Customer Reviews

Travelon 3-Compartment Expandable Shoulder Bag

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This handbag is the first I've found that fulfills ALL of my needs. It has the capability to expand, so for a daytrip to NYC I can carry a bottle of water and a mini umbrella, and it has a long enough strap to be worn diagonally for security. For daily use it has all sorts of compartments to organize all of the things a busy mom needs to have at her fingertips - cell phone, ID and credit cards, checkbook, datebook, etc.- without being cumbersome. It's also small enough to fit inside my bookbag when I'm off to work (professor). I also purchased a buxton bag, but it was too 'floppy' and it had a tendency to sort of collapse and things would fall out. The material of this bag is stiff enough to stand up and pliable enough to be convenient. Finally, I love the color. It comes in tan and black, I think, but the eggplant is a bit fun and different.

The bag is attractive, and the multiple compartments, within which one may stow eyeglasses, a mobile phone, and the like, would be quite convenient for travel. I would use it as an 'everyday bag' were it not for two drawbacks. First, for all the ingenious design, there is no 'built in wallet' with convenient access to notes and change - and that is my primary need day to day. Second, the main, middle compartment is open at the top, and anything placed within it could be easily lost or swiped. That same compartment contains the removable key chain - odd, since I cannot imagine anyone would want keys to be in an open section.

I still will give the bag four stars, because it is a fine value at the price, is available in various colours, and could be convenient for travel, with ample space for one's passport, phone, glasses and the like. I am only disappointed because I actually was looking for a bag for daily use (and finding multi compartment bags which are compact and colourful is often a futile task.)

I really like this bag. I am used to carrying a BIG one but decided to go smaller. I don't use all of the pockets but it holds quiet alot of stuff. I put it over my head and carry it close to me. The strap could be a little longer but overall I think anyone would like it.

I used this purse on a recent trip to New Zealand - through many airports and lots of outdoor activities. It's small enough to wear across your body while you hike, but roomy enough to hold my family's passports, various currencies and itineraries.

I bought this bag online with the specific intent of using it for an overseas trip. It was marvelous as a travel handbag and since I have returned from vacation I have not been able to bring myself to change back to my old handbag. It is just so convenient and light.

The compartments are excellent. Surprisingly, the middle compartment has turned out to be a godsend. Initially I thought that a magnetic close would mean I was reluctant to use this compartment, in comparison to the other zippered closing compartments. However, when traveling it was excellent for keeping guidebooks or novels uncrushed but on hand. I also discovered a little secure holder that meant travel cards for buses and trains fit snugly but were highly accessible.

The bag is light, durable and the eggplant colour has stayed pristine. I am not gentle on handbags so these are all signs of a good item.

There was a lot of room in the bag and it securely contained the following:-
-a fat wallet
-a small point and shoot camera
-a guidebook (fairly thin) but at least the height of a standard novel
-sunglasses
-tissues, lip balm
-ipod touch
-pen
-Assorted papers and rail tickets
-Passports

This is a good bag and cheap at the $29 price in my opinion. I am contemplating buying another for day-to-day use. As much as I love the Eggplant colour, it is not really practical for matching my clothing on a daily basis. However, it was fun for some holiday colour.

Update: 21 Nov 2009
Holiday finished months ago but I'm still using this bag. It's awesome. REALLY MUST BUY ANOTHER!

This bag would be perfect if it was just a couple of inches larger on each side- it's pretty narrow, and the zippered extender on the bottom does not provide enough "wiggle room" to be very useful. However, I happen to carry a LOT of stuff- if I reduced the amount I carried, this bag would be perfect. The shoulder bag comes with a lot of positive features that make it worth the purchase: TONS of pockets, no loose threads, the zippers all work well, no snags. Very secure, comfortable strap. I plan to use it on outdoor outings, sight seeing, and at other times when I don't need to carry as much as I usually do. I purchased the Camel color and it looks fantastic. Its a very casual, so probably not a bag I'd bring to the office every day. Perfect for vacations and day trips though.

Also, that little key fob LED flashlight is surprisingly nice! It is really bright! It's too bad the middle comparment uses a magnet instead of a zipper or button, which would make this bag more secure and give it more room on top.

In the end, I'm disappointed that I can't use this every day, but I look forward to using it on my next vacation.

I have owned 4 different Travelon bags -- three exactly like this and one in the larger size. I keep coming back to Travelon because they make the best cross-body travel bag I have found. However, on every single Travelon bag that I've owned, the stitching that holds the straps in place has come apart. In one case, I had only used the bag for a few days on vacation when one side of the strap came completely detached from the bag. I had to find a safety pin to keep it in place for the duration of my trip. I was fortunate that I happened to notice the detached strap before I lost the entire bag, along with my passport, credit cards, and other important travel documents. I am very disappointed, as I love Travelon bags and keep having this same problem. Travelon really needs to work on quality control and reinforce these straps. If you do not carry a lot of stuff and hardly put anything in the bag, it might be okay. But if you're like me and carry the typical vacation stuff like a camera, small wallet, sunglasses, a pack of gum, and other small necessities, you may very well experience the same detaching strap problem. On another note, Travelon does have a one-year manufacturer's warranty. I'm well past that period, but at least there's some protection available for those who might need it.

This purse would be great for teens and young adults for any type of travel. If your travel plans include airplane, theme parks, any type of tourist activities where you want hands free and easy oganization this is your purse for a younger adult. I was going to use it myself, but when I opened it up, the fuschia pink silk lining was just too much for my personal taste. I think my teenager may use this when she does some mission travel in the future. Great for passport, drivers license, travel docs, etc.,

I have purchased the smaller Travelon bags previously specifically for airline travel and loved them. However, this one will be even more useful when I go on short trips where I want a medium sized bag with all of the features that Travelon bags feature. I'm ordering a second one because I'm so impressed with it!

My sister and I each took this bag halfway around the world on a trip to Thailand. It held everything needed for touring and then some, without being bulky or cumbersome. The light color worried me, but a fast wipe with a wet cloth and it was spotless again. Love it.