9 Best Canvas Tote Bags for Women
A great tote bag is a staple in every girl’s travel wardrobe. It’s the perfect companion for grocery runs, day trips, weekend excursions, beach days, even visits to the laundromat … and much more. The good thing and the bad thing, however, about shopping for canvas tote bags is that there are plenty of choices. Too many, sometimes! That’s why we’ve done the searching for you. These are the top 9 best canvas tote bags for women.
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9 best canvas tote bags for travel in 2024
1. Best overall canvas tote bag: Cuyana
For a classic, no-frills canvas tote bag that you can rely on season after season, you really can’t go wrong with the Canvas Tote from Cuyana. A delicious, creamy, dreamy natural canvas hue with buttery, Italian leather handles, this canvas tote bag proves that simple can still be luxe. Inside, you’ll find one large zipper pocket and two slip pockets to help you organize what you need; outside, a simple leather tie fastening keeps it all secure but accessible while you’re on the go. Importantly, this favorite canvas tote bag is also GOTS- and LWG Gold-certified, which ensures that organic practices were used in the production of the cotton canvas and that the leather trim was tanned responsibly.
Price: starting at $198
2. Best affordable canvas tote bag: BAGGU
If you’re saving up for a big purchase and don’t want to drop a pretty penny on a simple canvas tote bag, don’t sweat it—you can still get the quality you need at a friendly price. The BAGGU Duck Bag Canvas Tote, for example, is one affordable canvas tote bag that gives you understated chic without breaking the bank. Available in 11 playful color options, like Pistachio, Poppy, and Nutmeg Leopard, this budget-friendly canvas tote bag features both a top handle and a 40-inch strap so you change up your style as you need. It’s also particularly tall, so you can easily carry a laptop, a travel water bottle, or even an umbrella as you head out for the day.
Price: starting at $38
3. Best recycled canvas tote bag: Lo & Sons
For an everyday tote bag that will make you feel as good as you look, try shopping for a recycled canvas tote bag, like this one from Lo & Sons. The Catalina Deluxe Tote is made out of premium recycled poly and a high-quality, eco-friendly canvas that’s softer and lighter than the standard canvas you’ll find in stores. A trolley sleeve makes it easy to wheel this tote bag through the airport on top of your suitcase, while a bottom zipper pocket with a removable padded insert gives you a dedicated space to store shoes or dirty laundry. Not a bad travel companion!
Price: starting at $123
4. Best handmade canvas tote bag: Ubuntu Life
If you want something a little more special than your typical, cookie-cutter, factory-made tote bag, turn to the Ubuntu Life Go-To Canvas Tote Bag. Made with 100% natural cotton canvas, each of these special tote bags is handmade by women in Unbuntu Life’s Maker Studio in Kenya. We love this homemade canvas tote bag because it features a hand-printed silk-screen pattern in water-based inks in your choice of Black & Eggshell, Brown & Eggshell, or Mustard & Eggshell. The magnetic closure keeps its contents secure, and the leather straps help you tote your load around town—in style.
Price: starting at $135
5. Best rugged canvas tote bag: Duluth Pack Duluth Minn
If you’re a bit of an over-packer (we see you, and we appreciate you), then you know what it’s like to feel your basic tote bag straining at the seams. For a travel tote bag that can handle the weight of a laptop, water bottle, books, and whatever else you throw at it, try the Everyday Travel Tote Bag from Duluth Pack Duluth Minn. Made out of rugged canvas with riveted premium leather reinforcements and four snaps on all sides for extra security, this rugged canvas tote bag will withstand the weight of shopping trips and weekend excursions for years to come. P.S. Rugged doesn’t mean ugly. You can shop this rugged tote bag in nine different colors, including one woolen print!
Price: starting at $112
6. Best canvas tote bag backpack: Fjallraven
We love a good tote bag for a day out around town, but sometimes it’s just a lot easier to go completely hands-free. If you don’t want to commit to the style of a clunky backpack, we have the solution: a tote bag backpack! Particularly, we’re eyeing the Fjallraven Totepack No. 1. Made out of a cotton-polyester blend with a durable wax coating, you can count on this canvas tote bag backpack to stand the test of time. Go ahead, take it for a spin. Available in nine charming colors (our favorites are Autumn Leaf and Deep Patina), this tote bag backpack will make it hard to return to your standard crossbody anytime soon.
Price: starting at $104
7. Best water-repellant canvas tote bag: Eric Javits
When you live a life on the go, you never know what kind of weather you’ll find yourself in. To be prepared for whatever Mother Nature decides, consider traveling with a water-repellant canvas tote bag. And don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be plastic-y and ugly! At least, not when you use the Lil Cote D’ Azur Canvas Tote Bag from Eric Javits. Made out of water-repellant canvas with their premium Squishee Braid Straw, this tote bag is lightweight, flexible, durable, and water-repellant so unwanted rainstorms won’t leave your gear feeling soggy. Take your pick among Blue, Beige, Black, or Salmon, and spend your days pretending you live on The Côte d'Azur. (Or is it just us who do that?)
Price: starting at $165
8. Best oversized canvas tote bag: Radius Outfitters
When a basic tote bag just won’t do, get room to grow with this oversized canvas tote bag from Radius Outfitters. Boasting an impressive 56 liters in capacity, the Large Gear Canvas Tote may be a bit too big for daily use—but it comes through in the clutch when you need to pack for a special event. Weekend trips, long beach days, road-tripping, etc. … Basically, whenever you need to pack Mom-style and take extras of everything, this is the oversized canvas tote bag you want in your life. In other words, Moms of the group—this one is for you.
Price: starting at $149
9. Best waxed canvas tote bag: Lands’ End
Canvas is a fantastic material for a tote bag. It’s lightweight; it’s foldable; and it’s easy to clean. But while it’s certainly more robust than a cotton bag, it’s not necessarily as rough and tough as leather or some synthetic fabrics. To add a little more durability to a basic canvas tote bag, look for one with a wax coating, like the Large Waxed Canvas Tote Bag from Lands’ End. Available in classic brown or black, this waxed canvas tote bag is a timeless choice for running errands or heading to work. Plus, a leather handle and front pockets elevate the look for a bit of elegance, while a leather base adds even more durability and longevity. It’s a win-win.
Price: starting at $155
Common FAQs
Is canvas good for a travel tote bag?
An oldie but a goodie, canvas is a great material for a travel tote bag—and there’s a long list of reasons why. Canvas is lightweight, foldable, simple to clean, fast-drying, and sturdy. Plus, it can be dyed easily, so you’ll have no trouble finding a canvas travel tote bag in your favorite color or print.
Does canvas get dirty?
Like any natural fabric, canvas can get dirty with repeated use. That said, it’s much more robust and durable than, for example, a cotton bag. Plus, most canvas bags can be thrown in the washing machine or wiped clean with a damp cloth when they start to get dirty.
How do you clean and care for a canvas tote bag?
To clean and care for a canvas tote bag, be sure to read the care instructions that come with your specific bag. Most basic canvas tote bags can be thrown in the washing machine. Others, however, might not be washing machine-safe—but you can still easily clean them with a damp cloth and a little bit of mild soap.
