The 7 Best Travel Totes (2023)

When it comes to traveling in style, tote bags have no competition. You can purchase tote bags in a staggering number of designs and colors, as well as several different sizes.

In addition to being fashionable, they tend to be extremely functional as well. Totes are often quite large, providing ample space for anything you’d like to bring with you. They’re also very accessible, allowing you to grab or pack items in a hurry.

I know that sorting through thousands of similar products to find the right one can be a frustrating experience. To aid you in your search, I’ve compiled a list of the top 7 best travel totes currently on the market.

1. Baggallini Avenue Tote

This tote is higher-end in terms of price, but it’s absolutely worth the cost. It comes in a simple yet elegant design, and it’s relatively lightweight.

Key Features:

• Can be bought in a wide range of unique colors and styles, including black, red, purple, green and
  more.
• Weighs a light 1.4 pounds, and measures 13 x 12 x 6 inches.
• Comes with a removable shoulder strap, allowing for easy and comfortable carrying.
• Contains a large number of pockets: 5 interior slip pockets, 1 interior zip pocket, and 3 exterior zip pockets.
• Main compartment is zippered, which provides additional security.

2. ArcEnCiel Women’s Canvas Tote Bag

The ArcEnCiel Women’s Tote is a more basic bag, but it comes in a highly stylish design and is relatively inexpensive.

Key Features:

• Simple yet stylish striped design. Can be purchased in three different color schemes.
• Made of thick canvas material with a fabric lining, making it durable and tough.
• Super lightweight, weighing only 11.2 ounces. One of the lightest totes on the list.
• Measures 12.6 x 3.5 x 13 inches.
• In addition to the main compartment, the tote also contains two inside pouches and one interior zipper pouch.

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3. ECOSUSI Women Fashion Nylon Shoulder Tote Bag

This travel tote is the cheapest bag on the list, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to cut costs. Despite its price tag, it still maintains a sufficient degree of quality.

Key Features:

• Solid-color design that can be purchased in blue, light gray or red.
• Made of water-resistant nylon material, which protects it from damage and makes it extremely easy to clean.
• Very lightweight, weighing only 12 ounces. Its dimensions are 11.8 x 6.3 x 10.1 inches.
• In addition to its main zippered compartment, it boasts two interior multi-function pockets as well as a zippered pocket.

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4. NNEE Large Water Resistant Nylon Tote Bag

This is a luxurious-looking tote bag that is both lightweight and durable, in addition to being fairly large.

Key Features:

• Can be bought in four colors: black, brown, red, and purple.
• Made of high-quality nylon, which is durable and extremely water-resistant. The design also includes a faux leather trim.
• The interior is fully lined and equipped with multiple pockets for easy storage.
• Durable carrying handle, as well as an adjustable padded shoulder strap.
• Weighs 2.4 pounds and measures 20 x 7.5 x 14.8 inches.

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5. Everest Luggage Deluxe Shopping Tote

This travel tote values function over form, and it comes with a variety of pockets for maximum organizational freedom.

Key Features:

• Comes in a staggering number of colors, including red, purple, hot pink, blue, green, and more.
• In addition to its main zippered compartment, it boasts three front pockets for easy access.
• Contains a padded zippered bottom compartment, as well as a detachable coin purse.
• Adjustable double straps allow for maximum comfort while carrying it around.
• Weighs 1.6 pounds and measures 14.2 x 7.1 x 16.5 inches.

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6. ECOSUSI Large Nylon Travel Weekend Tote Bag

This is a high-quality, elegant bag that’s relatively spacious and contains a variety of pockets.

Key Features:

• Can be purchased in three colors: black, beige, and red.
• Made of high-quality nylon fabric, which is lightweight and possesses water-resistant qualities.
• Fully lined polyester cotton interior, which allows for easy cleaning.
• In addition to the main zippered compartment, it also includes a tablet pocket, one side zippered pocket, and two additional open pockets.
• Weighs 1.9 pounds and measures 16 x 8 x 11 inches.

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7. Arrows Weekender Tote Bag by White Elm

This exceptionally stylish tote comes in a large size and provides you with a large number of pockets for organizational options.

Key Features:

• Comes in a unique, creative design that can be purchased in several colors.
• Contains four open interior pockets and two deep exterior pockets.
• Made of cotton canvas, which is fairly durable and very easy to wash.
• In addition to its leather top handles, it also comes with a removable cotton cross-body strap.
• Weighs 1.2 pounds and comes in a fairly large size, measuring 19 x 6 x 15 inches.

Buying Guide

If you’re interested in buying a travel tote, there are a few things you should consider. Are you buying a tote just for yourself, or are you planning on carrying items from multiple people? Do you want a multitude of pockets to organize your items, or are you okay with just tossing everything in? Are you trying to make a bold fashion statement with your bag, or do you only care about how functional it is?

These are all great questions to ask yourself, and answering them will help you find the perfect travel tote for your personal needs. Totes come in all shapes, sizes, designs, and prices, so there’s really something for everyone.

Construction

Most reasonably priced totes are made of similar materials, so there’s not a whole lot of variance from bag to bag. That being said, it’s still a good idea to check out what your bag is made of to avoid overpaying for cheap material.

On the other end of the spectrum, some sellers will try charging high prices for “premium” materials that aren’t any better in form or function than their cheaper counterparts.

The vast majority of travel totes are made of nylon, polyester, or canvas. There are pros and cons for each type of material, but in general, the nylon and polyester varieties will be more durable than a bag made from canvas or cloth. The nylon bags also tend to be waterproof, which can be a big benefit in certain situations.

However, if you’re using your tote to make a fashion statement, you might want to grab a canvas bag. In my experience, the canvas totes often sport much more appealing and intricate designs. This is far from an absolute rule, but in general I’d go for a nylon bag if you’re interested in function and a canvas bag if you’re interested in form.

Pockets

The amount and arrangement of pockets are also things you should look at, although they tend to be minor factors. Some tote styles consist of one single big pouch, while others can have a huge number of interior pockets. If you’re okay with tossing everything into your bag and hoping for a best, the single-pouch style should be fine.

But if you’re going to be packing a variety of items and you’d like them to be conveniently arranged, you should look into a tote that offers a more customizable packing experience.

Price

Travel totes can vary wildly in terms of price, and a lot of it depends on how much you’re willing to spend. Some people are willing to pay more for premium materials or specific brands, while some only care about getting the best deal.

In general, I wouldn’t recommend spending over $100 for a travel tote unless you’re specifically buying it because of its brand or what it’s made of.

On the other hand, I think anything below $15 is a little too cheap for my liking. It’s definitely possible to find a quality tote in that price range, but you run the risk of buying a product that’s cheaply made and poorly constructed. For me, $20-$60 is the ideal price range.