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Saddleback Leather Company Hardside Carry On bag review

When looking for the right bag, I am as captured by form as I am by function, sometimes to the point of making concessions on function when I find a real head-turning item. This is exactly the state I find myself in after using the Hardside Leather Carry On from Saddleback Leather Company. 

I have owned this bag for about six months and used it for both air and car travel. Out of the box, the first sense that is awoken is that of smell.  The plastic bag holding the suitcase emanates a woodsy, rustic, olfactory treat that only properly tanned full grain leather can produce.  Upon further inspection of the carry on I can immediately see the care and craftsmanship that went into creating this piece and have no doubt that the 100-year warranty that accompanies every piece of Saddleback Leather is not a marketing ploy or a gimmick, this thing was built to last generations.

The suitcase is free of breakable parts like zippers, snaps or a metal hinge and instead uses three leather straps as the closing system and thick leather securely riveted to the bottom that is the hinge for the lid. This is the first point where my love of form overrides my need for function.  These three straps create an elegant nod to the suitcases that paved the way for it.  It is not too busy looking and the straps hold the lid down very tightly.  The downside to this design is that you will not be quickly opening this suitcase to grab an item as you are running to catch a flight.  To open and close it again takes about 30 seconds so I would not be storing my passport or phone in here while traveling.  There is a top handle and a removable shoulder strap for side-body or over the shoulder carrying options.

Inside this elegant yet rugged piece is a beautifully simplistic space. The main compartment is completely open, allowing for maximum packing capacity.  You can pack your clothes and gear directly or use your favorite cube system for organizing your items.  The underside of the lid is also an open space but is equipped with a pigskin flap that will hold your items in the lid area and not allow them to fall when the case is opened.  The flap is secured by two adjustable leather straps.  This space is perfect for keeping shoes separate from your other items, dress shirts, pants, or just about anything else you need for your trip.  There is no external storage on this bag, which for me, makes this suitcase exclusively for clothing and other items like toiletries that I will not need until I reach my destination.

The dimensions (found below) of this bag comply with major airline size limits for carry-on luggage (Saddleback recommends you check with your airline before traveling) and fits in the overhead bin easily but sticks out a bit if trying to put it under the seat in front of you. This bag, like all of Saddleback’s offerings, is not lightweight by any standard for luggage.  Empty, it weighs in at 10.8 pounds, which makes sense considering the all wood frame and full grain leather that it is encased in.  The suitcase is lined with pigskin (fun useless trivia: pigskin is the second strongest animal hide behind the only kangaroo).  All of the hardware is 316 stainless steel and will not rust.  All of the materials used in the construction of this and all of Saddleback’s products are of the highest quality and are chosen to support their 100-year warranty and their motto of “They’ll Fight Over It When You’re Dead”.

External: 21 ½ W x 13” H x 7 ¾” D     Internal: 20 ½ W x 11 ¼” H x 5 ½” D

This suitcase is not without its drawbacks. Some have been mentioned already but I will recap them and also discuss some issues with Saddleback in general right now.  First off, this item is priced at $1195, not exactly competing with the Samsonite you can pick up at Costco.  The materials and man-hours for this piece really drive up the cost but it also pushes this bag out of reach of many customers.  The weight.  10.8 pounds EMPTY!  You have to love this bag and want to have an eye-catching piece to carry this through an airport over your shoulder or in your hand to justify something that is designed to go in the opposite direction of most modern travel gear when it comes to zipping through the airport with ease.  For car travel, the weight isn’t as much of a concern.  I have personally used it for both air and road travel and lugging it to the very end of Terminal B at Denver’s airport had me wishing I had bought a small collapsible hand cart for it (not an offering from Saddleback but there are many options out there), converting it temporarily to a roller bag.

Saddleback has also been experimenting with different finishes of leather over the last year or so. Historically they have made changes to their leather finishes but recently those changes have been more dramatic and often.  All of their leather is still the highest quality full grain leather, what I’m talking about is how the leather is finished (texture, wax content, etc.).  Before ordering a product from Saddleback, you might want to use their online chat function to verify that the leather being shipped is the same that shows up on the website as these finishes continue to evolve.

