Skip to content
Menu
Quick & Precise Gear Reviews
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Running
  • Cycling
  • Drones
  • Travel
  • Shop
Quick & Precise Gear Reviews

Topo Designs Cinch Tote & Trip Pack Review

Posted on September 10, 2013September 10, 2013

topo-designs-splash

From Colorado-based Topo Designs comes two lifestyle packs to take with you when heading out on a daily commute, short hikes, weekend outings, or just to your local farmers market. Topo Designs top quality bags are all hand made in a LEED certified building in Colorado, USA. We’ve had the opportunity to use the Topo Cinch Tote and Trip Pack  for a few weeks now at a couple of Farmer’s Markets here in the Bay Area and short trips with our dogs.

Topo Designs Cinch Tote

Made with CORDURA fabric and a cloth liner, the Cinch Tote features a natural leather lash tab, zipper external pocket, and a removable (optional) shoulder strap that fits through the leather lash tab allowing you to carry a little extra, like a jacket or hooking on a water bottle.

topo-designs-cinch-tote

Whether it’s the local farmer’s market, a trip to the beach, or just a place to stash your stuff as you cruise around town, the Topo Designs Cinch Tote has you covered. With its durable CORDURA exterior it’ll hold up to dirty floors and being tossed in the trunk. Fully lined with Nylon pack cloth the tote has a cinch top that allows you to secure your items inside, or leave it down for easy access. The shoulder strap allows you to carry it over your shoulder and can be removed if you don’t need it. The front of the Tote has a zipped exterior pocket as well as a small sleeve pocket.

Topo Designs Trip Pack

Made with CORDURA fabric and a cloth liner, the Trip Pack features a leather lash tab, internal sleeve with zipper pocket, padded backpack straps with accessory D-ring, and a top carry handle.

topo-designs-trip-pack

The Trip Pack was born out of the desire to have the perfect size bag for day trips while traveling, tucking necessities under the seat on a plane or just carrying a few things while tooling around town or on the trail. Topo gave it all the functionality of a daypack in a light, compact size that will keep all those excursion essential. Includes an external zippered pocket as well as an internal sleeve with zippered pocket that is the perfect size for an Internet tablet or newspaper/magazines.

topo-designs-trip-pack-views

So how did the Cinch Tote & Trip Pack perform?

I started off with the Cinch Tote as a way to replace the three reusable grocery bags that I normally use for the local farmer’s market. I might have been over ambitious and did not think things through. On a regular visit, we buy over 20 pounds of fruits alone. Add in vegetables (potatoes, cauliflower, eggplant, etc.) and we have a heavy load spread over 3 bags normally. As I start loading some of  the fruit purchases into the Cinch Tote, I was really happy to have all the space and comfort from carrying all my purchases in a single bag. But as we continued buying more fruits, I attached the optional shoulder strap and still feel great that I have all my fruits in a single bag. Until I came home. The bag can carry a large volume of fruits but some of the fruits on the bottom were squashed! I really needed TWO cinch totes instead! Lesson learned. But it was one of the best tote bag (the extra cinch lock on the top did magic) I have ever used, hands down. With the coated inside lining, I’m never worried about getting it dirty as I can easily clean it (came in handy with the squashed fruits). And the quality built of the tote is second to none. After using it for a few weeks, the wear and tear is almost non-existent.

topo-designs-cinch-tote-details

My female wear tester did another test by using the cinch tote for work and taking public transportation. She carried her lunch, novel, and newspapers easily in the tote. It was light enough that she did not require the optional shoulder strap. With her previous tote, she is always worried about her items falling out. But with a quick pinch and pull of the cinch top locking unit, she felt the added security and peace of mind. It was a no brainer and I agree with her.

topo-designs-trip-pack-goldilocks

Don’t you sometimes wished you have a back pack that is not too small or too big? On many occasions, this already happened to me. I have a  small shoulder bag that can carry small items like an extra T-shirt, hat, and water bottle that I bring with me for workouts on the track. Or a larger back pack that I used for travelling (instead of a duffle bag). But nothing in between. This is where the Trip Pack comes in. It’s the ‘goldilocks’ of back packs. What if I need to bring an extra pair of spikes for the track? My small shoulder bag won’t accommodate it. But the Trip Pack does! Or what if I need a secured zipper pocket for my keys and phone? Again, the Trip Pack to the rescue. It is always nice to have choices and I can’t be happier with the Trip Pack for these situations.

topo-designs-trip-pack-closeups

Don’t you wished choosing a pair of running shoes is that easy?

The Cinch Tote (MSRP $89) is currently available in 3 colors from Topo Designs.

topo-designs-cinch-tote-colors

The Trip Pack (MSRP $89) is also currently available in 3 colors from Topo Designs.

topo-designs-trip-pack-colors

http://topodesigns.com

*Product provided by Topo Designs. CMP.LY/1 Review

If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@weartested.org

Access Newsletter Archives

Minimalist Shoe Reviews

by Brand

Recent Posts

  • Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick. Jack Wore The Altra Superior 7.

    Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick. Jack Wore The Altra Superior 7.

    May 28, 2025
  • One for Work. One for Travel. Which KÜHL Pant is Right for You?

    One for Work. One for Travel. Which KÜHL Pant is Right for You?

