The Best Travel Tote Bags
The Flight Chaser: Lo & Sons Catalina Tote
A favorite among in-the-know travelers, this sturdy canvas bag works as a weekender or a carry-on bag. The ingenious exterior pocket unzips into a sleeve so you can slip the bag over the handle of a rolling suitcase for a far less clumsy sprint to your gate. A separate bottom compartment means you can also keep a pair of slippers for your long-haul flight separate from the other myriad things you throw in your bag.
To buy: loandsons.com, $118
The Business Bag: Dagne Dover Signature Legend Coated Canvas Tote
For jet-setters going from a business meeting to a client dinner straight to a flight, this bag will keep everything in its proper place. The interior features a padded slot for a laptop, plus dedicated pockets sized perfectly for your phone, wallet, subway card, sunglasses, water bottle, and even loops for your pens and lip balm. When you get home, find your keys in a cinch at the end of the built-in key leash.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $265
The Waterproof Warrior: Briggs & Riley Large Shopping Tote Bag
Made of durable, abrasion-resistant ballistic nylon, this tote is great if you're traveling with kids or pets (and may have to deal with spills and scratches) or if you’re just going somewhere where rain, sleet, and snow may be unkind to leather. Luggage-maker Briggs & Riley really thought of everything when they designed this tote: a waterproof pocket for a water bottle (or baby bottle), several exterior and interior pockets, and a sleeve for slipping this over a luggage handle for easy transport.
To buy: zappos.com, $179
The All-around MVP: Cuyana Leather Zipper Tote
Exemplifying its motto of “fewer, better things,” Cuyana makes beautiful, minimalist products that instantly become wardrobe staples. This bag in a soft, luxurious Argentinian leather — and available in an array of muted, sophisticated tones — transitions from work to brunch to the farmer’s market perfectly. And while many classic leather totes have open tops, the zipper closure on this one is especially useful for warding off pickpockets on international adventures.
To buy: cuyana.com, $195
The Packable Pick: Baggu Cloud Bag
These lightweight bags pack down into a palm-sized pouch, so you can easily tuck one into your luggage if you foresee flying home with one or two (or 12) more items than you arrived with — hey, shopping is a key part of the travel experience.
To buy: baggu.com, $50
The Philanthropist Pick: Issara Leather Ziptop Tote
We love this bag from Issara — a small, socially conscious leather goods company in London — because of all the thoughtful, functional details for travel. It's got a full zipper closure to keep everything secure (and for stowing under the airplane seat without your belongings spilling onto the floor), multiple interior and exterior pockets to keep you organized, a roomy and sturdy interior (no collapsing in on itself while searching for an item), and a structured bottom with metal feet. As a major bonus, you can feel great about your purchase: the artisans Issara works with in India and Indonesia receive fair living wages, healthcare, and safe work environments, and all of the materials and processes used to produce the leather products are environmentally friendly.
To buy: ahalife.com, $349
The Celebrities' Choice: Everlane Day Market Tote
Celebs from royal It Girl-of-the-moment Meghan Markle to the ever-chic Angelina Jolie have been spotted out and about with this simple yet sleek bag — and who are we to argue with their tastes? Bonus: the sumptuous Italian leather comes at a very agreeable price point.
To buy: everlane.com, $165
The Faux Stow: Sole Society Glenn Dual Pocket Tote
For those who prefer an animal-friendly — and more affordable — option, the Glenn by Sole Society still looks like it’s made of lustrous leather even though the material is completely vegan. The two outside slip pockets make for a convenient place to stash your go-to items, and, when not traveling, this bag also looks great as a work staple.
To buy: solesociety.com, $60
The Budget-friendly Pick: L.L.Bean Everyday Lightweight Tote
The timeless popularity of L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote bag is a testament to its quality and durability. But for those wanting a bit more organization and a little less Nantucket, here’s an alternative: the Everyday Lightweight Tote. Starting at just $20, this tote will last you many years even with daily use. Water-resistant nylon makes it great for the pool or beach and the reinforced handles can withstand heavy lifting. There's also an exterior slot, interior pocket, and key clip keep your phone, wallet, and keys at the ready without digging around.
To buy: llbean.com, from $20
The Carry-all: MZ Wallace Quilted Tote
Large tote bags for travel are crucial for carrying everything you need while on the go. This one’s spacious enough to hold just about anything — neck pillow, tablet, laptop, baby accessories, gym wear, you name it — but light as a feather so it won’t weigh you down in transit. The quilting adds a bit of signature flair to an otherwise highly utilitarian tote: it’s easily packable, washable, and holds up to wear and tear. It also comes with detachable interior zip pouches that are great for organizing knick-knacks, or to use as a clutch when you don’t want the take the whole bag.
To buy: bloomingdales.com, $225
The Laptop Lugger: Knomo Mayfair Nylon Curzon Shoulder Bag
This Knomo bag marries form and function, with a rectangular shape made for comfortably toting around laptops sized up to 15 inches. Plus, travel without worry: The RFID-blocking liner will protect your credit cards and passport from wireless identity theft.
To buy: ebags.com, $199
The Rock ‘n Roller: Rebecca Minkoff Always On Regan Tote
Silver studs, zippers, and tassels give this tote a youthful, edgy look. But it's the plentiful pockets and padded laptop sleeve that score big in the organizational department. Plus, a travel tote bag with a top zipper is a must for keeping your things from bouncing out as you’re rushing in transit.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $295
A Touch of Color: Bower Tote Bag
If black is too blasé, this bag comes in mossy green and blush pink, both perfect shades to add color that won’t clash with your travel ensemble (which, if you’re like us, consists of comfy black stretch pants). Three separate main compartments plus a bottom zip compartment give you plenty of options for organization: electronics in one, snacks in one, travel documents in another.
To buy: anthropologie.com, $78
The Convertible: Madewell Leather Transport Tote
Sometimes you need to free up your arms or just want to sling your tote over your shoulder or wear it cross-body. This minimalist tote comes with a longer removable strap for just those occasions.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $158
The Beach Bum: Amuse Society Coastal Love Affair Tote
For a more bohemian look, the woven design of this tote will transition seamlessly from sea to Terminal C.
To buy: zappos.com, $43
Anyone who has traveled a fair amount knows the value of a good tote. The workhorse of the travel bag ensemble, it’s the perfect carry-all for your essentials. You can toss everything in one roomy bag (we’re talking wallet, passport, phone, headphones, tablet, book, scarf, sweater, toiletry bag,...