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Mobile Edge Graphite messenger bag review

REVIEW – I am always on the lookout for my next bag.  Whether it be to carry a laptop, camera equipment or a traveling bag.  I currently have a bag that I am using to carry my laptop at work.  Where I work we have three separate buildings and trying to carry a laptop, mouse, power cord and water bottle is just too unwieldy without a bag.  So when I was given the opportunity to review the new Mobile Edge Graphite Messenger Bag I jumped at the chance.  Let’s see how it worked out for me.

Design and Features

  • Exterior Dimensions – in inches 17.5 x 13 x 4.25
  • Holds computers up to 16 inch widescreens
  • Weight 2.1 pounds
  • Has a padded computer compartment
  • Has a padded shoulder strap and a grab handle
  • Ballistic Nylon exterior

The picture above shows you the front of the bag.  The main flap is secured with two heavy duty plastic clips.  I like that Velcro is not being used to secure the main flap.  It can often be really noisy to open a bag in a quiet office environment.

This next picture shows the back of the bag.  You can see the grab handle at the top.  It is made of some kind of thick nylon that is double stitched to the back and has a rubber grip handle at the top.  You can also see there is a flap in the back that leads to a large exterior pocket.  This flap is secured with Velcro.  I would use this compartment to store paper documents or magazines. The second picture shows this compartment opened up where you can see the Velcro tab at the top.  Another thing to note on the back of the bag is the extra padding in that black area.  I assume it is there to protect the laptop since the compartment directly on the other side of the back panel is the laptop area.

The next picture above is a close up of the carry strap.  The clip attaching it to the bag is heavy duty plastic but with a metal flange.  It swivels which makes getting the strap in the right position really easily.  You can also see they provide a nice padded piece that you can move around on the strap or even take off completely if you wish.  The next picture is a closeup of the ballistic nylon.  It is a nice grey color.  The bag does not come in any other colors but the black/grey combination you see in this review.  I think it looks really nice and professional.  I love bright colors, but carrying a bright purple bag around work is not something I want to do.

The next picture is a closeup of the bottom of the bag.  You can see where everything is double stitched.  The bottom is not leather but some heavy weather-resistant type of canvas.  It seems like it could really take a beating.  I also like out they strengthened the sides of the bag by adding the extra strapping.

This next picture is a shot of the bag with the main flap open.  There are multiple compartments and features in this area.  Next we will walk from left to right on this part of the bag.  The next picture shows the ID holder and it is detached from its Velcro holder.  This is a nice feature if you want to carry your id around without having to carry your purse with you.  It also has a metal key ring to attach things like keys or maybe your work badge.  I like that you can just detach it completely and save a little weight if you are not going to use it at all which is what I personally did.

The next two images above try to show you how the pockets in the front of the bag are laid out.  The first one on the left is a larger pocket right in the middle of the front of the bag.  The picture on the right shows a smaller pocket and then the larger pocket behind it that runs the entire width of the bag.  This messenger bag gives you plenty of pockets to organize your stuff.

This next picture shows my Samsung Galaxy S9 in that far right pocket.  You can see it just barely peeks out of the pocket.  It could easily hold something like a Note where more would be sticking out, but the front flap of the bag would protect it.

The picture above is a close-up shot of the pen/pencil storage area.  I like how they provide a small pocket below the pen holder to slide the ends of your pens inside.  That way you don’t have to worry about losing your pens if they are too narrow for the nylon holding slots.

Now let’s start to walk through the interior of the bag.  The first thing I noticed was the material they used on the inside.  It is a nice light color combo of white and light grey.  It makes finding things inside the bag pretty easy.  The first picture is a shot of that main pocket on the very front of the bag inside the flap.  You can see it goes almost all the way across the bag.  The next shot is a picture of the first storage area behind the front of the bag.  The black area is a hard plastic divider.  This pocket is the narrowest in the main compartment area.

The next picture shows a large compartment that is right after the black plastic and just before the main computer storage area.  You can see it has a spot where a nylon flap from the computer area will attach.  That will help to hold the computer in its place.  This is a nice deep compartment.  I use it to put my power supply and mouse inside.  I have even put a water bottle in this area at one time.  Picture a standard bottle of water you would buy at a convenience store.  The picture on the right shows the actual computer compartment.  The flap to attach over the area back to the Velcro area in the picture on is lying in the middle.  This compartment is padded on all 4 sides including the bottom of the bag.  I had no worries about damaging my computer by setting it down hard on a table.

