This crossbody bag was my travel VIP in Italy, and it's on sale for just $21

Are you heading home for the holidays? Planning on using that last bit of PTO to go on a well-deserved vacation? Whether you're hopping on a plane or road-tripping to see family, you need the right bag. And that's where a good crossbody comes in handy.

I recently embarked on an adventure across Italy, where I was able to test what shoppers have called "the perfect solution" for on-the-go adventures: the Waterfly Crossbody Sling Backpack. And readers, I'm here to say that this bag is indeed ideal for day-tripping through theme parks, tourist hotspots and so much more. Right now, you can get Amazon's No. 1 bestselling super sling on sale for as low as $21 — it would make a great gift for the traveler in your life, and it'll be at your doorstep with plenty of time to spare.

• Related: The best last-minute gifts that will arrive before Christmas

Amazon

Waterfly Crossbody Sling Backpack

$21$35

Save $14 with coupon

Snag this bag in 20 colors, from neutral black to pastel purple to neon yellow.

Save $14 with coupon

$21 at Amazon

Why is this a good deal?💰

Right now, you can score this travel buddy for up to 40% off (don't miss the on-page coupon), and I can assure you that it's more than worth it. (Note that prices vary slightly by color.) Now's the time to grab one at a savings if you're getting ready to hit the road, or gift that person who's always heading out on a new adventure.

Why do I need this? 🤔

This crossbody backpack was the only "purse" I brought on a whirlwind trip through Italy — including Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence and Pompeii — and it held up incredibly through our 10-day adventure. That's no small feat: It was fairly drizzly most of the time we were there, and on certain days, we walked 20,000 steps or more. The bag not only had to stand up to wet conditions, but the rigors of heavy use: me constantly putting it on and taking it off, adjusting the strap and opening it multiple times a day. I also had to carry enough items to get me through up to 12 hours of sightseeing.

And folks: It performed marvelously.

The real value here is the level of organization and storage space afforded by such a deceptively sleek, compact bag. There are a ton of compartments: a larger main zipper compartment, a slide-in pocket that clips shut with the bag, a small zipper compartment on the front, two side mesh water bottle holders, a small zipped pocket on the strap and more. With all of these, I was able to stay prepared for anything. Some days I was able to fit a travel umbrella, reusable water bottle, wallet, passport, guidebook (thanks, Rick Steves), snacks, sunglasses, shawl, Kindle, external battery and extra cords, earbuds, iPhone, toiletries and medications, selfie stick and even more. Phew! That's a wild amount considering the bag isn't exactly massive at 15 by 7 by 3.5 inches.

Oh, yeah: It was comfortable. The shoulder strap is well-padded, but if your shoulder ever gets tired, the bag converts into a fanny pack (it's not necessarily made to do this, but it works perfectly well). It also washes easily — my trusty Sugar-Free Red Bull spilled in one of the pockets, but I simply rinsed out the bag at our hotel and let it air dry, and it was totally fine by the next day.

What reviewers say 💬

Over 31,000 Amazon reviewers have also given the Waterfly Crossbody Sling Backpack a travel-ready five-star rating, with many highlighting its size, compartments and lack of bulk.

Pros 👍

"I bought this bag for a trip to Universal Orlando with my son for his 11th birthday. This bag was perfect!" raved one shopper. "It held everything we needed: snacks, ponchos, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, wipes, and even water bottles (I used 9-ounce S'Well bottles, which I highly recommend). I even put a pair of plastic Birkenstocks one day for the water rides. The pouch on the strap fit my iPhone 15 Pro as well as my sunglasses."

One Disneyphile shared: "Based off of multiple positive recommendations from various Disney blogs and discussion boards, I bought this for my trip to Disneyland. It was truly the perfect size, with just enough storage to hold everything I needed it to hold. ... You can easily slip it on and off; with a quick change of the clips, you can switch which shoulder it's on. You can wear it across your front or your back. It's sturdy and keeps the contents inside dry in the rain or on a wet ride at a park. ... I highly recommend this pack, and that is from someone who also owns other day packs from Osprey and CamelBak."

"As a frequent traveler, especially now in retirement, finding the perfect bag for my needs has been a priority," wrote another fan. "This backpack is impeccably designed, striking the right balance between size and functionality. ... It's a reliable travel companion, making organization and accessibility a breeze."

Cons 👎

One Disney dad gave the bag a five-star rating but noted some areas where it could be improved: "One: Add a flap, latch, elastic strap or something similar on those outside mesh pouches so that nothing can fall out. Two: Add a second clip (like the one for keys), buried in the 'roof' of the main pouch or elsewhere so I can clip an Apple AirTag to it."

Another shopper wrote: "Great purse for traveling. My only wish is that the phone pocket on the strap could adjust its position."

Amazon

Waterfly Crossbody Sling Backpack

$23$35

Save $12 with on-page coupon

The Waterfly has a ton of compartments, including a front zipper pocket, a mesh water bottle holder and a shoulder strap phone pocket.

Save $12 with on-page coupon

$23 at Amazon

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

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