Summary: MZ Wallace has become my go-to brand for bags that keep up with a life in constant motion. The Large Metro Travel Tote swallows an entire weekend (or a long workday) without turning into a black hole, and the Crosby Crossbody Sling shifts from travel day to dinner to errands with barely a strap change. Both bags balance structure and flexibility with travel-smart details like trolley sleeves, padded handles, organized pockets, and thoughtful materials like their signature recycled nylon. For anyone who packs heavy but still wants polish, MZ Wallace is the rare mix of style, practicality, and sustainability.
What I Love:
- MZ Wallace prioritizes smart organization that works in real life with multiple interior and exterior pockets and detachable pouches that keep small essentials from disappearing.
- The travel features on these bags are ideal. I loved the trolley sleeve, zip-top closure, padded handles, and swapping between multiple strap setups.
- These bags are durable yet lightweight with quilting that holds its shape and can stand up to heavy use without any sign of wear.
- The brand doesn’t compromise on practicality, polish, or being sustainable with bluesign® approved nylon, GRS-certified recycled fibers, and a B Corp certification.
Things To Keep In Mind:
- The Metro Tote can fit so much that overpacking becomes almost inevitable. If you prefer tiny handbags or featherweight micro-bags, both the Metro and Crosby may feel like overkill.
- MZ Wallace is an investment for a tote bag, but because of their thoughtful production, durability, and ease of everyday use, we think it’s worth it.
I carry my life with me in a giant bag. As a sometimes travel writer, sometimes DJ, living in LA and with family in NYC, I often take quick 24–48-hour trips where a suitcase feels dramatic but I still want everything with me. My big bag has to swallow a lot without looking like I’m actually moving across the country. I need a carry-on that plays nice with personal items and laptops on flights, moonlights as an overnight on land, and stretches to a weekend when one-night-only becomes two.
“I need a carry-on that plays nice with personal items and laptops on flights, moonlights as an overnight on land, and stretches to a weekend when one-night-only becomes two.”
When I had the chance to test MZ Wallace, I pounced. I’ve used these bags for long workdays, long weekends, and even a weekend desert run. Laptop and charger, sweater, water bottle, headphones, my makeup bag, a book, supplements, and a tank top? Yep, still zips flat. And the interior organization means I’m not fishing for lip balm like I’m spelunking.
The crossbody is great when it’s fully loaded; most days, I grab the padded handles and run out the door. After repeated use, the shape holds, no fraying at stress points, and the camo somehow goes with everything from workouts with sneakers to weekend dress chic. When these aren’t my travel bags, they flex to support my DJ gigs, holding extension cords, remote controls, speaker wires, cables, headphones, hard drives, a laptop stand, tripods, and lights.
Seriously. I put these things to the test. Read on for more about the brand and exactly what it’s like to travel with these bags in tow.
About MZ Wallace
Founded by Monica Zwirner and Lucy Wallace Eustice, MZ Wallace set out to create “bags that do more” — and they deliver. The New York–based brand combines city-smart design with a commitment to responsible materials and governance.
“Your bag won’t just look good — it’ll hold up, function hard, and come with proof of more responsible sourcing.”
Their signature REC Oxford nylon is both durable and lightweight, and many fabrics are bluesign® approved or GRS-certified recycled. As a B Corp, the company also meets broader accountability standards that go beyond fashion buzzwords.
Your bag won’t just look good — it’ll hold up, function hard, and come with proof of more responsible sourcing.
Large Metro Travel Tote, Green Camo | $335
The MZ Wallace Metro Travel Tote is the rare everything bag that doesn’t turn into a bottomless pit the second I add a laptop, sweater, sunscreen, and snacks. This life-changer (not exaggerating) is beyond light but carries like it means serious business. There’s a true 14-inch laptop slot, (mine is bigger but somehow fits and almost zippers shut, but not quite. I’m cool with that), a trolley sleeve, and so many pockets inside and outside, all of which I actually use. The three clip-in pouches are clutch for cords/mini skincare and exterior pockets are quick-grab heaven for keys, phone, and your boarding pass.
