We tested dozens of travel totes to find the 10 best bags that fit everything you need and more

What we looked for in a travel tote

Travel totes come in many shapes, materials, and sizes, and with a range of storage features. While evaluating a number of options, there were several key elements I looked for.

First, I tested how easy it would be to carry the bag through an airport. A luggage sleeve is ideal because it allows you to attach the tote onto a wheelie bag, but that feature is harder to find on a tote and it’s not make or break for me personally. However, I did make sure the tote could feasibly sit on top of a suitcase while I rolled it, or at the very least was comfortable enough to wear on my shoulder for long stretches.

Second, I made sure it could easily fit all my travel essentials. I considered what types of items I typically travel with — like a water bottle, laptop, a few snacks, etc —and whether the bag would not only accommodate them space-wise but also make them easy to find.

I also factored in whether the bag could feasibly fit under the seat in front during take-off and landing. It would be so annoying to be told to put your bag in an overhead compartment when you need to access your essentials throughout the flight.

Lastly, and most importantly, I only tested zip-top tote bags. The last thing anyone needs while traveling is a lost passport or wallet, and the zipper closure makes it so much easier to keep things secure.

Best overall: MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote Deluxe

It’s convertible. As a general rule, I love having options. So, I appreciate that this tote comes with a detachable and adjustable crossbody strap, as well as a luggage sleeve for when I’d rather unburden my shoulders and attach it to my rolling suitcase.

There are so many color options. The ultra-popular MZ Wallace Metro Tote comes in a whopping 21 different colorways, from classic neutrals like black, pearl white, and walnut brown to fun alternatives like cherry red, emerald green, and metallic copper. Literally, there’s an option for every mood, vibe, and travel fit.

The pockets are plentiful. Organization definitely isn’t an issue with this tote, which fits my 13″ laptop perfectly. With six interior pockets and five exterior pockets, I never have to worry about digging into the depths of my bag to find my phone charger, lip balm, or whatever else I might need at any given moment.

It’s really comfortable. There’s nothing I despise more than the feeling of straps digging into my shoulders, and it’s a common issue when I’ve packed a particularly heavy bag for a long flight. That’s never been a problem with this tote, though, thanks to the reinforced and padded handles.

Read our full MZ Wallace Metro Tote review.

Best budget: BAGSMART The Wanderland Travel Tote

It’s remarkably affordable. At only $36.90, this tote definitely doesn’t break the bank. That means more funds to spend on souvenirs, memorable meals, and other travel-related luxuries.

There are ample pockets. I have a hard time staying organized, but the Bagsmart Wanderland Travel Tote definitely makes it a bit easier. There are multiple zipper and slip pockets for all my belongings, a dedicated padded laptop sleeve (which fits up to a 15.6″ device), and external zip pouches on the front and back. I use the hidden back pocket with zipper closure to store my keys, phone, and wallet so they’re easy to access yet totally secure.

It’s easy to care for. I’ve been hard-pressed to find the best travel tote that you can also toss in the washing machine, but this one fits the bill. If you don’t want to fully wash it, you can also spot clean it with a damp cloth. This is a major bonus since my bag can get pretty grimy during travel.

One pro tip: The quilted cotton fabric does seem to sometimes attract lint, hair, etc. — so if that bothers you, consider buying any color other than black so it’s less noticeable.

Best organizational features: Lo & Sons O.G. 2 Overnight Bag

We absolutely love Lo & Sons’ bags for their attention to detail when it comes to functional features. The O.G. 2 is a huge favorite of style editor Gabrielle Chase, who takes it on all her trips. Here’s what she said about it in a review of our favorite Lo & Sons bags.

“First off, it’s really easy to carry. The long shoulder straps are made of durable nappa leather (which our cat tried to chew on, but even he couldn’t puncture them). It also has an optional crossbody strap, which comes with a removable pad to help it stay put on your shoulder.

The pocket situation is elite. There’s a huge padded laptop sleeve that can also fit a small book or e-reader, all sealed in with water-resistant zippers. The sides are lined with a mesh pocket for a water bottle, three interior slip pockets, and one zippered pocket.”

