2 Years On The Paper Bunny Bagwagon — Here’s My Honest Review

The Paper Bunny has become a staple for most Singaporeans. Needless to say, it’s rare to go a day without spotting someone adorned with The Paper Bunny merch. But when it comes to crossbody bags, how does The Paper Bunny measure up? After two years of use, here’s an honest Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag review.

The Paper Bunny at a glance 

What started as a stationery line, The Paper Bunny has since expanded its offerings to include everything from bags to apparel and even candles! The local lifestyle brand now sells over 10 different styles of bags, with the Puffer bag series emerging as their most beloved collection.

Why I chose the Cruise Crossbody Bag

I first discovered The Paper Bunny’s Cruise Crossbody bag amidst my search for the perfect travel crossbody. As my mom — a true-blue Singaporean — always says, everyone needs a crossbody bag with multiple compartments to keep their travel essentials safe when trotting across the globe. 

I was looking for a functional and stylish crossbody bag, which perfectly aligns with The Paper Bunny’s brand ethos. Though I hadn’t owned any of their products before, I figured their bags must be worth the hype with all the buzz surrounding the brand. While browsing their collection, the Puffer Swing certainly caught my eye, but I ultimately chose the Cruise Crossbody for its practical compartments and durable material.

The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag in detail

The Cruise Crossbody comes in two sizes: Regular ($55) and Mini ($49). Here’s a full breakdown of The Paper Bunny’s Cruise Crossbody Bags after a review of its specifications. 

Dimensions: 

Strap: The Cruise Crossbody comes with an adjustable and detachable strap. At its shortest length, it fits snugly like a fanny pack across my torso. When extended to its full length, the crossbody bag reaches just below my hip. (For reference: I am 158cm tall).

Compartments: 

• Exterior: 1 zip compartment, 2 pocket compartments 
• Within the main zipped compartment: 2 additional pockets

Material: The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag is available in three materials, each offering its own selection of colourways. These are the colour options for each material:

What fits in The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag?

At its full capacity, here’s what I can fit in The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag: 

• A 350ml water bottle
• Two cameras (digital and film)
• A wallet 
• A book
• Three lip products
• A set of keys 
• Hand sanitiser 
• A portable Charger
• AirPods 
• A small umbrella

For daily use, this crossbody bag comfortably holds my essentials, including my Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, wallet, house keys, lipsticks, portable charger, compact mirror, and umbrella. Despite its compact size, the bag surprisingly offers ample storage. However, when packed to its limit, it can lose shape and feel more awkward to sling across the body.

Everything I love about The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag

There’s so much to love about Cruise Crossbody Bag so here’s my Paper Bunny Crossbody Bag review with all its standout merits:

Comfortable and easy on the shoulders

One thing that sets The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag apart is how lightweight it feels — albeit the heaviest part of the bag is the strap’s metal buckle and hooks. But thanks to its thick and wide straps, the bag rests on my shoulder without leaving pressure marks, something thinner straps tend to do. It still feels gentle on my shoulders even when I pack it to its maximum capacity. This strap’s design evenly distributes weight, reducing discomfort and strain on longer wear.

Extremely spacious with thoughtful compartments

For me, the star feature of this bag is its spacious design and multiple compartments. The Cruise Crossbody Bag has three exterior compartments (one zip + two pocket openings) and two inner pockets within the main compartment — perfect for keeping my valuables theft-safe. Combined with its roomy capacity, this crossbody bag has quickly become my top pick for travel and everyday errands. It fits everything I need while keeping things accessible, definitely a highlight of this Paper Bunny Crossbody Bag review.

Versatile and functional

This bag isn’t just practical. It goes well with almost all outfits and is incredibly versatile! I’ve worn it everywhere, from hikes to sledging and gai gais around town. The detachable strap allows it to transform into a fanny pack, which I find especially handy when cycling or as extra storage hooked onto larger backpacks. 

Easy to clean

I opted for the Cruise Crossbody Bag made with water-resistant Nylon Cordura, a durable fabric commonly used in outdoor gear. This material makes the bag easy to maintain — spills, soil and dirt can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth or wet wipes. For more stubborn marks, a soft brush with mild soap always does the trick for me. The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag is hand-wash only (as noted on the official website), and so far I’ve had no issues with keeping it looking fresh.