This next picture shows the computer area with my Dell XPS 15 inside.  I have the flap over the top to secure the laptop.  You can see that I do have at least an inch more in width and maybe a quarter inch or so at the top for a larger computer.

This last picture shows a slim zippered area that is fronted by some mesh that is on the back of the main flap.  This is another area to put small items you may want to carry.

What I like

I love that this bag has so many compartments.  I like to try to organize my stuff and this bag gives me plenty of opportunities to do so.  A lot of messenger bags I have used before tended to have a single main compartment and maybe one or two additional storage areas.  I feel this bag is very sturdy and should last me a long time.  The materials and double stitching make me feel secure that my stuff won’t be falling out of the bag.  The colors are professional and should not show stains or scrapes like some lighter colors would.

What can be improved

Really the only suggestion I would make is to possibly make a slightly smaller bag.  At least where I work, I don’t see anyone carrying around a larger 16 in laptop anymore.  If anything, people have downsized to things like a Surface Pro.  My 15 inch laptop is now one of the larger ones in the company.  Having a smaller version that would handle up to a 15 inch bag would save some weight.

Price: $69.99
Where to buy: Mobile Edge and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mobile Edge

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Mobile Edge Graphite messenger bag review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 5, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Mission Workshop Renan alpaca knit pullover/hoodie review

REVIEW – Last year the folks at Mission Workshop sent me a pair of their Icon City Pants to review. While not very techie or gadgettie, they are definitely a finely made, high-quality piece of clothing. Though, I hate to say it, I have passed them onto the Gadgeteer Kid who can pull off that modern look much better than I can. That said, recently Mission Workshop has sent me their Renan alpaca knit pullover to checkout…hopefully it stays in my closet vs his 😉 .

A bit of backstory: As I get old(er), I do my best to age with some semblance of grace. And I occasional read threads that help in that effort, saying ‘don’t wear these sort of things’ or ‘these phrases are no longer cool or worse yet not acceptable’. It’s not that I follow trends (at all really). But I seriously don’t want to be the 50-something guy walking down the street with people thinking “OMG what was he thinking” as they stare at my 20 yr old cargo shorts and white socks pulled up to my knees. So as my story goes, one of these articles suggested a list of all-purpose clothes every (aging) guy should own. One of those items was a quality pullover/hoodie. So, I did an internet search and the Renan knit pullover was near the top of the list to consider.

What is it?

The Renan pullover is an extremely nice, handcrafted hoodie made in the Peruvian Andes using 100% Alpaca fleece. It is soft, thick, warm, and feels awesome to wear. (I asked the Gadgeteer Kid to be my model and to smile, this is the best he could muster.)

Design and features

The Renan is handcrafted “from start to finish in the Peruvian Andes using 100% Alpaca fleece”. According to Mission Workshop, the Alpaca fibers provide unparalleled softness, regulate body temperature, naturally repel water, and are odor resistant. And while I haven’t tested the odor resistance, I completely agree. The Renan is constructed better than any knitted pullover/sweater I have ever worn. The Alpaca fleece is finely woven yet very dense, thick and heavy, as you would want, to stay warm on a cold day. During the first month of on and off use, the Renan has held its shape very nicely.

The Renan hoodie is styled and has the look to wear on its own or as a mid-layer piece when things get really cold. I regularly wear it under my leather jacket and personally think it looks awesome. Considering the quality and cost of the Renan pullover, I would not wear it while working on home improvement projects or put it in harms way like I would my Carhartt hoodie. But it is an excellent choice for a winter Friday @work, puttering around town, or a casual get-together.

The Mission Workshop Renan is European cut and is relatively slim-fitted. The Gadgeteer Kid stands 6’3″ and weighs in at about 175 pounds, he’s an ideal model for the Renan (in large).  I’m 6’1″ and 185lbs, it fits me nicely as well but let’s just say you can see the places where I need to workout a bit more.

The back of the Renan has a rear facing touring pocket to hold your phone or keys out of the way while riding your bike or leaning forward. Mission Workshop uses custom YKK zippers to keep your stuff securely in the pocket. The YKK zipper operates smoothly and have yet to get hung-up.

