A waterproof tote is one of the most versatile things on earth. A good tote stands right besides potatoes, duct tape, and gin in usability. What’s more, a tote can lug all these handy items around and haul all your essentials on a day-to-day basis.
You can schlep your books in it one day and take the bag along to the beach the next day. Your waterproof tote will perfectly hold your cucumbers and colorful peppers from the farmer’s market and ferry your gear to the gym the next morning.
Another great plus about waterproof totes is how you can get ones that blend with both the formal and casual setting. So if you are searching for an excellent waterproof tote, below are the factors to consider first.
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Factors to Consider When Buying a Waterproof Tote
I know we’ve said that totes are pretty versatile. But that doesn’t mean any random tote will do the job of carrying your stuff effectively. There are things to look for when choosing your ideal bag.
Size
Totes come in a wide variety of sizes. To choose the perfect waterproof bag size, think about the largest item that you are likely to carry around in it. This will help you figure out what size of bag best meets your needs.
Are you going to carry a laptop, books, or several towels for the beach? Once you have that answer, estimate the dimensions of that large item. Compare its size with that of the bags in the market.
For the perfect fit, give the item an allowance of two inches for some breathing space. Now go to the market and pick a bag that is neither too small nor too big.
An oversize tote’s spaciousness could be very attractive, but if you do not need all that space, you will end up dragging along stuff that you do not need.
As an illustration;
- Oversized totes (22″ x 15″ x 8″) are perfect for the person on the go. If you need to tote your entire life in a bag, go for a bag this size. They also work well as overnight, beach, and travel bags.
- Medium-sized waterproof totes (16″ x 15″ x 5″) can be your casual outings staple. This size of a bag will easily evolve from the casual to the office scene, only carrying enough to keep you organized and light.
- Small totes (12″ x 13″ x 4″) can only bear a few essentials such as your makeup, keys, and phone. They are perfect for an evening out.
Handles
Mini handles
Short handles look chic but are often impractical. Most totes will need to cart around pounds of weight. The mini handle will only damage the bag. These handle sizes are perfect for hand or elbow-held bags.
Long handles
Most bags will have long handles for carrying convenience. You can sling these bags over your elbow or shoulder. You will find it easier to move around a waterproof tote with long handles, especially when they are heavy.
Flexible handle setup
Detachable or multi-strap bags are modern and versatile. Use their short straps for light use and longer straps on heavier days.
Material
Since your target is a waterproof tote, then the kind of material it’s made of is perhaps the first thing to consider when buying a tote. The fabric ought to be waterproof.
There is a wide range of hydrophobic materials that make waterproof totes, these include:
- Polyester
- Nylon
- PUL (Polyurethane Laminate)
- TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane)
- PVC-coated polyester
- Waxed cotton
Compartments
How your tote is arranged into sections and pockets can affect how organized you’ll be. A tote with several pockets can help you pack your essentials separately, with the most frequently used items closer in reach.
Popular Waterproof Tote Bags
Without further ado, here are our top 9 picks of some of the best waterproof totes in the market.
1. Esvan Original Floral Waterproof Tote
The Esvan Floral Water Resistant Tote is a lightweight budget bag with a polyester exterior. It has an attractive floral leaf design that looks great in the outdoors. This bag’s best-selling point goes beyond its price and its massive capacity. This tote can handle most of your everyday school, work, gym, beach, travel, or hiking accessories. There will be no need to bring along two bags.
Just have the Evan Floral Tote by your side. The bag is so spacious; you can fit your water bottles inside it. What’s more, it has several useful pockets. There are two open and two zippered pockets. One of the zippered pockets is on the bag’s exterior and is a handy feature for phone storage. The bag is crease and water-resistant, so take it out to the sand.
2. Chiceco Women’s Extra Large Waterproof Tote Bag
The Chiceco Tote Bag has an attractive minimalist design with soft cotton-polyester blend handles. A great big tote, it has tons of space for everything, including your laptop, umbrellas, bottles, shoes, or gym clothing. Some of its users say that its flat base is perfect for hauling around your work lunches from home in a container.
Its straps have a heavy-duty synthetic leather reinforcement and will stand up to heavy loads. The bag is 100% polyester and has two sets of straps. One pair is long enough to go over your shoulder, while the other offers the convenience of carrying the bag by hand. In the bag, there are pockets with zips that will keep your makeup, phone, cards, or money safely in place.
It also has metal clips that make the perfect key holders. Take this waterproof bag along to the beach. Some buyers say that it is also large enough to make an excellent overnight bag.
3. Bogg Bag X Large Waterproof Tote Bag
The Bogg Bag is made for the outdoors. The waterproof tote will solve all the challenges that come with taking stuff along to the water. It is a large, sturdy bag and will not tip over and allow the water all over your items. It also has a solid bottom and will keep all your clothes dry. One other Bogg Bag advantage is it’s easy to clean construction.
