With summer travel here, I wanted to share a quick comparison of two popular canvas totes and their different preferred uses: the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote and the Land’s End Canvas Tote. We use both regularly, and each shines in different ways depending on what you need.

Key Differences

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote

• Structured, sturdy canvas
• Holds its shape and stands upright on its own
• No interior or exterior pockets
• Available with or without a zipper top

These are great when you want a tote that feels durable and organized without collapsing over. I do not prefer these for travel however because there are zero pockets! I personally use the mini Boat and Tote for an everyday bag to carry around to errands and don’t mind the lack of pockets because I use mini mesh bags for interior organization. I do not prefer the large Boat and Tote pictured above for our travel bags because of the lack of pockets and how stiff it is for storing a large bag not in use, but some of you may want more structure in a travel bag in which case this one may be your winner!

 

 

Land’s End Canvas Tote

• Softer, more flexible canvas
• Multiple interior pockets (5!) plus an exterior pocket
• Easier to fold, pack, or squeeze into tight spaces
• Available with or without a zipper top

These work especially well for travel, kids’ bags, daycare, and road trips because the pockets help keep things organized and the softer fabric is easier to maneuver in cars, wagons, and strollers.

 

Sizing We Use Most

For Travel

We typically use:

• Land’s End XL Zip Top (blue bag pictured) with regular handles, Zip Top for adults
• Land’s End Large (Pink bag pictured) with regular handles, zip top or for kids.

Sometimes I’ll do size XL for the kids, as they aren’t THAT much different. You can see the sizing difference between pink and blue above. We get the bags monogrammed and every member of the family has their own color so we can easily distinguish. 

Both sizes fit a surprising amount — clothes, blankets, toiletries, sound machines, diapers, and more. Everything each kid could need on vacation!

 

 

For Preschool or Daycare

The Land’s End Medium Zip Top works well for folders, lunchboxes, water bottles, and a change of clothes. This is regular handle, zip top.

 

For An Everyday Bag

The mini L.L. Bean Boat and Tote is a favorite for a structured everyday bag that stays upright and feels extra sturdy.

A Few Helpful Notes

• Land’s End bags frequently go on sale, often 40–50% off. Wait for the sale!!
• Canvas bags can usually be spot cleaned with soap and water but they would likely get ruined beyond repair for air travel. This is why we use these exclusively for car travel. 

At the end of the day, both are excellent classic canvas totes — it really comes down to whether you prefer structure or flexibility, and whether pockets matter for how you use your bag.

TLDR: Land’s End totes are softer and include pockets, which I have found makes them great for travel bags for the whole family. L.L. Bean totes are sturdier and more structured, making them ideal for everyday use (like the mini boat and tote I have monogrammed) and situations where you want the bag to stand upright.