The latest, greatest bag for your next city break

From bash-proof backpacks to trendy totes, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the perfect city carry-on. So, whether you’re climbing the cobbled steps of Montmartre or getting your boogie on in Berlin, join us on our quest for the best bag to suit your next break

The B-Corp backpack

Best for: avid amblers
It’s easy to clock up steps café hopping, gallery roaming, or wandering your chosen city’s parks. Metropolises such as Hong Kong boast some 600 dedicated trails, so adventurous visitors will need a sturdy friend to carry all their essentials. Enter: Cotopaxi’s 28-litre Allpa, a lightweight and notably comfortable travel pack thanks to its weight-distributing harness. Decidedly durable and complete with a protective rain cover, it will kit out adventure seekers for an action-packed escapade in less predictable climes.

The padded powerhouse

Best for: globetrotting execs
Meetings in Madrid? Conference in Cape Town? Recent years have seen a boom in ‘bleisure’ seekers, tagging on a day here and there to explore the cities they call on for work. For a smart carry-on just as suited to the boardroom as the boardwalk, Bellroy’s Tokyo Wonder Tote holds laptops of up to 16 inches (other everyday essentials can sit alongside) as part of its chic, padded design. Durable, water-resistant, and full of ever-so-handy hidden compartments, the Wonder Tote certainly lives up to its name. Plus, the trolley pass-through strap makes it the optimal companion for overseas affairs.

The sturdy staple

Best for: photography enthusiasts
Whether it’s the Washington Monument at sunrise or the Pantheon at dusk, big-hitter cities can make even the most ‘in the moment’ travellers reach for their cameras. That’s why it’s vital to protect whatever kit you’ve got, whether you’re a single-lens loyalist or compact convert. Safely stow your lenses, flashes, tripods and gimbals in Shimoda’s aptly named Urban Explore backpack. Its removable core unit provides shockproof protection, while handy rear and side pockets enable speedy access, so you’ll never miss that perfect shot.

The investment buy

Best for: timeless travellers
Indulge in the ‘quiet luxury’ trend with this statement leather bag by Bottega Veneta – perfect for mingling with trendy Upper East Siders in New York or looking the part in First. A worthy investment piece, this timeless over-the-shoulder number is a work of true craftmanship, handwoven using the brand’s signature intrecciato technique. Exquisitely soft leather is folded into a ‘parachute’ form with ample room for your phone, cardholder, and AirPods for when you’re touring the city by day, plus extra wiggle room for a lipstick and compact come evening.

BOTTEGA VENETA Parachute small intrecciato leather shoulder bag

The one that went viral

Best for: touring trendsetters
There’s no need to choose style over substance with this Uniqlo staple, still gaining momentum as a global viral sensation for its miraculous ease-of-use and classy good looks. Spotted slung over the shoulders of all the cool cats, from Berlin to Bangkok, this surprisingly spacious bag has room for all your necessities as the load grows from departures to destination. Passport and portable charger can quickly be swapped out for sunglasses and SPF on arrival, making this a conveniently versatile travel mate that sits close to your chest in crowded cities. Pick from a choice of pastel perfect hues or neutral colourways in corduroy if that’s more your bag.

The one in disguise

Best for: families on the move
This self-described ‘anti-diaper diaper bag’ wouldn’t look out of place parading down the runways of Paris and Milan, which makes it all the more surprising when you find out what it’s for. Baby-proofed with many of the features found in high-tech alternatives, this lifesaver contains a padded changing mat (with hidden pocket for wipes), insulated bottle warmer and stroller straps for child-friendly travel, while its laptop pocket and trolley pass-through make it a business traveller’s worthy companion even without kids in tow. Best of all are the 14 carefully placed pockets for all the toys, clothes, emergency snacks and, yes, nappies, required for a (somewhat) stress-free getaway.