Bellroy is a premium brand but I was still on the fence about paying a premium price for a backpack/tote bag. I was looking for a minimal urban bag that I could easily switch into a tote. For work, I love that I can pack it around like a backpack and then switch it to a tote for when I want a messenger style.
For when I’m traveling, I’ve switched my setup to be a Peak Design Travel Line backpack and then this Bellroy into tote-mode. The PD Travel Line is a great luggage bag but it’s a bit too large and heavy for everyday carry. That’s where the Bellroy Tokyo totepack has come in handy. I can still carry all my clothes and toiletries in the Peak Design bag carry on but keep my tech and other essentials close by in my “personal item”. It’s a great setup for travel and I have a lot more versatility.
The bag is minimal on the outside with no lash straps on the outside. I like that it’s more self contained than other bags. I can still slip a Swell size water bottle in there and an umbrella in the inside pockets. Then I can keep a laptop and other things inside. I also like that there’s space for folders so it really does make it easy for this to be a work totepack.
The design is simple and there are plenty of tote packs out there. But after a month with it, I’m really pleased with my purchase. It’s durable, looks good, and fits a very specific travel need I’ve been trying to solve for some time now.