ALPAKA Flight Sling & Elements Tote Review: Do These Bags Really Hold Up?
Disclaimer: Explore the Map contains affiliates links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program and other affiliate programs. If you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, I may recieve a compenstation at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.
I get it, tote bags and sling bags probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re hunting down gear reviews (unless you’re on the endless quest for the “perfect” bag). But if you want a bag that won’t fall apart after one season and you’re willing to spend a little more on something that’ll actually last, then this review for ALPAKA’s Flight Sling and Elements Tote bag is for you.
These two travel bags have been on lots of adventures with me lately and both have earned a spot in my gear closet. They’ve been tossed in the car for camping weekends, lugged up trails, squished between back seats, and even strapped to the front of a paddleboard on a windy day.
So yeah, if you’ve been wondering whether a tote or sling could actually keep up with hikes, road trips, beach days, and everything else you get up to, you’ve come to the right place.
The Verdict
I really like both of these bags and if you just want to check them out for yourself, you can see the latest prices here: ALPAKA Elements Tote | ALPAKA Flight Sling
Disclaimer: I received both bags as a gift from ALPAKA so I could test them out and share my thoughts. All opinions here are my own and getting them for free hasn’t changed what I think about them. I always aim to be honest in my reviews.
About ALPAKA, the Brand Behind the Bags
First thing’s first, let’s talk about the company behind the gear. Too often, we just grab something cheap and quick without thinking about who we’re supporting and I like to challenge that behaviour.
ALPAKA is an Australian brand that started in 2016 when two friends, Ramiro and Jin, got fed up with not finding a bag that actually worked for their lives (I get it). So, like any good gear nerds, they designed their own.
Their first bag, the 7ven Messenger, launched on Kickstarter and blew up!
Growth & Community
Since then, they’ve expanded into a full range of bags that not only look great but also hold up to real-life use. They’re just as at home in a downtown office as they are on a muddy campsite. Versatility for the win!
The team has been super hands-on from the beginning. Jin even moved to China for a while to oversee production in person and to make sure the bags were built to their standards, as well as to ensure the workers were paid fair wages and given good working conditions.
Fast forward a few years and now they’ve got a flagship store in Melbourne, a loyal following, and a reputation for updating designs based on customer feedback (which must be difficult since everyone always has different ideas of what’s good!)
Materials & Sustainability
ALPAKA puts a lot of thought into their materials. They use weather-resistant fabrics like X-Pac (originally made for sailcloth) and often work in recycled fabrics. I’ll be honest, I don’t totally understand the ins and outs of those technical names (kudos if you do), but they sound impressive.
What I do know is that after months of using both bags, they still look brand new. No fraying or weird scuffs, unlike plenty of cheaper totes I’ve owned that barely lasted a season.
On top of that, ALPAKA is part of 1% for the Planet and partners with groups like the Surfrider Foundation. To me, this is all really important. They’re not just cranking out bags for the sake of it. They clearly actually care about making gear that lasts and about keeping the outdoors worth exploring.
ALPAKA Resale Program: Buy or Sell Secondhand
Another thing I really like about ALPAKA is that they’ve set up their own resale program through the ALPAKA Marketplace. Instead of tossing an old bag in the closet or trying your luck on random resale sites, you can buy or sell ALPAKA gear directly through their platform.
It’s a great option if you want to try out a bag at a lower price, or if you’ve outgrown one of yours and want to pass it along. Given how durable these bags are, it makes sense that they’d have a second life with someone else.
I haven’t personally used the resale marketplace yet, but I love that the option is there. It lines up with their sustainability goals and makes it easier to shop consciously!
ALPAKA Elements Tote Review (20L)
The Elements Tote has become my go-to hauler for all the “everything else” gear when we’re travelling or camping. Clothes go in a backpack and this tote gets the rest: toiletries, Kindles, cards, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, chargers, and yes… sometimes a wine bottle.
It’s basically a Mary Poppins bag!
I decided to get the biggest size so it could take the place of extra backpacks and carry a lot. Turns out, it’s the perfect size. I couldn’t imagine going smaller, but they do have 9L and 14.5L totes if that fits your needs better (this one is 20L).
Layout & Pockets
The large ALPAKA Elements tote has a 20-litre capacity and a flat base, so it stands upright on its own which makes it way easier to pack and unpack without it collapsing in on itself.
Inside, there’s a semi-padded sleeve that easily fits my 16″ laptop, two open slip pockets for random little things, and two elasticized bottle sleeves. My only complaint here is that the laptop sleeve isn’t padded very much, so I do worry about my laptop.
However, I love the bottle sleeves because they keep drinks upright instead of rolling around and spilling everywhere. I’ve also used them for bear spray, dry shampoo, and sunscreen; basically anything I don’t want lying sideways at the bottom of the bag.
