You reach for your purse, and your shoulder or your hands remind you how heavy it is. If you are looking for the best purse for arthritis to reduce shoulder pain, you are in the right place.

Below you will find what to look for, plus purses we like for arthritis and for fibromyalgia.

We also cover back pain, easy-to-open zippers, and other ways to carry your things when a purse is simply too much, plus tips for easing shoulder strain.

What to Look For In an Arthritis-Friendly Purse

When you’re looking for a purse for yourself or for a loved one with arthritis, there are certain things to keep in mind.

One is weight.

While it can seem like a great idea to have a large purse with plenty of storage space, more weight is more pressure on the joints, forces a harder grip, and can cause arthritis flare-ups.

Because of this, it’s important to know what you need. Going with light purses is a great idea, but if you need more ability to carry things, you should consider alternatives like crossbody bags or even backpacks.

Sometimes the solution is with another piece of equipment.

For example, if you need a wheeled walker, look for ones with a basket built-in. Then the purse can travel with you without putting any stress on your fingers, hands, or any joint in your arm affected by arthritis.

Purses for Back Pain: Weight, Straps and Easy Access

A purse that is too big or too heavy can lead to back pain, and often neck and shoulder pain too. The same few rules help whether you are shopping for yourself or for someone you love.

Start with weight. Keep the load as light as you can, and less is better. If a bag weighs 5 pounds before you put anything in it, you are starting off on the wrong foot.

Too much weight can pull your head and neck forward instead of keeping them over your shoulders. That can bring on back pain, neck tension and headaches.

Next, skip shoulder bags with long straps. They pull you into a C shape as you lean to one side. The purse bumps your hip, and the strap slips, so you keep hunching your shoulder to hold things in place. Chains look nice to some people, but they can dig into your skin.

Easy access matters too. Plenty of compartments and pockets make things simple to find. Digging around in a bag can twist your back and add to the pain.

Choose light materials with few adornments. Nylon or leather is better than anything heavier, especially if the bag is loaded with stones, studs, buckles or metal hardware.

Smaller is generally better. A small bag is harder to overload, and it is easier to carry well: over your shoulder and tucked under your arm, in your hand, over your forearm or in the crook of your elbow. A shoulder bag should hang close to your center of gravity, usually near your waist or navel, or a bit higher for petite women.

Women with a larger bust should avoid shoulder bags of any kind, since their alignment may already be pulled off by their build. You can read more about bras that give comfortable support.

If you use a walker or a cane, consider a backpack. For trips, a rolling carry-on for seniors keeps the weight off your back and shoulders.

Protecting your cards matters as well. Here is how to keep your credit and debit card information safe.

The trade-off is that a small, light bag holds less. You may have to decide what you really need to carry each day.

AmeriBag Healthy Back Crossbody Sling

The AmeriBag Healthy Back Bag is a leather sling bag in espresso, made to be worn across the body. It measures 15 × 8 × 5.5 inches, and the full-grain leather is meant to soften with use.

What stands out for shoulder pain is the teardrop shape. It is designed to balance the weight along your spine, so one shoulder and your neck are not doing all the work. You can wear it crossbody, which spreads the load, or over one shoulder when you are just running out the door. The strap is non-slip, so it should stay put.

It also suits anyone who worries about a bag being open to pickpockets. The main zipper rests against your back, and double zippers on the pockets give you quick access to your things.

The trade-off is that leather has some weight of its own before you add anything. If every ounce counts for you, pack it lightly. It is also a sling, so it holds a day’s essentials and not much more.

Reviews of the Best Purses for Arthritis

Travelon Anti-Theft Compact Sling

A crossbody bag is a popular choice for people with arthritis and chronic pain. The strap crosses your body, so the weight is spread out instead of pulling on one shoulder or one hand.

It also leaves both hands free, which means less gripping and less strain on your joints. If your pain comes from fibromyalgia rather than arthritis, this guide to a purse for fibromyalgia pain covers similar ideas.

The Travelon Anti-Theft The Voyages Compact Sling is a good example of this style. It weighs only 0.65 pounds empty, so the bag itself adds very little to what your shoulder has to carry.

The strap is adjustable and made of soft webbing, so you can set it where it sits comfortably.

The main compartment locks and holds your phone and other essentials. Inside, there is a zippered pocket that blocks RFID scanning for your cards and passport, plus a tethered key clip so your keys stay put instead of sinking to the bottom.

It also has a 5-point anti-theft system, which includes slash-resistant material. That is handy in a crowd, and it means you are not clutching the bag to keep it safe.

The trade-off is that the locking features add steps. If working a lock or clip is hard on your fingers, try it before you count on it for daily use. And at 1.5 liters, it holds the essentials but not much more. If you carry a lot, this is not the bag for you.

