DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape) Review

The DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape) is lightweight, convenient, and intuitive to use. The name “Utility” fits nicely here since there are always reasons to use a travel tote. Throughout our testing, we tested this 18-liter capacity tote in a variety of situations, including as a daily-carry tote, a grocery bag, and even a travel companion. We also tested this tote with DSPTCH’s optional add-on, the “Tote Insert — Landscape 16”, which enhanced the bag’s functionality and uses.

This tote features intuitive organization and has a tactile, stealth-like appearance, giving off some espionage vibes. It features an all-black exterior that maintains a low profile and an inconspicuous aesthetic. We really appreciate this tote’s versatility, as it can be enhanced and customized with a wide range of additional accessories. DSPTCH sells camera cubes, pouches, FIDLOCK key chains, and even shoe straps for carrying footwear to complement the tote, though you can use another brand’s gear, as well. This setup provides a plethora of ways to deck out and customize the tote, though none of them are necessary to enjoy this spy-themed tote.

External Components

The exterior of the DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape) is 5.0 oz Dyneema Composite Fabric. This durable and rigid material allows the bag to stand up on its own, making packing and unpacking it easier. However, because of its ultra-lightweight nature, the material makes a somewhat loud, crinkly noise, which may not be ideal for those who prefer a quieter bag.

The bag also features dual YKK reversed racquet coil zippers on the top, which are specifically designed for luggage and backpacks requiring extra abrasion resistance. The zippered closure with zipper docks at both sides provides additional protection for the gear inside from the elements.

The bag has additional webbing mounts on the front that allow for the attachment of extra pouches and various other gear and accessories. You don’t necessarily need to use the ones made by DSPTCH, providing flexibility with any kind of additional gear. Attaching gear using a large carabiner or shock cord works just as well. There are eight attachment points on the front and up to two on the back, depending on whether or not you have the luggage passthrough snapped.

The DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape) is as versatile with its carry styles as with its use cases, featuring three carry modes that are easy to switch between on the fly. To carry it like a traditional tote, it features webbed handles padded with foam, which are comfortable to grip and offer a pretty comfortable carry experience. These handles provide enough space to get a hand through quickly and efficiently but do not have any dangling loose straps, a feature we appreciate. They have enough slack to allow for a briefcase-like carry style and conveniently fall out of the way when not in use. These handles also prove beneficial when trying to get something in or out of the tote with one hand, as their length is not excessive and provides a secure point to hold the bag. We found these shorter handles to be our preferred style of tote handles, as we rarely use the longer handles as shoulder straps when carrying the tote over one shoulder.

The second carry mode features a 1.5-inch Quick Release Shoulder Strap for over-the-shoulder or crossbody wear. While it tends to dangle at its most extended length when using the webbed handles, it does not touch the ground. Adjusting the strap’s length might require some getting used to, but it’s easy to manipulate on the fly—particularly helpful when swinging the bag from front to back. This may vary based on personal preferences for crossbody style, such as whether it hangs looser or sits higher up on the body. The Quick Release FIDLOCK has a noticeable accent color for easy visibility and locating. It works quickly, although it did take a few attempts to distinguish which tab is the quick-release FIDLOCK and which is the length adjuster. Carrying the bag crossbody is decently comfortable. It’s easy to forget it’s there when not packed out super heavy, but after a trip to the grocery store, carrying the fully loaded bag back home was slightly uncomfortable.

The third carry mode on this tote includes a luggage passthrough strap with a snappable closure in the middle. This allows the tote to sit securely on top of roller luggage, ensuring that nothing falls out of the bag or its internal pockets during transit. Additionally, this strap can function as one or two extra attachment points depending on whether the luggage passthrough is snapped closed.

Fit Notes

The all-black aesthetic of the DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape) is timeless, blending into both casual and professional settings with ease. The exterior material and additional external attachment points lend a spy-like aesthetic to the product, enhancing its stylish design. This versatile tote can be used in various situations while maintaining a minimal and low profile. That is, of course, if you choose not to attach a bunch of gear to the outside.

Inside The Tote

The interior lining of the DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape) features a 420D Nylon Packcloth fabric with a similar durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, identical to the exterior material, offering water resistance. The fabric has a smooth nylon feel and seems quite durable. Running one’s hand across it makes a familiar nylon sound. The bag’s interior also uses gray accents to provide a nice touch of added visibility.

For secondary compartments, this tote keeps it fairly minimal, with only one pocket outside of its main compartment. A concealed “drop-in” pocket is located on the back, cleverly hidden behind the luggage passthrough, providing quick and easy access to whatever is inside. This stealthily designed pocket, for the most part, goes largely unnoticed unless you know where to look, making it a super convenient feature for small items that require easy access but aren’t necessarily something you’d want to advertise. Ideal for items like headphones, a wallet, or even a phone, this pocket can fit an iPhone 15 Pro Max, although it’s not deep enough to fully conceal the device—something to keep in mind.

The DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape) really shines with its main compartment. This tote is compatible with their Tote Insert — Landscape (13″ and 16″), which is not included. We tested out the 16″ insert, but we will dive into that later. The tote’s main compartment features a gated plastic key clip and various mesh utility pockets built into the bag sides as floating pockets. There are three smaller pockets on one side, and on the opposite side, there’s a medium-sized stretchy fabric sleeve. The tote also includes a water bottle sleeve in the corner with some stretch to accommodate various bottle sizes and keep them standing upright. The water bottle sleeve includes a dual cord lock adjustment for extra security, and when not in use, it stays out of the way and against the wall. The rest of the compartment is open for other gear, which can be thrown in freely or used with cubes and pouches. One of the nice features of this tote’s built-in organization is how the pockets are built into the walls of the main compartment, so they stay out of the way when not in use but are still there if you need them.

If you add it, the Tote Insert — Landscape 16″ is made from the same 410D Nylon Packcloth with DWR coating as the inside of the DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape). It adds additional utility and organization to the tote. The insert provides form and structure thanks to a solid core at the base and has a padded laptop compartment firmly anchored at the center. It can securely and comfortably fit a 16-inch laptop (in our testing, a 16″ Macbook Pro). The laptop compartment does not have a soft or plush lining; it’s just the nylon packcloth material. It provides plenty of protection from accidental drops or bumps on just about all sides.

The insert includes an additional water bottle sleeve with some stretch to fit different water bottle sizes, ensuring they stay upright. There’s a dual cord lock adjustment for extra security, similar to the water bottle sleeve in the tote. The water bottle sleeve is located in the middle for easy access as soon as you open the tote. This is likely because when the structured insert is inside the bag, it’s slightly more challenging to use the one built into the corner of the bag, though it is still possible by moving it to one side of the insert. The insert also includes a cord cinch for extra cables, a D-ring attachment for clipping a carabiner or keys to, and three mesh sleeves on the opposite side for added organization, one big and two small that are not stretchy but have a decent amount of space.

The DSPTCH Utility Tote (Landscape) is a practical and stylish tote that’s as versatile with its carry modes as it is with its use cases. Its durable construction, intuitive organization, and the option to add a wide range of accessories make it a standout choice for anyone looking for a functional and adaptable everyday carry. Whether you’re heading to the office, running errands, or packing for a short trip, this tote can serve your needs well while offering ample protection for your gear. Its sleek, all-black design also ensures it fits in a wide range of environments. While it may take some time to get used to the different carry styles and adjust the straps to your liking, this tote’s overall comfort and convenience make it an excellent choice.