Mar 22, 2024 11:30 AM

The Best Tote Bags and Purses for Work and Weekends

We filled these bags to the brim with our tech, wallets, and water bottles. They held up to the test.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Featured in this article

Overhead view of puffy bright pink totebag with 2 sets of handles and purple flowers coming out of the top scattered by...

4 / 16

Everyone needs a good bag, and if you're commuting to work or toting textbooks around campus, you need a good laptop bag. Backpacks are great—and we have lots of favorites—but laptop tote bags and purses are just as capable and offer more stylish options if you prefer traditional handbags (like me).

Whatever your needs or style, we have an option you should like. These totes aren't the thin, pocketless bags we all seem to accumulate. We tried bags that make organization easy, and that can stand up to the elements and the normal amount of wear and tear that life brings. If you prefer a laptop backpack or a messenger bag, we have guides for those too, as well as a roundup of all our favorite types of bags made from recycled materials.

Updated March 2024: We've added Olend's Ona Soft Bag and the Rux Waterproof Tote as picks, as well as the Dagne Dover Petra Convertible Tote to our honorable mentions. We've also updated prices and links throughout.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Photograph: Moment
The Best Zippered Tote
Moment MTW Tote
Moment's Tote is one of our favorites because it can keeps you organized and distributes weight like magic. No matter how much junk is shoved inside, it shouldn't give you shoulder pain as you go about your day. It's also made from recycled nylon.
This bag has pockets within pockets, next to pockets. Your 16-inch laptop, Kindle, water bottles (yes, plural), and cables all have a place. And because it comes from a photography brand, it's made to protect all your expensive gear with padding, weatherproof recycled nylon, and a full-zip closure. It also holds Moment's camera insert for even more organization and protection.
$84 at B&H Photo
$120 at Moment
Photograph: Cuyana
The Best Leather Tote
Cuyana System Tote
The Cuyana System Tote is beautiful, with a design that should outlast trends. It gets its name for the add-ons that clip inside to work as an efficient system for your needs, taking you from work to dinner to weekends away. But you have to pay a premium for those. The bag itself isn't padded to protect your electronics, but you can get the laptop sleeve or organizational insert (both $98). The latter includes a laptop compartment and water bottle holder, plus two additional slip pockets. It snaps closed in the middle, but there isn't a zipper.
Purses sometimes suffer at the point where the strap meets the rest of the bag—the more you stuff into it, the more weight those straps hold, and flimsy threads can unravel. With this bag, the straps are integrated into the leather. There is, of course, stitching elsewhere, but I threw this bag around while it was filled to the brim and it held up. A nice bag is an investment you can make, instead of accumulating a bunch of cheapies. Still, the price is painful.
★ More accessories: You can add a flap bag ($128) that works as a clutch when that's all you need, or as an inner compartment to hold essentials. An adjustable strap ($58) makes the clutch or the entire purse a cross-body bag. We recommend getting the laptop sleeve first and the others later if you need them.
$348 at Cuyana (16-inch)
$98 at Cuyana (Laptop Sleeve)

Photograph: Olend
The Most Fun
Olend Ona Soft Bag
This is the perfect example of a bag that is a great work bag, but doesn't look like a work bag. It's puffy, fun-colored, water-resistant, and multifunctional. It snaps closed, and you can leave it as is or pull the side straps to cinch it in tight, giving it a bowling-bag shape. Or untie the main straps to turn it from a handbag to a backpack.
The Ona Soft Bag fits laptops up to 17 inches. There isn't a laptop pocket, but I carried my MacBook around with no issue—it's padded enough that I felt comfortable throwing it in my backseat or accidentally bumping a wall while walking. Inside is a slip pocket, and the back of the bag has a zipper pocket for your phone, or even a wallet or passport. The fabric is a bit noisy when you walk, similar to that crinkly, swishy noise your winter coat might make. Olend has a bunch of great bag options, and I've already got my eye on the Mini Ona.
$100 at Olend
Photograph: Baggu
A Cute and Capable Tote
Baggu Duck Bag
WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar loves her Baggu duck bag. She had been looking for a lightweight bag that was comfortable to wear with a coat (tote straps tend to annoyingly slide off jacket sleeves). Her boyfriend gifted her the embroidered floral version and it's been the only bag she's worn since.
An adjustable strap makes it easy to switch between carrying it as a crossbody or a traditional tote. Both ways are comfortable, whether you're bundled up in a coat or not, plus you can hold it from the top handles too and leave your shoulder free. She regularly loads it with a 15-inch MacBook Air, a change of clothes, and a book. The smaller, inner pocket holds her wallet, chapstick, and keys. It's roomy, comfortable, and effortlessly cute, plus the recycled cotton canvas is machine-washable.
$38 at Amazon
$38 at Baggu
$46 at Baggu (Zip bag)

