Top pick
This heavy-duty structured canvas bag comes in multiple colors, sizes, and handle lengths, and this version has a secure zippered top for added security. Its heftiness makes it bulky to store, though.
This is the same hardy canvas tote with an open-top design.
When I put out a call to Wirecutter staffers for tote bag recommendations, I was flooded with odes to the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote. Made from heavy-duty cotton canvas that can last a literal lifetime, the Boat and Tote comes in a wide range of sizes, strap lengths, and colors. The original Open-Top version has been a Wirecutter pick since 2017, and we still love its simplicity and ease.
In our latest round of testing, we also tried the medium Zip-Top model with long, 14-inch handles. We found that the added security of the top closure and the comfy, hoistable shoulder straps made this bag especially well suited to travel and city life.
Whichever version floats your boat (er, and tote), it’s hard to beat the price-to-longevity ratio. Wirecutter gifts writer Samantha Schoech bought an XL Open-Top when her twins were first born. “Those babies are about to turn 20,” reports Samantha. “And the tote is still going strong.”
The Boat and Tote is made from structured, heavyweight canvas that’s virtually indestructible. Unsurprisingly, this bag is one of our heaviest picks. A size medium, for example, weighs nearly 1.5 pounds. The bag is so structured that it can stand on its own even when empty, and it has a well-earned rep for lasting through thick and thin. On the downside, it can’t fold down fully flat, so it’s bulky to store.
L.L.Bean claims that the bag’s straps are rated to hold up to 500 pounds; as we are unable to hold more than 150 pounds without crying, we could not confirm. Although the company no longer offers a lifetime warranty, its guarantee is solid: You can return the tote within one year of purchase, and after that, the company will consider returns due to defects.
This bag is ultra-customizable. The Boat and Tote comes in a large variety of options, starting with the choice between the original Open-Top design (beloved by purists, great for groceries) or the Zip-Top version (more secure, better for travel).
Both styles are available in four sizes, ranging from the 10.5-by-9.5-inch small, which style writer Hannah Frye uses as a “chic lunch box,” to the massive 17-by-19-inch XL, which my boyfriend and I use as a big ol’ beach bag. You can choose between two strap lengths: regular (5- to 10-inch handles, depending on the bag size) or long (14-inch shoulder straps).
All combinations come in 12 colors, including natural canvas, black, navy, and a few pastel shades.
If you’re into monogramming, you can put your own stamp on your bag with up to 10 characters (including letters, numbers, and punctuation) in any of five fonts and more than 40 embroidery colors. We think it’s well worth the $10 fee and the additional three days of processing time.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s a storage hog. The bag’s sturdy, upright construction doesn’t pack down flat.
If you’re into pockets, you’re outta luck. This bag lacks both internal and external pockets. Pro: It’s easy to shake out. Con: The organization is up to you. (L.L.Bean also sells a zip-top version with one external pocket, but that pocket can’t fit much more than a smartphone and a slim wallet.)
The bag isn’t machine-washable. In our experience, the Boat and Tote has been impressively resistant to stains and dirt. L.L.Bean recommends spot cleaning for best results. If the bag does get filthy, you can take your chances with machine washing, but beware that the bag may lose its structure. (We know folks who’ve washed theirs many times without issue.)
The totes are often out of stock. Many color/size/strap combinations are frequently on back order. We suggest planning ahead or making the best of the options that ship immediately.
Key specs
- Material: 24-ounce cotton canvas
- Size: small, medium, large, extra-large
- Weight: varies by size
- Strap length: 5 to 10 inches (regular, varies by size); 14 inches (long)
- Closure type: open or zip
- Colors: 12
