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The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 5)

Welcome to part five of our on-going series where we tell you about the gear that we use on a daily basis. Today we have the favorite gear bags for one more Gadgeteer team member, Smythe. Let us know if you enjoy these types of posts.

Also read:
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 2)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 3)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 4)

Smythe Richbourg

Julie has been after us for a month or so now to declare a favorite gear bag and do an article about it. For me, this is a Sophie’s Choice type decision, because I like several bags equally for different reasons. Add that to the fact that I have almost as many bags as Julie does (about 20 that I can see from this chair with my office closet door open!), and it gets a bit tough. I’m prepared to live with this one, however; the Tom Bihn Medium Café Bag. I bought this bag a few years back with personal funds, and have used it as a fall-back ever since. Let me give you a tour.

We have reviewed Tom Bihn bags on this site before, but I’ve never had an actual review unit from them. I did review a few products from their canine product spin-off, Snookum Dog, a few years back. But I’ve been a fan since my first purchase, which was this bag. I found it searching for a daily driver bag for my iPad and various small bits of tech I need to carry, and I have yet to find one that can haul this much in such a small package. It’s a simple satchel in a vertical orientation (a sadly over-looked category by most bag makers) with a sewn-in strap and a large inner pocket. There are a few pen loops and loose stash pockets in the front wall of that large pocket, as well as a narrow zippered pocket on the outside front. An offset V flap covers both of these and seals with a plastic clip on an adjustable webbing strap.

On the back, a simple slash pocket and a 1″ webbing haul loop complete the feature set. At 12.2″ x 10.6″ x 2.9″ / 310 x 270 x 75 mm, it’s not really a behemoth, but it sure holds a lot. I’ve added the Freudian Slip, a vertical insert that adds pockets and sleeves to organize bag interiors. This is another Tom Bihn innovation that makes their kit unique. They have these for most of their bags, and the difference it makes is huge.

Perhaps my favorite feature of Tom Bihn bags is the “O” rings sewn into bag interiors in various places. I have a clear organizer bag that holds my inhaler, a tin of various NSAIDs, a nail file and clipper, and eye drops. There’s a clip on one corner, and when I attach it to the “O” ring on the rim of my Tom Bihn Café bag, it never gets lost in the abyss.

I usually carry my original-sized iPad in this, along with the day’s supplies (power adapter, headphones, batteries, shopping bag, screen cleaner, iPad adapters for USB, HDMI, and SDcards – the usual stuff). I just purchased the 10.7″ iPad Pro, replacing my iPad Air 2. The new one fits just as nicely, in my MoKo case. In a pinch, I can slide my LogiTech K811 keyboard into the rear slash pocket, even though it sticks out a bit. If I don’t need all that, just the organizer, iPad, and Slip will carry me anywhere easily.

If I have control over my day, the regular-sized iPad has been my go-to travel companion since the day I bought the original. The newest iPad Pro with the thinner bezel still fits in this bag easily, since it’s less than an inch larger on each edge.

Filed in categories: Articles

Tagged: Bags, gadgeteer

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Daniels NYC Leather Briefcase review

When my sister finished her Master’s program, I gifted her with a leather portfolio/briefcase. When I finished mine, an aunt and uncle did the same for me. I still have the leather folio my dad was given early in his career. Leather briefs, it seems, are a rite of passage of sorts. They are cherished and used with joy not only because of the feel of the leather, but the knowledge of the expense and investment they represent. So, what if a leather briefcase could be had for less than $200, rather than two or three times that amount? Would it change the calculus of its value? Daniels NYC is asking us that very question with their new line of leather briefcases that cost only $149.

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

The Briefcase comes in two colors – brown and black. Both are made from cowhide tanned in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil, and then cut, sewn, and assembled in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The manufacture of the briefcase is top-notch. The seams inside are either fully folded in or covered with heavy bias tape. The zippers and pockets are decoratively top-stitched and dual layered. The quality metal zippers have heavy, molded pulls, and the sewn-in D-rings feel solid but are so snugly fitted that I cannot turn them to see if there is a weld. The full-length rear pocket’s magnet-enhanced snap closure is punched perfectly, as are the two on the front pocket flap. The smooth, seat-belt quality webbing in the handle is covered by leather where your hand will hold it. The pebble-grain leather feels lush to the touch.

