The NOMATIC Backpack is ideal for your everyday carry items and can even work for overnight trips.

I’ve always been the type of person who takes care of their belongings. A few years back, when I started migrating to pro-level photography gear, I realized that I also needed pro-level bags to keep that gear safe.

Over the years, I’ve used some of the best camera bags available and about a year ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Peter McKinnon Camera Bag Collection by NOMATIC. This set of bags was like nothing else I had ever tried. It was designed with the photographer in mind at every turn and because NOMATIC was the designer, the collection was made with the best possible quality materials available.

Ever since then, NOMATIC has been on my radar and I was recently treated to the NOMATIC Backpack, which is intended as an everyday carry item. Not long ago I had to make a quick weekend trip to Nashville, I knew it would only be for one or two days so I felt like I could pack pretty light. I was looking forward to getting out of my town for a few days and, as it turns out, the NOMATIC Backpack was the perfect little bag to make my trip simple.

ABOUT NOMATIC

NOMATIC was launched as a company in 2014 by cousins, Jon Richards and Jacob Durham, with a wallet that was backed by a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. That campaign raised more than $171,000 (the original goal was $10,000) and more than 6,000 people backed it. To date, NOMATIC has raised over $13M through crowdfunding projects.

NOMATIC’s goal as a company is to provide products that inspire confidence for life on the move. The company operates with these three vision areas – quality, function, and versatility.

DETAILS

The NOMATIC Backpack is meant for everyday use. It is made to last with water-resistant material (tarpaulin) and YKK zippers. The backpack is designed to be slim but expandable to hold what you need when you need it. It has a volume of 20L that expands up to 24L.

The strap system allows users to carry the bag as a backpack or as a briefcase – depending on their preference. In addition to the main compartment, the backpack features magnetic water bottle pockets, RFID-safe storage, and hidden pockets.

MAIN FEATURES

• RFID Safe Pocket
• Magnetic Water Bottle Pocket
• Hidden Pocket
• Retractable Key Leash
• Roller Bag Sleeve Top Access Pocket
• Cord Pass Through
• Innovative Strap System

SPECS

• Weight: 4 lbs
• Capacity: 20L – 24L (expanded)
• Outer Dimensions: 19″ H x 13″ W x 5.75 – 7.75″ D (expanded)
• Laptop Compartment: 15.5″ x 11.5″ x 1.5″
• Tablet Compartment: 12.5″ x 9.5″ x .5″

PRICING & AVAILABILITY

The NOMATIC Backpack is priced at $279.99 and is available at nomatic.com and is currently listed as “pre-order (ships early July)”. We believe this is because the bag is on backorder (as of early May). The backpack can also be purchased from Amazon. The product is covered by NOMATIC’s lifetime warranty and payments can be made using Afterpay.

USER EXPERIENCE

The NOMATIC Backpack arrived in a black box that is standard for NOMATIC products. When you open the box, you will find the bag resting inside a plastic zippered pouch. There are, of course, a variety of silica gel packets to keep the bag fresh while it’s in storage and after it has shipped. Since it is a bag, there is no assembly required or setup of the backpack. NOMATIC does include a keyring and a hard shell sunglasses case that takes up a bit of space, but is removable if you don’t want to use it.

As I mentioned above, I did end up using this backpack on a quick trip to Nashville recently. While I don’t travel a lot, I do take frequent day trips to cities that are within a 2-3 hour drive of where I live. I always end up taking my laptop, iPad, various accessories, and a change of clothes just in case I have to stay overnight somewhere.

In my opinion, this is a great use for the NOMATIC Backpack. It can be great as a daily-drvier bag, but it really excels as a compact travel pack, too. The backpack can work as a carry-on. Even when it is in its expanded size the dimensions are below the maximum size of a carry-on (22” L x 14” W x 9” H). The backpack is fairly lightweight (4lbs empty) for the high-quality backpack that it is. Many other backpacks in this same class and price-point are around the same weight and it is still comfortable to carry.

The NOMATIC Backpack is tough. Granted, it’s not meant to be for hiking or anything of that nature, but it can take daily abuse. The material is designed to withstand abrasions and is tear-resistant. I’m a big fan of the materials used to make these bags – its the same as the Peter McKinnon collection and that has proven to be sturdy and well-worth the investment because they are built to last. So is this backpack. It can weather the elements, but I do want to point out that while the bag is water-resistant it’s not waterproof. If you are caught in a heavy downpour or if the bag is submerged, then your belongings will likely get damp.

The NOMATIC Backpack is comfortable to wear and even with it packed with my daily essentials (laptop, tablet, notebook, cables/other tech gear, some clothes, a book, etc.) it didn’t feel awkward to carry. Yes, it did feel heavier, but the padded straps and back, keep everything well-balanced. I felt that air circulated well on my back and I was able to adjust the length of the straps to my preferred length. I also appreciate that there is a sternum strap included. There is no waist strap, but since this is designed to be a compact everyday carry bag and not really meant for hiking or super heavy gear, I think it’s appropriate that strap was left out.

One design feature I’m not sold on is the ‘briefcase handle’. I like that the handle is included because it makes it easy to pick up or slide out of different storage areas (especially on an airplane). I do think that it’s a little odd that the feature is sold as a breifcase handle though. Even though the design of the bag is sleek enough to be in a professional setting, it still looks like a backpack – even with the back straps tucked away. This is in no way a dealbreaker, but something I wanted to point out nonetheless.

CONCLUSION

When it comes to quality NOMATIC is just that. I love how they make their bags. I buy Apple products because I know what I will get and I would buy NOMATIC for the same reason. If you need a bag that can handle everyday life while looking great NOMATIC is the brand you want to give your business to and the standard Backpack is a great EDC companion.

For more details, visit NOMATIC, Facebook, and Twitter.

Carry-on backpack isn’t well-suited as an everyday pack.

I’m a theme park enthusiast. My family and I travel to the major theme parks at least once a year and we always go prepared. We take a bag of essentials with us into the parks and then use the same bag as a souvenir carrier. For the past few years, we’ve been using the same backpack and while it’s served us well, during our last trip, a large rip around the zipper seam made us realize it was time for a new daypack bag. That’s where this Carry-on Backpack from TOTWO comes into the picture.

DETAILS

The Carry-on Backpack from TOTWO is designed as a multipurpose bag. It meets airline requirements for a carry-on bag and unfolds easily (90-180 degrees) so that users can get through security without any headaches. The capacity of the backpack expands to a volume of 40L and can store up to 7 days for travel clothing, personal items, and other gear.

The backpack is designed for air travel but can be used for other purposes as well. There is a separate laptop compartment that protects up to 17-inch laptops. The main compartment is meant to accommodate different types of items and there are many pockets included to keep your belongings organized.

In addition to the main compartment, the Carry-on Backpack features a shoe compartment, two smaller side pockets, and a deep front pocket. To make travel easier, a built-in USB charger is included (a power bank is not included). An anti-theft pocket is located on the back and is designed for items such as wallets, passports, and other valuables.

The Carry-on Backpack is made with durable, water-resistant material. The zippers are metal and are reinforced for additional reliability. The straps and back are padded for comfort when you carry it. There are two handles – one on the side and one on the top. Both are padded for easy carrying. There is also a luggage strap hidden on the back so that you can slide it onto a larger suitcase’s handle while in transit.

USER EXPERIENCE

The TOTWO Carry-on Backpack was a purchase from Amazon and after the fact, I haven’t been able to find much information on the manufacturer. When I search “TOTWO” I do find some other bags with different online retailers, but no actual website that outlines the company’s information. Even when I search for the company on Amazon, the search results only show bags with similar characteristics. While the company being ambiguous isn’t a dealbreaker, I would prefer to have the ability to contact customer service for a product if I need to.

My first impressions of the TOTWO Carry-on Backpack were not great. I thought the backpack looked as though it were made with more premium materials in its promotional pictures than it does in reality. In the promotional photos, the bag looks expensive and in reality, it feels cheap. I expected something that felt heavy-duty and got something super lightweight.

