The Device Charging Business Case from Hammacher Schlemmer has a 6,000 mAh battery inside to keep your mobile devices charged.  The bag has four zippered compartments with storage that includes a dedicated iPad pocket, a padded sleeve that protects a laptop (up to 15″), and eight pockets to hold other small devices, papers, and files.  The battery has a 30-pin connector for recharging Apple iOS devices and micro-, mini-, and standard USB ports to charge most every phone, smartphone, tablet, and other mobile devices.  The bag is made of Oxford woven cloth and measures 16″ W x 13″ H x 5.5″ D; it weighs 3.33 pounds.  It has a grab handle and comes with a shoulder strap.  The battery recharges with the included AC adapter, and it can recharge an iPhone up to four times before it needs recharging.  It’s $149.95; expected ship date is 6/1/12.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, News

Tagged: External battery, Laptop Bag

Keeping Your Devices Charged is in the Bag originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

I am an old U.S. Air Force guy from back in the day…like my father, grand father and many uncles before me. I often think that I missed my time in history. I hate to say it, but I soooo would trade all of today’s tech/gadgets to be a P-51 or B-17 pilot. I grant you, it’s was a perilous, life in your hands occupation, but the adrenaline rush must have been like few in modern history. Well, when I first saw the No. 1943 Navigator Bag from Col. Littleton, it made me smile and think ‘now that is cool’. The designers and artisans at Col. Littleton have not only captured the look and feel of an old World War II navigator bag but added a few modern day tweaks for your iPad and other tech as well. I’ll be honest, I was jazzed to hear they were going to send me one to try/see in person.

True to form, the Col. Littleton Navigator Bag is exquisitely done: soft supple leather, solid brass hardware, Old World styling, fine stitching, and edge finishing. Like many of the other Col. Littleton bags I have reviewed, the craftsmanship and materials are truly second to none. However, I have to say, the Navigator bag takes it to the next level….this is what I call a ‘legacy item‘. It is an item passed down through the generations forever looking good and coveted by a majority who see it. I fully expect, when I am dead and gone, the Gadgeteer Kid will use this bag and perhaps even one of his kids after him.

Specifications:

Inside Dimensions: 10.5”H x 15.5”W x 4”D (expanded).

Empty Weight: 3lbs 13oz (w/o strap) / 4lbs 6oz (w/strap)

Weight w/my Gear: Just under 8 pounds with 11″ MBAir, iPad and a bunch of misc bits and pieces. With just my iPad and basic tech-gear, the bag ensemble weighs a little less than 6 pounds.

Without a doubt, the Col. Littleton Navigator Bag is the best bag I have ever used, extremely well built and incredibly finished. Silly as it sounds, I was literally giddy when it arrived on my doorstep….and in regards to tech-gear accessories, that does not happen often.

The materials, construction and design of this bag are ‘perfect‘. I could find no flaws and have no suggestion for quality or design improvements. The stitching is meticulously straight and even.  The hardware is all solid brass and the leather edges line up and are sealed/finished perfectly. Both the brass and leather are proudly stamped with the Col. Littleton logo throughout the bag, but not in a over-the-top/in-your-face manner.

Not only does the Navigator bag look good, but it is made to last a lifetime of use. As you can see, the Col. Littleton designers have added many brass rivets for greater strength throughout the bag….like the handle and brass shoulder strap points of attachment to name a few.

The back of the Navigator bag has leather reinforcements for the snap/closure straps. In addition to those, Col. Littleton rivets a small brass shield with their moniker and individual serial number on it (my bag is number 058).

The No. 1943 Navigator Bag can be compressed or expanded (up to 4 inches) with the buckled straps that go around the top/bottom and sides.

Over the entirety of the bag, the brass hardware is very well done. The words “heavy”, “bold”, and “strong” come to mind when I think of the best way to describe them.

The Navigator bag is held shut by two straps that snap closed on the front, allowing for easy access. Each strap wraps around the bag and has a workable buckle for a bit of expandability. In addition to the straps, there is a specially designed, solid brass lockable, keyhole-peg type of mechanism for better securing the Navigator bag closed.

In addition to the Col. Littleton logo, bag name, warranty stamped into the leather, you also have the option of a small brass plate with your initials to be added…..making this bag truly your own.

The inside dimensions of the Navigator bag is 10.5”H x 15.5”W x 4”D (expanded). There are two leather dividers that create three large pockets within the bag. The rear and middle pockets can hold a medium sized laptop (aka 15″ MacBook Pro) or a decent amount of paperwork. My 11″ MacBook Air easily slides into the center pocket of the bag. The front pocket not only has small pockets for business cards, pens, etc but a slot for your iPad as well. Unlike the Col. Littleton No. 42 Courier Bag I reviewed last year, all of the pockets are completely separated from each other so your tech-gear does not rub upon each other. The iPad is suspended within the bag, giving it greater protection from drops and bumps.

Even though it weighs nearly 8 pounds when I fill it full of my gear, I found the Navigator bag very comfortable to carry around. The handle is soft and nicely sized.

The shoulder strap is not only well made and good looking….

…..but feels great over your shoulder as well. It was not a burden at all.

I have to agree with Col. Littleton’s commentary on this bag:

‘My office is inundated with relics from the past, and I’m probably chief among them. Military artifacts especially seem to find a home with me. I’ve been looking at an old, official Army-issue World War II Navigator’s Bag (circa 1943) in my office for years. The design seemed timeless; and with all the compartments inside, I thought it would be a perfect fit for today’s busy executive.’

The Navigator bag’s design is timeless…. iPad, laptop, chargers, pens, business cards, cords, etc are all well taken care of in this classic satchel. There is zero doubt in my mind, the old-timers I work with (among others) are jealous.

This level of quality and handmade craftsmanship does come at a cost. At nearly $900, this bag is not inexpensive. A majority of people would say that is down right expensive. I would argue, that while $875 is a great deal of money for most, you are definitely getting what you paid for in this case. Lets say you use/own this bag for 20 years….that is approx. $0.12 per day (3-4% the cost of a latte/day) to own such an excellent, handmade, piece of Americana. Plus that cost/time fraction of a dollar continues to diminish the more years & generations it is used.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Leather

Col. Littleton No. 1943 Navigator Briefcase Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2012 at 11:12 am.

As any gadget fan knows, the bane of our existence is the battery. No matter how wonderful the device or gadget, if the battery lets you down, you aren’t happy. You would think that someone by now would have been able to come up with a battery that you simply don’t have to worry about, but alas, not so. We can put a man on the moon, but making a cellphone last for longer than a day is almost impossible.  Sigh. Until then, what’s a gadget fan to do? Well, there are many solutions out there to give you more juice on the go. One such solution is the Powerbag Wheeled Briefcase from ful.  I travel several times a month and my biggest hassle is finding a place to charge up my gadgets. I hate trying to find an open power jack in the airport, so I jumped at the chance to review the Powerbag. Was my craving for juice satisfied? Was I no longer banished to sitting on the floor in the airport? Let’s find out!

(NOTE: click the thumbnails to see a larger version of the pictures)

Let me start out this review by saying that the Powerbag is designed to charge all forms of cellphones, tablets, and gadgets, but not computers.  The battery requirements of a computer are simply too big for this bag, or any of the Powerbag products for that matter, to fully charge. I do travel quite a bit, but I am never in a situation where I am going to be away from a power source for days.  By the end of the travel day I usually have access to a power outlet in the hotel or wherever I am going.  Having said that, the Powerbag has replaceable batteries, so you could purchase numerous batteries that really do give you days of juice for all your gadgets.

Bag Tour

The Powerbag Wheeled Briefcase (retail at $250) is a very high-quality bag.  The bag is made of the same type of material as most suitcases, so it is very rugged and sturdy and can handle anything that a typical travel day throws at you. I won’t go so far as to say that the bag is waterproof, but when you get water on the bag it simply beads up, so I feel comfortable saying that it is water-resistant.  In fact, ful even promotes the charging port on the outside of the bag as water-resistant.  The dimensions of the bag are 10.35″x16.5″x10.5″.  It is designed to hold 15″ laptops (or maybe a 16 inch with a tight squeeze) and 10″ tablets in the compartments inside, and there are many, many pockets and compartments on the inside to hold anything and everything that you might need.  The bag is smaller than most of those smaller suitcases that everyone takes on the plane as carry-ons, so I had no problem getting it in the overhead compartments.  I was not able to get it under any seat in front of me. The bag itself, empty, weighs in at just under 8 pounds.

There are many nice touches that ful included in this product.  For example, all the compartments for gadgets inside the bag are fully padded so you won’t have to worry about any device getting bumped or damaged.  The two wheels on the bottom are not only as far to the outside of the bag as you can get, the tops of the wheels are slightly tilted toward the inside of the bag.  That means that you get a very smooth wheeled operation of this bag. When the handle was extended and I was rolling through the airport, even with a very heavy load, it was effortless to pull this bag.  I never once felt like the bag was going to tip over regardless of what I had loaded inside. I could pull this bag with just 2 fingers if I wanted (yes, I tried that to make sure that I included that in this review!).

the Powerbag by ful	back of the bag
bottom of the bag	handle extends to 40 inches tall

The telescoping handle zips up inside an exterior compartment when you don’t need it, and the grab handle on top is fully padded if you need to carry the bag that way.  Just below the zippered compartment on the back of the bag where the handle is, you will find a Velcro-secured flap that allows you to take this bag and slip it over the extended handle of your suitcase so that you can place the Powerbag on top of your suitcase securely. All along the bottom of the bag you will find hard, sturdy plastic panels that protect the bag and its contents when you drag the bag across curbs, escalators, and stairs.  On one side of the Powerbag, toward the top, you will find the charging port that is used to charge the internal battery before you take off.  On the front of the bag toward the bottom you will find the power button that turns the bag on and off.  When you press and hold that button to turn the bag on, you see a lighted bar increase from zero to 4 bars so that you can get a visual indication of how much juice you have left in the battery inside.

power button on bottom front	charging indicator on front
padded handle	charging port on side

There are 3 main compartments in the bag.  The biggest one is on the back next to the handle and it is meant for carrying shoes, clothes, and such. I found that it was just big enough to carry clothing items for an overnight trip for me.  I was not able to carry more than that, so a multi-day trip required me to carry a separate suitcase for clothes.  However, if you were going to wear the same suit and shoes and you just needed some extra underwear, socks, and a shirt, you could probably use this bag for a multi-day trip. You would also need to keep your toiletries to a minimum, so this bag would definitely not be able to handle all the stuff my wife takes with her on a trip!

The middle compartment is meant for your laptops and tablets.  There are 2 padded compartments for those items, and the compartments are fully-padded all around.  I was able to easily carry my laptop and 2 tablets at all times, and I could have probably squeezed in another laptop and tablet if I had to.

The front compartment is where you carry all your small items, like gadgets, cables, pens, jump drives, gum, and in my case… lots of snacks!  There is also a padded pouch that is meant for tablets of any size, up to 10 inches. This front compartment is also where the bag’s battery and charging cables are located (more on that in the next section).  On the front of the bag, you will find the only outside compartment, which is a zippered, padded pocket that I used to carry my travel documents and things I needed quick access to.  But the pocket was designed with the iPhone in mind, as you’ll see in the next section of the review.  Read on..

large compartment in back	clothing items
middle compartment for laptop and tablets	front compartment for all your stuff
padded tablet pouch in front compartment

The batteries

The thing that sets the Powerbag apart from all other business travel bags is of course the ability to charge things, so let’s turn our attention to that. Here are the power specs from ful:

• Battery: 6000mAh Lithium Polymer, weight 0.4 lbs
• Input: 12VDC, 1.2A
• Micro-USB, Mini-USB Output: 5VDC, 800mA combined
• Apple Connector Output: 5VDC, 1A
• USB Output: 5VDC, 1-2.1A

The Powerbag comes with the 6,000mAh battery, but you can purchase additional batteries in 3,000mAh ($39.00), 6,000mAh ($49.00) and 9,000mAh ($59.00) sizes.  I also got the 9,000mAh because I am simply a battery fanatic and never want to be without juice. The batteries plug into a slot inside the bag and can easily be swapped out when one is emptied.  Located in a pouch right next to the battery is where you will find the charging cable that you use to charge the Powerbag’s battery, so the cable tucks away nicely when not in use.

To see the status of your battery’s charge, you simply plug it into the bag, then press the button on the front of the bag to see a visual indicator (from 1 to 4 bars) of approximately how much charge you have left.  Pressing and holding the button on the front will turn the bag on and off.  After a few minutes of non-use the bag will turn itself off.

6,000mAh (left) and 9,000mAh (right)

battery in bottom of front compartment, charging cable to left of battery

Connecting your gadgets

The Powerbag has 3 power cables that are routed through the bag and sewn up into the linings of the bag itself.  In the exterior pocket that I have already mentioned as using for my travel documents, you will find a standard Apple connector so that you can charge your iPhone or iPod.  On the inside of the front compartment, you will find a pouch toward the top of the front of the compartment that contains micro- and mini-USB charging connectors.  I used this to charge my Bluetooth headsets and my cellphone.  Located at the bottom of the inside of the compartment where the bag’s battery is located, you will find a standard USB port for charging USB devices that can’t use the Apple, mini-USB or micro-USB cables.  I used this USB port to charge my HTC Flyer tablet which uses a proprietary charging cable.

front compartment to charge i-devices	iPod charging in outside pocket
charging devices with mini and micro-USB cables	Apple cable pulled into bag compartment from the front pocket
USB port next to the battery

Powerbag performance

Considering the Powerbag as just a business travel bag, I couldn’t be happier.  I have gone through several travel bags over the years, including the MobileEdge ScanFast Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase which I reviewed in Oct. 2010 (which was still my daily-use bag), and this bag is now my go-to bag for travel – simply because having the mobile juice that this bag provides is too powerful a benefit for me to pass up.