Realer Hobo Crossbody Bag

The Realer Hobo Crossbody Bag is a soft faux leather purse with a top zipper and an adjustable strap. The strap is removable and runs from 25.98 to 48.03 inches, so you can wear it across your body or carry it by the short handle.

Wearing it across your body spreads the load over your torso instead of leaving it on one shoulder. That matters if you have arthritis.

It has two side zipper pockets, a back zipper pocket, and a zippered compartment inside. Everything has a place, so you aren’t digging around in one big pile for your keys.

The downside is the weight. The bag itself is about 0.95 kilograms (a little over two pounds) before you put anything in it. It measures 15.2 by 5.1 by 13 inches, and that much room makes it easy to over-pack.

If your shoulders or hands are sore, this one is not for you. A lighter bag will serve you better. If you want a roomy bag and you keep it to the essentials, it can work well.

BOSTANTEN Crossbody Purse

If you tend to carry more than you need, a small crossbody bag like the BOSTANTEN can help. It is made for a phone, cards and keys, and not much else, which keeps the weight down.

A crossbody strap spreads the load across your body instead of hanging it from one shoulder, which matters when your joints are prone to flare up with arthritis.

The bag has three compartments: a front flap with a magnetic snap, and two main pockets in the middle. There is also a flat front pocket for your phone, closed with a magnetic snap, so it is easy to reach when you are out. The lining is smooth to keep your things from getting scratched, and the outside is vegan leather.

The trade-off is room. The phone pocket fits most phones with a slim case, up to 6.7 inches. Measure your phone and its case before you order. If you like to carry a water bottle, a book or a full wallet, this bag is not for you.

It suits you best if you want to carry less and keep your hands free.

Baggallini Triple Zip Crossbody Bag

The Baggallini Triple Zip Bagg is a small crossbody purse. The strap goes across your body, so the weight rests on your torso instead of hanging from one shoulder or your hand.

It measures 6 inches tall, 8 inches wide and 2 inches deep, and weighs half a pound. That is very little to carry around all day.

The strap is 52 inches long, adjustable, and removable. You can wear it crossbody, carry it as a wallet bag, or use it as a waist pack, which gives you a few ways to take pressure off a sore shoulder.

Inside, there are multiple zippered compartments, six credit card slots, and a quick-access phone pocket. Everything has its place, so you aren’t digging around with stiff fingers. The material is water-repellent, which helps on a rainy day.

The trade-off is space. A bag this size holds the basics and not much more. If you carry a water bottle, a book, or a lot of extras, it won’t be enough.

Zippers can also be a bit fiddly if your fingers are sore. Adding a larger pull tab to each zipper can help.

For someone who wants to carry less and keep the weight low, it is a sensible pick.

APHISON Leather Crossbody Purse

If you like the look of leather but want a bag that stays easy on your shoulder, the APHISON Trendy Leather Crossbody Purse is worth a look. It is made of vegan leather with a soft fabric lining.

It weighs 0.63 pounds empty, and it measures 11.9 inches long, 3.9 inches wide and 8.5 inches tall. The strap adjusts from 34.1 to 50.2 inches, so you can wear it across your body and set the length where it sits comfortably.

Inside, there is a main compartment with a zipper pocket and a slip pocket. On the outside, there is a front pocket with a magnetic closure and a zippered pocket on the back. That gives your phone, wallet and cards each a place, so you are not digging around the bottom of the bag.

The reinforced inside structure helps it keep its shape instead of slumping.

The trade-off is that the pockets are on the smaller side of what a big purse offers, and this one is not meant for carrying a lot. It also has standard zippers, so if small pulls are hard on your fingers during a flare-up, you may want to try one with larger loops. Keep the load light, since even a light bag gets heavy once it is full.

Purses for Fibromyalgia

If you live with fibromyalgia, or shop for someone who does, the goal is the same as with arthritis: a bag that makes life easier and does not add to the pain. Keeping pressure off your shoulders matters most.

A crossbody bag is a good place to start. The weight is spread out instead of pulling on one shoulder, and your hands stay free.

A SASH crossbody is one example. It is lightweight, comes in leather or faux leather, and has plenty of pouches and zippers. The crossbody design keeps it well balanced, and it suits people with arthritis too.

A backpack-style purse is another kind to look at. It can be carried more than one way, which helps because chronic pain is not the same for everyone. A 13-inch square size gives you room for more than a small purse does, and the materials can be strong but light. You can read more in this guide to backpacks for seniors.

A slim, tall crossbody bag is a third choice. It is thin, but it makes up for that in vertical space. It can be worn over the shoulder or crossbody, so you can carry it whichever way feels best that day.

