What’s the one item that I find never gets mentioned on packing lists, yet I find indispensable when traveling for a weekend or weeks on end? A folding travel tote. A lightweight foldable packable bag is the multi-use item that allows me to schlep my stuff around my destination, and even on the plane back home, with relative style and ease.
The One Thing I Pack That Always Gets a “Wait, That’s So Smart”
Next to my passport, this is essential
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Published Apr 24, 2025
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So much better than a shopping bag, I’ve pulled my folding tote from my bag to to collect trinkets from the market along Portobello Road in London, used it to hold my sunscreen and a book at a pool resort in Bali and, in the case of a zippered number, used it as my carry-on bag when a vintage clothes shopping spree in Stockholm swelled my rolling case to checked baggage proportions. And for all it does, the humble folding travel tote takes up next to no room in my luggage. Treat yourself to your new best friend travel companion and shop these totes.
Longchamp
Longchamp
This colorful nylon tote is not only a classic workhorse, it’s dead fashionable. (PureWow fashion editor Abby Hepworth calls it “the ‘It’ bag of 2025”). I prefer one of the iterations with a longer shoulder strap, and a neutral color that easily coordinates with any outfit.
2. Lands' End Wanderweight Ultralight Packable Tote Bag
Land's End
A channel-quilted nylon version of the brand’s famous boat tote, this guy flattens to next to nothing in a suitcase. Inside it has pockets for your wallet and one to hold your water bottle upright, and there’s a top zipper.
Béis
Beis
Unlined so that it folds down, this tote from fashionable Béis is the nylon packable version of the weekender totes that PureWow staffers swear by. This zip-top tote has great added features like a removable shoulder strap, a key leash and a suitcase trolley passthrough features.
4. Paravel Foldable Duffle Bag
Paravel
This lightweight nylon number folds into its own zip carry-case, ready to be thrown into your luggage at the last minute then expand to be your “rescue luggage” for the trip back home. It has a deep interior pocket, an exterior pass-though trolley pocket and reinforced webbing handles. It comes in seven crisp colors—my favorite is the classic red-and-blue colorway.
The Voyageur is roomy, folds into its own zippered case and comes with its luxury luggage brand’s standard two-year warranty. Available only on Tumi.com, for an extra $25, you can have it monogrammed.