Let me go ahead and get out of the way the few negatives that I have toward this bag.  It is strange to me that the only Apple connection you find is on the outside of the bag in a compartment that can only hold an iPhone or iPod.  I would have expected an Apple connection in the inside of the bag’s front compartment where you find that special padded pouch for tablets because you know that most people will want to use this bag to charge their iPads. Of course, you can use the standard USB port next to the battery to charge your iPad, but it just seems odd to me that they didn’t at least have 2 Apple connections.  I should also mention that the Apple cable in the outside pocket can be pulled into the front compartment of the Powerbag so that you can charge Apple devices in that same pouch where the micro and mini-USB cables are.  But there isn’t enough slack in the cable to charge an iPad sitting in that special padded pouch in the front compartment.

I also don’t understand why there is only 1 standard USB port. Not every device uses mini or micro-USB, or the Apple connection.  So it seems to me that 2 USB ports would have been really smart to include.  Also, the mini and micro-USB cables can only handle 800mA outputs, which means that some devices that require higher output (like 1A for example, that some newer cellphones require) are going to be forced to use the standard USB port – which further demonstrates the need for more USB ports. I do admit to being ignorant of power-requirement technology, so I am sure there is a perfectly good explanation as to why this was done with the Powerbag, but from the ignorant-consumer point of view, it doesn’t make sense to me.

My cellphone is the HTC Thunderbolt 4G from Verizon, and I found some interesting performance issues with my cellphone and the Powerbag. In one instance my phone was about to die and I plugged up to the Powerbag while sitting in the terminal waiting for my plane.  I had several more calls to make, so I just continued to use the phone with my Bluetooth headset because the micro-USB cable in the bag isn’t long enough to allow me to hold the phone to my head. When I finished using my phone 30 min later, I looked at the battery indicator on the screen of my phone and my phone had not charged at all while I was using it. The Powerbag kept my phone powered up so I could use it, but it wasn’t able to charge it while I used it.  I am guessing that the 4G connection (which kills any battery in sight) and the use of my Bluetooth headset pulled on the battery so much so that the Powerbag couldn’t charge it up.  After I finished using my phone and I turned off the Bluetooth and let the phone just charge, the Powerbag was able to charge my phone just fine.

I also discovered an interesting problem with my HTC Flyer 7-inch Android tablet.  To make a long story short, I contacted the Powerbag tech support people to help with this problem because I wasn’t able to get my Flyer to charge up all the way before my Powerbag battery died.  The Powerbag was using the 6,000mAh battery and my Flyer has a 4,000mAh battery, but I was never able to get more than a 50% charge on my  Flyer.  What the tech support people found out by their testing is that the Flyer, when plugged up to the standard USB port, identifies itself as being charge via a PC which means that the rate of charge is significantly less and takes much longer to charge. When I used my 9,000mAh battery to charge the Flyer I was able to get it fully charged, but it took around 8 hours for that to happen.  So the bottom line is that ‘performance may vary’ when it comes to charging devices. I don’t think we can realistically expect the Powerbag to charge every device and every battery out there. I don’t think it is fair to expect this bag to handle every single situation with every single device.

Let me also say that the Powerbag tech support people were fantastic to work with. When I reached out to them with my Flyer problem, they responded very quickly and even did some testing on their end with an HTC Flyer to confirm what I was experiencing with the Powerbag.  In a world with lousy tech support from many companies, I give them props for responding to my issue.

Conclusion

The Powerbag meets every need that I have when it comes to charging on the go, as long as you don’t expect it to charge your laptop.  It has saved me numerous times while traveling and I needed to find power for one of my devices. I do wish it had more features, like more USB ports, and the price is a bit steep at $250. But when you consider purchasing other mobile charging solutions and the cost of those, compared to the Powerbag, and having the extra convenience of having a business travel bag, it is well worth the cost to me. I have used the Powerbag at many conferences when I needed to carry ‘stuff’ around, back and forth between my hotel room and the conference booth, and that large compartment came in very handy. And if you have ever spent time on a conference showroom floor and needed power, then you are nodding your head right now because you understand. I don’t have to hunt for power outlets anymore, and that is a very, very good thing indeed.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: External power supply, Laptop Bag

Powerbag Wheeled Briefcase by ful Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 19, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Planning a weekend getaway with your laptop to a rainy destination?  Chrome‘s got your back with their new Citadel pack.   Made from weatherproof 1000 denier nylon exterior and waterproof 1800 denier military grade truck tarpaulin liner with high frequency welded seams, the Citadel fits up to a 17″ MacBook Pro inside its roomy, full-access, zip-open innards.  Ergo shoulder straps, EVA-molded back panel and lots of organization features and attachment points round out the design.  Available in classic Chrome black on black.  $190.  Also check out its smaller siblings the Soyuz overnighter ($160) and Krakow day pack ($130).  Each guaranteed for life.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Travel Gear

Tagged: Laptop Bag

Chrome Citadel Rainy Weekend Laptop Pack originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 10, 2012 at 3:35 pm.

Julie reviewed the leather Muzetto bag  some time ago; now WaterField Designs have updated the line with the Muzetto Outback in five sizes.  The Outback version is made of waxed canvas that’s going to develop more character as the bag is used.  Waxed canvas was originally developed for water-proofing sailing garments, and it brings a rugged look to the bag.  WaterField thinks the Muzetto Outback looks like something “a modern Indiana Jones would use for his new iPad tablet.”

The Outback is available in five sizes: the Personal (10.5″ x 8.5″ x 1.5″) for $149, 10″ Portable (11.5″ x 9.3″ x 2.0″) for $159, 11″ Laptop (12.25″ x 9.75″ x 2.25″) for $169, 13″ Laptop (14″ x 11″ x 2.5″) for $179, and the 15″ Laptop (15.5″ x 11.75″ x 2.7″) for $189.  The Personal can hold an iPad in the WaterField Suede Jacket or Slip Sleeve, and the 10″ Portable can hold an iPad in WaterField’s iPad Smart Case or the Ultimate SleeveCase.  The other bags hold MacBook Airs or Pros, and all these bags are designed with other pockets to hold papers, cash, phone, and other gear.  The Muzetto Outback bags will ship March 26, and you can pre-order now.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPad cases and bags, Laptop Bag

WaterField Designs Introduces the Muzetto Outback in Five Sizes – Including Two for the New iPad originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 9, 2012 at 10:00 am.

The OGIO Squadron RSS backpack (reactive suspension system – more on that later) is, as you can see in the photo above, a beast of a bag. You can put a lot of stuff into it, and thanks to all the various pockets and compartment, all that stuff will stay put. There’s a dedicated section for your laptop with a protective sleeve (that’s the RSS bit) which will keep it protected, as long as it’s not too big or too thick.

Comfort

The thing about backpacks is, you’re going to have to wear them. All the pockets in the world don’t matter much if you can’t stand the thing on your back. The Squadron does a good job of putting the bulk of the weight across your back, and not just on the shoulder straps digging into your back. The straps include a not-so-stylish-but-functional strap in the front to keep them in place, while allowing them to ride wide on your chest. A handy zippered pouch is included on the front of one – you know, where you can reach it. Nice touch!

It rides comfortably on the back.

There is a wide U-shaped top which does a great job of keeping the bag’s weight on your upper back & shoulders, not the tops of your shoulders.

The inside of the back is inset a bit (for airflow) with generous padding at the top and bottom – you can also see again the shock absorbing design of the shoulder straps.

The design does a great job under load with what is otherwise a fairly large bag. It’s great when you’ve got it on. There’s a handle on top for grab-and-go moving, but that handle has no shock absorption – it’s  just your basic padded handle. The bag’s strap design is NOT so great when you just want to grab it and sling it over one arm. You can get it to stay put, but it’s pretty cumbersome. I was far more comfortable either carrying it one-handed by the grab handle or putting it all the way on.

What has it got in its pocketses?

If you’re not sitting down, go ahead and do so – get comfortable. We’re going to go through most of the compartments on this bag, so we’ll be here a while. The central compartment is roomy enough to pack clothing for a business trip, or perhaps that train ride into Paris. Four pockets on the front flap are for smaller items like mice and cameras, while the back wall has a large and well-padded pouch for an eReader or tablet. I could get a 10″ Android tablet in there, or an iPad 2. The Kindle looked lost in that pouch. The slightly egg-shaped Squadron’s main compartment is several inches deep, and could realistically expand/bulge out to 4-5″ if you’re stuffing clothing or a coat in there. The zipper only opens a bit more than halfway down the sides, which is mostly a good thing as stuff won’t spill out when you open it up.

On top is a soft-lined pocket for glasses, or other things you don’t want to get scratched.

The front has a couple expansion straps (for those bulging packing events) above and below the outside pocket. That pocket has an inner zippered pocket – this is actually crucial if you’re flying or taking other modes of transportation, since you can toss keys, change, passports, etc in there and know they’ll stay put as you fish around for whatever else is in that pocket. The usual “office organizer” pockets for pens, cards, and a keychain hook are also provided here.

Both sides have upper and lower pockets for various other bits of gear:

If you’ve been keeping count that’s 5 small zippered pockets on the outside, one in front (with one inside of it!) for 7 total smallish zippered pockets. Plus a huge central compartment. And another compartment in the back for your laptop.

The RSS/Laptop compartment

The laptop section is… interesting. There is a top-only zipper for the last compartment, which contains the RSS. The RSS is a sleeve insert that’s held in the compartment by Velcro – I’ve pulled it up a bit in the shot below. The sleeve is where all your protection is – it’s semi-ridged, padded on the inside, and the inner lining of the sleeve forms a stretchy sling that is about 1-2″ above the bottom of the sleeve. This is the reactive suspension system – the laptop is suspended above the bottom, and can absorb “drop” shocks by riding that inner lining instead of pounding into the bottom. Bouncing in air is much better protection than even a well-padded bottom can provide. This works great, with one BIG gotcha…

That 2″ on the bottom is kinda important if your laptop is one of those 17″ monsters. In the photo below, I’ve inserted one into the RSS, and that’s as far as it will go. It’s not going in any lower. According to the website, the bag fits most 17″ laptops with the sleeve removed, but even just putting the HP dv6t (a fat, multimedia 17″er) in that back compartment I was only JUST able to zip it up. And of course, there isn’t much protection without the RSS – very little padding on the bottom really means this isn’t the backpack for a 17″ laptop.

Moving down to 15″, we’re golden. The “modern” slim Lenovo 15″ slides into the sleeve like a glove, and takes that great air-cushioned RSS ride.

Normally, you’ll leave the RSS in place in the back, and if you do, your 15″ or smaller laptop will slide in and out just as easy.

A Backpack for Most, but not all

As long as your laptop is 15″ or smaller, this is a great backpack. It’s huge – the specs claim 1850 cubic inches, which is in the ballpark of typical carry-on suitcases. The various pockets are functional and easily accessible, with that front strap pocket great for quick access to ID, or tickets, or money. It’s a comfortable bag to wear even when loaded down (and believe me, you’ll load this thing down with stuff.) It’s not a small bag – it’s wide, it sticks out, and it covers your back. But then again, if you can get everything in it, you’ll only need the one bag. I don’t recommend it for 17″ laptops; even if you can cram it in, there is no protection without that RSS sleeve. With the RSS sleeve it’ll protect your laptop even if you drop the bag.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Reviews

Tagged: Backpack, Laptop Bag

OGIO Squadron RSS Backpack Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 5, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Of late, I’ve had the opportunity to add a few chapters to my continuing saga for the “perfect” gear bag (for me at least), the most recent being an evaluation of the Tom Bihn Cadet.  Being mainly a messenger bag fan(atic), I’d been wondering if there was one out there that could supplant my venerable Timbuk2 Commute from its daily carry status.  One bags that kept resurfacing in my searches was the Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag.  I had the chance to check one out, as well asa Rickshaw MacBook Pro Sleeve.  Onward, Gadgeteers!

Background

As I’ve described in previous reviews, I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect bag to haul my gear.  What does “perfect” mean?  It’s a bit of a moving target for me— a mix of style, organizational features and capacity that seems right for my needs and tastes.  I’ve been partial to messenger style bags, with their cavernous interiors and buckle-down flaps.  I can’t say that I’ve found the perfect bag for me yet, but my Timbuk 2 Commute comes pretty darn close.  But I’m still open to trying out others!

Rickshaw Bagworks, also known as Rickshaw Bags, also known as simply Rickshaw, is a small, urban San Fran-based company that is best known for producing bike messenger-style bags and backpacks, many of them custom made-to-order in their shop.  Though they may not yet have the name recognition of some of the bigger boys, their product offering has grown steadily over the past several years.

Options

Rickshaw’s Commuter product line of bags includes four versions: the Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag (reviewed here), the Skinny Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag, the Commuter 2.0 Backpack and the Skinny Commuter 2.0 Backpack.  Reviews of the other Commuter 2.0 products may come another day, but for now we’ll focus on the Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag.  When ordering the Commuter 2.0 from the Rickshaw site, there are several options from which you can select:

Materials

You can select your choice of materials from among the following:

• Classic Cordura® – Cordura nylon exterior/Cordura nylon binding
• Performance Tweed™ – Performance tweed exterior/Cordura nylon binding
• Waterproof Sailcloth – X-Pac™ sailcloth exterior/Cordura nylon binding

Colors

After selecting the version and materials, you can select from several stock color combinations for each material.  Alternatively, you can also choose to customize your own Commuter 2.0 by selecting from a growing list of materials and colors, and your personally-designed bag will be hand-assembled to order in Rickshaw’s San Francisco shop.

Specs

From the Rickshaw site, specs for the Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag:

• Holds up to 15” laptop
• Waterproof, wipe clean liner
• Briefcase laptop bag or messenger
• Removable laptop sleeve
• Organizational pockets, metal hardware
• Assembled-to-order in San Francisco
• Dimensions: 15.75″W x 11″H x 4.75″ D

The Outside

Since, as the expression goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the customizability of the Commuter 2.0 means you can make it beautiful to your own liking.  The front of the bag has one of features that is obiigatory of messenger-style bags, a large flap.  For this particular bag, the flap was covered with Rickshaw’s Performance Tweed material in a reddish-pink color, with camouflage nylon binding along the flap’s edge and a red-lettered Rickshaw logo patch.  Probably not the colors I would have selected, but I do like the Performance Tweed—it’s a different fabric from what you’ll find on most messengers.

The rear of the Commuter 2.0 features a grab handle and a large double-zippered pocket.  The double-zippered pocket is an example of the ambidexterity that Rickshaw has designed into the Commuter 2.0.