Photograph: Cuyana
A Runner-Up Purse
Cuyana Oversized Recycled Sling Bag
I loved Cuyana's System Tote so much, I tried its Oversized Sling made from recycled plastic. It zips fully closed and is a little more casual, but it fits a ton—I brought it on a plane and shoved in everything I couldn't fit in my suitcase, including a deflated pool floaty and a platform high heel (the other was shoved in a different bag). Compared to that, toting around my work supplies was nothing.
For more organization, you can add Cuyana's tote insert, but it carried a laptop just fine without it. It's also machine washable as long as you use a mesh bag. This oversized option is best for work and commuting, but there's a smaller size too. As someone who has used cheap, TJ Maxx bags her whole life, the quality is obvious with Cuyana.
$148 at Cuyana
Photograph: L.L. Bean
The Best Budget Tote
L.L. Bean Hunter's Tote Bag
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 (50-liter capacity, $60). It can hold a week's worth of veggies, plus a couple 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
$65 at L.L. Bean (XL)

Photograph: Newhey
The Best Budget Laptop Purse
Newhey Laptop Tote Bag
If you're in school or newly entering the workforce, spending over $100 on a bag is hard to stomach—it's still hard for me. We tried a few inexpensive, best-selling laptop bags from Amazon, and this Newhey was the best. The inside is well organized, with two pen slots and side pouches for a phone or wallet. A large zipper pocket runs down the middle of the bag, and a padded laptop sleeve is secured with a Velcro strap.
There's a lot of room inside, but it's thin when it isn't stuffed full, so it feels nice and comfortable under your arm. The outside is a soft vegan leather, made of polyurethane, with adjustable handles and a removable strap for slinging it across your body if you need to. However, I could see a clear difference in quality when it came to the stitching and materials. I don't see this bag lasting forever, but if you treat it well, it should be OK for a while. It was under $30 nearly all of 2023, but it has gone up a bit since then.
$42 at Amazon
Photograph: Lo & Sons
For Weekend Trips
Lo & Sons O.G. 2
I (Adrienne) decided I needed a different bag for when I didn't want to look like a child in my backpack. The O.G. 2 is a larger version of the brand's Nouvelle purse (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It comes in a medium and a large version; the medium is adequate, but you need the large if you have a laptop bigger than 13 inches. I like that it’s low-profile and has both smooth leather grab handles as well as a shoulder strap. I have kicked it under plane seats and around airports and my kid's dance classes, and the nylon doesn't show any damage. It also has sturdy feet on the bottom so you can sit it on a counter or table without it falling over, or on a floor without the bag getting gross and dirty.
I also liked a hidden shoe compartment on the side if you’re traveling from a cold to a hot location and want to switch to sandals. The toothed zippers do tend to crinkle and snatch at your knuckles when the bag gets overstuffed, but I suppose you could always, uh, avoid overstuffing your bag. Overall, it’s a light bag that works well for work and travel. —Adrienne So
$378 at Lo & Sons (medium)

Photograph: Adrienne So
A Waterproof Bag
Rux Waterproof Bag
Earlier this year, TikTok influencer Emily Mariko—she of the viral salmon bowl fame—launched an obscenely priced canvas farmers market tote, notable only because it had her name monogrammed on it. If you’re going to pay that much for a tote, it should be as useful as Rux’s waterproof one. I find myself using this tote every day. It’s made from a light and flexible 420-denier TPU-coated nylon, but stands up easily on its own so you can sort through it. It has a shoulder strap and lash points, so you can either sling it over your shoulder or bungee it to the rack on your bike. It does not have a laptop compartment, but the base is foam, and I feel comfortable taking my 13-inch MacBook in it in a separate laptop sleeve.
I’ve been using it for everything from going to lunch with piles of library books while biking in the rain, to hauling my stinky dog gear on vacation, and taking my climbing gear to and from the gym. When the bottom gets covered in gunk or chalk, you simply rinse it out and use it again. After several months of hard wear, it still looks good as new. We love the company’s all-purpose storage system too. —Adrienne So
$150 at Rux
Photograph: Lo & Sons
An Upcycled Woven Tote
Lo & Sons Upcycled Patchwork Tote
This is probably what you picture when you think of a tote—it has one large compartment with two smaller internal pockets and it doesn't snap or zip closed. Still, it comfortably fits a laptop, books, and day-to-day accessories so it could be used as a work bag or for a night away. On a recent cross-country move, this bag held every piece of random junk I thought I might need in the car and the straps didn't even seem to notice the weight.
It's made from returned and damaged Lo & Sons bags, which gives it a fun patchwork style and the available colors are pretty, especially the deep green and blue.
$165 at Lo & Sons