This bag, carry on, suitcase, whatever you want to call it truly is a show stopper. I keep mine in my home office as a decorative piece when I’m not using it.  When I have used it, I have been stopped no less than three times on each trip to either ask where I got it or to compliment me on its uniqueness and handsome appearance.  If you are looking for a lightweight bag that is all about function and flies under the radar and can only be described as “luggage”, I would not recommend this bag to you.  If, on the other hand, you are looking for a high-quality leather suitcase that can be carried onto a commercial airplane that makes a statement and you don’t mind the extra weight and you are able to spend nearly $1200 on what can only be classified as a luxury item, I would highly recommend this bag.

Safe travels!

Source: The sample for this review was purchased using my own funds.  For more information on this bag please visit Saddleback Leather’s product page.

 

Product Information

Price: $1195
Manufacturer: Saddleback Leather
Pros:
  • 100 year warranty; extremely well made and solid construction; no breakable parts like zippers or snaps; 100% full grain leather; excellent customer service
Cons:
  • Heavy; expensive

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Saddleback Leather Company Hardside Carry On bag review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 2, 2017 at 8:40 am.

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VAVA Mechanical Gaming Keyboard review

I am not a gamer, nor do I play one on TV.  That said, in my day job I write a lot of code, type reports, message data and perform all manner of keyboard-related activities.  It is important to have a comfortable, responsive and well-designed keyboard, so most people in my profession tend to go for mechanical gaming keyboards because they more than meet the stringent requirements.  Not all gaming keyboards are made equal, however.  Does the VAVA keyboard have what it takes to satisfy this code monkey?  Let’s find out!

I started off in the computer business working on IBM mainframes.  That was the birthplace of the mechanical keyboard, and for a very long time, no one did it better than the IBM System 370 keyboard that was transplanted to the first IBM personal computer.  Over time, though, others have taken the ball and run with it – notably manufacturers like Das Keyboard and Corsair.  Today, there are a wealth of mechanical keyboards – some proudly carry on the IBM tradition while others can only look in the window and hope to be that good.

So what makes a good keyboard?  First and foremost, the feel of the keys on your fingertips as you type.  Too slick and you make lots of typos.  Too rough and you lose speed as your fingers drag across the keys.  A good keycap with an anti-slip coating is an absolute necessity if you want to outlast the ogre in battle or your boring manager Bob.  Next up, the key switch itself: membrane-style keyboards just feel mushy and do not provide a lot of tactile feedback, the kind necessary for the muscle memory that lets you know you pressed the key.  Mechanical keys provide that kind of feedback.  Finally, a good backlight on the keys, because most gaming and coding take place in darkened rooms.  Something that lets you know the keyboard is there without appearing like a spotlight shining in the corner of your eye.

Unboxing the VAVA keyboard you are immediately greeted with a solidly built product.  It has the right “heft” – not too heavy, but substantial enough not to move around willy-nilly on your desk.  As you unbundle the USB cable connected to the keyboard you will find a welcome surprise – a connector cable that can manage to power the backlight with a single USB connector.  Far too many keyboards require 2 USB connections, one to handle the keystrokes and the other to power the lighted keys.

The out of the box lighting mode for the keyboard is a wave-like light changing effect.  This stock photo from VAVA gives you an idea – color-changing waves roll across your keyboard.  An interesting effect to be sure, and probably great for an in-store demo but probably not what you would want for everyday use.

It is easy to miss the instruction card as it sits at the very bottom of the box below even the side supports for the keyboard.  This thin piece of paper has the instructions on how to change the lighting effects to something you can live with day to day.  In addition to the default ripple mode, there are snake, starlight and breathing modes which have various effects.  Again, interesting options for a demo, but probably not what you would want in everyday operation.  There is also an option for fully lit mode – this is how I run, with a nice cyan backlight.

Maybe of more interest, though, is a custom mode that allows you to set up each key individually.  For example, you can set the numeric keypad to glow red, the direction arrows and page up/down to be green, the function keys yellow and main body of the keyboard cyan.  This custom mode is retained when power is off, so you can pretty much set it as you like and then forget it until you want to change.  Be warned, though, that creating a custom configuration can be a tiring process as you must press each key multiple times to arrive at the color you would like.  Cyan, for example, is the sixth color in the cycle, so in order to customize to this color, you would have to press each key 6 times.  That is a lot of keystrokes on a 104-key keyboard.

