides and insoles

Windex Glass Cleaner Trigger Bottle

Rocco warns against soaking the inside of your sneakers with soap and water when cleaning them. “I’m not a fan of soap on the inside,” he says. “I’m not saying it’s wrong, I just like the way my sneakers feel and I don’t want to change it.” Instead, he suggests using something else you may already have at home: Windex. “Windex is a cleaner, and even though you usually use it on windows, you can use it to clean the inside of sneakers. I would spray it on a cloth and then wipe the inside,” Rocco says.

OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder

To clean removable insoles, Brown suggests simply “tossing them in the washing machine with like colors and OxiClean.”

Conair Battery-Operated Fabric Defuzzer

The Laundress New York Sweater Comb

The consensus among our experts is that it’s probably just better to replace laces, but if you really want to try cleaning them, Rocco says “you can wash them with mild soap and water and let them dry out.” If your laces are pilling, Brown recommends a lint shaver. The Conair Battery-Operated Fabric Defuzzer (which we’ve written about) could be used on laces. The Laundress Sweater Comb is another good, lo-fi option, too.

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