The Best Travel Tote for Every Kind of Trip (2025)

This is Bean's "field tote." Its rugged construction is designed for long, wet mornings spent trudging through the New England muck in search of waterfowl. It has an outdoorsy vibe, and the entire interior surface of the bag is coated with a thin layer of water-resistant thermoplastic. That lining isn't leakproof, but it gives the tote enough hardiness to make it well suited for hauling wet gym clothes, carting snow-crusted boots, or schlepping sandy beach towels. Not the sporty type? I'll sweeten the deal: I use this bag for my weekly trips to the farmers market. I can dump in damp bunches of carrots, dewy napa cabbages, and dirt-covered beets while never worrying about soiling my clothes or the bag; the plastic lining keeps the moist crud firmly on the inside and wipes clean with a paper towel.

I use the extra-large size (53-liter capacity, $70). It can hold a week's worth of veggies, plus a couple of half-gallon cartons of oat milk and a 12-pack of hard kombucha. It's a no-frills affair, you just get one large compartment, but don't be afraid to stuff it silly. All the seams are double-stitched, the thick polyester shell is reinforced with a second layer of material along the bottom, and the handles are beefier than an Aberdeen Angus. It's also available as an open-top tote, but get the zip-top version. You don't want to be picking loose grapes up off the floor of the car. —Michael Calore

What sets BaubleBar apart is its playful personalization. Your chosen icons (up to six depending on the size) are embroidered directly onto the canvas tote. The process is super user-friendly, with predesignated spots to help you visualize your picks. Choose from zodiac signs, cutesy foods, initials, and more. Just note that it's a final sale, so be sure of your design before ordering.

Inside, you'll find a roomy main compartment with a small interior pocket and key loop. The large size fits everything you need for a beach day trip, and the medium and small options are better for light shopping or city exploring. It closes with just a snap button, which isn't the most secure for crowded areas. The quality of the playful embroidery makes it a fun choice for travel.