My real-life load on my most recent trip included a laptop, charger, over-ear headphones, serums and SPF, a water bottle with electrolytes and various protein powders, a sweatshirt, note pads, snacks, and a just-in-case sports bra, leggings, and tee. It still zipped clean with tons of room to spare. The layout keeps me honest. With six interior pockets, three detachable pouches inside, and nine exterior pockets outside, my lip balms aren’t ghosting around and leaking onto my charger and keys.
“With six interior pockets, three detachable pouches inside, and nine exterior pockets outside, my lip balms aren’t ghosting around and leaking onto my charger and keys.”
While I’ve also started using the bag for my day-to-day, the travel details really steal the show. The trolley sleeve turns airport chaos into chill strolling; the zip top means TSA is breezy; padded handles make long days easier on your body, plus I add on the detachable crossbody strap when I’m fully loaded. There are even leather feet so the bottom doesn’t get thrashed. Small deets that add a big dose of sanity during crazy travel days.
If you commute, travel, or live out of a giant bag, it’s totally worth the spend. This has become my default “personal item” and my weekend quick-trip bag, as well as my everyday hauler. It replaces a weekender plus a separate tote, which is the point. And might I recommend the camo, which, like leopard, is my black?
Crosby Crossbody Sling, Black | $285
If my travel tote is the main character, this is the cherry-on-top sidekick. On travel days, the Crosby Crossbody Sling is my upscale fanny pack, allowing me to go hands-free through the airport. It easily transitions with the chain-strap over a slip dress at dinner and into a practical belt-bag for a grocery grab the next morning. It carries the my essentials (phone, wallet, keys, earbuds, SPF, mini makeup, passport) without bulking up. At $285, it’s an always-on bag that makes sense if you live in athleisure-but-polished mode. (Hi, it’s me!)
“On travel days, the Crosby Crossbody Sling is my upscale fanny pack, allowing me to go hands-free through the airport.”
It’s deceptively roomy but still slim, about 19.5″ × 2.6″ × 8.0″ and roughly seven liters. Keep in mind, it’s not a micro-bag and it’s not featherweight, about 1.4 lb empty. Out of the box, the Black Crosby feels sturdier than a typical belt bag. The quilting has structure (not puffy-coat flimsy), the hardware is clean (silver on black looks chic and mod), and the zip-top runs smoothly. Inside, the four pockets break up the smalls: one for tech (AirPods/charger), one for touch-ups (balm, concealer, powder), one for travel (passport, pen), one for “randoms” (gum, hair ties). The exterior pocket is perfect for tap-to-pay moments with your phone or metrocard.
No matter how I test it, the shape holds, the zipper still glides, and the interior lining isn’t scuffed by keys. I’ve learned to pare down to a flat sunglasses sleeve and slim card case to keep it sleek and semi-structured.
So, is MZ Wallace worth it?
For travelers, city walkers, parents, chic Pilates girl, and basically anyone who wants a sling that moonlights as a night-out bag with one quick strap swap, the answer is yes. MZW is actually chic, actually organized, and actually adaptable.
“MZW is actually chic, actually organized, and actually adaptable.”
These bags are truly durable, but even still, the brand offers repairs for qualifying issues. You pay to ship it in, return shipping is complimentary, and the typical turnaround is about six weeks, depending on the issue. This is a lifer. If you’re curious but worried about investing sight-unseen, MZW offers a 21-day return window. If you use their return label, a $10 fee is deducted though MZW Rewards members get complimentary return shipping.
As for me, the Tote is now my default on trips and long workdays; and the Crossbody comes with me everywhere else — dinner runs, gym dashes, supermarket runs, and flea market days where I refuse to babysit a shoulder bag. Nylon for day. Chain for night. Keys where I put them. Rummage problem: Solved.
Emily Wagner is a beauty and wellness industry veteran, editorial voice, and creative strategist known for her discerning eye and no-BS approach to product discovery. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Groomed LA, a long-standing digital magazine covering the latest in skincare, wellness tech, longevity, and next-gen beauty as well as Micropause, a modern supplement brand supporting women through perimenopause. Over the years, she’s tested everything from red light masks to powdered peptides to sleep tech — always with a sharp mix of skepticism, curiosity, and deep research.
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