Matador 24L Tote Pack Review

The Matador 24L Tote Pack is exactly what the name suggests—a tote first, with daypack functionality when you need it. That simple concept makes it surprisingly versatile. Whether you’re heading to work, hopping on public transit, grabbing groceries at the farmers market, or spending an afternoon at the beach, it adapts well without feeling overly specialized.

Unlike dedicated commuter backpacks or minimalist totes, this bag doesn’t try to excel at one specific task. Instead, it aims to be ready for whatever an average day in the city throws your way. After testing, we found that the approach works well. It’s easy to use, thoughtfully laid out, and offers just enough flexibility to justify taking it along instead of a traditional tote or daypack.

External Components

The Matador 24L Tote Pack uses 420D bluesign® recycled nylon that’s PFAS-free. It feels durable without being overly rigid, giving the bag a professional, clean aesthetic that works just as well in an office as it does running errands around town. Throughout testing, the material handled daily use without any issues, inspiring confidence that it’ll hold up over the long haul.

Matador uses its co-developed DuraGlide sealing zippers on all of the exterior compartments. These came from the brand’s partnership with Zoom, and they’ve performed well during testing. They glide smoothly, help keep the bag looking sleek, and offer an added layer of weather resistance. Once you move inside the bag, you’ll find YKK zippers, which are among our favorites in the industry. We didn’t run into any issues with either setup.

The backpack conversion system relies on YKK buckles, and while you won’t interact with them constantly, they’re satisfying to use. They snap together securely and release easily when it’s time to convert the bag from tote mode into a backpack.

Running along the top of both sides are daisy chains that serve a couple of purposes. You can clip extra gear here if needed, though they also add a bit of visual interest and structure to the bag’s overall shape. It’s a small touch, but one we appreciate.

At the front is an adjustable bungee cord system that dramatically increases the amount you can carry externally. It’s handy for stashing a bicycle helmet, lightweight jacket, or similarly bulky gear that you don’t necessarily want taking up room inside the bag. It can be a little trickier to secure items when the tote is mostly empty, since there’s less structure pushing outward, but overall, it’s a versatile feature we really dig.

There are a handful of Matador logos throughout the exterior, though none are especially large or distracting. They blend nicely into the overall design without screaming for attention.

Around back, there’s a luggage pass-through that slides easily over rolling luggage handles. Whether you’re navigating an airport or rolling your bag through a hotel lobby, it’s one of those travel-focused features that’s always nice to have and one we’d expect from Matador.

Fit Notes

Most people will primarily carry the Matador 24L Tote Pack as a tote, and that’s clearly how the bag was designed to be used. The tote handles are fairly straightforward. There’s no padding or aeration, but they’re comfortable enough for typical daily loads. Like most tote bags we’ve tested, this one eventually starts to dig into your shoulder with heavier loads, though nothing here feels out of the ordinary.

One feature we particularly appreciate is that the tote handles are adjustable. It’s something we don’t see very often, and it makes a meaningful difference. Whether you have a larger frame or simply prefer carrying the bag lower on your side, being able to fine-tune the strap length makes the tote much more comfortable to use.

The “Pack” portion of the Tote Pack refers to its hidden backpack straps. They’re tucked neatly behind the back panel until you need them. To deploy them, unclip the YKK buckles and pull out the wider shoulder straps. Then, the thinner straps previously attached form the lower portion of the shoulder harness. You’ll also need to unbutton them from the upper daisy chains before adjusting them to your preferred length.

It’s a clever system that’s easy to figure out and makes the bag significantly more versatile. If you’re walking around town and decide to hop on a rentable bike or scooter, switching to backpack mode is much more comfortable than balancing a tote bag on one shoulder.

The backpack straps don’t have much padding, though there’s enough reinforcement to keep them comfortable for moderate loads. Between the tote handles and backpack straps, you can comfortably carry the bag throughout most of the day. If you really load it down, both carry methods will eventually become noticeable, but having two different ways to carry the bag lets you switch things up before discomfort becomes much of an issue.

Inside The Tote

Hidden beneath the luggage pass-through is Matador’s Smuggler Pocket. It’s well concealed and works nicely for flatter valuables like a passport, cash, or travel documents. There’s not much depth here, so thicker items can be noticeable, but for slim essentials, it’s a great spot.

One side of the bag features a transparent mesh pocket with a vertical zipper. It’s perfectly suited for carrying a water bottle, especially a sweaty one you don’t necessarily want inside the main compartment. It also works well for an umbrella, even a wet one, keeping moisture away from everything else you’re carrying.

The front quick-access pocket sits slightly raised above the main body of the bag, giving it its own dedicated volume rather than simply stealing space from the main compartment. Inside, there’s only a small tracker pocket, leaving the rest of the compartment open for everyday essentials like your phone, wallet, or keys. Because the front bungee partially covers this pocket, it’s a little harder for wandering paws to access your gear, particularly if you’ve got something stored under the shock cord.

The main compartment has one of the more unique layouts we’ve seen in a tote. Instead of one large open cavity, there’s a large divider running through the center. That divider is actually a zippered pocket with a PU-coated zipper for additional weather resistance. It doesn’t include any organization, but it creates a protected area that’s ideal for documents, electronics, or anything else you’d like to keep separated from the rest of your gear.

On either side of that divider are two spacious storage areas. Toward the back, there’s a large zippered mesh pocket alongside plenty of open space for bulkier gear. A 14-inch computer will fit here, too! On the front, there’s a smaller mesh pocket with an integrated key leash, while the rest of the compartment stays open for flexible packing.

One detail we especially liked is the small gaps at both the top and bottom of the divider pocket. They’re just large enough to securely hold a water bottle or similar container, giving you another storage option without sacrificing usable packing space. It’s particularly handy if you’re carrying multiple bottles or travel mugs throughout the day.

Overall, the Matador 24L Tote Pack feels like a true urban companion. It isn’t trying to be the best tote, the best backpack, or the best travel bag. Instead, it does a little bit of everything well. Whether you’re heading to work, stopping by the gym, browsing a farmers market, relaxing at the beach, commuting on public transit, or bouncing between rideshares throughout the day, it adapts easily to each situation. While you can certainly use it outside the city, its thoughtful organization and convertible carry system feel especially at home in an urban environment.