A fourth reviewer testified to the quality and durability of the bag after buying it in both colors. The Baggu, which we found infinitely more useful, was half its price; the Filson, while double its price, was sturdier and offered an improved warranty, too. Maybe we arent all Siobhan Shiv Roy on Successionbut maybe, with the right tote bag, we could look like we are. The Classic Structured Leather Tote is a beautiful, humongous leather bag that retails for about $250. Although it may last only a year or so, it generally costs a sixth the price of leather totes we liked. With the variety of materials and styles available, there may not be a single best tote for everybody, but we did find a range of wonderful ones. The L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is made from heavy canvas that will last you a lifetime, but it doesnt have any pockets for storage. It has a reinforced base, too. We're eyeing discounted backpacks from Dagne Dover, Clare V., Tumi, and more. The Universal Hayden Tote Bag is a great choice for anyone who doesnt want to drop their entire paycheck on a genuine leather tote bag. With sales from Tumi, Frame, and Longchamp, there are plenty of great optionsincluding the perfect straw tote to hold your beach towel and sunscreen while lounging by the pool. When it came time for staff votes, the Uptown Vertical Tote handily beat every other leather tote bag option we testedpeople loved this bag. productslearn more about (FYI, a separate reviewer said the backpack didn't quite fit their 16-inch laptop, so this option is better for devices under 15 inches long.). When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The canvas is stiff enough that the bag can stand up on its own, and the inner seams are bound to protect them from fraying. We looked at totes that were large enough to hold a 12-inch laptop along with a book, a notebook, an umbrella, pens, a USB battery pack, a pair of headphones, and some charging cables. Love a great deal? No matter its size or composition, a tote should be easy to pack and unpack, helpful whether youre heading to a coffee shop or an office, and attractive and versatile enough for you to drag it to dinner afterward. Theres more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. A higher-end canvas tote, Filsons Rugged Twill is lightweight, well constructed, and equipped with leather handles and an excellent warranty. Always losing cables, SD cards, and tubes of lip balm in the depths of your backpack? They keep you hands free whether you're on a bike ride or exploring a new museum and can be worn multiple ways. Tracking all the news and moves as MLB approaches the 2022 trade deadline. "It lasts with an amazing patina to the leather and is so soft as time goes by with no wear to the straps or zippers," they wrote. In contrast to the care instructions for our other picks, Baggu recommends machine washing the Duck Bag and line drying it, though you can also wash it by hand. And right now, you can save on a gorgeous leather backpack, since the brand is offering 20 percent off purchases of $150 or more when you use the code spreetime. Weve reviewed this guide and updated the pricing and availability of our picks. The Uptown Vertical Tote is 14 inches wide by 15 inches tall. The bags sleek handles, made from bridle leather, give it a touch more sophistication than its competition offers, too. Offers may be subject to change without notice. We independently review everything we recommend. The bag is well built and feels like it could last for years. The Leatherology Uptown Vertical Tote is a joy to touch in part because its made from full-grain leather. This versatile backpack doubles as a bucket bagjust pull the drawstring through and, voil, it's a shoulder strap. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A good tote is for the schlep. ET on Tuesday, but there already have been some big deals made. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. And it usually costs $200. While its two open pockets start around a quarter of the way down and extend to the bottom, its zippered pocket starts about a quarter of the way down and extends about halfway. In testing, I loved the Linjer Soft Tote for its smooth texture and sturdy straps, but it costs nearly $400at least double what our other leather-style tote bags costand we couldnt justify its price. And best of all: They made great schlepping partners. The tote is made of heavy-duty cotton canvas and overlapped seams double-stitched with nylon. Pro tip: The brand rarely discounts its full-price leather goods, so you don't want to pass on this deal, especially considering more than 500 shoppers have added it to their cart in the last week. No one ever has to know because you dont ever have to see it!. If you're looking for a stylish, spacious backpack for daily use, overnight stays, and vacationing, check out this pick from Madewell, especially while it's on sale for 20 percent off. Leatherology recommends simply wiping the bag clean if you get its exterior dirty. To buy: madewell.com, $183 with code SPREETIME (originally $228). Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. All rights reserved. *At the time of publishing, the price was $185. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Many of the other versions of the bag are aggressively unpleasant to look atbut as long as you stick to brown or black, you should be fine. Its size allows it to sit comfortably on the shoulder, and it can fit a variety of goods underneath its top zipper, too. It's super functional thanks to its classic shape featuring one large zippered compartment which reviewers note holds larger tech devices like a 13-inch laptop, iPad, headphones, and more and a smaller exterior zip pocket that's ideal for keeping essentials, such as your keys, sunglasses, and wallet, easily within reach. We found the Madewell Transport Tote too narrow compared with our other leather bag picks. You get a main compartment with four side pockets; two are about the same width as the bag and can fit a 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the other two are about the size of a stylish water bottle. With eight Wirecutter staffers giving opinions on our top 10 bags, we found the six tote bags we loved that covered a variety of looks, carrying needs, and budgets. One of its bigger outside pockets also contains a key-clip lanyard. The Universal Thread Hayden Tote Handbag is a vegan leather bag, and its a great leather-style option if you avoid leather goods or want the leather look but dont have the money to spend on real leather made from cowhide. Thankfully, Target has a one-year warranty that should cover those problems, and these are passable issues for a budget pick. Minty Bets, Nick Bromberg, Pamela Maldonado, Frank Schwab, Andy Behrens, Dalton Del Don, Matt Harmon, Liz Loza, Scott Pianowski. Size: 13 by 12 by 6 inchesWeight: 1 pound 8 ouncesStrap length: 6 inchesClosure type: none (optional zippered version for $10 more)Colors: 10 colors, including black, blue, dark green, red, natural. We couldnt answer this question during testing; we received lots of Why? and What are these? reactions from our panelists. Whether you're preparing for a flight or taking the train to work everyday, the bag you carry can make a world of difference in your routine. Nordstrom's annual sale is the time perfect time to find your new favorite everyday bag. And while you're at it, you might also want to stock up on spring fashion, so you're outfitted for temperatures in the upper 60s and 70-plus-degree weather when it hits. Madeline attended Bucknell University, where she studied creative writing and American history. The L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is a structured and ridiculously sturdy tote bag, well suited to handling the abuse of regular trips to the beach or the grocery store. But that's what made it so good. The bag is available in black and English saddle (a rich tan color), both of which have brass hardware on the zipper pulls and straps, as well as leather tassel pulls. Are pros lying to the captain? He carries things every day. We then narrowed our list of bags down to 20 totes based on specifications, aesthetics, materials, and a variety of prices. A pocket on the exterior of a bag is a nice perk, though, and you can easily turn the bag so that the pocket is toward your body and hidden out of sight, both because its kind of eyesore and because your possessions are safer that way. We tested the Hayden in light brown, which proved to be a pleasant and multipurpose color. (FYI, a separate reviewer said the backpack didn't quite fit their 16-inch laptop, so this option is better for devices under 15 inches long.). Heres how to choose the right one for your travel needs. On one hand, many Wirecutter testers immediately identified it as being cheaper than the other leather and leather-style options on the table. Testers were confounded by this bags nylon material and the brass grommets on its bottom (which were meant to help shake out unwanted sand from the beach). Measuring 19 inches wide by 13 inches tall, the Classic Structured Leather Tote is plenty roomy. When you have a group of people saying that, you begin to realize that the Belmont may not be for anybody. Owner Jerry Jones went into the Pro Football of Fame in 2017, and former coach Jimmy Johnson earned a spot in Canton in 2020. It was not useful. People hated it. Subscribe now for unlimited access. