The Travel Hack That Finally Keeps Your Hat Safe (and Your Hands Free)

For anyone who travels with a hat, the struggle is real. You either cram it into a suitcase, where it emerges looking like it lost a fight with a bowling ball, or you wear it on the plane, only to end up with a sweaty head and a brim that blocks your precious in-flight nap. I’ve been there. Then a friend posted about the Toptote hat clip on Instagram, and I ordered one before I even finished watching the story. It’s been a game-changer ever since.

Created by stylist and frequent flyer Lindsay Albanese, the Toptote is a small clip that attaches to your bag strap on one side and has two powerful magnets on the other. You simply slide the brim of your hat between those magnets, and it locks in place—no more dented fedoras or crushed straw boaters. Your bag does the work, leaving your hands and head free. It’s one of those ideas that seems so obvious, you can’t believe nobody thought of it sooner.

The clip itself is tiny, about the size of your palm, so it won’t clutter your bag. I’ve used it with everything from floppy beach hats to rigid bucket styles, and the magnets hold tight. I’ve dragged it through airport security, across windy beaches, and up hiking trails, and my hat has never fallen off—unless it snagged on something. The company is upfront about that: it’s a holder, not a lock, so a little common sense is required.

I bought my first Toptote in 2019, and nearly seven years later, the leather still looks new and the magnets are just as strong. They come in several styles and colors, sold at Nordstrom, Amazon, and LindsayAlbanese.com. I travel with the black leather Drop model, but I’ve got my eye on the Fray for summer trips. If you’ve ever wrestled a hat through a journey, this thing is worth every penny.