“Look, it’s one of them,” a former deskmate would sneeringly mutter under her breath, elbowing me and jutting her chin in the direction of the co-worker who had just strolled in clutching a cotton tote bag in one hand and a KeepCup in the other, blissfully unaware of their sartorial offence. With our workplace surrounded by tech startups and near a major commuter station that often had various big-name corporations setting up pop-up activations hawking their wares, seeing someone with a tote bag emblazoned with the name of a mediocre—or perhaps even defunct—business slung over their shoulder was far from an uncommon occurrence. Cheaply manufactured and ostensibly functional, tote bags have become the new pens or mugs; a common gift-with-purchase and practically thrust upon you by stallholders at conferences and events.
While the snobby attitude my former colleague and I had towards these so-called ‘tote bag people’ was largely aesthetic, there was an undercurrent of judgement about the implied moral superiority accompanied by the seemingly simple act of carrying a tote bag. “I recycle, I compose, I don’t care about fashion… and I’m better than you,” tote bag carriers seem to say. And while I acknowledge that I undoubtedly have some personality issues to work on, it’s worth noting that cotton tote bags aren’t necessarily the environmental saviour they’re made out to be. A study published by The Danish Environmental Protection Agency in 2018 reported that it takes 20,000 uses to offset the production of a single cotton tote. However, anyone who’s carried one of the bags in question knows that they’re wont to break down after a year or two’s worth of grocery store trips (that’s still well under a thousand uses, even if you were hitting the store daily).
Judgemental tendencies and environmental concerns aside, these quotidian canvas totes are just a little…blah. That said, the tote bag is perhaps the most functional of all bag styles. A good tote bag is able to transcend social and sartorial boundaries; unlike occasion-specific bags such as work bags and party bags, a well-chosen tote bag is equally suited to schlepping around a laptop and a change of clothes as it is a baguette and a bottle of wine (or perhaps, all of the above). Crafted from either leather or a technical fabric like nylon or canvas, the best tote bags for men are not only commodious (or *ahem* capacious), but well structured both inside and out. Unlike their distant gift-with-purchase flimsy cotton cousins, these tote bags maintain a sense of sturdiness that prevents them from flopping around and even have some form of internal organisation in the way of pockets or dividing compartments that prevent them from turning into a black hole of assorted articles and paraphernalia, making it easy to quickly locate what you’re looking for. Often—though not always—a good tote bag for men will also come with a zip top, which makes it ideally suited for securely lugging your goods around.
Devoid of the nuanced connotations that accompany freebie variants and replete with stylish and functional details, these are the best tote bags for men.
Overview of the best tote bags for men
In need of a snappy tote bag recommendation? These are some of our top picks.
- The overall best tote bag for men: Rains Tote Bag Mini ($140AUD)
- The best luxury tote bag for men: Bottega Veneta Large Arco Tote Bag ($6960AUD)
- The best Longchamp Le Pliage alternative nylon tote bag for men: Mismo M/S Shopper ($519AUD)
The best tote bags for men
From luxury to affordable and detail-laden to pared-back, these are the best tote bags for men on the market.
1. Bottega Veneta Large Arco Tote Bag
Price: $6960AUD
If optimal capaciousness is the question, the Bottega Veneta Large Arco Tote Bag is the answer. Putting the Italian luxury house’s flair for intreccio leather craftsmanship on full display, this oversized tote features a multicoloured wave pattern. The Bottega Veneta Large Arco Tote Bag is a classic tote in that it’s simply one unclosed compartment, so it’s better suited to those schlepping larger items like clothes, groceries, and sports gear than prospective tote buyers after structure and dedicated compartments. That said, there’s a small zipped pouch to keep keys and cards secure.
Material: leather | Closure: none | Dimensions: 46cm (W) x 34.5cm (H) x 11cm (D) | Colour range: one (blue); more colours in other Arco styles
2. Rains Tote Bag Mini
Price: $140AUD
Danish outerwear brand Rains specialises in waterproof gear, with its tote bags perfect for those desirous of standing strong in the face of inclement weather. Don’t be deterred by the ‘mini’ in the moniker, the Rains Tote Bag Mini is simply less large than the brand’s regular tote (granted, ‘less large’ doesn’t make for a particularly catchy name). Designed for use for multivarious occasions—Rains touts it as equally well suited to grocery runs as it is to commuting and office use—the Tote Bag Mini sees a minimalist exterior open up to reveal a single spacious interior compartment, secured with a zip closure.