It also has a luggage sleeve in the back, so it sits perfectly on top of a suitcase. Plus, it has little metal feet to keep the bottom from getting dirty. These small features are fantastic to have in the best travel totes.

We’ve been huge fans of this bag for years. See our review of the original O.G. travel bag.

Best for work t`ravel: Dagne Dover Signature Tote (Legend)

It looks and feels so luxe. Totes don’t exactly have a reputation for being the most aesthetically exciting bags, but the Dagne Dover Signature Tote is an exception to the rule. I truly can’t believe it’s made with 100% vegan materials.

It holds its shape. While I can usually cram more into soft-sided bags, I really appreciate that this tote maintains its structure no matter how little or how much I’ve packed in it. It looks polished enough that I can confidently wear it straight from the airport to a conference or a meeting.

It fits everything I need and more. I almost always bring my laptop on the plane so I can answer emails, watch my favorite shows, or do a little online shopping — and fortunately, this tote has a padded compartment that can accommodate up to a 15″ device. There’s also no shortage of pockets to hold my phone, wallet, lip gloss, hair clips, chargers, notebooks, and pens. The insulated neoprene water bottle holder is a really nice touch, too.

It works for under-seat storage. And despite how much it can hold, this tote still fits right under the seat in front of me during take-off and landing — plus, the handles fold down, making it even easier to stash.

Note that this tote comes in two sizes: Classic and Legend. I opted for the Legend, which is bigger and might be better for travel.

Read our full Dagne Dover Signature Tote review to hear more about why we love this tote so much — and why it also made our lists of the best work bags for women and the best tote bags.

Best lightweight: BUG Lightweight Women’s Laptop Tote Bag

It’s remarkably roomy. At first glance, this tote looked pretty modest in size — but I was shocked at just how much I could squeeze in there, including my laptop, tablet, book, planner, umbrella, external charging port, sunglasses, wallet, and even a light sweater. Note: the padded laptop compartment can fit a device up to 15.6″.

It’s machine washable. Since the BUG Lightweight Tote is 100% cotton, I can also throw it into my washing machine on a gentle cycle.

It’s incredibly lightweight. It’s pretty important to me that my travel bags are lightweight — I’m not looking to make carrying my belongings around any more strenuous. This tote fits the bill.

Best quality: KAAI Pyramid Bag

This pick from KAAI is one of the best work bags for women we’ve ever tested, but it easily doubles as a travel tote. Made of beautiful leather and lined in luxurious suede, this splurge-worthy bag passes all of our quality evaluations.

“It’s made from scratch-proof leather that won’t discolor or wilt in the rain. This is a higher grade of leather and far more durable than other kinds of materials like pebbled leather, vegan leather, or genuine leather. So, even if this pick is more expensive, it is likely to last a lot longer than other choices,” says Samantha Crozier, style editor at Insider Reviews.

It also has travel-friendly details like a full zipper, outside pockets to store tickets and passports, and a sleek silhouette.

Most stylish travel bag: Parisa Wang Gabrielle 35

If you’ve ever walked through the airport and wished you were one of the chic girls wearing a cute matching travel set and toting a trendy bag, then this will help you get there.

In our best work bags story — in which the Gabrielle 35 won the well-deserved award for being the most stylish pick — style editor Samantha Crozier raved about the craftsmanship.

“Parisa Wang brand partners with artisans who typically work with top luxury brands like The Row and Prada, and you can absolutely feel the quality. In fact, the Gabrielle 35 looks and feels like the ultra-coveted suede Margaux bag from The Row (which will run you $5K or more). But dare I say that the Gabrielle is cuter?”

It’s not quite a tote — the shape is closer to a satchel or a bowler — but it does come with an extra strap that lets you carry it just like a tote. Plus, it’s big enough to fit a 13-inch MacBook and all of your travel essentials.

It also has big front pockets that are “incredibly helpful for storing quick-access items like a boarding pass and passport,” says Crozier.

