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I usually travel with my Lo & Sons Melrose backpack as my carry-on personal item, and I still love it because it is practical, comfortable, and easy to use on travel days.

But for my next trip, I am planning to switch things up and try the new Lo & Sons Sherborn instead.

Lo & Sons gifted me three Sherborn bags to review: the regular Sherborn personal item size in both black and green, and the Sherborn Large in black. While I will compare both sizes in this review, I mainly want to focus on the regular Sherborn because that is the size I would personally use as my carry-on personal item.

What immediately stood out to me is that the Sherborn feels more elevated than a backpack. My Melrose backpack is still one of my favorite travel bags, but it has a more casual look. The Sherborn feels more polished, which I like for trips where I want something that still functions well at the airport but looks a little more put together once I arrive.

This review is based on my first impressions, a packing test, and how I think the Sherborn would work as a personal item bag for travel.

What Is the Lo & Sons Sherborn?

The Lo & Sons Sherborn is an elevated nylon weekender bag designed with a more polished, minimalist look than a standard duffel.

It is made with premium textured nylon and has gold hardware, a camel interior, a hidden bottom compartment, a dedicated laptop pocket, interior organization, a key leash, D-rings, and a trolley sleeve.

Sherborn Weekender Bag in Regular and Large — Sherborn Weekender BagS

The regular Sherborn is considered the personal item size, while the Sherborn large is considered the carry-on size.

For me, the regular Sherborn is the more interesting size because I am always looking for a good personal item bag that can fit under the airplane seat but still look nice enough to carry around once I get to my destination.

Lo & Sons Sherborn Size and Dimensions

Just looking at the two sizes side by side, there is a noticeable difference. The regular Sherborn feels much more manageable as a personal item bag, while the Large feels more like a true weekender or carry-on companion. I don’t think I would use the large one as my carry-on bag, since I already use my Quince Carryon suitcase for that purpose.

The regular Sherborn personal item dimensions are: 18.75” L x 8.5” W x 11” H

The Sherborn Large dimensions are: 21.25” L x 10.25” W x 12.5” H

Why I Wanted to Try the Sherborn as My Personal Item Bag

For most of my trips, I use the Lo & Sons Melrose backpack as my personal item. It is easy to carry, has fantastic organization, and works really well for airport travel.

But sometimes I want a bag that looks a little less casual.

That is where the Sherborn caught my attention. It still has practical travel features, but the overall look feels more elevated. I could see myself using it for a flight and then still feeling comfortable carrying it into a hotel, café, restaurant, or city setting.

Lo and Sons The Sherborn Bag in Black — SheRBORN PERSONAL ITEM SIZE IN BLACK

A backpack is great when I want to be completely hands-free, but the Sherborn feels more polished. It has more of a weekender meets personal item look, which makes it feel a little more versatile for certain trips and outfits.

The Hidden Bottom Compartment

The hidden bottom compartment is the feature I like most about this bag. Because it’s tucked away, the bag looks less like a travel-specific piece, which gives it a sleeker, more versatile appearance that I really appreciate.

Sherborn Weekender Bag Two Sizes — THe large and the regular Sherborn Bag

It is designed as a separate space for shoes or other items you want to keep away from the main compartment. I would probably use it for shoes, dirty laundry, a toiletry bag, or anything bulky that I do not want mixed in with my stuff in the main compartment.

What makes it nice is that the compartment is seamless and hidden from the outside. It does not make the bag look overly sporty or bulky, which is part of why the Sherborn feels more elevated than some other travel bags with shoe compartments.

Sherbron Weekender Bag Hidden Shoe Compartment — Hidden Bottom Compartment

For reference, I am a size 8, and the regular Sherborn comfortably holds one pair of my shoes while the large Sherborn can accommodate two pairs of my footwear.

The main thing to remember is that when you fill the bottom compartment, it will naturally take up some space from the main interior. That is not a dealbreaker for me, but it is something to keep in mind when packing.

Laptop Pocket and Interior Organization

One of the reasons I think the regular Sherborn works well as a personal item bag is that it has a dedicated laptop pocket.

Sherborn Weekender Bag Laptop Pocket — Laptop Pocket

The Sherborn features a dedicated laptop pocket that comfortably fits a 15-inch laptop, plus a handy key leash, numerous interior compartments for organization, and exterior pockets roomy enough to hold a drink bottle. This attention to practical details is something Lo & Sons consistently does well across their bag designs. They add a generous assortment of zippered and mesh compartments to keep belongings neatly separated and highly organized.

Sherborn Bag with multiple pockets — Plenty of pockets

Sherborn Weekender Bag mesh pockets — Mesh Pockets

For a personal item bag, this type of organization really matters. I usually need room for my laptop, wallet, passport, some snacks, and a day’s worth of clothes just in case my checked bag is lost, delayed, or rerouted.

Sherborn Bag Removable Key Leash — Removable Key Leash

Trolley Sleeve

The trolley sleeve is another feature I always look for in a personal item bag.

Since the Sherborn is a shoulder bag rather than a backpack, I would not want to carry it on my shoulder through the airport the entire time, especially once it is fully packed. Being able to slide it over the handle of my suitcase makes it much more practical.

Sherborn Personal Item Bag on Suitcase — Personal Item Bag resting on my Carry-on Suitcase

Sherborn Weekender Bag Trolley Sleeve — Trolley Sleeve

This is where the Sherborn can still work well for airport travel, even though it is not hands-free like my Melrose backpack.