Positives

  • Extremely well made from the finest materials
  • Alpaca is finely woven, soft, heavy, thick, gorgeous
  • Handwoven on manual looms with custom Alpaca yarn
  • Nicely fitted
  • Integrated touring pocket

Negatives

  • Expensive

The Renan is available in Heathered Gray and Black.

Final thoughts

You know it’s funny, the wife and Gadgeteer Kid rarely have much, if any, interest in the gear I receive to review. They might take a pair of wireless earbuds or tech-bag if they’ve destroyed the last one I hooked them up with. But it is more me forcing stuff on them than anything else…yes, crazy I know. I do not believe there has ever been an item that was fought over before it even arrived. Well, long story short, the Mission Workshop Renan alpaca knit pullover has the coveted honor of being the first. This hoodie is definitely a keeper, its ageless style, material quality, and construction should last years, if not decades. If the Kid somehow sneaks it off to college next year, I would most likely order another to replace it…which also say quite a bit as well. The Renan is just the hoodie I was looking for when I started my search.

Price: $325

Where to buy: The Renan alpaca pullover is available on the Mission Workshop website.

Source: The sample of this product was provided by Mission Workshop.

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Mission Workshop Renan alpaca knit pullover/hoodie review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 4, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Aiwa Exos-9 Portable Bluetooth speaker review

REVIEW – Last year, I reviewed the Aiwa Arc-1 headphones and liked them. They’re comfortable and easy to listen to for hours. However, before the Arc-1, Aiwa made a wireless speaker that helped raise them from the ashes of forgotten electronic companies. Since its release, the powerful Aiwa Exos-9 Portable Bluetooth Speaker has garnered a lot of positive press and reviews. The wonderful thing about reviews is that reviewers can disagree completely, which is why you should always read many reviews before spending hard-earned money on a product. Am I going to agree or disagree with the overwhelmingly positive reviews of the Aiwa Exos-9 speaker?

What is it?

The Aiwa Exos-9 is a large and loud 200-watt portable wireless Bluetooth speaker known for its ability to play loudly, both indoors and out. 

Specs

  • Onboard Volume
  • EQ control: 5-band with 4 equalizer presets
  • Bluetooth with a radius of 50ftA2DP support, aptX, AAC, SBC codec support
  • Wireless NFC pairing
  • Two-speaker pairing for wireless left/right stereo
  • 2600 mAH lithium-ion rechargeable battery with 9+ hours play time before recharging
  • USB charging
  • Frequency response: 40Hz-20KHz
  • Power: 200W 
  • 2 x 1 in. silk dome tweeter
  • 2 x 3 in. neodymium midrange speaker driver
  • 1 x 6.5 in. dual voice coil subwoofer
  • Class-D bi-amplification
  • Active and passive crossovers
  • Bass reflex port
  • 3.5mm aux. input

In the box

  • Exos-9
  • Mini plug cable
  • power cable

Design and features

To start, the Exos-9 is big, heavy and loud, which makes it perfect for kid’s basement parties and both indoor and outdoor get-togethers. Even though the Exos-9 can be used outdoors, it is neither waterproof nor water resistant. Aiwa does offer an optional carrying case which gives the speaker an IPX4 splash and dustproof rating.

The design (like Aiwa’s excellent Arc-1 headphones) is rather bland and generic-looking. The Exos-9 speaker housing is made of plastic, which doesn’t instill much confidence if accidentally dropped—and I didn’t want to test it. However, the speaker does come with a built-in carrying handle—a good thing since it weighs 13 lbs. Moving it to the backyard is easy but if the speaker needs to be carried over a longer distance, the handle’s design may cause you to have to grip tighter, putting undo strain on hand muscles.

A rechargeable battery pack is included with the Exos-9. It’s large but installs easily into the bottom of the speaker at the back. The battery is rated at 10 hours. I haven’t tested it for that long, but I was able to use the Exos-9 for 8 hours at moderate volume with no issues. If that’s not enough battery life for you, Aiwa offers an optional extended battery for longer play time. Note that battery life shortens as volume increases. To deal with this, Aiwa has incorporated what they call “Battery Save Mode EQ (equalizer) Setting.” This determines which frequencies use the most power and adjusts them increasing the life of the battery by up to 100%. Note that this will affect the audio as certain frequencies are reduced. Speaking of EQ …

The top of the Exos-9 speaker has a control panel that looks removable but isn’t. The touch-sensitive buttons handle Play/Pause and equalizer (EQ) controls. The EQ uses directional arrows for adjusting frequencies. The left/right arrows let you choose between four non-adjustable EQ presets and one customizable EQ setting. The up/down arrows allow you to increase or decrease gain across five EQ bands. You have to use the Left/Right arrows to move among the customized bands in order to press the Up/Down arrows for gain control. Even though the manual shows how the EQ arrows work, it’s still complicated so I just leave the EQ set to off.