Closeup of the grab handle.  It is padded and circular in cross-section and stitched securely to the bag.  In addition, you can see another small loop of material that I suppose can be used to hang the bag on a hook or something similar.

The generous padding in the handle makes a big difference in the comfort level of carrying the bag.  I’ve used a lot of bags that had grab handles that were so thin that they felt like they were cutting into your hand.  Not so here.

Closeup of the Performance Tweed flap, binding and the Rickshaw logo tag.  All of these can be customized by color and/or pattern.

The Commuter 2.0 features a mesh pocket with toggle-drawstring closure on either end—another feature geared toward ambidexterity.  Although I suspect this was designed to hold water bottles and the like, these could really be used to hold just about anything to which you may want to have quick access.  The toggle-drawstring closure is a particularly great feature.  If you have something smallish in the pocket, rather than worry if it will slide out if you toss your bag into a trunk, just pull the tab on the drawstring and the toggle holds the pocket closed.  A lot of companies include pockets like this on their bags, but I really wish more companies would add this toggle-drawstring feature.

On the back of the Commuter 2.0, near the bottom corners, are two small plastic D-rings.  To these D-rings, you can attach a Cross Strap, offered by Rickshaw as an optional accessory for $5.  The Cross Strap helps stabilize the bag against your body for when you are biking or engaging in otherwise active activities.  There is a D-ring on either corner for ambidexterity.

At first glance, the Commuter 2.0′s shoulder strap appears pretty standard.  Like many similar bags, its includes a strip of nylon webbing metal attachment hooks and a velcro strap pad.  Also included is a rather unique adjustment buckle.  More on that below.  The shoulder strap from the top:

And the underside of the shoulder strap:

Both the shoulder pad and the adjustment buckle have a mesh texture to aid in ventilation.

The strap pad has a velcro closure and can be removed.  The adjustment buckle is rather unique.  More and more messenger bags are featuring the capability of altering strap length “on the fly” so that it can be adjusted for the desired comfort level or wearing style.  However, this one has a few extra features.  For starters, the back of the adjustment buckle is padded on the back side for comfort, so the buckle isn’t digging into your torso.  It also includes a couple of D-rings that can be used as attachment points for the Cross Strap, or for carabiners and other items.  Note two D-rings for ambidexterity.

The swivel-hooks that attach the shoulder strap to the D-rings on either end of the bag are metal and solidly constructed.  The hooks are spring-loaded with a fair amount of spring-back force, so you shouldn’t have to worry much about them spontaneously unhooking themselves if your bag gets jostled. 

The main closure mechanism of the Commute 2.0′s flap is a pair of side-release plastic buckles on nylon webbing.  The straps are adjustable which allows them to act as compression straps and give some expandability to the bag.  The are also mounted under the flap, as opposed to on top of it like many messengers.

The Inside

Lifting the flap reveals a bunch of additional features.  For starters, the inside is lined with a waterproof, wipe-clean liner in a grayish color.  The light color makes it easier to see that elusive pen when you are rooting around the bottom of your bag.

Like the drawstring-toggle pockets on the outside ends, the exclusive “magnetic silencers” are another great feature of the Commuter 2.0.  What are they, you ask?  Let’s just say the Commuter 2.0 might have the most versatile closure system ever.  OK, you’ve already seen the side-release buckles.  Pretty standard fare for messengers.  There are also two strips of Velcro under the flap, with opposing strips on the bag.  Again, pretty standard.  But here’s where the fun begins.  Rickshaw has included four magnetic silencers, two for the flap, two for the bag.  One side of the silencers is a layer of Velcro, the other side a layer of the same material as the interior of the bag.  Embedded between the layers is a thin magnet.  The magnets in the flap silencers and in the bag silencers are aligned such that they can be used to keep the bag’s flap closed much like the Velcro.  But unlike the Velcro, the magnets allow much quieter opening.  Below, I’ve shown the magnetic silencer removed on the left and attached on the right.

Again, below I’ve shown the magnetic silencer removed on the left and attached on the right.  You can also see the small strip of horizontal webbing for attaching a blinking light, reflector or other item.

Another shot, looking down the front of the bag.  Here you can see the twin zippered compartments (ambidexterity again) with the trademark Rickshaw zipper pulls.  You can also see a vertical strip of webbing to which can be attached carabiners or other items.

Opening the zipper on the left, we find a fairly decently sized compartment inside, with a two diagonal interior pockets, one on the inside of the compartment, the other on the inside of the compartment’s flap.  This compartment also contains a small, spring-loaded hook suspended from the top of the compartment.  To this is attached a length of webbing with an identical spring hook for keys, USB sticks and so forth.

Unzipping the zipper on the right reveals an identical compartment to its opposing twin, sans the extra spring clip extended.  Here, I’ve placed my MacBook Pro’s power supply and a small Moleskine notebook to illustrate the type and size of things can toss in here.  The diagonal pockets give some nice organization of smaller and/or thinner items, while the compartment itself has a good amount of space for larger items.

Looking down into the Commuter 2.0′s main compartment, you can see a large pocket on the inside of the front of the bag for folders, magazines, and so forth.  Along the inside of the back of the bag you can see the laptop sleeve.  More on this below.  Here I’d also point out that, with the laptop sleeve in place, there is not a lot of extra room in the bag’s main compartment, as least compared to most other messengers.  You’ll have room for a textbook or two, or a 3-ring binder, or some additional computer accessories, those sorts of things.  But this bag probably isn’t going to be the kind that will allow you to just open the flap and chuck stuff in all day, and sort it out when you get home, or to put your lunch, school books, workout clothes and DSLR camera all inside.  This is a great bag, it’s just not that kind of bag.

The laptop sleeve is attached to the inside of the bag with two generous strips of Velcro.

Having removed the laptop sleeve, and looking down into the bag’s main compartment once again, you can see that it is a quite simple, rectangular shape.

Another shot looking down into the main compartment.

The laptop sleeve is made from the same grayish, waterproof, wipable material as the interior of the bag itself.  It is a simple, effective design.  The laptop sleeve from the front:

And from the back.  Note the two Velcro strips that attach the sleeve to the inside of the bag.

My 15″ MacBook Pro fits in the sleeve like a glove.

The inside of the laptop sleeve is lined with a plush material that helps cushion the laptop against impacts and also allows it to slide in and out easily.

Turning our attention back to the exterior rear of the Commuter 2.0 and unzipping the large compartment reveals an organizer area.

The organizer has pockets for several writing implements, notebooks, USB sticks, business cards and the like.  I’ve thrown in a few of my oft-carried items to illustrate.  Yes, that is indeed a Lego Yoda pen on the far left.

In true messenger fashion, the Commuter 2.0 can be carried in multiple ways, a few of which I’ve illustrated below.  In honor of this bag’s color scheme, I wore my pink T-shirt.  Hey, it was a freebie I got for helping out at a kids’ triathlon.  Working left to right, the first pic is the simple over-the-shoulder method.  The second and third are with the strap across the chest, which is more of the classic “messenger” style.  The sliding adjustment on the strap makes this across the chest style even easier, as you can lift the strap over your head, then cinch up the slack in the strap to whatever position you like best—some like their messenger to ride higher on their back, more like a backpack, while some prefer it lower, as I’ve shown in the far right pic.  Again I would point out that this bag has been designed for ambidexterity; any of these carrying configurations can be set up for either right- or left-hand carry.

An Extra Accessory – The MacBook Pro Sleeve

The Rickshaw folks also included one of their 13″ MacBook Pro Sleeves in Performance Tweed fabric.  However, I don’t have a MPB in that size, but if a 13″ fits in here like my 15″ fits in the Commuter 2.0′s sleeve, it should be a perfect fit.  From the Rickshaw site:

• Perfectly sized for 13″ MacBook or MacBook Pro
• Elegant velcro flap-closure design
• Ultra plush, soft, durable liner
• Plush laptop-grade padding to protect your laptop
• Made to order in our SF factory
• Graphite Performance Tweed™ Exterior
• 14.25″W x 10.9″H x .75″ D (empty)
• 14.”W x 10.75″H x 1.75″ D (stuffed)

Yeah, that’s right.  The interior is Cookie Monster blue.  And almost that fuzzy.

Rickshaw also included this funky decal.

Conclusion

The Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 laptop messenger bag has both the main features that are essential to a typical messenger bag, and also some features that are quite unique.  Ability to select materials and colors, ambidexterity, useful organizational features and the unique “magnetic silencer” closure system make this bag a great choice if you like customization and options.  The only downside I saw was that the main compartment doesn’t have an abundance of cargo space compared to other messenger bags, so if you’re in need of a gaping-maw, throw-everything-in carry-all-and-then-some, this probably isn’t your bag. However, if you’re after a bag that is a bit more streamlined, with style customization and lots of organizational features, the Rickshaw Commute 2.0 is worth a look.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Laptop Sleeve, messenger bag, Rickshaw Bagworks

Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag and MacBook Pro Sleeve Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 28, 2012 at 11:00 am.

As unmanly as it sounds, the first thoughts that ran through my mind when I first saw and touched the Saddleback Classic MacBook Air Sleeve was……’Ooooo, pretty’. To make it worse, I even took a (nice long) whiff of the leather as I was unpacking it….smelled wonderful. Saddleback’s rich leather, craftsmanship, and incredible attention to detail have never failed to impress me. So, when I upgraded from my 2010 13″ MacBook Air to the latest, more petite 11″ version I, of course, needed new tech-accessories to properly protect my new laptop and this sleeve is a great (stylish) place to start.

The Saddleback Classic MacBook Air sleeve is created from a single piece of thick, rich full grain leather.  A majority of Saddleback Leather creations are constructed of 4-5 ounce full grain leather, which comes from the top layer of the cow hide (the toughest part). In the case of the MBAir sleeve, the leather is folded over and double stitched along three of its four sides.

The front of the sleeve is stylishly embossed with the Saddleback logo; the only distinguishing nuance of this relatively simplistic, yet classically styled, laptop accessory.

Other than being a gorgeous piece of leather, there is little to note on the backside of the sleeve. The cutouts on the top and bottom make it easier to get the MBAir out of the sleeve. At the beginning, the sleeve was tight, needing two hands and a good deal of force to get my MBAir in and especially out. Over the past month or so of use, the sleeve has stretched a bit, enabling me to insert and remove my MBAir more easily.

That said, the sleeve remains snug and form-fitted enough so that the laptop will not accidentally/unexpectedly slip out. It still takes two hands to remove but does not take a huge effort.

The design of the Saddleback Classic MacBook Air sleeve really works well with the wedge shape of the MBAir. As you can see, the folding of the leather creates a rounded side for the thicker part of the sleek laptop. While the stitched side tappers to a near point for the thinnest part of the MBAir.

The smooth, curved edge is ideal, in terms of comfort and function, for carrying the sleeve and MBAir around in your hand.

As discussed above, the bottom of the sleeve has an access point to push on the laptop while pulling from the other side to more easily remove the laptop.

Even though some of the MacBook Air is exposed, the Saddleback sleeve does a good job of protecting a majority of its aluminum casing. The sleeve primarily protects against bumps and dings (vs falls and drops).

The inside of the sleeve is lined with pigskin (which has the 2nd toughest tensile strength rating of leathers (FYI: kangaroo is the toughest)).

As you would expect of any Saddleback product, the sleeve’s finishing and stitching are of the highest quality and craftsmanship. The stitching along the sides and bottom is done with a single strand of continuous-filament, marine-grade U.V. resistant polyester thread. Like all the Saddleback Leather creations I have seen/reviewed over the years, they are built to withstand the test of time. So far, I have yet to have one of their items even break in let alone wear out.

The MBAir Sleeve is available in Saddleback’s four usual colors:

• Chestnut
• Carbon black
• Dark coffee
• Tobacco

Specifications:

• Outside Dimensions – W: 8.625″ x D: 0.75″ x H: 12.625″ (21.91cm x 1.91cm x 32.07cm)
• Inside Dimensions – W: 8″ x D: 0.5″ x H: 12.375″ (20.32cm x 1.27cm x 31.433cm)
• Weight: 0.65 lbs
• Lining: Lined with pigskin

The extra small sleeve is designed for the 11″ MBAir and the small is sized for the 13″ MBAir.

Not only does the Saddleback Classic MacBook Air sleeve look professional, but it feels great to carry as well. The sleeve adds approximately 10 ounces to the 2.2 lbs MBAir, not a huge amount of extra weight considering the protection it provides. This sleeve radiates Old World charm, handmade quality that is difficult to find in today’s day and age. Considering it comes with a 100 year warranty, its cost of under $70 is very well spent.

Note: The links to Saddleback Leather on this page are affiliate links, which earns a small percentage of any sales that come from The Gadgeteer.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Laptop Sleeve, Leather

Saddleback Classic MacBook Air Sleeve Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 24, 2012 at 11:00 am.

In my mind’s eye, I am the protagonist in an adventure serial entitled Indiana Jacobs and the Quest for the Perfect Gear-Hauling Bag. Of course, that I’m from Indiana (“Hoosier by Birth; Boilermaker by the Grace of God,” as the saying goes) aids in spinning this yarn, but so does my very real quest.  The latest chapter was my opportunity to try out the new Cadet Laptop Bag by Tom Bihn.  The Cadet is intended to be a “minimalist” laptop bag, meaning it was designed to carry just the essentials and nothing more.  Will it meet my Holy Grail of Bags criteria?  Let’s check it out!

NOTE: All images in this review have been enabled with clickable enlargeability for your viewing pleasure.  ;-)

Background

As stated above, I’m one one of those people. You may know one of us. We’re on a quest for the perfect bag to carry our gear.  My criteria to meet this challenge is a bit of a nebulous, “I’ll know it when I see it” combination of features, but it is basically a mix of style, organizational features and capacity that seems right for my needs and tastes.  Several years ago, I spent about eight months researching before I purchased my first “real” gear bag, the Timbuk2 Commute messenger.  It was during this extensive research period that I first found myself at The Gadgeteer, reading a review of the Tom Bihn Super Ego Messenger Bag (of which I have since become I delighted owner).  I’ve always been partial to messenger-style bags, and the Timbuk2 Commute and Tom Bihn Super Ego are about the closest I’ve come to “perfect” for me.  Will the Cadet be my Holy Grail of bags?

