Topologie Bottle Sacoche Review: Carrying My Water Bottle in Style

If there was ever a crossbody bag that nailed space for “daily carry” essentials, plus a discreet space for an entire water bottle or mini umbrella, it is the Bottle Sacoche from Topologie.

Admittedly, I had no idea what a Bottle Sacoche was before I got mine. Was it made of recycled plastic bottles? And what is a “sacoche?” (As it turns out, it is French for “satchel.”)

In this review, find out why I, someone who travels everywhere with a water bottle, was interested in wearing a small and individualized travel bag that fits a drink bottle inside. This review will detail what I think is great about the Topologie Bottle Sacoche, what it does, who it’s for (and who it’s not for) and where I even think it falls short.

Grab your nearest water bottle, and let’s dig into the Bottle Sacoche, a modern utility product from the Topologie Wares System™.

What I got

Before we begin, I’ll outline what I ordered from Topologie so that I could get a full feel of the Bottle Sacoche in the large size.

1. Bottle Sacoche Large, Satellite / Metallic
2. Crossbody Bungee Strap, Mint / Tech Sateen
3. Scrunchie Pocket Wrist, Marine Blue

(And the bottle I am using in my photos is my 17 fl oz Ocean Bottle, an insulated and leakproof sipping bottle I take everywhere!)

Pros and Cons

This is a modern and unique crossbody bag with a water bottle sleeve. I have to tell you the pros and cons before we get into the other details.

Pros

• My Bottle Sacoche presents a modern way to carry a water bottle around while I’m out, on the go or in transit, without needing a backpack that has a water bottle pocket.
• I like the personalization effect that I get from the Topologie system, meaning that I chose my “straps” for my sacoche and it’s my unique combination.
• The Bottle Sacoche design really does keep my water bottle inside, with the elastic cord system and tightening mechanism.
• It can also store a travel-sized umbrella, which is PERFECT for solving the issue of both concealing a mini umbrella (rather than awkwardly hooking it onto a crossbody bag and clunking around) and having it handy when the rain comes.

Cons

• When carrying more bulky items inside (sunglasses case, or baseball cap), they show through the sacoche lining if my drink bottle is already inside.
• As I was ordering mine, I really was aiming to have the look of the macrame wrist strap and puffer crossbody strap, and both were sold out due to popularity.
• Because the front and back of the bag are identical but have separate zippers, I sometimes have to check both, in order to find my phone or wallet.

First impressions

My first impression of the Bottle Sacoche (Large) was, “Yeah, this is cool.” I felt like I had stepped up my daily carry vibe to a chic and urban theme. A Topologie double-strapped Bottle Sacoche is more interesting (in the silver-metallic and mint green colors I chose) than my current travel crossbody bags and belt bags, which I typically choose to blend in with lots of outfits and serve in multiple seasons. I usually get my belt bags in black, brown or gray. Am I boring?

But with a Topologie sacoche and strap system, I’m anything but boring. My impression of my Sacoche plus the straps I picked were just what I had imagined before they were in my hands. And when I put my water bottle into the middle of the Bottle Sacoche, I was pleased to have a carry-all that wasn’t a backpack at all. It was my first-ever crossbody bag that fits a water bottle and looks modern and photo-ready for when I’m on a trip.

The fit and feel: What to know (and what I put inside)

When empty (or when I don’t have a bottle in it), the Bottle Sacoche is hyper lightweight. I also have the barely-there Scrunchie and Bungee straps, which are both light and minimal. Additionally, the Sacoche bag itself holds 4L of my stuff (3L for the puffer version), so it’s a bigger capacity than my lululemon Belt Bag, my No Reception Club Sidekick belt bag and my Classic Canvelle Fanny Pack.

I think the main thing to discuss here is that when I use my Bottle Sacoche with a filled-to-the-brim 17-oz water bottle in the bottle spot, I feel a little weighed down (but it would be this way for any sling bag that has a bottle carry spot!). So, I should carry my bottle and fill it only halfway. When I do this, I feel like I’m managing the weight much better.

