As a lifelong resident of Southern California, I'm fortunate to be able to take day trips to the beach and weekend jaunts to the desert and mountains. But when packing for these short trips, I often struggled to keep all of my everyday essentials like my phone, charger, sunglasses, light jacket and water bottle organized and easy to access. Many bags were too bulky or everything disappeared into one cavernous compartment. The Calpak Luka Mini Tote changed all that, and it quickly became the one bag I reach for on nearly every trip.
I’m someone who has a hard time staying organized when I travel, so I initially wasn’t sure this compact tote would be right for me. However, I’ve found it excels at storing my stuff with a variety of pockets and clever design touches. Inside, there are two small pouches and one large zippered compartment to keep everything in its place. In the pouches, I tend to store hand sanitizer and lip gloss, while the bigger pocket holds my power bank and sunscreen. A detachable key leash makes finding my keys a quick task and the top zipper closure securely seals the bag, so nothing falls out if it accidentally tips over. My favorite features, though, are the two exterior pockets—one at the top and one on the side—that are the perfect size and spot for my phone and sunglasses.
Like the Calpak’s popular Luka Duffel, the Luka Mini Tote is made of water-resistant polyester that survives spills and splashes with ease. It’s also impressively lightweight for its size, weighing less than a pound when empty. Even when packed to the brim, I’ve found that it doesn’t feel too heavy—and the padded straps help keep me comfortable. I’ve kept this bag on my shoulder for hours, touring around Catalina Island and strolling down Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.
It’s wide enough to fit a 13-inch laptop, and while it doesn’t have a dedicated laptop sleeve, the bag’s slightly padded exterior acts as a protective buffer. The tote comes in a wide range of nearly 20 colors including pink, sliver and cream. I chose the delightfully retro French Blue Gingham, which has earned me several compliments when I’m out and about.
These days, I can’t imagine going on a staycation without the Luka Mini Tote; it has officially earned a permanent place in my luggage lineup. I know I’ll be using it on countless trips to come.