Photograph: United By Blue
The Best Tote-Backpack Combo
United by Blue Convertible Carryall
This is our favorite recycled bag because nearly everything on it is made from recycled materials. It's also a great, water-resistant laptop bag that you can wear as a tote on one shoulder or unzip the hidden straps to wear as a backpack. This is a work tote that's durable enough to also work for a camping trip or other outdoor activities that I do not partake in. It was hard to find for a while, but stock seems to have returned.
The padded laptop sleeve is big enough that you can keep your laptop in a case if you want, but you don't need one. It has organizational pouches inside the front zippered pocket for a phone, wallet, or pens that you need to access quickly. Two side pockets hold water bottles in place, and expandable elastic straps can hold bigger bottles or keep smaller bottles tightly secured. When you're ready to go from backpack to tote, just unclip and hide the straps away again in the back compartment.
$118 at United By Blue
$118 at Bespoke Post
Photograph: Longchamp
A Sustainable Cult Purse
Longchamp Le Pliage Green Shoulder Bag
When I first got to college in 2012, every cool girl in a sleek outfit had a black and brown bag under her arm. (Even Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have them!) Eventually, I found out it was the original Longchamp Le Pliage. I've now tried a Le Pliage of my own, but this one is made of recycled polyamide canvas, which is constructed from old fishing nets and carpets.
What makes the bag so popular among students and professionals alike is its large size and durable, weatherproof fabric. Rain, snow, or spilled coffee won't ruin your belongings, and you'll look nice too. It also zips fully closed. The straps are comfortable, but I could see them digging in more than the other options if I were stuffing this full of textbooks. If you're traveling and want to take this as your backup purse, not only is it incredibly thin as it is, but you can fold it up and snap it closed to about 10 inches by 6 inches, plus the straps. On the minus side, it doesn't have a dedicated laptop sleeve, so you'll have to buy your own.
$140 at Nordstrom
$155 at Longchamp

Photograph: Verloop
Recycled Yarn-Stuffed Bag
Verloop Scrap Stuffed Tote
Verloop's mini tote is one of my favorites when I don't need to carry much. This is a slightly bigger bag from the brand, and it's made from paper-thin nylon stuffed with scrap yarn. The result is a cool, colorful explosion reminiscent of the ’90s. I haven't seen anything like it. There is a matching pouch too that you can use in whatever other bag you prefer.
It won't fit your laptop but you could put a tablet or a Kindle in here. I regularly stuffed it full with snacks and a book, bringing it to the gym or work. The biggest issue is just how loud the nylon is when you touch it. It's like walking with a chip bag.
$68 at Verloop
Photograph: Mission Workshop
If You Need a Pocket for Everything
Mission Workshop The Drift Laptop Tote
The Drift is my (Michael's) new favorite travel tote. It's burly, but with styling that's refined and classy, and the rolled handles and removable strap make it comfortable to carry either by hand or over the shoulder. But the best thing about it is the smartly organized storage pockets inside and out. It feels designed especially for people like me who always carry an army of gadgets with them.
There are two zippers along the top of the Drift; one leads to the 28-liter main compartment, the other to a padded laptop pocket that can fit a 16-inch PC. The front of the bag has a smaller zip-up slot for a Kindle or iPad, plus an exterior compartment with several pockets for cables, pens, chargers, and notebooks. A dedicated phone pocket on the side of the tote is lined with a fuzzy non-abrasive fabric. The other side has a slot for a water bottle. (It fits a slim Klean Kanteen, but not a chubbier Nalgene.) Just know that the Drift is kind of a beast. It's too huge to slide under the seat in front of you on an airplane, but it fits into an overhead baggage compartment. —Michael Calore
$335 at Mission Workshop