That’s just me, as I’m 5’2” and 112 lbs. I typically choose to avoid carrying anything heavy, and I’ve written at length about things like belt bags for travel that manage weight well, and the best travel backpacks for women that fit narrow shoulders.

Strap feel

While I love the idea of this bag, the utility of it and the as-promised functionality, the Bungee strap was not my first choice and I find that the Bungee Strap, along with the Scrunchie Strap, are not 100% my jam when it comes to a supportive crossbody strap.

I typically look for crossbody straps that are thick and distribute weight evenly. I find that the Bungee Strap, despite being covered in the fun and funky fabric in the color I chose, is not wide enough for my taste. I’m waiting until that puffer strap comes back into stock!

Quality and details

As expected, the quality I got from Topologie is great, a 5/5 rating from me. Even though I had other preferred straps in mind for my Topologie system, intricate details like the inner pockets, weatherproofed zippers and the hidden zipper pocket on the Scrunchie Pocket Wrist Strap are all foolproof.

Actually, upon ordering, I didn’t know that the “Scrunchie Pocket Wrist Strap” actually had a hidden zippered pocket in the middle of it. I use it to store quick cash and a chapstick. The zipper works well, doesn’t snag on the material around it and is totally discreet.

Another favorite detail is the weatherproof zippers on the sacoche itself. They have handy zipper pulls and they don’t slide open without intention.

The last detail to talk about is the elastic cord system for keeping a water bottle or umbrella in the interior of this sacoche bag. It’s tighten-able with press-to-release stoppers on either side to keep it tightened or loosened when removing the bottle inside. And even though at first glance it’s hard to believe it works, it does.

Usage review: how it’s working out

There are a few things I have noticed about how my Bottle Sacoche works out both as a daily carry bag/accessory and as my crossbody bag when I’m traveling.

• I sometimes don’t know which compartment I put an item in. Because the “front” and the “back” of my Bottle Sacoche look identical, I don’t know if I put my chapstick in one or the other. I have to check both. Oops.
• I think the wider puffer strap would’ve suited my shoulders and back better for weight management.

Why you might want it

Truth be told, I think a bottle sacoche is a brilliant product for anyone who is water-bottle-addicted (like me) and has not yet found a way to have an everyday carry travel bag that also holds a drink bottle.

So, who is the Bottle Sacoche for?

• People who want a bag that holds their water bottle. Like I mentioned, the only other small-size bags with water bottle carry abilities are daypacks and small backpacks. The Bottle Sacoche provides a crossbody bag style.
• Travelers looking for a style-forward and statement bag that has drink bottle carrying ability. You’ll see below that I compare the Bottle Sacoche to other day bags that are NOT backpacks, yet have bottle-carry features. The Bottle Sacoche is clearly the aesthetic and chic winner.
• You want a crossbody and shoulder-carry bag with the interchangeable strap coordination that Topologie provides. The Bottle Sacoche (in either size) will fit your water bottle, plus daily travel essentials, and you can start a collection of crossbody and wrist straps that go with different outfits and seasons.

Why you might not want it

There are a few reasons you might not want the Topologie Bottle Sacoche. When I think about it, I come up with the following reasons:

• You would rather carry your water bottle on its own, or in a pocket of a larger backpack. That would mean a Bottle Sacoche is not for your needs.
• You typically travel around with a Thermos or a tumbler. If your daily bottle is something that is leak-prone, definitely do not put it in a horizontal system like the Bottle Sacoche.
• You prefer a lightweight crossbody or sling bag for travel, minus the weight of a water bottle and the liquid inside. I totally get this. A full water bottle weighs down a water bottle sacoche (my tip is to fill the bottle half-way)!

What I learned about the Topologie Wares System™

I’ve seen other brands that have “ecosystems,” like Peak Design and ALPAKA, as well as OrbitKey, to name a few with which I have experience in travel and carry gear. But none come close to the innovation, creativity, pure “funkiness” and individuality that Topologie has created.

If you’re into the look and the vibe, Topologie is a cool company to learn about because with a system of bags (and phone cases), wrist straps and crossbody straps, every single Topologie bag component can hook into any strap. Multiple straps can be strapped onto a single bag.

And from there you can build, minimize, interchange, swap and experiment.

