Who says business casual has to be dull? The STM Banks Laptop Backpack is a great looking daypack designed to organize your work life, with some clever extras to make your daily commute easier. Let’s check it out!

What is it?

It’s an 18L backpack designed to carry your laptop and daily essentials.

Hardware specs

• Main material(s): 100% polyester
• Outer dimensions: H 17.9 x W 12.4 x D 6.5 in / H 45.5 x W 31.5 x D 16.5 cm
• Device space: H 10.04 x W 14.76 x D 1.18 in / H 25.5 x W 37.5 x D 3 cm
• capacity: 18 L
• weight: 1.96 lbs / 0.98 kg

Design and features

Hailing from Australia, the STM Banks Laptop Backpack is all about modern style. A trim, squared profile is highlighted by little design elements (like that racing-stripe fabric strip) that add a bit of sportiness to the overall look. This bag fits right in at the business casual workplace.

The form factor of the Banks is a two-chamber top loading daypack. At a compact 18-liter size, it’s made to organize your tech and work essentials. As we’ll see in the walkthrough, there are some bonus “easter eggs” in the design that add even more functionality.

Your laptop rides in it’s own padded compartment that sits closest to your back, and is accessed by a separate top zipper. This chamber uses what STM Bags calls the “SlingTech” design: it’s suspended above and away from the edges in the main compartment of the bag to protect against impacts. A 15” laptop or large tablet (not both) will fit in this space, and two additional padded vertical pockets will accommodate a notebook, a standard sized tablet, or documents.

The main chamber is accessed from the second top zipper and serves as your open storage space. There’s an additional padded sleeve on the rear face that will take up to a 12.9” iPad Pro in its case, and a fleece-lined top pocket on the front face for delicate electronics or your sunglasses. The whole chamber is 5” deep, but note that this space is shared with the laptop compartment. You’ll have room for some extras if you add a laptop and a tablet, but things start to get tight pretty quickly. 

Moving to the outside of the bag, you’ll find 4 additional storage areas. A 5” by 9” pocket on either side of the bag is sized up for water bottles, but there’s no elasticity to these pockets to accommodate larger hydration bottles. A 5 1/2” by 9” horizontal pocket at the top of the front face serves as multifunctional quick stash area. 

There’s also a 10” by 8” pocket on the bottom of the front  face that’s includes two padded smartphone-sized pockets backed by an internal zippered pocket for smaller bits and doodads. 

There’s also a key leash hidden in that rear zippered pocket. This is always worth bonus points to me. I love the convenience of key leashes. Every bag should have one.

The Banks Laptop Bag also includes a 5” by 10” matching accessory pouch called “The Stash.” It comes attached to an 8” tether in the main compartment, and can be unclipped and removed from the bag if you’d like to use that tether for something else. It’s a generous size for wrangling cables, pens, and any other items that may be less frequently needed.

The STM Bags Banks Laptop Backpack also has a feature called “Cableready” organization. Tucked away against the side panel in the main chamber is a velcroed pocket that will hold a portable charger, along with a hook to keep the charging cable attached the side of the bag. Both the laptop chamber and lower front pocket have pass-through portals so that you can charge your accessories on the go. If you have a multi-port charger, you could theoretically charge a smartphone and tablet simultaneously. Very, very clever.

Here’s the charging cable hooked up to my iPad riding in the laptop compartment.

And here it’s been snaked through to the front compartment to charge my iPhone.

As far as carry goes, the pack features two padded & adjustable shoulder straps and a sternum strap to tweak the harness to your ideal fit. The shoulder straps and back pad both use air mesh surfaces to improve breathability. A nylon grab handle at the top of the bag is also included for quick maneuvers. Padding is generous on both the back panel and the shoulder pads.

I really like the finishing on the STM Bags Banks Laptop Backpack. The primary textured weave material is classy and has a nice soft-touch feel. Internal surfaces are soft with additional quilted padding or fleece lining built into the delicate electronics pockets. Little finishing elements like fabric zipper pulls, angled pockets, and nicely-finished shoulder straps add some class and style to the bag. 

Performance

The STM Bags Banks Laptop Backpack makes for a great compact office daypack. Its trim size rides close to your back, which is ideal for maneuvering in crowds. It will also work perfectly as an under-the-seat carryon. Here are some size pics for reference (I’m 5’10”, 190 lbs.):

Did I mention the business casual style? This is the perfect bag for that look. Not too formal, but not so casual that it looks like you just wandered into the office from the hiking trail.

I really like the layout of this bag for the work essential minimalist. If you’re rolling in with your laptop, tablet, notebook(s), some folders, and the required accessories… you’re good to go. You won’t get your gym gear in here, but you can fit a lunch, a power brick, and some small extras in there even if the laptop area is fully loaded.

