REVIEW – This one was an unexpected surprise! The SPC/LST System Tote takes the popular tote-style bag form and upgrades it with premium materials and a contemporary design. The net result is a bag with surprising durability and usability. Let’s learn more. To the review!
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $250
Where to buy: SPC/LST Web Site!
What is it?
The SPC/LST System Tote is a big (27 liter) tote bag built from lightweight high-tech materials that incorporates multiple carry options for a versatile travel & work bag.
Tech specs
6000D abrasion-resistant recycled Cordura build
17″ tall by 13″ wide by 6.5″ deep
1.65 pounds
27.1 liter capacity
13″ laptop sleeve
Design and features
The heart of the SPC/LST System Tote is a classic tote form, which is essentially a big sack to carry your stuff. This design is wider at the top to facilitate loading all of your gear into the bag. Dual YKK zips at the top facilitate access to the main compartment.
The materials choices are made to economize weight wile maximizing durability. The exterior fabric is a recycled Cordura called “Challenge Ecopack” that’s designed for abrasion and water resistance.
The build is massive, measuring in at 17″ tall by 13″ wide by 6.5″ deep with a total volume of 27 liters. The sides run straight up, tapering at the last few inches at the top to maximize space while allowing the bag to stand on its own.
The back side reveals a luggage pass-through loop so that you could use this bag as a carry-on when traveling.
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For standard carry the bag features a pair of generously long leather handles. There’s post installed on one loop and a precut hole on the other to lock those handles together for briefcase-style carry.
The bag sports a single shoulder strap that can be attatched to the bag in multiple ways. Hooks on each end of the strap can be inserted into loops below the anchor points for the handles for cross-body carry.
If you’re going crossbody mode, there’s a messenger-style stabilizer strap that you can clip into attachment points to either side of the bag and slide into a locking clip on the main strap.
There are also loops at the top of the bag for over-the-shoulder carry if that’s your preference.
SPC/LST incorporates a set of thoughtfully-placed storage pockets into the design to add usability without taking away from the massive storage space. There’s a 7″ wide by 10″ deep pocket on the front panel that closes with a magnetic closure. This space has two pen slots and an additional small pocket to organize quick grab stuff.
You’ll also find a key leash in this pocket so you don’t have to go spelunking for your keys.
The main compartment is a simple, glorious cavern that uses a bright organge hi-vis liner to make it easier to find your stuff.
There are two deep pockets built into the sidewall of the main compartment. The front pocket is made from a mesh material for additional visibility. This pocket is roughly 9″ by 12″, and is designed for all of your loose bits.
The second pocket behind this one is lightly padded & designed to fit a 13″ MacBook. I have my 12.9″ iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard in there for a size reference.
Build quality is excellent throughout the design. Sturdy metal hardware throughout complements the high-tech materials in addition to those YKK zips. Every seam is sealed, and assembly is rock solid from every angle.
Performance
There’s a lot to love in the simple usability of the SPC/LST System Tote Bag as a daily commuter. I particularly like the look of the bag. The tote style may not be traditional as a business bag, but the upscale materials and leather handles give this bag a touch of style that works as an office hauler.
The pocketing design feels just about perfect for commuting or travel. That external pocket is plenty big enough for pens, a notebook, sunglasses, or your water bottle for quick access. I keep my work badge in that sub-pocket as well, but there’s plenty of room for boarding passes and other quick-grab items you may need on the move.
The interior sidewall pockets will take your 13″ MacBook or iPad, cables, power bricks, notebooks, and all that small stuff that you can’t live without. The key point here is that these generous pockets will keep that small stuff from getting lost in the main space, which you can dedicate to all of your big items.
My daily loadout includes a 16″ MacBook Pro, my iPad, chargers and cables, a packed lunch, a big ol’ hydration bottle, wireless headphones, and assorted office accessories that the main compartment takes on easily with plenty of room for an umbrella or a jacket if needed. It’s just huge. My MacBook is too big for that zip pocket, so I keep my iPad and notebook in there when I pack for the day.
As you’ll see in the pics below, the bag itself is big. I’m 5’10” for reference, and the bag almost drags on the ground when I carry it using the leather handles.
The inclusion of the shoulder strap solves that issue. I find that the cross-body strap configuration is ideal for throwing it over my shoulder to run between buildings & meetings.
Cross-body carry also works pretty well with some caveats. It’s a relatively thin strap with no quick release buckle, so it can be a bit of a wrestling match if you have the bag heavily loaded. There is plenty of length in the strap for adjustments, however, and I find that the bag stays snug to the body when moving around.
The stabilizer strap is a bit awkward. The idea is that it kind of slides up under your armpit and connects to the main shoulder strap. The clip is great and easy to connect, but it takes some adjustment to get used to it.
I see what SPC/LST is going for with respect to flexibility and multiple carry modes, but it could use a quick-release buckle and some refinements to the attachment point options to really make it ideal for crossbody messenger-style carry. I also find myself missing some sort of shoulder pad to help displace heavier loads.
The build quality is exceptional, with high-quality materials that inspire confidence under rough conditions. I have no fears about the elements getting in to mess with my cargo. While the texternal pocket would be even better with some sort of rain flap, the magnetic closure keeps it tight enough that you’d need a severe downpour to get any water in there. This makes a great gear/clothing bag for camping or travel.
The combination of the wide opening, dual zips, self-standing, and high-vis orange interior make this bag very easy to pack and organize for multiple applications. If I had one enhancement I would want to see here it would se some sort of strap or roll-down system to cinch up the extra material when the bag isn’t fully packed. That would enhance an already excellent, usable design.
Final thoughts
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about an “elevated” tote bag as a day-to-day commuter, but the SPC/LST System Tote has quickly won me over. It’s got a unique style that works in office and travel situations. The usability is exceptional with just enough organization and multiple carry modes. Build quality is outstanding. There’s a lot to like in this design as a multitasking workhorse.
What I like about the SPC/LST System Tote
- Excellent pocket design
- Massive cargo space
- Flexible design
- Rugged, durable build
What needs to be improved?
- Shoulder strap design could use some refinement
- A shoulder pad for heavier loads would be a welcome addition
- Would love to see a strap to compress the space when not fully loaded
Price: $250
Where to buy: SPC/LST Web Site!
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by SPC/LST. SPC/LST did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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$24.99 (as of October 16, 2025 07:19 GMT -04:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