If you hate taking the beach back to your house, this is your tote bag. Just spray the sand away with water, and your tote is good to go. A mommy invented bag, it will serve all your camping, beach, picnic, market, pool, boat, or sports needs, and it is durable too. The waterproof bag has soft straps and has two clear accessory bags for minor items storage.
4. Keho Fashion Beach Bag
Keho Fashion is a brand that makes large and pretty beach bags. They make every detail on this bag to please. You will love its leather straps and stylish look. The waterproof tote has the word ‘beach’ on its side in large letters. If you are that picky buyer that needs a bag that can schlep enough snacks, clothes, drinks, towels, and a stash of water bottles for a day in the water, this is the bag for you.
Its beautiful colors will match just about any outfit. The tote has handles long enough to go over your shoulders. It has lots of storage space and pockets for all your knick-knacks. The spacious vacation bag has a waterproof lining. Throw in your wet items, and they will not soak the bag through.
5. Morhua Nylon Lightweight Waterproof Tote Bag
The Morhua Nylon Waterproof Tote will do in the snow and rain. It is a medium-sized bag with waterproof, heavy print nylon fabric on its exterior. This fabric is soft, comfortable, and flexible. The beauty of the Morhua tote bag is that it will be in harmony in the school, office, beach, or pool.
To keep all your stuff dry, its main compartment has a zipper. Its lining is polyester, reinforcing its water resistance. It also has handy exterior and interior slip pockets to keep stuff organized.
6. Yeti Camino Carryall 35, Waterproof Tote Bag
Yeti coolers are a status symbol. They are pricey and iconic. The company makes many other outdoor products, including apparel and travel drinkware. The brand has marketing and technology mastery and focuses on meeting the needs of outdoors people in need of efficient and durable products.
The Yeti Camino Carryall Tote perfectly blends the brand’s durability and efficiency principles to create an attractive thick shell bag. Its thick skin shell is abrasion and puncture resistant, making it excellent for boating. It has a large mouth opening, making your access to items easy. Its sturdy base will keep your bag upright. This bag costs a pretty penny, but it will survive any outdoor adventure you are about to embark on.
Buy now7. Shylero Beach and Pool Bag
This waterproof tote has vibrant colors and attractive rope handles. Its nautical style is perfect for beach time, your pool party invites, cruise bag, and your picnics. This Shylero Bag is so roomy that you can easily turn it into an overnight bag. If you are taking a flight, have it aside as your carry-on luggage. It is a versatile waterproof tote.
Its buyers love its cotton interiors, which are washable and durable. The bag’s exterior is a canvas-like fabric that is impermeable to water and has ripstop features. The Shylero bag comes in amongst other patterns and colors, an eye-catching blue oyster shade. It has two handy outer pockets, a bottle and key holder, and a magnetic button that will keep all your stuff in place.
8. Fjallraven, Kanken Totepack Backpack
Åke Nordin built Fjällräven to create superior backpacks for outdoor lovers. He wanted a backpack with excellent support and the ability to schlep heavy loads. The Swedish brand has been innovating on outdoor gear since the 60s, building a massive customer base while at it. The Kånken bags are Fjällräven’s most popular backpacks, famous for the hardy build, function, and impressive form.
The Kånken Totepack is Fjällräven’s take on versatility. It impressively combines a waterproof tote and backpack. The tote bag is perfect for the casual and outdoor setting. Its outer fabric is Fjällräven’s Vinylon F, easy to clean, hard-wearing, and water-resistant.
Carry the tote bag on your shoulder using its comfortable webbing straps or have it on your back. It is a roomy tote bag with a robust YKK zipper at the top. They pad its base to cushion your tablet or laptop. There are two side stash pockets for your everyday essentials and a zippered pocket at its front.
9. L.L.Bean Everyday Lightweight Tote, Katahdin
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A good tote is an invaluable asset for the commuter and traveler. A workhorse, it will haul all your essentials along. Toss into its large one-room space all gadgets, sweater, water bottle, travel pillow, and snacks, and get moving. The L.L.Bean Waterproof Tote can be all this and more. First, you can hardly go wrong with an L.L. Bean. It is a brand with the advantage of timeless popularity and produces durable and quality items.
Second, this is an affordable L.L.Bean leveraging the brand’s classic design to produce a 600D ripstop polyester bag with a double-layer bottom. Its interior is of a polyurethane lining for absolute water repellency. Take this tote to the beach, for a picnic, grocery shopping, or on your travels. The bag and its Mt. Katahdin graphics will catch everyone’s eye.
This lightweight tote has a top zip closure and a pocket on its exterior. It has a stash pocket on the inside that has a key fob. It is an easy to fold item, so place it in your suitcase during your travels, and take it out when you need it.
Purchase: $34.95 – 39.95
Finally…
Your tote will be a constant companion, so do not skimp on the cash and go for the cheapest item that you can find. Purchase a durable bag with excellent reviews and good artisanship.
Second, a bag that will work for the office, beach, and pool will have unique characteristics from a beach-only bag. A waterproof tote that goes errand-running, needs some formality.
The use of your tote bag will also determine the number of interior and exterior pockets and compartments on it.