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These are the tote bags we count on at home and abroad. flat bottom stand up pouch
Ashley is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience reporting on products in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle space. Along with Travel + Leisure, you can find her work in Business Insider, WWD, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Best Products, and About Amazon.
While some people collect shoes or watches, it’s handbags that have my heart — and as someone who owns many, I can tell you nothing works harder than a tote bag. Whether you have a short commute or you’re planning a beach vacation far away, a tote will help you keep your prized essentials organized and intact. But it's the design features that truly set some totes apart. If you’re ready to put your old canvas bag to bed and spring for an upgrade, we have put together a list of favorites we depend on every day.
Out of the hundreds we’ve tried, the tote bags that made the cut have all met or exceeded our expectations for capacity, comfort, quality, durability, and organization. From scenic picnics to work trips, we’ve found the best for every setting. And if you need a catchall for most occasions, we recommend the MZ Wallace Deluxe as our best overall pick for its decades-long life span and infinite space.
This tote is incredibly spacious, lightweight, and has hidden zippered compartments.
The shape is unstructured, so you might have to dig to reach the bottom.
If it’s space you need, you’ll have a hard time finding a better pick than the MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote. We own the medium, which has tons of room, but it also comes in large if you need serious storage. Despite its size, the signature nylon material is incredibly lightweight and durable — we have friends who’ve had their bags in the same material for 10 or more years. The only drawback to it being so lightweight is the lack of structure, so you may have to fish out your things from the bottom when there are no large items inside to help hold its shape.
Aside from its longevity, what makes this tote our best overall pick is the amount of organization. There are zippered pockets both inside and hidden on the outside, which is where we keep our phone, wallet, Kindle, and passport for easy access. We also love the leashed zip pouch inside and the built-in trolley sleeve on the back. It’s truly a perfect travel companion, but with all its utility, we wouldn’t be surprised if you reach for it daily.
The Details: 11.6 x 9.4 x 12.7 inches | Nylon, leather
The tote can be rolled up for easy packing and there’s an adjustable crossbody strap.
We found the top handles to be an unnecessary feature.
Baggu’s Duck Bag is ready for travel activities with its washable canvas design. This way, you can stress less about keeping your bag spotless while out and about. The material is also lightweight and doesn’t weigh us down even when stuffed to the brim. On a week-long trip to Portugal, we were able to pack a towel, Kindle, water bottle, and a change of clothes inside. There’s an exterior zip pocket where we like to stash smaller items like a phone and keys.
Other travel-friendly perks include an adjustable crossbody strap, a zippered top that keeps things from falling out, and a body that can be rolled up to fit into a suitcase. We appreciate that you can choose from simple black or a handful of colorful prints.
The Details: 15.75 x 11 x 4.75 inches | Canvas
Two huge zippered compartments offer plenty of storage and the rolled straps stay put on our shoulder.
There isn’t a zip-top option, and suede can be tougher to keep clean.
For a tote bag that’s both elevated and travel-appropriate, we love this bag from Milaner. We own the taupe suede version and have found it versatile enough to wear with all types of outfits. With more than a dozen color options, you’ll have no problem finding one to fit your own style. Suede requires extra care which is something to consider if you anticipate any adventure travel, but you can also choose a leather version that’s likely easier to keep clean. (Tip: we keep ours in a dust bag when on a plane.)
Our favorite part is that it doesn’t feel bulky under our shoulder and it also has two huge zip compartments inside. We’ve been able to squeeze in a laptop, over-ear headphones, a sweater, and all the small essentials like lip gloss, keys, and a wallet at the same time.
The Details: 20 x 14 x 3 inches | Suede
This tote folds up small when not in use which is perfect for packing.
The straps aren’t padded, and there’s only one pocket.
The Le Pliage is one of the most classic tote bags you can own. And after using one ourselves, we’re not surprised by its popularity. Its good looks are matched by its sturdiness, and it’s even designed to pack up into a small pouch that can be stashed into a larger bag. This makes it a great option for both minimalist and maximalist packers.
With both a zippered top and a leather snap-flap, the Le Pliage gives us extra peace of mind while traveling, especially on crowded public transport. We wish there were more pockets (you’ll find just one inside) but overall you’ll have a hard time going wrong with this tote choice.
The Details: 12.2 x 11.8 x 7.5 inches | Recycled polyamide canvas, leather
It can be used for everything from hauling blankets to groceries.
It can be heavy when fully packed.
Sometimes you just need a big, sturdy bag to keep around for any occasion that pops up — and this nylon tote from Dakine fits the bill. We’ve taken it on hikes, to the beach, and on plenty of grocery runs. We also often use it for lugging food and blankets to music festivals. The top handles don’t fit over the shoulder, but we appreciate the detachable shoulder strap that comes in handy when the bag is filled with heavy items. A few other perks include protective padding and a luggage sleeve on the back in case you want to pair it with your suitcase. As far as oversized totes go, this is a great multi-use option that will come in handy for everyday activities and extended trips.
