The best convertible backpack totes are all about flexibility — something you appreciate the moment your commute gets crowded. I take the subway to work, and anyone who's done the same knows the unspoken rule: backpacks come off during rush hour. It's polite, but it's also awkward and uncomfortable to suddenly wrestle a heavy bag by the handles while trying not to knock into the person next to you.
That's where a hybrid backpack-tote earns its keep. Being able to switch from wearing a bag on your back to carrying it over your shoulder or in your hand makes moving through the day noticeably easier. It also simplifies your closet: instead of juggling separate backpacks and totes that only work in certain situations, one well-designed bag can handle it all.
In this guide, we break down the best convertible backpack totes for commuting and travel. The top picks we tested are impressively subtle — you'd never guess they're convertible just by looking at them. They switch modes smoothly, stay comfortable either way, and make carrying your everyday essentials feel far more effortless.
For more of the best bags we tested, see our guides on the best travel backpacks and the best work bags for women.
Top 3 convertible backpack totes:
The sleek nylon exterior would look right at home in a board meeting, and the smart interior organization is just as notable.
This totepack is so flexible and lightweight that you can easily roll it up in a tidy bundle and keep it in your carry-on. We liked how its backpack straps can be tucked away in the outer sleeve when they're not in use.
The Cole Haan Grand Ambition Convertible Backpack is a sleek and streamlined bag that offers style combined with three different ways to wear it.
Best overall
This large convertible tote bag tops our list of the best women's work bags and makes a great, versatile option for travel.
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Two members of our team swear by this convertible tote backpack, as it strikes the perfect balance between a stylish tote and a convenient backpack for the work-to-gym routine.
"While some nylon bags are too sporty to pair with formal work attire, the Caraa Studio Tote looks nice enough to wear with everything from a T-shirt to a suit," writes former Insider Reviews style editor Ashley Phillips. "The sleek nylon exterior would look right at home at the office, and the smart interior organization is just as notable."
"Convertible bags are lifesavers for anyone who commutes on a subway, and this tote from Caraa is the best we've tested," adds executive editor Sally Kaplan.
"If you plan to swap your heels for sneakers at any part of the day, the Studio Tote is smartly designed with a hidden compartment you can access from the side. It's totally separate from the rest of the interior so you don't have to worry about dirty soles touching the rest of your stuff," continues Ashley. "The interior of this bag is an organization lover's dream. There are seven total pockets, including dedicated spots for a water bottle, cell phone, and 16-inch laptop."
You can also find this bag in a leather (albeit more expensive) version. Read more in our full Caraa Sport convertible work gym bag review.
Best packable
This totepack is so flexible and lightweight that you can easily roll it up in a tidy bundle and keep it in your carry-on. We liked how its backpack straps can be tucked away in the outer sleeve when they're not in use.
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"I like the Laneway Totepack for how deceptively unremarkable it is. The outside isn't much to look at, but when you feel the tightly-woven, water-repellent nylon, you can tell it can handle some wear and tear for years to come. I tested it out in the rain, and the droplets simply bead and roll right off.
I'm 5-foot-9 and the shoulder straps are long enough so that I can comfortably wear it as a tote, yet it doesn't drag on the ground when I carry it by hand. The backpack straps are really easy to clip on and off, and they're so inconspicuously designed that you can't even tell this tote is convertible. Unfortunately, the shoulder straps didn't get the same treatment. They hang loosely off the top, and it sort of ruins the illusion.
As for its storage, this bag can fit a light day's worth of items. The 18-liter main compartment has two pop pockets on its sides, where I put my travel jacket and water bottle. These pop pockets can also flatten if need to fit more bulky items. It fits a 14-inch laptop, but the slip pocket isn't very padded, so I recommend you keep your computer in protective sleeve.
Finally, the little details of this bag make the Laneway Totepack a good travel companion. On the front, its zippered pocket is deep and compartmentalized, and the key leash means I don't have to dig around for them when I reach my door. There's also a cleverly hidden space to hold an AirTag. The whole bag can roll up into a slim profile, which I put in my suitcase as a back-up personal item." — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Insider Reviews
Best leather
Quality meets style and ease with the M. Gemi Laura Convertible Backpack made with soft Italian leather and straps that easily transition between a tote and a backpack.
