The KONBU tote, as light as air—here's our recommendation on choosing the right size. 

When it comes to tote bags, canvas fabric is the material everyone knows, but there's an intriguing alternative called "canvas-like nylon."

Its defining feature is its lightness. At first glance it looks just like canvas, but the touch is different—crisp and dry, with a texture that feels both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. This time, we introduce the appeal of tote bags made from this remarkably light new material called KONBU®, created by a Japanese textile and chemical materials maker that is a leader on the world stage.

Konbu, kombu, KONBU.
True to its name, "KONBU" was named for its firm, dry texture reminiscent of kombu seaweed, and it's a material with a high level of firmness among the many fabrics out there. Like cotton canvas, it has a sense of substantial weight, yet is surprisingly light, and it's also durable and resistant to sagging over time.

The KONBU tote also comes in a colorful range of colors and sizes. Since everyone uses their bag differently—some carry a lot of belongings, some go out with only the essentials, some always end up shopping on the way home, and some like to keep extra room in their bag at all times—we decided to pack the items people typically carry into each size and compare the differences in capacity.

KONBU comes in three size variations—S, M, and L—and as you can see, the visual size differs accordingly. The S is about right for a quick errand nearby, the M looks like it could double as a work bag even with casual outfits, and the L appears sized for a day out on the weekend.

Let's actually try packing items into all three sizes!

This time, we packed items that many people typically carry: a wallet, smartphone, pouch, card case, earphones, folding umbrella, water bottle, and eco bag. These are common items you might bring along for a weekend lunch or outing with friends.

▼S size　[5 colors] IVORY, BLACK, ORANGE, YELLOW, CHARCOAL

The S size turned out to be just the right fit for the items we prepared. Since the KONBU tote has good depth, once the items were packed there was still plenty of room left above them—enough to add a layer for temperature adjustment, or fit in another pouch or a mobile battery. The gusset is also wide enough to carry a bento box at the bottom.

▼M size　[7 colors] IVORY, BLACK, ORANGE, VIVID GREEN, BROWN, GREEN, CHARCOAL

When we packed the same items into the M size, they filled only about half the capacity. This means a laptop or tablet in a sleeve can also fit in horizontally, making it a good size for commuting. The M size is recommended for those who usually carry a lot, or for anyone planning to shop without bringing an eco bag.

▼L size [4 colors] BLACK, BROWN, YELLOW, VIVID GREEN

Naturally, the L size is on the larger side if you're only carrying the essentials. It's a size we'd recommend for those who sometimes need to carry bulkier items, such as for travel or outdoor activities. Since it's lighter than a single 500ml plastic bottle, you can really feel the unique quality of this fabric—making the L size especially recommended for those with a lot to carry, or anyone looking for a larger tote.

Also, the two pockets on the M and L sizes have good depth, making them convenient for organizing frequently used items—like hand cream, a handkerchief, or hand sanitizer—separately by purpose. Your smartphone will also fit securely inside, giving you peace of mind.

Lining up all three sizes packed side by side, you can see the difference clearly.

How I Use Each Size

The generously sized L is a size we'd recommend for a one-night trip or a family drive outing. With its convenience for fitting in all sorts of items, plus its excellent durability and water resistance, it's also great for outdoor use.

As a reference, here's a spur-of-the-moment weekend one-night trip. I packed the bag with the items I imagined I'd need for the two days.

▼L size

1: folding umbrella, 2: laptop (13 inch), 3: pajamas, 4: outerwear, 5: organizer, 6: pouch, 7: eco bag, 8: hat, 9: change of clothes, 10: camera, 11: smartphone, 12: towel, 13: plastic bottle, 14: skincare items, 15: wallet

Even with five outfits and other bulky items packed in, there's still room to spare. The L size, which can hold everything from travel essentials to non-essential items that simply offer peace of mind, is a dependable size that even lets you bring along a spare layer for temperature adjustment.

We also tried packing for a weekend day trip to go camping. Unlike travel packing, which is mostly clothing, camping gear tends to include more metal items and bulky, irregularly shaped objects—for which the round-bottomed shape with its generous base gusset proves very useful. It's also a convenient size for school events like sports days.

▼L size

1: Drink holder, 2: Tumbler, 3: Mess tin, 4: Soup jar, 5: Lighter, 6: Lights, 7: Air mat, waterproof sheet, 8: Burner, 9: Sprays, 10: Frying pan, 11: Water tank, 12: Kettle, pot set, 13: Plates, disposable chopsticks, wet wipes, 14: Kitchen paper, 15: Kitchen wrap, foil

The L size holds about as much as a commercially available container box measuring 44×33×22 (cm). For those heading outdoors by car, a container box may be enough on its own, but the advantage of a tote bag is that you can carry it with just one hand. Even one person can manage it, and the tote proves handy for carrying gear on foot from the parking area to the campsite or your destination, as well as when heading out locally to gather firewood or pick up supplies.

