Compare the Top 6 Travel Totes
More Travel Totes I Recommend
Long champion Le Pliage Large Tote for $180: This bestseller is the same as the classic white tie: timeless, versatile, and designed to be passed down through the generations. Inspired by nature, Le Pliage folds down a little when you need to pack it, but is also roomy enough to double as your personal product. I can fit all the essentials in here—laptop, Kindle, my airport toiletries, snacks and then some. With its minimal design and zip closure for valuables, it is also the perfect work bag for business trips. My one problem with this travel tote bag is the lack of interior compartments (besides the two impractical flat pockets), but if you’re someone who has small pockets and tech organizers for your gear, you might not miss it.
Cincha the Vegan Leather Go-Tote for $130: This vegan leather bag is deceptively large. The base is 7.5 inches deep, so while it doesn’t look huge in the photo, it holds a surprising amount of stuff. I packed enough clothes in it for a whole weekend trip. I usually worry about vegan leather cracking and breaking with use, but Cincha’s soft pebble fabric doesn’t look or feel like plastic. This is the carry-on bag I took on a multi-week trip to the Philippines, and the leather stood up to rain and kicking around airplane lounges, ferries and train stations. However, it is more than 2 pounds heavier than a Longchamp Le Pliageso this is strictly when you can hit it on top of the part you’re on. – Adrienne So
Mission Workshop Drift Laptop Tote for $345: The Drift is my favorite ride. It’s sleek yet stylish and elegant, and the rolled handles and detachable strap make it easy to carry by hand or over the shoulder. But the best thing about it is the well organized storage pockets inside and outside. It feels tailor-made for people like me who always carry an army of gadgets. Drift is kind of a beast, though. It’s too big to slide under the seat in front of you on an airplane, but it fits in the overhead luggage compartment. – Michael Kalore
Vera Bradley Original Duffel for $105: If there was one product that I would refer to as “ol’ reliable,” it’s definitely the Vera Bradley bag. The bright graphics, durable materials, and washable cotton design have held up well for more than a decade of travel. Even when I’ve overloaded and carried it on planes, trains, and car rides, I don’t notice the stress of sewing on the handle. There are no interior pockets, but you do have four exterior ones located on the sides of the bag for easy access (or last-minute additions to your planned outfit). –Julia Forbes
BaubleBar Large Icon Tote for $98: What sets BaubleBar apart is its play customization. Your chosen icons (up to six, depending on size) are embroidered directly onto the canvas tote. The process is very user-friendly, with pre-designated areas to help you visualize your options. Choose from zodiac signs, delicious foods, initials and more. Just remember that it’s a final offer, so confirm your design before ordering. The large size fits everything you need for a day trip to the beach, and the medium and small options are perfect for light shopping or exploring the city. It closes with just a push of a button, which is not very safe for crowded places.
Aer Simple Tote for $139: What? have you ever lifted a nylon or leather strap in your hand and realized that slapping it over your shoulder would instantly give you scoliosis? Then you want Aer’s ultra-lightweight, convenient sailcloth tote, which weighs less than a pound. Its 15 liters felt surprisingly capable. I fit two jackets inside during hikes with my kids, and a 3-inch-wide bag tucked snugly under my arm. Two external pockets fit My Nalgene and Kinto cupand my phone fits nicely in the outside zipper pocket. This is a great upgrade if you get tired of carrying everything around with you canvas tote from Umami Mart and want a bag that won’t get soaked in something suspicious if you misplace it on the subway. It is it is A little more expensive, though. – Adrienne So
Cuyana System Tote 16-Inch for $378: The Cuyana System Tote is a versatile gear tote that adapts to your schedule. Designed to withstand the brunt of fast fashion, this travel tote starts small, but the brilliance is in its accessories. A laptop sleeve or enter the organizer creates a design on the go, with special spaces for your computer, water bottle and other work essentials. A System Flap Bag doubles as a clutch organizer or inside a bag, and detachable, adjustable strap (also available in a broad example) replaces the tote, perfect for the airport run with no hands if you’re inadvertently trying it airport theory. Instead of interlocking straps that can fail, the Tote System’s handles are cut directly from its leather body, reducing wear points. The main compartment zips up instead of a zipper, something to know if you’re the spilling type.
Avoid All This
Calpak Diaper Cover Bag with Laptop Sleeve for $195: This bag was really puffy, but it felt bulky, and space was wasted to provide puffiness in the layers of the bag. It was big enough for everyday use, but not big enough when I needed a lot of stuff to bring on a day trip or a long hike. Also did not really feel that diaper bag-centric; the only “diaper” thing on it was the baby wipes on the outside, but I would have preferred an outside pocket to store actual diapers with. You can fit several diapers in the flat front pocket, but it’s not as good as other designs I’ve tried. Insulated bottle bags are great if you’re traveling with a bottle, but feel useless after your baby graduates from bottles (which they graduate much earlier than diapers!) It’s not a bad bag, but I’d recommend a different design for parents and travelers alike. –Say Farrell
To determine the best travel tote, I put each bag through real travel scenarios to see how it performs. That means packing it with laptops, chargers, clothes and toiletries, testing comfort when worn over the shoulder or carried by hand. I will double the tote to check for durability, organization, and accessibility. I’ll evaluate how well it fits under airplane seats, protects tech gear, and holds up to wear and weather. If it’s water resistant, I’ll take it out in the rain to see if it survives without soaking the contents.
I check every pocket, compartment, and zipper for use. When it comes to design, I pay attention to the details: interior fabric options that make it easy to see the contents, easy pocket placement, and hardware options like zippers and pullers. I also like to consider key design features, such as handle length and overall design.
I prioritize quality and sustainability, and include eco-friendly brands for eco-conscious consumers. I also made sure to include an array of fabrics for stylistic variation. Finally, I consider how each bag stacks up against its price, making sure the quality justifies the cost.
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