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Italian-made luxury meets effortless versatility with the M. Gemi Laura Convertible Backpack. Made from supple tumbled calf leather, the bag's slouchy silhouette offers a touch of style and is roomy enough to fit a laptop, cosmetics bag, water bottle, and any of your other essentials. Inside you'll find a lightweight, linen lining along with a zippered compartment to keep valuables hidden and two open pockets for easy access.
The best part of this bag, however, is how easily it can transition between a backpack and a tote: simply pull up on the straps when you want to wear it on your shoulder, or pull down on both side straps to convert it into a backpack.
For more of our favorite products from the brand, check out our M.Gemi review.
Best for the office
For a sleek, modern bag that easily transitions from a tote to a backpack without the need for detachment or reattachment, the Aurora by KREYA is a must-have.
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The perfect work bag needs to be both stylish and functional, especially during longer commutes, and the Aurora by Kreya is just that. If you're on the go, and need to quickly transition your backpack into a tote, just pull on the X-shaped handles to seamlessly transform your backpack straps into a bag handle. Then, when your arm gets tired and it's time to distribute the weight of your bag more evenly, pull down on your straps to carry it as a backpack.
In addition to its sleek leather design, the Aurora features a main zippered compartment that can comfortably fit a 14-inch laptop. An interior pocket makes the perfect home for your cell phone, or you can store your phone in the exterior pocket to reach it with ease. Metal snaps on the side of the bag help it to expand when you're carrying a bit extra. It even comes with a carefully crafted dust bag for storage so your leather stays clean and supple.
Best water-repellent
The 14-liter Kånken Totepack by Fjallraven is water-resistant, wind-resistant, quick-drying and features a removable seat pad for on-the-go comfort.
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This is the bag you'll want to wear if there's a chance of rain. The Kånken Totepack by Fjallraven is made from a water-repellent combo of organic cotton, recycled polyester, and hard-wearing Vinylon F fabric. This material is also quick-drying and windproof. Its webbed straps can convert easily from a tote to a backpack, without the need for reattachment. There's even a shorter top handle for quick grab-and-go access.
As for its storage capacity, the main zippered compartment comes with an internal laptop sleeve that can fit a 13-inch computer. On the exterior, you have a smaller zippered front pocket for easy access to your smaller necessities, as well as two open side pockets for your water bottle and umbrella.
The most unique feature, however, is the removable seat pad you can find stored in the main compartment. It's super handy if you're traveling and need an extra layer of cushioning for your seat.
Best for travel
The Timbuk2 Vapor Convertible Tote Backpack functions seamlessly as both a tote and a backpack with a 18-liter capacity and pockets to store both tote and backpack straps.
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At the top of our list is the Vapor Convertible Tote Backpack because it's sustainably made and functions incredibly well as both a tote bag and a backpack. Padded backpacks straps make for comfortable carrying and stow away easily into an exterior back pocket. Ready to go from tote-mode to backpack-mode again? The tote straps, which are the perfect length for shoulder wear, stow away seamlessly in the same pocket.
Because the pack is made from eco-friendly, hard-wearing materials like recycled nylon fibers, it's bound to last for years, even if you always take advantage of its spacious 18-liter capacity. But with the extensive interior comes a variety of smartly designed compartments to ensure all the gear you pack with you never gets lost. A hidden external zip pocket makes for easy access to items you want to keep concealed, while two tri-cut lined interior slip pockets house valuables like your phone, sunglasses, or AirPods without scratching them. Within the main interior compartment you'll find a padded laptop sleeve that can fit laptops and tablets up to 15 inches long, along with all of your other necessities. The totepack even meets TSA standards for carry-ons.
Best for commuting
The Cole Haan Grand Ambition Convertible Backpack is a sleek and streamlined bag that offers style combined with three different ways to wear it.
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Speaking of sleek, streamlined style, if you're looking to make a statement at the office or during your commute, reach for the Cole Haan Grand Ambition Convertible Backpack. Made with pebbled leather which is known for being more scratch-resistant, this structured bag can be worn as a backpack, crossbody bag, or shoulder bag by adjusting the leather straps. A large front pocket helps you access your items quickly while a zippered back compartment keeps valuables hidden.
On the interior, you'll find a water-resistant lining featuring a separate, padded laptop sleeve along with a larger main compartment and several smaller pockets to house items like your phone or e-reader. The bag also comes with a dust bag to store it and keep it clean on the days you're not showing it off.
