Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I try to avoid checking luggage do to the added fees, and the desire to travel lighter. So when preparing for an upcoming trip to Austin I whipped out my carry-on 360 wheeled bag only to find it measured one inch too big! I decided to challenge myself to pack everything for my 8 day trip into a personal size bag that would fit under an airplane seat. After thoroughly scouring the internet, and reading multiple reviews I narrowed my search down to three choices (this tote, a small duffel bag, and a backpack). While I ultimately decided on the backpack, the Lily & Drew Trepmall Nylon Travel Tote Cross-body Carry On Bag was a close contender. Pros: The company contacted me shortly after shipping out the item to see if I had received the bag, and if I would I share my thoughts. Their initial contact and quick delivery of the product were both positive experiences. The bag is made from a soft, but sturdy fabric with a lot of give. While it won't stand up on its own when empty, it easily expands and folds up when not in use. There are plenty of outer pockets, and the adjustable shoulder strap can be easily removed. The interior is lightly colored with more pockets which is an added bonus. Another useful detail are the two-way zippers which are very helpful for different points of access. I would estimate this tote to have about 20-25L capacity and it was able to hold most of the items I wanted to bring on my trip. For example I was able to fit a Travelon 3 piece packing cube set, a Travelon toiletry kit, and a pair of sandals. Packing it to the max, the straps and seams were solid, withstanding 13 lbs of contents. I went to my local airport to test out the airline size restrictions for this tote along with the backpack I purchased. I filled the tote with 2 square cushions, a thick medium sized hoodie, and 2 tees, and loaded the backpack with the packing cubes. The Lily & Drew tote easily fit into the personal size bins for Allegiant, American, Jet Blue, and Spirit airlines! Cons: For me it came down to portability and future uses. There is no shoulder padding so carrying the tote on my shoulders became uncomfortably heavy after only a couple of minutes trying it out at home packed with 13 lbs (which is why I filled it with light items for my trial run at the airport). In the end I found it more comfortable for me to carry the weight on my back, and preferred having my hands free. Closing thoughts: The Lily & Drew Trepmall Nylon Travel Tote Cross-body Carry On Bag has a lot to offer. The price point, and customer service are great. This could be a good choice for you if you want a travel bag that is durable, flexible, and fits many airline carriers' personal size limits. Hope this was helpful!