Bellroy Cinch Bucket Bag Review

More often than not, we here at Pack Hacker put an emphasis on the functionality of travel gear. Whether it’s a daypack, sling, or travel shoes, we’re very keen to see what it offers to make life easier when traveling. That said, there is something to be said about gear that’s more about the vibes: a more casual approach for travelers who are not afraid to put specs to one side and personality at the forefront.

In this review, we’re taking a look at the Bellroy Cinch Bucket Bag. As far as bags go, this one certainly looks unique, being a sort of mini tote and sling hybrid that anyone can rock during blissful spring days. Don’t fret, though. While we find the style and vibe agreeable, that doesn’t mean we skip taking a closer look at the features Bellroy’s included in this little bag, so let’s check them out!

External Components

Checking out Bellroy’s page for the Cinch Bucket Bag will show you a well-structured tote bag. In ideal circumstances, you can pull off that look. However, straight out of the box, the bag’s Relaxo Weave fabric is really too thin for that to be the case most of the time. There’s no doubt this bag will have a slouchy look once you have your gear inside and have gone through an entire day of walking and tossing it around. Mind you, none of these are negatives per se, as we totally understand the appeal of this rather messy look. It’s a casual vibe that speaks to those looking for heritage styling made with today’s materials.

As an aside, you’ll be pleased to know that the bag is mostly recycled, with 85% recycled nylon, 5% recycled polyester, 5% other materials, and 5% virgin nylon. As for colorway options, we’re sampling the leather-free Sand Dune version, which is about as Bellroy as it gets, since much of their gear has this orange hue. Charcoal and Oat are black and white, respectively, for those who want something easier to match with most clothing. Then there’s Denim Blue for those who really want to vibe with the clear springtime sky.

Most of the hardware, such as the buttons and adjusters, is made of aluminum. Sadly, the drawstring gets a plastic cinch, which, to be fair, is the standard. However, we would’ve loved to see it also feature aluminum for a more premium vibe and long-term durability. Still, we are digging the paracord they’ve opted for here since it matches the rest of the bag’s aesthetic vibe.

The pair of grab handles makes the Cinch Bucket Bag resemble a tote more than anything else. While we are glad they’re there, we never really used them for most of our testing. It’s not necessarily the fault of the handles themselves; they’re not badly designed. But since the crossbody strap isn’t detachable, it just dangles when you carry the bag by the handles.

On that note, the crossbody strap is as simple as Bellroy usually makes them. They use a fairly robust seatbelt-like material with one-point length adjustment through an adjuster. In terms of width, the strap doesn’t seem lacking, though the absence of any padding is concerning given how relatively rounded and portly the Cinch Bucket Bag looks.

Fit Notes

Going by looks alone, the Cinch Bucket Bag seems most at home during the sunny days at the start of spring and summer. Winter, though? It looks very out of place, and we wouldn’t want to use this during rainy days either since the drawstring opening doesn’t seal completely.

As mentioned, carrying the bag using the crossbody strap is the ideal choice since it’s the most secure way to anchor the bag’s weight. Slinging the strap over one arm is doable, but the bag tends to slide off when it’s heavy. And trust us, after carrying this bag for an entire day, you will inevitably slouch your shoulder, providing a neat little slide for the strap to slide off.

On that note, this bag’s nine-liter capacity provides more than enough room to pack heavily. However, the strap just doesn’t provide enough cushioning for a comfortable experience for long periods. We’re not suggesting that Bellroy should’ve loaded the strap with EVA foam, but it’s simply worth noting that comfort isn’t this bag’s forte; it’s really mostly about the vibe.

Inside The Tote

At the sides of the bag are slip pockets. They’re in the same league as the Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack‘s side pockets in terms of size. While disappointing for a backpack, slip pockets of this size are much more suitable on miniaturized tote bags such as this one. They’re handy spots for stowing small everyday carry accessories, such as a phone or a wallet. That being said, the crossbody strap’s side anchor points make this tricky.

Once you’re wearing the bag and there’s tension on the strap, it also pulls on the pockets, effectively closing the pockets’ openings and making it tricky to put anything inside them. It’s by no means impossible to do so, but it does make us wish that the strap was mounted elsewhere.

Next up is the front pocket. It has a flap to cover it, secured by two snap fasteners on either side. What’s neat about these fasteners is that Bellroy made sure they each have loops on the male side, which you can use for leverage when locking them in. It’s a small detail, but one that we appreciate.

The pocket itself is a simple dump pocket for your other everyday carry accessories. There is a built-in key leash, but we usually hesitate to use it. Not that it’s poorly made; there’s simply not much room to play around with in this pocket. So, if you put your keys here, there’s not much room left to maneuver other items. Conversely, trying to fish out your keys from among other items may lead to everything inside spilling out.

The main compartment is a big open space, and you can see relatively easily inside, thanks to how big the cinched opening is and the fabric’s light color. It’s a decent amount of space to shove bulky gear, such as a water bottle and a packing cube of clothing, or a bunch of smaller everyday accessories, such as a power bank, a packed lunch, and a tech pouch. However, careful layering and stacking is a requirement since you’re still working with a modest nine liters of space. If there’s one tip we can give, it’s that you should leave one side of the interior for your appropriately sized water bottle.

There’s also a small zippered pocket inside the main compartment. It is located pretty low, though, so access isn’t very convenient. Conversely, this makes it the most secure pocket in the entire bag. So, if you ever need to store valuable items such as travel documents, this is the spot.