News, reviews and articles about bags (laptop bags, messenger bags, shoulder bags, backpacks, pouches and more).
I am always looking for a better apparatus to carry my laptop and miscellaneous supplies. When looking at a new one, I have some simple criteria: 1) comfort, 2) appearance (style) 3) durability and 4) functionality (how well does it hold my stuff). That in mind, I jumped at the opportunity to try out a few of SLAPPA’s products from their new Ballistix’s line.
SLAPPA Ballistix Laptop Bags and Sleeves Read More
As I read Julie’s review of the Timbuk2 messenger bag, I couldn’t help but think of my own choice in gear-hauling. The ‘2’ is a fine bag and the design possibilities are unlimited. I looked at such bags while I was shopping for a new hauler. I knew I didn’t want just a backpack or rucksack; they get tangled on furniture as you walk by and they are too big for everyday carry. I need room for a book, a sweater and a water bottle, not a sleeping bag and a tent.
Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack Read More
Last October I received a pile of cases and accessories from Tom Bihn. Over the years I’d reviewed several Tom Bihn products, all bought with my own hard earned cash – no review samples. Tom Bihn’s products are very good value I think, but a little expensive. When reviewing a case that represents days of toil in your day job, even the most tolerant of reviewers is likely to be a little more harsh. Tom Bihn’s stuff has always come out shining – not perfect, but always well worth the money.
Tom Bihn Aeronaut, Packing Cubes and Organizer Pouches Read More
Besides being functional, comfortable and practical, my perfect gear bag must also be unique.
You’ll never see me carrying the same bag that one of my friends has. I like being different (no comments!)
and having the ability to easily create a custom bag is very appealing to me. Over two years ago, I reviewed
Timbuk2’s
Bag In A Box
option. I still have the bag that I created for that review. In the two years since
that review, they’ve added some new materials
and asked if I might like to take a second look. This time around, I decided to
create a custom laptop messenger bag. Let’s take a look…
Timbuk2 Laptop Messenger Bag Read More
Back in 2002 I wrote my first ever gear review for The Gadgeteer. I reviewed the Tom Bihn Empire Builder after buying it as protection for my Titanium G4 Powerbook. I was really happy with the case, and still am.
Tom Bihn Empire Builder Bag Read More
When I first saw the Boa Slimcase XL and Slimcase XL90 laptop cases on the booq website, I thought they looked very nice. But when they arrived and I saw them in person, they took me back a bit. They definitely qualify as two of the best constructed and engineered (non-leather) laptop cases I have ever seen.
booq Boa Slimcase XL and XL90 Laptop Bags Read More
Messenger bags are my favorite style of gear bag to carry. I like them best because they usually have one large compartment that I can dump all kinds of gear into. I also like that they are typically designed to sit flat on the floor or desk, instead of flopping over. if you’re looking for a messenger bag that has ample storage, but with a small price tag, you might want to check into the Drift messenger bag from Ice Red Designs. I had reviewed their UNI cargo tote bag a few months ago, and found it to be a good value for the money. Let’s see if their messenger bag is a good buy too.
Ice Red Drift Messenger Bag Read More
We’ve reviewed a couple Spire backpacks here on The Gadgeteer, the last one being their Torq backpack. Their latest offering is a courier laptop bag (messenger bag) that comes in three sizes: Viro (for laptops up to 14.1″), Endo (for laptops up to 15.4″) and the Mojo (for laptops up to 17″). Available in Cosmic Green, Midnight Blue and Stealth Black, I was sent the medium sized Endo bag in Midnight Blue.
Spire Endo Courier Laptop Bag Read More
Looking for an inexpensive bag for your laptop that is geared towards women and doesn’t really look like a laptop bag? How about the Ice Red UNI Cargo Laptop Tote bag.
Ice Red UNI Cargo Laptop Tote Bag Read More
I’ve always been the kind of person that doesn’t want something if everyone else has one just like it. I like to be different ;o) As such, I tend to seek out companies that offer custom products. Skooba Design (formerly RoadWired.com) has a new product that allows YOU the ability to customize it. It’s their D.I.Y. Skin laptop sleeve / tote. Available in four sizes, this skin comes in a blank canvas version that you can decorate with paints, markers, needlework etc.
Skooba Design DIY Skin Read More
I am regularly out in the middle of nowhere for work or camping with the family. Being the tech-toy junkie that I am, I bring a wide range of devices with me wherever I go. The Maxpedition COLOSSUS Versipack is an ideal bag for consolidating and protecting them in the wild. The COLOSSUS is the largest bag in the Versipack series.