    May 22, 2025
  • The new Ruko U11MINI 4K Ultra-Portable Pocket Drone

    The new Ruko U11MINI 4K Ultra-Portable Pocket Drone

    May 19, 2025
  • The Altra Experience 4mm Drop Shoe Collection: Flow, Wild, and Form

    The Altra Experience 4mm Drop Shoe Collection: Flow, Wild, and Form

    May 18, 2025
  • REI Anniversary Sale 2025

    REI Anniversary Sale 2025

    May 17, 2025
  • WTGR Gear Giveaway: LEMs Shoes Switchback Sandals

    WTGR Gear Giveaway: LEMs Shoes Switchback Sandals

    May 14, 2025
  • Get ready for Summer with Smartwool Everyday Short Sleeve Shirt & 8-inch Shorts

    Get ready for Summer with Smartwool Everyday Short Sleeve Shirt & 8-inch Shorts

    May 13, 2025
  • The Switchback Innovative Game Changer From LEMs Shoes

    The Switchback Innovative Game Changer From LEMs Shoes

    May 10, 2025
  • Comparison of Xero Shoes Sandals & New Spring Colors

    Comparison of Xero Shoes Sandals & New Spring Colors

    May 7, 2025
  • LEMs Shoes Tariff Buster - 20% OFF Sale

    LEMs Shoes Tariff Buster - 20% OFF Sale

    May 5, 2025

SPONSORED

Never Miss A Post

Join our mailing list:

Post Archives

  • May 2025 (10)
  • April 2025 (7)
  • March 2025 (11)
  • February 2025 (1)
  • January 2025 (4)
  • November 2024 (16)
  • October 2024 (10)
  • September 2024 (7)
  • August 2024 (6)
  • July 2024 (4)
  • June 2024 (6)
  • May 2024 (4)
  • April 2024 (5)
  • March 2024 (1)
  • February 2024 (1)
  • January 2024 (1)
  • December 2023 (2)
  • November 2023 (4)
  • October 2023 (5)
  • September 2023 (2)
  • August 2023 (2)
  • June 2023 (4)
  • May 2023 (7)
  • April 2023 (1)
  • March 2023 (4)
  • November 2022 (6)
  • July 2022 (2)
  • June 2022 (1)
  • May 2022 (4)
  • April 2022 (2)
  • May 2021 (1)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • September 2020 (1)
  • August 2019 (1)
  • November 2018 (2)
  • September 2018 (1)
  • August 2018 (2)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (3)
  • February 2018 (6)
  • January 2018 (2)
  • December 2017 (2)
  • November 2017 (5)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • September 2017 (6)
  • August 2017 (3)
  • July 2017 (3)
  • June 2017 (6)
  • May 2017 (12)
  • April 2017 (4)
  • March 2017 (7)
  • February 2017 (7)
  • January 2017 (3)
  • December 2016 (5)
  • November 2016 (6)
  • October 2016 (2)
  • September 2016 (6)
  • August 2016 (6)
  • July 2016 (6)
  • June 2016 (6)
  • May 2016 (6)
  • April 2016 (1)
  • March 2016 (11)
  • February 2016 (2)
  • January 2016 (3)
  • December 2015 (8)
  • November 2015 (6)
  • October 2015 (10)
  • September 2015 (2)
  • August 2015 (1)
  • July 2015 (8)
  • June 2015 (8)
  • May 2015 (6)
  • April 2015 (10)
  • March 2015 (12)
  • February 2015 (8)
  • January 2015 (12)
  • December 2014 (12)
  • November 2014 (19)
  • October 2014 (10)
  • September 2014 (6)
  • August 2014 (4)
  • July 2014 (8)
  • June 2014 (6)
  • May 2014 (5)
  • April 2014 (7)
  • March 2014 (5)
  • February 2014 (4)
  • January 2014 (9)
  • December 2013 (12)
  • November 2013 (9)
  • October 2013 (13)
  • September 2013 (7)
  • August 2013 (6)
  • July 2013 (8)
  • June 2013 (7)
  • May 2013 (13)
  • April 2013 (6)
  • March 2013 (14)
  • February 2013 (14)
  • January 2013 (13)
  • December 2012 (12)
  • November 2012 (15)
  • October 2012 (14)
  • September 2012 (5)
  • August 2012 (10)
  • July 2012 (13)
  • June 2012 (7)
  • May 2012 (10)
  • April 2012 (5)
  • March 2012 (20)
  • February 2012 (11)
  • January 2012 (8)
  • December 2011 (7)
  • November 2011 (8)
  • October 2011 (6)
  • September 2011 (7)
  • August 2011 (10)
  • July 2011 (8)
  • June 2011 (6)
  • May 2011 (7)
  • April 2011 (10)
  • March 2011 (15)
  • February 2011 (10)
  • January 2011 (4)
  • December 2010 (8)
  • November 2010 (10)
  • October 2010 (1)
  • August 2010 (1)
  • June 2010 (2)
  • May 2010 (7)

Compliance

Review
WTGR received one or more of the products or services mentioned in our reviews for free in exchange for a full test review article in our blog. Some of the links in the review posts are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, WTGR will receive an affiliate commission.
Regardless, WTGR will only recommend products or services that will be good for our readers. WTGR is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
  • Minimalist Running Shoes
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Where To Buy
©2025 Quick & Precise Gear Reviews | Powered by SuperbThemes | Hosting by Host Gator Cloud