Black vs. Green Sherborn

I have the regular Sherborn in both black and green, and both colors are beautiful in different ways.

The black feels classic, polished, and easy to pair with everything. If you want the most timeless option, black is probably the safest choice.

Sherborn Weekender Bag in Green — Sherborn PErsonal Item Size in Green

Lo and Sons Sherborn Bag in black — Sherborn PErsonal Item Size in Black

The green feels a little more unique while still being neutral. I also think the texture of the nylon shows more on the green, especially in photos and videos.

Both colors have gold hardware, which helps give the bag a more elevated look. I usually gravitate toward black travel bags because they are easy to match, but the green is a really pretty option if you want something a little different.

What Fits in the Lo & Sons Sherborn Personal Item Size?

For my packing test, I packed the regular Sherborn the way I would use it as a carry-on personal item for a flight.

Here is what I would put inside:

Laptop
Small toiletry pouch
Wallet
Passport
Sunglasses
Snacks
One day’s worth of extra clothes (just in case my luggage is lost or delayed)
Cardigan
One pair of shoes in the bottom compartment

This is the type of packing setup I would use for a long-haul flight, especially when I want everything I need within easy reach. I don’t always carry an extra pair of shoes in my carry-on, so I’ll use the bottom compartment for a day’s worth of extra clothes and a few small essentials.

Sherborn Weekender Bag Interior — Inside the Sherborn Personal Item Size

The regular Sherborn has enough room to function as a true personal item bag, but it still feels more polished than a backpack. I would not overpack it because shoulder bags can get heavy, but with the trolley sleeve, I think it would be very manageable with a rolling suitcase.

Sherborn Personal Item Size vs. Sherborn Large

Even though this review is focused on the regular Sherborn, I also have the Sherborn Large, and the size difference is pretty noticeable.

The regular Sherborn is the size I would choose for flights when I want a personal item bag. It feels compact enough to be practical but roomy enough to hold my essentials.

Clothes on the bed for packing — Getting ready to pack the Large Sherborn Bag

The Sherborn Large feels more like a true weekender bag. I would use it for a road trip, overnight stay, or weekend getaway where I want to pack clothes, shoes, toiletries, and maybe a laptop all in one bag.

For my personal travel style, I think the regular Sherborn is more useful because I usually travel with a suitcase and just need a polished personal item to go with it.

Pros and Cons of the Lo & Sons Sherborn

Pros

The biggest pro is the look. The Sherborn feels polished, minimal, and more elevated than a casual backpack or sporty duffel.

I also love the hidden bottom compartment. It gives you a separate space for shoes or laundry without making the bag look bulky from the outside.

Sherborn Bag invisible shoe compartment — Invisible Shoe Compartment

The laptop pocket, interior organization, key leash, drink bottle pockets, and trolley sleeve make it feel like a practical travel bag, not just a pretty weekender.

multiple mesh pockets — Multiple Mesh Pockets

I also like that it comes in two sizes. The regular Sherborn is better for a personal item, while the Large makes more sense for weekend trips.

Cons

One thing to consider is that the bottom compartment can take away some space from the main compartment when it is fully packed.

If you are used to traveling with a backpack, the Sherborn will not feel as hands-free unless you are using the trolley sleeve with a suitcase.

Is the Lo & Sons Sherborn Worth It?

I think the regular Sherborn makes the most sense for someone who wants a personal item bag that looks more polished than a backpack but still has practical travel features.

For me, the biggest appeal is that it feels elevated without being too dressy. I could use it at the airport, but I would also feel comfortable carrying it around the city.

Sherborn Weekender Bag Leather Pull Tabs — Leather Handles and Gold Hardware

Lo and Sons The Sherborn Bag — A polished look with the Sherborn

I still love my Lo & Sons Melrose backpack, and I do think backpacks are hard to beat for hands-free travel. But for my next trip, I am excited to try the Sherborn because it feels more refined and a little more put together.

Final Thoughts

The Lo & Sons Sherborn personal item size is the bag I would personally choose out of the two Sherborn sizes.

The large Sherborn is great if you need more packing space, but the regular Sherborn feels more versatile for how I travel. It works as a personal item bag, has a polished look, includes smart organization, and has that hidden bottom compartment that makes it especially useful for shoes or separates.

Sherborn Weekender Bag Interior Lining — Gorgeosly lined interior

Sherborn Weekender Bag Bottom Zipper — Hidden Bottom Compartment and Luggage Sleeve Zipper

If you are looking for a travel bag that feels more elevated than a backpack but still has the features you need for a flight, the Sherborn is definitely worth considering.

Lo & Sons Sherborn FAQ

The regular Lo & Sons Sherborn is the personal item size. It measures 18.75” L x 8.5” W x 11” H when the sides are snapped.
The regular Sherborn is the personal item size, while the Sherborn Large is the carry-on size.
Yes, the Sherborn has a hidden bottom compartment that can be used for shoes, laundry, toiletries, or other separates. Lo & Sons describes it as seamless and hidden from the outside.
Yes, the Sherborn has a dedicated laptop pocket. It can accomodate a 15-inch laptop.
For flights, I would choose the regular Sherborn as a personal item bag. For weekend trips or road trips, the Sherborn Large gives you more packing space.