Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Packable Tote - Charcoal
Average customer rating
4.7
(188 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 188 reviews
5 Stars
154
4 Stars
22
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
3
1 Star
1
97%of customers recommend this product.
(
154 out of
159)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Packable Tote - Charcoal
Customer Rating
5
Get the "RAW" color
on June 28, 2022
Posted by: jbrew
The RAW / white color actually happens to be v2 of the product (not mentioned). I bought both at the same time and can confirm the pouch they fold into is slightly wider and longer on the white one. This means it's packed shape is not as thick and could actually be reasonably placed inside of a men's pocket. The charcoal version is too thick and would be quite bulgy in your pocket.
Otherwise, it's just an awesome tote bag, easily the best one I've owned.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Small suggestion for more flexibility.
on October 16, 2024
Posted by: Victor
from New York
I really like the bag as I bought 3 of them. I have used it for the day recently in Zanzibar and Greece. I put the little tabs on the strap so I could carry it with my camera strap since I was using it for an all day excursion. It would be great if they could add the little cords like on the back packs so you can put the tabs and they would not slide up the built in handle.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
A Good Companion for my Everyday Backpack & Sling
on February 17, 2022
Posted by: Anonymous
from Singapore
Just received the Peak Design Packable Tote. It is a good companion for my Everyday Backpack & Sling when I am doing my grocery shopping. The material is nice and can be packed into its compact case when not in use. Love the charcoal colour and the leather PD logo. It is a light and versatile bag to carry around.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Overall good with some flaws
on October 13, 2022
Posted by: Eli B.
from Virginia
I enjoy the bag overall, the material, and the price. The handle material feels premium and is comfortable. The bag size is deceptive, it can hold a lot, the material has some give that lets odd objects fit very nicely. However, what is also deceptive is the strap size. I've never had a tote with a strap this short. In the photos it shows it over people's shoulders, but unless you are size zero skinny, it's not really going to go over your shoulder and hang, it's like a small purse or handbag strap length. It either needs a very slightly longer strap or an adjustable one (better option, IMO). I know that might increase cost, but for the rest of the bag being such a premium feel, it's odd that this one can really only be carried by hand, the photos seem a bit deceptive. I'd say the other flaw is the snap closure, it works, but even with packing it back in correctly it feels like it's about to pop open. Two snaps or even a Velcro or some other option would feel more secure. I will say that mine hasn't popped open so far, but packed it feels like more of a potato shape than the flatter shape I imagined. It's a great bag for the price, but the handle/strap is a bummer for me personally. Still totally useable, and a great deal at the price, but just not what I expected given the presentation.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Excellent tote with additional modification
on June 23, 2025
Posted by: Chuck
from Merrickville, Ontario, Canada
I am on my second version of this bag and love it for shopping at a Mercat or a local Bodega when traveling and just finished using it for a 35-day adventure in Paris.
However, when I fill it and need to walk any distance, I find it gets heavy, and my hands are not free to photograph enroute. If you were to add two (2) Cord Hook loops tab stitched into the shoulder strap where it meets the zipper on the next version of the Packable Tote so you can sling it cross-body style with a Peak Design Slide camera strap.
Peak Design already offers this capability on the revamped Peak Design Everyday Tote 15L which comes with a removable padded shoulder strap to convert for cross-body sling carry. They just missed this capability on this bag.
Here is a completed modification adding a Cord Hook loop on the Peak Design Packable Tote to allow it to be used in a cross-body sling configuration.
However, when I fill it and need to walk any distance, I find it gets heavy, and my hands are not free to photograph enroute. If you were to add two (2) Cord Hook loops tab stitched into the shoulder strap where it meets the zipper on the next version of the Packable Tote so you can sling it cross-body style with a Peak Design Slide camera strap.
Peak Design already offers this capability on the revamped Peak Design Everyday Tote 15L which comes with a removable padded shoulder strap to convert for cross-body sling carry. They just missed this capability on this bag.
Here is a completed modification adding a Cord Hook loop on the Peak Design Packable Tote to allow it to be used in a cross-body sling configuration.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Good bag, critical issue with the strap
on November 7, 2024
Posted by: sonofaselkie
Purchased this bag in oct. 2024 and unfortunately had to return it. The bag feels well made, zipper slides well, and the size you get relative to how small it folds up is really quite nice. The simple problem is that the shoulder strap is so, so, so short. The bag just ended up totally nestled in my armpit, and it was just not comfortable enough to actually use.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Strap is useless as a sling + one other bug
on June 4, 2023
Posted by: Million Miler Traveler
from Las Cruces, NM
I've had this bag for a year now. It's almost a great overflow bag for frequent air travel, especially when you find souvenirs in the airport after checking luggage. It's very compact, so when not needed, it takes up very little room in the primary carry-on. It's also useful for times I find myself assigned to a bulkhead seat and use it to hold my iPad and headphones overhead since there is no place to tuck carryons in the bulkhead seat. It's light and easy to grab from overhead after reaching 10-thousand. A big plus is having a zipper. Stuff doesn't escape the bag while it's under the seat in front of you or sitting in the overhead. It's also handy for carrying extra insulation for cold planes and arrivals at colder destinations. There are three small bugs, however. The first is it being a 'tote' and not a 'sling'. Many here complain about the 'shoulder strap' being to short for shoulder. Totes in the industry are technically are handheld bags or tuck just under the armpit. But too bad it's a tote and not a sling, it'd be easier to haul extra souvenirs if the bag can drape over the shoulder and carry-on backpack after luggage is claimed at the end of the flight. Second is the handgrip is a tad too narrow. Some souvenirs can be heavy, i.e. wine. The straps don't distribute weight well. Third, the stuff pocket could either go for an extra snap or zipper. I've discovered that it could be useful to keep small items there when the bag is used as the under-the-seat bag, but nothing stays in there because they always slip past the gap on either side of the pocket snap. For those looking for the almost perfect travel sling, I find Chico Bags Sling rePETe the near best option. That bag's shortfall is no zipper closure, so stuff will fall out when placed under a seat. I promote Chico in the hope that Peak Design takes a hint and creates a similar bag with Packable Tote's good attributes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
3
Good quality bag but poorly executed
on August 13, 2024
Posted by: Mark
Quality of the materials and construction are both excellent. The zipper is a nice touch if you throw the bag in the back of your car and want to keep the items from falling out.
Due to the single handle and narrow opening, it is a bit cumbersome to get items in and out of the bag. Combined with 12L capacity which feels very limited, this bag just feels very cramped. The handle is a decent length for carrying, but could be a bit longer to use as an over the shoulder tote. It's a hassle that this bag has to be turned inside out to pack it, and turned right side out before every use.
Unfortunately this bag will either get relegated to my car for emergency use or I will give it away as a gift to someone who might like it better. I have a bag from another brand that packs down to a fraction of the size despite being almost double the capacity, and is much more accommodating due to the dual handles and wide opening.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design