The Details: 23.5 x 16 x 11 inches | Recycled nylon
The separate compartment can store more than just shoes, and it has a total of 10 pockets.
The bag has to be laid on its side to fully unzip the bottom section.
This tote bag has more pockets than we can find use for, which is always a good problem to have. The bottom zip compartment is designed for shoes, but it’s actually great for anything you want to keep separate. We’ve used it to pack a wet bathing suit and also as a snack holder. If you prefer to use the shoe compartment for extra space, the bottom unzips from the inside so you can use the bag’s full capacity.
Although it’s technically a gym bag, this tote has accompanied us as a personal item on planes and trains during a trip through Portugal. The yoga mat straps can also be used to hold a sweater and the detachable backpack straps keep hands free to haul a suitcase. If you love function, you won’t be disappointed with this pick.
The Details: 14 x 21.5 x 8 inches | Nylon, vegan leather
It doubles as a work bag and is made with a low-maintenance neoprene.
There’s a zip pouch but no other pockets.
Suede and leather look beautiful, but they’re not the best match if you’re less than careful with your bags. The Naghedi tote is a perfect alternative because it has the look of popular woven leather totes, but it’s actually made from durable neoprene that’s also super lightweight. In addition to our travels, we’ve hauled this bag all over New York City and it’s stayed spotless throughout. Plus, we can bring it to the beach without worrying about sand or water spills.
You won’t find any pockets inside, which might be a dealbreaker for some. However, there is a matching zip pouch for the most essential items such as cash and keys. We also love that it comes in more than a dozen colors and four sizes, so there’s plenty of choice.
The Details: 9.5 x 17 x 7 inches | Neoprene
There’s plenty of space and the backpack straps can be hidden away into their own pocket.
The top handles hang loose when using the tote as a backpack, which can be kind of annoying.
Convertible bags are some of our favorite bags — I carry Oleada’s convertible laptop backpack nonstop. But if you’re searching for something more sport-like, we’re also fans of Bellroy’s Lite Totepack that has two ways to carry. While most backpack totes have permanent straps, this one is unique in that you can unclip the straps and tuck them away into a pocket. This way, they won’t bug you or rub up against you when in tote mode.
And while this bag isn’t very structured, it is plenty spacious. During a few outings around Seattle, we were able to fit in a wallet, water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt, and a few other knick knacks. We even squeezed in a small painting we picked up from the farmer’s market along the way.
The Details: 15.7 x 15.7 x 6.7 inches | Nylon, polyester
The material is waterproof and puncture-proof.
The top doesn’t close, so we don’t recommend this for outdoor camping with food.
Many of our picks are primed for outdoor use, but the Yeti Carryall takes it to another level with its waterproof and puncture-proof material. The sturdy tote holds its shape so you can simply drop in blankets, snacks, and more. We used ours to transport a full Thanksgiving spread and none of the dishes moved around thanks to the firmness of the bag’s walls. We’ve also taken this bag camping and used it to store wet items, gear, and food. (Note: the open top makes it better suited for car camping if you plan to store food items.)
Outside of adventure trips, you’ll get plenty of use out of this tote at home. We think it’s great for hauling groceries or as a picnic bag since the rubber material can be wiped clean. You’ll also get to choose from several colors, from muted gray to vibrant blue.
The Details: 18.1 x 9.8 x 15.2 inches | Vinyl
Add-on accessories let you customize this timeless tote to your needs.
It might be too small for longer trips.
A classic leather tote bag will always come in handy for work and travel. If you’re still looking for your go-to, we’re fans of the Cuyana System Tote for its personalization options. You can choose from a number of add-on accessories, including a wide shoulder strap, a laptop sleeve, and even a pouch that can double as a clutch bag. You’ll have to buy each one separately, which can add up quickly, but T+L editors agree the quality matches the price. The leather looks super luxe, so you can feel good about using it as a formal work bag. Plus, we love that it has a zip top for extra security. We’ve also used it as our personal item on a plane though some might find it too small if you’re planning an extended stay.
The Details: 11.5 x 17.75 x 5 inches | Leather
Along with its huge capacity, this tote bag has waterproof pockets.
We wouldn’t carry this outside of the beach or pool because of its rugged look.
zipper plastic bag Similar to the YETI Carryall, this RTIC bag is made with a tough material that’s waterproof and puncture-resistant, and it can also stand on its own. Though, this tote is a bit more beach-ready with its waterproof zip pockets that’ll protect your phone from any unwanted splashing. Plus, the open top has a buckle strap that’s ideal for securing towels. We own the small size and have had no issue carrying it over the shoulder, and we’ve also found it plenty spacious. You probably won’t catch us carrying this tote for everyday use since it could be mistaken for a cooler, but it offers tons of function for the poolside.