Totes are arguably the most underappreciated travel bag.
You can stuff the passport, phone, wallet, headphones, iPad, sweater, water bottle, book, food, and even a travel pillow into one spacious compartment.
They’re also fashionable without sacrificing comfort, durability, or functionality.
But which is best?
In this guide, we'll go over our top picks and how to buy one.
Our top picks:
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Best for a stylish leather tote bag with zip. Elegance Tote Bag |
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Best slim leather laptop bag. Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag |
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Best for a sophisticated laptop travel bag. City Laptop Bag for Women |
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Best smart leather weekender bag. Weekender Travel Bag for Women |
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Best for a leather garment travel bag. Grand Leather Garment Bag for Women |
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Best for a stylish laptop travel backpack. Prime Backpack |
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Best for a comfortable and sleek travel backpack. Liberty Backpack |
Best Travel Tote Bags for 2023
Elegance Leather Tote Bag
Best for business travel with a touch of elegance. The Elegance Leather Tote Bag is perfect for carrying your laptop and essentials in style.
Watch the Elegance product review video below:
Elegance Tote Bag Product Highlights:
Product | Elegance Tote Bag |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 14 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 45 cm (18 in) |
Height | 29 cm (11 in) |
Depth | 13 cm (5 in) |
Weight | 1 kg (0.5 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag
Best for businesswomen on the go, the Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag is sleek, spacious, and secure, with a padded compartment for laptops up to 15 inches.
Watch the Exquisite product review video below:
Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag Product Highlights:
Product | Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 14 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 40 cm (16 in) |
Height | 29 cm (11 in) |
Depth | 10 cm (4 in) |
Weight | 1.1 kg (0.5 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
City Women's Laptop Bag
Best for stylish business travel with a laptop, the City Leather Laptop Bag for Women is perfect for the modern working woman on-the-go.
Watch the City product review video below:
City Laptop Bag for Women Product Highlights:
Product | City Laptop Bag for Women |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 15.6 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 38 cm (15 in) |
Height | 28 cm (11 in) |
Depth | 7 cm (3 in) |
Weight | 1.2 kg (0.5 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Weekender Women's Leather Weekend Bag
Best for a luxurious weekend getaway with friends or a romantic partner, the Weekender leather bag adds sophistication and style to your travels.
Watch the Weekender product review video below:
Weekender Travel Bag for Women Product Highlights:
Product | Weekender Travel Bag for Women |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 16 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 55 cm (22 in) |
Height | 30 cm (12 in) |
Depth | 23.5 cm (9 in) |
Weight | 1.9 kg (0.9 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Grand Women's Leather Garment Bag
Best for businesswomen on short trips who want to arrive in style with wrinkle-free clothes - Grand Women's Leather Garment Bag.
Watch the Grand product review video below:
Grand Leather Garment Bag for Women Product Highlights:
Product | Grand Leather Garment Bag for Women |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 55 cm (22 in) |
Height | 33 cm (13 in) |
Depth | 25 cm (10 in) |
Weight | 2.1 kg (1 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Prime Women's Leather Backpack
Best for chic city breaks with hands-free convenience - Prime Women's Leather Backpack is the perfect blend of style and practicality.
Watch the Prime product review video below:
Prime Backpack Product Highlights:
Product | Prime Backpack |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 14 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Adjustable Straps |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 27 cm (11 in) |
Height | 40 cm (16 in) |
Depth | 12 cm (5 in) |
Weight | 1.2 kg (0.5 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Liberty Women's Leather Backpack
Best for stylish city travel with hands-free convenience - Liberty Women's Leather Backpack is perfect for exploring new destinations in comfort and style.
Watch the Liberty product review video below:
Liberty Backpack Product Highlights:
Product | Liberty Backpack |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 14 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Adjustable Straps |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 33 cm (13 in) |
Height | 40 cm (16 in) |
Depth | 12 cm (5 in) |
Weight | 1.4 kg (0.6 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Travel Totes Buyers Guide
Features
Every tote is handcrafted uniquely, which is good because each shopper has different needs. If you plan to use your tote for travel, choose one with several sections to keep all your belongings organized. Do you need a commuting tote? Opt for a bag with a zip or flap top closing to keep your goods covered and secure. If you intend to carry your laptop, getting a tote created exclusively for that purpose is a good idea. Look for ones with a padded sleeve in the correct size; otherwise, your laptop might get damaged or won’t fit.
Material
Any durable fabric will do if you want to use your tote simply as a carry-on. Consider a water-resistant or waterproof fabric like polyester, nylon, or vinyl if you choose a bag for water activities by the beach, pool, or boating. Go for a leather tote, one of vegan leather or vinyl, if you expect your bag to become dirty or don’t want it to. Why? Because they’re the easiest to clean and don’t usually discolor.
Cost
This tote may become your new best buddy, so if it’ll be your go-to everyday bag, it’s worth investing a little more on something high-quality and long-lasting. Going a tad more on the budget side of things might be appropriate if you only need something for the odd day at the beach — or something that kids will stain or tear up.
Size
You’ll have difficulty fitting everything you need for the day inside if you choose one that’s too tiny. On the other hand, if you pick a too large tote, you could be tempted to overpack for the day. Check what bags have worked best for you in the past. Determine whether your current needs have changed, and take it from there.
Activity
If you’re searching for a business bag, it’ll likely be different than what you’d buy for a day at the beach. Consider what you’ll be carrying in your bag, whether it’s for weekend errands, kid schlepping, or something that requires a little more formality.
What’s the Maximum Weight of a Tote Bag?
You might be tempted to stuff many things into your tote bag, more so if it’s roomy. But a hefty bag puts pressure on your shoulder, and carrying a big bag causes you to slump to one side. This can result in neck, back, and shoulder pain. According to a study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science, your luggage should not carry more than 10% of your body weight. In other words, your bag should not weigh more than 13 pounds if your weight is 130 pounds.
Is it possible to travel with a tote?
Each airline has its own set of baggage limitations and charges. They all have one thing in common, though: you can take one personal item with you for free. Airlines regard a tote, backpack, briefcase, or crossbody bag as a personal item bag.
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- Laptop Travel Bags
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Is it safe to carry tote bags?
Pickpockets find it more difficult to sneak their hands inside tote bags as they have a narrow aperture, and people wear them close to their bodies. If security is a concern, a bag with a zipper closing and leather or slash-resistant fabrics like nylon is ideal.
What is the capacity of tote bags?
Tote bags come in various sizes, but most are roughly 13 by 15 inches. Many bags are made to fit a tablet or laptop while leaving enough capacity for other necessities.
Which is more practical, a backpack or a tote bag?
As for the style, tote bags will always win out, but backpacks are more functional. Overall, both can assist you in transporting papers, books, and electronic gadgets to and from school.
Related:
- Monogrammed Travel Bags
- Under Seat Travel Bags
- Designer Travel Bags
- Leather Carry On Luggage
- Best Underseat Luggage
- Best Travel Laptop Backpacks
- Best Travel Briefcase
- Best Overnight Bags
Is it okay to bring a tote bag on a plane?
The number of carry-on bags and personal items that airlines allow you to travel with varies. As a rule of thumb, a traveler can expect to bring one carry-on bag and one individual item free of charge. As it’s easy to transfer through the airport, a wheeled suitcase is a popular carry-on option. Some people prefer to travel with backpacks, duffel bags, or tote bags.
Conclusion
We hope you found our best travel tote bags post useful. If you ever need any help with anything to do with bags or fashion, feel free to contact the Von Baer team, at info@vonbaer.com.
Browse our travel pages here, our women's pages here, or our style pages here.
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