The “Wares System” allows for more than 1,000 combinations of bags, cases, straps and accessories. All of them are interesting, and as you can see in my photos and on the website, anyone can create their signature look (and turn heads) by building their Topologie bag-and-strap combo.

Comparison to other Topologie products

I see a lot of chatter online about the Topologie Brick Pouch as a comparison to the Topologie Bottle Sacoche. It’s actually not made anymore. It looks like the Bottle Sacoche is the product that replaces it.

There are some other “sacoches” that Topologie makes, and the difference between those and the Bottle Sacoches (medium and large) is that:

• Flat Sacoche: It comes in Small, Medium and Large. Like the name suggests, it fits “flat stuff” like a phone, a slim camera or earbuds in a case. It has a foldover design like a book.
• Mini Utility Sacoche: This is the cutest sacoche. It is mini, just a little square, and very cute! You can fit coins, earbuds or some cards and cash in it. A cool way to wear it is to attach one of the thickest straps, for a kind of ironic look, or attach it within the Wares system to any larger Topologie bag as an accessory.
• Utility Sacoche EW: In my mind, this one is like a tech bag as a bag of its own. It fits daily essentials, and because it has built-in organization, it’s like wearing a tech case, but accessorized.
• Phone Sacoche: It does exactly what you think it will do. It holds your phone, and with cool and funky Topologie straps, it is a fashion statement. Great as a travel accessory.

The bottle sacoche collection from Topologie consists of the bags that enclose a water bottle or drink bottle, so that is what sets them apart. They’re for thirsty people. In my research, the Topologie Bottle Sacoche (medium and large) is the only crossbody bags that can effectively carry a water bottle and also conceal it, around other useful compartmentalized design.

I’ve found a few other water bottle slings you can consider if you want to look around, and I’ll provide remarks to compare them to the Topologie bottle sacoche.

• lululemon Water Bottle Crossbody with Front Pocket 2L: Probably the most style-forward competitor to the Topologie Bottle Sacoche, this lululemon water bottle sling is a cute daily bag that carries a large water bottle (up to 32oz!) and can carry daily essentials in a zippered pouch, too.
• Topo Designs Mountain Hydro Sling: Topo is a brand we recommend in other gear guides in our website, and we like the quality. This bottle sling in particular is a bit too “woodsy” for me and has the same bungee cord/carabiner vibe as in Topologie products, but speaks to me immediately as a hiking accessory.
• Hydro Flask Slingback Bottle Pack: Not very style-forward, but highly functional. This one-strap sling is good for back support and weight management when worn, and that is what it has going for it as a benefit.
• Beis’s The Magnetic Water Bottle Sling: Its standout feature is a magnet that lets it attach to gym equipment and is meant to “dress up” your water bottle, while carrying hands-free. Only comes in two colors, though, and I think it’s one of the less stylish products from Beis.

Where to get it

The Topologie website is where you’ll see the most in-stock options for bags, crossbody straps and wrist straps, as well as deals and discounts that come along through the months.

I have tried to find if there are any other places to buy Topologie bags, and I didn’t have much luck. There are a bunch of places online to get second-hand Topologie products, like Poshmark, Ebay and Depop.

The only catch with shopping second-hand for Topologie products is that you’re probably going to get someone’s choice of straps they chose when they got their Topologie bag. You might not be able to get the bag alone, or strap alone.

Of course, I’m all for second-hand and preowned shopping, as it’s my way of being sustainable and eco-forward, as well as sustainable while I travel.

To shop Topologie in person, visit the part of their website that shows in-person store locations worldwide. Their stores are worth a visit, like if you want to see all the bag options and straps in person, to see how they feel on your body and how they adjust.

Currently there are five locations of Topologie retail stores outside of Asia, and they’re in NYC, Costa Mesa, CA, Paris and two in London. The rest are in East and Southeast Asia, which means I have to pin which one I want to visit the next time I am out there.

Thank you to Topologie for sponsoring this review and providing me with the Bottle Sacoche suite of products; all opinions, photos, thoughts and user experience are genuinely my own and this review reflects my honest perception of the brand and the product.