Those little design extras really elevate this bag for me. The included accessory bag is great by itself, but including a tether that allows you to pull it out without detaching it from the bag is brilliant (I’m always fumbling for something on the train). The charging solution is equally brilliant, providing a permanent place for your portable charger that stays nicely tucked out of the way. Both of these additions are well thought out for practical use, and I appreciate that level of detail.

If there is one flaw in the STM Bags Banks Laptop Backpack, it’s in the pockets on the front face of the bag. I don’t have especially large hands, but I find myself struggling with the tight openings. Especially that lower front pocket… the opening is a narrow space that constricts access to the two smartphone pockets and the rear zippered compartment. Getting through both layers of zips can be a bit of a wrestling match. It’s actually a plus for keeping out wandering fingers if you’re in a crowded space, but it can be a bit annoying if you’re trying to get to your keys quickly.

What I like

• Contemporary look.
• Great size and organization for tech and work essentials.
• Bonus tethered (and removable) matching accessory bag.
• Clever solution for charging devices on-the-go (you’ll need to bring the charger).

What needs to be improved

• Check your daily carry requirements to see if the smaller size will work for you.
• Water bottle pockets won’t stretch to fit larger hydration bottles.
• External pockets on the front face have tight openings which may not work for larger hands.

Final thoughts

If you like compact & efficient work organization but prefer a backpack over a shoulder bag, you’ll love the STM Banks Laptop Backpack. A well organized layout, excellent finishing, and little design extras make for a great overall package. Just keep in mind that it is a compact bag, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Price: $129.95
Where to buy: But it at the STM Bags Site or on Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by STM Goods.

The post STM Bags Banks 15″ Laptop Backpack review appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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Tagged: Backpack

STM Bags Banks 15″ Laptop Backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 24, 2018 at 11:10 am.

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If you spend time on a bike, you probably know about Mission Workshop and their amazing bags. Today we’re looking at their latest pack: The Rhake. Designed with tons of dedicated organization for your tech and gear, the Rhake is a true multitasker for cyclists, commuters, and travelers alike. It’s a good one, folks. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a burly weatherproof laptop backpack with all kinds of organization and enhancements for your tech gear and travel needs.

Hardware specs

• External dimensions: 21” x 13” x 5”
• Internal volume: 1,350 cu. in. (22 L)
• Weight (empty): 3.1 lbs.
• Body Fabric: Available in HT500 or MultiCam® Black Camo Cordura®.
• Two-layer weatherproof construction and water-resistant zippers.
• Arkiv® rails on the shoulder straps for easy addition of Mission Workshop Arkiv® accessories.
• Perforated foam back panel.
• Made in the USA from domestic and imported components.

Design and features

The Mission Workshop Rhake wears it’s heritage as a bike ready bag proudly. It’s a rugged looking bag, but a lean profile and sophisticated styling details give it a contemporary look. There’s no doubt that this is a bag made to work hard, but it will look good doing it.

The Rhake is built around Mission Workshop’s signature rolltop-style design for access to the main storage compartment. As opposed to a simple flap, the rolltop “hood” is an 8” extension of the bag that is secured by either a velcro flap or an adjustable strap that hooks into a loop on the bag. This setup gives you a flexible, cavernous space (22 liters) when rolled tight for a completely waterproof seal. Use the adjustable strap and that space expands to up to 28 liters for taller/larger loads. There’s also a deep zippered pocket on the rear panel of this chamber to keep documents flat and dry.

Your laptop rides behind the main compartment, closest to your back, in a padded laptop compartment that runs the height and width of the bag. Accessed by a full-height zipper on the rear seam, this compartment will easily accommodate a 15” laptop and some 17” laptops. You can also fit a laptop and a larger tablet here, depending on the size of your gear.

A collection of compartments on the front face of the bag are used to sort out your small stuff. Two 7” by 12” zippered organization panels unzip to reveal a set of zippered mesh compartments (and a key leash!) on the left panel, and an open pocket for quick grab stuff on the right panel. A pair of adjustable buckled straps in front of these panels can also be used to secure additional items like a tripod or a rolled-up jacket. A vertical tablet/notebook pocket sits behind the organization panels and is accessed by a horizontal zipper with its own rain flap. Below the organizational panel is a horizontal compartment intended for chargers, headphones, or other similar small chunky items. 

Rounding out the organization is a brilliant 10” by 6” “hidden” pocket on the opposite rear seam from the laptop zip. This pocket contains an elastic mesh pouch you pull out to sling your water bottle, including oversized bottles. Tuck the pouch away and you can use this pocket for valuables like a wallet or cell phone since it sits close to your back. Very clever.

