The 21 best totes that nailed style, storage, and real-world use

Best overall: Cuyana Easy Tote

Cuyana's Classic Easy Tote is our top pick for the best tote bag because it's chic, durable, flexible but not floppy, and can fit a huge amount of stuff. And though it looks like a basic tote at first glance, there are actually a ton of thoughtful details that have gone into the design of the bag. Two sets of straps mean you can carry the tote like a handbag, or you can use the longer set of straps to throw it over your shoulder. Internally, there is a small pocket for things you need to grab frequently, and there's a tie you can use to close the bag up a little more if you want.

Cuyana also makes several accessories, like the Classic Tote Insert, for organizing the interior of your bag. These are great if you like a bit more structure or interior protection since the soft Italian leather is unlined inside. I've had my bag for about 4 years now and I've taken it on every vacation, flight, weekend trip, and long car ride in that time. It fits an unbelievable amount of stuff, but it also doesn't look floppy or silly if I just put a few things in it.

On a usual vacation, this bag will hold two pairs of shoes, my giant Dyson blow dryer, a hair brush, my toiletry and makeup bags, a scarf or sweater, and a couple snacks. I use the interior tie to keep it closed when I have to shove it under my seat on a plane, but they also make a zippered version of the Easy Tote if you prefer the added security. Just note that you may not be able to shove quite as much stuff in it if you wanted to zip it closed. —Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews.

Best budget: Dreubea Faux Leather Tote

With over 60,000 reviews on Amazon and four stars, this tote is a steal at only $9.99. From the outside, it looks a lot like some of the bags on this list that are many times the price, but the inside is no-frills. You won't get fancy water bottle compartments or sublime construction with this tote, but you will get the opportunity to choose from dozens and dozens of colors. And if you want to add a bit of elegance, you can tie a stylish silk scarf around the handle.

Best budget leather: Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Tote

We love Quince. In fact, our Quince review is full of our favorite products, most of which seem like they would cost a lot more than they do. And the Italian Leather Triple Compartment Tote is another affordable standout that's made from great materials.

This tote is relatively minimalist. On the inside, you'll find a few slip compartments and a zippered middle section large enough to hold a 13-inch laptop. The bag is also unlined, which makes it a tad less luxurious, but this does allow you to wipe it clean.

I love features like the little metal feet and the fact that it comes with a dust bag. Plus, it's available in six relatively neutral colors.

Best for work: Dagne Dover Allyn Leather Tote

This tote was our pick for the best work bag overall — a hard-won prize. What makes this bag rise above the rest is the internal organization.

It features a neoprene laptop sleeve, an interior water bottle compartment, and an array of little compartments for stashing cards, makeup, pens, and more. But the best part is that you would never know about all of its practical bells and whistles without peeking inside — on the outside, it's sleek and unfussy.

Check out our full Dagne Dover Allyn Tote review to find out more about why we love this bag so much.

Best for grocery shopping: Rothy's Lightweight Tote

I absolutely love this tote because it's wonderfully light but also ultra-durable. Here's what I said about it in ourRothy's review:

"The Rothy's Lightweight Tote is made of a material that looks and feels very similar to the material they use on their famousflats. The stretchy recycled plastic is not only durable but also machine washable, which means you don't have to worry about placing it on subway floors and dirty grocery carts. And when you do place it on the floor, you won't have to worry about it slouching over.

"The structured floor of the tote was one of my favorite features. As someone who is used to grocery shopping with plain canvas bags, I was extremely impressed with how well this feature allows you to organize your tote. You can easily place a few rows of cans or other heavy items at the bottom and then neatly stack boxes of pasta, cartons of eggs, and bags of lettuce on top. Plus, there's also an attached string with a clip on the end, so you won't have to go digging through your whole haul for your keys."

Best everyday: Bandolier Carryall Tote Bag

Bandolier's Carryall Tote has straps that are reinforced on the place where they rest on your shoulder, so they won't dig in even if you tote it around all day. And inside, you'll find all the essentials for a great everyday tote — a laptop sleeve (which can also double as a divider to keep your belongings organized), a special pouch designed for your sunglasses, an interior key ring, and an array of zippered and non-zippered pockets. In addition, the pebeled leather is soft and ultra-luxirous to the touch.