I’m used to carrying a small carry-on suitcase and a backpack when I got out of town to hold clothes, medical supplies, and other necessities. When I saw the capacity of this bag, I thought, “That should be plenty for what I need to carry.” Again, the reality of the situation was somewhat different than the expectation. After looking at the bag and throwing some items in it, I feel as though it will work well for someone who packs light for an overnight trip. Unfortunately, that’s not me.

There are some features I do like about the Carry-on Backpack. The pockets are fantastic. They do help with organization. I do wish the inside pockets had zippers like the outside ones do, but that is something I can live with. I also really like that the inside has a safe place for the laptop to be stored. The only thing I would say about that is I typically like having easier access to my laptop than this backpack allows. It would have been great if the laptop access were on the outside of the Carry-on Backpack.

I also really like that the back is expandable. Even though the organization of the backpack isn’t exactly my preferred way of storing items, I like that you do have the option to open the expansion pocket to accommodate more stuff.

The smaller outside pockets are convenient for most uses, but again, I think it would have been nice if those pockets were a bit larger. I like to be able to grab hand sanitizer, my phone, wallet, insulin pump, or other items with ease. I do not feel there is enough depth in the pockets to hold my items functionally.

CONCLUSION

Even though the TOTWO Carry-on Backpack has some nice features, it’s not the backpack I was hoping for. Based on how the backpack is designed, I just don’t see it being a feasible option for an everyday backpack. Overall, it was a fairly disappointing experience.

Bag serves a great carry-all for the Nintendo Switch

Our family loves to travel. We visit theme parks in Florida a couple of times a year and we’ll sometimes just pick up and go somewhere for the weekend. On those trips, my daughter loves to play Animal Crossing on Nintendo Switch. She is infamous for losing its accessories though so I got this carry-all bag for her purposes.

DETAILS

This stylish shoulder bag is designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch. When you open it up, you’ll find a custom padded compartment with soft fleece lining that was sewn in to protect the handheld gaming system. There is a tiny pocket on the inside that has a magnetic closure, just like the main cover of the bag. This pocket is meant for game cards.

The pocket on the back of the shoulder bag is perfect for items like phones and there is plenty of space in the main compartment for additional personal essentials. There are two straps included – one long and one short – so that users have their choice of how they want to wear it. The fabric covering the bag is spill-resistant as well as tear-resistant. The bag is available in two colors – khaki and orange.

USER EXPERIENCE

The tomtoc shoulder bag arrived in a plain white box with only the tomtoc logo stamped on it in black. When we opened the box, we found that the bag was wrapped in tomtoc-branded tissue paper. I thought this was a nice touch and it added to the overall presentation of the item. The bag is cute and has a stylish, simple design. There are several pockets to fill up, which is a big bonus in my opinion.

The interior is lined with a super soft fabric and the Switch seems well-protected when it’s stored inside. There is a small interior pocket that is the perfect size for Switch games and there is a divider in the center that helps keep the Switch separated and protected from anything else in the bag. 

I only have two criticisms of the shoulder bag. First, there is a lack of color choices for the bag. There is a khaki and an orange. I would have loved to see maybe a green or a dark brown, too. A wider range of color choices would have made my daughter really happy. The khaki is the one we selected and while it’s very nice looking, it’s a little drab for a teenager.

The second critique is that the closures are all magnetic. While this looks good and keeps the design clean, I have lost many items before by a bag without zippers falling over in a car and the contents spilling everywhere. This is really a personal preference more than a problem as the magnets seem plenty strong. 

CONCLUSION

The bag has plenty of room for the gaming device, its accessories, and your standard daily essentials. It’s a really nice bag overall. 

For more information, visit tomtoc.com, Facebook and Twitter.

Backpack has a large capacity, but little function.

Prior to the pandemic, my kids and I would travel to Florida multiple times a year to see my family and hit up the theme parks. I am used to carrying larger than the average backpack through the parks filled with water bottles, snacks, medical supplies, and other essential items.

When we fly, my backpack is generally loaded with medical supplies, multiple electronics (laptops/phones), and notebooks which grant me the ability to continue working remotely. I usually stuff my purse inside of the backpack as there are plenty of pockets and spots for storage. I have quick and easy access to my insulin pump, my id, and hand sanitizer. Packing light is a term that I am unfamiliar with. 

DETAILS

The NOMAD Backpack is designed to be the ‘ultimate wet/dry pack.’ It was built for the day-tripper that stuffs their bag full. There are two main compartments so that the user can divide and conquer with ease. The NOMAD bad is rugged and functional to handle all kinds of weather and terrain.

Techs and Specs:

• VOLUME & SIZE: 27L. 50cm Height x 36cm Width x 16cm Depth.
• MATERIALS: 100% Nylon XPAC 3-Layer Waterproof fabric. 900D Coated Polyester Waterproof Canvas. Coated Tarpaulin Waterproof Wet Compartment. 210T Double Rip-Stop Lining and Air Mesh Padding with Foam.
• POCKETING: Exterior Dry Storage Compartment with YKK Aquaguard Zipper. Exterior Side Roll Closure Waterproof Compartment with Coated Tarpaulin Lining and Welded Seams. Internal Mesh Media & Valuables YKK Zippered Pocket. YKK Zippered 15″ Padded Laptop Compartment.
• FEATURES: YKK Zippers with Premium 5 Bar Seatbelt Webbing. Quick-Grip Ribber Stitched Zipper Pullers. Seat Belt Webbing Compression Straps with Premium Side Release Plastic Buckles. Outer Bound Ergonomically Designed Shoulder Straps with Air Mesh + Foam Padding. Air Mesh + Foam Back Panel with Center Air Flow Channel. Adjustable Sternum Strap with Side Release Buckle and vertically adjustable Molly system. Shoulder Strap D-Rings and Padded Webbing Top Handle.

USER EXPERIENCE

At first glance, I thought the Nomad 27L Backpack was going to be a cool versatile backpack that would be perfect for traveling. I loved the idea of being able to transform the backpack into a handbag or satchel. Then I noticed the lack of inner pockets and zippers. I tried to remain optimistic, the lack of pockets is not a new concept to me.

I unhooked all the buckles as I wanted to see how easy it would be to switch back and forth between backpack/satchel. Then I realized this was a huge mistake. I could not figure out how to put it back together in backpack mode. Fortunately, a friend was able to help me, but a backpack should not be that complicated.

I did not feel confident placing my MacBook in the laptop compartment. It just felt awkward. I cannot see it being useful when camping, in a theme park, or in a situation where you needed to carry and access a variety of items. My biggest issue with the satchel mode is the straps that hang down from the underside of the bag.

The backpack does have some features that I did like. For example, I like the size of the bag, the adjustable sternum strap, the waterproof material, and the D-rings on the shoulder straps. Surprisingly, I do prefer this bag in satchel mode.

CONCLUSION

I do think that this backpack would be great for a day at the beach to hold towels and water shoes or a quick overnight bag. However, as a functional backpack, it just isn’t practical. 

For more information, visit imperialmotion.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

A perfectly professional leather laptop bag. 

Even though I work from home, I like to make sure I have professional carrying options for my laptop. Over the years, I’ve collected many different styles of laptop bags and I really wanted to find a slim, leather bag this time around. Fortunately, I came across this 14-inch Leather Laptop Bag from COCHOA. It’s a beautiful slender carrying option for anyone who has smaller laptops. 

DETAILS

The COCHOA Leather Laptop Bag is made in India from 100% top grain genuine leather. The leather is aged and distressed with waxes and oils to give the bag a vintage feel. Over time, the leather will gain a natural patina in addition. The designer states that wrinkles might occur over time as well. These natural occurrences help to showcase the real characteristics of the top grain leather. 

The main compartment of the leather laptop bag has padded pockets designed to hold up to 14” laptops and up to 9.7″ tablets. The exterior dimensions are actually 15″x11″x3″ and it has a wide shoulder strap that measures 1.375”. This makes it easier to carry the bag crossbody-style if you choose to do so. The shoulder pad is filled with foam to reduce stress on your shoulders while it’s being carried. In addition to the laptop and tablet storage, the messenger bag can also hold plenty of other supplies such as notebooks, accessory cables, power supplies, pens, and files. There are two exterior pockets under the flap of the bag as well as two pen loops. 

