14 Best Travel Tote Bags in 2024
A great travel tote is one that’s lightweight enough to take sightseeing or exploring on foot, but still spacious enough to meet all your packing needs. The best bags will also have multiple compartments for organization, ample pocket storage, and a few different options for how they can be carried. Read on to learn more about our 14 favorite travel totes for women that are suitable for just about any occasion or outing you have planned.
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14 best travel totes for 2024
1. Best overall tote: Lo & Sons
The Catalina Deluxe Tote from Lo & Sons is a fresh take on a well-loved tote, and is full of smart details that make ‘travel as seamless as possible.’ Not only is this tote designed with maximum carrying capacity, but it’s equipped with a key leash, suitcase handle sleeve, and multiple zippers and slip pockets to keep everything organized while you’re on the go. And did we mention it’s made from sustainable, recycled materials? It doesn’t get much better than that!
Price range: starting at $205
Read our review of the Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Weekender Bag here.
2. Best laptop tote: Calpak
This pick from Calpak seamlessly pairs form and function, seeing as its rectangular shape is perfect for toting around a laptop (up to 15 inches). The interior features a removable insert with multiple compartments, including a big pocket for your laptop and three smaller interior pockets as well as four exterior pockets. What’s more, the bag includes a trolley sleeve so you can consolidate it with your wheeled luggage and comes in four beautiful colors.
Price range: starting at $178
3. Best tote for overall organization: Arden Cove
The Victoria Tote from Arden Cove features a microfiber front pocket and a larger compartment for a laptop. We also love the water bottle loop inside that keeps your bottles upright (and your laptop safe from leakage!). Our favorite feature? The fact that this tote is convertible. Add two wide straps to turn it into a backpack or a longer strap to wear as a messenger style.
Read our full review of the Victora Tote here.
Price range: starting at $399
4. Best backpack tote: Patagonia
The Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack from Patagonia is a convertible backpack tote, meaning it can be used as a shoulder bag or as a backpack. This functional design has almost too many features to name — from the adjustable mesh harness and stretch water-bottle pockets, to the weather-resistant fabric and ability to stuff into its own pocket. And that all goes without mentioning the 100% recycled nylon, and the fact it’s Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.
Price range: starting at $99
5. Best beach tote: L-Space
Few things are better than spending a day at the beach, and yet, coming home with a bag full of sand is a much less enjoyable experience. L-Space’s Hamptons Bag can fit all of your beach essentials and features an external canvas pocket exterior pocket and dome studs on the bottom. And made from 100% paper raffia, your beach getaways just got upgraded in a major way!
Price range: starting at $220
6. Best packable tote: Lo & Sons
If you’re anything like us, you’re all about saving space and traveling light — which is why we’re such big fans of The Del Mar Packable Tote from Lo & Sons. In addition to being made out of recycled materials (Tyvek and recycled polyester), this bag packs down into a palm-sized pouch that makes it super easy to tuck into your luggage when you’re not using it. Other highlights include a water-resistant exterior, two removable pouches, and fun & fresh prints (the zodiac design is our personal favorite!).
Price range: starting at $70
7. Best convertible tote: Madewell
Madewell’s Transport Tote is a top seller for the brand year after year, and it’s not hard to see why. This minimalist bag is made with a semi-vegetable tanned leather, giving it a beautifully worn, waxed finish that only deepens over time. But in addition to its aesthetics, this tote is super practical, as well. There are actually two different ways it can be carried — either making use of the top handles, or using the (detachable) shoulder strap to wear it as a crossbody.
Price range: starting at $178
8. Best long-term travel tote: Fjallraven
Fjallraven is a popular Swedish brand that specializes in outdoor equipment and accessories. We love their Totepack design for its incredible functionality, convenience, and comfort. This style is made from 100% polyester and weighs in at just 1.2 pounds, and can be worn as a shoulder bag or as a backpack. It’s also the perfect place to stash all your travel essentials, thanks to its zippered front pocket, inside security pocket, and roomy main compartment.
Price range: starting at $99
9. Best reversible tote: Scarleton
What’s not to love about two bags for the price of one? This reversible tote (and detachable zipper pouch) from Scarleton are made of eco-friendly, vegan leather that’s been processed to give the look and feel of a genuine leather bag — i.e. impressive quality for a much smaller price. Choose from a variety of vibrant and neutral colors that’ll match nearly any travel outfit, and use this bag to carry your laptop, reading materials, or any fun flea market finds.
Price range: starting at $34
10. Best water-resistant tote: NNEE
This versatile tote from NNEE is sewn out of super tough, water-resistant nylon, making it a great choice for running errands or getting out of town (and nearly every activity in between). The base is constructed for serious durability and abrasion resistance, while the faux leather handles are able to withstand some major wear and tear of their own. As an added bonus, this bag is incredibly spacious and can hold a laptop, folders and etc.
Price range: starting at $28
11. Best luxe tote: Lo & Sons
There’s a reason Lo & Sons appears for the third time on our list. Their suitcases and travel bags have always had a strong emphasis on quality and functionality, and The Seville Tote is certainly no exception. This design is made from durable, premium Saffiano leather, and has a large interior space that’ll hold anything from your laptop to a fresh set of clothes. And speaking of this bag’s interior, it also features an interchangeable organizational shell with a padded laptop sleeve, plenty of pockets, and a key leash.
Price range: starting at $346
12. Best budget-friendly tote: DALIX
If you’re in the market for a new travel tote but you need to be mindful of your budget, this bag from DALIX would make an excellent choice. Although this tote is priced modestly, it has a lot of thoughtful details you’re sure to love. Not only is it made from a premium cotton canvas, this bag is also outfitted with double stitching on the straps (for reinforced functionality), a large outer pocket, a zippered inner pocket, and a zippered top closure to keep your belongings safe.
Price range: starting at $15
13. Best lightweight tote: BAGSMART
BAGSMART has designed this lovely lightweight tote that’s ideal for everyday use. It has generous dimensions, durable zip closure, two side pockets, and a padded pocket that’s specifically made to hold your laptop. The water-resistant cotton material also makes commuting a little easier, since you don’t have to worry about your belongings getting wet. But our favorite feature has to be the yoga mat buckle that makes it super convenient to carry your mat wherever you want to flow.
Price range: starting at $34
14. Best gym tote: Calpak
This bag from Calpak is really the ideal gym tote, due in large part to the way it collapses into itself for compact storage. The high-density, water-resistant fabric and interior and exterior pockets help you separate your dry items from your workout clothes or towel, so the rest of your bag stays as fresh as possible. And there are a few other details that offer even more comfort, too, like the removable shoulder strap and the integrated luggage sleeve for convenient carrying.
Price range: starting at $56
Travel Tote FAQs
What are the best brands for travel totes and bags?
Some of the best places to shop for travel totes and bags include Pakt, Fjallraven, Lo & Sons, Away, and BAGGU. Each of these brands uses premium materials and useful features in their designs, and many of them incorporate sustainable practices into their product lines, as well.
Are tote bags good for travel?
Tote bags are amazing for travel, since they’re highly versatile and have room for just about everything you’d want to carry. These days, travel totes are made from a variety of different materials (cotton, nylon, leather, etc), and can accommodate a range of different budgets, too.
Is canvas good for a travel tote?
Canvas is a great material for a travel tote, as this fabric is both durable and lightweight (which is a wonderful combination for a bag to have). On top of that, canvas is relatively easy to clean if it’s been stained, and it tends to be a more affordable option as compared to other fibers.