Ever looked at your bag and thought, It’s good, but it could be better? If you want to get more organized, make your bag safer, or just give it some personal style, bag accessories can turn any old bag into the perfect thing to carry your stuff. There are tons of choices, so where do you even begin?
I used to think bag accessories were a waste of money. Then, on a hike, my camera gear fell out of my bag because it wasn’t closed right. I watched about two grand’s worth of stuff bounce down a hill. I quickly realized that the right accessories aren’t just fun to have, they’re important upgrades that can keep your gear safe and make your life way easier.
Why Bag Accessories Matter
Before we talk about specific accessories, let’s talk about why you should care. A good bag is like the base of a house – it’s strong and works well. The accessories are what turn it into a home that fits you.
Bag Accessories Come in Three Types:
Things You Need: These fix actual problems or add main things you’re missing, like strong locks or straps to squeeze everything down.
Ways to Get Organized: These help you use the space in your bag better, like bags within bags or dividers.
Making it Yours: These make your bag stand out and can also make it work a little better, like cool patches or different zipper pulls.
You need to know what you want and what you really need, instead of just buying what looks cool.
Buckles: Bag Security That Goes Unseen
Let’s start with buckles, which are the most missed thing when thinking of bag accessories. I never thought about the quality of a buckle until one broke when I was crossing a river. My dry bag, with all my clean clothes, floated away.
The Everyday Buckles
Normal Plastic Buckles (3/8 to 1 wide)
You see these all the time. I keep some extras in different sizes because they always break at the worst time. Get buckles from brands like ITW Nexus or Duraflex. They cost a bit more, but they will not fail.
Where you’d use them: Straps on your chest or to hold things down, loops for gear, bag closures
Tip: Always have an extra buckle for your chest strap. You’ll thank me.
Strong Buckles (1.5 and bigger)
These bigger buckles can hold a lot. My mountain climbing bag has 2-inch buckles on the waist belt. I’ve used the bag for five years, and they still work like new.
Where you’d use them: Waist belts, straps holding heavy things, spots to attach gear
The Buckles With Magnets
I didn’t think much of magnetic buckles until I used one on a camera bag. Being able to open it with one hand is really helpful when you need to grab gear fast.
Fidlock Magnetic Buckles
These buckles from Germany use magnets and locks. They cost more (from $15 – $30), but being able to use one hand really does make a difference. I put these on bags that I have to get into a lot.
Best for: Camera bags, pockets for things you use daily, when you need to open something with one hand
Not for: Heavy things (use normal buckles to hold important things)
Buckles That Can Be Adjusted
These simple things let you change how tight a strap is. I use them on straps where I change how tight they are all the time.
Good for: Straps that hold things down, ropes on tents, straps where you need to be able to change the tension
Lanyards: Not Just For Holding Keys
People think of lanyards as something you get at a conference, but the right lanyard can make your bag more useful and safe.
Lanyards That Go Back In: Keep Important Things Easy to Get To
Gear Keepers and Tethers That Pull Back
I put one of these on my multi-tool after losing three of them. Now it stays on my bag, but it can stretch out 36 inches when I need it.
What you’d use them for: Keys, multi-tools, cameras, phones, GPS
Tip: Get lanyards that can hold at least 15 pounds for things that are heavier than keys.
Lanyards With Clips
These have a cord that pulls back and a clip. I use one for my water bottle. It stays on my bag, but I can still drink from it without unclipping it.
Lanyards That Keep Things Safe
Lanyards That Protect From Theft
These have strong cables inside the cord. They won’t stop everyone, but they stop people who try to grab your stuff, and make you feel better in crowded places.
Best for: Cameras, phones, and small items in places where things might get stolen
Think about it: These help, but they aren’t perfect. Don’t only use these to stay safe.
Lanyards That Look Good
Lanyards Made of Strong Cord
Besides looking cool, these cords can be used in an emergency. I keep a 3-foot cord on my hiking bag. It can help fix gear and it doesn’t weigh much.
Lanyards Made of Cloth
These make your bag look cooler without being more useful. I have some for bags when I want them to look better but don’t need a strong cord.
Straps: The Most Important Part of Changing Your Bag
Straps That Hold Things Down: Making Things Smaller
Straps on the Outside
These really help if you carry different amounts of stuff. I put these on my travel bag, and now I can pack better for trips of any length.
How to put them on: Sewing is better than glue. It takes more work, but it will last longer.
Straps on the Inside
Not as common, but helpful for bags that can be very full or almost empty. My expedition bag has straps inside that keep the gear from moving around when the bag isn’t full.
Pads For Your Straps: Making Things More Comfortable
Pads With Memory Foam
I put these on my camera bag after a long day left my shoulders hurting really bad. It was so much better right away.
How to pick them: Get pads that don’t hold sweat. Foam that can’t breathe will get uncomfortable fast.
Gel Pads
These spread the weight differently than foam and are good for people who need more support. They weigh more than foam, but can be worth it for bags you carry every day.
Accessories That Get You Organized: Helping With The Mess
Bags Inside Bags: The Best Way to Stay Organized
I didn’t want to use packing bags for years because I thought they were a waste. I was wrong. They’ve changed how I pack and how fast I can find things.
