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Leacarve Leather Briefcase Review

The nature of my business requires me to carry things with me every day.  Laptops, papers, writing instruments, folders, cables, portable batteries, and on and on.  So having a bag that is utilitarian is important.  And it wouldn’t hurt to have a bag that looks good too.  I have always been partial to leather bags because of the look, feel, and aroma.  So when I saw the Leacarve leather briefcase I was excited to try it out.  Would it fit the bill in my daily life?  Let’s find out.

Bag Specifications

  • Material: Genuine High Quality Leather
  • Compartments: 3  Large Compartments
  • Pockets: 2 Pen Pocket, 1 Card Holder, 1 Wallet Section
  • Laptop Size: Perfect for 15.6″ or Smaller Size Laptop
  • Lock: Exclusive Swiss Lock
  • Straps: Detachable And Adjustable Shoulder Strap
  • Handle: Sturdy Top Handle
  • Closure: Zipper Closure
  • Space: Broad space inside to keep notebooks, magazines and A4 Files
  • Size: 16.5″ L x 11.8″ H x 5.6″ W

Design and function

With the Leacarve leather briefcase, I have found my daily-carry bag.  No matter where I am going, or what I am wearing, the bag looks great.  The function is exceptional.  With 3 large compartments I can load it up with lots of items and segregate them as needed.  Each compartment expands to enable you to store a bunch of stuff, or collapse them to make the bag appear slender if you aren’t carrying alot.

There are regular and zippered pockets inside that can hold the little things that you don’t want scattered everywhere, like USB drives, post-it pads, keys, paperclips, pens, and so forth.  I hate it when those things roll around the bottom of the bag and make it a hassle to fish them out.  So keeping everything secure is always a plus.

The center compartment is where your laptop goes, with a vertical padded divider with a Velcro closure.  The bottom of the bag doesn’t have a padded layer, so I wouldn’t just drop the laptop in there and let it hit the bottom of the bag, so be careful about that.  The center compartment also has the ability to use a small padlock to secure the 2 zippers when you zip that compartment closed.  That won’t prevent someone from just walking off with the bag, but it would be at least a simple deterrent to someone grabbing your laptop and walking off.

There are brass feet on the bottom that enable the bag to stand on its own, and brass fittings all around from the zippers to the loops that connect the shoulder strap.  The handle on the top of the bag snaps close and it is soft and supple so it’s a joy to carry.  The outside zippered pocket is also very handy for storing the things you might need when traveling and don’t want to have buried in the bag.  Things like your wallet, passport, boarding pass, and so forth.

Finally, there is a wide leather strap that is attached to one side of the bag and folds over the top of the bag to connect to the lock that sits just above the zippered pocket.  It’s a Swiss combination lock that has 2 small wheels with numbers on them that rotate.  You can close the lock without having the numbers set to your combination but you can’t open it without having the numbers set properly.  Again, this won’t prevent someone from walking off with the bag, but it does provide at least a simple level of protection from someone rummaging through the bag without your approval.  I will also mention that the numbers are so small that I couldn’t see them without my reading glasses.  The hazards of getting old I suppose.

What I like

  • The quality of the leather and workmanship is top notch.
  • The seams appear to be quality and I imagine this bag lasting for years.
  • The insides of the compartments are lined
  • The zippers are sturdy and glide smoothly

What needs to be improved

  • I wish there was padding under the laptop compartment to cushion it in the bag.
  • The Swiss lock numbers can be difficult to see for those of us who normally need reading glasses

Final thoughts

This leather briefcase by Leacarve is the briefcase that I have been looking for.  It is big enough to carry everything I need, yet can be small enough to not be bulky.  It has a multitude of pockets and compartments to handle all my needs, and I can secure the compartments if I want.  The brass feet on the bottom allow the bag to stand on its own, the handle and shoulder strap enable multiple ways to carry the bag, and it smells divine.  This bag has the quality and design of a much more expensive bag, so $149 is a great deal.  I highly recommend it.

Price: $149.00
Where to buy:  Leacarve
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Leacarve

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Leacarve Leather Briefcase Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 23, 2018 at 9:30 am.

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Wofalo Wireless Charger Power Bank Review

I have owned an endless stream of power banks over the years, from the very first models to the latest and greatest out right now.  I have seen just about every configuration of shapes and sizes, number of ports, capacities, wireless and wired, and everything in between.  I even had one that looked like Ironman.  (Yeah, you can find that one here.)  I think I finally found one that everyone in my family can use regardless of gadget type.  We have both Android and iPhone devices in my house, as well as wireless and non-wireless charging configurations.  Enter the Wofalo Wireless Charger Power Bank.

