8 American-Born Canvas Tote Bags That Aren’t From L.L.Bean

Stuff: everybody has it. No matter who you are or where you’re going, chances are you’re packing a few bulky items on your journey from A to B, whether it’s a Nalgene and a beach read or gym shoes and a tub of Optimum Nutrition. Which begs the question: how best to carry all of it? Backpacks are practical but bulky, and can make you look like a middle-school student or (if you’re wearing a tie) a Mormon missionary. Belt bags are sleek and au courant, but not nearly capacious enough to house your gargantuan bottle of H20. A tote bag, though? A tote bag is just right. Roomy enough to fit your daily essentials, versatile enough to look at ease with pretty much whatever you’re wearing, and rugged enough to withstand the knocks of a city commute, the humble canvas carry-all lives at the absolute pinnacle of the soft luggage hierarchy.

The good news is that anyone in the market for a sturdy tote has a plethora of excellent options at their disposal, including the granddaddy of them all, the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote. The bad news, of course, is that the Boat and Tote has become something of a victim of its own success. Though it’s been a staple of the Maine outfitter’s catalog since the mid-’60s, these days it commands months-long waiting lists for particularly iconic models, while broken-in versions fetch up to $1,000 online. If you’re open to other options, though, there’s no shortage of covetable alternatives that can be yours for much less—and by your doorstep much sooner. These are the trusty canvas tote bags we’re eyeing, each hailing from the good ol’ USA.

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8 Canvas Tote Bags That Aren’t From the Bean

The Budget Pick: Land’s End Open Top Canvas Tote Bag

Calling this sturdy carry-all a Boat and Tote dupe doesn’t quite do it justice. Land’s End, after all, has been a staple of the American catalogue retail scene since the early 1960s, and regardless of who came up with the idea first (it was Bean), the two bags are more or less on par. As such, Lands’ End offers a comparable proposition to the Boat and Tote, with more than 18 available colors, four sizes, variable handle lengths, and—most importantly—custom monogramming.

The Farmers’ Market Pick: Steele Canvas Market Tote Bag

Made by a century-old canvas specialist, this hefty fella is sewn from brawny 18 oz. duck canvas at Steele HQ in Wilmington, Mass, and available in three versatile shades. As its name suggests, it’s big enough to hold a week’s worth of fresh produce (or just about anything else you happen to be shopping for.)

The Long Weekend Pick: Filson Rugged Twill Zipper Tote Bag

Meet the no-frills canvas tote’s fancier sibling. Replete with bridle leather handles that are vegetable-tanned in Pennsylvania by Wickett & Craig, brass YKK zippers (a.k.a. the Champagne of zippers), and Filson’s distinctive waxed cotton twill, this tote can easily level-up as a briefcase or a weekender.

The Large-and-in-Charge Pick: Duluth Pack Market Tote Bag

Like the Brawny Paper Towels man, this Minnesota-based outfitter’s submission to the XXL tote genre is as handsome as it is rugged. In addition to a set of adjustable leather handles and a sturdy 15 oz. canvas body, Duluth Pack offers this bad boy in a handsome range of colors, including blaze orange and Mossy Oak Bottomland camo.

The Built-Tough Pick: Carhartt Duck Tote Bag

As far as we can tell, the only bad thing about a Carhartt work jacket is the fact that you can’t wear it every day of the year. This tote, on the other hand, will see you from the muggiest August days through January’s deep freeze while offering stowage for 18 liters worth of your most essential stuff.

The Military Repro Pick: 118 Products Waterproof Canvas Coal Bag

This tote, which is handmade by the good folks at Hudson’s Hill in Greensboro, NC, is modelled on Army-issued bags used for hauling coal in the early 20th century. It doesn’t just boast a vintage design, though; its historical bona fides are backed up by vintage materials dating from World War II through the Vietnam War era.

The Custom-to-You Pick: Alex Mill Perfect Weekend Tote Bag

We’re going to withhold final judgment on whether or not this is actually the perfect weekend tote (although given its specs and details, it may well be). What we can say with confidence, however, is that this might be the only tote worth buying strictly for the monogram.

The Anchor-Aweigh Pick: Wm. J Mills Classic Mills Tote Bag

After nearly 150 years cutting and sewing sails in Greenport, N.Y, you’d better believe this Long Island stalwart knows a thing or two about making a solid canvas bag. Whether you stuff yours with groceries or a spare jibsail is entirely up to you.