The $20 Uniqlo Shoulder Bag Is Surprisingly Spacious

There’s no shortage of viral travel accessories and trends, but every so often, one comes along that truly earns its hype. I’ve been a loyal Uniqlo fan for as long as I can remember, yet somehow I’d never given their accessories more than a passing glance. That all changed after a friend sent me a video of a traveler on TikTok who packed for a three-day vacation solely with the brand’s Round Mini Shoulder Bag. My jaw dropped. Three days’ worth of clothing, undergarments, toiletries, beauty products, and electronics in one tiny bag? It all seemed too good to be true, and I could barely wrap my head around it.

At first glance, the bag looked similar to all the other sling bags I’ve accumulated over the years. Measuring 11 inches wide and just under seven inches high, it’s a modest and compact crescent-shaped design. Yet somehow, the online community has dubbed it the Mary Poppins of travel bags. I didn’t know what kind of sorcery was at work here, but I knew I had to find out. 

Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag

I couldn’t stop thinking about the bag and its incredible packing capabilities. So, the next morning, I patiently waited outside Uniqlo for the doors to open, looking as if I was trying to score last-minute Taylor Swift tickets. Could this bewitching little bag finally cure my overpacking tendencies? While the bag’s affordable price tag and seemingly endless capacity had gotten me through the door, I was crossing my fingers that comfort wouldn’t be sacrificed for space. Thankfully, it wasn't.

At first feel, the bag is incredibly lightweight yet sturdy thanks to its outer piping that helps keep its shape even when packed to the brim. At the Uniqlo website, the bag comes in four different colorways and has been rated five stars by shoppers. It features a dirt-resistant nylon outer shell, an adjustable belt strap, and an inner pocket big enough for essentials like your phone, passport, or keys. I love that this Uniqlo shoulder bag only opens from one side to the other, rather than all around. For this, I give it the tick of approval for travelers, as the safe zipper means there's less chance of losing important documents or items when out and about.

Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag

With a full day ahead of me in Sydney following my morning purchase, I decided to put it to the test. All the everyday essentials — and then some — that I'd packed in my tote, I transferred into my new sling bag. In went sunglasses, a bikini, a bucket hat, a portable charger, a digital camera, AirPods, a hair clip, lip balm, SPF, hand sanitizer, a card wallet, an asthma puffer, an EpiPen, and my current crochet project, complete with yarn and a hook. Somehow, there was still room to spare.

I’m not alone in my amazement; other creators have managed to fit everything from books to blocks of tofu. One TikTok user even joked that it could hold his water bottle, candle, a laptop, a robot vacuum, and a toolkit. While the exaggeration got a laugh, the comments were filled with others swearing by the bag’s real-life storage superpowers.

So, does the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag live up to its viral reputation? Absolutely. That said, while I’m beyond impressed and still in awe of its capabilities, I won’t be replacing my full-size carry-on just yet (this over-packer still needs her six pairs of underwear for a two-day trip). But as a day-tripper, this bag has quickly become my new go-to. Plus, I’m even finding it to be a great conversation starter. So, regardless of whether you’re daring enough to take it on a weekend getaway or simply looking for a stylish yet practical everyday option, this internet-famous crossbody bag proves that great things really can come in small packages. 

Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag

Looking for more spacious and stylish crossbody bags? Keep scrolling to check out these traveler-approved picks at Amazon that shoppers swear by. 

Shop More Crossbody Bags at Amazon: 

Evglow Crescent Crossbody Bag 

MadGrandeur Crescent Crossbody Bag

Vulkitty Crescent Crossbody Bag

Iqimott Quilted Crescent Crossbody Bag

Goewy Crescent Crossbody Bag 

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