Crossbody Travel Bag Review: Why I Carry the Alpaka Flow Satchel
A crossbody travel bag has long been my standard personal item when traveling, as keeping your hands free is so important, especially with kids. After three years of full-time travel, I have a lot of opinions on what makes a good travel bag. Throughout our travels, I have tried several “personal item” bags, often prioritizing size and placement of zippers over other features.
The Alpaka Flow Satchel is not designed to serve as a purse (not enough interior zip pockets), but it makes a great crossbody travel bag. What first drew me to this bag, and what I continue to love about it, is the water bottle pocket. No more arguing over who carries the water bottle, or running back to get it after someone leaves it behind!
As a family, we have a lot of travel experience and know how important it is to have functional, comfortable gear. We spent three years full-time traveling as a family of four before settling as expats in Porto, Portugal, a city known for its rainy season.
In this review, we’ll explain why this bag is part of our family’s go-to travel gear. We’ll share the full details of the bag, our personal pros and cons of the Flow Satchel, and why (and when) we recommend it.
This article is not sponsored; we were provided with a sample to test, but our review is based on our own experiences and opinions.
This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.
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Overview of the Alpaka Flow Satchel
The Flow Satchel (4L) by Alpaka is an asymmetrical crossbody travel bag that currently comes in black and a military green color. The material is water-resistant and made of recycled ripstop nylon.
It has two exterior zippered pockets and an expandable water bottle sleeve that can hold up to a 1L size. It also has webbing attachment loops on the side to personalize, or you can add one or more of Alpaka’s accessory attachments.
The main zipper pocket has light grey contrasting internal material and four small organizer pockets to hold glasses, a phone, or other personal items. There are two pockets on each side. The bag has a flat bottom to keep it upright.
About Alpaka
Alpaka was started by two friends who launched a messenger bag on Kickstarter in 2016 and has grown from there. Their travel gear products blend style with functionality. They also have an emphasis on sustainability and donate 1% of annual revenue to environmental non-profits.
Specs and Options
The Flow Satchel comes in two sizes: 2L and 4L, in either black or green exteriors, both with light grey interiors.
The 2L volume dimensions are Height: 7.5in – 8.7in (19cm – 22cm), Width: 5.9in – 10.7in (15cm – 27cm), Depth: 3.6in (9cm), and Weight: 0.7lbs (300g).
The 4L volume dimensions are Height: 7.9 – 9.8 in (20 – 25 cm), Width: 9.1 – 14.6 in (23 – 37 cm), Depth: 3.5 – 5.1 in (9 – 13 cm), and Weight: 0.9lbs (400g).
Both sizes come with a removable adjustable shoulder strap. The front zipper pockets have a built-in detachable key tether, and the rear pocket is hidden, lies against your body, and can be used to keep valuables.
We tested and reviewed the larger 4-liter version.
There are a number of accessories that Alpaka offers that can be added to these, such as wallets, coin purses, key rings, and ID card carriers that can be attached or stored inside.
Alpaka ships to the US, Canada, the EU, and more. Delivery times for US orders are 8-15 days. If you are unhappy with your purchase, you can return it for a full refund within 45 days.
Pros of the Flow Satchel
Here are the things that we really like about this Alpaka bag, and how it functions in the real world.
•Comfortable Design – The shape of this satchel fits very nicely against the body (worn on the right side). The strap is narrow, but comfortable. The bag tucks under your arm, so it’s in a safe, visible place. This creates a good hands-free experience for travel.
•Water Bottle / Small Umbrella Pocket- The external expandable sleeve can be used for a water bottle or a small umbrella. This is great if you need to put the umbrella away wet, as the inside of your bag stays dry. We love having a dedicated space for a water bottle when we are on the go. This is the feature that really drew us to this bag.
•Water Resistant – The water repellent fabric does a great job of keeping your belongings dry if you are caught in the rain. Since moving to Portugal, finding gear that can handle frequent rain showers has become a priority. I hate carrying a bag where my money gets wet if I go out in misty or wet weather.
•Good Exterior Zippers – The YKK AquaGuard zippers are smooth, easy to operate, and keep the pockets dry.
•Nice Moderate Size – The Flow Satchel 4L is a decent size for travel, and can hold several personal items, including a small tablet or gaming device, and headphones. This is not a “fits everything” bag, but it has a slim profile and a stylish design that goes with everything.
Cons of the Flow Satchel
Below are the things that we either didn’t like or think could be improved about this bag. As no bag is perfect, these are things that you should be aware of when deciding if this travel bag is a good fit for you.
•Lack of Colors – With only black or green as color options, this bag will not appeal to everyone. It’s designed to go from business meeting to travel, with a low-profile color palette.
•No Interior Zippers – while the main pocket has four nice side organizer pockets, there is nothing to keep their contents in place if the bag is upset. Even magnetic closers would be helpful. I like to have a secure, interior zipper I can stash things I don’t access often.
•Shape Limitations – Because of its asymmetry, the Flow Satchel is only comfortable over the left shoulder and slung on the right side, which allows easy access to the water bottle.
Accessing the water bottle and pockets is awkward if held the opposite way, with the water bottle at the back. For short outings, this doesn’t make a difference, but for long travel days, I like the option to switch shoulders to even out the weight.
•Water Bottle Uses Interior Space – Carrying a water bottle pushes into the space in the interior of the bag and will affect how you fill the interior. If the interior is full, when you remove the water bottle, the contents may have shifted inside, and it can be tricky to replace the water bottle into the sleeve.
•Water Bottle Zipper – The expandable water bottle holder is great, but the zipper is non-locking, so it tends to work itself open with a water bottle in place or when putting the water bottle in the sleeve. It does feel secure, and I have not had to worry about the water bottle falling out, even when the zipper was down a bit.
Personal Review: Cynthia, 5’3″
There are things I really love about the Flow Satchel– the exterior pocket for a water bottle or umbrella is really great. While you can’t switch shoulders easily, the shape means that you don’t mix up the two side pockets, and always know where things are.
I was unsure about the narrow strap when I first tried it, but after getting used to it, I found it to be quite comfortable.
Overall, I found the 4L size held less than I was expecting. Because of the triangular shape of the bag, the top portion of the bag (where it zips) is much narrower than the base, which can make it hard to pack.
The upside to the shape is that it has the stability to sit upright, and appears slimmer when you are carrying it.
I often prefer more “square” shaped bags where I can really stuff things in. 4 liters sounds like a large bag, but I didn’t realize that the bag I usually carry is closer to a 9-liter capacity when full.
The water-resistant nature of this bag is top-notch- I didn’t think it would become my “all day, every day” bag, but now that we are in the middle of the rainy season, that’s exactly what it is. I love having an easy place to stash an umbrella, so I don’t get caught without it!
There You Have It
If you’re looking for a small travel bag that keeps your hands free and handles unexpected weather, the Alpaka Flow Satchel is a solid choice. It’s not going to replace a larger backpack, but for the rainy season or travel days when you just need the basics, it works really well.
The water bottle pocket is especially helpful, and the water-resistant fabric has already proven itself here in Porto’s rainy season.
While the Flow Satchel has a few quirks, it’s a well-built, durable, and stylish option. If you find yourself juggling a water bottle, travel documents, and a few day-pack type items, this bag will be perfect. It’s become a regular part of our travel gear for rainy locations, and may just earn a spot in yours too.
Read Next: 7 Best Kids Headphones for Travel or 50+ Essentials Items for Your Day Pack
We also wrote a review of the Trtl Travel Pillow– our go-to pillow for overnight flights that doesn’t take up too much room.
Both of these items appear on our list of fun, practical gifts for travelers!