What is it?

A 10,000 mAh portable power bank that enables up to 3 devices at once to be charged (2 wired and 1 wireless).

Hardware Specs:

  1. Dimensions – 3 in X 6.2 in X .55 in
  2. Weight – 9.5 oz
  3. Qi Charger – Charging up to 1A for Qi-enable devices. Compatible devices include: iPhone X/8/8 Plus.  Samsung Galaxy Note5/S6/S6 Edge/S6 Edge+/S7/S7Edge/S8/S9/S9 Plus, Google Nexus 6, and other Qi-enabled devices
  4. Support Charge Up to 3 Devices Simultaneously – A built-in micro-USB cable, standard USB port, and Qi charger provides 2 wired and 1 wireless charging at the same time.
  5. 10,000 mAh High Capacity
  6. Quality & Satisfaction Guarantee – Certified Qi, FCC, CE and ROHS for quality and safety. Over-current protection, Over-temperature protection and over-voltage protection.

What’s in the box?

  • Wofalo wireless charger power bank
  • 1 Micro USB Charging Cable
  • 2 Lighting Adapters
  • 1 User Manual

Design and features

For a price of $29.99 the Wofalo Wireless Power Bank packs some great features.  For starters, I can use the wireless charging with my Galaxy S6 Edge+ or I can pull out the built-in micro-USB cable.  There is also a full-sized USB port hidden behind the built-in micro USB cable (pictures below).  The 10,000 mAh lithium polymer battery can fully charge my phone between 2 to 3 times, and the thin metal-look design actually makes it look at first glance like a smartphone.

The most unique feature of the power bank that I have never seen before is the lightning adapter for iPhones that is hidden behind the built-in micro-USB cable.  It is sitting inside a small pocket so it always goes with the power bank wherever you go.  That’s a pretty neat way to have a power bank that can be used with any device or phone you have.

Now let’s talk about the charging speed.  The wireless charging feature performs at the same wireless charging rate of all the wireless chargers I have right now, which is a little slower than a wired charge.  The built-in micro-USB cable charges just as fast as my other fast-charging power banks and even my fast-charging cable that came with my phone.  I am very happy with the performance.

Finally, on one side of the power bank is the power button, which must be pressed if you want the wireless charger to work.  Using the wired connections of the power bank will turn on the power bank when you plug something up, so you won’t need to press the power button.  On the other side of the power bank are the 4 indicator lights that show you how much juice is left in the power bank, and those lights side right beside the micro-USB port used to charge the power bank.



What I like

  • Beautiful, solid design
  • Wireless & wired charging
  • Good capacity
  • Very pocketable

What needs to be improved

  • Would like a higher capacity
  • Lightening adapter could be easily misplaced

Final thoughts

This may be the perfect combination of what a power bank should have… multiple ways to charge, thin and portable, and a good capacity.  I do wish it had a larger battery capacity but I do realize a larger battery would require a larger design, which would negate the pocketability.  But I can wish, can’t I?  And the lightening adapter could easily be lost if you aren’t careful, which I suppose is why they included an extra one in the box.  Overall, for this price and list of features, I highly recommend the Wofalo Wireless Charger Power Bank.

Price: $29.99
Where to buy:  Amazon or Wofalo
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Wofalo

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Wofalo Wireless Charger Power Bank Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 22, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Nuheara IQbuds intelligent truly wireless earbuds with BOOST review

Six months ago, I reviewed some wireless earbuds that are one of the more unique available—the Nuheara IQbuds intelligent truly wireless earbuds. With simple smartphone app adjustments, you can control how much outside noise you want to hear—a safer choice when walking on a city street—or how much of the outside world you want to tune out so you can retreat to your happy place. They’re pretty cool! However, these original IQbuds are a “one-hearing-fits-all” earbud. Their effectiveness is independent of how bad—or good—your hearing is. That’s changed with the new IQbuds with BOOST technology featuring Ear ID—software that will test your hearing and automatically adjust the wireless earbuds specifically to your unique hearing profile. It’s nothing short of amazing.

What is it?

The Nuheara IQbuds are truly wireless earbuds that have no wires—they are two completely separate earphones/buds that let you determine how much or how little of the outside world you hear while wearing.

