Because we used the bag for traveling and as an additional or emergency bag when needed, we paid attention to the size of the bag. Plus, we paid attention to the folded version and when it would be unfolded. Some of the bags we recommend can be the size of a credit card when folded, so they’re perfect if you have limited space. The others have a size that is quite large when opened, but make sure that this is not outside the limits of flight rules. Extras

The material is actually quite futuristic as well, and prepare yourself because it’s got quite the resume. Ready? Ehem. This humble tote is made from a single sheet of 100% recycled self-healing Ripstop 70D nylon with a water-resistant coating. Breathe Yes, you’ve read the middle part of that right. No, “self-healing” doesn’t mean it’s able to survive being torn to shreds by a wild animal. We’re not quite there yet, but this self-healing nylon can survive very light damage. The bad news is since we’re always extra careful with our gear, we haven’t had the chance to put this to the test yet. However, it’s worth noting that no rips or tears after two weeks of testing is inherently a good thing. Cloth foldable bags are actually stronger than grocery bags so you won’t run the risk of the bag splitting and your souvenirs falling out. The bags take up no room and are multi-functional. One reader even used her Baggu tote to “carry snorkeling equipment on the Great Barrier Reef.” The awesome patterns of the bag will add style and color to any vacation wardrobe. So what is it like carrying the Alpaka Elements Tote as a non-tote user? Pretty great in fact. The webbing straps fit in the hand nicely and fairly comfortably as it doubles on itself to create a more substantial handle area. There’s more than enough clearance to put my arm through and sling it over my shoulder.

Or you could buy one from your destination, and use it when you get home so you always have a memento to remember you trip. One reader said that “I brought one from a grocery store in Paris and got one for myself and a few extras as souvenirs.”

According to another reader “Envirosax make some cute ones that have lasted me for years, and they roll up”. A perfect all round bag! And unless the main area has stuff inside, the Elements Tote does not stand on its own despite Alpaka’s claim. There is a gusseted bottom with an actual panel so it does have the ability to, but only if it’s reasonably filled in the main area. Now it’s not necessarily a downer, but enough to raise in case you were hoping to do so. Most likely it’ll be on the surface laying on its side if it’s not filled out from the bottom or against something else. Probably a little more padding added to the bottom would make me feel more comfortable loading out my laptop and cameras too. The 46cm length and 34cm height work well to fit long items like my Marshall Middleton speaker, and Sony A7IV camera with a 70-200mm lens. It’s very spacious yet still maintains a reasonable dimension that doesn’t feel overly large or big. ChicoBags make the perfect durable bag to have in your purse at all times. They designed their bags to be of the highest quality and a long lasting reusable bag to try and minimize the amount of waste we produce.

The comfort is about what we expect from a tote bag. Since there’s no padding on the handles, how it feels on your shoulder depends on what you’re carrying. Loading it up with water bottles and other heavy gear causes it to dig some into your shoulders, though it’s not unbearable and is easy enough to switch sides to give one a break. It stays put as we wander throughout the day, too, which we appreciate—it’s rather annoying when a shoulder bag slips off your shoulder constantly, and we didn’t find that happening with the Aer Go Tote 2. Inside The Tote Foldable tote bags are often considered not durable because many are made of thin material. Even if it’s jelly, there are many that can last a long time. Therefore, before buying, we made make sure the bag is made of sturdy material such as nylon or polyester. Size

This is the bag I use on my travels – it’s a Travel Fashion Girl tote! I use it for everything at home and abroad. At home, I use it to replace plastic bags when I go shopping for groceries or even clothes. On my travels, it holds my laundry, groceries, acts as a personal item on the plane, beach bag, or an easy to carry purse for the day. This convenient tote is always in my purse or carryon suitcase. Get it here! There are mostly refinement details that can be built into the current Elements Tote design and would no doubt be perfection for me if they do build those features in. Value for Money Since totes have the luxury of a simple design at their core, they make for great compressible bags you can have in reserve. Case in point: REI Co-op’s Stuff Travel Tote. Its key feature is the ability to compress from a 20-liter travel tote bag and down to a smartphone-sized pouch. To put that into perspective, that’s smaller than the 32-ounce Nalgene bottle we like to travel with. Even in its uncompressed form, tight dimensions are a key focus, as REI keenly points out that its linear dimensions comply with airport requirements (though that’s subject to change depending on the regulations).

Many people choose a foldable travel tote bag because it’s practical, but is it just because of that? Here are some things we considered when choosing this type of bag. Durability