Mountainsmith Zip-Top Tote Bag - Medium

Per the label the outside fabric and inside lining are actually polyester and not nylon. Both are a rip-stop fabric, with the outside rougher and the inside smooth. The outside is almost cordura-like in texture and fairly heavy but not tough-as-nails thick like a 1000D cordura. The smooth inside lining is lighter weight and will hopefully hold up to rough use.

There's one outside pocket that is very flat and won't hold anything big/bulky. It'd be good for papers, maybe some writing instruments but it doesn't close/zip so things could fall out. One inside zippered pocket and a key fob are the only things on the inside.

I like the abrasion-resistant rubber base, it's a semi-hard shell that keeps it's shape. That could also be a drawback if you're looking for a bag that will fold up or roll up smaller, because this will fold flat but not roll up small.

One thing I don't like is the shoulder strap. It's padded, but just barely, and a heavy bag wouldn't take long to be uncomfortable. Also, the strap is stitched only to the zipper seam and shell fabric, not a reinforced location. In some bags the shoulder strap is stitched to another strap sewn onto the fabric and the strap carries most of the load, not just the fabric.

This is a really nice tote but it seems to me it isn't meant for really heavy loads. This is the same bag as the large zip top duffel http://www.sierratradingpost.com/mountainsmith-zip-top-duffel-bag-large~p~6635n/ but I think the description as a tote is more accurate than a duffel. When i think duffel I think something that can haul a heavy load and while both these bags are huge in volume, I'd be hessitant to have it carry a lot of weight.

Overall it's a really nice bag but just a couple things keep it from a 5th star.

Very sturdy and well made. Would expect it to last a long time. Nice and big, will hold all sorts of stuff.