Specs

EARBUDS

  • Dimensions: .8 in x 1 in x .6 in
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth: 4.2
  • Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, HFP, HSP, AVRCP, aptX, aptX Low latency
  • Near Field Magnetic induction(NFMI): 10.579MHz
  • Microphone: Digital MEMS (2 per earbud)
  • Speaker: High Fidelity Balanced Armature
  • Battery: 120mAH (per earbud)
  • Discharge Time: 8 hrs audio streaming / 12 hrs hearing processing
  • Weight: .3 oz (per earbud)
  • Ear Tips: 8 pairs silicone reusable, 3 pairs Comply memory foam
  • Recommended operating environment: Storage: temp 68-86° F, Charging: temp <113° F Operation: temp <140° F
  • Water resistance: “Sweat/rain resistant. Internal circuits coated with NanoProof water protection, which is rated at IPX7.”
  • Streaming: Low latency streaming for TV audio

CHARGE CASE

  • Dimensions: 3.8 in x 1.8 in x 1.3 in
  • Charge Capacity: 5v
  • Battery: 1140mAH
  • Weight: 2.5 oz

Design and features

It’s interesting comparing both versions of the IQbuds. The all-black (and more expensive) BOOST version looks more business-like than the original’s fancier black w/bright silver design. Yet, behind that stealthy, black exterior, there is some genius stuff going on.

The IQbuds BOOST have everything the original IQbuds have and more. Nuheara claims that their Ear ID system is a “clinically validated audiometric hearing assessment that calibrates the IQbuds to give you a better hearing experience.” I am not an audiologist, but for this review, I am taking Nuheara at their word. 

Note that in late 2017, the Senate passed a bill allowing people to purchase hearing aids without a doctor’s prescription. The old law required consumers to buy hearing aids only through certified audiologists, which drove up prices. This new law allows products such as the IQbuds with BOOST to be available to everyone with no prescription required.

During the initial BOOST setup, I did the hearing test using Nuheara’s redesigned (and much friendlier looking) free app (iOS and Android). The test was done in a quiet room and took about 15 minutes. As the iPhone’s screenshot of Ear ID chart shows, I have moderate hearing loss, especially in the higher frequencies—no surprise at my age. However, I am surprised that my hearing isn’t as bad as I had originally thought.

Important: Despite the new law, the hearing test in the app does not replace a professional test for people with severe hearing loss. It is designed to help customize the IQbuds for someone who may have trouble distinguishing voices in a crowded place (like me) or suffer from minor hearing loss. 

Inside the app, there are many settings that help fine-tune the IQbuds.  When “World” is turned on, many sounds are accentuated. Move the dial more to understanding speech with less world noise and vocals suddenly sound like they are pushed forward—almost like the person is closer than they really are. In normal conversation, I am constantly asking my wife to repeat herself because I can’t understand what she is saying (I will not make a joke here). These buds really do help with what I hear and more importantly—understand. That’s where the magic lies with the IQbuds BOOST. Comprehension is dramatically improved.

Let me say right now that the hearing test only helps with hearing and understanding the outside world around you. The Ear ID customization has no auditory effect on music or anything else you listen to from a Bluetooth source.  When paired with a smartphone for example, the IQbuds BOOST work like any other earphone—with the exception of dialing in how much of the outside world you let in. If the “World” setting is completely off, the IQbuds active noise canceling isolate quite well. They are great for removing yourself from the noise of commuting, the drone of an airplane engine or even the background din of an office. With “World” on, it’s a whole ‘nother worl … well, you get the picture.

So how do the IQbuds sound when only listening to music? Quite well, actually. The single balanced armature speaker is—ironically—the same speaker design used in hearing aids—as well as many earphones made for music. Frequencies across the range are balanced and warm, meaning bass is slightly boosted. This is a good thing since armature speakers can sound sterile if not tweaked a bit. I have no issues using the IQbuds exclusively for music listening—they work great. Also, the Bluetooth signal is strong. I didn’t experience any dropouts.

The IQbuds with BOOST are touch sensitive to various, customizable commands which is done in the app. I have mine set up so that one tap on the right bud will either let noise in (World on) or block it out (World 0ff). A female voice alerts you what function your tap performed. It can’t get any easier. Settings can be adjusted for various things to happen depending on a single or double tap or even resting the finger on a left or right bud. Apple Siri or Google can also be called upon if desired (I left that setting turned off). There are many different tap choices, depending on which bud you’ve customized. 

