One non-negotiable every traveler needs is a trusted tote that fits a day's worth of essentials. Whether you’re headed on a day trip to explore a new city, looking for a lightweight personal item to take on a flight, or need something chic to carry around on a business trip, a sturdy tote will always come in handy. I’ve used my fair share of tote bags over the years—small, large, budget-friendly, splurge-worthy—but none compare to the Pond LA Transform Air tote. It’s been a complete game changer: This tote bag is not only my most-used everyday bag for work and day trips, but it’s become a travel necessity. It’s stylish, thoughtfully-designed, and so versatile.
I used to carry a classically-shaped tote that felt very much like a Mary Poppins bag as my go-to travel companion—sure, it fit plenty, but everything was mindlessly thrown inside without any organization, making it hard to find exactly what I needed. The totes I used never felt big enough (or structured enough) to safely carry my laptop and reusable water bottle. They also never felt polished enough to bring to work; a truly practical bag or backpack typically means sacrificing some level of style. This was all true until I got my hands on the Pond LA Transform Air tote.
I’ve been using it for almost a year now and it’s by far the most functional tote bag I’ve ever used. I bring it with me every day commuting to work in New York City and it looks sleek with every outfit. It features a water-resistant material, Italian leather trimming, and gold hardware. I have the Transform Air tote in black and it pairs seamlessly with everything. (It’s also available in a light pink shade if you prefer something with a little more color for spring and summer.)
What really sets this tote apart from other bags I’ve carried to work and on trips is how many different ways it can be worn, depending on what’s on the agenda. It can be worn four different ways, to be exact: as a shoulder bag with its sturdy carry handle, as a crossbody with its longer adjustable strap, on top of your carry-on using its trolley sleeve, and—my personal favorite way—as a backpack. It comes with two adjustable straps that can be hooked on in just a few seconds to transform it from a traditional everyday bag into a backpack.
If I’m standing on the subway or walking around for hours with my laptop, I’ll wear it as a backpack instead—and my arms thank me for it. Unlike most other tote bags I've used, it can be zipped closed at the top so I don’t have to worry about items falling out in transit. It's also been a real lifesaver when navigating through crowded airports. I use the trolley sleeve to keep the bag in place on top of my carry-on, so it's one less thing to hold while walking through the busy security line and terminal.