Best organization: Cuyana System Tote

There might not be a tote bag for absolutely everything, but this one comes pretty close. Its silhouette is just a little bit different from your average tote bag, but that's what gives it a stylish flair. The best part of this tote bag is how immensely customizable it is. If you need it for work, you can add a laptop sleeve. If you want more compartments, you can insert pouches. And if you want to convert it to a crossbody, you can add a colorful or matching strap.

The System Tote is well-made and designed to be whatever you need it to be, which is why it gets our pick for the best overall tote.

Best structured: Dagne Dover Classic Tote

This tote is structured, professional, and built with Dagne Dover's signature focus on utility and clean style. Inside, there's a bottle holder, a phone compartment, and a padded laptop sleeve, with a zippered top to keep your items protected.

"I want a product that fuses style with athlete-caliber function. The company's Classic Tote does — and then some" says the former Service Journalism Editor-in-Chief, Ellen Hoffman. This bag is guaranteed not to slouch and even features little metal feet at the bottom so that it can stand firm.

See our full review of Dagne Dover's Classic Tote for our full thoughts.

Best with lunch pouch: Modern Picnic The Tote

What initially drew me to this bag was the chic croc texture, which gives the vegan leather outer a decidedly elevated look. But Modern Picnic's The Tote is so much more than just a pretty accessory — it's functional, too. What makes this an excellent bag for the office is the roomy, removable insulated pouch, which can fit my whole lunch, plus a drink and snack for when that afternoon slump hits. I was pretty impressed that it kept my food cool for hours. By the way — the pouch can also be used to store a change of shoes or any other smaller belongings you want to keep separate.

As a general rule, I prefer totes that feature a full zip closure on top to keep my belongings secure — which this one thankfully has. It's also a great option for traveling, and could easily fit a laptop, snacks, books, and anything else I might need.

Best convertible: Caara Studio Tote

"Convertible bags are lifesavers for anyone who commutes on a subway, and this tote from Caraa is the best we've tested," says Sally Kaplan, executive editor of Insider Reviews.

At first glance, the Caraa Studio Tote looks like a normal (albeit chic) leather tote bag — but you can actually transform it into a backpack on a whim. This versatile style makes it perfect for a day at the office paired with your best business attire, but at the end of the day you can take a load off and sling it on your back when you're walking home or taking the subway. It's also a great travel bag!

See our full review of the Caara Studio tote to see how we styled it and why we loved it.

Best canvas: L.L.Bean Boat and Tote

Like most of L.L.Bean's products, this tote is designed to last you years. From carrying towels to the beach to hauling cans on your next grocery trip, this bag can withstand almost anything you put it through. It comes in every size from mini to extra large — and even includes a new option for longer handles so you can easily sling it over your shoulder.

For those that love a good personalization detail, L.L.Bean also offers monogramming. And you don't just have to get initials — the bigger the bag, the more characters you can fit on it. This has spawned a hilarious trend of people getting funny phrases like "Can U Not" and "Unhinged" embroidered on their totes.

Best packable: Fammart Mesh Beach Bag

Headed to an oceanside resort? Be sure to pack this ultra-lightweight tote, which easily collapses and folds up into your luggage, taking up basically no space at all. I've been able to fit my towel, a cover-up, sunscreen, snacks, and other items in this bag with room to spare.

Because it's made of mesh, this bag provides excellent ventilation for moisture to escape, making it a great pick for the pool or the beach. The material is also durable and tear-resistant, and can withstand up to 160 pounds. And the splash-proof internal zipper pocket comes in handy for any items that can't get wet, like my phone or Kindle.

Best for the gym: Aer Gym Tote

Aer bags are known for their utility and clever functionality as well as durability, and this tote is no exception. It's specifically designed for gym essentials, with a special ventilated shoe compartment, a quick-access back pocket for small valuables like earbuds, a front-load pocket for a change of clothes, and an interior water bottle pocket. It's also travel-friendly, thanks to the luggage handle pass-through. There are plenty of interior pockets for keeping accessories organized as well.

I was able to fit an entire workout set, sneakers, electrolyte packets, energy bar, and more must-have items in this tote. It's also a great option to bring to the office when you're planning on hitting the gym straight after work, because it includes a padded laptop pocket.

Best personalized: Leatherology Transit Travel Tote

Whether you're looking to treat yourself or someone else, this stunning full-grain leather tote is a no-brainer. First of all, its versatility can hardly be matched: It features both short straps for hand carrying and longer straps for over-the-shoulder wear, there's a hidden trolley pocket and interior laptop sleeve making it just as suitable for work or travel, and it meets the carry-on requirements of most airlines. Best of all, there are nine interior pockets and two exterior pockets for storing and organizing smaller items. The foldable bottom gusset with removable interior panel adds structure, too.

