When it comes to our bags, our editors are in agreement: the bigger, the better. Personally, I need an accessory that can fit my whole life inside of it. I spend my days schlepping the long commute from my apartment in Brooklyn to the office in midtown Manhattan and back, with plenty of stops in between and no car to store things in.
That's why we've crowned the BAB (a term the internet coined to stand for "big a** bag") the ultimate sidekick. And we're not the only ones loving the trend; searches for "big bag" continue to climb according to Google, and TikTok seems to love the trend, too.
These trusty totes can fit a laptop, water bottle, book, headphones, sunglasses and then some, with room to spare for anything you might need to pick up on a whim. From work-appropriate leather bags to lightweight beach totes, these giant bags are seriously spacious — we're talking options that can fit up to 36 gallons!
Want to join the big bag club? Keep scrolling to shop our favorite totes.
Best big bags under $50
Never underestimate the power of an Ikea bag. The iconic, massive blue totes have come to my rescue when running errands, made lugging multiple loads of laundry up the stairs a breeze and have even helped me move apartments five times in the last decade — all without a tear to show for it. They fold down totally flat and are super easy to clean, too, thanks to a slick, tarp-like material that can be wiped down.
This puffer tote seriously impressed our team of editors in the Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards because of its expandable feature, which adds up to six liters of space for those days when you need just a little bit more room. It also features a trolley pass-through sleeve and is water-resistant.
“I love my Scout tote because it’s MASSIVE (Ella fits in it) and it’s so light,” raves editorial director Adrianna Brach. “My issue with [large bags] is how heavy they can be when they are empty.”
Best big bags under $100
The extra-large size of this canvas tote boasts a nearly 15-gallon capacity and has been tested to hold up to 500 pounds. The brand says these iconic personalizable bags are made in the USA, handcrafted one at a time in Maine. I own the bag in both the medium and extra-large sizes, and it never fails to amaze me how much I can actually fit inside — I lugged a four-quart air fryer home in one once.
This nautical-inspired tote is super spacious, thanks to its bucket bag shape and six exterior pockets to keep things organized and in sight.
“They are made from recycled sails, they fit so much and are made with sea ropes too,” social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo reports. “They are great for summer and have such a fun look.”
"I have this and it rocks! It is great for summer because it is waterproof and it literally fits everything," vouches Shigo. "I use just this bag to grocery shop. So easy to clean and fold up."
"Oh, also seconding the Steele Canvas bag," adds associate editor Kamari Stewart. "It’s huge and I love to use it to haul groceries (in my granny cart, of course)."
Best big bags under $150
Why carry your ginormous bag when you could roll it instead? The Hulken is a workhorse, with a 36-gallon capacity and wheels that make it ideal for any trips you have to make on foot. I was convinced to get one by a friend who was a nanny to a family with three kids, and in my production assistant days, it became a lifesaver for carting props and supplies to and from photoshoots. These days, I use it most often for dropping off clothing donations, hauling groceries and occasionally setting up bountiful picnics in the park.
“I’m obsessed with Rothy’s tote bags. I have had this one for years and use it for work every day in the spring and summer,” says senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil of Rothy's The Essential Tote (her exact colorway is no longer available). “So sturdy and spacious, and I love that I can toss it in the washing machine when it gets dirty!”
“I consider myself the president of the big bag club because I prioritize a big bag over any other kind, not just for travel but for every day,” proclaims editor Vivien Moon. “I love this one for weekends since it can hold even more than my regular day bag, which is good for my laptop and work essentials. This one can fit a pair of sneakers, a water bottle, books and so much more. I even took it on a weekend getaway and my friends loved just how much storage it offered. I do love the pocket it has and how sturdy the strap is — a key feature of the big bag.”
Best big bags worth the splurge
The newest BAB I've personally added to my collection is this elevated basic recycled leather purse from Baggu. It's part of a new line that dropped earlier this summer, and while select styles from the collection have already sold out, I snagged this piece just in time for back-to-school season from Urban Outfitters (which is currently having a sale!). The adjustable strap means I can get the perfect fit, the interior organization is thoughtfully constructed with room for a laptop and the key leash is a smart touch.
Another Madewell pick that impressed our team, this undeniably cool, crescent-shaped bag is a fast favorite.
“It’s more on the expensive side, but I’m obsessed,” admits photo editor Kara Birnbaum. “It holds so much and never feels super heavy.”
Hands-down one of my most-worn bags, this slouchy leather tote is designed in a deceptively spacious triangular shape. It’s roomy enough to fit my laptop, water bottle and plenty more, but polished enough to wear to work, dinner, events and beyond. I opted for the metallic silver “disco pebble” color, which has held up remarkably well given the scuffing and scraping I've put it through daily for over two years.
We're not shy about our love for Vera Bradley, so it should come as no surprise that this office-appropriate tote from the brand is among our recommendations.
"The room inside alone (a whopping 23 liters, equivalent to probably Mary Poppins' massive bag) is well worth the investment with both interior and exterior pockets for plenty of storage," senior SEO editor Jess Bender gushes. "I’m not entirely sure the leather will hold up over time since it’s so soft, but it looks really pristine after a few months of wear thus far.”
“I’ve spent many years on the hunt for the perfect bag and I truly think I’ve finally found it,” declares Stewart. “This bag is extremely spacious and I’m always surprised by how much I can fit in there. I use it for work and love that I can carry all the things I like, plus have room for another pair of shoes, another outfit and my lunch ... I love that I can wear it anywhere from work to fancier events to conferences and everywhere in between.”
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best accessories out there. For this story, we used our own personal experiences as shopping editors, commuters, jet-setters, busy moms and more with laptop bags, weekenders, beach totes, reusable shopping bags and beyond to recommend these picks, having tried some options for over a decade. Plus, we included a Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards winner that we previously put to the test against other popular options on the market.