Best top handle
With its dual‑zip compartments, luggage‑strap pass‑through and convertible strap system, it adapts seamlessly from desk to airport to weekend getaway.
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This stylish convertible bag made our list of the best work bags for women. Here's what style editor Samantha Crozier said about the satchel when she tested it:
"The Oleada Marina Carryall can transform into a backpack or a shoulder bag. It comes with two detachable straps; you can either attach both to the D-rings on the back to turn it into a backpack, or use one to turn it into a shoulder bag.
The bag has two main compartments — one has a narrower opening and functions more like a laptop compartment, while the other is more spacious and contains a zippered pocket, two open pouches, a water bottle holder, and a key leash.
The satchel also features a multitude of practical extras, including a luggage sleeve, metal feet to prevent the bottom of the bag from touching the floor, an exterior pocket with a magnetic closure, and more.
The stylistic details — such as suede lining, bright gold hardware, chocolate leather, and a tiny decorative pocket that fits the brand's card holder charms — are luxurious and make the bag feel both classic and on-trend."
Best for day trips
An affordable pack made from recycled fabrics, The North Face Berkeley Tote Pack boasts a 13-liter capacity with a built-in laptop sleeve that fits computers up to 16 inches long.
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Coming in at under $60, this bag can carry a day's-worth of items whether you're traveling or hiking, thanks to its 13-liter capacity. The main zippered compartment features a dedicated laptop sleeve that can fit a computer up to 16 inches in length, while the exterior features two smaller zippered pockets to store items like your phone. It's made from sustainable materials, with the pack's outer fabric created from a durable and water-repellant recycled nylon that gives the bag its vintage feel.
Best for school
Get from class to class with the dynamic Scholar Convertible Tote Backpack from Timbuk2, featuring adjustable backpack straps that tuck away and a 14-liter capacity that fits a 13-inch laptop.
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There's no need to choose between a backpack or tote for the school year when the Timbuk2 Scholar Convertible Tote Backpack allows you to have both. Designed for the needs of students, this bag features adjustable backpack straps that tuck away into your pack when you want to transition into tote-mode.
The exterior has two zippered pockets, one bigger and one smaller, to fit a variety of necessities you need quick access to. Dual side pockets are perfect for toting around your water bottle, umbrella, or both, while the larger interior compartment comes with an internal slip pocket that can house a 13-inch laptop. With the 900D recycled polyester exterior, you can be sure that this bag is durable enough to last the whole academic year.
To learn more about our favorite bags for students, see our guide to the best college backpacks.
Best vegan
Made from 40 repurposed plastic bottles with vegan leather detailing, this sustainable bag offers a variety of specialized compartments fitted with clip locks to keep your belongings safe.
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If sustainably made accessories are your priority, opt for the Sherpani Soleil AT Bag. The incredibly durable, water-resistant fabric has been made from 40 repurposed plastic bottles, with all the featured detailing made from vegan leather. The bag is also lightweight and features a removable strap that can be adjusted to tote- or crossbody-length, in addition to the bag's two backpack straps.
There are few unique safety features that come with this bag that make it a handy travel essential. A chair-lock loop at the back of the bag allows you to attach your bag to your chair for added security. The main compartment also has a clip lock to prevent valuables from being stolen. For even more security, the bag has been designed with an anti-slash fabric at the bottom and on the main strap, so you can feel confident your belongings will remain concealed.
Best mini
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"If you're looking to carry a bit more than fits inside your average crossbody but don't want to haul a huge rucksack, I recommend the SoHo crossbody sling. It converts to a small backpack, so I like to carry it on light shopping outings. That way, I have my hands free to shop, but I also have some extra space in my bag to store my purchases.
The sling bag (unzip the strap to turn it into a backpack) has two equally-sized main interior compartments, plus a smaller zippered compartment on the front. I dedicate one compartment to my going-out essentials (wallet, sunglasses, keys, etc) and leave the other empty for anything that catches my eye along the way. My phone stays in the front zip pocket for easy access. The bag made from super soft leather that's elegant and durable, and it comes in five colors." — Talia Ergas, freelance style reporter, Insider Reviews
Read more in our guide to the best crossbody bags.
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