The bag is designed to last for a lifetime so it is quite durable. Both the shoulder ends are box stitched and riveted so they don’t fall apart with repeated use. The grab handle is pulled together with COCHOA’s trademark ‘three stitches’ so that it doesn’t break. 

FEATURES

• Top zip closure
• Magnetic press button
• Laptop and tablet sleeve
• Two large front pockets
• Cushioned shoulder pad
• Riveted leather patched handle
• Gusset protection with webbing
• Real, top grain leather
• Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Dimensions: 15″x11″x3″

USER EXPERIENCE

The leather laptop bag did not have a traditional retail package. It arrived wrapped in cardboard and plastic. When the packaging was removed, the smell of the leather permeated the room. There is something magical about that smell. You can always tell real leather compared to fake leather-based on the smell. For me, it reminds me of visiting the Wilson’s Leather Store in our local mall when I was younger. It’s intoxicating. I am a bit of a bag collector, but I had been seeking out a slim leather bag for a while when this one came up as an option. There are four color options – carbon black, cognac, ocean blue, and oxblood. The ocean blue color caught my eye at first simply because it was a unique option and I love the color blue, but I ended up going with the cognac option because I felt it was more executive-looking and professional in nature. 

One of the first things I noticed about this bag is how flexible it is. It’s what I lovingly refer to as ‘floppy.’ I personally like this because it means it’s easy to store when it’s not in use and it makes it easy to pack. The bag isn’t particularly large in size, but it’s ideal for what I was looking for. It gives me enough space for my laptop, tablet, and a few other essentials. I tend to overpack my bags and I really just wanted something professional-looking for when I have meetings. And, while I haven’t had to many in-person meetings for quite some time, this bag is perfect for that purpose. I could also see it being good for going to class as long as you don’t have to haul too many large textbooks around. It’s really not designed for that. 

The bag seems to be very durable. When the bag arrived my dog decided to play with and tear up the packaging. As it happens, his nails ended up scratching the front flap. Fortunately, there wasn’t much damage done, but the scratch marks do show up. This is indicative of natural leather’s ability to accept wear and tear. The shoulder strap is reinforced and it’s very comfortable to wear – even when the bag is fully loaded. The handle that is stitched into the bag of the bag makes it easy to carry and lift it when you don’t want to sling it over your shoulder. The pockets just under the exterior flap are great for small accessories, but they are open so I would caution any user to ensure their bag isn’t going to get tipped over because small items could easily get lost or dislodged in that type of loose pocket. 

CONCLUSION

As an avid bag collector, I am thrilled with this option for my professional needs. It’s beautiful, durable, and has plenty of storage space for my daily needs. I can recommend this for others looking for a genuine leather messenger style bag. 

For more information, visit the COCHOA Amazon Store. 

One of the things that my fiance and I have tried to take advantage of the past couple of years is day trips. We both love to see and experience new things, but longer trips are few and far between. We can, however, plan shorter trips that are close to home. With that in mind, The Metro Sling from Monos becomes a great option for a day pack. It’s roomy, but compact at the same time. 

DETAILS

The Metro Sling Bag is designed to be worn at the waist or as a crossbody sling. It’s water-resistant and made from ultra-microfiber vegan leather. The Metro Sling Bag is available in two versions – Nylon or Vegan Leather. There are interior pockets included and an integrated keychain carabiner to keep your valuables close at hand. There is a full-size hidden pocket that can be used for a wallet or phone so that those items are secure, but accessible. The sling has a built-in single strap for crossbody wearing. The Nylon version is available in four colors – Carbon Black, Oxford Blue, Juniper Green, or Dover Grey. The Vegan Leather version is available in three color options – Ivory, Saddle Tan, or Mahogany.  

FEATURES

• Made with premium nylon twill with vegan leather accents (nylon version)
• Made with ultra-microfibre vegan leather (vegan leather version)
• Anti-bacterial interior lining fabric made from recycled plastic bottles
• Spacious zippered main compartment with one interior zip pocket and three sleeve pockets
• Integrated keychain carabiner for keys and fobs
• Hidden, full-length zip pocket on the back for phone, passport, wallet, or small valuables
• Adjustable strap with buckle
• Anti-catch YKK zippers
• Water-resistant
• Scratch and abrasion-resistant
• Dimensions: 10.24” x 5.51” x 1.97” 
• Weight: 0.75 lb (nylon version)/0.88 lb (vegan leather version)

USER EXPERIENCE

The sling bag comes in a canvas drawstring bag to keep it protected while it is in transit to its new owner. When you remove it from the bag, you’ll find the bag is ready to use once you unwrap the zippers from their paper shells. There is also paper stuffed inside the sling to help keep its shape until the user packs it full. I selected the Saddle Tan, Vegan Leather version of the Metro Sling and I was immediately impressed with the gorgeous style of the bag. The Vegan Leather is very soft. The strap is cloth and connects using a plastic snap closure. 

While the sling bag is compact it does still hold quite a bit of stuff in it. I was able to store a full size wallet inside along with some essentials like some hand sanitizer, lotion, a portable battery for my phone, and a set of earbuds. There was plenty of room for all those items. The strap is also very impressive because it wears really well. I mostly wore the bag as a crossbody sling and found that the strap did not cause discomfort as it rested on my shoulder/neck. I love that it is easily adjustable and think it’s a really nice design. 

This past summer I started packing around a small bag like the Metro Sling as a way to keep emergency medicines, first aid products, and smaller snacks on hand for when my fiance and I venture out for an adventure. He’s a photographer and sometimes we take short hikes to be able to set up a cool shot. He’s has some blood-sugar control issues so we like to make sure we have snacks with us just in case of an emergency. The Metro Sling is perfect for this purpose. It’s just the right size to keep those small snacks and medicinal needs on hand. The zippers are so easy to open that it’s ideal for quick access needs. 

CONCLUSION

The Metro Sling is a beautifully made compact bag. It has plenty of room for your essential items and it looks great with many different looks. 

For more information, monos.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

When it comes to fashion accessories, I believe that men often have it much easier than ladies. After the shoes and maybe a watch, we typically get to store our carry-on accessories within our pants pockets. Do not misunderstand my meaning though, as I do not suggest that males cannot carry a bag or that females must carry some sort of bag. Rather, it is not uncommon for ladies to have a variety of bags to match outfits, atmospheres, activities, etc. From satchels, to frame bags, hobo bags, baguette, duffle, shopper, wristlet, messenger, clutch, satchel, tote, bucket, saddlebags, fold over bags, backpacks, etc., the options seem to be never-ending. Throw in a variety of manufacturers and small variations in color/size/shape and you have a near-infinite level of combinations.

The Noiranca PATTI BROWN Clutch bag arrived in an attractive 13 11/16 inches long by 7 inches wide by 6 9/16 inches thick green-grey retail box.  The top panel had a large white rectangle with the NOIRANCA name slightly raised within the negative space, and a clever slogan along the front edge “She never gets to be normal.”  I liked the simple elegance of the outer packaging and that the white rectangle extended onto the side panel.  I lifted the lid, removed the internal tissue paper, and set the included off-white micro suede dusts bag aside.  While the outer surface of the box was left mostly unadorned, the inner surfaces were accented with several features.  The inner surface of the lid provided the Noiranca name, a classy “Your Silhouette, it’s different” slogan, and a cute descriptive paragraph about the uniqueness of a woman; she is different, #DesireDifferent!  The internal lining of the front flap requested for the user to reuse the box and the left side panel provided a QR code that linked to information about the sustainable nature of the packaging.  Lastly, the right-side panel provided three detailed icons 1. FSC certified (sourced from responsibly managed and sustainable forest). 2. Soy-based inks (reduce air pollution during the drying process). 3. 100% recyclable (no plastic). 