In my review of the original IQbuds, I said “Comfort for me is an issue with the IQbuds. While they aren’t uncomfortable, I can use them for up to two hours and then some ear pain creeps in.” That hasn’t changed, even though the IQbuds with BOOST are 1mm smaller in length, but otherwise, identical. There are many sized ear tips supplied—both round and oval shaped. Again, YMMV.

A notable improvement over the original IQbuds is water resistance. The internal circuits have been coated with what’s called NanoProof water protection—and has earned the IQbuds with BOOST an IPX7 rating. This is important, especially for those who exercise and sweat. However, I wouldn’t go swimming with them.

The IQbuds with BOOST have the same hearing presets as the originals: Workout, Street, Home, Office, Restaurant, Driving and Plane. And they can be adjusted within the app.

The case is identical to the original IQbuds. It will charge the buds 2-3 times before needing to be recharged itself. Red and green lights inform you how much charge is left in the case and buds.

What I like

Understanding conversation in any noisy situation can help someone feel less isolated by being able to join in any discussion without asking people to repeat themselves or misinterpreting what’s been said. The IQbuds with BOOST can be a huge aid in helping people gain confidence in social situations—or even just hearing the TV more clearly.

What needs to be improved

Long-term comfort is still an issue (at least for my ears).

Final Thoughts

The IQbuds with BOOST are expensive—but when compared to the price of custom hearing aids, they look like a bargain. Are the BOOST advantages with built-in Ear ID worth the extra $200 over the price of the original IQbuds? That’s a hard question to answer. It’s not like you can test both in your local BestBuy or smartphone store and then decide. You have to rely on the Nuheara website and read many reviews (never base a buying decision on only one review—even this one) to make an informed decision.

If you have minor issues with hearing and clarity, you may be satisfied with the regular IQbuds. However, if hearing and understanding conversation in crowded situations bothers you to distraction, the additional BOOST tech and hearing app should help even more.

Price: $499 US
Where to buy: Nuheara
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Nuheara.

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Nuheara IQbuds intelligent truly wireless earbuds with BOOST review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 22, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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BESTEK 3 AC Outlets 2000W Power Inverter review

Electrical Power. It’s such an integral part of our everyday life that we don’t give it much thought until it’s not available. The BESTEK 3 AC Outlets 2000W Power Inverter is a great solution for just such a situation.

What is it?

The BESTEK 3 AC Outlets 2000W Power Inverter provides up to 2000 watts of 115v power from a 12v battery (or two). It coverts 12v DC power to 115v AC power.

Hardware specs

Rated Power: 2000W, Max Power: 2300W
Peak Power: 4600W
Input: DC 12V (12V Car or Boat but not 24V)
Output: AC 110V-120V
Outlets: 3 AC
Weight: 10lb
Fuses: 6 external 50amp fuses

What’s in the box?

  • BESTEK 3 AC Outlets 2000W Power Inverter
  • Two sets of cables to hook up to batteries
  • 12v cigar type plug for low power use (300w max)
  • Instruction sheet


Design and features

This review isn’t designed to be a primer on the ins-and-outs of power inverters, so you’ll want to do little research on your own for what you intend to run off the inverter. I don’t recommend just plugging things in just to see if they’ll work, a little research is best. I will say though that questions like “how long will it run” or “how much stuff can it run” will vary depending on how many and what kind of batteries you’re using, and the power requirements of the devices you’re connecting to it. Good Deep cycle marine rated batteries are a good source for things like this.


This is a modified wave inverter. Some motorized items such as water pumps may need a more expensive true sine wave inverter. This inverter should run just about anything that has a power plug that converts to DC such as a phone charger, laptop charger, clocks, etc. However, for those DC items that are less than 12 volts, you would be better off connecting them to a straight 12v source, as you’ll lose a lot of battery potential by converting the 12v to 115v just to then have its power cord convert back to 12v.


It can run most refrigerators, freezers, small kitchen appliances, microwaves, lights, and TV’s just to mention a few. Some items like some high end blenders might not work as they take quite a bit of current to get started. For example, something as simple as a toaster can draw up to 1600 watts!

The clamps are pretty good, I’ve seen heavier duty clamps but these seem like they will work and last just fine for the job they are intended to do. The wires are both crimped and soldered to the clamp, and the entire clamp is copper. The eyelet of the wiring is very good, it is also crimped and soldered very nicely – and I’ve got a military electronics background.

Although the instruction sheet doesn’t mention it, there is a warning label on the 12v cigar plug cord that states connections using that are limited to 300w. That’s perfectly normal because the wiring in a vehicle and its fuse won’t handle more than that.