The layout of the pockets is as follows: The front has a full-length zippered pocket with another flap-covered pocket about an inch in from either side. The flapped pocket has a 1” bellows, which will hide bulky items like power supplies, sunglasses cases, or a wad of keys. The zippered pocket is only about 7” deep, so will not hold full sheets of paper unless they are folded. On the opposite side, there is an open pocket a little deeper but it has a metal magnetic snap which is just inside the top rim. There is easily enough play to slip in a newspaper or magazine for reading on your morning commute. A flat zipper pocket on top of it measures 11” across, but is only 6.5” deep.

The middle (main) storage area has a full-length padded laptop pocket, with a Velcro-fastened strap centered. There is no real padding in the bottom, but the pocket is protected from anything within the rest of the interior. On the back of this is a 6”x10” zippered flat pocket with an exposed zipper. (Your computer or iPad may be scratched by this zipper if it does not have a case on it.) Across from the laptop pocket is an organization panel that has three very tight, skinny pen holders, a 4” flat patch pocket, and a 3” bellows pocket. The flat pocket would just hold my iPhone 6s Plus, with about an inch sticking out, and the bellows pocket could hold a credit card wallet or business card holder. To the side of the bellows pocket is a key clip.

At either end on the exterior, there is a sewn-in brass-colored metal D-ring. The D is about 1.5” across. This is held to the case by a 2.5” tab of leather doubled over and box-stitched in. The strap has matching hardware, with smooth webbing connecting the hardware. A leather stress pad slides easily along the length.
At 16” x 10.5”x 3”, the case is a great size for a laptop, papers, and presentation supplies. If you’re going to be doing tech-heavy work, or need a protein bar or change of clothes, this is not going to be a good case for you. But if, as the setup in their website states, you’re one of the “young, intelligent, and ambitious men off to their first interviews, internships, and eventually, jobs… wearing…suits and ties…carrying backpacks,” this case is made with you in mind. It’s certainly formal enough for any office I’ve worked in but can be dressed down for any environment.

I’ve been carrying it with my iPad Pro 12.9”, my Logitech K811 Bluetooth keyboard, and a few other essentials. It’s easy to load or access the contents, and not so cavernous that you tend to overload it with your full portable assault gear, which makes it less stressful on your shoulders. I’ve not noted any scratches or scuffs as yet, maybe because it tends to bring out my inner gentleman who doesn’t get into scratchy, scruffy situations. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out over time. Maybe it’ll compare with my dad’s folio in years to come.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Daniels NYC. Please visit their site for more info.

Product Information

Price:	$149
Manufacturer:	Daniels NYC
Requirements:	none
Pros:	Affordable briefcase of real leather heavy-duty hardware quality workmanship
Cons:	Not full-grain leather Exposed zipper inside laptop compartment

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bags, Leather

Daniels NYC Leather Briefcase review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 7, 2017 at 10:17 am.

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Bellroy Duo Totepack review

Hailing from Australia, the folks at Bellroy have built a reputation for their sophisticated, minimalist wallet & accessory designs. This fall, they’re introducing their first work bags and backpacks. We’ve got our hands on the Duo Totepack, and it’s a beauty. Let’s check it out!

Walkaround

The Bellroy Duo Totepack is a bit of a chameleon. It’s a tote, but it carries with the style of a briefcase. It’s also got the organization of a vertical messenger bag and converts to a backpack. The shape of the bag is contemporary, clean, and focused. As we’ll see in the walkaround, however, there are all sorts of organization & functionality hidden in this stealthy package.

The Duo Toteppack measures 15” by 13” by 3” and is gently contoured so that it widens as you reach the bottom of the bag. It’s a simple, elegant shape is also expandable. The tote-style main opening is wider than the bag, but those extra flaps tuck & button down under leather loops on the side of the bag when you don’t need them. There are also a pair of slide/lock buttons on the side panels that, when released, open up the body of the bag to its full 15 liter capacity.