A medium-sized crossbody with big, easy-to-open zippers is a fourth. Look for a strap that adjusts, and ideally one that can be swapped for a different strap if needed. It can also be worn crossbody or over the shoulder, and your hands stay free.

If none of these works for you, a walker with a basket lets you keep a larger bag in the basket. That keeps the weight off your body.

While you are looking after your comfort, you might also want to read about the best socks for fibromyalgia.

The trade-off is that a slim bag holds less than a roomy one. Pick the size by what you really need to carry, since a bag that is too small will not get used.

AOCINA Nylon Crossbody Bag

This is a small nylon crossbody purse. The strap goes across your body, so the weight is spread out and does not sit on one shoulder. That matters if you live with arthritis in your shoulders, neck, or hands.

The nylon is lightweight, and the bag measures about 9 inches high, 8.5 inches long, and 1.5 inches wide. Inside, there is one main compartment with four inner pouches. Two zipper pockets on the front hold things like cash or headphones, and a back zipper pocket holds credit cards. Everything has a place, so you are not digging around for your keys.

You can also wear it as a shoulder bag or a waist purse. That gives you a few ways to carry it on days when one position feels better than another.

The trade-off is the narrow 1.5 inch depth. It suits a phone, keys, glasses, and a few small things, but not a water bottle, a book, or a full day’s worth of items. Several zippers also mean more small pulls to grasp, which can be a bother if your fingers are stiff.

When a Purse Is Too Much: Sashes, Backpacks and Other Options

Sometimes the best purse for sore joints is not a purse at all. A few other ways of carrying your things can take the load off your shoulder and hands.

One is a decorative sash with compartments or storage built in. It replaces the shoulder strap with a crossbody sash, and styles run from simple to elegant and formal.

Backpacks work in many settings, as long as you wear both straps. Fanny packs have gotten a bad name for a long time, yet they still do the job well.

Either one is worth a look if you use a walker or a cane to get around, since your hands stay free.

Multiple-way bags are another newer choice. They can be worn as a backpack, a shoulder bag or a crossbody bag, so you can change how you carry depending on how you feel that day.

If you are planning a trip, rolling carry-on luggage is one more way to carry things without hanging them from your shoulder.

For cards and cash, you may not need a big bag either. There are wallets and wallet alternatives made for arthritic hands.

The trade-off is looks. Bags built for comfort do not always make the most stylish choice, so it helps to try a few and see which one you will actually wear.

Bonus: Finders Key for Purses

While you are looking at purses that are arthritis-friendly, sometimes a little something extra can make all the difference.

One fantastic gift for an arthritis sufferer would be a purse key finder. There are several different types, but these attachments keep your keys in the same spot in the purse in an easy-to-grab location near the top.

For many people digging through a purse and pulling out the keys is like trying to win at the claw machine at an arcade. It’s possible, but it’s often frustration that you can do without.

When gifts like that are combined with an excellent purse may seem like small things, but when combined, they create an outstanding gift combo.

How to Reduce Shoulder Pain from Carrying a Purse

Healthline offers the following tips on reducing your shoulder pain from carrying a bag:

1. Lighten the load with a lighter purse or remove unneeded items.
2. Support the load better with a backpack or purses with wide straps.
3. Switch arms periodically.
4. Perform shoulder exercises to strengthen your neck, back, and shoulders.
5. Stretch, stretch, and then stretch some more.

Stretch at the End of the Day and Know When to Call a Doctor

Whatever bag you choose, a few quiet minutes of stretching near the end of your day can help unwind the imbalances a heavy handbag leaves behind.

A small therapy ball is a handy extra. You can use it to roll out trigger points and the tension that sits in certain muscles.

Check in with your body regularly. Digging around in a purse can twist your back, and a wallet made for arthritic hands is one way to cut down on that digging.

If you travel, a rolling carry-on is another way to keep weight off your shoulders.

If your back pain continues, see a doctor, orthopedist or chiropractor. Do the same if you notice tingling or numbness in your arms and hands, or if you suspect fibromyalgia back pain.

The trade-off is that stretching only helps so much. It can ease the strain from a heavy bag, but it does not replace getting lasting pain or tingling looked at by a professional.

Summary and Final Recommendations

There’s no reason arthritis should shut down functionality or style. There are plenty of great purses out there, and this list will give you plenty of options to find the one right for you!

When looking for the best purse for arthritis, think about weight distribution.

Look for purses that have thick wide straps that spread the weight out across a larger area. That’s why cross-body bags and backpacks are common choices.

Don’t forget to keep your purse light and not overpack it too!

What other ways have you used to reduce the pain of carrying a purse? Please share your ideas in the comments below.