Material: polyester coated in waterproof polyurethane | Closure: zip | Dimensions: 35cm (W) x 36cm (H) x 13cm (D) | Colour range: seven (black, green, sand, shiny black, pale blue, pale grey, pale green)
3. Loewe XL Puzzle Fold Tote
Price: $3800AUD
For guys whose need for a tote bag is ephemeral rather than constant, the Loewe XL Puzzle Fold Tote is the way to go. Crafted from supple leather, this two-tone style accentuates the geometric nature of the style. It folds down into a compact square when not in use, allowing you to carry it in your regular bag until occasion calls for a tote. A standard north-south tote, it has a single compartment for stowing your goods in, with the large variant capacious enough to fit a laptop along with other daily essentials (you know, like a bottle of wine, an ear of corn, a baguette, or another vertically oriented item)
Material: calfskin leather | Closure: no | Dimensions: 42cm (W) x 41cm (H) x 18cm (D) | Colour range: three (grey/dark grey, black/desert, umber/green); also available in solid shades
4. Baggu Zip Duck Bag
Price: approx. $61AUD ($42USD)
One of our favourite casual tote bags for men, the Baggu Zip Duck Bag is simple, practical, and affordable. Clocking in at well under $100AUD, it features a vertically oriented design with a spacious interior compartment with a small patch pocket inside. While the Baggu Zip Duck Bag can fit up to a 15-inch laptop, we’d recommend it for off-duty carry; although sturdy, the lightweight canvas material provides little protection from the items inside, meaning laptops and other angular objects are liable to bang against you. For the same reason, if you are carting heavy items, we recommend carrying the Baggu Zip Duck Bag by the short top handles rather than crossbody using the long strap.
That said, it’s able to haul hefty loads (one of our writers has used it to carry several bulky library books along with a pair of heels) and is machine washable; the latter a rarity in the world of tote bags.
Material: cotton canvas | Closure: zip | Dimensions: 28cm (W) x 40cm (H) x 12cm (D) | Colour range: eight (various patterns, including checks and embroidered birds)
5. L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Zip-Top
Price: from $74AUD (+$15AUD for monogramming)
The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote is not only a sartorial icon, but an icon of pop culture. Defined by its plain canvas body and colourful reinforced handles and accents, these totes are traditionally adorned with a monogram (however have also had an ironic makeover in the form of tongue-in-cheek embroidery like ‘psycho’ and ‘Gucci’ — the Instagram account @ironicboatandtote is a wealth of such inspiration).
The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote is crafted from rigid heavyweight canvas (thus offering your goods more protection than the Baggu canvas tote above), with its structured design allowing it to sit upright unaided. Tested to hold up to 225 kilograms, it’s an undeniably durable and functional tote bag.
Available in both open-top and zip-top variants, the latter is our favourite for its added security. That said, if you’re primarily looking for a tote bag for grocery store or beach trips, the open-top would offer more functionality. Both iterations have a single oversized internal compartment, with the tote coming in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes.
Material: heavyweight canvas | Closure: zip | Dimensions (medium tote): 33cm (W) x 30.5cm (H) x 15cm (D) | Colour range: ten (grey, light blue, dark blue, royal blue, black, red, green, pink olive, mauve, tan, natural)
6. JW Anderson Tall Anchor Tote
Price: $1240AUD
Perhaps best known as the creative director of Loewe, JW Anderson’s designs for his eponymous brand are also well worth a look in. The JW Anderson Tall Anchor Tote is a sturdy heavyweight canvas tote that features a quirky detail in the form of an anchor motif on its leather handles. The north-south style tote has one internal pocket inside its otherwise undivided compartment. It has a button closure for added security, but can also be carried open if you’re toting more unwieldy items.
Material: canvas, leather | Closure: button | Dimensions: 43.5cm (W) x 40cm (H) x 20.5cm (D) | Colour range: three (natural, blue)
7. Mismo M/S Shopper
Price: $519AUD
Mismo’s M/S Shopper is to guys what Longchamp’s Le Pliage is to girls. Of course anyone can carry anything, but there’s something about the minimalist, rugged undercurrent to the Danish brand’s tote bags that appeal to men. Crafted from indestructible nylon and featuring full-grain leather handles and trims, it’s both practical and understated. The internal compartment is left undisturbed save for a small pocket to store your cards and phone, while a zip-top closure keeps everything in check. In addition to the short handles, there’s also a detachable shoulder strap for easy carry when commuting. While we’d recommend the nylon iteration for its durability, the Mismo M/S Shopper also comes in canvas, jacquard, and leather.
Material: nylon, leather | Closure: zip | Dimensions: 31cm (W) x 34cm (H) x 9cm (D) | Colour range: three (blue/brown, black, green/black)
8. Herschel Heritage Tote
Price: $150AUD
Best known for making backpacks cool again, Canadian accessories brand Herschel also does a pretty good travel- or office-friendly tote bag for men. The Herschel Heritage Tote is crafted from durable eco-friendly twill fabric (made from 100% recycled post-consumer water bottles) and features leather accents. A padded sleeve is able to accommodate a 16-inch laptop, with ample space left for other essentials. Thoughtful details like external dual water bottle pockets and a front pocket make it easy to access frequently used items, while a trolley pass-through band allows it to easily attach to luggage.
