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Best Totes On Wheels
Buy the best best totes on wheels selected and recommended by interior designers. By Tara Gosselin.
Totes can be big, and heavy. And since they are often made of thin plastic, carrying a fully loaded tote by yourself can lead to dropping it as the plastic flexes with the contents shifting inside. A tote on wheels fixes that problem. You can load the tote up fully, then roll it away. A great idea if you are moving, or donating items to charity, and doing it largely by yourself.
Best Totes On Wheels
Buying Guide
Tara Gosselin
Interior Design Expert
Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.
The humble tote on wheels, chum to a million travelers, the protean carryall, the throw-it-all dumpster. Grab the handles and carry it from the boardroom to the beach, throw it across the shoulders for an impromptu trip to the mall or extend the telescopic handle and roll it along the cobblestone pathway.
You can never run out of ways to describe it and the place it finds in our lives.
Yet, when it comes to shopping for one, most people are shortsighted or get swayed by flashy brand names, fancy aesthetics or a cheap price tag. Your tote deserves more love (and thought). Here’s some help.
Most manufacturers mention the capacity of a tote on wheels in liters. But that’s a tricky way to gauge its capacity and you might end up buying a smaller one than what you’d actually need.
For example, 20 liters sounds like a lot. But in reality, it’s a very low capacity bag. Instead, check the maximum weight capacity of the tote. If it’s rated to carry 40 kilograms of luggage, you get a clear idea of the amount of luggage you can stuff in it.
It’s a given that your tote will be forced to gulp more than it can swallow. So, always plan for extra room for the things that you might carry irrespective of whether you need it or not. The caveat is that higher capacity totes are not airline travel compatible. If your travel plans include stowing the tote in overhead bins or under the seat, then ensure that they comply with rules set by the carrier you frequently patronize.
The biggest draw of the tote is the number of ways in which it can be carried.
If you love grabbing the handles, then look for thick, sturdy handles that don’t chafe your skin. It can be detachable or snapped together if need be. It can be short or wide. It all boils down to your preferences.
If you go cross body more often, then look for totes with detachable shoulder straps. Not all totes have shoulder straps like messenger bags mind you.
In many cases, long handles double up as shoulder straps. In this case, check for extra padded, adjustable handles.
Totes on wheels usually have telescopic handles that can be extended when it gets too heavy to carry. But ask the manufacturer if you are unsure about this.
A good quality tote on wheels should be able to tackle all types of surfaces from a boardwalk to a jungle trail. How well it performs on uneven terrain depends largely on the wheels on the base.
Look for Polyurethane inline skate wheels (spinners) with heavy duty ball bearings. Full corner protection for the wheels and screws in place of rivets ensure that the occasional bump doesn’t send it crashing.
When it comes to materials, canvas has always been the infallible choice. It’s rugged and can take a pounding without fraying. However, it’s not the most aesthetic option.
If you have deep pockets, you might consider leather. But it’s not the most practical choice for everyday use.
Other synthetic materials like nylon, polypropylene, and neoprene are equally good and low on maintenance.
Some people prefer a barebones tote with one single compartment whilst others like to have a hundred different pockets. Once again, it's subjective. But if you are looking to store your smartphone, tablet, or other costly details, then look for secure storage pockets with some protective lining inside.