AFTER A FEW standout products, a brand can really earn your trust. That’s certainly the case with Peak Design for me, which over the last several years has become synonymous with sleekly-designed, high-functioning bags. You can tell the PD team probably has a lot of fun during the design and research and development processes, perfecting little things here and there for a better backpack that looks good and offers some and quite useful details.
I’ve tested a lot of gear over the years, distilling that work into guides like the best backpacks for men. And when it comes to an everyday bag, there are limitless options. Despite that, the Everyday Totepack from Peak Design is way ahead of the curve. Touting cool-as-a-cucumber looks, expandability, an aerodynamic and efficient build, and a makeup of recycled material, this pack is a triumph in a crowded field.
| Capacity | 20-25L |
| Dimensions | 18 x 15 x 6.75 in. |
| Weatherproof | Weatherproof bottom liner |
| Weight | 2.75 lbs (with dividers) |
What I Like About the Everyday Totepack
I’ve been wearing the Totepack around for months now and always look forward to putting it to task. That’s because it’s proven to be well-built, fun to use, and easy on the eyes to boot. It has an urban sensibility, making it great for treks to school or work. We don’t often call an everyday backpack fashionable but this one is just that (able to play double duty as a tote, in case you’re not the backpack with a suit kind of guy).
It performs well in all arenas, whether I’m packing food and clothes for a night at the campsite or want a good travel companion that will free up my hands traveling in the airport or train station. There’s an athletic element to the bag as well, making it great for treks to the gym.
Dynamic Dividing
The magnetic clasp tote opening makes for easy access.
While not a typical gym bag, the dynamic dividers inside allow you to separate things and easily pack all your workout gear, like shoes, extra clothes, water bottles, food, and more. In fact, they can be setup horizontally and vertically, giving you extra housing options depending on what you’re carrying. You can fold the dividers themselves into little cubby compartments too for items that might need a little more safeguarding, like fruit or lenses.
At 20 liters, this bag is far from large but it’s all kinds of efficient. When you’ve loaded up the main compartment, you can pile in more goods with ease before securing the top enclosure. That can make for some digging around, sure, but if you pack smartly and layer things accordingly, that’ll rarely be an issue. And there are side pockets on either side for getting to lower items.
Built to be Heavy Duty
The exterior is a weatherproof recycled canvas with a reinforced base that protects goods and allows the bag to sit upright fairly well while not in use. There are little loops here and there for clip-on additions and the second pocket up top is great for smaller items. Here, you can stow phones, sunglasses, earbuds, keys, etc. and even maintain some order thanks to a host of little dividers.
Straps adjust with ease and there are little reflective accents that make you more visible when you need to be. I’ve been especially hard on the zippers and bag itself just to test its strength and I’ve been impressed. After many, many outings it still performs as it did on day one.
SHOP THE PEAK DESIGN EVERYDAY TOTEPACK
Versatility
While not a bike bag specifically, it has sufficed for cycling treks.
While not a giant tech head, I can see why this bag would be attractive from that perspective. Those storage permutations inside are perfect for all those gadgets. I’ve used it many times for fly-fishing, utilizing the many internal configurations to, say, keep clothes, hardware, and food separated or stacking things in order that they are likely needed when on the water.
It’s been my go-to for biking for quite some time now. I love how the base is reinforced and can stand up to the weather (you know, those pesky muck and water lines thrown by your rear tire). Items stay organized and snug, making wearing the pack even while ascending a mighty hill in the saddle a breeze. You can really synch it up and wear it tightly even on a long distance ride and it won’t hold you back.
Cool features come in droves in this pack. The magnetic clasp on the top opening is outdone only by the zippered reinforcement, should you want a little extra security. The straps, while narrow, are incredibly comfortable and strong, supporting your back even after a full day out and about.
There’s a 15-inch laptop sleeve and additional one neighboring it for tablets (up to 11-in) and the like. These are sturdy little pockets with plenty of padding. The ability to expand an extra five liters (or 20%) is great, especially when you just need a little more for your outing. And you can even carry the pack a number of ways, either on your shoulders or as standard carry with the double loops on top (also magnetic).
SHOP THE PEAK DESIGN EVERYDAY TOTEPACK
What to Watch Out for
One of the downsides of a bag that can do everything is that it doesn’t quite excel at any one particular thing. There’s bags that are better for cycling, better for going to the gym, and better for hiking. But that’s three different bags, and the Totepack can do each of those things pretty decently.
A big thing to keep in mind is that the Totepack is a tad heavy at nearly 3 pounds, but we attribute that to good materials and a durable build. If you’re looking for a lighter weight daily bag, we’d recommend the Bellroy Classic that’s just 1.5 pounds and sports a streamlined style that’ll be at-home in any office setting. The bag can hug your back a bit, especially if you’re looking to stay more aerodynamic on a bike or during a hike. That kind of fit can lead to a sweaty spine, so keep that in mind if this is going to be a work bag.
The side pockets can be tricky to access, and not exterior water bottle pocket means you’re risking getting the contents of the bag wet. For a bag that offers good exterior pockets, try the Cotopaxi Allpa 26L Daypack. The interior side pockets could certainly be more inviting but given the great top loading and unloading clasp and zipper, this is a relatively minor snag. And with all the clever openings you could even rig up a hydration bladder if you needed quick and hands-free access to water.
SHOP THE PEAK DESIGN EVERYDAY TOTEPACK
The Verdict
The Totepack can tackle just about any pursuit.
The Totepack is an everyday pack and certainly lives up to the name. I’ve done just about everything with it, from short commutes to long bike rides, days on the trail to overnighters on the weekend. The sleekness really does fare well in active situations, as do the comfortable straps and adjustable nature.
With a modern, ahead-of-the-game kind of feel, I highly suggest it—not just because of the clean look and great design features but also due to the brand’s increasingly heightened status and the overall value. This bag punches well above its weight given the price and can accompany just about any adventure, outing, or task, in a manner that’s both helpful and stylish. I like its chances against any similar-sized bag out there, period.
SHOP THE PEAK DESIGN EVERYDAY TOTEPACK
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Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He’s formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can’t seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He’s a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up.
He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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