The Noiranca bag arrived packaged within a 17 3/4 inches wide by 12 1/14 inches tall off-white accessory dust bag.  The cover listed a quote from Robert Mapplethorpe (American Photographer), “I’m looking for the unexpected,” in the same grey-green color of the outer shell.  The bag had a nice touch-feel and an easy-to-access drawstring opening.  With the drawstring completely opened, the top portion of the bag created a rectangular fabric to accommodate the purse.  I removed the 13.3-ounce tricolored brown purse from within the dust bag and admired the beige-tan-brown color scheme, the interlocking nature of the shoulder strap, the golden accent rings, and the NOIRANCA name punched into the side of the leathery material.  The dark brown segment measured 4 inches long by 3 inches thick by 5 1/4 inches tall.  The beige segment measured 4 1/4 inches long by 3 inches thick by 5 1/4 inches stall.  Lastly, you will find the central tan-colored 4 1/4 inches long by 3 inches thick by 5 1/4 inches tall segment sandwiched between the beige/brown sections. The layout reminded me of an eyeshadow container or a paint sample with different shades of color. Additionally, the use of the gradient style color broke up the monotony of a single color and expanded the utility with other color shirts/outfits.

To access the inner layers of the bag, I gripped the fabric along either end of the 1/2 inches thick dark brown leather trim and pulled outward.  I was impressed with the strength of the magnetic closure and with the gaping access port once the bag was opened.  The 7 1/4 inches by 5 3/4 inches opening was much larger than I expected, and my nearly 3-year-old daughter thought it looked like the mouth of a fish (catfish). We loved the golden/brass hinge accents located along each side of the bag and the golden/brass colored rings attached to the leather shoulder strap loops.  With the bag opened, the internal trapezoidal compartment measured 4 3/4 inches tall, 12 inches long by 4 inches wide at the base, and 5 3/4 inches wide at the opening.  Hidden along the walls of the purse, you will find a few accessory compartments.   The inner layer closest to the front of the purse (label side), had two pockets: 1. 3 inches wide by 4 inches tall.  2. 3 1/2 inches wide by 4 inches tall.  My 6-year old daughter found the pocket perfect for a pack of gum and a small mirror.  The other inner wall of the purse contained a 7 inches long zipper with a single brass-colored Noiranca zipper pull.  I was pleased with the easy action of the zipper and with the internal 5 inches tall by 7 inches wide pocket contained within the pouch.  Lastly, the stylish leather accent with the etched noiranca name did not go unnoticed.  

The internal light beige microsuede fabric felt similar to the outer dust bag material.  I liked the color, the texture, and the baggy feel of the material, and the extra material made the bag feel bigger than it looked.  The internal zipper compartment worked perfectly for a pair of keys, for a small wallet, for a billfold, for a checkbook, a small makeup kit or mirror, or for other items that required extra protection.  The quick accesses pockets, coupled with the expansive internal compartment, created a convenient carry bag.  I was impressed with the stitching, with the internal pouches, with the magnetic closure, with the color scheme, with the classy accents, with the interlocking rubberized plastic shoulder strap links, and that the company shipped their product within the accessory dust bag.  All of the features screamed class and elegance and warranted the price tag of the bag. Hidden within the zipper compartment, you will find a small business card that listed a few product details: 1. No Animal-derived material used in me. 2. Keep me with care for longevity. 3. Put me back into dust bag after each use. 3. Instructions to visit their website (www.noiranca.com) and Facebook #DesireDifferent. 

I am not a purse/bag expert but love to learn/expand my knowledge. After a quick search to review purse types and descriptions, the PATTI bag more resembled a Baguette style handbag than a true clutch bag. By definition, a clutch is “considered a small bag with no handles or straps that a woman uses for carrying money and personal things, especially at formal events.” In this case, the Patti bag is able to stand up on its own and has a strap to carry or drape the bag if needed. Even the Patti name has a story, relating back to the funk scene of the 1970’s poet, author, musician Patti Smith. In fact, the tricolored bags were designed as an homage to the multifaceted individual (Learn more about Patti Smith). Despite the semantics, The compact handbag proved to be simple yet elegant, and perfect for day-to-day use and essential carry. The brown gradient coupled with the stylish shoulder strap allowed the bag to cross from day use to classy night use. The shoulder strap may be a bit short for some but proved perfect for my wife and my 6-year-old daughter who wanted to model for the pictures. The size was perfect for an evening out and encouraged a minimalist approach, rather than a Mary Poppins-esque large bucket bag.  The purse is perfect for keys, gum, makeup, lipstick, wallet, phone, feminine products, without becoming a bottomless pit of despair.

If the brown gradient theme is not to your liking, consider picking up the Pink Dusty Rose bag, The Maya Blue bag, or the Olive Green bag. We were pleased with the animal-free components and with the trendy hipster vibe that the bag provided. At least for now, you can enjoy 10% off your first purchase and free shipping to most parts of the world.

Learn more about the NOIRANCA Patti Bag
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Ever since I was in high school I’ve been obsessed with compact leather backpacks. This interest came from seeing the movie French Kiss. I had a backpack that was made from imitation leather, but it wasn’t designed for a laptop. I loved that backpack and it even traveled with me through Europe, but ever since then, I’ve wanted a real leather backpack that was made for modern devices. The Addison leather backpack fits that desire to a tee.

DETAILS

The Addison is Andar’s first product created especially for women. It’s made from premium full-grain oil waxed leather. It has enough space to fit a 13-inch laptop, but it’s versatile enough to meet the demands of your everyday carry requirements. The inside of the backpack is lined with microfiber and there is a hidden pocket in the back for phone or cash storage. There is also a front pocket and bucket pocket featured on this backpack as well as high-quality YKK zippers. The backpack has three color options – Jet Black, Ivory Blush, and Camel Tan. 

USER EXPERIENCE

The backpack came in an ivory canvas drawstring bag. I assume this bag was meant to protect the leather from damage. The straps of the backpack were covered with some plastic wrap and tissue. Right away, there were two things I loved about this bag – its smell and its flexibility. A lot of leather bags I’ve seen have been very stiff and they take time to break in. The Addison is loose and well-treated when you receive it. It’s ready to use right from the start. The smell of the backpack is fresh leather. It’s a scent that is reminiscent of leather stores I used to visit when I was younger. It’s strong but familiar. To me, it reminds me of quality products. 

I love the design of this bag. It’s perfect as an everyday carry bag since it has two exterior pockets. You can fill up the main compartment and leave it closed while you access your most-used items from those two pockets. I also really like that there is a large main compartment. It’s roomy enough for things like my 13-inch MacBook Pro and 10-inch iPad, but it can just be used for smaller stuff, too. I love the handle at the top of the bag. It makes it easy to grab and go when you are in a hurry. The straps are adjustable and easy to shift as needed to make sure they fit you correctly. 

CONCLUSION

The Addison backpack by Andar is a wonderful gift for any busy woman on the go. It’s got plenty of room for essentials as well as larger non-essential items. Because it’s 100% genuine leather the price tag is a big hefty ($229 USD at the time of publishing), but it is an impressive accessory that creates a fashion statement. 

For more information, visit andar.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

Tech organizer is an automatic win since it’s designed for Apple products.

For a really long time, I’ve been tossing accessories like my MacBook Pro charger, earbuds, and Apple Pencil haphazardly into whatever laptop bag or backpack I was using at the time. I’ve been lucky in that none of my devices have been damaged or misplaced given that they haven’t had a dedicated storage place in my travel bags. I’m also very fortunate that the Woolnut Leather Tech Organizer is now available because it provides a great place to store all my accessories. 

DETAILS

The Leather Tech Organizer is designed to fit all your tech accessories. It fits perfectly with a laptop charger, mouse, cables, SSD, power bank, memory sticks, AirPods, AirTag, SD cards, etc. The case opens flat for super easy access to all your items. It has multiple smart pockets and elastic straps to secure all your accessories. The exterior is covered in full-grain leather from Scandinavia and the interior is 100% recycled taffeta polyester. The closure is a YKK EXCELLA metal zipper from Japan. The Tech Organizer is designed with smart functions in mind and features great capacity with a slim design. Woolnut designers also added a zipped inside pocket that has a built-in compartment made specifically for an AirTag. 