The keyboard itself has all the right moves.  The keycaps have the right amount of stickiness so you know when you have pressed a key and your fingertips can quickly move to the next key.  The travel distance for each key is perfect for touch typists, and the keys immediately spring back into position.  The keys use the blue key switch which is rated for millions of key presses – but more importantly, it is a rapid-fire switch which reduces ghosting (when you press multiple keys simultaneously but one or more keys are not registered – usually a sign of a switch on a key which blocks the other switches from registering because of the length of time it takes to register the press) and can keep up with the fastest typists.

A hallmark of the mechanical keyboard is the “clicky” sound it makes, and the VAVA keyboard lives up to the standard.  It makes an obvious sound but thankfully there appear to be dampeners which mute it more than most.  In our home office my wife and I sit about 10 feet apart, and in the past, she has complained that my typing sounds like a woodpecker on speed.  She has definitely noticed a change since I have been using the VAVA keyboard – the sound isn’t gone, but she can live with it.  The experience in your office may vary.

Where the rubber meets the road is in pricing.  A great mechanical keyboard can cost a couple of hundred dollars, and even the so-so ones can be over $100.  In my use case, the VAVA is on the upper end as far as functionality and features go, yet the retail price is $79.95.  Very definitely a bargain.

Is this keyboard for everyone?  No.  If you are a light computer user, a less expensive membrane style might be all you need.  And if you really want wireless peripherals, you will have to look elsewhere.  But if you type for a living for fun, this is one of the best available keyboards, and the price should help move it to the top of your list.  With the holidays coming up, this might be a great gift for the code monkey on your list.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by VAVA.  Please visit their site for more information and Amazon to order one or to get additional reviews.

 

Product Information

Price: $79.99
Manufacturer: VAVA
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Great mechanical key feel
  • Lots of custom backlight choices
  • Solid and well built
Cons:
  • None

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VAVA Mechanical Gaming Keyboard review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 1, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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Santa Cruz Wurf Board review

This is the first time I have written a review while actively using the product I am reviewing.  I am in the standing mode of my workstation and beneath my feet is the Santa Cruz Wurf Board and I feel great.  The Wurf Board is an inflatable pad for use when standing in one place for any amount of time. When I received a standing desk station from my employer, I went out and bought what I thought was the best available pad for standing on while I work.  I thought I had the best there was, that is until I received the Wurf Board.  Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with the product, it had everything I thought I needed and I was moderately comfortable using it for long period of time.  The Wurf Board has changed my expectations of a pad for my standing desk. 

I honestly didn’t know much about the Wurf Board when I agreed to review it.  I had a picture in my mind of what one of these pads was and I thought that this was just another one of those with some bold graphics on it…wrong.  I hadn’t researched enough to know that it is inflatable.  At first, I thought “why would someone want an inflatable standing pad for their desk and how durable can this thing be?”.  Those questions were answered as soon as I inflated it in a matter of seconds using the pump that is included and standing on it for the first time.  INSTANTLY, I could feel the micro movements in my feet and legs and the pressure on the bottom of my feet was gone.

At this point, I began experimenting with different amounts of air in the board.  When I released some air, the board obviously became softer but I immediately noticed that I was moving a lot more while standing in the same place.  My weight was shifting and I was engaging my core and leg muscles without thinking about it.  I tried it with my shoes on and off, both felt great but honestly, I remove my shoes at every chance I get to use this because of how great it feels.  On the website, there is a link called “The Science” that has a number of resources for customers to utilize to learn about the benefits of standing desks, active standing, overall benefits of movement and more.  I really recommend you checking it out because I was aware of the benefits of my standing desk since, after all “sitting IS the new smoking” but I didn’t think of my feet or legs getting fatigued while using it.

Included in the package is also a poster with different exercises you can do using the Wurf Board.  These are easy motions that you are all most likelyfamiliarr with anyways but using the slight instability of the air filled board helps to further engage those small muscle groups and your core.  I cannot say that I do the exercises every day but I am probably doing some or all of them 2-3 days per work week.  This is a benefit to this product that is not possible with the first standing pad I bought nor did it ever cross my mind.