The remaining control button is LINK. This allows two Exos-9 speakers to be wirelessly connected for audio mirroring or true L/R stereo—with the added benefit of even more volume.

Pairing Bluetooth was easy. Once powered on, the Exos-9 showed up in my iPhone’s Bluetooth settings. Why can’t all Bluetooth speakers be this simple? If you have NFC (meaning almost everybody except Apple), there is a labeled touch spot on the top of the speaker.

Audio connections are limited to one mini plug AUX Line-In port at the back of the speaker. This port will accept headphones, digital audio players (DAP), laptops and anything that uses a mini plug for audio. Once any device is plugged into the AUX port, it automatically takes over. There are two USB ports: One is dedicated to charging mobile devices. This means that a smartphone can be charged while streaming music to the Exos-9. Unfortunately, it is not a USB digital-in port. The other is a micro-USB port that’s for firmware updates only. A mini plug cable is included. USB cables are not. There is also a large, circular bass port that allows significant air movement for increased bass.

The front of the Exos-9 has two slots at the bottom that look like more bass ports but are decorative only. Near the top is a monochrome LED panel that shows EQ settings that are controlled from the top panel mentioned earlier.

The Exos-9 comes with 5 speakers: Two 1 in. tweeters, two 3 in. mid-range drivers and one 6.5 in. subwoofer. They are powered by a 200 watt amplifier. This combination packs a wallop when volume is cranked up. It’s immediately clear that the Exos-9 can match many speakers—some costing much more—in volume. 

However, volume alone does not a good speaker make. Aiwa has done an excellent job of matching the amp to the speakers producing excellent audio at all volumes. Example: I set the speaker on my back yard deck railing and walked 50-60 feet away from the speaker. I then cranked the volume to max on my iPhone. Not only did the Bluetooth signal hold with zero dropouts, but the sound quality was also excellent and distortion free. I was shocked by how much bass it produced because bass tends to dissipate when outdoors. This is definitely a potent party speaker.

One thing missing from the Exos-9 is a dedicated app. I would have loved an app that could control the EQ without having to go to the speaker and fiddle with those non-intuitive EQ arrows. Smart speaker technology would also be welcome. Yet, even though it’s missing some of these extras, you can’t argue about the Exos-9’s audio quality. There is an optional remote available, but at the Exos-9’s price, should have been included in the box.

I played different genre’s of music on the Exos-9, from 80s new wave, 60s psychedelia and modern over-processed music to bass-monster songs (for testing bass of course), folk and classical. The speaker handled it all with ease but rock and party music is what makes the Exos-9 shine. The louder the music, the happier the Exos-9 appears to be.

What I like

  • Loud, distortion-free audio, perfect for outdoor parties
  • Decent battery life (at moderate volume)
  • Great bass—even outdoors
  • Extended Bluetooth distance
  • Built-in carrying handle

What needs to be improved

  • A smartphone app would be welcome
  • No water resistance if played outdoors
  • Bland design

Final Thoughts

Since the Exos-9 is the product that pulled Aiwa from the ashes, maybe they should have named it “The Phoenix” instead. Either way, the Exos-9 is a dynamite speaker that sounds great, especially outdoors. If Aiwa can add some built-in water protection and some additional smart connection options like Alexa, AirPlay or Google Play, the Exos-9 could come close to that perfect all-in-one speaker.

Price: $329.99 US
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this product was provided by Aiwa.

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Aiwa Exos-9 Portable Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 4, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Saddleback Leather Keyboard Case review

NEWS – Let’s face it – in this “information age”, most of us have become writers and editors. And, for better or for worse, this means having ready access to a keyboard. I carry one around in my bag most days, whether I think I’m going to use it or not, just in case, and that can lead to physical damage to the keys. Enter the fine folks at Saddleback Leather, who have produced a Leather Keyboard Case. (Isn’t that a simple product name? How refreshing!) I was sent one in Tobacco color, but it’s also available in Dark Coffee Brown, Chestnut, and Black. Let’s take a closer look.

