Orbitkey Foldable Tote Bag Review

If you’ve resolved to reduce the amount of plastic in your life or make weekly treks to the local library for a new book, you’re probably familiar with the humble tote. We’re not talking about fancier travel totes that may have padding, pockets, and zippers to protect your laptop and slot your wallet, phone, and more, but simple bags that a beginner sewing student could create. We’re all-inclusive when it comes to bags here at Pack Hacker, and we think there’s a place for even the simplest way to get your gear from Point A to Point B. In fact, sometimes we think simpler is better than something loaded down with bells and whistles we don’t need.

But the question is, can Orbitkey, a company that began with a key organizer, make a great bag? And, if so, will their Foldable Tote Bag be your daily driver or something you keep around for certain special occasions? Keep reading to find out!

External Components

Orbitkey began with a Kickstarter campaign for its Key Organiser, so you’re forgiven if you think that’s all the brand sells. After all, it’s right there in the name—Orbitkey. But we’re here to tell you that they’re not a one-trick pony, with a multitool, USB drive, and, now, the Foldable Tote Bag. The company says its goal is to help you get organized with sustainable, usable products, and we have to say that, sometimes, a simple tote bag is about as handy as you can get.

This one is made with GRS-certified recycled polyester. The Global Recycled Standard, or GRS, is a voluntary standard companies can adhere to for tracking and verifying the content of recycled materials in a final product throughout the supply chain. If you’re an Earth-friendly packer, it’s something that you’ll be happy to know. We have the Black colorway on hand (you know it!), but you can also get an Earth-toned Forest Green, if you prefer, with a black brand label and handles.

That polyester material is ripstop, meaning it has a grid pattern of reinforced stitching to prevent rips and tears from spreading. If you’ve ever nearly lost your box of Rice Krispies because the corner of the box ripped the cheap plastic grocery bag, or, worse, had a bottle of wine bust through just due to its sheer weight, you’ll be happy to know that’s unlikely to happen if you shop with this tote bag.

Aside from quality materials, there’s not a lot going on around the outside of this bag. The Orbitkey branding points out that the company began in 2013 on a webbing strip on the front. It’s stitched in the center, creating two loops, not so you can clip a piece of gear (although you could connect a small carabiner with hand sanitizer if you really wanted), but to hold a loop of elastic cord in place. It’s a feature missing from some other shopping totes that’s key to the foldable part of the Foldable Tote Bag because it holds everything together when it’s folded and rolled up. Stick with us, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of how to do it later on (spoiler alert: it’s VERY easy). Unfortunately, that cord is already starting to fray after just a few weeks of use. We’ll be pretty disappointed when it breaks because then you’ll lose the ability to hold it closed.

There are also two handles with an 11-inch drop made with nylon webbing. They’re long enough to carry over your shoulder. However, the material is a bit slippery, and we noticed that it can slide off, especially when we’re wearing similarly slick packable travel jackets. Luckily, they’re not so long that you can’t carry it by hand, so we’re happy to have options.

There’s no padding, breathable mesh, or anything else in the way of creature comfort, though that hasn’t bothered us while testing the tote bag. If there were, the bag probably couldn’t roll up to palm-size, and we’ll take the light weight and packability any day for a bag that is more likely to be used for short excursions than 10-mile hikes.

Fit Notes

So, there are a few things to consider when considering the fit of the Orbitkey Foldable Tote Bag. First, how does it fit different users? Then, how does it fit in another bag when folded up? Finally, what fits inside?

We’ll get to that last one in the next section, but let’s chat about the first two now. The straps are slim enough to fit nearly everyone’s shoulders and stay put … except when wearing a slick jacket. Then, the two slippery materials work against each other to slide off if you’re not careful. We see that with other bags, though, so it’s not necessarily a knock against this tote. As long as you’re not wearing something equally slippery, there’s enough space between the top of the straps and the top of the bag to carry it, even full, on your shoulder.

Most average-size users will also have no issue carrying it by hand at their sides. You may find it a bit close to the floor if you’re shorter than average, but you can always carry it in the crook of your elbow if that’s the case. Regardless, this is a short-excursion bag as it lacks padding on the straps and the bag itself, so you may want to consider something else if you plan to trek all the way downtown from uptown while carrying a bag full of groceries—or pick a closer store.

Instead, it’s a great bag to have with you just in case since it rolls up to the size of a street taco. You can do this any way you like, but we recommend folding both sides toward the middle lengthwise, tucking the straps in the middle and folding the top over to keep them tucked inside, folding the bag in half, and then rolling it up and wrapping it with the elastic. While you wouldn’t think of putting a tortilla in your sling, we don’t think you’ll have an issue tossing this in the bottom of your travel daypack or crossbody to keep with you in case. We think it’s best to use for trips to the market, bringing home souvenirs, or even carrying your gym shoes to your next workout.

Inside The Tote

So now it’s time to dive inside. It’s pretty easy since there are no zippers, snaps, buttons, ties, or other means of closure. That’s good for quick access but not great if it tips over in the rental car on the way back to your Airbnb. Since this bag can roll up to be pretty small, there’s no firm base or any other means of keeping it upright while packing it full of goodies or in your cart, so you’ll want to make sure it’s wedged up against something else to keep your apples from rolling away or your whiskey from banging into your wine.

Speaking of which, now is the time to answer what fits inside. Obviously, that’s dependent on the size of the things you’re putting inside, but we have no issue fitting more than a dozen Cup Noodles, three standard cereal boxes, or two loaves of bread (without squishing them) to give you an idea of the interior volume. That means you can keep it with you to stop by the market for a baguette and cheese after touring the Louvre Museum in Paris or for all the books you can’t resist when visiting the Strand Book Store in New York.

It’s also a great size for shoes or slippers to bring to your friend’s house so you don’t track mud or water inside in inclement weather. If you use it or that, you’ll want to clean it before taking it to the grocery store again. We’re happy it’s machine washable so you can do just that.

While other packable totes may be smaller or more packable, we think the durable materials, elastic cord, and interior capacity make the hand-sized Orbitkey Foldable Tote Bag perfect for everyday use and your next trip.