The harness configurations is completely adjustable. The shoulder straps are wide, well-padded, and curve slightly at the hips for a contoured fit. Adjustment points at the top and bottom of the shoulder straps and an adjustable sternum strap enable you to dial in the perfect fit for your body type. Generous back pads provide additional comfort, with a lower lumbar panel designed as a pass-through for your luggage handle. A wrapped foam top handle completes the rig for three different carry options.

The shoulder straps also feature Mission Workshop’s proprietary Arkiv rail system, designed to work with MW’s modular accessories. Open the locking tabs and you can slide accessories (like a cell phone holder) onto the straps for additional organization. You can read more about the Arkiv system here. 

The build on the Rhake is extraordinary. The primary material is MW’s exclusive HT500 high-tenacity fabric, a sophisticated upgrade over Cordura (read more about it here). Dual layer construction is used throughout, providing an additional layer of smooth waterproof material for extra element protection. Duraflex buckles are standard (some options offer Cobra buckles!) along with water-resistant zips throughout. Every seam and corner is overbuilt for durability, and little enhancements like zipper garages and a blinky light loop on the bottom of the bag show the attention to detail. It’s all made in the USA, and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Performance

If you’re a commuter or traveler that carries your life on your back everywhere you go, the Rhake is your new best friend. It’s a great design that makes life easier on the road.

For extended carry, the Rhake may be the most comfortable pack I’ve carried. The harness setup is much chunkier than most business-style packs, but you’ll appreciate all of that padding and the ability to adjust the rigging when you’re running through an airport or train station (or hitting your two-wheeled commuter).

If you’re a smaller framed person, you should be aware that the Rhake is quite wide and tall (21″ by 13″). But at a mere 5″ deep, it’s lean profile hugs tight to your back for active maneuvering. I’m 5’10” and 190 pounds, and tend to favor slightly shorter packs based on my body type. I don’t have any comfort issues with this pack, because I can adjust all of the strapping to get to a comfortable fit. I’m thinking that this bag won’t fit under an airline seat, but I plan to test that on an upcoming trip.

When you are living out of your bag for extended periods of time, the multi-zone organization of the Rhake is brilliant. Since every storage area is accessed independently, you can organize your gear based on size and frequency of use. The main compartment is waterproofed inside and out, which is ideal for the safe transport of gym stuff or groceries (or a six pack, shown below) without risking that your electronics could get hit with an accidental leak. At 22 liter plus capacity, you could easily get a couple of days worth of clothes in there as well.

Mission Workshop has clearly put some time into thinking about user needs, and how you might sort out the rest of your kit. Laptop, tablet, and notebooks have dedicated spaces. That left organization panel, with its different sized mesh sub-pockets, is perfect for sorting out all of those little business or travel bits. The quick grab right pocket is flexible enough to handle everything from travel documents to sunglasses, while chargers and power bricks have their own garage so they don’t ensnare everything else. Hydration is optional. It all adds up to a well sorted, flexible system that doesn’t require any additional organization add-ons to work. I will probably add the Arkiv cell phone holder to the rig so I have a dedicated phone holster, but that’s about it.

I have zero concerns about durability with the Rhake. I’m very picky about quality in my bags, and the Rhake is among the best that I’ve tested. Every aspect of the bag is overbuilt to take a lifetime of beatings. If you’re looking for a travel bag that will log a lot of miles, you’ll be happy with this little monster.

My final comments are related to style. It should be noted that the Rhake is not a streamlined fancy business bag. It’s a technical pack that has lots of straps, and there’s a chunky rugged look to the whole package. I don’t know that I would wear it with a suit. But I think that the contemporary style looks great in business casual environments.

What I like

• Outstanding build and material quality
• Built to handle the elements, on or off a bike
• Brilliant  multi-zone organization for your big stuff, small stuff, and technology
• Extremely comfortable, adjustable fit for all-day carry
• Dedicated key leash
• Brilliant water bottle pocket that tucks away when not in use

What needs to be improved

• Wide, tall form may not work for smaller-framed people
• Lots of straps
• May not fit under an airplane seat (something I will be testing shortly)

Final thoughts

While I have handled MW products in the past, Mission Workshop Rhake is the first of their products that I have had the opportunity to put through an extended test. It’s fantastic. The flexible organization for your tech and gear is really well thought out. Carry comfort is excellent. You’re going a pay a premium for the Rhake, but I think the quality and craftsmanship is in alignment with the pricing here. It’s an investment piece that will last a lifetime.