Options

When ordering the Cadet from the Tom Bihn site, there are several options from which you can select: size, color, laptop insert and shoulder strap.

Size - The Cadet is currently available in a 15/13 Cadet for 15-inch or 13-inch laptops, or 11/iPad Cadet for 11-inch laptops, netbooks or tablets.

Color – Currently available color combinations (these can change periodically) are Black/Iberian, Black/Steel, Steel/Solar, Forest/Steel, Cardinal/Steel and Navy/Solar.

Laptop Insert –  These are available in 15-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook/MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, 11-inch MacBook Air and iPad/iPad 2.  Note that if you do not want a laptop insert, you can specify this and it will deduct $30 from the price of the bag.

Shoulder Strap – Standard or Absolute.  Selecting Absolute instead of Standard Strap adds $20 to the  price of the bag.

As Reviewed – The configuration of the Cadet I reviewed was a 15/13 size in Steel exterior (sort of a very stately slate gray) with Solar interior (a bright lemonish yellow with a grid pattern), a 15-inch MacBook Pro laptop insert and an Absolute Shoulder Strap.

Specs

From the Tom Bihn site:

• Location of manufacture: TOM BIHN Factory in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
• Exterior made of U.S. 1050 denier Ballistic nylon
• Interior lined with ultra-light yet super-tough Japanese Dyeema/nylon ripstop fabric
• 0.25 in / 8 mm closed cell foam on the front, back and bottom
• YKK Uretech® splash-proof zippers on main compartment (#10) and exterior pockets (#8)
• Volume, without laptop or Cadet Cache (ASTM Standard Measure):

Packaging

Tom Bihn’s packaging is minimalist and functional with a bit of fun thrown in.  Clamshell-style folding cardboard box.  Pretty standard.

Retro-style Tom Bihn logos on the outside of the box.  I dig their retro plane flying over the Eiffel Tower logo.  Simple, but conveys a sense of nostalgia, harkening back to the early days of air travel, when every flight seemed to hold the possibility of intrigue and adventure.  In fairness, I wasn’t around in those days, but that’s the feeling this logo give me anyway.

Nostalgic plane again, this time with QR matrix.

And finally, as allude to above, Tom Bihn has taken steps to be environmentally responsible in its packaging.

Unboxing

Pop open the cardboard box and the Cadet is presented front and center.  No foam peanuts, no bubble wrap.  Enviro-friendly and no mess.

Right out of the box, the Cadet has a nice, clean look.  Understated yet handsome.  Front…

…and back.

Organizer Pouches

We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of the Cadet itself shortly.  For now, let’s check out the extras.  Along with the Cadet bag itself, the thoughtful folks at Tom Bihn sent a few other items that help round out the whole ensemble and really complete the Cadet.  First up, two organizer pouches.  Tom Bihn sells these in lots of shapes, sizes, colors, materials and prices.  Each one features a plastic zipper closure to avoid  scratching the contents and a swivel snap-hook that allows it to attach to the O-ring features built into Tom Bihn’s bags.  They not only help with organizing small items, but also give an extra layer of protection against dings, spills and the like.  Neither of these come with standard with the Cadet.  In the two pics below, the pouch above is a size Small Clear Organizer Pouch in Steel color ($10).  The bottom one is a size Mini Padded Organizer Pouch in Black color ($9).  A shot of them from the front……and from the back.

Padded Pouch for Magic Mouse

Let’s take a closer look at the size Mini Padded Organizer Pouch.  These Padded Organizer Pouches are intended to protect small electronic gadgets. In fact, this particular size also happens to fit the Apple Magic Mouse perfectly, which is why Tom Bihn also calls this particular size the Padded Pouch for Magic Mouse.  All Padded Organizer Pouches feature a light layer of padding to protect against external bumps and dings as well as an interior of soft brushed tricot and a zipper with plastic slider to prevent scratching the contents.

Snug fit…

…but solidly protected.

Ultrasuede Screen Cloth

Tom Bihn’s peeps also included an Ultrasuede® Screen Cloth.  These are made from genuine Ultrasuede material, not a knock-off, and they are extremely soft.  Great for cleaning grubby fingerprints and smudges from your device’s display after you’ve told your significant other or youngling not to touch it for the umpteenth time.  It is washable (hand wash recommended) and even comes in its own logo-branded envelope.  There’s that plane again, beckoning wistfully toward your next travel adventure.  Note that the Ultrasuede Screen Cloth is not included with the Cadet, and is an additional $7.

The Ultrasuede Screen Cloth I received is in the Lapis Blue color.  What the heck is a lapis?  Lapis, or more properly lapis lazuli is a blue-colored semi-precious stone that, not so coincidentally, is very similar in color to the one pictured below.  Didn’t know that?  Neither did I—I had to look it up!

Tom Bihn’s classic logo, complete with the nostalgic plane, is embossed into one corner of the Cloth.

Absolute Shoulder Strap

Ever had to hump a laptop bag from one end of Chicago O’Hare to the other?  Or through a week long trade show or conference?  Even the lightest bags can start to cut into your shoulder like a cinder block hanging from a length of kite string.   One of the gems among Tom Bihn’s accessories is the Absolute Shoulder Strap.  The main feature is its “unique, patented internal control-stretch system” that combines a soft, durable neoprene pad with comfortable stretch backing that elongates under load and helps dampen the weight on your shoulder.  However, keep in mind that if you want to swap the Cadet’s Standard Shoulder Strap for the the Absolute Shoulder Strap, it will add $20 to the price of the Cadet.  That’s a nice discount, because the Absolute Shoulder Strap is $30 when purchased separately.

Like all Tom Bihn products, the Absolute Shoulder Strap is very well built, with durable materials and solid construction.  This thing just feels solid when you pick it up and attach it to your bag.  It also include two adjustment sliders, one on either side, for extra customization.

Very heavy-duty metal spring-hooks connect the strap to the bag.  The springs snap into place with a commanding click, and you actually have to apply a fair amount of pressure to compress them enough to release them.  So you don’t have to worry about these things coming off accidentally.

Even the strap attachment points on the Cadet are thick, chunky, solid slabs of plastic.  They were apparently designed by Tom Bihn himself and are made from DuPont™ Delrin® polymer “tested to 260 pounds each.”  Look closely and you’ll see little “Tom Bihn Designs” and “Made in U.S.A.” molded into the plastic.  I was a bit disappointed not to see a tiny version of the nostalgic plane here.  Total miss, Tom.  Just kidding.

Cadet Cache Laptop Insert

As mentioned above, one of the options you will select when ordering your Cadet is a laptop insert appropriately sized for your laptop.  The Cadet Cache is essentially the Cache, a basic laptop sleeve available separately from Tom Bihn.  It has 1/4 inch thick padding laminated with an exterior of four-ply Taslan and an interior of brushed tricot that cradles your laptop.   If for some reason you don’t need or want a laptop insert, you can indicate this when ordering and $30 will be deducted from the price of the Cadet.

The Cadet Cache differs from the standard Cache by the addition of two Gatekeeper clips at the bottom rear.  These attach to two vertical strips of webbing in the main compartment of the Cadet (more on this further down).

Closeup of the Gatekeeper clips.  Easy to open but secure once closed.

A shot of my 15 inch MacBook Pro inserted into the Cadet Cache.  Fits perfectly.

The Cadet Cache has no closure features—no Velcro®, snaps, buckles or others.  Just a simple flap that tucks down over the laptop.

Cadet Bag

Now that we’ve warmed up a bit on some of the accessories, let’s move on to the item itself.  I’ve already mentioned its understated handsomeness, but indulge me while I expound further.  If this review happens to be your first exposure to Tom Bihn’s products, and you like what you see with the Cadet, then you are in for a treat when you view the rest of the product lines.  Since the early days, Tom Bihn’s designs have been all about three things: understated style, smart functionality, and durability.  I feel that they’ve hit the grand slam in combining these three aspects, and this is very apparent with the Cadet as well.

First, the understated style.  Tom Bihn’s bags have been consistently designed with a certain appearance and style.  To me, it is clean and simple, yet with an almost dignified touch.  Very appropriate for a business environment, but eye-catching enough that people might even ask you about it.  Second, the smart functionality.  All of Tom Bihn’s products, but especially their bags, have been designed by people who have a real sense of what is useful to a traveler, and maybe more importantly, what is not.  Third, the durability.  Tom Bihn uses extremely high quality materials in all of its products, and designs and builds them (in the USA) for maximum durability.

Combining all three aspects into one product does not come cheaply: these are some of the most expensively-priced travels bags you will find.  And not just because they have a “known” brand name, like Tumi or others, but in my view—and I’ve studied a few bags throughout my quest—they are among the absolute best.

The Cadet’s basic design is a “brief” style bag.  A descendant of the classic briefcase that your dad or granddad carried into the office with a newspaper under his arm and cup o’ joe in his hand, the Cadet is shaped to carry objects that are roughly 8.5 x 11 inches in size.  This style of bag typically has an opening on top to slide items into it, a couple of handles for hand carry and a shoulder strap.  The Cadet does indeed share these basic features with its venerable ancestors.

Closeup of the front of the Cadet.  Prolific Tom Bihn nostalgic plane logo visible throughout on multiple tags and labels.

As mentioned above, the Cadet has two handles, one on each side of the zipper opening on top.  The handles are internally padded, but very basic and no-nonsense.  Yet they are thick enough to feel comfortable and solid enough to lift an elephant.  That is, if you could fit an elephant in the Cadet.  Or maybe just a smallish object with the density of an elephant.  But I digress.  I’ve used bags with handles that are a bit more comfortable, but many times they are complicated contraptions and as a result they just don’t feel that solid.  These do.

This might be a good point to describe the materials from which the exterior of the Cadet is made (interior materials will be described a bit further down).  As mentioned above, the Cadet is made from U.S. 1050 denier ballistic nylon.  Sounds impressive, but so what?  Originally developed for flak jackets in World War II, “ballistic” nylon was intended to help protect the wearer from flying fragmentation-type debris.  However, it was not intended to protect against bullets directly (this would come later with the development of Kevlar material).  Further, denier refers to the weight of the fabric.  As the Tom Bihn site states, ”our Ballistic has twice the abrasion resistance of 1680 denier fabric.”  So this is genuinely tough stuff and will definitely wear well, to say the least, though everything from your everyday commute to globe-trekking adventures.  In addition, the Cadet has 1/4 inch thick closed cell foam between the interior and exterior on the front, back and bottom, which gives added protection and also helps the bag retain its shape.

There are a lot of bags out there that are made from some unspecified type of “nylon” material.  But 1050 denier is the good stuff.  And I don’t know what it is about the 1050 denier that Tom Bihn uses in their bags, but not only does it have a very solid and protective feel, it also feels relatively soft and supple, not rigid and scratchy like you might find with many of the tactical or military-styled bags that also use 1050 denier.  This may have something to do with Tom Bihn using a U.S. supplier of the material and being able to help specify the properties.  A quick anecdote on this.  My wife and daughter took the Cadet to the library to do some research recently.  Our daughter was carrying the Cadet and by the time she got home, the side of the bag was covered with brown fuzz that had presumably been removed from her pants leg as she carried the Cadet.  Admittedly, the pants she was wearing had sort of a soft, felt-like texture, so not much abrasion resistance, but something to keep in mind.

The Cadet, like most of Tom Bihn’s bags, utilizes YKK Uretech® splash-proof zippers on the main compartment (#10) and exterior pockets (#8).  If you’ve never seen or used these before, they are quite amazing.  The exterior of the zipper has two strips of urethane over each set of teeth which neatly separate during unzipping and then just as neatly join back together again when zipping to create a water-resistant seal.  I don’t know how many products use these babies (I’ve not seen them anywhere except on Tom Bihn’s stuff), but I was amazed the first time I saw them.  The urethane strips don’t impede the zipperin’ action in any way, and the seal they create is very uniform.  Now, these things aren’t going to enable you to throw your Cadet over your should and go snorkeling, but if you’re caught in a monsoon, or at ground zero of a drive-by curb splashing, your bag’s contents have a pretty good chance of staying moisture-free.

This is also a good time to mention that, to my knowledge, Tom Bihn does not use Velcro* in any of their products.  I suspect that this is because Velcro can be noisy and wears out over time, both of which would detract from the aesthetic and durability that are hallmarks of Tom Bihn’s products.

*[Update: Tom Bihn does use Velcro, or "Velcro-like material" in a handful of their products.  A Velcro-like material is used to affix the customizable Strips onto the front of their Ego and Super Ego Messenger Bags.  Their Strapeez are basically a strip of Velcro-like material used to assist in cable management.  And their Horizontal and Vertical Brain Cells utilize a Velcro-like material for the closures.]

Closeup of the small pocket on the front of the Cadet.  The interior is lined with Ultrasuede, the same super-soft stuff that Tom Bihn’s Ultrasuede Screen Cloth is made from–yep, same stuff as up above.  Placement and size of this pocket are perfect for quick external access to a phone or other small objects.

My old iPhone 3GS in Speck Candyshell case fits with a room to spare.

The rear of the Cadet, simple-looking though it may be, has some stuff going on as well.  Yep, there’s a pocket; pretty standard for bags such as this.  It’s big enough for a magazine or newspaper (so you don’t have to tuck it under your arm like Dad did).

Just another shot, this time looking down into the rear pocket.  It’s fairly deep and actually goes all the way to the bottom of the bag.

But that’s not all.  The rear pocket has a secret.  Under a little flap near the bottom rear of the Cadet is a concealed zipper.

Lifting the flap and unzipping the super-secret zipper turns the rear pocket into a band that can be slid over the handle of a rolling bag.  Tom Bihn calls this a “dual-function ‘roll-aboard’/magazine pocket”…

…as I shall now demonstrate, with my arm playing the part of a rolling bag’s handle.  I really wish that Tom Bihn would have included this feature in all of their messenger bags that include a rear pocket like this—especially in my Super Ego Messenger Bag.  Hint, hint, Tom Bihn folks!