Maxpedition COLOSSUS Versipack Read More
If you saw the Ladies Madison Laptop Tote review, you knew there was a second review coming your way. Samsill graciously sent the tote and the Microsoft Summit Laptop Backpack for my use. For the last 3 months, everyone in the house has used the backpack. My husband and I tried it in multiple environments. He used it at school and for work. I used it to consolidate my purse, diaper bag, and independent contractor equipment into one bag. We split the time using the bag and carried it everywhere we went. Want to know how the Summit Laptop Backpack held up over these months? Keep reading the review!
Samsill Microsoft Summit Laptop Backpack Read More
I love leather gear bags. Not the froo-froo kind though. I’m talking about the more rugged style of leather bags. The kind that Indiana Jones might appreciate if he was a real person. The kind of bag that might be able to tell stories if it could talk. The kind of bag that isn’t made on an assembly line, but in a more personal setting. Bags from the Saddleback Leather Company of Texas fit this criteria and according to owner Dave Munson, these are the kind of bags that your grandkids will fight over when you’re dead. Sounds good enough to me, let’s take a closer look…
Saddleback Leather Company Briefcase Review Read More
It seems the more people spend on electronics, the more they are willing to spend to keep them in tip-top shape. For example, The Gadgeteer has tons of reviews of Vaja cases for high-end Palm or HP devices, but I doubt you’ll find a Vaja case for a Palm Z22 or Zire. The same goes for laptops; there are definitely plenty of choices in cases for higher-end laptops, like Apple’s MacBook series or the Thinkpad, but I don’t think there are any for a $500 Dell or Everex. In this review, I’ll take a look at a minimalist sleeve for a MacBook, the Toffee.
Toffee Leather Sleeve Read More
In June 2006, Samsill Corporation obtained an exclusive multi-year brand licensing agreement with Microsoft Corporation. Their task, as mentioned in their press release, is to “manufacture, market and sell a broad assortment of computer bags and business accessories leveraging the Microsoft brand.” To get the word out on their products, Samsill offered The Gadgeteer Team to review any of the new Microsoft Laptop Bags.
Samsill Ladies Madison Laptop Tote Read More
Cory at Spire USA contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would be interested in reviewing their latest product: The Torq – a laptop backpack. Although I currently use a backpack bag for all my camera gear – the Crumpler Karachi Outpost backpack – and I only have one back, I thought I would give it a try. What could it hurt (aside from my back)?
I have been in the market for a new briefcase after my venerable piece of junk brief bit the dust a few months ago. Enter the Maxpedition Tactical Attache! It is designed to conceal a gun in a large pocket, but as I do not own a gun (outside a long unused Tippman paintball gun), I cannot comment on this feature.
Maxpedition Operator Tactical Attache (#0605) Read More
It is one of the biggest ironies of the current digital age. While our information may effortlessly reside in a persistent data cloud accessible from anywhere, all the mobile stuff we need to access that cloud needs an earthly place to stay while we are out and about.
Tom Bihn Super Ego and Ego Messenger Bags Read More
For the past 8 months, my everyday gear bag of choice has been a custom Bagaboo messenger bag. That bag ended a long personal quest for the perfect bag… That is until I saw Waterfield Design’s latest creation, the Sling. Actually, I didn’t really pay much attention to the Sling when I first saw it show up on Waterfield’s site. Then they contacted me to ask if I would like to review it. I said sure, but still was not totally excited about it. Then it arrived and my mind instantly changed.
Waterfield Design Sling Read More
I have eyed this bag with great interest for the last year or so, and I got one to review from Maxpedition. It is a durable bag with ENORMOUS zippers and not a stitch of Velcro in the whole bag. It can be carried in two ways… by the carry handle on the top or with a waist belt that tucks into a pocket in the back of the bag. The waist belt is difficult to adjust (or maybe because the material is still very stiff from newness), but it’s two inches wide and reasonably comfortable. There is no padding anywhere to be found, and the material is a very stiff, thick-weave ballistic nylon which appears indestructible. I would not put electronics into this bag without putting it into a padded case first. This bag seems best suited for gear to be used in the field… first aid kit, flashlights, multi-tool, or it could make a good pack for someone looking for a toolkit belt-pack. I would not use it for my travel gadget bag due to the lack of padding, but as a geocaching or hiking bag, it would serve quite nicely, as long as you are not carrying too much with you.
Maxpedition Proteus Versipack Read More