USER EXPERIENCE

The Tech Organizer, like many Woolnut products, comes in a lightly colored canvas drawstring bag. When you pull it out of the bag, you will find the Tech Organizer in a cardboard retail hanging package. The back of the cardboard describes the product in detail and includes the company’s website information. The front of the package has the “Woolnut” brand name in capital letters with the name of the product “Leather Tech Organizer” printed just below it. One of the clever features of this package is a plastic security loop that connects the zipper to the cardboard backing. It’s thin and could easily be cut off, but I like that it joins the product to its retail package. 

After removing the Tech Organizer from the cardboard backing I noticed that ’Woolnut’ was also embossed on the front of the product. The leather is soft and will likely age very well. I requested the green version of the organizer. It’s a very deep forest green and very executive-looking. The zipper is silver and it works smoothly. It was easy to open, but a little tough to close. I think it will probably loosen up over time. When you open the case, you will find two large balls of packaging paper, which are included to help the case keep its shape. 

This accessory organizer is a little different than other organizers I’ve used before in that it’s specifically designed to work with Apple products. The elastic loops seem to be strong and flexible. The pockets are soft on the outside so that they cover the accessories they are holding and prevent them from scratching or otherwise damaging the accessories on the opposite side of the organizer. This is a very sleek, professional accessory kit that provides plenty of space for all the necessary accessories one would need when traveling. 

CONCLUSION

I’ve used many types of accessory kits in the past, but the Leather Tech Organizer from Woolnut is much more exclusive in my opinion. It is made with durable leather and provides ample storage for all your accessories. Plus, it’s predesigned for Apple accessories, which automatically puts it in the ‘win’ category for me. 

For more information, visit woolnut.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

When it comes to backpacks, you can choose a boring mass-produced bag, or you can have a truly unique experience.  I have used a variety of hiking/camping bags, water bladder bags, book bags, tech bags, solar charging bags, battery backup bags, and have enjoyed several of the features of each bag.  Like Tony Stark choosing one of the suits from the Hall of Armor, different bags may provide advantages in some environments, while a few may excel in others.  Thus, I was truly excited to hear about a Kickstarter campaign that featured the waterproof, anti-theft, anti-collision, ergonomic, hands-free, speaker/battery, Light-Sensor smart backpack from Tajezzo.

The TAJEZZO Smart Backpack arrived in a 22 5/8 inches wide by 14 1/4 inches wide by 7 1/2 inches thick black cardboard box. The TAJEZZO name was boldly displayed along the top of the cover panel and the SMART BACKPACK LEO name along the bottom left.  Each of the side panels provided icons that detailed the features of the backpack.  The right side panel provided icons that detailed the following features: Polyhedral Structure, Waterproof, Anti-Theft, Anti-Collision, Ergonomic.  The left side panel provided icons that detailed the following features: Bluetooth, Hands-Free, Hi-Fi, Light Sensor, Speed Sensor.  The rear panel provided a few Chinese characters, and two QR codes along the bottom left of the panel.  Unfortunately, the links did not work with my iPhone 12 Pro Max camera.

I lifted the front flap, removed the internal black-colored cardboard shelf with “DARE TO BE” inscribed upon the surface, and then removed the internal contents.  Packaged nicely beneath the thick cardboard shell, I found a large felt black drawstring bag with “TAJEZZO” across the front, an eight-panel instruction manual, and a small sealed black envelope.  The envelope had the TAJEZZO name engraved across the front and a TAJEZZO BY TAO DESIGN tape seal.  I removed the tape seal and then removed the folded TAJEZZO advertisement (P2 Aguila, P4 Lyra, P5 Gemini, C1 Norma, C2 Norma, C3 Norma, A1 Aqua, A2 Vela, A3 Vela, N1 Orion, N2 Scutum, and N3 Scutum).  Most of the written material was in Chinese characters and I was not able to interpret much of it.  However, I did not fail to notice the Autobot symbol atop the P Series design drawing.  The eight-panel instruction manual was divided into a black-colored front half and a white-colored back section.  The black section provided a TAJEZZO EXPLORE UNKNOWN & Future LEO smart backpack title page, two panels demonstrating a white ink outline of the backpack, and a single reference data page (LEO SMART Backpack, 5000 mAh battery, 90% charging efficiency, Lithium-Ion Battery, DC5V/2.1A max output, DC5V/1.5A input, 4H charging top, 4-6H battery, 120Hz-20KHz frequency, 13W power, BT 5.0).

The white-colored front panels provided a step-by-step instruction manual.  The first panel showed the Switch, detailed the Bluetooth connection, play/pause function, on/off function, and the LED status (LED off=Speaker off, Flashing LED=Matching with Bluetooth, Solid LED=Connected).  The second panel detailed the “MODE SWITCH” lightbulb button and the four modes: 1.  Music Mode: dynamic lighting mode will flash with the rhythm. 2. Sports mode motion sensor. 3. Night Mode: Light sensor detects dim surroundings and illuminates for users protection. 4. Light Off Mode. The third and fourth panels reviewed the modes and then detailed the phone icon that serves as the call button.  A single press will answer/hang up a call, a long press will reject a call, a double click will call the most recent number.  Lastly, the fourth panel demonstrated the top music button and the ability to change between normal and bass mode. Personally, I found no reason to exit the bass mode.

I removed the TAJEZZO backpack from the black carry sack and examined the large plastic outer shell of the backpack.   Measuring 21 1/2 inches tall by 12 3/4 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches thick at the lowest section, the geometric design reminded me of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Shell.  Along the top of the outer panel, you will find a 5 1/2 inches wide by 5 inches wide by 2 3/4 inches tall trapezoidal light bar.  The lower section was designed to allow the backpack to rest upright upon the lower triangular wedge.  When I rotated the backpack around, I was again reminded of a TMNT costume design.  Located approximately 5 inches from the top of the backpack, you will find a 9 1/4 inches wide shoulder strap with a central 4 1/2 inches cutout, which I thought was quite ingenious.  Each of the shoulder straps was connected by 2 1/2 inches of webbing and left the centralized area unattached.  The design feature provided a centralized accessory carry handle that proved to be quite useful for manipulating the bag.  Just above the shoulder straps, you will find a 1 5/8 inches diameter “TAJEZZO VISIBLE MORE STYLISH” rubberized accent. Beneath the accent, you will find the included speaker system for the backpack.

Next, I turned to the shoulder straps to evaluate many of the exceptional design characteristics.  Beyond the carry handle with matte black TAJEZZO on the surface, I noted the shape adopted an X-shaped design.  Each curved shoulder strap measured 16 1/2 inches long by 2 3/4 inches wide and approximately 1/4 inches thick with padding.  At roughly 11 inches distal to the strap attachment points, you will find an obliquely angled leather strip with a silver accent.  The right strap provided TAJEZZO engraved into the strip, while the left strap contained a plain panel.  Beneath the leather embellishment, you will find a 3 inch by 3-inches by 5-inches rubberized triangular segment and then a 4 3/4 inches long by 2 3/4 inches thick webbing.  At the end of each strap, you will find a quick release/extend buckle with 1-inch wide lashing.  Quickly grip the loop and tighten the waist strap, or grip and pull outward to release the lashing.  Both of the flank lashings attached to the 4 inches by 4 inches by 5 1/4 inches wide triangular nylon section that was carefully stitched to the backpack.  On the inner surface of the triangular shoulder strap segment, you will find an adjustable (slides up and down) waistband strap with 3/4 inches lashing.  At the center of the left/right abdominal/chest straps, you will find a magnetic “Fidlock.” To remove the Fidlock, you will need to slide the outer section upward, while simultaneously sliding the inner section downward.  The magnetic attachment ensured that the two halves of the lock combined and the inner lock created a bit of theft deterrent.  Luckily, you can simply lift the front section to quickly remove the backpack. 