The interior of the Cadet is Dyneema® fabric.  What the heck is Dyneema?  No, it’s not Wonder Woman’s real name.  Dyneema is an Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber that is billed as the “strongest fiber in the world.”  It has extremely high strength-to-weight ratio, chemical and moisture resistance and durability.  Tom Bihn uses Dyneema in several of its products (for both external and internal applications), including the Cadet:

Inside the Dyneema tag.   Looks like marketing-ized scientific-type info, but it makes the case for Dyneema’s strength and durability compared to other materials.

Unzipping the larger of the two zippers on the front of the Cadet reveals an organizer compartment.  The bright yellow grid-pattern interior material is the Dyneema fabric.  The brightly-colored interior is an advantage when you are in dimly-lit surroundings and need to search for something small at the bottom of the bag.  Let’s walk through the organizer compartment’s features.  Starting at the top are two plastic O-rings, one on each side.  Below the O-rings are a row of pockets in various sizes.

Here, I’ve placed a few items that I normally carry with me in the Cadet.  Starting at the top, I’ve attached to the left O-ring one of  Tom Bihn’s Key Straps, which is included with the Cadet.  These are available in 8-inch or 16-inch lengths and are $2 each if you’d like to get additional ones.  These straps have many uses, one of which is to complement Tom Bihn’s organizer pouches (see above).  Depicted is one of Tom Bihn’s 8-inch Key Straps to which I’ll attach my car keys and toss them into the bottom of this organizer compartment, then easily retrieve them by grabbing the strap.  On the top right O-ring I’ve attached the Padded Pouch for Magic Mouse (see above).  In the organizer pockets below, I’ve placed a Sharpie, Paper Mate mechanical pencil, Pilot gel pen, small Moleskine notebook and the Ultrasuede Screen Cloth (folded and hidden behind the Pouch), and there is room for more.  What you put in here is up to you, but as someone who likes lots of organization features, I find this to be just about the right amount for a bag of this type—you’re not going to carry your whole office in here, or even as much as you would in a cavernous messenger bag, so you can just stick to the essentials and keep it simple and lightweight.  There is also sufficient room in this organizer compartment to toss in your power supply or other similarly-sized items.

The only criticism I have here is that at the far left and right of the organizer pockets there are two things that look like pockets at first glance, but only when you try to stick something into them to you realize that they are actually sewn shut.  I don’t know why Tom Bihn does this, but it is also this way on my Tom Bihn Super Ego Messenger Bag.  I suspect it may have something to do with strength and durability, but in any case it’s a bit frustrating to see what looks like two additional pockets that are in fact useless.

Now let’s dive into the Cadet’s main compartment.  I found it to be simple, but with just about the right amount of features.

The “front” of the interior (the side where the organizer compartment resides on the exterior) has a large pocket.  This could be used for papers, folders, magazines and the like.  Above it are two more O-rings that you can use however you’d like.  The “back” of the interior has two strips of webbing that run top to bottom.  These straps serve as the points for attaching the Cadet Cache laptop insert into the Cadet.

Here, I’ve placed the Cadet Cache down into the Cadet’s main compartment.

Looking down into the Cadet Cache.

In the photo below, you can just barely make out the Gatekeeper clips at the bottom of the Cadet Cache, which have been attached to the two vertical webbing strips.  Because the Gatekeeper clips can slide along the webbing strips, this allows the Cadet Cache—with laptop inside—to be slid out of the Cadet with the laptop still inside.  This feature is intended to be “TSA checkpoint friendly” and to comply with current TSA regulations which stipulate that you can leave your laptop in a sleeve when going through the X-ray machine at the airport.  Once through X-ray, just slide the Cadet Cache back into into the Cadet.  Quick and easy.  Two things to note.  First is that, because the main compartment must be unzipped for it to function in this way, it does leave the contents of the bag free to fall or slide out either when you pull out the Cadet Cache or place it on the X-ray belt, or even to pilfering in the security process.  I haven’t had this happen, but it does seem like a possibility.  Second is that, in my travels I have yet to encounter a TSA agent that actually allowed me to do this.  Every one yet has forced me to remove my laptop from my bag, despite pointing out that the regs have changed.  Frustrating.

A shot of my 15 inch MacBook Pro inserted into the Cadet Cache inside the Cadet.

Here, I’ve moved the Magic Mouse Pouch from the front organizer section and clipped to one of the two O-rings in the Cadet’s interior.  The O-rings and clips on various Tom Bihn accessories give the Cadet a lot of organizational versatility and customization.

Front view of the Cadet.

Rear view of the Cadet.

Below are two of the three ways of carrying the Cadet: over the shoulder like a shoulder bag and across the chest like a messenger bag.  Of course, the Cadet can also be carried by the handles, but I forgot to get a shot of this.  The Cadet’s minimalist design helps minimize the weight, and its slim profile makes it a comfortable bag to carry.  With the addition of the Absolute Shoulder Strap, it becomes almost effortless—I almost forget I am carrying it.

Price

OK, let’s talk price.  The total price of the Cadet and all accessories as configured above, if I’ve figured everything correctly, is about $216.  $200+ for a simple, minimalist laptop bag?  Yeah, that seems ridiculous to me as well.  But as I’m sure you’ve surmised by now, though the Cadet may at first glance appear to be ordinary and simple, it is anything but.  As I’ve stated above, the Cadet, like all of Tom Bihn’s products, is very high quality in design and materials—some of the best travel bags and accessories you can buy.  And this doesn’t come cheaply.  This is not a laptop bag like you would find on the clearance rack at Walmart.  These are investments, and should be treated as such.  If your needs are lower-demand, if you don’t travel that often or don’t need such durability, then Tom Bihn’s products may not be worth the price to you.  But if you travel frequently, or to exotic locations, or don’t want to have to replace your bag every year, then I would encourage you to consider Tom Bihn’s products.  There is a Forums area at the Tom Bihn site in which fellow owners tell tales of their travels, what abuse their bags have endured, how long they’ve had their bags, suggestions for improvements and so forth.  Many of those who have committed to purchasing a Tom Bihn product have only one lament: that the darn things last so long.  Because they can’t justify buying another one until their current one wears out!  That is a satisfied customer and brand loyalty.

Conclusion

As far as my Holy Grail of Bags quest, the Cadet does more or less meet many of my criteria, including understated looks, hard core durability and a decent amount of organizational features. However, for my daily commute bag I personally need something with a bit more organization and quite a bit more capacity, so my quest continues.  But that’s just me.  The Tom Bihn Cadet is a minimalist laptop bag that is designed to protect your laptop while also carrying your mobile computing essentials.  Like all Tom Bihn products, its features have been very thoughtfully designed, it has been built with the highest quality, most durable materials, and the styling is simple yet elegant and looks great.  The price is a bit steep, but with travel gear you really do get what you pay for, and Tom Bihn makes some of the best products on the market.  If a minimalist laptop bag is what you’re looking for, I highly recommend the Tom Bihn Cadet.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Tom Bihn

Tom Bihn Cadet Laptop Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 20, 2012 at 8:00 am.

MacCase makes a variety of leather bags and accessories for your gear, like these Premium Leather Shoulder Bags.  The bags are available in a small size to fit 13-15″ laptops and large size for 15-17″ laptops.  They have organizer pockets on the front and padded iPhone/iPod pockets on the sides.  The bags are made of a premium textured hides with a light-colored fabric inside to make it easy to find things.  A thickly-padded shoulder strap, front and back zippered pockets, and stainless hardware finish the bags.  They’re available in black, tan, chocolate brown, red, dark vintage, and distressed vintage (shown).  The bags have a lifetime warranty.  Either size is $249.95.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, News

Tagged: Laptop Bag

MacCase Premium Leather Shoulder Bags originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2011 at 8:00 am.

New from STM is their Velo laptop messenger bag.  Packed with lots of organizational features, yet spacious enough to just toss stuff in.  The Velo could be a solid daily commute bag for your laptop, tablet, accessories, jacket, shoes, hat, raincoat, keys, journal, pens, water bottle, lunch, manicure set…  OK, maybe it won’t hold ALL that, but it looks pretty roomy and organizational-y.  Small for 13″ laptops, Medium for 15″ laptops and available in black and mushroom colors, each for about $100 from online sellers Altrec.com and eBags.com.  Got a favorite laptop and gear hauling messenger?

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Bag, Laptop Bag, messenger bag

STM Adds Velo Laptop Messenger Bag To Lineup originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 9, 2011 at 8:00 am.

Some bags are big enough to carry all your gear and the kitchen sink.  That’s great if you need and want that, but they are overkill for when you only need your laptop, phone, and a couple of other items.  Tom Bihn has designed the Cadet for those of us who like to carry a minimum of things.  The Cadet is designed with Apple computers and the iPad in mind, but other gear will work with it.  (Check their fit list to see if yours will fit.)  It comes in two sizes: 15/13 Cadet for 15″ and 13″ MacBook Pro, 13″ MacBook, or the 13″ Air; and the 11/iPad for 11″ MacBook Air and the iPad.  In addition to the main compartment, there is a large organizer pocket and zippered slip-in pocket on the front.  The case is made using the normal, sturdy fabrics and the same quality construction methods always used by Tom Bihn.  It’s available in several color combinations.  The Cadet is $170 and comes with a Cadet Cache laptop insert sized to fit your computer or iPad.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: iPad bag, Laptop Bag

Tom Bihn Cadet Minimalist Laptop Bag originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 7, 2011 at 8:09 am.

I sometimes have back pain and carrying heavy gear bags often makes things worse.  I’m constantly on the lookout for a sturdy, protective bag that’s big enough for my computer must-haves but won’t add a lot of weight itself.  We’ve used neoprene lunch bags from Built NY for years.  These lunch bags wear like iron, and they’re very lightweight.  Built NY (or Built as they seem to call themselves now) expanded from food and beverage bags into gear bags sometime ago.  I finally decided I’d give their Neoprene Tote Bag for the 13” MacBook Pro a try.  I placed my order at Amazon and got my bag delivered the next day.  Let’s see how it works.

Some of the pictures can be clicked for an enlarged view.  The top picture is courtesy of Amazon.com (because I couldn’t get the bag to stand up nicely); all the other pictures are mine.

Built uses wetsuit Neoprene to make their bags.  I don’t have calipers to measure the thickness of the Neoprene.  It feels thicker and much more dense than some Neoprene bags I’ve had, like the Neoprene pouch that came with the Sony PRS-600 ebook reader.  The material is compressible, but it is not so spongy that you can completely flatten it between your fingers.  The stitching on the bag is very even and straight.  The raw edges are bound with a black jersey fabric.  The only branding on the exterior of the bag is the “Built” name in a plastic iron-on applique on one side of the bag.

Like most of their products, the Neoprene Tote Bag is available in a variety of patterns and colors.  I ordered the Graphite Grid color.  The interior is lined in a medium blue fabric.  Both the interior and exterior fabrics seem to be a synthetic material in jersey knit.  I’m not sure that guys would like the shoulder-style of this particular bag, but the color and pattern should work for men.

The bag measures about 15.25” at the widest point at the top and about 13.4” across the bottom.  It’s about 4.25” deep at the bottom (exterior dimension).  The bag is about 21” tall including the handles.  The bag itself is 10.5” tall.  The double straps have about a 10” drop, so there’s plenty of room to place this bag on your shoulder.  The bag weighs only 1 pound, 1.5 ounces empty.

Sturdier material used for bottom and sides of the bag

The bottom of the bag and most of the sides of the bag are made of a sturdier material.  This material seems to be a heavier, less compressible Neoprene with a sturdier fabric on the exterior.  This should protect the bottom of the bag from wear and provide a little more protection for the contents of the bag.

Velvet interior of the laptop sleeve

This particular bag is designed for the 13” Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops.  It has a laptop sleeve sewn into the sides of the bag.  The sleeve doesn’t reach all the way to the bottom of the bag, so the laptop will be suspended in the middle of the bag.  The Graphite Grid bag has a solid black laptop sleeve with a blue velvet lining.  The sleeve has a nylon zipper with a metal slider and a large, black plastic zipper pull in a figure-8 shape.

My 13″ MacBook Pro just fits inside the sleeve without a millimeter to spare, and I was afraid that the zipper slider would drag along the edge of my laptop and scratch it.  I haven’t noticed any scratches yet, but I do put my finger under the zipper slider as I take it over the corner of the laptop, where the fit is tightest.

Front open compartment

Open back compartment with zipper pocket on exterior wall

Zipper pocket

The laptop sleeve divides the bag into two sections.  The front section (behind the iron-on Built logo) is completely open and empty.  I carry my iPad 2 in its back cover and Smart Cover in this section.  I have plenty of room to carry a notebook or magazines in this section, too.   The back section is the same size as the front section, with the addition of a zippered pocket on the exterior wall.  The pocket has a plastic zipper with a metal slider and a plastic figure-8 zipper pull.   I chose the front pocket for my iPad because I didn’t want the zipper to scratch it or put pressure on the screen.

I carry the large Levenger leather pouch (shown in the picture of my gear, below) in the back open pocket.  The Levenger bag is almost 11” X 5” X 2”, and it’s packed with cables and connectors for various gadgets.  There’s plenty of room in that large compartment for more.  I have a 1TB Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex external disk and its Firewire connector plus the power supply for my laptop in the small zipper pocket.   The Neoprene is stretchy, so I could probably fit something else in there, too.  You can see the size of the zipper pocket outlined in stitching in the picture of the back of the bag (above).

Of course the bag is heavy when fully loaded with all my gear – because the gear is heavy.   At just over 1 pound, the Built bag is the lightest I’ve had for my computer.  The Neoprene straps are soft and stretchy enough that they seem to “give” under the weight of the stuff loaded inside, so they don’t feel like they are cutting into my skin.

I used the Neoprene Laptop Tote during a trip last weekend.  I found it fit everything I wanted to take and had room for more.  It was comfortable during the time I was carrying it.  I felt my MacBook Pro was protected in its cushy, suspended sleeve inside the Neoprene bag.  One thing I didn’t like about the bag is that it won’t stand up on its own.  Unless I leaned the bag against my chair, the fully loaded Built bag fell over on its side.  The only other quibble I had was there was no closure for the bag.  The laptop sleeve zips closed, as does the interior small pocket, but the two main compartments are completely open.

