****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
The bag was delivered 3 days ago, perfect timing to take it with me to a 2-day conference in another city (commute by car, not plane, so I can't attest to the bag's use/convenience during flight). So far, I love it. I think this is the first time I've ever ordered a product that actually looks better IRL than it looks in the photos. It's not black, it's dark brown. The rivets, zipper, strap loops are like antique brass. My husband called it kinda steampunkish - wasn't my objective, but hey, that's a pretty awesome byproduct.I got this primarily to use at work, for when I'm transporting only maybe my portfolio, 1 or 2 manilla files, and my laptop, if necessary, but also need some business cards, financial calculator, and a few 'business supplies' (pens, post-it flags, paperclips, etc). I'm a forensic CPA - I meet with client attorneys often and am also frequently in court, so obviously the bag had to be very professional-looking, low-key, and functional. But I was determined to also make sure it was at least a little feminine-looking; I didn't want a typical, boring cloth/nylon briefcase, and as much as I love messenger bags - and some of those can certainly be pretty classy-looking - I'm not young enough to pull that off anymore. Figured it was time to buy a big-girl laptop bag. Seriously, I was NOT 100% convinced or sold on this one at the time I clicked 'purchase,' but it was the one I had whittled my options down to after spending a ridiculous amount of time looking for one. I was pleasantly surprised and relieved that I liked it a lot once I had it in hand.Technical info:The bag is 12" tall x 16" wide. Amazon description says 15x18x20; this must refer to the box it comes in, because there's no way those are the bag's dimensions - obviously, the width of the bag at the bottom (front side to back side) is none of those measurements. Since there's no photo of the bag on someone's shoulder, I was concerned that it would be TOO big, but it's perfect, in my opinion. I'm 5'3" - the bag's shoulder straps fit easily and comfortably over my shoulder. Top of the bag sits just above my waist, like right at bottom of my ribcage. Bottom of the bag is a couple inches higher than my fingertips when I rest my arm at my side (over the bag when on my shoulder). For me, this is an ideal rest. Some women might like it higher, some lower. Straps are not adjustable. They are round and not cushioned, as others have observed, and others have stated that this can get uncomfortable and even painful if carried for some length of time. I live in a city that is very spread out and not conducive to walking to destinations, so this wasn't a consideration for me since I don't anticipate having it on my shoulder that long.The bag has only 1 outside pocket on the back, roughly 9" wide by 8" tall. This is a very thin pocket, with a zipper at the bottom. As one of the Amazon photos shows, I think it's primary purpose is not a pocket at all but a wide strap for sliding over the handle of 2nd trolley or rolling case. However, I did use it to hold my hotel and conference registration confirmations. It is just wide enough for that - holding a few (at most) 8.5"-wide papers.Inside has one main semi-cushioned pocket with velcro closure strap for laptop. This is not removable, and doesn't provide a whole lot of padding for laptop, if you like to throw your bag around. I have a 15.6" laptop (true dimensions 15w x 9.75d x 1.5 thick) and it literally JUST fit in the laptop compartment. If your laptop is any wider (left edge to right edge, when you have it open in front of you) it will NOT fit. It might accommodate a thicker laptop, but not certain.It has 3 smaller pockets with a couple business card slots like the photo shows, and a larger zippered pocket in the lining that is almost the full length of the inside of the bag.While at the conference the past 2 days, I had my laptop in the laptop section; a few pens and highlighters in 1 of the 3 small pockets, my financial calculator in another small pocket, and a couple post-it pads in the third; and some small misc items in the inside zippered pocket (6" ruler, mini stapler, paperclips, binder clips, white-out tape, etc); and my portfolio with legal pad and some documents (a couple semi-filled manilla files) in the main open section of the bag. This left very little room, just enough to squeeze in my laptop battery with cord - mostly that was just placed kind of on top of everything else in the bag. I was not able to zip the bag closed once all that was in there. This didn't bother me since I'm in and out of the bag anyway and I get irritated easily from zippering and un-zippering frequently, but I can see that it could bother other people who like things tidy and buttoned up. It definitely left no room for my water bottle, which does bother me a little since I'm a habitual water drinker and usually even take my own bottle to clients' offices. But at one point I left my laptop and battery in the hotel safe, so only my portfolio and files were in the bag, and the water bottle fit well enough. It bulged it out a little, too much to be able to zipper it still, but I got over it. The bag is soft/pliant enough to give a little for the water bottle, at least, and I'm sure the leather will stretch more as time passes, but I've removed everything from it now and it has still retained its shape and stands on its own. But then, I've only had it for 3 days.All in all, the bag is a win so far. I would've given it 4.5 stars rather than 5 for lack of additional outside pockets and perhaps water bottle net on the side (altho I know this would've detracted from its look), but I personally don't feel that's bad enough to dock it a full star, so 5 it is. I'll try to remember to post an update after a few months of use.