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

What is it?

As the name implies, it’s a Leather case for your keyboard. A thick leather envelope with a flap, sized for a standard keyboard model, not the expanded one with numeric keypad and editing keys, this will hold the Apple Magic Keyboard, many Logitech keyboards (like my trusty K811) and models of similar size and shape.

What’s in the box?

The leather case, threaded with a leather thong to hold the flap closed.

Design and features

This being a Saddleback Leather product, we know it’s made from real leather. It’s thick, nicely tanned and durably sewn. The outer cow leather is actually thicker than boot leather, and the pigskin suede lining is smooth, soft, and will be kind to your keyboard until the next human-machine interface comes along to replace it. Measuring about 12.5″ x 6″, the envelope has enough play between the folded sides to hold a device .5″ – .75″ thick. The flap is a generous 3″ drop.


The case is constructed from a single piece of leather, folded around and stitched together to form a pocket with the flap coming up the back. The corners of the flap are slightly rounded, and all the edges are stitched with UV resistant marine-grade polyester thread. The keyboard is a snug fit, but the leather molds to the shape and loosens over time. The outer tanned surface will continue to develop that well-worn patina that good leather gains only with the passage of time and active use.


Minimal branding marks include the company name centered on the flap and a logo stamped into the bottom center of the back, just above the fold.

Performance

There have been numerous reviews here of Saddleback products, but it’s pretty amazing to hold one for the first time. You can tell it’s the real deal, and it’s going to protect whatever you put into it for the ages.
It’s quite tight when inserting a keyboard for the first few times, and the flap doesn’t fold down flat. One almost wants to find a way to work it to make it softer and more pliable, like oiling the pocket in a baseball mitt. Just in the few weeks that I’ve used it, however, I’m starting to see the leather take the shape of the keyboard and lay flatter.

What I Like

  • The quality of the materials and workmanship are unrivaled.
  • There are no frills or attempts at making it more than it is – a simple sleeve for a keyboard.

What needs to be improved

  • I wish there was another closure other than the wrap-around thong.

Final thoughts

A lot of the folks whose work I read will mention their keyboards from time to time. Many of them have opined about broken keys, missing keycaps, and damaged charging ports from their portable keyboard being crammed into a bag with other bits of tech and daily life. The Leather Keyboard Cover should prevent this while making a statement to any who see it of attention to quality in materials and design. And, when the computer-to-brain implant is perfected, maybe you can use it for that foldable screen information appliance you’ll replace your tablet with.

Price: $59.00
Where to buy: Saddleback Website
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Saddleback Leather company.

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Saddleback Leather Keyboard Case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 3, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Keysmart Urban 21 Commuter Backpack review

REVIEW – They thought of everything. That was my first impression when I started testing the Keysmart Urban 21 Commuter Backpack. If your daily carry involves a lot of travel and tech, this bag has just about every feature you could ask for wrapped up in a slick looking contemporary package. There’s a whole lot to like with this one. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a 21 liter commuter pack for the office warrior, with organization and features that go on for days. It’s also designed to work with additional accessories.

Hardware specs

  • 21 liter capacity
  • Grey Ripstop 4000D Nylon exterior
  • Anti-theft pockets with RFID blocking
  • Pass-through for a suitcase handle
  • 21.65” by 11.4”
  • Fits up to a 15” laptop
  • Waterproof front pockets

Design and Features

I don’t recall the last time I reviewed a bag with this many features. We have a lot to cover, so bear with me as we go through all the details!

Great looks and a killer build

The KeySmart Urban 21 Commuter’s compact, angular design language gives it a very contemporary (and highly technical) look. A grey textured primary material is offset by black elements and red accents, providing some style without taking away from the contemporary look of the bag.

The construction of this bag is outrageously good. Seriously. Check out the beefy main zip, padded grab handle, and ring-style reinforced zipper pulls. I don’t recall seeing zip pulls like this before:

All stress points use something Keysmart call Parafinity stiching. It’s essentially a circular stitch pattern that is intended to provide more strength and durability:

Here’s a closeup to show some of the angular finishing used to emphasize the contemporary style. The material itself is Ripstop 4000D nylon and provides water resistance in addition to durability.