The inverter also has circuitry to automatically shut down in the event of a short-circuit. The unit will also resume working automatically after these events are eliminated. This prevents damage to the unit.

I tried various items like my Surface tablet, phones, clock, and some lights. All worked just fine. Most importantly, the coffee maker worked!

What I like

  • Carry handle for portability
  • Beautiful anodized finish
  • Auto protection circuitry

What needs to be improved

  • Would be nice to have 12v plug outlet incorporated into the unit for charging phones and such.

Final thoughts

This unit is a nice thing to have around for emergency uses. If you’re planning on using an inverter for continuous or frequent use, or off-grid use where it’s really important you might want to find a unit that has more features.

Price: $139.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by BESTEK

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BESTEK 3 AC Outlets 2000W Power Inverter review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 21, 2018 at 11:34 am.

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North St. Bags Scout 21 VX Duffel review

I do a bit of travel, mostly for work, some for vacations.  I also do a fair bit of working out.  Well, OK, I work out 6 or 7 days a week.  I had been looking for a bag that I could use for either travel or the gym, and one that would be durable and weatherproof.  Lo and behold, North St. Bags’ Scout line of duffel bags seemed to fit the bill.  We’ve reviewed a few products from North St. Bags here at The Gadgeteer, so I welcomed the opportunity to try out their Scout 21 VX Duffel.  Gadget on!

What is it?

With a 30 Liter capacity, the Scout 21 VX Duffel is North St. Bags’ largest duffel.  It is made from ultra-durable and waterproof LS42 Smoke X-Pac™ Shell material, includes an interior zip pocket with lanyard and an adjustable shoulder strap.

Hardware specs

  • Color options:
    • MultiCam® camouflage
    • Smoke (reviewed here)
  • Size = 21″ long x 10.5″ diameter
  • Capacity = 30 Liters
  • Materials”
    • Exterior = Waterproof LS42 Smoke X-Pac™ Shell
    • Interior = Nylon Packcloth liner
  • Country of manufacture = Built by hand in Portland, Oregon, USA
  • Warranty = Lifetime

What’s in the package?

  • North St. Bags Scout 21 VX duffel

Design and features

First impression: The Scout 21 VX’s material, both look and feel, both piqued my interest immediately, but for different reasons.  The color of this particular bag, North St. Bags’ “Smoke” color scheme, looked cool—kind of a subdued gray (which I am really into right now), but with a look that is almost like denim.  However, the feel was a different story.  This particular bag’s material, North St. Bags’ Waterproof LS42 Smoke X-Pac™ Shell has a sort of smooth plastic finish, a bit like a cross between nylon and canvas (in the words of our own Jacob Haas).  It does feel waterproof (or at least very water resistant) and also very lightweight yet very tough.

One other feature worth mentioning is that the Scout 21 VX includes an adjustable shoulder strap made from the same type of tough nylon webbing from with the duffel’s handles are made.  The shoulder strap has spring hooks that attach to plastic D-rings on either end of the bag.  For this the Scout 21 VX’s price of $149.99, I’m glad that North St. Bags includes a good, sturdy shoulder strap with the Scout 21 VX and doesn’t require you to buy one separately.

Above, a photo of the front and back of the tag that was attached to the Scout 21 VX duffel.  Made in the USA: good.  Why do I like made in USA products? Because in my experience, more often than not, they are of better design, better materials, and better manufacturing than imported products.  Yes, USA-made goods are often more expensive, but I am a big believer in paying more for quality when appropriate.  Not everyone shares this view and that is fine, I will disagree with you with the utmost respect.

First up, let’s look at the logo tag.  If you follow my reviews, you know I’m a fan of logo tags that are low-profile and not obnoxiously eye-catching.  The Scout 21 VX’s tag is a bit on the biggish side, but because of the somewhat subdued black and white color scheme, it’s not as obtrusive as it could be.  And I like that they decided to include “Made in Portland, OR.”

Next, let’s look at something a bit more functional, the handles.  Made from high-quality nylon webbing, these straps are super sturdy, but not the most comfortable, especially if you are carrying a heavier load in the duffel.  However, they do get the job done.

One aspect of the handle straps that I thoroughly appreciated was that they actually wrap all the way around the duffel, solidly stitched down at regular intervals even across the very bottom, as seen in the image above.  Not all duffel bags are designed and built like this, and I think this contributes to a much sturdier bag that can not only handle heavier loads, but can also contribute to the life of the bag.

