ALPAKA Metro Tote Review

The ALPAKA Metro Tote is a streamlined everyday-carry tote bag with a 14-liter capacity that balances simplicity and functionality. The minimalistic design focuses on essential organization while maintaining a clean and modern aesthetic. Inside, you will find plenty of organization for everything you might need, including a laptop, tablet, water bottle, and everyday necessities. 

Everything is conveniently arranged to keep everything neat and easily accessible. Despite its minimal approach to organization, this tote provides excellent functionality for urban commuters and professionals who appreciate a well-organized and modern tote for everyday carry.

External Components

The ALPAKA Metro Tote features ALPAKA’s durable Axoflux 210D weatherproof fabric with a distinctive grid-like ripstop pattern. This material adds durability and weather resistance and provides a subtle texture while maintaining a smooth feel. The bag uses high-quality YKK reverse coil zippers featuring a DWR coating and smooth-gliding dual zippers with Hypalon pull tabs. These zippers can be positioned on either side or in the middle of the bag for added versatility. At the base of each hand strap, you will find attachment points that can fit larger carabiners for extra external carry functionality. These attachment points are compatible with their HUB accessory system, allowing for increased versatility.

ALPAKA incorporates a minimalistic branding approach, with just a simple Hypalon tab with their logo embossed on the front. Most people will probably overlook the bag, but die-hard ALPAKA fans may be able to pick this tote bag out of the crowd thanks to its design and aesthetic.

The ALPAKA Metro Tote’s tote handles are made from sleek nylon webbing that feels similar to a seatbelt. While the handles are decently comfortable for regular use, the minimalistic and thin design may become less comfortable during extended carry periods or with heavier gear. Many users may prefer carrying the tote on their shoulder, where the strap design proves to be more comfortable and practical for everyday extended use.

This tote also features convenient carabiner loops located on both sides of the bag. These robust attachment points serve multiple purposes. They are compatible with ALPAKA’s dedicated Crossbody Shoulder Strap, allowing for another versatile carry option when you want to switch things up. Beyond just attachment points for a strap, these loops are engineered to be strong enough to secure additional gear to the bag’s exterior. Whether you need to clip on a water bottle, attach a small pouch, or secure other accessories, these attachment points provide flexible carrying options without compromising the bag’s clean aesthetic, thanks to their location. The loops are discreetly integrated into the bag’s design while maintaining full functionality.

For frequent travelers utilizing roller luggage, there is a thoughtfully designed luggage pass-through system. A sturdy but straightforward nylon strap lets you securely attach the tote to your roller luggage handle, keeping it upright and organized. This orientation allows easy access to all your gear without having to remove the tote from the luggage, making it particularly convenient when navigating airports or train stations.

Fit Notes

The ALPAKA Metro Tote has a fairly clean, modern aesthetic that works equally well in professional or casual settings. Available in Black, Green, Blue, and Grey colorways, each variant contributes to the bag’s sophisticated and minimalistic design. The shoulder straps are thoughtfully sized to accommodate users with longer arms, allowing for seamless transitions between handle and shoulder carry methods.

Inside The Tote

The interior of the ALPAKA Metro Tote is made with a Cool Grey Honeycomb 300D recycled ripstop polyester that provides extra visibility for gear inside. However, the Grey version of this tote has a Blood Orange Honeycomb 200D ripstop nylon lining instead. The external side pocket is super versatile, accommodating items like umbrellas, small tripods, or water bottles. This pocket incorporates thoughtful design elements, including bottom drainage mesh for wet umbrellas and a stretchy mesh component on one side, allowing for it to expand to accommodate larger items to an extent. While larger water bottles might require two hands for insertion, retrieval is still pretty effortless.

ALPAKA has cleverly incorporated discrete slip pockets on both sides of the bag. These pockets help maintain the bag’s modern aesthetic while offering quick access to everyday items like phones, wallets, or compact earbuds. The pockets are designed with sufficient depth and opening size to accommodate various hand sizes, providing an excellent balance between stealth and practicality. Their inconspicuous nature adds an element of security while keeping essential items within easy reach.

In the main compartment, built into the top, the ALPAKA Metro Tote includes a MOD key tether with a decent length for easy access. This magnetic tether system integrates seamlessly with other ALPAKA products utilizing the MOD key tether design. This means if you own multiple ALPAKA items with the same MOD key tethers, you can quickly transfer your keys between bags without having to remove them from their rings.

A dedicated laptop compartment has a soft-touch fleece-lined interior that can fit laptops up to a MacBook Pro 16″. In front of the laptop sleeve, you will find another fleece-lined slip pocket perfect for tablets or a notebook. Both sleeves can be secured with a latch using a hook-and-loop closure strap to help keep your devices secure.

Up against the side of the main compartment, a dedicated internal water bottle pocket adds versatility to the bag’s interior organization. This pocket can serve as either a dedicated water bottle holder or provide additional organization for other oddly shaped items that may not fit elsewhere. This internal placement is particularly convenient because it allows you to carry both a water bottle inside and still utilize the external side pocket for an umbrella, tripod, or other gear.

Opposite the laptop sleeve, you will find additional slip pockets that are equally sized and have a decent amount of space. These pockets utilize a floating design that allows them to lie flat against the wall of the main compartment when not in use, preventing them from taking up unnecessary space. While constructed from the same durable interior material, these pockets include a colored accent at the pocket’s opening that matches the bag’s exterior, making it easier to locate the pocket’s opening.

The rest of the main compartment provides an open space that is perfect for larger items. This flexible area can easily fit tech pouches, camera gear, or any other oddly shaped items that do not fit neatly into the dedicated organization pockets, giving you the versatility needed for varying carry needs.

The ALPAKA Metro Tote does an excellent job of balancing minimalist design with practical functionality. With 14 liters, it provides ample space for daily essentials while maintaining a sleek profile suitable for both professional and casual settings. The thoughtful organization, including the dedicated laptop compartment, versatile water bottle solutions, and various quick-access pockets, makes it an excellent choice for urban commuters and professionals.

While the tote handles are not the most comfortable when carrying heavier gear for extended periods of time, the addition of alternative carry options through the carabiner attachment points and optional shoulder straps helps make up for it. The weather-resistant materials, high-quality YKK zippers, and durable construction make it an ideal everyday carry solution, especially for those looking for a modern tote that will definitely last.