I don’t see how I could possibly find a smaller, lighter bag for my MacBook Pro unless I used only a sleeve that had no storage for anything else.  The Built Neoprene Tote Bag for the 13” Apple MacBook/Pro is now my go-to computer bag.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Neoprene

Built Neoprene Tote Bag for 13” Apple MacBook Pro Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 21, 2011 at 2:00 pm.

All types of people love Molekine notebooks – writers, artists, tech-lovers, and everyone between.  Moleskine eventually realized that people even wanted a way to make their electronic devices look like their notebooks, and they issued official covers for iPad, iPhone, and Kindle.  Now they are introducing gear bags that are inspired by their iconic notebooks.  The Moleskine Messenger Bag is made of black polyurethane and has a molded base so it can sit on its own.  It has a double flap – held closed by an elastic strap, of course – that can fold under itself to hold an umbrella, newspaper, or the like.  It has a divider inside that can accommodate Moleskine multi-purpose cases, and the optional Moleskine Storage Panel “which offers padding and compartments for complete organization.”  It’s 16.5″ x 11.75″ x 3.25″, so it can hold up to a 15″ laptop.  The Moleskine Messenger Bag can be ordered from the official website for $129.95.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: gear bag, Laptop Bag, Moleskine

Moleskine Messenger Bag originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 5, 2011 at 1:30 pm.

We Gadgeteers have a, shall we say…fondness.. for our gadgets, am I right?  Rhetorical question ’round these parts.  Some cling to a mere handy handful of essential EDC, others find a BSA-like array necessary for preparedness.  Some commute via public transportation through vast, sprawling urban metropoli for a day at the grind, others trek stoically across campus to hole up in the lab or library for a night of bleary-eyed study.  And, though everyone’s ideal solution may vary, one thing we all have in common is a need to protect and organize our gadgets while transporting them.  I’ve been a laptop messenger bag dude for a while, but I’d been considering a laptop backpack.  Along came a chance to try out the Revolution Medium Laptop Backpack from STM, and here it is.

NOTE: All images in this review are clickably enlargeable for your viewing pleasure.

Backround

As mentioned above, I’ve been a laptop shoulder bag user for many years now.  More specifically, I’ve been using a Timbuk2 Commute messenger bag for about 3 years now, and I’ve loved it.  So in the interest of full disclosure, that’s where I’m coming from.  However, I’d been thinking about trying out a laptop backpack.  So, let’s get to it!

Specifications

Australia-based STM’s Revolution line of laptop backpacks consists of two sizes, small (fits up to 13″ laptops) and medium (fits up to 15″ laptops), which is reviewed here.  Per STM, here are the specs on the Revolution Medium Laptop Backpack, which from this point forward I’m going to shorten to “Revolution M” for convenience and also because of the logo below (top) which is on the pack itself:

lining: 210D water resistant nylon
main fabric: 300D water resistant micro ripstop
lining: 210D water resistant nylon
laptop space: 14.8 x 9.8 x 1.6 in (37.5 x 25 x 4 cm)
external bag: 18.9 x 11.8 x 7.9 in (48 x 30 x 20 cm)
weight: 3.80 lbs (1.72 kg)
components: high density nylon webbing, duraflex buckles and clips, compressed EVA padding, high quality load bearing stitching
price: $99.00

Packaging

The Revolution M comes in biodegradable plastic bag, a nice touch for the enviro-conscious, which IMO we should all be in this day and age of earth friendliness.

First Impressions

The Revolution M is available in two color schemes, orange and carbon.  I selected orange for a bit of pizazz, something different from the droves of dutifully understated business neutral-colored (read: drab) packs on the market.  It did not disappoint.  This pack is big(ish), and it is orange.  I haven’t tried it on a plane, but I suspect that it might be difficult to get it to fit under the seat when fully-loaded.  My very first thought was of its resemblance to one of my favorite yet obscure cartoon characters, “Gossamer,” the hulking-yet-lovable orange furry monster who tangles with Bugs Bunny.

Back to the Revolution M, the color is not a bright hunter vest or hazard cone orange, yet almost a burnt orange in color with black and carbon gray accents, and I quite like it.  The material is tough-feeling nylon with a faint grid pattern, similar to ripstop fabric.  The other aspect I noticed about the pack immediately was the weight.  Even empty, the Revolution M is fairly heavy.  More on this later.

Features – External

The Revolution M is quite simply loaded with features.  Let’s focus on the external first.

Quick-Access Zipper Pocket

Integrated into the front of the pack is a quick-access pocket with vertical zipper.  The location of this pocket seems to have been designed so that you can slip your arm out the left shoulder strap, sling the pack around front under your right arm, and get into the pocket easily.  Great design for righties like me, but for lefties, probably not so much.  The zipper is about 6 inches long with a slick zipper pull.  Regarding the zipper pulls, they are emblematic of the attention to detail in this pack’s design.  Each of them is grey paracord-style cord with an over-molded, rubberized fobs that bears the STM logo.  Nice.

To protect whatever delicate contents you may place within the quick-access pocket, it is lined with baby-diaper soft fleece.  Super soft!

Also, the pocket is plenty large to house items up to possibly the size of a 7″ tablet, if you were so inclined to trust such an item of preciousness to a pocket on the outside of your pack.  It could possibly hold up to a 7″ Galaxy Tab or something similar.  In fact, my WoPad fits in there quite nicely.

Side Pockets & Compression Straps

The sides of the pack each have quite deep elastic mesh pockets for water bottles, umbrellas, power bricks, newspapers, telescopes, bananas, loaves of French bread—I could go on and on, but you can probably come up with even more creative uses for them than I.  Also on either side is a compression strap with quick-release buckle.  Easy to tighten down if you find yourself with only a few items inside and would like to go a bit more low-profile, or to unhook if you’ve loaded it to the seams and need some extra space.

Carry Handle

The Revolution M’s carry handle is one of the finest I’ve evaluated.  Thick and beefy, it is sewn securely and integrally into the top of the pack.  On top, the handle has the same ballistic nylon material as the pack, and a breathable mesh on the underside with padding sandwiched between.  The result is a very solid, comfortable-feeling grip, not so thin that it cuts into your hand when hauling it for extended (or even short) periods.  The only drawback I can see to this handle is that you are somewhat limited in how it can be used to hang the pack from something.  It should hang from a coat hook or door knob fine, but it doesn’t do so well if you try to hang it from something like the post on the back of a chair.  Perhaps a minor point, but might be important to some, depending on how you use it.

Suspension System

The Revolution M’s suspension system, like the rest of the  pack, is well-designed and built.  For starters, the shoulder straps themselves are of a design that is becoming more common on packs of this type.  Instead of being attached to the pack separately, they are combined at the point where they are attached to the pack, forming a sort of “U”-shape.  This may be a minor point, but I think this makes the pack slightly more comfortable to wear, due to this curved inner “U” shape the contacts the body in the back of the neck region.  Maybe I’m making too much about nothing, but it does seem to feel a bit more comfortable to me with this feature.

The main shoulder straps are thickly padded, which, like the  carry handle, helps prevent that feeling of the straps cutting into your shoulders when the pack is heavily loaded with wares.  The straps at the bottom also allow adjustment.

A word about the padding in the back of the pack.  That word is THICK.  The back of the pack is covered with the same breathable mesh material as on the underside of the carry handle.  Under this layer, inside the pack, are two thick foam pads that run the length of the pack, with a deep channel in between, presumably for ventilation.  The padding here is the thickest I’ve ever seen on any pack of this kind.  This combination of features is great for overall comfort if you’ve got this pack loaded for bear.  On a related note, as mentioned above, the Revolution M is quite heavy, even when empty.  Likely this is due to the materials used in the pack, which are heavyweight and high quality, and the amount of padding used throughout the pack, both for the suspension system and laptop protection.

The shoulder straps system is well-designed and sturdy.  In addition to the shoulder straps themselves, there is a chest strap that secures with a quick-release buckle.  The chest strap is adjustable in two ways.  The length of the chest strap can be adjusted, and the height can be adjusted by sliding along a “rail” on either of the shoulder straps.  In addition, there is a small length of gray webbing on both sides for attaching carabiners or other items.

But that’s not all.  There’s also a waist strap that can be deployed then employed for additional support.  By that I mean this: near the bottom of the bag, just behind the foam back pads is a pocket on either side into which can be discretely tucked the two halves of a waist strap.

This waist strap is adjustable from both sides and has a very beefy quick-release buckle.  The straps themselves are wide enough for you to attach items like a knife, multitool, flashlight cargo pouch, or other necessities that you may want handy, but don’t want to attach to the belt holding up yer breeches.

Below is a shot of the fully-deployed waist strap.

The right shoulder strap also contains an elastic mesh pocket designed to hold a phone, music player or other device you may want to have within easy reach and near your noggin.  It’s shown below, and on the left with my wife’s iPhone 3GS in Speck Candyshell case stuffed into it—a bit tight, but still fits fine.

Features – Internal

Now, let’s dive into the belly of this beast.  Once again, it’s features o’ plenty.

Front Compartment

Unzipping the front compartment reveals a multi-pocket organizer along with several other pockets for keeping gadgetry in its proper place.  To demonstrate, I’ve stocked it with several of my own daily office commute essentials: keys, pens, Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000, and my Timbuk2 In Flight Case slid into the pocket in the front.  Two minor beefs I have with the setup here.  One is simply…needs more pockets.  I’m an unapologetic pocket-a-holic.  I like lotsa pockets for all my stuff, and I don’t like to throw all of my small items into one or two large “bins” and let them rattle around while I’m out and about, only to find a jumbled mess when I open the pack.  Also, the wide pocket along the inside of the compartment’s flap, though having a nice capacity for tossing in items, could use some improvement.  Although the location is OK, when opening the flap, items tend to slide out of it because there is no closure.  A zipper or strip or two of Velcro would have been good here.

The zippered pocket in the organizer has a mesh panel at either end, providing a bit of visibility to the contents.  Another couple of shots below to show additional detail.  That’s a standard-sized Moleskine notebook in the shot on the right, to give some scale.

Main Compartment

As with the rest of the pack, there’s quite a bit going on in the main compartment.  Unzipping to peer inside reveals the main compartment to actually be further subdivided into three  areas.  The first, shown below, is what I would call the main main compartment—an open space into which the user can either haphazardly toss or neatly stack lots of stuff, whatever may be your style or mood.  Show below left in the empty state and at right with a few items thrown in—my iGo power brick for my work laptop and my Timbuk2 In Flight Case.

In addition to the wide-open main main compartment, the second area is a pocket that is intended to slip in an iPad or other tablet device.  Like the front-access zipper pocket, this pocket is lined with soft fleece to protect your tablet’s screen.  STM bills this as a “unique fingerprint-removing brushed nylex.”  I’m not so sure it would actually remove fingerprints without pressing on the tablet and rubbing vigorously, and even then it may not remove those pesky fingerprints.  Still, a nice touch.

Pulling on the loop above the tablet pocket reveals the third area, another whole compartment which as been designed to hold your laptop safe and snug.  This compartment is fairly well concealed, but I’m not sure there is a point to concealing it when it is already inside the main compartment.  Concealment aside, I found it to be a fairly intriguing design.  One thing to note here is that, unlike most laptop backpacks designs that place the laptop up against the back of the pack, this laptop compartment is actually more towards the front of the pack.

The laptop compartment has a 2-inch wide lip that covers and wraps around the edge of your laptop.  The lip is actually made from an elastic material, so it has some stretch, which makes it easier to insert your laptop down into it and capture it.

Closing and securing the flap via Velcro strips encases your laptop in a protective cocoon, the inside of which is lined with the same ubiquitous, fleecy material as the quick-access zipper pocket and the tablet pocket.  Look how snug my Big Black Brick Bulletstopper (my 15.4″ Lenovo T60p work-issued laptop) looks all tucked in there.  It’s a pretty beefy laptop, and fits with just a bit of room to spare.  It could probably fit two or three MacBook Airs.  However, the Velco strips, while allowing quick access, don’t really secure it all that well.  I found that I had to consciously and firmly press the Velcro pieces together to get them to attach, and even then it felt a bit weak.  Upon opening the pack, I frequently found that this flap had worked its way open.  Still, with the laptop compartment situated where it is, it may not really matter, because it seems quite secure.

Here’s a shot to illustrate how to access the laptop with other cargo.  In the main main compartment, I’ve stuffed the iGo, the Timbuk2 In Flight Case and a fleece pullover.  Still got some room to spare, and it’s not that difficult to access the laptop compartment.  One thing to note here is that this pack is extremely front-heavy.  Even when loaded with a few items but without the laptop, it tends to fall forward, but insert the laptop and forget it—it does a faceplant every time.  I definitely prefer my packs to stand upright on their own if possible, but this guy is never going to do that.  You’ll have to lean it against something.

OK, here’s a feature that baffles me a bit.  On one side of the pack is an elastic access port from the main main compartment to the outside.  At first, I thought it was almost certainly a headphone port.  Then, I thought it might be a drinking tube for a water bladder, as with a Camelbak.  But that doesn’t seem too logical on a tech-type pack like this.  So, I guess you can use it for whatever purpose you like.

Rain Cover

The last feature to cover is well…the cover.  The tuck-away rain cover, to be exact.  This little baby is tucked into a hidden pouch in the bottom of the pack.

To deploy the cover, just open the pouch, which is secured closed with a little Velcro strip, and pull it out.  It stays attached to the pack via a small strap, presumably so it doesn’t get lost if it should be blown loose while you trudge through gale-force winds or the like.

The cover is made from a material that certainly feels waterproof.  It fits over the pack and has some elastic around the edge to keep it in place.  One thought I had here was, why not just make the pack itself waterproof?  I suppose it is, to a point, but this cover seems like it would really protect your stuff in the event of getting caught in a pretty heavy downpour, and it doesn’t take that long to deploy and get in place.

The cover also has an elastic strap with toggle that you can cinch down tight, to further secured it in place.

Here you can see the little strap that secures the cover to the bottom of the pack.

In Action

Below are a few shots of yours truly wearing the Revolution M.  On the left are the empty pack, on the right are the pack loaded with a good portion of my daily commute gear.  [Also not sure why I look like a bobble-head on the first shot.]