▼L Size

What's more, since KONBU fabric is water-repellent treated, it's a pleasure to use in any weather throughout the year. When used for travel or outdoor activities, the bag is sometimes set directly on the ground outdoors, but KONBU is a sturdy, tough fabric that holds up well.

The M size fits A4-sized items, so it holds both a laptop and documents, making it versatile and easy to use for work as well. Since it's a bit larger than what you'd need for everyday use, this size is recommended for those who want to skip using a separate eco bag for a little shopping on the way home from work, or for those who tend to carry a lot of belongings.

We also tried packing it with items for a trip to the gym to unwind on weekends or after work.

▼M Size

1: Gym wear, 2: Socks and underwear, 3: Pouch, 4: Sneakers, 5: Personal water bottle, 6: Towel, 7: Wallet, 8: Smartphone, 9: Accessories such as earphones

Thanks to the gusseted base, there was plenty of room for shoes, and everything fit together neatly and compactly alongside lightweight fitness wear. Since it opens wide and stands on its own, it's easy to find what you need inside, making it simple to change clothes and take things in and out. It's also a convenient tote for anyone taking lessons that require bringing their own equipment, thanks to the gusset.

▼M Size

The M and L sizes are also a great size for storing magazines and books when not in use. You could use it as a planter cover, or as storage for toys or food items. Having a handle also means it can be hung on an S-hook or easily taken in and out of a closet—making it convenient to carry around in these situations as well.

▼S Size

1: Folding umbrella, 2: Wallet, 3: Eco bag, 4: Card case, 5: Smartphone, 6: Pouch, 7: Earphones, 8: Personal water bottle

The S size is just right for everyday use—for popping an eco bag inside to go shopping, walking the dog, or heading out casually. It may look small at first glance, but thanks to its round bottom, it holds more than you'd expect. It has enough capacity for a bit of shopping while you're out and about.

Making the most of its lightness and durability, the KONBU tote is a bag that lets you store and carry your belongings whether it's an everyday errand, a weekend outing, or simply around the house.

Six Reliable Features of KONBU

When we summed up the characteristics of KONBU, we found that this truly excellent fabric had every reason to become a long-loved favorite. Made using special processing technology from chemical materials manufacturer Komatsu Matere, KONBU fabric is a new material with the kind of function that could make it a future staple for bags—one that enriches and adds convenience to everyday life.

Bags often get scraped against the ground or objects, or catch on things, and it's not uncommon for them to tear after long use. KONBU uses a unique special technique that gives each individual fiber a natural-material-like fullness while still keeping the fabric tightly woven, resulting in excellent tear strength—so you can use it without worry, whether on an ordinary day or a day off.

The lightness of KONBU far exceeds what you'd imagine, and it's the material's greatest point of pride. Since it looks just like a canvas bag, the lightness feels even more striking by comparison. The small S size tote weighs just a bit more than a single banana, and remarkably, even the large L size is lighter than a single 500ml plastic bottle. With other fabric materials, you might hesitate to pack anything heavy into a tote bag, but with the light yet tough KONBU, you can pack with confidence.

▲Even the L size is lighter than a single plastic bottle

Thanks to its high stiffness and shape-memory processing, this tote bag stands upright on its own. It's thin and light enough to fold away when not in use, but once opened out, the round bottom is stable and holds its shape firmly. Even as a round-bottomed tote, it's easy to carry, and the snap button that lets you close it to keep the contents hidden is another nice touch.

Thanks to its water-repellent coating, the bag holds up fine even in a bit of rain when used outdoors. This coating also makes it more resistant to stains, which is a welcome feature since it helps the beautiful colors stay clean.

Overwhelming storage capacity. There are three variations to choose from depending on how much you carry and where you'll use it: the L size, which fits even large items; the M size, slightly larger and suited to those who carry a bit more in daily life; and the S size, just the right size for daily use and outings.

Orange: S size / White: M size / Green: L size

The lineup includes vivid, one-of-a-kind colors that simply can't be reproduced in hanpu (cotton canvas) fabric. They're easy to spot in a crowd when you're out and about, which may also make it easier for others to find you.

We've also prepared "MOCHA," a ZUTTO-exclusive color, as a calm, everyday-friendly shade. This muted brown pairs easily with any style, making it a color you can pick up without hesitation.

▼Color variations by size

S size... [6 colors] Exclusive MOCHA, IVORY, BLACK, ORANGE, YELLOW, CHARCOAL

M size... [9 colors] Exclusive MOCHA, IVORY, BLACK, ORANGE, YELLOW, VIVID GREEN, BROWN, GREEN, CHARCOAL

L size... [4 colors]Exclusive MOCHA,BLACK, BROWN, VIVID GREEN

A versatile tote bag that's resistant to stains, lightweight, and durable. With its wide range of colors and sizes and its ample capacity, it's wonderfully convenient to use. Find your favorite and take it with you everywhere—shopping, leisure, and beyond.

▼Featured brand

See all KONBU products here