Pakt Stash Packable Tote 20L Review

Some would argue that any bag is packable if you try hard enough. While we can commend such a go-getter, can-do attitude, there’s no need for such aggressive tactics when packable bags exist in our timeline. More so when the packable bag in question is a tote, bringing a second bag you can deploy in mere moments is not only possible, but has also become a staple travel hack-turned-habit for us.

In this review, we’re taking a look at the Pakt Stash Packable Tote 20L. It’s sizeable, packable, and handy for hauling beach-goers’ needs, all while looking like a normal tote that doesn’t pack into something the size of a melon. So, if that sounds like your type of tote, then stick around and we’ll tell you all about this one—the pros, the cons, and everything in between.

External Components

The primary material of this tote is, as Pakt says, a premium type of recycled nylon. No word on the exact number, but the fine weave suggests it’s a fairly light denier. More importantly, we’re liking how classy the fabric looks overall. It doesn’t show any hints of being wrinkly, flimsy, or anything to give away the fact that this is a packable bag. That may sound trivial, but oftentimes, we find packable bags tend to have that unkempt look that betrays all sense of quality, which may be understandable, but if we can have our cake and eat it too, then all the better. In this case, it’s a packable tote that’s also entirely presentable.

Other neat details include the use of YKK zippers all throughout the tote. That brand is basically a byword for reliability, though we’re not taking that for granted. The good news is that two weeks of testing haven’t really turned up any issues, either. It’s also worth noting that Pakt layered a PFAS-free DWR (durable water resistant) coating on the fabric to protect it from splashes. We wouldn’t count on it preventing soaking if you decide to stand in the rain for prolonged periods, but it’ll get you by so long as you bolt for the nearest shelter.

Where things get a bit more obviously packable is with the handles. Compromises have to start somewhere, and it’s in the form of thin handles. To be fair, these thin nylon handles are seatbelt smooth and still feel fairly sturdy; they’re simply lacking any thickness and padding. Pakt seems to have tried to compensate by making the handles as wide as possible without them feeling too cumbersome on narrow shoulders. So, has the balancing act worked? We’ll say more in the next section.

Lastly, there is a luggage pass-through at the back with a zippered bottom side. Why is it zippered? So you can use it as a pocket when you’re not using it as a pass-through, or vice versa, depending on how you look at it. This is a neat design trick we like seeing on messengers and totes since it adds more functionality to an otherwise one-dimensional feature.

Fit Notes

Comfort is generally on point with the Stash Packable Tote. So, to answer our question from earlier, yes, the simple straps are still effective at taming this 20-liter tote’s potential load despite their minimal bulk. Their lengths are decent as well, being short enough that the tote doesn’t get dragged along the floor when you’re holding it by your side. Yet, the handles are large enough that you can shoulder the tote without it pressing uncomfortably against the armpit.

The tote is pretty well-structured as well, which helps a great deal when you’re carrying it around. It doesn’t feel like we’re constantly trying to fight the tote like it’s a sack just hanging off of you. Again, it’s worth noting that this is, at the end of the day, a packable tote, so any semblance of rigidity is very much welcome.

Inside The Tote

Going back to the rear luggage pass-through/pocket, it is a good spot for stashing your wallet or smartphone in a pinch. Being pressed against you, it’s a relatively secure and safe spot for that purpose. Even better, Pakt went the extra mile by having a magnetic closure built into the fabric so that the pocket isn’t constantly getting exposed when you’re walking about.

It’s worth noting how good the magnets are, too. Oftentimes, we find embedded magnets like these to be too weak for their intended purpose; not these ones, though. They’re strong and feel satisfyingly tactile, and it’s honestly surprising for a packable tote. If we had to nitpick, it’s that embedded magnetic closures, in general, still leave gaps along a pocket’s opening where gear can still fall out. That said, it’s an imperfect solution that’s still welcome if you want the convenience of open pockets that don’t feel totally exposed.

The two pockets at the front are split evenly in terms of size, but they have distinct features. The one on the left has a small mesh pocket that’s handy for keeping some separation between everyday carry items, such as spare change, lip balm, maybe a few packets of makeup remover. Meanwhile, the right pocket has a key leash built in. Again, this is a feature we’re not quite expecting on packable gear, so it is a welcome sight to see one; it gives us a no-brainer spot to keep keys. The leash is more of a string than a strap, but the clip is a carabiner-style one that’s more than suitable in terms of quality.

The main compartment is guarded by a single-zipper opening. Zippered this opening may be, but the ends of the zipper track don’t seal completely. We’re not bag designers, so we don’t know the exact reason why they do this sometimes. However, we can hazard a guess and say that it’s to make zipping and unzipping towards either end easier, regardless of how empty or packed the tote is. Regardless of the reason, this means rain and other debris can still get inside, and small gear could still fall out if the tote gets turned upside down.

You can fit a fair amount of gear inside the 20-liter space. The floor is quite flat, so stacking packing cubes and pouches is easy. Based on our estimate and testing, we can fit a weekend’s worth of clothing inside. That said, this tote is designed more as a gear hauler for travelers who need an in-between bag for when they’re actually at their destination. With that in mind, this tote is spacious enough for bringing beach towels, packed lunches, and a small fleet of lotions and toiletries. Smaller items can also be accommodated since there’s a small zippered pocket near the top.

That said, this zippered pocket is where the tote packs into itself, so we wouldn’t keep anything permanently there. As for compression, the process is as simple as pushing the tote’s fabric from the outside. Simple, but the process does take some effort since the fabric is decently structured and hefty for a packable tote, as already mentioned. Maximizing the pouch’s space also takes effort, as the material doesn’t fill the dead spaces very easily. Silver lining: you still end up with a small package no bigger than a melon.