On any given workday, you can find a grand total of three bags hanging from my shoulders — my handbag, my gym bag, and my laptop bag. Needless to say, I don't travel light, and my shoulders, neck, and upper back all regularly ache.
Seeing as this is one cause of pain I can actually control, I vowed to make 2020 the year I find the perfect all-in-one commuter bag to store my gym clothes, my computer, and my daily essentials (phone, wallet, keys — you get it).
The search was surprisingly simple, and I ended up finding 10 worthy of my shoulder space. Keep reading for my favorite carryalls fit for commuting.
Want an all-in-one bag that looks more like a handbag and less like a gym bag? You can't go wrong with the Kurt Geiger London Leather Tote ($229), a classic and roomy option that will look great with your entire wardrobe.
The MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote ($225) might be a little pricey, but it's kind of like a real-life Mary Poppins bag, with ample room for sneakers, leggings, notebooks, your phone, and more. Plus, it comes in several different prints, colors, and sizing options — large and small!
The always-classic Sweaty Betty Icon Luxe Kit Bag ($165) is famed for its convenient yoga mat straps, making that needed trip to the studio way less stressful.
If you love all things organization, you probably already know about Dagne Dover. The brand is praised for its functional bags of all shapes and sizes. If you travel regularly, on top of heading straight to work after the gym, the Landon Carryall ($155) is a smart buy. The bag, which features a shoe duster and a water bottle pocket, slips right over the handle of a suitcase for easing strolling in the airport.
The chic and simple Chuchka Jen Tote ($199) includes a detachable zip-fastened pouch with a wrist strap, so you don't have to take your entire bag with you to go get lunch.
The Nike Sportswear AF1 Tote ($85) is roomy, will fit over your shoulder, and comes in six different color options, including this unique lime green.
When the Everlane The ReNew Traveler Tote ($88) is empty, it can be folded up into a tiny, easy-to-store square. Talk about a storage savior.
The water-repellent Lululemon Early Embark Duffel ($178) packs pockets galore. There's an external padded pocket for a 15" laptop, an internal pocket for sweaty workout clothes, as well as a zipper pocket to store away your wallet, phone, and keys.
When you cart around your laptop, you can't really risk your bag getting soaked in the rain. Enter the FJÄLLRÄVEN Foldsack No.1 Water Resistant Backpack ($110), a water-resistant bag that will fit everything you need for Spin and endless emails.
Not into crossbody bags? Invest in this practical, supershiny option. The Alo Reflection Backpack ($168) features multiple zipper pockets and a laptop sleeve.