Nearly every time someone walks into my office and sees me standing on the Wurf Board, they ask what it is.  People have seen standing pads before but never one with a surfboard graphic on it.  I don’t mind the surfboard look since that is part of the marketing behind this product but I do wish there were other options in this product.  I wear a size 14 shoe so the large was the only good option for me.  The Santa Cruz is offered in small, medium and large sizes ($199, $239, $269) for either more space to move on or to accommodate larger feet like mine.  All of the Santa Cruz models have a similar surfboard graphic on them.  They also offer the Maui Wurf Board, which is currently offered in the medium size ($299) and features a slight curve on the bottom that encourages even ore movement while standing.  This product is offered in three different colors and features a water/geometric design.

The large that I have is 32.9″ x 17.7″ and can hold up to 300 pounds.  It weighs in at only 2.2 pounds so it is very easy to pick up and move around.  The surface features a no slip dimpled design that grips all types of flooring when weight is applied to the board.  It is designed to work with or without shoes but not stiletto heals.  Every board comes with a 2-year warranty against manufacturer’s defect and offers free shipping within the USA.  All Wurf Boards are FDA Class I registered Medical Devices, which may open doors for help paying for this product with your FSA or insurance but please check with your individual policy first, I just thought it was worth noting.

Overall I am extremely happy with the Santa Cruz Large Wurf Board.  I use is every day and slip in some desk exercise with it when I can.  I would definitely recommend this product to those who have or who are looking to get a standing desk.  I do wish it was offered with other graphics options as I am not a surfer and it looks a little out of place in my office but the function it provides makes this something I would buy no matter what the color or design is.  The price is definitely more than a vast majority of pads out there but having owned another standing desk pad before that I paid about $150 for, I think this is well worth the money since I am able to stand at my desk for much longer using this than I was able to previously.

The sample for this review was provided by JumpSport Inc.  For more information on the model I reviewed, please visit the product page and order from Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price: $269
Manufacturer: JumpSport Inc.
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • 300 pound capacity, no stiletto heals.
Pros:
  • Lightweight; adjustable firmness; engages muscles while you stand; eases foot and leg fatigue while standing at your desk; easy to inflate and get going; FDA registered Medical Device
Cons:
  • Only one color/graphic option; price may push this out as an option for some.

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Santa Cruz Wurf Board review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 1, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Toffee slim leather MacBook or iPad sleeve review

As a gadgeteer, I love computers and gear, but I also love carrying those gadgets in nice cases to protect them. Toffee is no stranger as a brand to the site, so I was finally able to get my hands on a nice looking leather sleeve for my MacBook Pro.  The Toffee slim leather sleeve is sleek, sophisticated, and can be purchased for the MacBook Air, 13/15 in MacBook Pro, or 12.9″ iPad Pro. Let’s take a look!Note: Images can be clicked on to view a larger size.
The Slim Leather sleeve is a beautiful and sleek laptop case.  The sleeve I was sent is made with supple genuine leather in a tan color. The dimensions from the website for the 13″ Slim Leather Sleeve & iPad Pro is 13.8 in x 9.8 in x 0.4 in, and for the 15″ Slim Leather Sleeve is 15.2 in x 10.6 in x 0.4 in.

The hardware for the zipper and pull has a lovely leather tab so it’s easy to unzip the sleeve. I find it’s important to have a good zipper, especially one that doesn’t touch the notebook and leave scratches.

The corner of the sleeve is rounded so it doesn’t poke out at an odd angle when slipping into another bag or backpack. You can see the detailed stitching is really nicely done and well made. I also enjoy that it has a little bit of padding for protection, but not so much to make it bulky.


The inside of the sleeve is a really nice cotton striped pattern, that has an inside pocket that’s good for holding a phone or cards with space for some personal information in case the sleeve is lost.

The sleeve I was sent was supposed to be for my 13″ Retina MacBook Pro (2014 model) but sadly didn’t fit. I think this particular sleeve was made for the MacBook Air, but it ended up not being a problem. My mother’s 13″ Samsung Chromebook fit perfectly into it!