Final Thoughts

I’ve been giving the Revolution Medium Laptop Backpack a test drive  as my daily work pack for a while now.  Although, as stated above, I’m a laptop messenger bag fan, and will probably ultimately return to that style of gear-hauler, I do like the Revolution Medium.  It’s extremely comfortable to wear, its design has great functionality and attention to detail, and the quality of materials and construction are top-notch.  And it looks cool and yet doesn’t scream “HEY!  LAPTOP IN HERE!  STEAL ME!” as with some packs.  Considering all of these features and advantages, and comparing to other tech-type laptop backpacks, I actually think this pack is a steal for $99.00.  The only real nags I have are the weight of the pack and its front-heaviness; however, I think the benefits far outweigh these two relatively minor drawbacks.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Backpack, Laptop Bag

STM Revolution Medium Laptop Backpack Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 14, 2011 at 10:30 am.

STM, an Australian company that makes very nice bags, has been featured here before. This time, I get to review one of their full-sized laptop bags- the medium-sized, vertical shoulder bag. It’s a great looking bag and I could not wait to try it out!

When I look for a bag, I want something that will carry my stuff in an organized way, be good quality for the cost, and look OK doing it. The STM Vertical Medium Laptop Shoulder Bag runs $70 from eBags.com and is a good size- 16.3′ x 11.8″ X 3.1″ with a laptop slot that is 14.8″ x 10.4″ x 1.3″ and holds my 14.5″ HP with a little room to spare. The proportions are such that they feel OK on both me, a very large guy, and my slender wife. The removable shoulder strap is generously cut and easily adjustable. The bag also features a handy and very sturdy grab handle, which I really like in a bag.

STM bag proportions

The bag is very well made. As was noted in the previous review, there is a lot of attention to detail- sturdy hardware, interesting and strong zipper pulls, and a really well-done shoulder pad that does not slip and is very comfortable. The main pockets are lined with a grey fleece material with some quilting that feels nice and soft. I do not worry that anything will be scratched in these pockets!

The lining fabric, zipper pulls, and shoulder pad. Notice the Velcro on the front pocket- that is what holds the main flap down.

Shoulder strap hardware

So, high marks for looks and quality. (Forgive the fuzz and mild wear- I’ve been using this bag now since I got it and I carry it daily, and we have a cat, so…)

The bag features a large main pocket for the laptop or whatever you want to fit in it, a full sized back pocket, a pocket in the outside main flap with a zipper on the side, a large pocket in front of the laptop pocket almost as wide and tall, another one about 2/3rds that size (which seems to be designed for an iPad), and an organizer pocket with an exterior pocket, a large gusseted opening, several pen-type slots, another zippered pocket behind them, and a key clip.

Organizer pocket

Back pocket and grab handle

The bag can hold quite a bit without looking bulgy, although since it is a vertical bag, it is designed to be rather thin and does not particularly like thick stuff. It cannot easily handle things like water bottles, lunches, and even big ‘power bricks’ well although it is fine with magazines and files. The photo below shows everything I was carrying when I took the photo. There was still plenty of space, but mostly for rather flat stuff. In fact, the camera shown sort of has to be ‘positioned’ in the top part of the organizer pocket so it does not make a bulge.

Everything in the bag on photo day

There are a couple small things about this bag that bother me a little. The laptop flap and the main flap just secure with relatively small areas of Velcro. In fact, the Velcro area for the main flap- the wide oval shape on the organizer pocket shown a few photos up- really does not allow for much variation in bag thickness. The other minor thing is the relative inability to hold thicker stuff. If I was taking this on a plane or trip, I would need another bag for bulkier items. If you need bulkier storage or more secure front flaps, consider the Scout bags, or one of their other shoulder bags.

They have a nicely worded warranty, but since the company is in Australia it would be interesting to know how it actually applies.

Not quite my ‘dream bag*’ but a nicely put together bag that will probably hold up for a long time with daily abuse. (*- I want a nearly impossible collection of mix-and match components so I can carry what I want when I want without spare bulk and not shuffle items from bag to bag. Dream on, right?)

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Shoulder Bag

STM Vertical Medium Laptop Shoulder Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 13, 2011 at 10:08 am.

If you want a laptop bag that doesn’t look like everybody else’s bag, check out Gnana handmade bags.  Gnana is a Sanskrit word that means “knowledge of the ultimate truth”, and the folks at Gnana thought it was an appropriate name for a bag designed to carry around an implement of learning.  The laptop bags are made by skilled artisans who use high quality material to make the bags.  Each laptop bag has a separate casing to hold the laptop and pockets for organizing your gear.  The bag shown is made from 100% cotton canvas fabric that has been decorated with traditional Indian gold and silver Zari embroidery and gold and silver crystals.  This bag is 15″W X 11.5″ H X 5″ D, holds a 15″ laptop, and costs $73.00.  Gnana offers several other bags in various sizes, fabrics, and styles.  Prices range from about $63 to $89.  They also make Fair Trade handbags and totes ranging from $27 to $72.

Filed in categories: Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: handmade, Laptop Bag

Handmade Laptop Bags by Gnana originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 9, 2010 at 11:15 am.

When you are going through airport security, what’s the most important thing?  I mean, aside from making sure your socks don’t have holes in them, that is.  You want to get through it fast, right?  And it sure is a hassle having to remove your laptop from its bag and then put it back in the bag on the other side.  Well, no more worries mate.  The MobileEdge ScanFast Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase 2.0 is the bag for you!

UPDATE:  new pictures added at the bottom of the review.

In the past month I went on 2 trips so I had to go through airport security in several different airports around the country.  I was intrigued by this bag that claimed I didn’t have to remove my laptop before going through security, because they are pretty strict at airport security, right?  I wondered how all the airport security folks around the country got the message about this bag and what I was gonna say if they made me remove the laptop.  I wondered if Julie was gonna bail me out of jail for refusing to remove the laptop, because my review just wouldn’t work if I had to remove it!  Luckily, Julie didn’t have to come to my rescue.

I was successful at every airport getting through security without having to remove the laptop from the bag, and it was simply a breeze with this bag!  As you can see from the picture below, you just unzip the main zipper and open the bag completely flat.  Lay the bag on the conveyor belt and shazam, that’s it.  I didn’t have to get an extra bin to put the laptop in, thereby saving me a couple minutes and lots of hassle.  If I traveled alot, this bag would be extremely valuable because over the long run the minutes you save having to stand in line add up.

As you can see from the pictures, I took them in my office and not at the airport.  I was pretty confident in Julie’s ability to negotiate with airport security, but I wasn’t going to push my luck by trying to take pictures of the bag as it went through the scanner.  I wasn’t interested in being on the CNN evening news!

Let me tell you some of things I love about this bag.  For such a small bag, there are a ton of pockets.  On the front of the bag you have 2 outside zippered pockets, as well as 2 horizontal zippered pockets.  I used these horizontal pockets to hold my travel papers, ID, baggage claim tickets, etc.  It made it very convenient to get to these items without having to unzip the main zippered compartments.

The bottom of the bag has rubber feet to allow the bag to stand by itself without falling over, and I really liked this.  I did pack it really tight one time and it was heavy on one side of the bag, which caused it to tip over.  But most of the time it did a good job standing up.  The bag is padded everywhere, literally.  This bag was made for traveling because no matter which pocket you choose, padding is everywhere.  The stitching and quality of this bag are also top notch.  From the zippers, to the handle, to the hooks on the end that hold the strap… it just feels like quality and not cheap at all.  The shoulder strap is also padded and made of some kind of elastic because it stretches and gives a little bit.  This made it easier on my shoulder when I carried it.

Inside the main zippered compartment where the laptop goes is a large zippered pouch that is perfect for holding file folders, magazines, books, etc.  The other large zippered compartment is where all your other gear is stored.  It has specific storage slots for flash drives, which is a nice touch, as well as 2 zippered mesh pouches to allow you to see what’s inside the pouch.  There are also slots for pens, your business cards, and 2 velcro pouches to hold misc items.  There is also a small hook on a strap to hold things like your keys so they don’t get lost in the bottom of the bag… nice touch!

I am very pleased with this bag, and even though it can’t hold as much stuff as some of my larger computer bags, this has become my daily-use bag of choice.  And because of the quality of materials, and a lifetime guarantee, I think this is going to last me a long time.  Some added benefits of the bag for traveling are that it fits in overhead bins of course, but also, because of its small size it fits under the seat in front of you.

MobileEdge has several different varieties of these ScanFast bags, from this briefcase, to messenger bags, several backpacks, and even a Netbook bag.  So there is a bag for everyone.  My only complaints are trivial… the tassels on the zippers sometimes got in my way as I was closing the main compartments.  But the convenience of having the tassels to close the zippers outweighs any hassle you get.  Also, as I mentioned, it will tip over if you pack the bag with too much stuff or let it get heavy on one side.

I have used lots of laptop bags to travel with over the years, even some really expensive ones that had wheels and a handle.  But the lightweight, durable quality of this bag, combined with the ease of use going through security means that I won’t be traveling with any other bag.

—————————————————————————————————————–

UPDATE:  The pictures below show me holding the bag, which can hold up to a 16 in. PC or 17 in. Macbook.  The pictures also show everything that I currently have in my bag… 15 in. laptop, power cord, misc cables, CDs, chargers, iPad, adapters, headphones, and a 1 in. file folder.  I could easily double this and still fit it all into the bag.  And I actually find the laptop bag attractive, especially considering bags I have owned in the past.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Shoulder Bag, Travel gear

MobileEdge ScanFast Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase 2.0 Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 30, 2010 at 1:00 pm.

Have you ever dropped your laptop bag with your laptop in it? Ouch! If you are accident prone Brenthaven may have a bag or two to lighten the blow. Laptop bags have become ubiquitous. So many varieties, shapes and sizes to fit ones needs.  Brenthaven makes a large variety of laptop bags and sleeves and is one of several companies that designs laptop bags that can sustain impact to protect the contents within it. The Brenthaven Prostyle SlimPack is a laptop backpack made with high density foam protection and a number of pockets and nooks and crannies to stash your gadgets and things.

The SlimPack is just as the name implies, SLIM. It’s also lightweight. Many backpacks including others made by Brenthaven weigh 2 pounds or more for the bag itself. The SlimPack is less than 1 pound. To their credit, larger and heavier bags can carry more, but the main focus of the SlimPack is to provide a slim and sleek backpack for a laptop and  other accessories (e.g., peripherals, phone, iPod, pens, digital camera). The color choices include black/red, black/white, and grey/orange.  The external dimensions are 12.5″ W x 18″ H x 3″ D. The internal dimensions are: 9.5″ W x 15.5″ H x 1.25″ D.  It was easily able to fit my 15 inch Macbook Pro.

Its size and weight make it a good choice for daily commuting and travel. I could see it being especially ideal if you use a bike or motorcycle to get around. The built in rain cover accommodates this type of use.  The side pockets also make it easier to extract your laptop from the bag in airport security.

The thoughtfully placed pockets and zippers provide convenient storage places for all your items.  You can reach your laptop from the side accessible pull down zipper without having to open the large flap.  Two other zipper pockets are also placed at the perimeter of the bag, which allow easy side entry without having to open the pack up. The front side pocket is lined in a soft fabric. While the two side pockets are easy to access, they are thin.  Large items like a portable mouse may not fit well in the tight space.  A more appropriate device would be a phone or iPod for convenient accessibility.

A large Velcro flap covers the body of the SlimPack and clasps to the bottom. The flap itself includes a zipper opening at the top. I can only guess why this is here.  My bag did not come with a zipper pull for this pocket, which makes me think it’s not meant to be opened for regular use.  When I did manage to open it I felt the waterproof lining inside the flap. I am guess it could be used to extra storage or to provide extra rain coverage.

The top flap opens up to an organization panel and several other pockets. The red org panel integrates a side zipper and snap that allows accessing and organizing this pocket more convenient.  The red lining material, which also lines the laptop compartment, isn’t my favorite part of this bag, but it gets the job done.   At the same price, the gray/orange Prostyle SlimPack comes with a softer and more attractive lining.  It would have been nice to see this in the black SlimPacks.

The pouch in front of the org panel is sewn with extra material that can bulge out, if needed. This would be a good place for the larger perpherials like a portable mouse.  The large compartment above the org panel can fit  books, notebooks, magazines, and papers.  In keeping with the slim nature of this bag, this pocket maxes out after a couple one-inch thick books. Anymore than that made the pockets in front too tight to comfortably access.

The body is constructed of a durable water resistant external shell that is made of military grade ballistic nylon.  The bottom back pocket stores a rain cover that covers the front of the bag.  The zipper pulls and stitching carry the color detailing subtlety through the exterior of bag.

The high density foam provides ½ inch thick padding around all six sides of the laptop.  The HDF system, as they call it, provides impact protection while suspending it above the bottom of the case. I tried to feel around the bottom to check out this suspension system. What I found was extra HDF padding lining the bottom of the bag and space between the laptop compartment foam and bottom foam.

In addition to the foam protection, the back straps are thick for shoulder comfort. Adjusting the straps is made easier with quick release shoulder straps that tighten and loosen without much effort. The cushioning against the back gives soft support and is reinforced by the padding of the laptop compartment. The shoulder straps join together with a unique adjustable chest clip to accommodate comfortable positioning for different body types. The chest clip can slide up and down a thin piping built into the bottom half of the shoulder straps. This is extra neat!

The Slimpack sits comfortable on the back but because of its unforgiving rectangle shape it sits high against the back. This is adjustable to comfort level.

100% lifetime guarantee is an added plus.  The Brenthaven ProStyle SlimPack is available for $79.95.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: Laptop Bag

Brenthaven Prostyle Slimpack Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 11, 2010 at 4:18 pm.

The Angelina bag from Theresa Kathryn Bags is a leather laptop bag for women.  This bag looks more like a purse than a laptop bag.  It’s made of calf leather with patent leather accents and a satin brocade lining.  There’s a padded pouch to hold up to a 14.1″ laptop and organizer pockets to hold smaller gear.  The Angelina is available in black, gunmetal, or bordeaux and is $499.00 at the Theresa Kathryn website.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Leather bags

Stylish Laptop Bag for Women from Theresa Kathryn originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 7, 2010 at 10:27 am.