Material and durability

I bought the Cruise Crossbody Bag in 2022 prior to my student exchange studies — a time I knew I would be travelling a lot. Despite owning the Uniqlo Sling Bag, I found myself gravitating towards The Paper Bunny’s crossbody bag more as it is sturdier and less prone to scratches. Even today, I have yet to find a replacement with paralleled durability. After backpacking across Europe and Asia with the Cruise Crossbody, I can truthfully attest to its Nylon Cordura quality. Today, the bag’s exterior still feels as durable as when it was first purchased.

Timeless design

Trends come and go. But The Paper Bunny’s Cruise Crossbody Bag remains a timeless piece in my wardrobe. Unlike other trendy shoulder and crossbody bags, which can be harder to accessorise with, the Cruise Crossbody’s minimalistic and classy design pairs well with almost any outfit. After all, it’s available in 21 colourways, each with simple and tasteful shades that’s suitable for any aesthetic you’re going for!

Faults I had with The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag — not deal breakers, though

Discolouration and paint chipping

After two years of frequent use, my Dune-coloured bag has developed minor discolouration and some paint chipping on the strap hooks. But arguably, this is natural for light-coloured products. While the discolourations on the bag don’t bother me much since they’re not noticeable from afar, the exposed metal on the hooks became apparent surprisingly early following just a couple of months of use. After two years, the metal chippings have worsened but not too much where the hooks will rust. 

Prone to losing shape 

As a girl who likes to overpack “just in case,” I’ve noticed the Cruise Crossbody Bag’s structure can give way when it’s stuffed to the brim. Its rectangular shape can feel slightly bulky or awkward against the hip, especially compared to other round crescent crossbody bags like the Uniqlo Sling Bag — another sling Singaporeans are obsessed with. However, this is a trade-off I’m willing to accept for the Cruise Crossbody’s spaciousness. Looking back, I would say the bag’s structure is on par with its preloved condition. It has retained its rectangular shape without much fabric warping even after frequent use over two years.  

Limited water-resistance

The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag is water-resistant and does a decent job repelling water from its exterior. When brand new, water droplets can be shaken off — leaving the surface completely dry! Across two years, this crossbody bag has remained water-resistant — though not perfectly. I’ve noticed that some of its resistance has diminished, with certain areas allowing water to seep through and dampen the interior. However, this is to be expected with the wear and tear of prolonged use, so it’s really not much of an issue for me!

Does the Cruise Crossbody live up to the Puffer Swing’s hype?

When I think of The Paper Bunny, the Puffer Sling or Shopper immediately comes to mind. Both are aesthetically pleasing and spacious, with the Puffer Sling standing out as another fantastic crossbody option. But how does the Cruise Crossbody compare to the Puffer Sling? Does it perform just as well, or do they cater to different needs?

From a consumer perspective, I believe the Cruise Crossbody and Puffer Sling serve distinct purposes. While both are versatile and suitable for indoor and outdoor activities, the Cruise Crossbody is perfect for those who prioritise functionality and adaptability. It’s the bag I would grab for activities that require being hands-free. On the flip side, the Puffer Sling’s appeal lies in its aesthetics, complemented by enhanced features like the UPF 50+ sun protection and colour-fastness exterior.

In this honest Paper Bunny Crossbody Bag review, I’d call the Cruise Crossbody an underrated gem you shouldn’t overlook. However, if aesthetics are your top priority, the Puffer Sling edges out the Cruise Crossbody with its feminine design.

My overall verdict

In sum, The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag is one worth getting. This bag impressed me with its comfort, versatility, and functionality. While it has minor flaws like discolouration and limited water resistance, these are far from dealbreakers.

Although it may be on the pricier side for some, the longevity of this bag is really what shines for me. The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag is for those who don’t want to sacrifice fashion for functionality. But if you are looking for a crossbody bag that can withstand harsher outdoor conditions this may not be the one for you. Nonetheless, the Cruise Crossbody Bag makes a fantastic unisex gift that everyone will appreciate.

A breakdown of The Paper Bunny Cruise Crossbody Bag