It’s hard to find a tote or backpack for air travel that’s durable, weather-proof, fashionable, and practical. Even harder to find both in one bag. The Fjallraven Totepack is my new favorite, and while I picked it up for one international trip in particular, it’s been my constant companion since.
The Totepack delivers what it promises…a tote that converts to a backpack. Usually with conversion packs, what you see is either an excellent tote that is passable as a backpack, or an excellent backpack passable as a tote. The Totepack 2 falls in the former category, but the ease of converting the tote straps to backpack straps is so effortless, I give it backpack points as well. Bottom line: you won’t want to use it as a backpack on serious excursions or long days, but in airports or shorter city walks, it’s a dream.
The Totepack comes in two main sizes, both with similar features. The Totepack 2, like the smaller Totepack 1, offers a durable base in natural leather and a G-1000 HeavyDuty polyester cotton blend outer layer that’s weather-resistant (it’s actually kind of waxy, like the Fjallraven duffle). The Totepack 2 has a volume of 16 liters, with dimensions of 42 cm x 33 cm x 12 cm. The Totepack 1 is only slightly smaller at 41 cm x 32 cm x 11 cm, and a volume of 14 liters. An even smaller Totepack 3 holds 11 liters, and only has shoulder straps. I’ve found the Totepack 2 to be the perfect size for a personal item on a flight, holding my laptop computer, a sweater, phone, wallet, any paperwork, sunglasses, and chargers/cords with ease.
I carry the tote mostly on my shoulder using the shoulder straps, but there are also rugged leather handles for carrying by hand as well. To convert the tote to backpack mode, you simply pull one tote shoulder strap down on both sides (it threads through the handle), and you have two backpack straps. The other tote strap hangs loose, which is my only complaint. This extra strap doesn’t get in the way, but I do wish it could tuck into the bag better.
Inside the tote, the roomy main compartment zippers open and closed (a crucial feature for me when traveling with a tote). An inner pocket holds keys, wallet, or smaller-sized phone, and an outside zippered pocket extends along almost one full side panel. You get a key ring on a strap, as well as an inner sleeve that holds my 13″ laptop. I actually appreciate that there’s not a ton of pockets and zippers in this tote…when I have too many options, I tend to lose items!
The Totepack 2 comes in six robust, fun colors, including sand, garnet, black, navy, green, and red. The Totepack 1 has even more color options. The Totepack 2 retails for $200, and the Totepack 1 retails for $110. Look for the Totepack 2 on Backcountry and Amazon as well, for a few bucks less.