I feel like this post has been a long time coming! If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen the review I did of my two go-to carry-on totes: the MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote Deluxe and the Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag. I wanted to also write a blog post about the two bags since so many of you reached out asking me to compare the two!

I’ll start the post by saying that I think these are both great bags. Honestly, your preference probably depends on exactly what you plan to use the bag for and what you need from it. For me, I knew this was going to be a carry-on bag exclusively, and after traveling with both, I was able to identify what worked for me based on my needs.

If you are in the market for a new carry-on or carry-all bag for other activities, I hope that this comparison can help you make an informed decision!

What I Looked For When Buying a Carry-On Bag

As someone who travels somewhat frequently, a good carry-on bag is a must for me. Now, with a nearly one-year-old son, it’s more important than ever for me to have something that is durable, able to hold everything I need for the flight, and still look decently cute.

Of course, to fit as a carry-on for most airlines, I knew the bag would need to be about 22 x 14 x 9 inches. I also typically check a larger piece of luggage or put one in the overhead bin, so this was mostly intended to sit with me on the plane. With that said, something that was compact enough to not take up all my leg room was big for me too.

Look & Price Point

I personally love the way the MZ Wallace looks. I think the black quilted exterior is so chic and can be worn with any travel outfit I choose. At $285, this bag is definitely an investment, but you do get a lot of bag for your money.

The Dagne Dover is a much more classic, practical-looking bag, but still super cute. The price point for this bag is more affordable at $200, especially considering you get many of the same benefits that you do from the MZ Wallace!

Interior Pockets & Storage Space

Both the MZ Wallace and the Dagne Dover have a zip closure at the top of the bag so you don’t have to worry about everything falling out (one of my biggest pet peeves!).

The MZ Wallace comes with three large removable pouches (with a ring holder attached) that you can absolutely use to store larger items you want in your carry-on. This is where I’d put Four’s snacks, wipes, diapers, etc. for easy access on the plane.

The Dagne Dover comes with a small mesh holder that you could use for your phone, chapstick, keys, etc.; however, it won’t hold much more than that.

Exterior Pockets

The MZ Wallace takes the cake when it comes to exterior pockets. I always get overwhelmed by all of the documents and various items you need at an airport, so the two exterior pockets with zippers would be a great place to put your passport, license, phone, etc., so you can grab it quickly without having to dig through the inside of the bag.

The Dagne Dover doesn’t have any exterior pockets except for a small slot where you can store your phone. Still useful, but I do notice that I have to dig around more to grab items I need quickly.

Strap Situation

I love the adjustable shoulder strap that both of these bags have! It makes it super easy to throw either one on as a larger crossbody option — or you can use the tote strap if you’d rather hold it that way.

Durability

So, I can’t speak to the MZ Wallace, but I did machine wash my Dagne Dover bag (even though the site says to hand wash only…) and can attest to the fact that it held up really well. I should note that the MZ Wallace reviews say it is machine washable as well, but I have not personally tried it.

Carrying Ease

This is where I found the biggest difference between the two bags… and ultimately where I made my decision on which bag I prefer.

I love that both bags have a slot on the side that you can easily slide over the handle of your luggage so the carry-on bag sits on top of the suitcase. However, the MZ Wallace bag is much less structured than the Dagne Dover and tends to fall off my suitcase. The Dagne Dover can actually be snapped on the side to make it more compact, so it fits on top of my luggage perfectly.

For me, trying to juggle a toddler, manage my own check-in, and handle all the fun things that come with traveling, I don’t want to have to worry about carrying my carry-on bag when it can be placed on top of my suitcase, which I can roll through the airport with ease.

And the Winner Is…

While I honestly love both bags, I would choose the Dagne Dover over the MZ Wallace. The biggest factor is that the MZ Wallace doesn’t stay on top of my suitcase. While I do like that the MZ Wallace is lightweight, I find that it’s too saggy and the lack of structure makes it hard to find stuff in my bag. At this stage of life, I am all about ease and comfort!

I hope you find this review helpful. Like I said, I think both bags are great and there are a number of pros and cons to each (as you’ve seen above), so it really comes down to your personal preference and what you want out of your bag.

Outfit & Product Details: Spanx Pullover // Spanx Wide Leg Pant // MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote Deluxe // Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag (size large)