Author
Photo courtesy RUX
The name says it all. Simply designed, spacious, and pretty damn stylish, nothing beats a tote bag when all you need is a way to tote a bunch of stuff from A to B. If your closet looks anything like ours, there’s a stack of canvas tote bags stuffed inside other tote bags—ones from your favorite coffee company, bike shop, brewery, gear brand, and many more. As simple and utilitarian as these shoulder bags are, they’re generally limited to functioning as reusable shopping bags/market totes.
Heading to the beach? Climbing trip? Surf trip? Camping weekend? You're looking at a pile of gear that would be a lot easier to fit in a large tote, or preferably a waterproof tote bag that will keep your valuable gear safe from the weather as it occurs.
Scroll on to peruse options from some of our top picks from Field Mag-approved brands you’re probably already familiar with in addition to some new ones we dig, nary a single Amazon no-name to be found here. Each has been selected for its use of waterproof materials like PVC, an array of outer and inner pockets, and just straight-up good looks.
11 Best Waterproof and Weatherproof Totes for Hauling Outdoor Gear
Best Overall: Patagonia Black Hole Tote
We’re big fans of Patagonia’s Black Hole series of hard-wearing and weather-resistant handbags and totes. The Black Hole Tote comes in two sizes, a 25L for day-to-day toting and a monstrous 61L that’s ready to swallow up your biggest pieces of gear, like snow shoes or everything you need for a day of climbing. A simple design features one inner main compartment and an exterior zipper pocket for smaller items while sustainably minded construction sources polyester and webbing that’s 100% recycled.
Price: $69-119
Best Classic Tote: L.L.Bean Everyday Lightweight Tote
Riffing on the Boat and Tote, L.L.Bean’s classic canvas bestseller that’s been hauling gear for over 70 years now, the Everyday Lightweight Tote is made with a ripstop 600D poly outer and polyurethane interior and double-layer bottom for water repellency and added durability. L.L.Bean’s throwback Katahdin graphic logo embellishes the bag and a top zipper closure ensures all your goods stay put, whether it’s banging around in the trunk or an overhead bin. (And yes, like the classic canvas version, you can get this one with a monogram.)
Price: $30
Best Roll-Top Tote: RUX Waterproof Bag
This rectangular number originates from newcomer brand RUX, whose specialty happens to be weatherproof and water-resistant travel bags and storage products. Judging by the name, you’d be right to assume that this rectangular-bottomed tote is waterproof. A drybag-style closure unfolds into a cavernous open-top fitting 25+ liters of gear and goods.
Price: $150
Best Carry-On Tote: Klättermusen Urur Gear 23L Tote
In addition to full-on expedition gear, Swedish outdoor brand Klättermusen dabbles in pieces that are perfect for everyday use. The Urur bag is one part backpack and one part zip tote that’s easily convertible between both modes, and when neither are needed it packs into its own pocket. The outside mesh pocket should be of note to climbers who need to stash their freshly ripe post-session shoes, or travelers who simply want a place to store a layer or in-flight magazine.
Price: $145 $99
Best Large Tote Bag: Hyperlite Mountain Gear G.O.A.T. Tote
We stan Hyperlite Mountain Gear for making the most solid ultralight gear and will continue to do so thanks to the G.O.A.T. Tote. The minimal tote is offered up in a 20-liter, 30-liter, and a voluminous 70-liter size, all made from a near-impervious Dyneema bag found on many Hyperlite products. Resistance to water is one of Dyneema’s key traits, so any three of them make a great ultralight extra large waterproof beach tote bag.
Price: $119-$169
Best for Commuting: Rains Trail Tote Bag
This Danish outerwear brand knows a thing or two about keeping dry—as their name suggests, they’re specialists in rain jackets for men and women. Using the know-how they’ve gained from such pursuits, they’ve reinvented the classic military pilot’s helmet bag into a fashionable, waterproof bag with outdoor design features—buckles and webbing—to look right at home on sidewalks and in terminals. Outside, two large exterior pockets will organize smaller items like sunscreen or water bottles, while a flat interior features a sleeve that fits laptops up to 16” in size.
Price: $125
Best Cooler Tote: Hydro Flask 35L Insulated Tote
The double-duty tote features light insulation that will keep contents hot or cold for up to four hours, making it ideal for hauling food and drinks to the park or beach for a picnic, or for getting perishable groceries home from the market. It also works for hauling regular gear too, of course, thanks to an easy-to-clean and durable, waterproof exterior. Also available in a 20L volume model for lighter loads that costs $65.
Price: $75
Best Tote for Fishing: Filson Dry Roll-Top Tote Bag
If keeping your goods bone dry, then this tote-style dry bag from Filson is certainly your best bet. The 28L nylon bag is constructed with welded seams, a waterproof zipper, and a roll-top closure to seal its contents off from the world, which makes this tote function somewhat like a waterproof duffel. In addition to the classic grab-and-go top handles, the adjustable detachable shoulder strap pops right off and there’s plenty of points to clip on extra doodads for easy accessibility. "Might as well have the best."
Price: $215
Best Tote for Camping: Yeti Camino Carryall 35
As the name hints at, this tote from Yeti packs 35 liters of waterproof portaging power. The high-density nylon body is mated with an EVA molded bottom that keeps it stranding straight up for easy loading. Yeti warns that it isn’t explicitly a cooler, but in a pinch you could certainly throw in a bag of ice along with a 12 pack without any worry of water leaking out. Inside, there's a zippered interior pocket for small items, two foldable sleeves for some light organization, and a hook closure. The bag is so versatile and we use it for everything from weekend cabin getaways to river trips to hauling ski gear, though it is somewhat expensive. Yeti also makes a smaller Camino 20 for $130 and a larger Camino 50 for $200.
Price: $150
Best Non-Waterproof Waterproof Tote: Filson x Nomar XL Mesh Tote Bag
It's somewhat paradoxical, but sometimes the best tote for water-focused activities is not impervious to liquid at all, like this mesh one that's the result of a collab between Filson and Alaska-based fishing outfitter Nomar. It's not going to keep water out—except via its high quality sea-tarp bottom—but if you know getting wet is inevitable, its mesh sides will make draining a breeze (which makes it a great pool bag, by the way). The collab is limited, so if you can't snag one while it's in stock you can always grab something similar directly from Nomar.
Price: $125
Best Tote for Surfing: Feral Sweetish Surf Tote
Again, sometimes the point of a waterproof tote isn't to keep the wet out, but in. The team at Feral, which makes some of our favorite wetsuits for cold water surfing, built this bag to do both, but its large capacity 75-liter volume and XL footprint makes it ideal for changing at the beach and then making sure your wet, sandy neoprene or swimsuit doesn't dirty up the inside of your rig. When you're home, just hose it out and hang it to dry.
Price: $50
Published 03-29-2023
