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While you can’t go wrong with a good backpack, a tote bag is a stylish and convenient way to carry all school gear to and from class. When choosing the best tote bags for school, there are a few key elements to consider, especially if you want them to be both functional and stylish. Padded laptop or tablet compartments, compartments, zippered pockets, and durable materials are all important factors to keep in mind.
To help you narrow things down, we researched some of the most popular brands like Simple Modern, Lululemon, and Carhartt. Below, you can check out our top picks for the best tote bags for school.
Note: We are a reader-supported site and may receive compensation from purchases made through these links.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Bagsmart Zoraesque Tote – $32.99 at Amazon
- Best for Laptops: Simple Modern Harper Tote – $34.99 at Amazon
- Best Water-Resistant: Carhartt Horizontal Zip Tote – $60.18 at Amazon
- Best Faux Leather: Lovevook Laptop Shoulder Bag – $35.99 at Amazon
- Best Lightweight: MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote Deluxe – $275 at MZ Wallace
- Best for Gym-Goers: Lululemon City Adventurer Tote Bag – $128 at Lululemon
Reviews of The Best Tote Bags for School
1. Best Overall: Bagsmart Zoraesque Tote
We chose the Bagsmart Zoraesque Tote as our best overall pick because it’s roomy, budget-friendly, and comes in a bunch of colors to fit any style. It’s available in two sizes — medium and large — but both can fit up to a 15.6-inch laptop. The separate padded pocket is great for keeping said laptop safe, while the zipper closure ensures that nothing falls out when you’re shuffling between classes. There are also several smaller pockets for your phone, keys, notebooks, and anything else you might need to get through the day.
Another highlight? It’s super lightweight at just 1.3 pounds, so your books, chargers, and daily must-haves won’t end up weighing you down. We also love that it has a water-resistant nylon finish, and you can easily wipe it down to keep it clean.
The Specs:
- Size: 15.25” W x 6” D x 12.5” H (medium) or 16” W x 6” D x 13” H (large)
- Material: Polyester (nylon)
- Colors: 18 options to choose from
- Laptop compartment: Yes
- Closure type: Zippered
The Pros:
- Lightweight and roomy
- Easy to clean
- Budget-friendly
- Can fit up to a 15.6-inch laptop
The Cons:
- Straps aren’t adjustable
- Some say the inner compartments are on the smaller side
What Others Are Saying:
This tote bag has more than 4,700 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Buy the Bagsmart Zoraesque Tote:
2. Best for Laptops: Simple Modern Harper Tote
Simple Modern is having a moment right now, thanks to its TikTok-viral Stanley-dupe tumbler. The Modern Harper Tote is another winner from the brand because of its roomy interior, stylish design, and water-resistant finish. We chose it as the best for laptops because it comes in three sizes that can fit up to a 17-inch laptop. The small is ideal for tablets up to 12.9 inches, the medium fits up to 13-inch laptops, and the large can fit big-screen laptops that are up to 17 inches.
Additionally, there’s a separate padded laptop compartment inside with a velcro closure, plus four extra pockets and a velvet-lined pocket for sunglasses. One of the two exterior pockets is even perfectly sized to fit the brand’s tumbler!
There are also a few options on how to carry this bag: It has your standard dual tote straps plus a removable crossbody strap that takes some pressure off your shoulders when your bag is full of all your school supplies.
The Specs:
- Size(s): 15” W x 6” D x 14” H (small); 18” W x 6” D x 14.5” H (medium); 20” W x 7” D x 15” H (large)
- Material: Cordura fabric
- Colors: Tan, lavender, hot pink, black, olive, baby pink
- Laptop compartment: Yes
- Closure type: Zippered
The Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Roomy with lots of pockets
- Secure closure
- Different sizes available
The Cons:
- Thin straps
- Noisy lining
What Others Are Saying:
This tote bag has a 4.7-star rating from more than 200 Amazon buyers.
Buy the Simple Modern Harper Tote:
3. Best Water-Resistant: Carhartt Horizontal Zip Tote
Carhartt isn’t just for workwear. If you’re in the market for something that will last the long haul, the Horizontal Zip Tote is stylish, rugged, and ideal for everyday use and lugging to and from class. Not only is the fabric water-resistant but it’s water-repellent too, which causes water to simply bead off the material. Because of this, this bag can handle more water exposure without getting soaked. As an added bonus, this tote bag is machine-washable for when it does get dirty.
Aside from that, this bag is also really functional. There’s a large main compartment for books, notebooks, and everything else you need, plus three interior pockets for even more organization. While there’s no padded laptop compartment, it does have dividers to keep things in their place and is a great option for carrying a tablet (in a protective sleeve). It comes in two colors: black and the recognizable Carhartt Brown.