On the outside, there are front and back slip pockets with hidden magnets that snap shut on their own, which makes them perfect for quick-grab items like my battery bank or sunglasses.
The main compartment also has a magnetic closure, though it doesn’t always stay shut when the tote’s stuffed full and feels a little weak.
Materials & Build
The tote’s fabric is a durable, water-resistant Axoflux 210D ripstop nylon on the outside with a 300D honeycomb ripstop polyester lining.
I’m not going to pretend I know exactly what all that means (I think it sounds like something out of a spaceship manual), but what I do know is that it feels way tougher than any cotton or canvas tote I’ve ever owned.
After months of use, my Elements tote still looks brand new and hasn’t shown a single sign of giving up, even after being dragged along on rougher trips.
Another thing I love is that it folds flat when I’m not using it, which makes it easy to stash away in a closet or suitcase. And the rolled-edge webbing handles are easy to carry even when the tote’s weighed down with half my road trip gear.
Real-World Test: Paddleboarding
The tote’s biggest test was on a trip to the Kootenays when we decided to paddleboard across choppy water to a little hidden beach instead of hiking in.
I strapped the tote to the front of my board, fully expecting my Kindle and towel to get soaked, but they came out completely dry! After that, I stopped questioning if this bag could handle real outdoor use because obviously it can.
ALPAKA’s Flight Sling Review (2L)
Alrighty, on to the next bag review! The Flight Sling is my adventure-day bag. I don’t usually wear it around town, but for hikes, road trips, and camping, it’s become a favourite.
What Fits Inside
At 2L, the sling holds way more than you’d think. I usually pack snacks, bear spray, my Joey Pouch wallet clipped to the MOD key tether, sunglasses, and a battery bank with cords. Sometimes I throw in my Kindle, which fits nicely in the padded sleeve.
There’s no dedicated water bottle pocket like some of their other bags, but I’m able to clip mine to the outside so it’s always handy anyways.
Pockets & Organization
The front zip pocket of the Flight Sling has a MOD key tether, which is basically a magnetic clip that keeps things secure. I use it for my wallet, so I never worry about it slipping out.
The main compartment has just enough organization to keep things sorted without being over-designed, and the rear slip pocket is perfect for a passport or phone on travel days.
I’ve read some old reviews that said the rear pocket should be zippered so things don’t fall out and I’m happy to share that they’ve taken that feedback and ran with it! The new version’s rear pocket is fully zippered.
The Strap & Carry
The main strap is adjustable and has a magnetic buckle that’s quick to release, though I’ll admit it took me a bit to get used to. Now that I have, it’s super handy for getting the bag on and off quickly, especially when I’m wearing layers or want to attach my bottle.
There’s also a little handle on the top that you can use to carry it. I didn’t even notice it for the first month I owned the bag and don’t really use it, but I can see it being handy for grabbing it out of the car or carrying it short distances like a clutch.
On the website, it says the straps can be removed so you can use only the top carry, but that seems to be outdated because the straps on my bag are fully secured and not going anywhere (unless I actually have an older version? I have no idea).
Finally, I like that the sling sits flat against my body and feels light even when full and doesn’t bounce around.
Materials & Build
The Flight Sling is made from water-resistant Axoflux 210D ripstop nylon with Aquaguard zippers… which is a whole lot of tech talk. If you actually understand all those fabric words, I salute you. I’m just here to say “it works”.
What I can say is the fabric feels sturdy but not bulky, and the zippers have a sealed finish that makes me trust they won’t leak..
In Banff, where it rained for almost the entire trip, everything inside stayed dry. Same thing on our early-morning Moraine Lake outing, where it drizzled while we waited for the sunrise. And on the Bear Creek Falls trail, it held bear spray, snacks, and a water bottle clipped to the outside, basically most of the ten essentials, so I didn’t need a backpack.
I think this bag was designed mainly for flight days (the name gives it away), but it’s proved just as useful for road trips, camping, and short hikes.
Sling vs. Backpack
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if a sling would be useful when I already had a bunch of backpacks, but ALPAKA’s Flight Sling fills a gap I didn’t realize I had.
For short hikes, day trips, or road trip stops, it’s the perfect middle ground. It’s way more functional than just stuffing my pockets, but not as overkill as bringing a full pack.
If you’re deciding between the two, ask yourself: are you carrying a day’s worth of gear or just the essentials? If it’s the latter, the sling wins.
Pros & Cons of the Bags
If you just want the quick hits, here’s what stood out to me after months of using both the ALPAKA Elements Tote and the Flight Sling.
Elements Tote (20L)
I’ve used this tote enough now to have a pretty good sense of what works and what could be tweaked. Overall, it’s been a fantastic bag, but like anything, there are a few details that could make it even better.