To access the inner compartment, I gripped one of the two black-metallic Tajezzo zippers pulls and ran the zipper along the 42 inches of zipper.  I was pleased with the easy zipper action and with the dual zipper pulls.  Once you open the backpack, you will find a wedge of nylon with a single button snap and a six-inch-long section of hook/loop connection along each side.  If you remove the snap and the hook loop section (4 inches wide by 6 inches tall), you can open the clamshell flap. The inner surface provided a 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall nylon flap with Tajezzo logo.  Just above the logo, you will find a white-colored tablet/charging tablet logo and a 4 1/8 inches wide by 5 7/8 inches tall cell phone pocket, which was large enough for the Pro Max version of the iPhone.  I lifted the flap, separated the 2 inches tall by 1 3/8 inches wide hook/loop, and reviewed the interior compartments.  The rear compartment measured 10 1/2 inches wide by 15 1/4 inches tall and was lined posteriorly by ribbed/raised fabric.  The front of the pouch was lined by soft felt material.  This compartment was designed for a laptop/MacBook and easily fit my MacBook Pro 2018 15” within a UAG protective case.  The next pouch (located just beneath the loop section), measured 7 7/8 inches tall by 10 inches wide and was designed for a notebook.  It will easily fit a Kindle, an E-reader, a small spiral notebook, or other like-sized items.  The final mesh pouch measured 6 inches tall by 10 inches wide and was accessible through the 8 1/2 inches long zipper with metal zipper pull. 

The inner layer measured 7 1/2 inches tall by 13 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches deep.  The rear well provided a deep chamber for clothing, shoes, socks, a jacket, or other larger items.  You can divide this section into two smaller compartments with the removable hexagonal administrator panel (15 inches tall by 13 inches wide).  To remove the panel, unclasp the four-button clasps along the corners.  The front of the panel provided two 5 1/2 inches wide by 7 1/2 inches stall elastic lined mesh pouches atop a smaller 11 1/2 inches wide by 5 inches tall trapezoidal pouch.  You can access the lower pouch through the included 10 1/2 inches long zipper with a plastic zipper pull.  The inner surface was lined by a single 11 1/2 inches wide by 11 1/2 inches tall trapezoidal mesh pouch with an elastic opening.  Just above this pouch, you will find a single plastic key clip.  I loved the modular design, the ability to remove the inner sleeve, and the deep chamber.  Just atop the chamber, you will find a hook/loop accessible chamber that housed the included speaker.  I liked how the company used fabric loops to control/guide the wire between the speaker and the shoulder strap button.  Additionally, I felt that they placed the cable in the optimal location to stay out of the way when adding/removing contents.  Although the speaker compartment was easy to access, there was no real reason to do so. 

I snapped the lower clasps, the top clasps, reattached the side hook/loop/clasp, then zipped the backpack up.  Since the zipper was located against my back, the setup afforded me another layer of theft protection.  The hard outer shell, although easily scuffed and marred, provided a large degree of protection to the internal contents.  The comfortable shoulder straps, the convenient carry strap, the sexy light bar, and the turtle shell design provided a useful outdoor carry option.  For added comfort, you will find a raised thoracic and lumbar support.  As a final bonus, hidden within the lumbar support, you will find another zippered compartment with a large metallic zipper pull.  I opened the 10-inches long zipper and found a 34 inches long tri-cable (USB-A, USB-C, Lightning). I plugged the lightning cable into my phone and immediately noticed the lightning symbol along the top right of the screen.  Starting at 11:20 PM and at 22% power, I was pleased to find that my iPhone 12 Pro Max charged to 24% by 11:21, 25% by 11:23, 28% by 11:30, and by 12:00 it was at 54%.  By 0200 my phone was fully charged.  The included 5000 mAh battery, with ~90% efficiency, was able to charge the 3867 mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max battery only once.  I found that the DC5V-1.5A output battery was reasonable but would have preferred a 2A+ output.  After the charge, the backpack was essentially depleted.  I plugged the included USB-A cable into a standard USB-A port overnight and found the backpack was fully charged 5 hours later.

To pair the speaker to your phone, press and hold the lower button until the female voice announces “Bluetooth.” Then, navigate to Settings, to Bluetooth, and then select “Leo Backpack from the list.” Once connected, I pressed the lightbulb button and changed between the modes. It took several cycles through the modes before I realized that the female announcer was using English. As an example, the thick accent made the words “mode” sound more like “mond.” I liked the music mode and the bouncing light feature. I liked the sport mode with the motion active lights, and I liked the light amplifying night mode.

Summary: 

The Tajezzo Smart backpack promised an immersive Bluetooth 5.0 music experience, in a multi-functional, versatile shell and it did not disappoint.  The backpack had plenty of room for a jacket, for a full-sized MacBook, tablet, phone, wallet, and other accessories. I loved the ability to add/remove the internal divider, the included padding against the lumbar/thoracic spine, and the internal padded compartment.  From the comfortable x-shaped shoulder straps to the magnetic FIDLOCK buckle, to the outer polyhedral PC/ABS waterproof outer shell, I found each feature added to the overall futuristic design.  The sound output was more than adequate for a small outdoor gathering and provided a reasonable balance between bass to treble. I tested both the normal and bass enhanced modes and found little need to exit from the bass enhanced mode.  Although true audiophiles may balk at the speaker, this device was not designed to go toe-to-toe with stand-alone speakers.  Instead, the Tajezzo speaker ensures you have the stage.

If you are interested in a unique backpack experience, look to the Tajezzo website for additional information.   
Follow Tajezzo on Facebook.

A protective, spacious case for equipment storage or transport.

A few years back, we invested in a very large, widescreen monitor. Well, it was ‘very large’ at the time. The price of monitors has been somewhat reduced since that time and I no longer have to travel 3 hours just to be able to acquire a monitor of that magnitude, but I haven’t wanted to get rid of this monitor because it still works and it’s a good backup in case my new primary monitor happens to fail. So, how do you go about storing a 34-inch widescreen monitor in a safe way? You get a transport case like the CT-TM45B LCD Transport Case from Arco. It’s a lined, padded case that makes it possible for you to store or transport a monitor from place to place safely. 

DETAILS

The CT-TM45B LCD Transport Case is designed to provide a safe, comfortable way to carry a flat panel display. The case can be carried using a provided shoulder strap or the integrated padded handles. The case is padded and weather-resistant. It has a textured, waterproof bottom and features dual zippers – one side that opens 100% and the other that opens as an envelop flap. Even though it’s designed for displays, the case can also be used for lighting fixtures and other gear of similar sizes. An accessory pouch and business card pocket are also included as added benefits. 

KEY FEATURES

• Padded and weather resistant
• Textured and waterproof bottom
• Adjustable, removable shoulder strap (attaches to metal D-rings), padded handles, and bottom grab-handle
• Dual-zippered, envelope-style opening
• Large exterior accessory pocket
• Clear display window for an ID or business card

USER EXPERIENCE

The Arco LCD Transport Case is honestly something I never knew I needed until I had it. From the moment it arrived, I’ve been incredibly impressed with how well it functions and how well it is made. It is tall, but my monitor fits in it quite well. You will see from the images included that the monitor fits width-wise, but that there is quite a bit of headroom. I like that the case has the ability to accommodate so many shapes and sizes of monitors. The accessory pocket is a great addition because it makes it possible to keep the power and accessory cables that were meant to go with a specific monitor together with that monitor. This is constantly a problem in our office – cables getting mismatched. I do, however, wish the pocket was a bit deeper. It is designed as a flat pocket, which limits the amount and types of accessories that can be stored there. 

To be honest, I wanted this bag for storage more than transporting the monitor place-to-place. With that in mind, I sort of wish the sides were a bit more hard shell than they are. The case does hold its shape, but if the sides were a ‘hard shell’ with padding around it, then the monitor would fit better in places like closets or storage rooms. But, since this particular case was designed with travel in mind, I’m glad it has softer sides. Should we need to carry it, the case is much more comfortable that way. 

CONCLUSION

I really like this product and think it’s a wise investment for anyone that travels with equipment or needs to store it. While ‘display’ is in the name of the product, it really is a multi-purpose case that is very roomy and protective. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others. 

For more information, visit arcobags.com. 

InCase compact bags are great for daily carry-alls. 

In recent days I’ve found the need to have a small bag to carry everyday items in it. I’ve always carried a purse, but honestly, sometimes it’s just too bulky and isn’t real convenient to carry. Being a child of the 80s, I grew up in the height of fanny pack mania and I’ve been happy to see newer, more modern styles of the side-wearing bag come back into style.