Material: EcoSystem twill, leather | Closure: zip | Dimensions: 38cm (W) x 36cm (H) x 15cm (D) | Colour range: two (black/brown, rose)
9. Prada Saffiano Leather Tote Bag
Price: $5700AUD
Saffiano leather is a staple material in the Prada style lexicon. Here, it elevates the humble tote bag silhouette to elegant heights, with the Prada Saffiano Leather Tote Bag ideally suited to office goers and city slickers. Adhering to the traditional definition of a tote bag, the structured, unclosed style is lined and features a zipper and patch pocket inside.
Material: saffiano leather | Closure: none | Dimensions: 40cm (W) x 31cm (H) x 9cm (D) | Colour range: two (black, clay grey)
10. Haulier Medium Utility Tote
Price: $625
Cut from sturdy selvedge canvas, the Haulier Medium Utility Tote is suited to, well, hauling things. Leather handles, brass rivets, and contrast construction stripes aesthetically differentiate this tote from the masses, while a stiff base and wide bottom allow it to stand on its own.
Material: canvas, leather | Closure: none | Dimensions: 53cm (W) x 38cm (H) x 17cm (D) | Colour range: five (white, orange, sage, blue, brown)
11. Bellroy Tokyo Wonder Tote
Price: $249AUD
Those who believe the devil indeed does reside in the details will enjoy this affordable style from homegrown brand Bellroy. A seemingly unassuming nylon exterior houses a host of thoughtful features that cater to the organisationally minded. Said exterior has dual pockets for accessing frequently used items, while inside there are pockets aplenty, including a document sleeve and sleeve pockets for a water bottle and umbrella. In addition to a trolley pass-through band, there’s also a handy key clip to preempt and prevent the only too familiar fumble for one’s keys or airpods.
Material: nylon, leather | Closure: zip | Dimensions: 48cm (W) x 32cm (H) x 12cm (D) | Colour range: three (black, grey, plum)
12. Fauré Le Page Daily Battle Zip 35
Price: $1820AUD
Leather goods brand Fauré Le Page has somewhat unlikely origins, with the brand initially a weapons and firearms manufacturer and supplier in the 16th century. Soon making holsters and gun bags to accompany its firearms, a pivot or two (and a couple of centuries) later and today it’s one of the best understated (and underrated) French handbag brands on the market. Winking as its infamous history, the brand’s motto is ‘Armed for Seduction’, with certain styles also making use of gun motifs.
However, the brand’s contemporary creations make use of its signature fish scale monogram, which makes for a refreshing change from the more obvious monograms out there (Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and Gucci — we’re looking at you). Featuring said fish scale monogram, the Fauré Le Page Daily Battle Zip 35 is a classic east-west style tote that, unlike many of its contemporaries, has a top zip. Crafted from sturdy canvas and reinforced with leather on the corners and handles, it’s able to hold a laptop alongside other varied apparatus, with the zip top closure ensuring your items stay put.
Material: canvas and leather | Closure: zip | Dimensions: 34cm (W) x 30cm (H) x 15.5cm (D) | Colour range: five (navy, green, grey and black, grey, brown)
13. Bennett Winch Tote
Price: $1050AUD
British luggage specialist Bennett Winch’s tote is in it for the long haul. The Bennett Winch Tote is an essentialist style crafted from bonded waterproof canvas with reinforced leather corners and handles. Despite its minimalist design, it doesn’t skimp on the details; a secure padded laptop compartment and a trip of slip pockets ensure your devices are well protected, while a zip closure keeps all your goods in place on the go.
Material: waterproof canvas, leather | Closure: zip | Dimensions: 42cm (W) x 48cm (H) x 10cm (D) | Colour range: five (olive, sand, brown, black, navy)
14. APC Tote Trek Bag
Price: $460AUD
Going somewhere? You’ll want to take the APC Tote Trek Bag. Tying into the gorpcore trend, it’s laden with functional details (and a few purely aesthetic ones); a large front pocket is secured with a plastic buckle, while hiking-inspired touches in the form of climbing rope drawstrings and a carabiner (perfect for attaching keys to) engraved with the APC monogram contribute to its technical appearance. Inside, a spacious compartment (secured with a top zip) allows for all manner of daily carry, with slip pockets to house devices.
Material: nylon | Closure: zip | Dimensions: 29cm (W) x 18.5cm (H) x 2.5cm (D) | Colour range: one (navy)
What is a tote bag?
A seemingly simple question, defining what a tote bag is has gotten slightly more muddled over the years thanks to the style’s popularity. Brands now use the term to indicate anything from carryalls and weekenders to compartmentalised office bags, which can make it difficult to spot a true tote bag. However, a tote bag can be defined as a medium to large bag with parallel handles and a single wide opening. Traditionally, tote bags were made without fastenings or closures, however we’ve extended the definition to include newer tote variants, which sometimes come with zip or magnetic button closures. In the same vein, some contemporary totes also include pockets and other forms of internal organisation (such as water bottle and mobile phone holders).
The most common material for tote bags is canvas, however some of the best tote bags for men are crafted from nylon and waterproof polyurethane, as well as premium materials like leather.
Words by Theo Rosen
Feature image courtesy of Mismo
