How to pick the perfect travel purse | Lifestyle

by DeannaKeahey

Lots of experienced travelers carry a specific travel purse on their travels. Let's face it -- your needs in a purse on the road aren't always the same as they are when you're at home, so it makes sense that you might need a special travel purse. There are lots of different travel purses available, so how do you find a good one?

Take a look at the security that the purse offers. No matter where you are, you are going to discover that there is a chance that you may be a prospective victim of a purse snatching or pickpocketing. A good travel purse can help you beat this trend by having stainless steel wire mesh installed in the bottom of the purse as well as in the strap, making it more difficult for people to pull the purse off of your body or to cut through the bottom of the purse to get at your wallet. Some purses also have latches for the zipper pulls for extra security.

Also make sure that your travel purse has lots of separate compartments on the inside. The best ones have one pocket for everything that you need to put into them, whether you need to store passports, wallets, cell phones, important documents or medication. This way, if your purse does get slit, it will be much harder for a thief to make of with everything. Having your goods neatly zippered away is going to make it much harder for someone to come up behind you and to stealthily pluck your wallet out.

Light packers swear by small, unobtrusive travel purses. Compact bags can store everything from your passport to some toiletries to small gadgets, and they are designed to help you keep your most essential possessions together, but not a lot of extras. Larger bags can accommodate a world of travel essentials -- from cameras, to guidebooks, to water bottles, to iPods.

Consider what kind of material you want the purse to be made out of. While lighter materials do mean that your purse is going to be easier to tote around, remember that you need to think about the sturdiness of the purse as well. Some common materials for travel purses include thick nylon and leather, so find the ones that are tactilely pleasing to you. How much do you want to carry with you, and what are your needs going to be? You may also want to consider some water-proofing.

One of the most important parts of choosing a travel purse is choosing one that is right for you. For instance, if you don't like the idea of slinging the purse from shoulder to opposite hip, why not look at one that is carried around the waist or that has an extra security strap across the chest? Make sure that the straps hang at a comfortable place on your frame, particularly if you are very short or tall.

Finally, does it look good? Does it feel good? While style isn't the most important criteria, you do want something that will make you feel good when you're carrying it. You want to enjoy your vacation, and starting off with a purse that you love is a great way to begin.

Make sure that you find a travel purse that suits you; this can help you greatly enjoy your vacation in total safety. This is something that can mean a great deal for you when it comes to protecting yourself.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

Deanna Keahey founded Adventurous Wench to provide active, adventurous trips for women in the US and abroad. Find expert advice and a wide selection of travel purses at the Adventurous Wench travel store.