The Specs:
- Size: 16.5” W x 7.25” D x 13.5” H
- Material: Polyester
- Colors: Black, brown
- Laptop compartment: No
- Closure type: Zippered
The Pros:
- Water-repellent
- Machine-washable
- Makes organization easier
- Secure zipper closure
The Cons:
- On the heavier side
- No laptop compartment
- Limited color options
What Others Are Saying:
The Carhartt Horizontal Zip Tote has an average rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon from more than 1,400 reviews.
Buy the Carhartt Horizontal Zip Tote:
4. Best Faux Leather: Lovevook Laptop Shoulder Bag
For those who like the look of leather but don’t want to pay the price for real leather, the Lovevook Laptop Shoulder Bag is a great option. It’s made from water-resistant and scratch-resistant PU leather (faux leather), which is durable and easy to clean, all while still looking just like leather! And while it’s a beautiful bag, it’s functional too.
It has a roomy interior compartment with a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to a 15.6-inch laptop. There’s also a large zippered interior pocket, another smaller zippered pocket, and several pockets to fit smaller items, like a phone or keys. We also love the large exterior pocket, which not only adds a bit of style to the bag but can also fit a tablet if needed. This bag only comes in one color, but it’s a neutral, deep cinnamon shade that coordinates well with many outfits.
The Specs:
- Size: 16.5” W x 6.1” D x 10.4” H
- Material: PU leather
- Colors: Cinnamon
- Laptop compartment: Yes
- Closure type: Zippered
The Pros:
- Lots of room
- Makes organization easy
- Durable and easy to clean
- Fashionable
The Cons:
- Only comes in one color
- Not structured (slouchy)
- Straps are on the shorter side
What Others Are Saying:
The Lovevook Laptop Shoulder Bag has more than 4,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.3 stars.
Buy the Lovevook Laptop Shoulder Bag:
5. Best Lightweight: MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote Deluxe
When you’re carrying books, a laptop, and a tablet, the last thing you want is a heavy bag that’s going to weigh you down even more. The MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote has plenty of room, but the material is so lightweight that it only weighs a little one pound. To help with organization, there are six interior and five exterior pockets, a removable zippered pouch, and a key clip. And while it doesn’t have a laptop sleeve, it can fit smaller laptops that measure up to 13 inches.
While this is a tote bag, it also has an adjustable crossbody strap, so if you want to distribute the weight more evenly across your body, you can do that. Plus, the regular handles are padded, so they put less pressure on your shoulders. Of course, the quilted design is also super cute and comes in 19 (!) colors that range from neutral black to trendy cornflower blue.
The Specs:
- Size: 11.6” W x 9.4” D x 12.7” H
- Material: REC Oxford
- Colors: 19 colors
- Laptop compartment: No
- Closure type: Zippered
The Pros:
- Lightweight design
- Lots of pockets
- Easy to clean
- Comes in a ton of different colors
- Adjustable straps
The Cons:
- Pricey
- No laptop compartment
What Others Are Saying:
The MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote Deluxe has more than 340 reviews on the brand’s website with an average rating of 4.6 stars.
Buy the MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote Deluxe:
6. Best for Gym-Goers: Lululemon City Adventurer Tote Bag
If you want to take your bag from school to the gym, we recommend the Lululemon City Adventurer Tote Bag. It has a roomy interior compartment with a zippered gusset that expands so you can fit even more in, whether it be a change of clothes or a small makeup bag for easy refreshing. The fabric is also water-repellent, which comes in handy if you’re throwing in wet clothes post-gym or you find yourself caught in the rain between classes. And because the outer material is nylon, it’s easy to wipe clean in either scenario.
There’s no laptop compartment, but there are several interior and exterior compartments to help you organize your school supplies and other daily essentials. While this tote bag is designed for casual wear, it can also be dressed up a little, especially if you opt for the sleek black hue.
The Specs:
- Size: 20.5” W x 7.1” D x 12.6” H
- Material: Nylon and polyester
- Colors: Black, Dusty Rose
- Laptop compartment: No
- Closure type: Zippered
The Pros:
- Expandable
- Easy to clean
- Water-repellant
The Cons:
- Limited color options
- A little pricey
- No laptop compartment
Buy the Lululemon City Adventurer Tote Bag:
Other Tote Bags for School to Consider
A New Day Everywhere Tote Handbag
This is a very cute, affordable bag and it’s easy to wipe clean, but it doesn’t have a laptop compartment or organizational pockets. It could be a decent option for students who don’t carry much with them, but if you want to fit electronics or books, it’s probably not your best bet. The A New Day Everywhere Tote Handbag is available at Target for $35.
