Compare Top 6 Tote Bags
Product WIRED TIRED Laptop Compatibility Colors Price Troubadour Apex Everyday Tote Durable fabric designed to repel water and resist wear and tear. A plethora of exterior and interior pockets, including a trolley sleeve for travel. Protected by a five-year guarantee covering manufacturing defects. Limited colorways. The adjustable shoulder strap must be purchased separately. Spot clean only. Fits a 16-inch laptop 3 (black, basalt, scree) $199 Moment Everything Tech Tote Water and tear-resistant ripstop fabric. Multiple interior and exterior compartments. A dual carry system with top handles and a detachable crossbody strap. No trolley sleeve included. Spot clean only. Limited colorways. Fits a 16-inch laptop 4 (black, olive, gray, navy) $150 Cuyana System Tote LWG-certified Italian leather. Modular design lets you customize it to your routine. Add-on accessories can be used independently. Snap closure doesn't provide much security. Spot clean only. Add-on accessories are sold separately. Fits a 13 or 16-inch laptop, depending on model 6 (black, cappuccino, dark olive, stone, dark chestnut, mocha) $358 or $378 Leatherology Alex Laptop Bag Set LWG-certified Italian leather that is scratch and water-resistant. Includes a removable sleeve for a laptop and documents. Designed with a luggage pass-through. Limited colorways. Demands upkeep, spot clean only. Modest capacity. Fits a 15-inch laptop 1 (black with light gold hardware) $495 Tom Bihn Nomad 11 Durable, weather-resistant nylon that withstands daily wear. Versatile pockets to keep tech organized. Ergonomic top handles and a trolley sleeve for travel. Limited colorways. Won't accommodate larger laptops and devices. Hand wash only. Fits a 13-inch laptop 3 (raspberry/moss, black/northwest sky, mars red/dusk) $194 Baggu Horizontal Zip Duck Bag Zip-top closure for extra security. Adjustable crossbody strap and top handles for versatile carry. Machine washable. Minimal internal organization and no dedicated laptop sleeve. Not compatible with 16-inch devices. Models skew toward bold prints; very limited neutral colorways. Fits a 15-inch laptop 8 (black, leopard, natural grid, teddy bear, Hello Kitty, painted wildflower, embroidered get ready with me, embroidered ditsy floral) $42-48
Honorable Mentions
Courtesy Boutayna Chokrane
Tory Burch Perry Tote for $395: The Perry Tote is another one of those designer bags that transcends trends and functions as a fashionable work tote. Much like Leatherology's Alex Laptop Bag Set, I wouldn't use it as a lunch bag, but it's definitely the type that radiates authority when you want to make an impression. Perhaps a coffee shop date? Made from Italian pebbled leather, it wears incredibly well over time. You can also take off the logo charm. It features a zippered laptop compartment in the center, plus three slip pockets to keep your possessions in order.
Nordstrom Le Pliage for $165: I spent most of my high school and college dodging the Longchamp Le Pliage hype. But when my mom handed down her well-loved Le Pliage tote, I finally got it. This tote is the equivalent of a classic white tee: timeless, versatile, and built to last. This bag is roomy enough to fit all the travel essentials—laptop, notebook, snack stash—without feeling bulky. Also, it’s inspired by origami, so it's packable if you need to stash it in your carry-on bag.
Cozy Earth Waxed Canvas Tote for $68: If you’re into minimalistic, functional fashion with a hint of “quiet luxury,” this 12-ounce waxed canvas tote delivers just that. Aesthetically, think Yeezy brand circa 2017 (minus the antisemitism). I love mine in washed navy, but the earthy tones—cedar brown, palm green, and taupe—are just as fashionable. It’s durable enough to endure a grocery store spree, an overnight trip, or double as a beach bag. The design is simple but still thoughtful: exterior pockets for easy access (keys, phone, an emergency snack) and two interior ones (including a zippered compartment) for keeping your valuables sorted.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Peak Design Everyday Tote for $160: The first time I subbed in this tote for my usual computer bag—at a youth basketball tournament—a dozen parents clocked it as a cooler. “I thought you had brought drinks,” a friend said, dejected. To their credit, this bag does look a lot like a cooler with its fold-down top and smooth 400D nylon canvas shell. Designed for camera gear (but handy for any kind of gear), it’s got removable divider cubbies that are the perfect size for lenses, adapters, and accessories, as well as external lashing for tripods. The main opening flips up to open with a magnetic closure, and there are front and back pockets and a section for a laptop. A detachable cross-body strap is included if you don’t want to carry it by the handles. I appreciate its versatility—unisex, water-resistant, and a great matching companion to Peak Design’s Roller Pro carry-on. The only issues I had with it during my testing period were the fact that it doesn’t have a spacious main compartment—it’s a tight fit, and I didn’t find it easy to take things in and out—and that the straps weren't very comfortable to wear as a shoulder bag. —Kat Merck
Fjallraven Kånken Totepack for $105: We love the Kånken backpack. Its Totepack is essentially the same bag, but it can convert from a tote to a backpack. The downside is its size, with only a 13-inch laptop pocket and two side pockets for water bottles or a small umbrella—but they're tight, so don't expect to fit a 1L Nalgene in there.
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