And did I mention the Fidlock buckles? Fidlock is one of my favorite closure systems. It employs magnets to facilitate a “slide and snap” system that is quick to connect, stays locked, but is quick to remove. Fidlock is good. Fidlock makes us happy.

Every strap on the bag includes a matching fabric locking collar to corral that extra material. I really, REALLY wish more bag makers would do this. It keeps your bag tidy and keeps those loose bits of strapping from getting caught in bad places.

Here’s a closeup of the layered fabric work in the shoulder straps. That hexagonal pattern is the back pad, and it’s designed for breathability and comfort.

In my opinion, the construction work on the Urban 21 Commuter Pack is right up there with some of the industry leaders like Mission Workshop, Tom Bihn, and Red Oxx. This one is definitely in the “buy it for life” category.

Pockets, spaces, and features galore

Things start to get really interesting when you look at the layout. The spaces are arranged in layers that overlap to maintain a tight, sleek profile. It’s almost like an origami puzzle as you start digging into the bag that makes the most of every square inch of space. And features abound as you explore each pocket and corner.

Take the side pockets for example. You’ve got one on either side, which is great for providing options to stash water bottle, sunglasses, and umbrellas. But check out how they wrap around the sides and tuck in under the front flap:

See that little detail? That means that they disappear when not in use while expanding to take even larger hydration bottles. That’s my big ol’ Tervis 24 ounce mug in that side pocket. I can carry one on each side if I want without interfering with the main compartments. Nice.

The face of the bag is built around a large open pocket, designed to collect the assorted flotsam and jetsam you’re tossing about during the day. It’s got elastic sides so it will expand to handle larger items. Throw your notebook and tablet in there while you dash to meetings or that big hydration bottle. Maybe you grabbed a sandwich on the run. It doesn’t matter. This pocket happily swallows all of it and expands as needed.

And see that little pocket on the inside flap? That’s for your Tile tracker if you want to keep tabs on where your bag is roaming.

It’s important to note that this outer pocket doesn’t have a hood, so you won’t want to have delicate stuff stashed here in a downpour unless you buy the optional rain cover (not shown). But don’t fret! There’s a big pocket on the front face of the pocket that is, in fact, waterproof. It is accessed by a vertical zipper, and runs the width and length of the front flap:

A pair of adjustable straps run from the rear panel to the front pocket. These straps allow you to cinch down the bag for streamlined carry while locking down access to the main compartments. These straps use those Fidlock buckles we saw earlier. You’ll want to pop these loose to get into the other bag compartments, but the good news is that they make it tough for wandering hands to get to your stuff.

The hard shell external compartment is one of the key features of the Urban 21 Commuter. Accessed from the exterior by dual zips, this compartment is waterproof and shockproof. Pop those side straps to reveal this compartment behind the front pocket:

Dual zips secure the clamshell-style opening, which reveals a multipurpose organizer panel. It’s lined with soft-touch materials to prevent scratching delicate electronics or sunglasses and uses RFID blocking materials to keep items like credit cards secure. You’ll also find a dedicated pocket here for your Keysmart (more on that below). There’s a larger pocket behind the organizer panel that closes with a magnetic snap and a pass-through port for charging your phone. It’s basically a built-in hardshell case in your bag. The zips are tight and can take some wrestling to loosen up over time.

The main compartment sits behind this rig and is accessible by dual zippers. You’ll find a padded pouch here sized for 15” laptops, fronted by a tablet pouch. There’s a clip-on attachment loop on the back panel of the bag as well as a velcro tab on the face of the tablet pouch. These can be used for adding accessories designed for the Urban 21 or your own gear.

The front face of the main compartment features a key leash and a strap pocket below the hardshell case for extra stash organization. Note that the hardshell case, laptop pocket, and tablet pocket do take up quite a bit of room in the main compartment. You still have a 4″ deep space for any extra stuff you want to stash in there.

Comfortable, compact carry for commuting and travel

The Keysmart Urban 21 Commuter Pack is ideal for those that are on the move. The compact size is great for maneuvering through crowded spaces and will fit under airline seats. That’s all made even better by the carry system, which takes a lot of queues from cycling-style bags. You’ve got all of your usual strapping and adjustments to dial in the perfect fit:

A sternum strap keeps things stable; there’s no hip strap, but I don’t think you need one on a bag of this size. Another Fidlock buckle is used for the sternum strap. That hex-patterned back panel padding is ridiculously comfortable and breathable, minimizing the dreaded back sweat.

