The Big 3: Our Favorite Totes from Patagonia and YETI

Let’s face it, totes are basic (and that’s why we love them).

The workhorses of the outdoor gear world, totes may not get the spotlight that backpacks do (because hey, they’re pretty straight forward), but few adventures are complete without them. Need to keep wet or dirty gear away from everything else? Grab a tote. Going to the beach? Bring a tote.

YETI Crossroads 16 tote

Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote 61L

YETI Camino Carryall 25

Of all the totes we’ve used this year, these three (YETI Crossroads Tote, YETI Camino Carryall 25, and Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote) stood out for their construction, overall performance, and the amount of buzz generated by people who inquired about them.

Our Favorite Totes

YETI Crossroads Tote

Say goodbye to traditional messengers and backpacks and hello to the multifunctional YETI Crossroads Tote (MSRP $179.99). New to the YETI lineup, the Crossroads Tote is the work bag you didn’t know you needed until now. Featuring a 16-liter capacity and constructed from 1000D Nylon, this sturdy tote can hold files, laptop, and more. The minimalist design with just the right amount of tech and style is appropriate for a variety of workplaces (just ask one of our friends who recently took it to a job interview at an outdoorsy non-profit).

YETi Camino Carryall

Hands down our favorite multi-purpose tote, the YETI Camino Carryall 25 (MSRP $149.99) is a rock star tote. Everywhere it goes, people ask about it. Features include puncture and abrasion-resistant thickskin shell, EVA molded bottom that helps Camino retain its shape and keep water out, and a handy hitch point grid system for attachments including keys and bottle opener. Whether it is a trip to the beach, fly fishing, skiing, hiking, or transporting dog gear, we have yet to find a tote better than the Camino.

Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote

Constructed from 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop and finished with DWR and a TPU-film laminate, The Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote 61L  (MSRP $99) is an all-purpose bag that holds a lot. We like to have one on hand to hold the inevitable last-minute essentials that people forget to pack (if you have a family, you know what we mean). Ditch the IKEA shopping bag and replace it with this sturdy, responsibly made tote.

Kate Agathon

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Utah the Adventure Dog.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, fat biking, snowshoeing, camping, peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers, road cycling, and Nordic skiing. After suffering two major knee injuries within four years, Kate hopes to return to alpine skiing next season.

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

We also heard she has a (slight) obsession for blue heelers.