You have two carry options with the Duo Totepack. A pair of wide leather-wrapped handles at the top of the bag enable briefcase-style carry. You’ll also find backpack straps that disappear into the rear pocket when not in use. These straps are built for daily use with metal hardware, light padding, and finishing that matches the style & substance of the rest of the bag.

Overall the bag makes a very modern design statement that’s at home in both business and casual environments. As a stylish accessory, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better looking bag for urban adventures.

Organization & Layout

The Bellroy Duo Totepack features excellent organization, with an impressive amount of attention to functionality and practical usability. There are a total of 12 (yes, twelve!) compartments & pockets in this bag designed to satisfy all of your organization needs. Here’s how it all breaks down.

First up, there’s a 12” by 13” compartment on the front face of the bag, which includes two 5” by 5” drop-pockets (one is padded & elastic) and a pen slot for quick grab items.

Next is the main compartment. A 3” deep main area includes a padded laptop slot for up to a 15” MacBook Pro, a rear pocket that will fit an iPad Pro in a case, and a semi-rigid document divider with a magnet seal that snaps to the laptop pocket. There are also two 6-1/2” by 6” zipped pockets for accessories and 7” by 6” elastic pocket at the base of the bag for a water bottle or power brick.

Behind the main compartment, you’ll find an 8” by 6-1/2” quick access pocket accessed from the top of the bag for your phone, keys, headphone, etc.

Finally, the rear pocket not only stores the backpack straps but is also padded and can hold an tablet or a notebook. It also has a button snap for additional security.

This sounds like a lot of pockets, but Bellroy has done an excellent job of sorting out the layout of the Duo Totepack. Every pocket is wide and deep to accommodate a variety of items; even the pen slot will hold two pens. Positioning on all the pockets is also excellent, with easy access from the top of the bag even if you’re fully loaded with gear. The whole layout is flexible and very easy to use.

Construction and Materials

In addition to innovative design, Bellroy is also known for the quality of their products. The Duo Totepack scores big here with top-shelf materials, construction, and finishing.

The primary material is fantastic. It’s got the toughness and weather-resistance of a Cordura, but the tight weave pattern is more sophisticated and has a nice hand feel. It’s described as moss green, but there’s a subtle dark heather to the pattern that reads more to me like a dark grey in close-up shots (there’s also a black variant available). Whatever you call it, it’s beautiful. Leather accents are all soft & supple. The interior fabrics are just as good with a rich texture and durability that’s a step-up from typical vinyl interiors.

There’s also no skimping on hardware, which is all metal. Every clip, ring or button feel durable without being bulky. Even those slide/lock buttons on the side include Fidlock-style clips to secure the snaps in place. YKK zippers are standard inside and out with Aquaguard zips on the externals. It’s all high-quality stuff, and in alignment with the character of the bag.

The assembly details are really impressive. I’ve seen a lot of bags that do nice finishing work on seams and corners, but Bellroy takes this a step further with reinforced edges on wear points, beveled corners on open pockets, and little “zipper garages” to finish the zips. As you go about using the bag, you find all kinds of thoughtful finishing points that speak to the quality in detail.

In Use

The Bellroy Duo Totepack is a great bag for the professional or creative type that looking for something that stands apart from the sea of briefcases and messengers you find on the daily commute. Not only does it make a unique design statement, but it has excellent functional usability that switches easily from business to casual situations.

The Duo Totepack has become my go-to work bag. I’ll load it up with my 13” MacBook Pro, my iPad, a notebook, device chargers, a power brick, headphones, and all the trimmings. There’s just enough room for all of that plus space for a light lunch. The organization is dialed in so well that I find myself using this bag throughout the day as a sling bag to manage my stuff as I run from meeting to meeting. The minimalist profile also works well for this, as I don’t look like a Sherpa lugging a massive pack around the office. I really like the easy grip and handling of generous briefcase-style handles. And if you need to go hands-free, you can swap to backpack mode in a few seconds. The bag also slims down just as well when I am traveling light with an iPad and a notebook. It’s also really light, so you don’t feel like your hauling a lot of extra weight along with your gear.

