12 Travel Totes That Do the Most

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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 flight, 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 pebbled leather or durable nylon that can stand up to anything—and look good doing it.

MZ Wallace Metro Quatro Tote

Puffy bags like the Metro Quatro 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 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.

Eddie Bauer Bygone Recycled Backpack Tote

For another choice when shopping for a convertible travel tote bag, the Eddie Bauer Bygone Recycled Backpack Tote has function (organizational pockets and storable shoulder straps to convert from a tote to a backpack) and style (sleek design and leather handle grips) all in one. It is also made from super durable recycled nylon and features a zippered exterior pocket.

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’s water-resistant and folds flat without wrinkling, so you can rock the signature style of a Longchamp.

CALPAK Luka Expandable Laptop Tote

Add a pop of color to your travel attire with the Luka Laptop Tote, available in eighteen colors. The dedicated sleeve and soft exterior gives your laptop extra protection, while the organizational pockets—including a discreet exterior zipper pocket for valuables—will keep the rest of your gear organized. The bottom expands up to four inches to adapt to the needs of any trip.

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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 Sidney Business Tote

Traveling on business? You’ll need a business travel tote you can take straight from the plane into your big meeting. The Sidney Business Tote 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. 

Vera Bradley Vera Tote

Express your personality with the spacious 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 Garnet Convertible Tote Bag

For an elegant and expensive-feeling tote, the Garnet Bag is a great option. While technically a shoulder bag, you will not be left wanting for space with its flat-bottom design and internal organizer pockets. The bag also features a magnetic snap closure, giving you the peace of mind that all your valuables are staying put while still allowing easy access. 

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 Signature Tote

An elegant travel tote available in four basic and two seasonal colors, the Dagne Dover Signature Tote is a functional work bag that can hold a 13-inch laptop and all of your day-to-day accessories at the same time. It’s designed for long days, which means it will be the perfect companion for train ride or as a personal item on a plane.

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

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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