14 Travel Totes That Do the Most

A good tote bag is one of the most versatile tools in a traveler’s packing arsenal. Travel totes can hold all your stuff, fit pretty much anywhere, and come in all shapes and sizes to suit your style. Plus, if you need to push the envelope on how big your personal item can be, there’s no better bag to rock than a travel tote bag. Here are some of my favorite tote bags for travel that will totally come in handy on your next trip.

Away Everywhere Bag

The Everywhere Bag from Away is the perfect carry-all for your Carry-On, with a modern silhouette and thoughtful features that keep what you need at hand. This bag is designed to slide over the handle of any suitcase (or slide onto your shoulder) and is made with water-resistant nylon that can stand up to anything—and look good doing it.

Sutton Shoulder Tote

Puffy bags like the Sutton Shoulder Tote are not just for show; they blend function and fashion by offering your items a little extra protection. This travel tote is the best choice for the traveler who isn’t checking a bag and needs to fit stuff a few more pieces of clothing in their personal item. 

Osprey Arcane Tote Pack

Osprey’s Arcane Tote delivers dual functionality, with both comfortable tote straps and padded, comfortable tuck-away backpack straps for two ways to carry. The top-zip main compartment can be made even more secure with a roll-and-fold closure, and interior organizational pockets (including a padded laptop sleeve, document sleeve, and key-stash pocket) keeps belongings in place. Made from recycled bottles, the tote comes in a range of great colors.

Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Weekender Bag

If you’re packing as much as possible into your personal item, the Catalina Deluxe Weekender Bag from Lo & Sons will have your back on everything from weekend trips to week-long vacations. Lightweight and super functional, it has a place for your laptop, shoes, and more with plenty of color options to choose from.

Amber and Ash Convertible Tote Bag

For another choice when shopping for a convertible travel tote bag, the Totepack from Amber & Ash has function (organizational pockets and convertible straps) and style (multiple colors and leather handles) all in one. It is also super lightweight and made from a water-resistant and durable material.

Longchamp Le Pliage Tote

Nylon is an incredibly useful material for travel bags, but unless it’s designed thoughtfully, it doesn’t always look great. Longchamp’s Le Pliage Tote is a great example of how to do nylon right. It is waterproof and folds flat without wrinkling, so you can rock the signature style of a Longchamp.

Ban.do Weekend Tote

Whether you’re away for the weekend or for any other amount of time, this weekender bag is here to make your trip as easy as can be. It’s got plenty of space for the essentials, a detachable mesh pouch inside (that you can fold the whole bag into for easy storage), and a sleeve on the back for a luggage handle that makes it the ideal carry-on.

CG Gear Sand-Free Totes

No matter how much you love the beach, there’s nothing worse than finding sand at the bottom of your tote bag long after the fun in the sun has ended. Rather than pack an extra beach bag, opt for CG Gear’s Sand-Free Tote IV. It addresses the sand issue with a mesh bottom that will keep the extra debris out, and is cute enough to use throughout your trip.

Jemma Birdie 43 Tote

 A modern travel tote for the fashionista, the Birdie 43 Tote from Jemma is a beautiful vegan handbag that fits your 13″ laptop, shower essentials, change of clothes, plus anything from boxing gloves to your dance shoes—and maybe even both.  The bottom shoe compartment (holds two pairs of shoes) has a mesh strip for ventilation to ensure your clothes and smelly shoes will be able to air out properly. Also included are a cosmetics case and laundry bag, and there’s a zipper pocket on the back that becomes a trolley sleeve.

Tumi Business Tote

Traveling on business? You’ll need a business travel tote you can take straight from the plane into your big meeting. The Nylon Business Tote from Tumi is a waterproof and stain-resistant bag that makes a strong impression with a clean and straight design. Plus, the exterior sleeve lets you easily attach it to the handle of your wheeled luggage. 

Rains City Waterproof Tote

For a tote bag with a classic look, check out the Waterproof Tote from Rains. With multiple compartments, including a padded pocket for your tablet, this fashionable tote will keep you organized on the go and in any weather.

Vera Bradley Iconic Vera Tote

Express your personality with the spacious Iconic Vera Tote. Available in multiple colors and patterns, this large tote bag is great for travelers who tend to overpack their personal item. Plus, its padded exterior will offer your belongings a little extra protection from bumps and drops.

The Calvin Klein Rachel Vegan Leather Tote

For an elegant and expensive-feeling (but affordable) tote, the Rachel Leather Tote is a great option. Its design is simple, but with three pockets and plenty of room for miscellaneous items, it’s got built-in functionality. The straps are also extra-long, which makes it more comfortable to wear over your shoulder for long periods of time. 

S Zone Vintage Leather Tote

If you’re just looking for a straightforward tote bag, the Vintage Leather Tote from S-Zone is a simple and functional option. It has two compartments big enough to hold your devices and other items, is made of sturdy leather, and has lots of pockets for keeping organized.

Dagne Dover Legend Tote

An elegant travel tote available in basic colors and fun patterns, the Dagne Dover Legend Tote is a functional work bag that can hold a 15-inch laptop and a pair of shoes at the same time. It’s designed for long days, which means it will be the perfect companion for travel.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 11 Most Stylish Laptop Bags for Travel
• 8 Great Crossbody Bags for Travel
• 10 Underseat Carry-On Bags You Can Take on Any Flight

Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer always looking for her next adventure. Follow her on Instagram @jamieditaranto.

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