Obviously, this one is for the ladies…  Vera Bradley has introduced a laptop backpack that is almost guaranteed to look like you’re carrying anything other than computer equipment for safer commuting.  It has a padded compartment for a laptop (up to 15″), an organizer compartment on the front, and another compartment with room for more things.  It has a feature that lets you slip it over the handle of your rolling luggage for easier travel.  The Laptop Backpack is available in the 17 current patterns for $98.00.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Vera Bradley

Hide Your Laptop in Plain Sight originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 25, 2010 at 12:52 pm.

And so, the Gadgeteer Bag Lady falls in love again.    The CODi Dispatch Vertical Messenger Laptop bag is yet another move in the right direction towards forward thinking accessories manufacturers who recognize that not everyone carries around a full sized laptop.

And CODi makes this one travel-friendly. The outside flap that tucks in behind the CODi band has what ALL laptop bags vertical or otherwise should have:  an outside pocket.  Seriously.  An outside pocket to hold keys, cell phone, Mp3 player….whatever… outside pockets on bags are a must.  There is nothing clumsier that having to lift up the flap of a messenger back because some designer didn’t think an outside pocket was a good idea.  CODi does.  And it gets better.

Carry pens, notebooks, cords, ear buds, sunglasses etc in Dispatch’s three roomy pockets.

Carry pens, notebooks, cords, ear buds, sunglasses etc in Dispatch's three roomy pockets.

Flip open the flap and you are greeted with a series of three smaller pockets and an elastic pen/pencil holder.  There is also a plastic pocket that could hold owner’s ID but I almost never use those. The three smaller pockets can hold a variety of objects:  power cords, CDs, notebooks, more pens and pencils, ear buds, etc.   Easy to store, easy to access.

Once you zip that down , you come to the area that I call Travel Light.   Ten mesh pockets of various sizes line the entire length of the bag.  You can pretty much hold anything in these mesh pockets and God knows I’ve tried.  I even tucked in a travel lint roller and my book light just to prove a point. The padded case, of course, holds your computer.   14.1” laptops to be specific.  In my case, I was able to fit my Nook, a book and my netbook.  No shoving, no stuffing, everything fit nicely.  In fact, I could have fit even more into the padded pocket as well as the mesh divided pockets.

Ten mesh pockets in the Dispatch allow you to hold a myriad of necessary equipment safely.

Ten mesh pockets in the Dispatch allow you to hold a myriad of necessary equipment safely.

The shoulder strap is made from good solid nylon web, fits well and expands easily and is stitched in very well.   There is also a rubber and nylon handle stitched into the top of the Dispatch but I wasn’t too happy about the stitch work on this handle.  Given how well everything else was made on this bag, I have to think this was just an isolated incident on my bag.   This bag is the perfect size and construction to take on airplanes and any other mode of travel.  With airline baggage restrictions the way they are these days, it behooves travelers to pack light which could be difficult even with today’s technology.  If schools ever opt to put textbooks on Nook readers, this is pretty much the future of backpacks.  You get a lot in a little space.

A book, a Nook and a NetBook computer safely stored in Dispatch’s padded pocket.

A book, a Nook and a NetBook computer safely stored in Dispatch's padded pocket.

What I especially like about this bag is that it can easily double as a good hiking or backpacking bag.   If you are going on day trips, shopping trips, hikes, Race for the Cure Walks, this bag will easily carry water bottles, power snacks, Mp3 players, sweat towels, etc.  I like bags that can multitask and your average laptop bag simply doesn’t do that.  In this day and economy, I love bags that can double as something else because you never know what that something else could be.  My only gripe about this bag is that there is no external pocket on the back of the bag.  I’m  a pocket girl which is more of an excuse for me to put keys, sunglasses, receipts et al (and then forget about them later of course).  But that’s really my only real “con”.  At the online price of $53.99, the price beats most laptop bag prices on the market today. On a the Coolness Factor, this bag rates a solid 9.

Filed in categories: Gear, Laptops and Gear

Tagged: Laptop Bag, vertical laptop bag

CODi Dispatch Vertical Laptop Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 24, 2010 at 11:56 am.

Tired of the same old laptop bag styling?  Loop laptop bags may be just what you’re looking for.  Featuring curved shapes and zip-around flaps that allow you greater access to your stuff.  Available in briefcase, messenger, tote, and sleeve styles and the new Transit series, as well as several different color combos.  Prices vary by size and type.

Filed in categories: Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop Bag

A loopy twist on laptop bags originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 18, 2010 at 7:42 am.

Ok.  Anyone who has read the Gadgeteer knows that I love laptop bags.  I have no idea why…some people collect stamps… I collect laptop bags.   I have two sizes of computers… my large Dell and my 10.2 inch Acer Aspire One Netbook.    I’m a writer so I lug my laptops around with me everywhere and when I mean everywhere….I’m serious…they go where I go.   When I am out and about and there’s a chance I’ll sit for a moment, I drag the netbook with me because it’s smaller, lighter and more portable.   Until now, I thought I had a decent netbook bag but honestly…it’s a little small for all the schtuff I carry.

Bag features side flaps that fold in and prevent things from slipping out like pens, pencils, etc. Very cool design. Slimmer over all than average laptop bags.

Be.ez has solved my dilemma with a fabulous netbook messenger bag that fits my 10.2 and will also accommodate a MacBook 13.3.   Measuring ten inches across and a little over 14 inches long, the “LE Vertigo 13 Lime Art” is a lot slimmer and much more compact than your average laptop bag made for full sized laptops.

It has the padded section for your smaller machine, sectioned compartments for Mp3 player, cell phone, pens, pencils and larger sections for power cords, notebooks, plus a zippered pocket for whatever.

For a slimmer laptop bag, this be.ex LeVertigo Lime Art carries plenty.

I like the unisex charcoal gray woven exterior which is water repellent and the cool chartreuse lining with the “e” in be.ez  stitched into the Velcro closure…nice touch.   And here’s an extra bonus for this bag, there is NO WAY any airline will deny you this bag on the flight.  It’s large enough to carry your MacBook 13.3 or your 10.2 Netbook along with  cords, boarding pass…whatever and will stow neatly under your seat.  It has an attached extendable webbed strap so you can hang the bag from your shoulder or across your body like a messenger bag.

I LOVE the construction of this bag.  It’s tough, very well made, well stitched and compact.  This bag will handle all the abuse I give (unintentionally) to my bags and it will last.  At $59.90, you will be able to find less expensive netbook bags, but  you will get what you pay for.  This bag is well worth the price.  I’ve seen bags for at least ninety dollars or more that are nowhere near as well made.

One complaint that I have about this bag is that there are no external pockets.  I love my external pockets for storing sunglasses, car keys, tissues, Chapstick… the small things I need that I don’t want to have to go digging in my bag for.  But otherwise, this is a fabulous bag, terrifically made, good price and built to last.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Macbook, Netbook

The be.ez Levertigo Notebook Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 15, 2010 at 5:45 pm.

About six years ago, my employer presented me with a laptop to use as my primary work computer.  It was handed to me along with an ugly little basic black laptop bag, and soon I was carrying this bag with me to and from work every day.  It wasn’t long before I abandoned that bag for a much more attractive and reliable laptop messenger bag from Timbuk2, and I’ve been using that bag ever since.  For over six years, that bag has traveled with me to and from work every day, and during some weeks, it also travels with me everywhere else that I go.  The bag has held up surprisingly well for as much use and abuse it has taken, but it’s starting to show its age just a bit.  Naturally, I jumped at the chance to review one of the newest products from BBP Bags, the Industries High-Back Messenger.  I’ve carried this bag exclusively for the past week, and here is what I’ve come away with.

Features

• Industrial stylo, meant to be worn across the chest on the opposite shoulder and high on the back
• Pockets galore
• Oversized shoulder pad for lefties or righties
• Pleather wrapped top grab handle (that’s right, pleather)
• Breathable backside pad
• Luggage handle pass-through
• No snag and low noise hook/loop for the front flap
• Tough exteriors with eco-friendly TPE or PU backing
• Bonus removable 15-16″ padded laptop sleeve included
• Additional sleeve sizes (10″, 13-14″, 17″) available
• Limited lifetime warranty

BBP Bags has been around for about five years now, making backpacks and messenger-style bags with a focus on ergonomics.  The Industries High-Back Messenger bag is a break from their standard messenger bags in that — as the name suggests — it is designed to ride higher on the wearer’s back, resting above the waist rather than at or below the waist.  In order to make the bag ride higher, the shoulder strap is shorter (though the length can be adjusted).  To be perfectly honest, I found this quite awkward at first… I’m accustomed to just slipping the strap of my bag over my shoulder and going.  With a shorter strap, putting the bag on is a process that has to be more carefully calculated.  If you wear glasses or sunglasses you may find yourself knocking them off of your head or face the first several times you try to put this bag on or take it off.

However, once you get the strap over your shoulder and the bag settled into place, the benefits of the high-back design become apparent.  The bag rests comfortably and securely, without even requiring an additional strap across the chest.  With my old bag, bending over to pick something up off of the floor or even a low table meant either holding the bag in place with one hand or risking having the bag slip off of my back and swing around in front of me.  Nothing quite like reaching down to grab a cup of coffee off of a coffee table only to have your bag come swinging down to knock it out of your hand.  Riding high on the back, the Industries messenger bag stays put.  I could bend down to perpendicular with the floor, and the bag wouldn’t shift a bit.

The bag also has pockets aplenty:  two zip pockets on the front flap that are just the right size for a smartphone or a portable USB hard drive, two more zip pockets on the front of the bag itself, a large zip pocket on the back, two open pockets inside the bag, and a zippered pocket on the laptop sleeve itself.  The laptop sleeve features a hook-and-loop closure tab to keep your computer in place, and the sleeve itself is removable, securing to the inside of the bag via small hook-and-loop closure patches.  This is a great feature especially if you might need to carry books or other items instead of your laptop… you just remove the sleeve, and now you have more room for other things.  BBP also sells additional sleeves in different sizes, so if you might be upgrading from a smaller laptop to a larger one at some point, you won’t have to replace the entire bag, you can just get a new sleeve.  Likewise, if you have a couple of laptops that you have to swap between, you could store them each in a sleeve even when they aren’t in the bag.  The zippered pocket on the sleeve itself is a great addition, as you can place your AC adapter in the pocket, and easily swap that out along with the laptop.

The back of the bag is heavily padded, which is great for comfort.  In addition, there is a channel behind the back padding, allowing it to be used as a luggage handle strap.  I don’t do air travel with my laptop often, but based on the few times that I’ve had to, I can absolutely see how this would be a must for a frequent flier.

As much as I’d like that to be all that I have to say about this bag, there are some issues that I have found with the bag that I can’t leave unaddressed.  First of all, while I’ll admit that I can never have enough pockets on a bag, placement can be an issue.  Specifically, I dislike that there are pockets in the front flap of this bag.  I’m accustomed to just flopping the front flap of my bag over onto the table, and I’ve done that a few times already with the Industries messenger, remembering that I had my iPhone or a hard drive in the front flap pockets only after I heard them whomp down onto the table.  I’m sure that this is one of those things that you just get used to in the course of owning the bag, but it’s triggered the panic response in me enough times in a week that I think I’d have to make a point of putting nothing in those pockets that can’t take a beating.  Cables, perhaps.  Or gum.

Second, the closure system for the front flap concerns me.  Like many bags, the Industries High-Back Messenger utilizes a sort of redundant closure system, one that keeps the flap down when simply laid in place, such as a Velcro closure, and then one that ensures that the bag doesn’t come open unless you want it to, usually a clasp system of some sort.  BBP utilizes two strips of low-noise, no-snag hook-and-loop closure under the flap, and then an odd plastic clasp system that I’ve not seen before.  The problems here are two-fold.  The hook-and-loop closure is not terribly strong, so while it might keep the flap down in a stiff breeze, that’s about it.  Any serious pressure seems to cause this closure system to give way.  Granted, I didn’t go to the effort of manually pressing the closure strips closed, I just laid them on top of each other, but the point is that I shouldn’t have to do that.  The hook-and-loop closure system on my old bag, when closed with the same amount of effort (that is to say, none), would keep the contents inside even when the bag was turned upside down.  I could forgive the weak hook-and-loop closure on this BBP bag but only if it weren’t for the fact that I have little confidence in the clasp system as well.  This bag has a strange domed clasp, and while it seems to hold well when latched, it is fairly easy to think you’ve closed the clasp, when in fact it hasn’t fully latched.  This is bad news, when you consider that the hook-and-loop closure isn’t going to do much of anything to back it up.

The third issue with the bag is actually somewhat related to the previous one.  The pleather handle, while comfortable, is badly-placed.  Instead of attaching at the back of the bag or just where the front flap meets the bag, it is placed more on the front flap itself.  This means that when you lift the bag by the handle, the weight of the bag is being transferred to the flap closure system, which as I’ve already pointed out, isn’t exactly foolproof.  Any time you lift the bag by the handle when it has any significant weight in it (in my case, a laptop and AC adapter only), the stress on the front flap is enough to separate the hook-and-loop fastener strips.  You can hear them give way, and then the weight of the bag shifts as the flap attempts to come free.  Fortunately, the plastic clasps are there to catch the weight and keep the bag from opening completely, but imagine what would happen if one or more of the clasps hadn’t latched all the way?  This exact thing happened to me on the third day of carrying the bag, and needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled with the moment of panic that ensued as I could feel the weight shifting towards the front of the bag, and see the front flap flying open.  Fortunately, one of the plastic clasps was fully latched, but that experience was enough to get me to swear off the handle completely.  The handle either needs to be further back on the bag, or it shouldn’t be there at all.

In a nutshell, the BBP Industries High-Back Messenger bag is a nice, comfortable, subtly stylish, convenient bag with a highly-questionable closure system and a handle that you might as well cut off entirely.

Just a note, BBP: I’m not in the habit of wearing anything bearing the word “steez”, and I’d prefer to keep it that way.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Laptop Sleeve

BBP Industries High-Back Messenger Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 12, 2010 at 2:21 pm.