But the quality of this bag is where it really shines, IMO. The leather has a beautiful texture, and I can tell it'll age well and only get softer with wear. Best of all, I love that you can personalize it with up to four characters, and a choice of four different size/style fonts.

Best weekender: Away Large Featherlight Tote

If you're on the hunt for a bag that will fit the most, look no further. Away's Featherlight bags are flexible enough to accommodate all your essentials, but have just enough structure that they don't ever lose their shape. And this incredibly spacious tote doubles as a weekender — I was able to pack a change of clothes, shoes, toiletries, a towel, a water bottle, my laptop (in the designated interior pocket) and so much more with room to spare. I also appreciate the easy-care aspects of this bag: it's water-repellent and machine washable.

So, why is this bag so fitting for travel, aside from how massive it is? For one, it features a special pocket designed to fit a passport, a 16" laptop sleeve, and a hidden pocket for valuables you need to keep easily accessible. Not only that, but there's a trolley sleeve, so you can slip it right on top of a rolling suitcase.

See our full Away luggage review for our thoughts on the rest of the line.

Best timeless classic: Longchamp Le Pilage

You know it and you've seen it everywhere. Longchamps' seminal Le Pilage tote has been a classic for years and will be for years to come. Made of water-resistant nylon, this foldable tote is understated but wildly functional.

Personally, I carried a burgundy version of the Le Pilage tote all throughout high school and into college. It's been completely soaked from rain, covered in mud, filled with gym clothes, taken on international trips, and even used as a backpack in a pinch on a hike. My tiny high school even had a no-locker policy, so we would ditch our bags in the grass. The Le Pilage kept my things dry even when I would occasionally forget it outside during rain or snow.

What makes this bag so durable is how simple it is. There's only a single interior pocket big enough for a phone. Other than that, there isn't even a lining. But that's why you never have to worry about rips, spills, or anything else.

Best beach bag: Yeti Camino 35 Carryall Tote

The name of the game with Yeti is always durability — and this beach bag is super durable and completely waterproof. The tote is just as suited to holding sandy towels and sunscreen as it is to hauling muddy camping essentials on a wet day. If you want a long-lasting beach bag that can double as a carry-all for all kinds of outdoor activities, look no further.

Best sustainable: Labante

Labante is a brand that's committed to the highest level of sustainability and ethical work practices. All of their bags are made of vegan leather that's crafted from recycled materials. While the outside is made of vegetable by-products, the inside is made from recycled plastic water bottles. And what's more, it actually feels like real, soft leather. The Sophie Tote can also fit a 14-inch laptop and comes with a large zippered pouch to keep your essentials secure.

Best vegan leather: HOXIS Oversize Vegan Leather Tote

Faux leather can be very hit or miss — but to be honest, I was shocked by how authentic this one feels. It also boasts a luxe, buttery soft suede-like interior. I love the sleek, minimalist design and the slightly longer strap drop, which makes it more comfortable to wear on my shoulder.

This tote is remarkably versatile — I've used it while running errands, bringing my laptop to the local library, and as my personal item while traveling on a plane. Considering how lightweight the bag feels, I'm blown away by how much weight it can handle, too. Plus, the magnetic snap closure gives me some extra peace of mind that my belongings won't fall out while also offering quick, easy access to all my essentials.

Best leather: M.Gemi Elena Grande Tote

There are a few good leather picks on this list, but this one exemplifies the simple silhouette of the perfect leather tote. Unlike lots of leather bags that are restricted to relatively neutral colors, this tote comes in bright, jewel-tone shades like an emerald green. Another great feature is its wide mouth, which means it can expand to hold even the bulkiest of items.

Read our review of M. Gemi's Felize Loafers and their Palestra Due Sneakers.

Best luxury: Mansur Gavriel Large Tote

All of Masur Gavriel's bags are designed to evoke artistic simplicity — and their tote bag exemplifies this. The large tote is constructed from soft Italian leather, but its look is chic and Parisian. The black tote comes with a stunning, bright red interior that hints at luxury while still being understated. And if black and red isn't your thing, you can also find a black version with a black interior and a caramel-colored version with a lighter interior.

The tote also comes in a mini version that you can use as a roomy, chic handbag.