What I Like
- Holds way more than you’d expect
- Stands upright on its own, so you’re not fighting with it while packing
- Water-resistant fabric
- Comfortable rolled handles, even when it’s heavy
- Bottle sleeves that keep drinks (or bear spray) upright
What Could Be Better
- Magnetic closure doesn’t always stay shut when the bag’s crammed full and the magnet in the center feels a little weak
- No zippered interior pocket; I’d love a secure spot for my wallet or keys
- A tiny interior pocket near the top for chapstick or headphones would be handy (instead of fishing around at the bottom)
- The laptop sleeve lacks padding, so I wouldn’t rely on it for protection
- The straps are narrow and can slip off shoulders; some padding or grip would make them comfier
Even with those quirks, I’ve still loved using it. The tote’s durability and size make it far more useful than most totes I’ve owned, and the potential upgrades would only make it better.
Flight Sling (2L)
The Flight Sling has really grown on me. I love the size, the shape, the way it carries, and even the magnetic buckle I wasn’t sure about at first. That said, here are the things I like most and the spots I think could use some tweaking.
What I Like
- Big enough for snacks, Kindle, bear spray, and more without feeling heavy
- Water-resistant fabric and Aquaguard zippers kept everything dry in the rain
- MOD tether is genius for clipping in a wallet or keys
- Magnetic buckle makes it easy to take on and off, especially with layers
- Flat profile sits comfortably against my body
- The rear pocket is zippered on newer designs, which makes it more secure than the original version
What Could Be Better
- Not the best fit for everyday errands (too roomy for just keys and lip balm)
- Took some time to get used to the magnetic buckle
- The MOD key tether works well, but the position feels awkward; I’d love it moved to the left side of the pocket so you don’t have to unzip it all the way
- You can’t remove the straps on (what I’m assuming is) the new design, even though the website still says you can (confusing!)
Performance & Real-World Use
What’s impressed me most about both bags is how they handle the messy, less-than-perfect moments that make up real life, because that’s when you learn if gear is worth keeping.
Neither bag feels fragile and I don’t have to baby them… which is good because I’m not exactly the easiest on my gear. I’ve dropped them in sand, squished them between bus seats, and worn them through storms, and they still look basically new.
Who These Bags Are For
- The Elements Tote: Best for campers, road trippers, and beach days when you need a second bag to haul “everything else”. If you’ve ever wished your backpack had a sidekick, this is it.
- The Flight Sling: Perfect for day hikes, sightseeing, and travel days when you want to carry your passport, snacks, bear spray, or most of the ten essentials without a full backpack. Also a solid pick if you want a water-resistant sling bag that won’t fall apart after one season.
Are they Worth the Price?
Short answer: yes. ALPAKA bags aren’t the cheapest bags out there, but that’s the point. I’ve owned cheaper totes that frayed or stained within a season and I’d be replacing them every year. These bags still look brand new after paddleboarding, camping, and rain-soaked hikes.
If you’d rather buy once and actually use your gear for years (which I think you should), ALPAKA is worth the investment.
Final Thoughts on These Travel Bags
Both the ALPAKA Elements Tote and the Flight Sling have earned their spot in my gear closet.
The tote has replaced my old “second backpack” on trips. It’s the first tote I’ve owned since our house fire and I didn’t realize how much I missed having one until this bag came along. It’s tough, roomy, and flexible enough to handle camping gear, beach trips, and random road trip extras.
The sling isn’t something I use for everyday errands, but for hikes, road trips, and adventure days, it’s perfect. It fits the essentials, keeps them dry, and is comfortable enough to wear all day. Even though it’s called the Flight Sling, it’s become just as useful for camping weekends and long drives.
After Banff rain and a paddleboard test, I’m confident these are going to be in my gear pile for years!
FAQ: ALPAKA Bag Questions
Not technically. It’s water-resistant with Aquaguard zippers, so it’ll keep things dry in heavy rain, but I wouldn’t leave it sitting outside in a storm.
Yes, it has a semi-padded sleeve that fits up to a 16″ laptop.
Surprisingly, yes. The rolled handles don’t dig in even when it’s packed even though it doesn’t have padded handles.
Not for me. It’s a bit bigger than I like for just keys and lip balm. I keep it for hikes, travel days, and adventures where I need more gear.
Yes, it has a flat base that keeps it upright. Super handy when you’re packing it at camp or setting it down at the beach.
In my opinion, yes. I’ve had cheaper totes fray and look tired after one season. These still look brand new after months of rough use.
I went with the 20L because I wanted something big enough to replace a second backpack. If you want something smaller for day-to-day use, there are 9L and 14.5L options too.
Yes, it has a soft-lined sleeve that can fit an iPad mini or Nintendo Switch. I use it for my Kindle.
Not inside, but I clip mine to the outside and it works perfectly.