I should also point out that the backpacks straps are well designed for extended use. Some convertible bags skimp on the backpack straps to save space and weight. These straps, while thin, are substantial and more than comfortable enough for a bag this size. I use the backpack straps all day long, and they’re very good.

When you turn on your out-of-office notifications, the Bellroy Duo Totepack makes for a great urban adventurer. Because the design leverages all soft materials and no framing, it will adapt to non-rectilinear items if you’re packing for a day trips around town (snacks, sweaters, a camera, etc.). I’d also expect it to work very well as an under-the-seat carry on item. Its slim profile makes moving through crowds a breeze. It also looks great dressed down with a pair of jeans for running about.

Speaking of style… be prepared for comments & compliments. I’ve received more compliments on this bag than perhaps anyone else I have tested. The Bellroy Duo Totepack makes a unique design statement that gets noticed.

Caveats and Considerations

There’s a whole lot to like the Duo Totepack, and Bellroy has clearly attempted to perfect every detail in this bag. But there are some things that you should consider before picking one up.

First off, this bag is really designed for urban landscapes. Its tough, but it lacks the framing or beefy backpack straps that stabilize a bag on extended outdoor hikes. It’s slim form is really designed for tech and accessories, with no big open compartments to accommodate outdoor gear. I wouldn’t hesitate to take it for travel, but one-baggers or outdoor enthusiasts would do better with more mission-specific bags

Speaking of capacity: at 15 liters with a slim profile, this is not the choice for hauling your life on your back. Your laptop and accessories will take up the majority of the space in the bag, leaving some room for extras… but not a lot. I was actually surprised at how much it can hold if you ditch the tech gear, as the form has a lot of give & flexibility. If you need room for work gear, gym gear, and your groceries on the ride home, however, you’ll need something a bit bigger.

The length of the padding on the backpack straps could be a bit longer relative to the strap length. I am a bigger guy, so those pads ride a lot higher than I am used to in my packs. They are still comfortable in my opinion but may take some getting used to if you have a larger frame.

Finally, there’s the $295 retail price. Competitors like Tumi, Killspencer and Cote & Ciel play in this designer bag space; I found the Bellroy Duo Totepack’s pricing to be well in line with these sorts of bag makers. Based on the quality of construction and innovative design, I believe that it’s priced fairly for what you’re getting… but it’s still a $300 bag. If that’s too steep for you, Bellroy does offer other products in their new bag lineup that are not as feature-rich but share the design language and materials found here for under $200.

Conclusions and Pricing

The Duo Totepack is a unique bag that makes a strong creative statement. Elegant forms, innovative design, and a very usable layout make this a bag an excellent and flexible day-to-day companion for work and play. The superb construction and meticulous finishing show extraordinary attention to detail. Well done, Bellroy. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!

The Bellroy Duo Totepack retails for $289. Check out the Bellroy Duo Totepack and the rest of the new bag lineup at Bellroy’s web site.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Bellroy. For more info visit their site.

Product Information

Price:	$289.00
Manufacturer:	Bellroy
Pros:	Innovative & modern design Excellent layout with lots of good usability Beautiful, high-quality materials Excellent craftsmanship & finishing Works equally well in both carry modes
Cons:	15L capacity & slim profile may not work for everyone's carry needs Expensive, but worth it if you're ready for a splurge

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Backpack, Bags

Bellroy Duo Totepack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 1, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 4)

Welcome to part four of our on-going series where we tell you about the gear that we use on a daily basis. Today we have the favorite gear bags for four more of the Gadgeteer team including yours truly. Let us know if you enjoy these types of posts.

Also read:
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 2)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 3)

Julie Strietelmeier

My favorite style of gear bag is a messenger bag and the brand that I’ve been carrying for years is Timbuk2. I’ve had four Timbuk2 bags and the one I’ve been carrying every day for 5 years or more is their custom laptop messenger.

