Expo West is technically about food—but it’s become just as much about the tote bags.

People walk the floor with totes stacked up their arms, doubling back to booths to grab the ones they missed, then later posting full TikTok hauls ranking each one. They hunt for specific designs they’ve spotted along the way, and certain totes quickly become hot commodities.

Some booths even draw lines not for their products, but for the tote they designed that year. At a certain point, it’s hard to tell what people are more excited about: the food or the totes.

What started as a simple piece of swag—an easy way to extend branding beyond product samples and signal a brand’s presence on a crowded show floor—has evolved into something much bigger. Totes have become a form of currency and status, with some brands generating so much demand they run out within hours.

You start the day with one—maybe two if you came prepared. Then, a few aisles in, someone hands you another. By the end of the day, they’re piled up your arms, and you’ve fully accepted your fate.

Somewhere along the way, Expo West quietly turns into Tote West or The Tote Show.

(1)The Only Bean went above and beyond a tote, they made a bag shaped like an edamame pod. Not practical at all for collecting samples, but honestly one of the most memorable things at the show. And you had to earn it; they made you play a Flappy Bird–style game to win one.

(2)Seven Sundays went the opposite direction with a soft gingham tote that some would say is more wearable outside of Expo. Both worked in their own ways and we made sure to get both, of course.

(3)Poppi and (4)Mazaah both leaned into totes you’d actually use for grocery runs, with a style, size, and material reminiscent of IKEA’s iconic blue and yellow bag. Each chose bold, standout colors that cut through the crowd.

(3)Poppi took a bigger approach with a large carryall, but with a detachable mini bag that made it feel smart and thoughtful. At one point, we even saw a dog carrying its own little Poppi bag—which kind of says everything.

(4)Mazaah’s green bag was simple, yet especially eye-catching. It was my personal favorite, and I’ve already put it to use.

(5)De La Calle and (6)Trubar both played with pattern and color in a way that stood out. (5)De La Calle’s gingham tote tapped into that same farmer’s market feel, but felt a little harder to come by. (6)Trubar’s ombré bag, on the other hand, was bold and graphic, one of those you could spot from across the aisle.

(7)Belgian Boys is known for its totes—they’ve become so popular that the brand now does an annual reveal of each new design at Expo West, complete with a fresh theme and style. This year, they fully committed to a Goyard-inspired look, bringing a touch of designer chic to the show floor. Like in years past, it drew a crowd—we spotted one on nearly every corner, and by the end of the day, it felt like every other person had one.

On the other hand, Pressed Juicery(8) kept things straightforward with a bright yellow, durable canvas bag. With plenty of stock on hand, it became one of the easiest—and most reliable—grabs.

Expo West might be where brands show what’s next, but it’s also where everyone leaves carrying far more than they planned—literally. What starts as a few samples quickly turns into an armful of totes, each one a badge of where you’ve been and what you’ve discovered. By the end of the day, the real takeaway isn’t just what you tasted—it’s what you carried out with you.