The Toffee slim leather sleeve is an absolute joy to hold in the hands. It’s a handsome addition to anyone with a notebook for work or if you’d like to add a bit of swankiness to your EDC (every day carry). With it’s naturally milled leather and smooth finish, I think it’ll last a very long time and will only look better with handling and age. It’s great as a gift for the upcoming holiday season; or let’s face it, a gift for yourself!

Source: The sample used in this review was provided by Toffee. Please visit their website for more information and you can order through Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price: $99.95 – $112.42
Manufacturer: Toffee Cases
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • 13" notebook or iPad Pro
Pros:
  • Beautiful leather
  • classic colors
  • well made zipper
  • well made interior padding
Cons:
  • A bit pricey but worth it

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Toffee slim leather MacBook or iPad sleeve review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 30, 2017 at 4:33 pm.

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Eagle Creek Pack-It Structured Cube review

When it comes to travel, whoever said “half the fun is getting there” quite obviously did not have to pack his own bag.  If you are anything like me – and I sense you are – you have a tendency to pack more than you need just in case you…well, need it.  To compensate, you have to learn how to pack efficiently or accept the fact you will need a small army to carry your bags.  Eagle Creek’s Pack-It cube system intends to help you with the first one, but the question is – can it?  Read on to find out…

The Eagle Creek Pack-It Structured Cube starter set (lucky I don’t get paid by the word) is a set of nylon compression cubes designed to make whatever you put inside them, within reason, smaller.  The set comes with one small cube, one medium cube and a second medium cube with a structured panel.  More on the function of the panel in a moment.  The medium-sized cubes are perfect for shirts but the structured cube is too small for most man-sized pants.  For example, I wear a 38×32 pant – not a small size, to be sure, but not overly large either.  With some creative folding, I was able to get 1 pair of pants into the medium structured cube, so clearly you would need a larger size structured or an unstructured to handle your pants.  Not a fault by any means, just something to keep in mind.

The structured panel, I assume, is intended to help you properly fold clothing like shirts to fit in the medium structured cube.  After folding, you can pack the panel at the bottom of the cube to help retain its shape.  Personally, I would have preferred both medium cubes in this set to have that panel – it would have made this a very valuable travel companion starter set.  Instead, only one of the cubes comes with this panel, an odd oversight.

Because I travel a lot for my day job and because I spend a lot of time in front of clients, I pack long-sleeve, button-down dress shirts.  The medium structured cube will hold 3 of my XL-sized shirts along with the panel.  The small cube will hold either a week’s worth of underwear or socks (not both).

As you can see, the medium structured cube is something of a tight fit with the 3 dress shirts packed along with the panel.  Question is, does the compression actually yield any space savings in your bag?

And the answer: yes, it does.  That is certainly less room than the 3 XL shirts on their own would take.  I would guess that 2 of the medium structured cubes, 2 of the unstructured medium cubes to hold rolled up pants and two small cubes would handle a week’s travel and would allow me to downsize to a smaller suitcase.

The solution comes at a potential cost, though.  I mentioned repeatedly that I pack dress shirts, and any system like this that relies on compression will wrinkly your clothing.  On the 3 trips I have taken using the cubes I have had to iron my shirts every morning.  Sure, that happens on occasion when free-packed in my bag, but there are times when I can get around that by hanging my shirt in the bathroom and letting the steam from the shower take care of minor wrinkling.  Not so with this system.  If I could wear t-shirts or a more casual shirt, this would not be an issue.  Nor should it be something that deters you unless you are actually allergic to irons.

All in all, the system does what it says.  My recommendation, however, would be to assess the kinds of packing cubes you might need and purchase accordingly rather than buying a one size fits some solution.  For example, the medium unstructured cube holds 2 pairs of rolled-up pants.  Two medium unstructured, two medium structured and two small unstructured would take me from a 25-inch checked bag to a 21-inch carry-on.  One trip and I’ve made back the investment in the system.  And that’s a good value in my book.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Eagle Creek.  Please visit their site for more information or visit Amazon to order.

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Eagle Creek Pack-It Structured Cube review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 30, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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