Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2019
There are a lot of things that disappointed me about this bag - some differences from the photo, some issues specific to this bag, and some design flaws that seem to plague almost all Travelon bags.
The good parts are that it seems pretty secure overall, it's a well-constructed bag, and it's very, VERY roomy - more so than you'd expect. I can imagine someone else being perfectly happy with it, which is why I gave it 3 stars. But, for me, some of the flaws are deal-breakers - especially where the bag differs from the picture.
There's a lot to read about the flaws, so I'll summarize first. Details are below the summary.
SUMMARY: DIFFERENCES FROM PHOTO
--- D-ring for main compartment is located behind purse strap rather than in front (photo 1)
--- Front pocket has only one zipper pull (photo 2)
SUMMARY: OTHER BAG-SPECIFIC ISSUES
--- Strap is sewn flat along length of purse, has to twist to lie flat on the shoulder (photo 1) - gets twisted up even more often than most Travelon bags
--- Front and back of bag sewn together in about a 1"x2" area below strap, reducing bag width expansion (photo 1)
--- 1 of 2 slip pockets in front compartment is too narrow to hold phone (or much of anything else) (photo 3)
--- No other slip pockets in the bag will fit a phone
--- Hard to reach bottom of front compartment because it's much deeper than the zipper
--- Listed measurements are actually true to size, where most Travelon bags are much smaller than listed measurements
--- Feels like a N/S bag when carried, not like an E/W bag
SUMMARY: GENERAL TRAVELON ISSUES
--- If you carry purse on your right, zippers lock behind you - security issue
--- Several problems with straps:
-- Sewn to bag on one side but swivels on the other - straps twist easily and are difficult to untwist
-- Can't fix strap issues by replacing strap because it's sewn to bag
-- Too narrow for a heavy bag if you're carrying it constantly for a day (or even afternoon) out
-- Stiff strap with scratchy fabric easily irritates bare skin
-- Uncomfortably long - strap buckle sits almost on top of the shoulder on a 5'5" woman
For those who want it, here's the detailed version:
DIFFERENCES FROM PHOTO
It seems Travelon has slightly redesigned this bag since the photos were taken, and not in a good way - either that, or I got one with manufacturing defects.
--- Biggest issue: In the photos, the D-ring closure for the main compartment is pictured in front of the purse strap. The bag I received has the D-ring BEHIND the strap (see first photo). I carry crossbody bags on my right side, so the zipper closure is already at the far end of the bag (which is an issue with almost all Travelon bags), to lock the zipper, I have to pull the bag almost completely in front of me, then flip it most of the way around - and even then, it's awkward and difficult. I'd send the bag back for this alone.
--- Also, the front pocket is pictured as having a double zipper pull. Mine has only one (see second photo) - so I don't have the option to sacrifice a little security for the the convenience of a zipper that opens from the correct side.
OTHER BAG-SPECIFIC ISSUES
--- The purse strap is attached parallel with the length of the bag, rather than being attached on the short side (see first photo). So, the strap has to turn 90 degrees to sit flat on your shoulder. Even just testing the bag at home, I was constantly getting the strap uncomfortably twisted.
--- Also, directly below the purse strap, the front and back of the purse are sewn together flat in a strip about 1" wide by 2" long (see first photo). I have no idea why, but you lose some of the bag space for this, and I find it awkward.
--- Speaking of awkward size, let's talk about the slip pockets in the front compartment, which aren't in the seller's photos. There are only two, and only one will fit your phone unless it's very small (see third photo) - and, of course, you have to unzip almost the entire pocket to access it. My Pixel 2 XL wouldn't fit in the smaller pocket. I couldn't even fit 2 Kind bars, which are pretty small, into the smaller pocket without it bulging.
--- That pocket is your only option for a phone. Those 2 slip pockets are the only slip pockets in the purse aside from the passport and card pockets. The horizontally-oriented passport pocket also wouldn't fit my phone - which fits fine into the vertical passport pockets in other Travelon purses.
--- Also, the front compartment extends to the bottom of the purse but only unzips 3/4 of the way. That leaves about 3" of space at the bottom for small items to slide into - and when every
--- Oddly, I'm also criticizing this bag for listing fairly accurate measurements. I've tried 2 other medium-to-large Travelon bags (the Tailored Hobo and the Classic N/S Crossbody), both of which have been smaller than the measurements suggest. This one has accurate measurements, so I was expecting it to be smaller than my current N/S Crossbody (600 cubic inches based on listed measurements, versus 560 for this bag) - or at least close to the same size. In reality, the N/S is just under 400 cubic inches - and this bag is still about 560. So, instead of 10% smaller, this bag is 40% larger!
--- Finally, I wanted an E/W bag, as I find them more comfortable to carry. At 14x10, this should be one - but it carries like a N/S. Maybe this is because of the depth of the purse - but my 13.5x9 E/W purse doesn't have that problem.
FINALLY. GENERAL TRAVELON ISSUES
--- Zippers lock at the back when carrying cross-body on your right side (which is where I carry it, as do almost all the models in the photos of Travelon crossbody purses). This compromises security: the zippers are often easier to unlock than to lock, so the purse could fairly easily be unlocked from behind where you can't see it - especially with a wider purse, where zipper closures will be further behind you.
--- Straps get twisted easily: they're sewn to the purse on one side, but swivel on the side with the clip. If both sides were the same, it would be fine; as-is, it sucks.
--- With the strap sewn to the purse, you can't change it for another strap. So, you can't solve any of the strap problems - which are the majority of the problems I have with Travelon bags in general.
--- Straps are too narrow to carry a heavier bag comfortably for longer periods; they're not super thin, but should still be at least 50% wider or include a detachable pad for comfort.
--- Straps are also made from rough, scratchy fabric, uncomfortable to carry against bare skin, especially as the strap is stiff. Sure, the reinforced anti-theft fabric is a feature, but would it kill them to cover it with a softer fabric?
--- Straps are way too long. At 5'5" with the top of the purse just below my hipbone, I had only let the strap out halfway, which left the buckle sitting uncomfortably against my shoulder. If I'd let it out all the way, the purse would have hung below my knees. Seriously, not even WNBA players need a strap that long.
This is my Second attempt at a Travelon bag, my first one was too tall and narrow for my body type. I posted some pictures and a video review as well. I am a very short bodied person 5'3", so I can't use a "tall" purse without looking "stumpy" or having the purse be from my hip to my armpit. This bag hugs to my hip well. It is a little bit bulky fully packed but I do have it crammed FULL of stuff. It fit : 2 Tour Books, large and small, language guide, hard glasses case, hard camera case, full sized wallet with checkbook, diabetic testing kit, and power bank/charger for electronics. Plus a small amount of makeup and a pen. It has 2 end pockets that will fit both 16 oz and 23 oz water bottles. I did have a small issue with one of the zipper pulls coming off, a simple "crimp" down of the zipper holder and it was fine.