One of my favorite bag companies, Incase, actually has a new Hipsack available as a part of their Bionic line of products. The design is reminiscent of the classic fanny packs from the 80s and 90s, but it has more modern features. Another great compact bag from Incase is the Accessory Organizer, which is also part of the Bionic product line. It’s designed specifically for storing tech accessories, which is another bag I’ve found myself needing lately. 

Made with BIONIC

As I mentioned both these bags are part of the BIONIC product line. Incase has this remarkable new collection that is made with a durable material that is created from recoverd plastic pollution found in marine and coastal environments. They call it BIONIC yarn and it’s their way of repurposing plastic into everyday products that people need. The BIONIC FLX yarn is durable and features high-performance properties like abrasion-resistance and micro ripstop qualities.

This movement is tied to the nonprofit organization WaterKeeper Alliance, which is dedicated to the advocacy of clean water. “Through this alliance, BIONIC establishes local recycling infrastructure and plastic recovery centers that clean and process the ocean plastics needed to support their supply chain (Incase website).”

HIPSACK

The Hipsack features multiple mesh, zippered inner pockets that are intended to keep you organized. There is also an exterior zipper pocket that is sized and positioned perfectly for items you access often. The Hipsack is designed to be worn comfortably on the hip or over the shoulder. It has a strong, built-in, adjustable waistband with a secure clasp. The bag is created from the equivalent of thirteen plastic bottles. The Hipsack comes in two color choices – sand and baltic sea – and it measures 8.5in x 5.5in x 2.5in  (L x W x H). 

ACCESSORY ORGANIZER

This pouch is a super slick way to sort and secure your on-the-go tech accessories. It’s perfect for items such as iPhones, chargers, cables, AirPods, and other tech essentials. The bag is a bi-fold pouch with a zippered access main compartment. On the inside, you will find multiple storage slips for cables and other accessories.

There is also a loop for a writing utensil or stylus. The Accessory Organizer is created from the equivalent of seven plastic bottles. It comes in four different colors – sand, baltic sea, ocean green, and steel gray – and it measures 9.5 x 6 x 2 in (L x W x H). 

USER EXPERIENCE

I’ve been a fan of Incase bags for quite a long time and these BIONIC products have really grown on me. A few weeks ago, I reviewed the Commuter Backpack, which is incredible, and the Compact Sleeve for Laptops. They are both amazing products and because of my experience with those bags, I was eager to test out these smaller options to fill in my collection. The Accessory Organizer has a unique design to it. I’ve used organizers before that simply have slots and slots and slots for cable management. 

This organizer has different pocket options for different sizes of accessories. I love that there is a hard side to one of the pockets because it can help protect items like phones. The exterior pocket is also interesting because it opens in the center of the pocket rather than on the top. So, the pocket has even sides on each half. The zippers open and close easily and even when it has items in it, the pouch still lays pretty flat. 

The Hipsack is equally as awesome as the Accessory Organizer. I do get nostalgic feelings when I wear it, but the truth is, this bag is built so much better than the fanny packs I used to wear in middle school. There are several organizer pockets inside of the Hipsack, which really makes this bag stand out to me. There is an easy access pouch that extends into the interior of the Hipsack. The only bad thing about that feature is that if you have a full bag, the exterior pouch becomes difficult to use. Is that a deal-breaker? Absolutely not! It’s a great day-runner pack and it is complementary to the other pieces in the collection. 

CONCLUSION

I’m very excited about having a full set of BIONIC bags. We are planning a trip out of town soon and I plan on using all four bags for packing. They are all lightweight, wear well, and they are very durable. I wasn’t sure what to expect from these bags, but I’ve been incredibly surprised by them and I would easily recommend them to others. 

For more information, visit incase.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

An eco-friendly everyday carry solution.

I’ve always really enjoyed high-quality laptop bags. Messenger bags have been more my style in recent years, but a nice backpack is really valuable under the right circumstances. One of those circumstances happened to me this week. My family and I decided on a whim to take a short road trip. I had some work I had to do while we were on the road so I grabbed my Incase Commuter Backpack and we hit the road. 

DETAILS

The Incase Commuter Backpack is designed to be the ‘ultimate everyday carrying solution’ for its users. It is lightweight and features a large main compartment. There is a laptop sleeve that can protect a 16-inch laptop and organizational pockets for items like pens and other accessories. The outside of the bag has a magnetic-snap closure water bottle pocket and the backpack is available in 4 different colors – sand, Baltic Sea, steel grey, and ocean green. 

One of the things that makes this backpack so special is that it’s made from recycled materials. The backpack – as well as the other products in the BIONIC lineup – is made with BIONIC yarn, a durable material created from recovered plastic that is found in marine and coastal environments. Incase refers to it as ‘BIONIC ripstop material.’ The material that makes up the bag is the equivalent of 26 plastic bottles. Incase takes pride in helping to care for the environment and describes the BIONIC material in this way. 

“Through our intentionally designed backpacks with BIONIC FLX yarn, which is made with 100% recovered plastic (RPET), we’re actively taking part in cleaning up the ocean while still providing device protection. FLXTM is a high-grade yarn that is not only impressively durable but looks stunning and yields a variety of performance and aesthetic properties – it’s lightweight, smooth, and features abrasion-resistant micro-ripstop qualities.” 

USER EXPERIENCE

Normally, I like to break down a product’s packaging and all of its features as a part of the ‘user experience’ section of my reviews. In this case, though, I really feel that the story of this product and why it’s now my everyday carry bag would be more beneficial to readers. So, here is the rest of the story. 

Before we got in the car, I piled up the things I needed to take with me. I had already made sure that everyone else had what they needed and so I was rushing just a bit so as not to keep everyone else waiting. I piled my laptop (16-inch MacBook Pro), my iPad (2018 10-inch iPad Pro) with its Apple Pencil, my planner (full-size, 8.5 x 11) and printed notes, my AirPods Pro, a couple of charging cables and power adapters, and an assortment of pens and markers. Then I looked around my office trying to decide which bag to use. 

I have a large satchel that I’ve been using lately because there is no lack of space in it, but when I considered that I would be in the backseat of a Ford Escape with another adult, I figured that would be too large to maneuver. So, I scanned the room and my eyes landed on the Incase Commuter Backpack. For a second, I thought, “There is no way this backpack will be big enough for my stuff today.” I knew that the backpack would be perfect for the car space, but just didn’t think it could fit all my stuff. I picked it up and opened it up. First, I slid the laptop into the pocket and was surprised at how slim the bag seemed to be – even after the laptop was in it. I quickly noticed that the majority of the space in the bag was in the cavity of the main compartment. I dropped the rest of my belongings in that compartment, zipped up the bag, and headed out the door. 

The bag rested nicely in the backseat between the seats. I didn’t have any issues getting my laptop, iPad, or other items out of the bag while we were on the road. The backpack was super easy to carry and it felt really well-balanced. I was shocked at how much room was in the bag and while I realize that this style of bag isn’t going to be a good choice for all users, I think it’s a great design. It’s very easy to use in that you can get items in and out of it quickly and easily. The material of the bag seems very durable and as a bonus, it is environmentally friendly. The laptop sleeve doesn’t have a ton of padding on it, but it’s enough for the laptop to be protected as long as the backpack isn’t slung around with reckless abandon. 

CONCLUSION

I’ve been a fan of Incase products for many years and when they released this new line, I was very interested in checking out the bags in this line-up. The Commuter Backpack did not disappoint and because of its versatility and durability, it’s won a place as my daily-driver bag. 

For more information, visit incase.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

A durable, multi-purpose case that travels well. 

I’m a sucker for organization. Even though sometimes things might pile up around me, I am happiest when I see something get organized. I’m such a sucker for it, in fact, that one of the best gifts I received this year for Christmas was a rolling cart that I use to organize my cables in. As nice as it is to walk right up to the cart and be able to pull out a cable from the properly labeled drawer, I can’t take the cart with me everywhere. So, that’s why I rely on things like the Accessories Travel Case by Syncwire. Syncwire provides affordable, practical items for tech enthusiasts. The Accessories Travel Case is a really great add-on for anyone who travels or just wants to keep things organized. 