There’s a pass-through slot on the lower back panel for sliding over your luggage handle, which is always an appreciated feature:

The pack also has a rigid rear panel behind the padding. This means that the bag maintains a consistent shape against your back, and you don’t get poked with odd-shaped items. Check out the pictures below to see how the bag naturally rides in the perfect spot and stays tight against my frame.

This might be the most comfortable pack I’ve ever used. Seriously. I could haul this sucker through airports and train stations all day long.

And even more features!

And we’re not even done with features. There are a few more Easter Eggs to share.

I mentioned the Tile pocket. The hard shell compartment also has a pocket custom-made to store your Keysmart. What’s a Keysmart? Think of it like a multitool that organizes all of your keys. It’s also wired with Tile technology to connect to your smartphone for easy location of your Keysmart, your bag, or your phone if that goes missing. Read more about it here.

You’ll also find two additional hidden security pockets on this bag. One is hidden behind the top back panel, with a zipper that is specifically designed to be hard to locate. I’d use this for travel documents if I am on the road:

The other secret pocket is on the base of the bag. This has a tether in it for an optional rain cover, but also serves as a place to stash whatever you like:

Finally Keysmart offers several accessories that are made specifically for this bag including the chest strap, a water bottle, a rain cover, a pocket organizer, a grid organizer, and a portable charger. You can buy these options in bundles along with the bag, or purchase individual accessories separately.

Some notes on performance

This bag has quickly become one of my favorite bags for the daily commute. The combination of features and organization is just tough to beat in such a compact & professional looking package. It’s perfect for hauling all of your tech, beverage tumblers, and assorted gear to and from the office. I really can’t think of a single feature that it’s missing.

The hardshell case is one of the highlights of the bag, but it also creates some minor user challenges. Those zips are super tight to ensure security and a watertight seal, so sometimes they take some work to open. That hardshell case also takes away a bit of space from the main compartment, so you have to work around it to pack the bag or to get stuff out. It’s a tradeoff given the compact nature of the bag but can make getting into the depths of the spaces tricky. You’ll find plenty of room in there for extras (like a packed lunch or coffee gear) with careful packing.

That hardshell case placement also necessitated dropping the key leash to the bottom of the main compartment, which isn’t particularly convenient. I’d prefer to see it in the pocket on the front of the bag for easy access during daily use. But if you’re traveling, you’ll appreciate it. You can hang your keys there and forget about them until you return to your car, knowing that they are securely stored.

Speaking of security, I do love the little extras like hidden compartments, RFID-blocking materials, and a design that generally makes it hard for wandering hands to get into your bag. It may mean some extra work to get to things at my destination, but there are really only two areas (the two front pockets) that are at high risk.

What I like

  • 2 water bottle holders
  • Multiple secure locations for valuables
  • Supremely comfortable carry
  • Top-notch construction
  • Perfect size for the daily commute or as a travel carry-on
  • Excellent travel-friendly features

What needs to be improved

  • Placement of the hardshell case makes for a tight squeeze in the main compartment
  • Key leash placement isn’t ideal
  • The open front pocket isn’t made for weather; the optional rain cover accessory is a worthwhile investment

Final thoughts

To my knowledge, this is Keysmart’s first foray into carry products, and they’re not fooling around. The Urban 21 Commuter Backpack is an all-around champ for the daily commute with just about every feature you could want or ask for. Road warriors will love this bag even more for the extra travel-friendly features and security enhancements. The compact size and ridiculously comfortable carry setup make for a bag that’s easy to live with all day long. While the retail price is north of $200 I think that Keysmart has done their homework in designing a bag that has the quality, usability, and feature set that makes it a solid long-term investment.

I did not test them for this review, but I also think the accessories are worth a look. They’re all reasonably priced and designed to fit in the bag using existing attachment points. I’d definitely buy the rain cover, and consider either the pocket organizer or grid organizer as an extra admin panel if I had a lot of additional bits to carry about. You can check them out on the Urban 21 product page.

All in all, this bag has taken the top spot as my favorite daily driver. I’ll keep you updated as I continue to use it!

Price: $239.99. Accessories start at $14.99, and can be purchased individually or in packages along with the bag.
Where to buy: Buy it at the Keysmart web site, or on Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Keysmart.

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Keysmart Urban 21 Commuter Backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 2, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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