We've tested Dagne Dover bags for years — these are the ones actually worth buying
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Shopping, Travel
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9 mins
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Business Insider
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Samantha Crozier
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Dagne Dover's bags have stellar organizational features like key leashes, phone-sized outer slip pockets, and innovative gusset pockets.
Dagne Dover is one of our favorite brands ever. We constantly come back to them for practical bags that have all the functional bells and whistles you could possibly think of. A key leash? Check. A phone-sized slip pocket on the outside? Check. An interior organization system that will make even the most type-A person drool? Absolutely.
If you love dresses with pockets, you're probably aDagne Dovertype of person. With this brand, it seems as if even their pockets have pockets. Each bag has a thoughtfully constructed interior organizational system, with space-saving features and tons of attention to detail.
If there's one thing we don't love about the brand, it's just that some of their products lean more towards functionality than fashion. But their work bags beautifully execute both.
Here's our review of Dagne Dover's most popular styles, like our favorite work bag ever, the Allyn Tote, or a brilliant garment bag duffle hybrid that is a must-have for weddings.
Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Rebecca Strong
Of all the Dagne Dover products, I've seen this one the most in the wild. I've spotted tons of these backpacks in the office, all over public transit, and on airplanes. And it's easy to see why people love this particular bag.
Since it's made of neoprene, the backpack is incredibly lightweight. But, yet again, the internal organization features elevate this above your average backpack. Heres' what our writer Rebecca Strong had to say when she ranked it as one of the best backpacks for work:
"The Dakota Backpack comes in 10 different eye-catching colorways, from muted taupe and heathered gray to rich olive green and neutral blush. Beyond the style factor, though, this backpack also boasts a waterproof neoprene exterior and is loaded with storage options, from the dedicated zip-closure laptop pocket and tablet sleeve, a hidden pocket for valuables, and — wait for it — a separate shoe bag for those necessary after-work footwear changes (IYKYK). I love that the main compartment is spacious enough to fit a whole outfit, too, in case I'm headed to the gym or happy hour drinks after I leave the office."
Allyn Tote
Samantha Crozier/Insider
This work tote is so good that it got our best overall award in our guide to the best work bags for women. That's no easy feat, considering we tested dozens upon dozens of bags to curate that list. Of all the bags we tried, the Allyn Tote came out on top because of it's sleek silhouette and extensive internal organizational system.
Inside, you'll find: a built-in neoprene sleeve that keeps your laptop safely tucked away, a key leash, a snap-in water bottle holder, a phone-sized slip pocket on the outside, a few pen pockets, and a bevy of other zippered and unzippered pockets. But all these features are contained within a relatively slim body.
Of every tote I tried (and I've tried tons), this one had the best organizational features while still being relatively lightweight. Other totes had similar internal compartments, but since the inserts were made from leather, they added weight. The interior pockets of this bag are all constructed with featherweight polyester. The lining is printed with a drab grey camo pattern, though, which is the one thing I would change about the tote.
For more information on why we love this bag, see our full Dagne Dover Allyn Leather Tote review.
Landon Carryall
Talia Ergas/Business Insider
When you're lugging a ton for a weekend trip, you want your duffle to be as light as possible. Dagne Dover's Landon Carryall is made of the same lightweight, water-resistant neoprene material as the Dakota Backpack. It's also structured to be super roomy, with a flat bottom and a wide opening.
The bag comes in four sizes, from small to extra large, and six different colors. Our writer, Talia Ergas, tested the extra-large version of the Landon Carryall and was amazed by its functionality.
"The oversize interior compartment offers 35.2 liters of packing space, which was more than enough for a pair of sneakers, a toiletry bag, and a weekend's worth of clothing. I had a decent amount of space left over and could easily use this bag for four- or five-night trips.
Plus, the entire interior is lined with mesh elastic pockets that are perfect for keeping track of smaller items like underwear, socks, chargers, and accessories. There's also a zippered laptop pocket that can accommodate most 16-inch computers. It includes a detachable zippered pouch (for toiletries or tech accessories) on a key leash and a shoe bag," she writes.
See our full Dagne Dover Landon Carryall review and our best weekender bags guide for more options.
Cairo Sling Bag
Samantha Crozier
Dagne Dover's Cairo Sling Bag is the fits-everything belt bag that is an incredibly functional travel companion. It's a little bulky though, so it might be better for someone with a larger frame. You can see it above filled with sunscreen, sunglasses in a case, an iPad Mini, a cosmetic bag, a bulky wallet, a phone, and a bottle on the outside. And there's still space for more, if you need it.
Here's what our writer Kristin Magaldi said about the bag in her guide to the best belt bags: "The Cairo is also made from 100% vegan, recycled materials that prove especially durable for travel, along with an adjustable strap that can transform this bag from a belt bag to a sling. When you're done using it, you can easily pack it away in your luggage once you reach your destination."
Remi Glasses Case
Samantha Crozier/Business Insider
Traditional glasses cases — especially the ones with rigid sides that protect your lenses from getting squished — have an irregular shape that makes them a drag to pack. It gets even harder if you want to bring multiple pairs. But the Remi Glasses Case from Dagne Dover lets you store all your glasses together for easy packing.
I love how protective this case is. The strap that holds each frame down so they don't bump around during travel is a nice touch. As is the mesh compartment at the top for storing a microfiber cloth and the hook at the top so that you can hang it in your hotel room.
I do wish this were a little more compact. Since I'm a fan of smaller lenses rather than oversized frames, there was a lot of empty space in each compartment. So when you fold it closed, it feels bulkier than I'd like.
Arlo Tech Organizer
Samantha Crozier/Business Insider
I've been looking for a case like this for a while, and this one from Dagne Dover is a winner. On a weekend trip, I packed the small version of the Arlo Case with a laptop power brick, a phone charging cube, and two cables. It would also be great for storing a portable phone charger, AirPods, or other small accessories.
The best thing about this case is how strong the zipper is. Dagne Dover's thick, plastic zippers are meant to be highly durable, and they rarely disappoint. You can overstuff this and pull the zipper closed with no issue.
I just love that this case keeps me from getting tangled up in all my cables. It packs tight and keeps everything together. There's also a larger version of the Arlo case that's about twice as big, if you usually take things like hard drives or multiple power bricks on trips.
FAQs
Is Dagne Dover worth it?
Dagne Dover is worth it if organization and functionality are high priorities for you. The brand's bags tend to include thoughtful details like laptop sleeves, key leashes, water bottle holders, exterior phone pockets, and internal compartments that make it easier to keep everything in its place. The tradeoff is that some styles prioritize practicality over a more fashion-forward look, so the best choice depends on how much you value organization versus design.
What makes Dagne Dover bags different?
Dagne Dover stands out for its unusually detailed approach to organization. Many of its bags include designated spaces for items like keys, phones, laptops, water bottles, and smaller accessories rather than relying on one large open compartment. That makes the brand particularly appealing if you like knowing exactly where everything in your bag is.
Are Dagne Dover bags good for work?
Yes, Dagne Dover makes some of our favorite work bags because many styles have dedicated laptop storage, plenty of pockets, and enough structure to keep everything organized during a commute. The Allyn Tote is one of our top picks because it feels professional enough for the office without sacrificing practical features.
What is the best Dagne Dover bag?
The best Dagne Dover bag depends on what you need it for. For work, we especially like the Allyn Tote because it combines a polished look with the kind of internal organization Dagne Dover is known for. We're also huge fans of the Dakota Backpack, which is a lightweight, practical option for travel and commuting
The post We've tested Dagne Dover bags for years — these are the ones actually worth buying appeared first on Business Insider
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