Best Packable Overflow Totes and Bags for Travel

We are carry-on travelers, but always pack an ‘overflow bag’ to fill as needed with any purchases made during the trip. This bag needs to fit a couple of key requirements:

• Size: It must be big enough to hold a good amount of stuff, as needed. We’ve put rugs in ours before!
• Lightweight: It shouldn’t add much extra weight to the carry-on bag.
• Slim/foldable/packable: Ideally, it should fold flat and take up as little space as possible in your carry-on.
  
• Zippered/Checkable: It must be checkable as a piece of luggage, so it needs to be able to be zipped closed.
• Durable: Again, it must be checkable for the flight home.
• Shoulder straps: Bonus points if it can double as a tote or beach bag, as needed, during travel.

These bags come in various sizes, shapes, and price points. Here are our recs:

Lands End Expandable Packable Tote  $89/$53 on sale 22″W x 9.5″D x 13.5″

This can also double as a carry-on bag, with straps, handles, a trolley sleeve, and lots of pockets. It can be folded into itself to make it packable. This is a strong option for a good-looking, well-made, mid-sized bag that can be used in multiple ways.

Amazon Large Foldable Duffle Bag $19, 21.6” x 13.8” x 9.8” 

At under $20, this is a good, utilitarian bag. It zips down into a little ‘packet’ that can be easily tossed in a suitcase, and it holds a ton. It may not last a lifetime (you get what you pay for and just hope the zipper doesn’t break!), but I just stuffed this one to its limits on our recent India trip. It comes in a variety of colors. 

Amazon Basics Duffle Bag 150L $20, 32.4″L x 16.9″W x 16.9″H 

A larger, rounded, barrel-shaped lightweight duffle is an inexpensive option that fits a lot of stuff. It folds down into a little packet, making it a good option for when you have a lot to bring home.

Lululemon Packable Tote 54L $69 (on sale), 18.5″ x 10.2″ x 15″

This Lulu bag is designed for exactly this purpose—to throw in your suitcase (it folds down into a little pouch) and then use for the trip home. It has a variety of handle options. It’s currently out of stock, but check back!

Baggu Cloud Bag $56, 12 ¾” H × 13 ¾” W × 8″ L

This bag is smaller than most of the other bags. It’s a good option if you don’t expect to bring a ton back but still want an overflow bag that can be checked through to your destination or carried on. It’s also a great tote to use while on your trip and makes a good beach bag. It comes in a little pouch that can be used as an additional little bag. It’s available in different colors.

Tumi Voyager Just in Case Tote $154, 23’ X 14”  or Tumi Voyager Just in Case Duffle $156 10.25” H

Tumi quality will stand the test of time. You can choose between the tote and the duffle, both designed to be packed down into your suitcase and pulled out when you need a tote or duffle while traveling or extra packing space when coming home. They come with a 2-year warranty but should last you for life.