The Timbuk2 bag has been on my favorite gear list for the entire time I’ve had it, so it’s not really news. So I thought I’d also talk about a surprising little bag that I decided to take with me on vacation this year.

This bag isn’t even a bag that you can buy by itself as far as I know. It came with a sample of a lap desk for a crowdfunding campaign. When I was packing for my trip, I knew I wanted to keep the tech at a minimum level so I wanted a smaller bag than I usually carry. I saw this one in my closet o’bags and was very pleased when it could hold all my gear without bulging or cutting off the circulation in my shoulder.

It even has a pass-through for a rolling luggage handle which is always appreciated when trying to maneuver multiple bags through the airport. Now I want to find a nicer version of this bag without the iMoov logo and with nicer internal pocket construction. This one has thin satin material which feels a little flimsy (cheap), but having said that, so far it’s not torn or frayed.

Raul Sanchez

My favorite gear bag is the Serbags Army Courier Messenger bag I reviewed four years ago.

I love this courier messenger bag. Since the day I received it I used it as a camera bag that I take with me on all my photo shoots and assignments. I received this bag at the end of January 2013 and I haven’t stopped using this as my main camera bag. I really like the ease and convenience when I need to grab a lens or flash, battery, or earplugs like when I am shooting concerts.

I can reach in this messenger bag without looking and grab what I need. I just like having a messenger bag at my side during my shoots. If I had worn a backpack it would take too long for me to grab a piece of equipment since I would have to take off the backpack, put it down in front of me, unzip the bag and find what I need. Obviously, I would miss a shot. With what I do, speed is a huge factor. This bag has taken a beating in the last 4 years. Even though it has some small signs of wear and tear, the bag is still going strong.

With the Serbags messenger bag, I can literally have my camera in one hand and have the other hand reaching into the bag and retrieving the equipment I need, all at the same time. It is very convenient to have the bag on my hip.

Elizabeth Rodriguez

I’ve had a couple of bags since I reviewed the Incase Reform backpack, but I keep going back to this to hold all of my gadgets! I work in the city now, so it can fit all of the stuff I pack into it, including my laptop, wallets, water bottle, notebook, and reading book. I love how sleek it looks in heather grey with yellow logo and black trim. The details such as zippers and straps have held up incredibly well. It’s been through rain, snow, sun, and keeps it shape. I’ve received many compliments, and it’s nice how gender neutral it is. Anyone can use it, and it will last for a long time!

Steve Holt

This is the last review that I did, and I have used this bag on a daily basis ever since. It is the Mr. Lentz leather briefcase. It looks awesome and it makes me look awesome.

The 2 pockets on the inside keep my pens, flash drives, cables, etc, from rolling around in the bottom of the bag. Also, the buckles are adjustable and allow me to tighten it up or loosen it depending on my needs. And did I mention that it makes me look good? Ha!

Also read:
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 2)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 3)

Filed in categories: Articles

Tagged: Bags, gadgeteer

The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 4) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 23, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Dango Products Loop Hook + Wall Mount lets your stuff safely hang out in style

I like multi-functional gadgets, ones that can serve multiple purposes. I stumbled upon the Dango Hook and Wall Mount, and they seem to fit that bill. The Hook portion is in the shape of a capital letter “C” and machined (in the USA) from aluminum. It allows you to hang your bag or purse all sorts of places, like under a table while you are at a restaurant, a ledge, tree branch, and so forth. It also has a built-in bottle opener, keychain ring hole, and rubber protective grip strip.

The Wall Mount is a utility hook that, when mounted to a wall and paired with the Dango hook allows you to suspend all sorts of things. Just quickly slip the Hook’s bottle-opener slot over the Wall Mount’s screw and you are good to go. I’m thinking this might be a handy way to hang by GORUCK GR1 EDC backpack both at home and at work. The Dango Hook is available in 10 anodized colors for $20 each, while the Wall Mount is available in All Aluminum, Bamboo/Aluminum, or Walnut/Aluminum for $25 each. Visit dangoproducts.com for more info or to order.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Bags

Dango Products Loop Hook + Wall Mount lets your stuff safely hang out in style originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 22, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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