Adidas All Me Tote Bag
This one holds a lot and has several zippered pockets for extra security. It may be a good option for those who are looking for a dual school/gym bag, but it doesn’t offer much organization for laptops, iPads, notebooks, and writing utensils. The Adidas All Me Tote Bag is available at Amazon for $44.78.
Vera Bradley Small Vera Tote
This bag is water-repellant and machine-washable, so it’s great for everyday use. There are also some organizational pockets inside. However, the interior pockets aren’t zippered and there’s no dedicated space for a laptop or tablet. The exterior pocket space is also limited, plus it’s on the pricier side considering the lack of features. The Vera Bradley Small Vera Tote is available at Amazon for $80.50.
Bagsmart The Wanderland Travel Tote
This bag has a lot going for it, like a laptop compartment, zippered closures, and various interior and side pockets. It’s also generously sized and can hold large laptops. However, it didn’t make our list of top picks because the colors are more limited than similar options, and some reviewers say the quality is mid-tier. The Bagsmart The Wanderland Travel Tote is available at Amazon for $32.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Lindsay Boyers, a shopping writer and editor with over a decade of experience researching and testing products across a variety of categories. My work has been featured in Forbes, CNN Underscored, CNET, Better Homes and Gardens, Men’s Journal, The Spruce, and more. I know how important it is to find high-quality products that last, and I only recommend items I would purchase for myself or my friends and family.
When narrowing down the best tote bags for school, I combined Grown and Flown’s expertise with extensive research into product specs and customer reviews. I considered size, material, organization, and type of closure. I also factored in price but didn’t exclude options — you’ll find options at various budgets.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Tote Bag for School
What to Consider Before Buying a Tote Bag for School
Before clicking ‘add to cart,’ there are a few factors you should consider:
Size: Size is one of the most important considerations when choosing a bag. You need to make sure all of your daily essentials will fit inside! Look at the overall size, but also consider any other specifications, like the maximum laptop size. Because of the way some tote bags are designed, the interior space may not be as big as the overall dimensions.
Material: Materials play a role in the durability and ease of cleaning. Look for durable materials like polyester, faux leather, real leather, or canvas. You may also want to consider how water-resistant (or not) it is. Fabric can also be a personal preference. For example, you may prefer the look of faux leather over nylon.
Pockets and Organization: Pockets and other organizational items, like key clasps, will go a long way when you have a lot of stuff to carry. Look for things like padded laptop compartments, zippered interior pockets, and exterior pockets that give you easy access to items you’re frequently reaching for.
Closure: You also want to think about the closure to make sure your items are secure in your bag. Zippered closures are best to keep everything in place, but you can also find button or velcro closures that provide some security. Ideally, you want to avoid bags that don’t have any type of closure.
How Much is a Tote Bag?
Tote bags can range in price from around $25 to a few hundred dollars. Some designer tote bags may even be more than a thousand dollars. In some cases, you’re paying for higher-quality materials and better craftsmanship. However, that’s not always the case, especially if you take care of your bag. Of course, the price you should spend on your tote bag depends on your budget.
Where to Buy Tote Bags
You can buy tote bags from several retailers. There are lots of highly rated options on Amazon (like our picks from Bagsmart and Carhartt). You can also purchase tote bags from Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, or other catch-all retailers. If you know which specific tote bag you want, you can go directly to the retailer’s site as well. One of our top picks, the Lululemon City Adventurer Tote Bag, is sold directly through the brand only.
How Do You Wash a Tote Bag?
It depends on the material. Some tote bags are machine-washable, so you can empty them and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. Typically, this means you’ll want to use a mild detergent on the gentle cycle and then hang it to dry.
For leather and faux leather tote bags, you can combine mild soap with warm water, then use a soft cloth to gently spot clean.
For polyester bags, combine mild soap with water and use a scrub brush to gently work the spot or stain out. Be careful not to rub too vigorously since this can damage the material.
As for how often to wash? Try to do it only when needed. It’s a good idea to clean any spots as quickly as possible so they don’t set in.
Are Tote Bags Good for School?
While backpacks are the go-to for school, tote bags can be a good option too, as long as you choose one that’s big enough for your needs. It’s also a good idea to look for features like laptop compartments, zippered closures, and plenty of organizational pockets so you can find what you need more easily — and so your expensive tech is protected!
One thing to note is that because tote bags are slung over one shoulder, the weight is not as evenly distributed as it is with a backpack. This can put strain on one side of your body, so switch shoulders throughout the day and don’t overpack it!
Also, it’s not as easy to hustle when carrying a tote bag, so make sure you give yourself enough time to get to class so you don’t have to run with a bag on your shoulder.
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Prices were accurate at time of publication.