Photograph: Stuart and Lau
If You Prefer Briefcases
Stuart & Lau Cary Briefcase
I think a tote or backpack is a more modern choice for a laptop bag. However, Stuart and Lau's Cary is very versatile, though quite pricey. It's made from twill with leather accents, so it looks nice but not pretentious. The organizational details are also thoughtful—the internal laptop case pops in and out, which is genius. The bag also has two small additional pockets. On the opposite side is a sleeve, plus four pockets and two pen slots. The exterior hosts five additional open slots, a small zippered one, and loops to hold an umbrella. Plus, it's waterproof to protect your electronics while commuting. It even comes with a reusable shopping bag.
Stuart and Lau's Campaign Briefpack ($385) converts from a super organized briefcase to a backpack. With both options, you can tell the brand put thought into the construction of its hardware and leather accents. Unfortunately, they're both expensive.
$375 at Stuart and Lau
Photograph: Madewell
Even More Totes We Like
Honorable Mentions
Bellroy Tokyo Tote for $129: This is a solid runner-up to our top pick from Moment. It's similarly pocketed, with a soft sleeve to cradle a 13-inch laptop, two 5-inch pockets for a phone, wallet, cables, or a small notebook, and larger “pop” pockets on either end that extend to hold a water bottle, umbrella, or shoes. It's made of recycled plastic bottles, and its straps have a nice rubbery grip to keep it on your shoulders.
Dagne Dover Petra Convertible Tote for $285: The Petra is made from recycled polyester and plastic bottles. It's durable and huge—it fits a 16-inch laptop and is almost 17 inches tall. It's probably too big for an everyday bag. But the hardware is heavy-duty metal, and the laptop compartment is padded. This might be a solid diaper bag.
Lo & Sons Catalina Supreme Tote for $338: Lo & Sons is quickly becoming one of our favorite brands and this tote was great for a weekend away. It's capacious with a bottom compartment for a pair of shoes. Don't need a separate compartment? Just unzip the bottom of the main compartment to create one larger space. The Catalina Supreme is made from a durable recycled material that kept its shape even when empty, but it's quite expensive.
Chrome Industries Barrage Tote for $100: This bag was one of our top picks, but stock has been limited and it's no longer on the Chrome Industries site. If you can find it, it's an insanely durable bag that's “built twice” with a welded, waterproof liner and a tough nylon shell. Two internal sleeves fit a 13-inch laptop. They aren't padded, but you can squeeze a case over your laptop if its paper-thin. The cargo netting front can expand and contract to fit whatever you need in there—a bike helmet, a small bag of groceries, shoes.
Lovevook Laptop Tote for $36: We liked the budget Newhey a bit better, but this purse is a close second if you want to spend the bare minimum. The interior is nearly identical to the Newhey, and it has a pretty V-shaped pocket on the outside that makes it look higher-end than it is. The vegan leather is stiffer, but it's hard to say if that makes it more durable long-term or if its structure is more prone to cracks. Either one you get will likely serve you well for a little while until you can save up for something better
Fjallraven Kånken Totepack for $100: We love the Kånken backpack. Its Totepack is essentially the same bag, but can convert from a tote to a backpack like the United By Blue option. This one is more compact, though. There's 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 large bottle in there.
Lojel Niru 3-Way Tote for $55: Lojel has a few nice bags made of recycled nylon. This tote has become my go-to pool bag, with its big open space and a zipper compartment for holding my card. Lojel's three modes of carry include holding it by the handles or the strap. Technically, the third is that you can roll it up when you aren't using it. I like the convenience, but I wouldn't call it a method of carrying it.
Troubadour Featherweight Tote for $195: The Troubadour Tote looks nice but isn't trendy–which means it will last you a while and go with whatever you're wearing. It snaps closed, so your stuff is not completely protected from the outside world, whether that's rain or sneaky hands on the subway. There's a laptop sleeve secured with a snap, zippered and elastic internal pockets, plus side snaps to slim it down when you can. There's also a small clip to hook onto a wallet or keys.
Lux and Nyx Origami Tote for $288: This bag is stunning, with a design that can go from work and the gym to dinner or the airport. There's a padded laptop sleeve, two interior side pockets that can hold mini-umbrellas or even a flat shoe, a small zip pocket hidden inside the exterior V-shape sleeve that holds a phone, and a luggage pass-through on the other side. There are two versions, one made from neoprene and satin, but neither biodegrades.

Medea Giordano turned her shopping problem into a career as a product writer for WIRED. She covers a little bit of everything but loves health, beauty, and pet tech. Prior to WIRED, she was an assistant editor at Wirecutter and an assistant in the newsroom of The New York Times.... Read more

Writer and Reviewer

TopicsShopping Bags laptops buying guides