Carmel Convertible Backpack named Best Small Underseat Bag by CNN Underscored

The Carmel Convertible Backpack has been named by CNN Underscored the best small underseat bag! They rigorously tested the highest rated bags that would fit under the airplane seat and named their favorite bags. 

Here's what they wrote: 

Light packers will still need a small personal item bag that keeps day-to-day essentials such as travel documents, IDs and credit cards, makeup, phone and earbuds accessible during flights. After all, it’s very inconvenient to take your carry-on out of the overhead bin and rummage through it mid-flight, especially in economy class. That’s why I had to throw in the Arden Cove Carmel as my third pick.

This small personal item bag is as robust and functional as it is luxurious-looking. It’s a fantastic bag for carrying all those essentials during day tours and trips, but I cannot stress enough the level of versatility this bag offers as well, thanks to its convertible design (by changing or rearranging its straps, you can use it as a crossbody bag, a backpack or a shoulder bag), security features and impressive waterproofing.

I loved wearing it as a backpack during a recent trip to the Philippines because of its anti-theft features, with the easy-to-use zipper clasps deterring pickpockets and the RFID-blocking wallet pocket ensuring that more advanced thieves can’t access my credit card information.

What’s even more impressive is its waterproofing prowess, partly because the Arden Cove Carmel looks more like a bag you’d carry around at a resort than a rugged one that’ll survive the elements. Even after three days of being splashed with salt water and exposed to the harsh elements of the tropics, it still came out looking like new.

Of course, it comes with all the basics as well: pockets and several card slots, as well as a main compartment that fits more than you think it would. But it’s those three marquee features above that make this a worthy addition to my best personal item bags list, not to mention well worth its admittedly high $259 price.

Thank you to Michelle Rae Uy at CNN Underscored for considering Arden Cove and reviewing our Carmel backpack.