Price: $365 – $455 depending on options
Where to buy: Mission Workshop and some bags are available on Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by company Mission Workshop.

The post Mission Workshop Rhake Backpack review appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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Tagged: Backpack

Mission Workshop Rhake Backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Continuing on my recent quest for the perfect backpack, I recently asked to review the Toffee Berlin Backpack. Eighteen months ago, I reviewed the Toffee Centennial pack, a red all-canvas model that I carried for a while. One day, my oldest came by the house and proclaimed it “too girlie” for her dad, and absconded with it. I’m not sure if that was just a ploy to get a new bag, but I’ve gone through several possible replacements in the intervening months. This is but the latest.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Berlin is billed as an Urban backpack and is shown in very masculine settings, and is listed in the “For Men” section of Toffee’s website. (For what it’s worth, the Centennial also shows up under the “For Men” section. I’m so confused….)

Design and features

The Berlin is a waxed canvas bag with a covered zipper, leather accents, and nicely padded shoulder straps. There is a generous double-thickness leather haul loop stitched and sealed and sewn into the center of each back strap. Inside are two pockets for laptop/tablet, sewn into the back and lifted slightly from the bottom of the bag for drop protection. The tablet pocket on the front of the laptop pocket can hold an iPad Air without a cover of any type, but it’s tight. A mini will fit easier. The laptop pocket holds a 12” laptop nicely and a 13”-er in a pinch. My iPad Pro 12” fits with a bit of extra space, but not enough to also fit my 10.5” one. Fortunately, the rest of the single inner compartment is roomy enough for my Freudian Slip, K811 keyboard, and the smaller iPad Pro without too much compromise.

Hardware specs

Here are the specs as laid out on the website:

• Water-resistant waxed canvas and genuine leather
• Leather side pockets to hold a water bottle or coffee in a can
• Padded laptop compartment, separate tablet compartment
• Reinforced base with metal feet, durable YKK metal main zip
• Outer Fabric: 100% waxed cotton canvas, and genuine leather
• Side pockets: 100% genuine naturally milled leather with a subtle pebble grain
• Lining: 95% Cotton, 5% Spandex
• Bag Size: 260 mm/11.4 inches (L), 410 mm/15.3 inches (H), 14 cm/5.5 inches (W)
• Compatible With: MacBook Air/Pro, Surface Pro 3 & 4 and other similar sized notebooks up to 13-inch.

The only difference I can find between the Berlin model and the earlier reviewed model is the front handle from the Centennial is missing from the Berlin and the leather side pockets. The yoke where the straps converge at the top has a leather reinforcing patch on the Berlin, where it’s the regular canvas on the Centennial. I don’t think that’s enough of a difference to worry about. The interior is the same mattress-ticking cotton/spandex blend, there is ample padding around all sides of the laptop compartment except the top edge, the tablet pocket is sewn onto the laptop pocket so that it is well above the bottom of the bag for shock absorption. The YKK zippers are made from the same odd non-brass material that doesn’t quite slide easily. (Aluminum? Zinc? I can’t tell. But it doesn’t polish up and wear to get smoother, that’s for sure.)

The straps are leather and canvas and sewn into the top structure of the bag very well. The adjustment is easy to reach when wearing, but it slides the opposite way most of my other bags do. Since the straps are all one piece, there’s no buckle at the end of the padded area of the strap. Instead, it continues down the pack, then loops back to the center of the buckle. To loosen the strap, you grab the buckle and pull it down, in the same motion that tightens other straps. To tighten, you pull the buckle up, just like loosening up other straps. Strange, but no big deal. Your muscle memory soon works it out.

As for weather resistance – I’m glad the waxed canvas is there, as much of our spring and fall weather is misty and drizzly in the mornings. With no weather seal on the large-toothed zippers, however, I’d make sure to get under cover in the event of a downpour.

What I Like

• Leather side panels add a sharp look.
• Well-sewn with quality materials (except that zipper!)
• Good padding and sewn-in pockets for laptop and tablet.
• Enough room for headphones, crusher hat, or other slightly bulky items.

What needs to be improved

• The main zipper is a really horrible experience.
• The side and front pockets are so tight as to be unusable.

Final thoughts

The Berlin, which is available in Black (shown), Olive, and a Royal Blue, is a fine-looking backpack, that will easily hold a 12” laptop, a standard or large-sized iPad Pro, and the basics of a daily commute. Leather accents permit it access to a little better level than most backpacks, but it’s still a backpack.

Price: $149.95
Where to buy: Toffee or Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Toffee.

The post Toffee Berlin Backpack review appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Backpack

Toffee Berlin Backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 26, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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