Above, a closeup of the Scout 21 VX’s #10 zipper, which appears to have some pretty serious water-resistance.  The two halves of the zipper meet up perfectly and there is a slick polymeric coating over the teeth.  The zipper is made by Lenzip, which is a brand I’m not familiar with, but this zipper appears to be very well-built, with beefy teeth and big, sold pulls.

The Scout 21 VX’s zipper pulls have had knotted loops of bright orange cord attached to them, which appears to be gutted 550 paracord, but I can’t be 100% sure.  These knotted cord lengths enhance the zipper pull’s grippability (Is that a word?  It is now.).

The photos above and below depict the inside of the Scout 21 VX’s main compartment.  First up, note in the pic above that the Scout 21 VX is lined with a dark gray fabric.  North St. Bags’s site claims this is their “Nylon Packcloth liner” that helps with water resistance.  Also, note the inside zipper pocket.  This is a standard zipper, not like beefy, water-resistant exterior one, but it does have a matching knotted length of cord attached to the zipper pull.  This pocket is actually fairly sizable, large enough to simultaneously hold a wallet, keys, and a phone.

Speaking of keys, stitched inside the inside pocket (did you follow that?) is a lanyard made from a length of webbing with a metal spring hook on the end, perfect for attaching keys or other items.

Next, I wanted to set up a little “farmer Jones” test—which is basically a test that is not particularly scientific, but the results can be useful nonetheless.  Wanted to assess the water-resistance of the Scout 21 vX’s materials and zipper, so I took out to my yard and unwound my garden hose…

…and proceeded to douse the poor unsuspecting duffel with about 20 seconds of water on the “shower” setting.

As seen in the image above, the water appeared to bead up quite well on the LS42 X-Pac™ shell material, as well at the 10# zipper. I let the water sit on the Scout 21 VX for several minutes while I snapped a few more photos.

In the image above, you can see a small pool of water that has collected on the surface and didn’t appear to be soaking through the material at all, at least from external observation.

The image above is a bit more of a closeup of the Scout 21 VX’s #10 zipper.  The water appeared, again from external observation at least, to be beading up on the zipper and the excess running off.

However, when I finally did open the Scout 21 VX, the water had indeed ingressed through the zipper, as you can see in the images above and below.  The water soaked into a bath towel that I had used to pad the inside of the duffel.

I drew two conclusions from this somewhat primitive evaluation.  First, I don’t necessarily consider this result a failure of the Scout 21 VX’s zipper.  Because I used the “shower” setting on my garden hose, I think the water pressure applied to the bag was likely greater than it would have been if it had been subjected to anything but a very heavy, wind-driven rainstorm.  I suspect that a light to medium rainfall would probably not have penetrated the zipper.  Second, the LS42 X-Pac™ Shell performed very well indeed. Because this material is almost like a plastic-coated canvas, it appeared to essentially be impervious to the water.

Finally, let’s check out the size.  Above and below are photos of me holding the Scout 21 VX duffel.  As you can see, at 30 Liters, it is a fairly large bag, one that could easily hold enough belongings for a multi-day adventure, or to haul all your workout clothes, gear and even items for your daily commute.

I immediately put the Scout 21 VX to work as my gym duffel bag, swapping it out for a smaller duffel that just didn’t have enough capacity.  So far, the Scout 21 VX has performed well.  It has a large capacity yet light weight is a great combo.  The only criticism I have is that the Scout 21 VX duffel could stand to have a few more pockets for organization.  While I realize that this would further add to the cost of the bag, for my own personal use, these pockets would definitely be useful.

What I like

  • Durable material but very lightweight
  • Very water-resistant
  • Includes a sturdy shoulder strap

What needs to be improved

  • Needs a few more organizational pockets
  • Handles are durable, but could be more comfortable.
  • Pricey, but not bad for what you are getting: a well-designed and high-quality made in USA bag

Final thoughts

The LS42 Smoke X-Pac™ Shell material from which the North St. Bags Scout 21 VX Duffle is made was the first thing I noticed with this very well-designed and well-built bag.  It is made from quality materials throughout, including significant water resistance.  It is on the pricey side at $114.99, but for a USA made item that will probably outlast a many other, less expensive bags, the Scout 21 VX could be a good investment for travelers, gym goers, commuters or anyone who could use a good duffel bag that will likely last them a long time.

Price: $114.99
Where to buy: North St. Bags
Source: The product sample for this review was provided by North St. Bags.

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North St. Bags Scout 21 VX Duffel review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 21, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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