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. Also, I LOVE BAGS. Deeply, deeply love bags. So if you find yourself thinking, “wow she has a lot of those!” it’s true. And I will likely buy more as the years go by because a good bag is just the best. 

Below you will see a ton of my bags and we labeled the photos. Scout (age 9) is modeling size. Also, all of my bags are regular handle (when you go on the sites you will see options for long handle available). Some of mine are are zip top (highly suggest for travel bags) and some are not (my purse and church bag do not zip). 

Let’s dive in!!

Key Differences

Upon first glance, you might think, “Kate, you’re crazy these bags look the exact same!” But there are key differences that greatly differentiate how I use them.

Lands’ End totes are made of a softer canvas material and have pockets (interior AND exterior), which makes them our favorite family travel bags. The ability to organize within the pockets helps a ton with travel and you can really pack them in the trunk then fold them up when you get to your destination.

L.L. Bean totes are sturdier and more structured, making them better for everyday situations where you want the bag to stand upright, like on the floor of a restaurant. I use the medium pink one below as my church bag so because it doesn’t slouch over and keeps the water bottle, etc. upright. 

 

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 without collapsing or tipping over. I do not prefer these for travel however because there are zero pockets and they are more stiff to fold up and store. I use this pink size medium for my church bag. 

 

 

I personally use the mini Boat and Tote for an everyday purse to carry around to errands and don’t mind the lack of pockets because I use mini mesh bags for interior organization. Scout is showing the difference between the mini and the small size here.

 

 

I don’t prefer the XL 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! You can clearly see how big it is.

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 Navy bag pictured with regular handles, zip top for adults
• Land’s End Large Red bag pictured with regular handles, zip top or for kids

**NOTE: we do not use these as checked bags on an airplane. The suitcase conveyer belts get them very dirty and can even get grease on them (ask me how I know). For air travel we use a classic roller type suitcase. 

You could totally do size XL for the kids, as they aren’t THAT much larger. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

The L.L. Bean Medium Tote is what I use for our go to church bag. I like the stiff structure that won’t fall over in the church pew and went with an open top. You can see how it’s slightly smaller than the Land’s End medium size in height/strap length. 

 

For An Everyday Bag or Purse:

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

 

The L.L. Bean small size is taller than the mini and also a great throw-things-in-and-go purse. It is not wider (the mini actually feels a bit wider).  If you are wanting something larger that could your things and also diapers, wipes, etc. I would do the medium. 

 

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 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.

 

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