The Drift by Mission Workshop is a versatile tote bag designed for work, play, and travel. It features multiple pockets for essentials like a laptop, phone, and water bottle, plus a 28-liter main compartment for clothes and other items you need to bring with you.
Mission Workshop has become synonymous with durable, utilitarian bags that can withstand heavy use. Their latest addition, the Drift laptop tote, is a testament to their commitment to creating high-quality, multi-functional products. It’s designed specifically for tech gear and fits seamlessly into their expanding collection.
Mission Workshop’s The Drift is a unique and innovative tote bag designed to transport all your essential gear for work, leisure, and travel. This versatile bag offers specialized compartments for your laptop, tablet, phone, documents, keys, and water bottle, along with a spacious 28-liter main compartment to hold clothing, camera gear, gym essentials, books, food, and anything else you may need on-the-go.
The Drift laptop tote in Black Camo. Photo by Mission Workshop
Perfect for daily commutes on foot or by train, The Drift serves as a versatile laptop bag. On weekends and evenings, it can transform into a classic tote for trips to the beach or market. And for longer journeys, it functions as both a weekender duffle and a laptop briefcase. With medium length grab handles and an adjustable/removable shoulder strap, The Drift can be easily carried by hand or over the shoulder. It also features a luggage handle pass-through, making it convenient for longer travels.
Design
Upon receiving this bag, I, like many other reviewers, noticed its boxy shape. The use of durable fabrics, visible binding, and a reinforced base give the bag a lot of structure. While this may make it look boxy, it also adds stability. The true benefit of this design becomes evident when you set the bag down on your desk; whether it’s empty or full, it stands upright without any support. This allows for easy access to all pockets without needing to hold the bag up yourself. Even with just a laptop in the sleeve, the bag remains upright, which is a feat not many bags can accomplish. When it comes to accessing and loading your items, this bag is quite impressive.
At first glance, the overall design may seem simplistic. However, the Drift has a cleverly integrated tech organization system built into the front and back walls. This allows for most of the bag’s 28L to be used as free space in the main compartment. The laptop sleeve and smaller pockets are conveniently accessible from the exterior of the bag. The back panel conceals the laptop sleeve, which can be reached through a coated zipper on top of the bag. One feature I appreciate is that although lightly padded, the pocket suspends the laptop above the bottom of the bag, ensuring it won’t come in contact with any surfaces below.
The top of the bag features another coated zipper that grants access to the spacious main compartment. This versatile design allows the Drift to serve multiple purposes. It could carry your lunch and workout gear to the office, or hold your toiletries and change of clothes for a quick overnight trip. And with your technology removed, it has enough room for a weekend getaway or a day at the beach.
With its HT500 fabric, metal hardware, exposed binding, and coated zippers, the Drift boasts Mission Workshop’s signature style. Built to last for years, this bag is also offered in MultiCam Black Camo Cordura. Despite not having taped seams, the weatherproof material and coated zippers offer peace of mind during inclement conditions. The durability and spaciousness of this bag, along with its tech organization features, give it the feeling of a hybrid between a heavy-duty duffel and a laptop bag.
Impressions After Several Months of Daily Use
Due to its large size, I don’t think this tote is suitable for someone who needs to carry it for extended periods of time. Personally, I only use it for my commute to and from the office. The shoulder strap is a more comfortable option for longer carries, but even then it can feel a bit cumbersome after just a few minutes. A padded messenger-style shoulder strap would have made it much more manageable.
In its current state, I view it as an excellent choice for commuters who need to bring extra items with them to work. This is how I personally utilized it for a period of six months: carrying it from my home to the train and then from the train station into my office. On weekend trips, I find it beneficial to combine the bag with wheeled luggage, providing quick access to necessary items depending on the length of the trip.
The Drift proudly wears the Mission Workshop badge, a symbol of its unwavering strength and quality. Made in the USA, this bag is built to withstand any challenge thrown its way. Its no-nonsense design exudes functionality and simplicity, making it suitable for both the office and any other adventure you may embark on. With ample storage space and carefully planned tech accessibility, this bag excels as a dedicated carrier for all your essential devices. While not intended for prolonged use, if you seek a rugged and tech-focused hauler, look no further than the Drift.
Available in Mission Workshop’s high-tenacity HT500 textile, MultiCam® Black Camo Cordura® or Dimension Polyant X-Pac fabric (VX Version)
Features:
- Body Fabric: Available in HT500 high-tenacity nylon, MultiCam® Black Camo Cordura®, and Dimension Polyant X-Pac fabric (VX Version)
- Includes adjustable shoulder strap
- Dedicated padded pocket for up to 16″ laptop (accessible from exterior of bag)
- Zippered tricot-lined smartphone pocket
- Large zippered organizational pocket with interior zippered mesh compartments for small accessories, notebook, business cards, pens, etc.
- Zippered external flat pocket for iPad, Kindle, or small books
- Flat interior pocket for documents, magazines, notes, etc.Luggage handle pass-through
- Available in Black, Gray, Brown, Navy, Yellow, Olive, Orange and Black Camo colorways
- Made in small batches in the USA
- MSRP: $335 Standard, $340 for VX versions.
Specs:
- External dimensions: 15″ Tall x 7.25″ Deep x 14.5″ Wide
- Internal volume: 1,700 cu. in. (28 L)
- Weight (empty): 2.8 lbs.
Get The Drift Tote Bag by Mission Workshop!
Featured Video: The Rhake : Weatherproof Laptop Backpack by Mission Workshop
The Rhake is built to hold everything you need for work, play, and the occasional overnight. It holds a laptop, tablet, documents, large headphones, power chargers, water bottle, keys, notebook, food, and accessories.
About Mission Workshop
In 2009, Mission Workshop’s humble beginnings took root in an alleyway in what was once referred to as “The Messenger Ghetto,” in the Mission District of San Francisco. Created out of the desire to build gear as tough as it is beautiful Mission Workshop has always been about passion and product. Utilizing nothing but the very best materials, researched designs and stylish looks Mission Workshop sets the standard in utilitarian bags and beautifully tailored apparel made from performance fabrics. Made to endure, guaranteed forever.
Disclosure:
The Drift in Orange VX colorway. Photo by Mission Workshop.
Skyblue Overland purchased the Mission Workshop The Drift Tote in the Orange VX colorway on August 24, 2022 for testing and personal use. We listed the The Drift Tote as one of the Essential Products For Your Next Fall Adventure.
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