If you’re considering buying the recently-launched Travel Hack Tote bag, then I hope this detailed review helps you to decide whether this luggage is right for you.
Pockets, pockets and more pockets. That’s what I look for first when it comes to new luggage as, being able to separate out your items, really makes packing and unpacking a breeze.
Not to mention how easy it is to find essential items like your passport and tickets quickly when you need them.
I’ve loved using the Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case these past couple of years (you can read my review here), so when Monica from The Travel Hack got in touch to ask me if I’d like to try her new product: the Travel Hack Tote, I (of course) jumped at the chance!
Read on to find out what I thought after using it during our weekend trip to the Peak District.
Full disclosure: Monica from The Travel Hack kindly gifted me a tote bag in exchange for my honest review and feedback. As always, all thoughts, opinions and photos are my own.
The Travel Hack Tote: Affordable, Stylish & Perfect For A Weekend Getaway
In case you’ve never heard of it, the Travel Hack Tote is a 30-litre hand luggage bag.
It was designed by Cabin Max (experts in cabin luggage) in collaboration with Monica from The Travel Hack (a hugely successful full-time travel and lifestyle blogger who certainly knows a thing or two about weekend getaways and travelling the world!)
Just like the rest of Cabin Max’s luggage, the Travel Hack Tote bag is designed to fit within most airlines’ hand luggage restrictions.
This one, in particular, is designed to fit underneath the seat in front of you. It’s exactly the size of easyJet’s latest hand luggage restrictions, but Scott and I have yet to test it on an aeroplane ourselves. Stay tuned for that one day soon!
Ultimately, The Travel Hack Tote bag is a beautiful and luxurious piece of hand luggage without the hefty price tag!
Keep reading for all the reasons why I love my new favourite travelling accessory.
What I Love About The Travel Hack Tote Bag
Here are all the top things I love about The Travel Hack Tote bag…
1. Pockets, pockets and more pockets!
I knew the Travel Hack Tote bag would have lots of pockets and compartments before it arrived, but it’s got even more than I first realised!
On the outside, it has two good-sized and slightly hidden pockets in the front (super handy for grabbing essentials like your passport and tickets quickly!)
It’s even got a zipped pocket on the part that can slip over your suitcase handle.
And then inside, the Travel Hack Tote bag also has these additional pockets and compartments:
- One large padded laptop compartment
- Two smaller padded pockets (ideal for iPads and tablets)
- Two deep mesh pockets with zips
- One long narrow pocket in the side with a zip (perfect for your hair straighteners or more intimate items)
- Plus, one small mesh pocket on the other side of the bag
Isn’t that fabulous? I love a bag with plenty of pockets as it makes finding things so much easier when you can separate your various bits and bobs out.
2. It’s hand luggage-sized, yet oh-so-spacious!
At 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, the Travel Hack Tote is designed to fit within most airlines’ hand luggage restrictions.
Even easyJet’s new policy allows you to take the tote bag on as hand luggage although we have yet to try this ourselves.
According to Cabin Max, the bag should slide underneath the seat in front of you. We’ll be sure to update our review as soon as we’ve had the opportunity to take it on an aeroplane with us!
I have roadtested it during our trip to the Peak District, though! Despite packing extra clothes to take us from hiking during the day to evenings out, I still had tons of room left over to fit more in. I’d say you could probably use this bag for a 4 or 5-day trip, as well as a casual weekend getaway.
3. Beautiful stylish design, yet useful too
I’m a total sucker for rose gold anything so I adore that all the zips are in rose gold, which looks striking against the plain black. Not to mention the millennial pink colour inside is gorgeous as well!
The tote bag also has a couple of faux leather and quilted fabric details, which also add to the luxurious feel of this stunning piece of hand luggage.
But the tote bag’s design is also just as practical as it is beautiful!
It has two large overarm handles, an adjustable (and detachable) shoulder strap and even a part that enables you to slide the bag over your suitcase handle.
I also love that the bottom of the bag is padded, so I wasn’t worried about damaging anything inside – including my laptop!
4. Affordable yet luxurious hand luggage
You might think that all these fabulous features and stunning design mean the tote bag comes with a hefty price tag.
But at under £50/$55, this is affordable yet luxurious hand luggage!
Buy the Travel Hack Tote on Amazon >>
Buy the Travel Hack Tote on Cabin Max >>
What Could Be Improved
As they say, nothing’s perfect. I do have a couple of teeny tiny little niggles about the bag (but they’re certainly not deal breakers!)
- The bottom of the bag doesn’t have studded “feet”. This is such a small thing, but I think some studded feet would finish the bag off even more. But I suspect this would have also affected its ability to fit within many airline restrictions, so I can understand why these might have been left off.
- The zippers aren’t officially lockable. This isn’t a problem if your bag is going to stay with you when travelling, but I do prefer lockable zips for that extra security. What you should be able to do, though, is thread a padlock through the loops at the end of the zip pulls themselves.
Is The Travel Hack Tote Worth It?
In a word, yes. I honestly love this tote bag and I’ll certainly use it for all our future weekend getaways where Scott and I don’t need as much space as an actual suitcase.
For me, it’s the stylish, classy design, multiple pockets and affordable price tag that make this bag such a winner for weekend getaways.
Given the Travel Hack luggage collection was designed in collaboration with a blogger and influencer, I was initially worried they’d hoik the price right up like other brands have done in the past.
But by keeping this tote bag under £50/$55, they’ve achieved something I’m so proud to own: a practical, affordable, yet luxurious piece of hand luggage!
Buy the Travel Hack Tote on Amazon >>
Buy the Travel Hack Tote on Cabin Max >>
Also On My Wishlist…
To finish, I also wanted to point out that Cabin Max and The Travel Hack have also created some other products together, which you might like.
I also have the Travel Hack Pro Cabin Case, which I’ve reviewed in detail here. Spoiler: I love that too!
But both of these products below are still on my wishlist. I’m looking forward to reviewing them as soon as I’ve got my hands on them. Stay tuned!
- The Travel Hack Backpack (20L): It looks like they’ve used the same gorgeous rose gold, black and pink design as the rest of the Travel Hack luggage collection, and it also seems to have lots of pockets and compartments as well. | Check prices on Amazon | Check prices on Cabin Max
- Pink Compression Packing Cubes: Apparently, 17 litres of clothing can be compressed into just 12 litres with these packing cubes, which also have a pretty pink and gold design. | Check prices on Cabin Max
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this Travel Hack Tote bag review. If you’ve got any other questions, just drop me a line in the comments below and I’ll reply asap! Or… if you’re already the proud owner of this beautiful hand luggage, I’d love to know what you think of it!
Pin this Travel Hack Tote review now, read it again later!
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