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Its especially structured, which makes it difficult to fold up and put away in a dresser. Even when its not full, the bag sits mostly upright, ready to go when youre grabbing it from the backseat or hurrying to get off the bus. Size: 14 by 14 by 5 inchesWeight: 1 pound 12 ouncesStrap length: 29 inchesClosure type: noneColors: twine, red, tan. When the straps are tied together, the bags size becomes more limited. But if this is something youre looking for, its otherwise fine. Hes very well versed in carrying. The Patagonia Market Tote felt too much like a free printed tote, even though it offered a small inside pocket for added storage. There wasnt much fake about the risk for 73-year-old Ric Flair in his final wrestling match, in Nashville. If youve been searching for a lightweight, well-constructed tote that will suit any occasion, whether youre working at the office or planning to take your bag along on a romantic lakeside weekend away, grab the more refined Filson Rugged Twill Tote Bag. Although we expected the Nisolo Canvas Tote to be smaller compared with its competition, it was much too narrow and thin to use every day, like the Madewell bag. As a result, it leans on your ability to organize (though we can help with that). Wirecutter's Anna Perling couldnt stop spouting effusive compliments when she finally got her hands on the tote. Although I had high hopes for the Steele Canvas Steeletex Beach Tote going into testing (its cute, its black, and its even utilitarian), our Wirecutter panel did not like the look or feel of it, preferring the L.L.Bean overall. Inside the backpack, you'll find a zippered pocket where you can store valuables, including your travel documents, securely while on the go, as well as two slip pockets for extra organization (great for a water bottle and umbrella). We found it hard to fit anything inside the Bellroy Classic Tote, as its interior was too cramped and tight with pockets. Besides the expected amount of wear and tear, the bag has remained intact without developing any major rips or thin spots. It landed near the top slot on everyones list. Madewell is known for its wardrobe basics and seasonal styles, as well as staple, everyday bags. A final happy shopper shared that they have purchased multiples of this backpack in case Madewell stops making this style one day. *At the time of publishing, the price was $248. It has a two-year warranty, longer than the coverage on any other tote bag we recommend aside from the Filson, which is covered for its lifetime. The standard 6-inch handles allow for better control, while the 11-inch handles accommodate carrying larger objects or slinging the bag comfortably over your shoulder. Ranking those 6 from easiest to hardest: Sean McVay has been crystal clear with his message when it comes to wanting Odell Beckham Jr. to return to the Rams this season. We found that the broadness of the straps, too, made it so that they didnt dig into our shoulders. A snippet: My favorite; I love her so much. We're especially excited about the travel bags on sale this year. It doesnt feel outstandingly constructed; its straps didnt seem strong during testing, and its stitching threatened to come loose more than once. The Universal Thread Hayden Tote Handbag isnt the cutest we tested: Its one outside pocket was the most divisive feature on any of the bags we tested. Like the Belmont, the Leatherology Zippered Downtown Tote is quite expensive, and it faced more criticism in our initial rounds of testing than the other leather bags. Overall, the Duck Bag was the most well-liked canvas bag we tested because of its utilitarian shape and understated appearance. Inside the Leatherology Uptown Vertical Tote, youll find two open pockets and one zippered pocket. These are the bags you'll use again and again on just about every trip. One day your tote bag holds your laptop and a couple of books, and the next it holds three bunches of celery and a melon from the farmers market. The more expensive leather tote bags we recommend here were just as good as the Soft Tote was in our tests, so we passed. She brings her lifelong love of travel to her role, especially when it comes to researching and reviewing the best travel products on the market. Deshaun Watson suspended 6 games for violating NFL's personal conduct policy, The 19 Best Carry-on Backpacks for Your Next Trip, Browns QB Watson suspended 6 games for violating NFL's personal conduct policy, MLB trade deadline tracker: The latest rumblings on Soto, Ohtani and more, Dodgers rookie Outman hits HR in first career at-bat: 'It was a dream come true', Deebo Samuel, 49ers agree on massive 3-year, $73.5 million extension, Bill Russell, 11-time champion and 5-time MVP with Celtics, dies at 88, See reaction to Browns QB Deshaun Watsons 6-game suspension.