Best for traveling with kids: Baggu Travel Cloud Bag

It fits everything — and I do mean everything. This tote brings new meaning to the term carryall. It’s wide, deep, and soft-sided, so I’m honestly not sure there’s anything you wouldn’t be able to cram in here. I was super impressed that I was able to fit my laptop and charger, several books, a full change of clothes and shoes, snacks, a water bottle, and other smaller must-haves and somehow still had room for more.

The design is foldable. Even though the Baggu Travel Cloud Bag fits everything, it miraculously folds down into basically nothing — taking up no room in my suitcase. I love that I can pack it inside my luggage, fill it with souvenirs on my trip, and then travel with it as a carry-on for the flight home.

It’s machine washable. Let’s be real: things just seem to get dirty quicker when you have kids (not that I would know from personal experience.) This tote, which is made with recycled nylon material, is not only machine washable but really easy to spot clean. When I accidentally spilled some coffee on the outside of the bag while racing to my gate, I was able to wipe it away in a cinch with just a moistened napkin.

The only thing that could probably improve this tote is some more internal pockets to keep things organized. That said, there is an exterior pocket for any items you need at the ready — like your phone and passport.

Best sustainable: Parker Clay Eden Caryall Tote Bag

It’s made to last. Parker Clay’s products are handmade, and the company stands behind the quality — even offering a lifetime guarantee. While I’ve still never had so much as a zipper break, it does give me peace of mind. This particular tote is crafted from luxe leather and features a natural brass zipper and cotton lining.

The design is sensible yet sleek. I appreciate the no-frills design of this midsized tote — it doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles but it does what it’s supposed to do: fit my laptop, keep my belongings secure, and offer storage for smaller knick-knacks in the interior slip pockets.

There’s a purpose to the purchase. Part of what sets this Parker Clay Tote apart is that the leather is ethically and sustainably sourced from Ethiopian providers, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Additionally, the company empowers high-risk Ethiopian women by employing them, paying them fair wages, and providing them with skills training and financial literacy opportunities.

Note: Prefer crossbody bags to totes? You can go hands-free by purchasing the detachable Parker Clay narrow crossbody strap or wide crossbody strap separately — both of which clip right onto the Eden Caryall’s side rings.

Best for work travel: Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Work Tote

The quality is undeniable. Quince has previously made our list of the best work bags for women, and it’s not hard to see why. Like many of their other bags, this tote is made with 100% top-grain Italian leather, features protective metal feet, and boasts impressive craftsmanship. Because it’s so durable and high quality, I don’t have to worry about it falling apart after a few long journeys.

It looks super polished. A lot of totes are made more with functionality in mind than aesthetics. But the Quince Italian Leather Tote is just as pretty to look at as it is practical, so I can proudly wear this straight from the airport to a meeting or conference. Plus, because it’s modestly sized, it doubles as an everyday bag that I can wear out to dinner, shopping, or whatever else my travels entail.

It’s more spacious than I expected. When I first received this bag in the mail, I was a little skeptical that it could hold everything I’d need on my flight. Alas, though, my MacBook Air fit perfectly in the padded center compartment; my wallet, sunnies, AirPods, and chargers slid easily into the two side compartments; and then I was able to use the other three slip pockets and one zip pocket for smaller items like keys, lip gloss, and pens.

See our full Quince review to hear more about our favorite pieces from the brand.

Travel tote FAQs

What size travel tote fits under an airplane seat?

Though there is some variance based on airline, the standard dimensions for an under-the-seat bag are 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches.

Can a travel tote count as a personal item?

Yes, a travel tote will count as a personal item as long as it fits underneath the airplane seat. For more of our favorite picks, from backpacks to duffels, see our article on the best personal item bags.

What features should I look for in a good travel tote?

Some convenient travel tote features include:

• A zipper across the entire top of the bag, so that items don’t slip out when you slide the bag under the seat.
• A luggage sleeve.
• A secure pocket on the outside of the bag for quick access to passport, airline tickets, phone, etc.
• Internal organization features like slip pockets, a key leash, and dividers so that you can easily access your items.