Hermès Bolide Size Guide: 27 vs 31
The house's original travel bag, sized from everyday practicality to genuine weekend capacity.
The Bolide's sizing decision is refreshingly simple — two sizes, each honouring the bag's original 1923 travel-focused design philosophy at a different scale. Choosing between them mostly comes down to whether you want an everyday bag or a genuine travel companion.
This guide breaks down the Bolide 27cm and 31cm individually and compares them side by side.
Bolide 27: The Everyday Size
The Bolide 27 works comfortably as an everyday bag, offering solid capacity for daily essentials without becoming unwieldy. It's the size most buyers reach for when they want the Bolide's fast zip access and rounded silhouette for genuine daily use rather than travel specifically.
Bolide 31: The Travel Size
The Bolide 31 leans further into the bag's original travel purpose, offering substantially more room suited to weekend trips or short travel alongside larger luggage. It retains the same fast, secure zip access as the 27, just at a genuinely larger scale.
The Bolide was built for travel before it was built for anything else — the 31 simply leans into that original purpose.
How the Zip Closure Works at Both Sizes
The Bolide's signature zip closure functions consistently across both sizes, offering the same fast, one-handed access advantage over flap-and-strap closures like the Birkin's. Size choice doesn't meaningfully affect how the closure performs — it comes down primarily to desired capacity.
Consider your typical trip length for the 31
If you're considering the Bolide 31 primarily for travel, think about your typical trip length and packing style — it comfortably handles short trips but isn't a replacement for dedicated luggage on longer journeys.
Which Size Should You Choose?
- Want a genuine everyday bag with fast, secure access — choose the 27cm
- Want a weekend or short-trip travel companion — choose the 31cm
- Prioritise the Bolide's understated, quiet-luxury profile for daily use — the 27cm suits this well
- Need to carry tech items like a tablet regularly — the 31cm offers more comfortable room
Size Comparison
| Size | Best For | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 27cm | Everyday practical carry | Medium |
| 31cm | Travel / weekend use | Large |
27cm for Daily Use, 31cm for Genuine Travel
The choice here is refreshingly clear-cut compared to most Hermès size decisions — the 27cm suits genuine daily use, while the 31cm earns its place specifically for buyers who travel regularly and want a bag built for that purpose.
Match the size to how you'll actually use it, and this decision makes itself.
Continue Exploring Size and Lifestyle Guide
The full history, leather and hardware guide for the Bolide.
◆ Direct ComparisonAnother travel-capacity size decision worth comparing.
◆ Size GuideCompare the Bolide's simple two-size lineup to the Kelly's four.
◆ Model GuideAnother closure system worth comparing to the Bolide's fast-access zip.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bolide 27 is generally the more popular size for everyday use, offering solid capacity without becoming unwieldy for daily carry.
Yes, the Bolide 31 leans into the bag's original travel-focused design, offering substantially more capacity suited to weekend or short trips.
Not significantly — the zip closure functions consistently across both sizes, so size choice comes down primarily to desired capacity and carrying comfort.
A slim tablet can fit inside a Bolide 27 alongside other daily essentials, though buyers who regularly carry larger tech items may prefer the additional room of the 31.
