LLBean’s sturdy, water-resistant tote bag is tough enough to survive baggage claim

As we head out of the house, the gear-obsessed WIRED Reviews team writes about our favorite bags and EDCs. Today, reviewer Michael Calore raves about his do-it-all LLBean tote bag. You can also view other Baggage screening stories Or CABLE the writers share their choice.

Every Sunday morning, I ride my electric cargo bike I pull out of the garage and pedal to the food co-op a little over a mile from my house, my shopping buddy in tow: a heavy zippered tote bag from L.L.Bean with a reinforced bottom and water-resistant lining. I do my weekly shopping there, picking up enough groceries and essentials for me and my wife for a full seven days.

The place, Rainbow Groceryis an old-fashioned hippie co-op that’s been around in San Francisco since 1975. All produce is organic, and, as is typical of the way health food purveyors sell food, the fruits and vegetables aren’t bagged or wrapped in cellophane, like you’ll find at, say, a Kroger or Albertsons. Rainbow is actually closer to a farmers’ market than a supermarket; the chicory is covered with dew, the chanterelles are sprinkled with decaying leaves and the beets are dirty with earth. It’s the type of food that really looks like someone used their hands to dig it out of the ground. All my provisions go directly into my trust Zip Hunter Tote Bag.

The Zip Hunter’s practicality and durability are seemingly endless: its sturdy handles make it comfortable to get on and off the cargo bike, even when I’ve filled the bag beyond its capacity. And no matter how much mud, grit, or schmutz there is on the parsnips, turnips, and daikon radishes I bring home, I can simply rinse the bag and hang it to dry.

The walls of the bag are sturdy enough, made from 1,200 denier polyester, which is sturdy and water-resistant, not to mention it’s so sturdy it’s nearly indestructible. I checked it like luggage over a dozen flights, and it shows no scratches or tears. The zipper at the top is not sealed, but it is heavier than necessary and works great in the rain. What really sets the bag apart is its lining. The entire interior of the tote is covered with a thin layer of thermoplastic, further increasing its impermeability to moisture.

Of course, the purpose of this type of liner is to keep the contents dry when using the bag in a humid environment, such as on a canoe trip, on a bike ride in the rain, or while duck hunting in the Maine wilderness. And sure enough, I’ve used the bag in canoes and on many bike rides in the rain (I’ve never been on a duck hunt), and the goods inside have indeed always remained intact. I even trust the bag enough to carry electronics and music gear to the office or studio on rainy mornings. But for me, the utility of the bag is quite the opposite: it’s a great place to neatly transport items that are themselves muddy, wet, or slimy.

For example, I took the bag car camping several times. I once used it to pack my tent, ground sheet, boots and rain cover. On the last day of the trip, it was raining outside, and by the time I got home, my rain jacket and tent were soaked, the groundsheet was dotted with wet pine needles and bark stains, and my boots had a thick layer of dirt from Mendocino, California, in the tread. I put all of these items in the Hunter’s Tote, zipped it up, and threw it in the backseat of my rental car. The interior liner kept the mess inside, saving the rental car’s foldable liner. When I got home, I emptied the tote, turned it upside down, and blasted all the forest floor with a hose.

There are two heavy plastic tabs on the edges of the tote, one at each end of the zipper. This is where the shoulder strap clips into place. I’ve never really used the strap (honestly, it’s in the way), but these tabs are great for hanging the tote up to dry after rinsing it.

The Hunter’s Tote is available in three sizes. I have the largest, the XL, which has a capacity of 53 liters. (That’s huge for a tote bag.) I prefer the larger size because when you place the reinforced bottom on a flat surface and the opening of the bag is open, you get a generous flat bottom inside 10 x 19 inches. All that space really makes the bag more versatile, so my recommendation is to go large.

Also note that there are no frills here: no exterior pockets, no padding, no laptop sleeve. Just a sturdy hauler ready for your dirtiest jobs. Whether you’re carrying twelve La Croixs or packing Petits Garcons, it’s essential.

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