Normal Bags Inside Bags
These cloth boxes keep similar things together and make packing easier. I use different colors for different things: blue for clothes, red for electronics, green for bathroom stuff.
How to pick the size: Buy a set of different sizes to start, then get more of the sizes you actually use.
Bags That Squeeze Things Down
These have zippers that squeeze things smaller. They cost more, but help with clothes. Don’t use these for things that can break (electronics, things that can be crushed).
Pouches and Organizers: Helpers For Certain Things
Tech Organizers
These bags have loops and pockets for cables and chargers. My tech organizer keeps my cables from tangling on every trip.
Important Things: Loops, pockets that zip, and strong material
First Aid Pouches
A first aid bag keeps medical things easy to find. I use a bright red pouch so anyone can find it in an emergency.
Bathroom Stuff Organizers
Bags that hang up are good if you stay in one place, but I like flat pouches for travel. They pack better and don’t need a place to hang.
Things That Divide: Making Custom Spaces
Dividers With Velcro
These let you make your own spaces inside your bag. I use them in my camera bag to make spots for different cameras.
Padded Dividers
Important for keeping fragile things safe. Camera bags use these to make any bag able to carry cameras safely.
Accessories That Keep Things Safe
Locks: For When You Can’t Watch Your Stuff
Locks Approved By The TSA
They don’t really keep things safe, but they stop people from opening your bag easily. I use them on luggage zippers for peace of mind.
Think about it: If a TSA agent can open the lock, so can a thief. These help discourage thieves.
Cable Locks
These can lock bags to things. I use one when I leave my bag at campsites.
Changes That Protect From Theft
Locking Zippers
Small locks that hold the zipper together. They won’t stop a knife, but they stop someone from opening your bag easily.
Hidden Pockets
Some bags have hidden pockets, but you can add them. I sewed a small pocket into my bag for cash and cards.
Accessories That Make Things Comfortable
Padding
Pads For Your Waist
If your bag’s waist belt doesn’t have enough padding, you can add some. I added gel pads to my hiking bag and they stopped the pain on long days.
Pads For Your Back
These attach to the bag to support your lower back. They help people with back problems or when carrying heavy things.
Airflow
Mesh For Your Back
Some mesh can be added to bags to let air flow better.
Airflow for Shoulder Straps
Mesh covers for straps stop sweating and make you more comfortable.
Helpers: The Small Things That Add Up
Zipper Pulls
Zipper Pulls That Are Bigger
Big pulls are easier to hold with gloves. I change small pulls for bigger ones on zippers I use a lot.
Tip: Cords make good zipper pulls and can be used in an emergency.
Zippers That Lock
These stop zippers from opening on their own. They help on zippers that might open when the bag is full.
Places to Attach Things
Loops
These loops let you attach gear. You can sew them to bags or buy bags that have them.
Remember: Don’t put too much on these. They’re not for heavy things.
Loops For Gear
Good for attaching carabiners, keys, or tools. I added these to bags and use them a lot.
Rings and Carabiners
Provide places to attach things.
Technology in Bags
Charging
USB Ports
These connect to batteries inside for charging your phone without opening your bag.
Cables
These keep cables out of the way.
Lights
LED Strips
Lights that can light up bags.
Reflective Strips
These make you more visible at night.
Weather
Covers
Rain Covers
Keep rain off.
Liners
These protect things from rain.
Activities
Ski
Systems that help you carry skis.
Bike
Things like helmet holders to help with biking.
Camera
Things like places to hold cameras that turn bags into camera bags.
How To Install
Do it yourself or get help
Easy to add
Straps can be added if you know how to sew.
Hard to add
Frames need professional help.
Tools
Tools
Sewing machine, scissors, measuring tape
Materials
Thread, buckles
Mistakes
Too much stuff
Adding too much stuff can make bags heavy.
Wrong Material
Bad material can cause failure.
Bad Placement
Should make it easier, not harder.
Maintenance
Regular check
Check operation
Check buckles, straps, and zippers
Check every 6 months
Replace worn items.
How to clean
Wash
Clean with soap and water.
Store
Spare accessories in boxes.
Budget Tricks
Buy
First get safety
Security and structural.
Next comfort
Padding
Lastly Organization
Not as important
How to save
Use cord
Make yourself
Use scraps
Padding or bags
Use salvage
Take from old bags.
Trend
New trends
More technology for charging
Modular
Systems that work with bags.
Material
Eco-friendly
Custom
Printing for personal accessories
Mistakes
Mistake 1 Overload
Too many is bad.
Mistake 2 Weight
Weight adds up
Mistake 3 Cheapness
Better to get quality
Mistake 4 Size
Different activities need different stuff.
Mistake 5 Skipping steps
Takes time to add.
Kits
Starter Kit
- Buckles
- Cord
- Packing cubes
- Straps
Enthusiast Kit
- Magnetic buckles
- Tech organizer
- Shoulder pads
- Rain cover
- First aid
Professional Kit
- Packing system
- Activity accessories
- Security
- Customization
Last Thoughts
The best accessories work so well.
The goal is to have accessories that solve problems. A $5 strap is better than a $50 gadget.
Rules
- Have purpose
- Quality
- Always test
- Maintenance
- Needs change
The perfect bag works for you.
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