Overland Equipment Whitney Bag Review

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

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Overland Equipment Whitney Bag Review

Price and Where to Buy Overland Equipment Whitney Bag: $63 to $66 on Amazon.com

Pros: The Whitney Bag is roomy without feeling oversized. It has great details like a padded electronics sleeve, two external side pockets (one fleece-lined) for water bottles or other quick-access items, a detachable toiletries pouch, a reusable shopping tote, a detachable key clip, and a multitude of pockets. Best of all, it converts convincingly from a backpack to a purse. The backpack straps are comfortable and can be tucked discreetly into a flap, transforming the bag into an attractive shoulder tote.

Cons: The shoulder strap doesn’t extend long enough to be worn cross body.

How Overland Equipment Whitney Bag Rates

Usefulness: 10/10. It’s packed with features that serve travelers well.
Value: 10/10. There are plenty of bags that offer various combinations of utility, but this is one of the best all-around travel bags we’ve ever tested. The only thing it can’t be is an evening clutch; but with the backpack straps tucked away, it’s still nice enough for a night out.
Durability: 10/10. After months of hard use as a travel bag and a diaper bag, it still isn’t showing any signs of weakening or wear.
Cool Factor: 10/10. It’s hard to find a bag that is useful, adaptable, and attractive, but the Whitney pulls it off.

Final Verdict: This is just about the perfect travel bag, adapting easily to most travel scenarios. A backpack when you need it, a shoulder bag when you don’t, it balances back health and utility with style.

(Photo: Overland Equipment)

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.