Photo: Michael Calore
The walls of the bag are tough enough, made from 1,200-denier polyester, which is heavy-duty and water-resistant, not to mention so tough that it’s almost indestructible. I have looked at it as baggage on several or more planes, and shows no scratches or tears. The top zipper isn’t closed, but it’s heavier than it should be and works well in the rain. What sets the bag apart, however, is its range. The entire interior of the tote is covered with a thin layer of thermoplastic, further increasing its impermeability to moisture.
Photo: Michael Calore
Photo: Michael Calore
Now, of course, the purpose of this type of lining is to keep the contents dry while using the bag in a wet environment, such as on a canoe trip, on a wet bike, or on a duck hunt in the Maine wilderness. And sure enough, I’ve used the bag in a canoe and on many wet bike trips (never duck hunting), and the contents have remained unchanged. I even believe the bag is big enough to carry electronics and music to the office or studio on rainy mornings. But for me, the use that the bag provides is the opposite: it is a good place to transport the things themselves, muddy, wet or slimy.
For example, I have taken a bag car camping several times. At one point, I used it to pack my tent, a raincoat, boots, and a rain shell. On the last day of the trip, it poured outside, and by the time it was time to head home, my raincoat and tent were soaked, the ground cloth was covered in pine needles and bark creases, and my boots had a thick layer of Mendocino, California, punctures. I put all those things in a Hunter Tote, zipped it up, and threw it in the back seat of my rental car. The wide interior kept the mess inside, saving the rental car’s upholstery. Returning home, I emptied the tote, took it inside, and blasted the entire forest floor with the pipe.
There are two heavy plastic tabs on the edges of the tote, one at each end of the zipper. This is where the shoulder girdle parts come in. I never really use the strap (honestly, it gets in the way), but the tabs are great for hanging the tote up to dry after cleaning.
The Hunter tote comes in three sizes. I have the largest, the XL, which has a capacity of 53 liters. (That’s big for a tote bag.) I prefer the larger size because when you put the reinforced bottom on the flat and open the mouth of the bag, you have a flat bottom within 10 by 19 inches. All that room makes the bag more versatile, so my recommendation is to go big.
Also, just know there are no frills here: no outer pockets, no pads, no laptop sleeve. Just a tough service provider who is ready for your dirtiest work. Whether you’re carrying a dozen La Croix or carrying Buffleheads, it’s very important.
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