DETAILS

The case is an all-in-one travel bag that is designed to keep not only electronics organized, but it can also hold personal care items as well. The case is made with premium EVA and oxford fabric. It will protect your valuables from rain, dust, and even impact caused by falls or drops. The interior is ‘user-friendly’ and is designed to incorporate four separate Velcro straps to help users organize charging cables. The bag is lightweight and can be attached to backpacks using the metal loop. 

Specs: 

• Product Dimensions 7.8” x 4.8” x 2.3” inches (external size)
• Weight: 7.1 ounces
• Material: Oxford cloth, EVA
• What’s included: Syncwire Travel Bag, Magic cable tie (4), Sachet, Snap Hook

USER EXPERIENCE

The box the travel bag comes in is mostly white with some turquoise highlight colors included (Syncwire’s brand colors). There is a nice image of the product included on the cover of the box and featured details on the back. There is also company information included on the back of the carton. The product package that arrived for me unfortunately had a rip in the front of the box. I believe this was the fault of how it was shipped and handled, but I felt it was worth noting because the product inside was not harmed despite the exterior breech. The case is wrapped in tissue paper and the paper was not torn in any way. 

The case is compact – only slightly larger than my iPhone 12 Pro in a case. It has a very sturdy handle that is securely sewed into the body of the case. There are loops on either side of the handle that can be utilized to attach a carabiner so that users can connect it to another bag. There are 2 metal zipper pulls that seem to be very strong while the zipper itself is flexible and easy to open and close. When you open the case, you will find a two-sided chamber for storing items. One side is deeper than the other. The left-hand side has a pocket that is very slim. It’s about the size of a mobile phone (without a case) or a slim hard drive. On the outside of the pocket is a mesh pocket that could be used for smaller charging cables. 

The right-hand side (the deeper side) has a mesh barrier that covers approximately half of the side (vertically oriented). This mesh barrier doesn’t seem to have a definitive purpose other than keeping contents from falling out of one side of the storage compartment. Inside the compartment, you will find a plastic sleeve that contains the aforementioned Velcro cable straps, a carabiner (metal loop), and a user guide that doesn’t have any directions for use, but it does include information on the warranty. 

This is a very versatile case. Syncwire left the interpretation on how to use it up to the user, which is great because it opens up a lot of possibilities. Personally, when I look at this open, empty case, I see it filled with portable hard drives and connector cables. I have portable hard drives of varying sizes so I could see this as an opportunity to divide them up according to what I use them for. I could also see this being very useful as an emergency kit. For example, you could easily throw some small first aid materials into it (small flashlight, bandaids, disinfecting wipes, etc.) for easy use when you are on the go. 

CONCLUSION

Syncwire has designed a very nice accessory case that is perfect for multiple uses. It’s stylish with its charcoal grey exterior and black accents and made for activity. The materials seem to be extremely durable and the semi-hard shell container protects its contents quite nicely.  

For more information, visit syncwire.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

BUY FROM AMAZON

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A one-of-a-kind carrying case for MacBooks.

As is the case with many people, I currently work from home full-time. While this is a blessing for my family, it is not without its hurdles as far as work goes. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to start a new job that has provided me with a new 16-inch MacBook Pro, which is the ideal computer for my work activities. The unfortunate thing about this acquisition was that all of my current accessories fit my personal 13-inch MacBook Pro. Fortunately, I knew where to turn – Twelve South. They create premium, protective, stylish gear for Apple users. And, fortunately for me, Twelve South recently released the SuitCase for MacBook computers. This minimalist case was perfect for my needs.

DETAILS

The SuitCase is designed exclusively for the MacBook Pro/Air. There are two sizes – 13 and 16 inches. The case is made up of an interior thermoform shell. The case features a suspension system that allows users to work on their MacBook while it’s in the case. The case has a quilted exterior and leather handle. The SuitCase has a slim profile and it can be slipped into a larger bag or backpack. There is an interior pocket that can store cables or paperwork. As far as protection goes, there are three layers of it for the MacBook. The exterior is water-resistant while the interior hardshell case protects against impacts. Finally, on the inside, there is a layer of microfiber that protects the surface of the MacBook from scratches. 

Product	Device Compatibility	Model Numbers
SuitCase for 16-inch MacBook Pro	16-inch MacBook Pro (or any device measuring up to 0.75″x14.10″x9.75″)	A2141
SuitCase for 13-inch MacBook Pro/Air	13-inch MacBook Pro 13-inch MacBook Air (or any device measuring up to 0.75″x12″x8.5″)	A1706, A1707, A1708, A1989, A1990, A2159, A2141, A2289, A2251 A2179, A1932

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USER EXPERIENCE

The SuitCase came in a simple cardboard sleeve. The front of the carton reads tailored notebook case with interior pocket. The back of the cardboard shows some photos of the product in use and outlines the main features. Inside the case, there is a styrofoam cutout that helps maintain the case’s shape. There is also a protective piece of parchment slipped in between the sides of the cable pocket. 

One of the first things I noticed was the weather-resistant coating on top of the zipper channel. While I really love that this feature keeps the interior of the case dry and safe from the elements, it does make it harder to open and close the zipper. In fact, the zipper got caught on it a couple of times as I was trying to get it opened and shut. The handle is ‘recessing,’ which means that when it’s not in use it lays flat against the spine of the case. I really like this feature, too, because it makes it easier to slip the entire case into a larger bag. The leather on the handle does feel very luxurious and sturdy. I think over time, it will age well. 

When I first read over the specs and heard about the ‘suspension system’ I was a little apprehensive. I’ve had cases in the past that attempt to work with the natural function of the laptop but fail miserably when the cover of the case can’t stay sitting at a 90-degree angle. Twelve South designed a really nice solution for that problem with some elastic cording. The tension created by the cord is enough to keep the top of the case in line with the lid of the laptop when it’s open. This feature is quite invaluable for remote work. 

As far as the fit goes, it’s a bit tight. The corners of the MacBook are right up against the edge of the case and while I’m not sure if that hinders the zippers from closing easily, it certainly doesn’t seem to help. And, while I don’t really don’t want to see the laptop sliding around inside the case, it would be nice if there was just a little extra room for it to breathe. I like the interior pocket. It’s not much, but it doesn’t need to be much. It’s just meant for small items like a charging cable or maybe some papers. If you need extra room, you can cart items around inside a larger folio or laptop bag. 

CONCLUSION

All in all, SuitCase is a really great option for today’s modern work-from-home/work-remotely users. Because it’s so minimalist, it’s great to pick up and go from place to place, but it’s robust enough to be able to protect your MacBook laptop and it has enough features to really be a great case. 

For more details, visit TwelveSouth, Facebook, and Twitter.

As I sit writing this review, my back and shoulders and completely tensed up from some garage cleaning that took place earlier in the day. Because of these body aches and pains I was somewhat dreading the act of sitting down at my desk to write. Fortunately for me, one of the main features of my writing topic today is a back and shoulder massager. So, while you read this text, know that I’m getting a massage from the Swissdigital Pearl Rose Massage Backpack at the same time. 

DETAILS

The Pearl Rose Massage Backpack from Swissdigital is a TSA-Friendly, laptop backpack that doubles as a charging system for your devices. The backpack is pre-wired to accept a standard power bank to power the integrated massager and serve as a charging dock as well. A battery is not included with the backpack – you have to provide your own – and it’s recommended that a power bank with a minimum capacity of 5,000 mAh and two USB-A ports be used (a 10,000 mAh capacity is preferred). The massager will consume approximately 600 mAh of power for every hour it’s used. The massager will automatically shutoff after 15 minutes of continuous use. Users can reinitiate a massaging session by pressing the ON button again. There is a special warning in the instruction manual that reads:

“Do not submerge the product fully into water or wash in washing machine or dishwasher as this will damage the electronics.” 

I want to note here that the backpack’s body materials have water-resistant coating applied to them to ensure your valuables stay dry, but the backpack itself isn’t 100% waterproof. In addition to the massager, smart charging function, water-resistance and large amount of storage space, the Pearl Rose Massaging Backpack also offers RFID protection. There are RFID protection pockets available to store items such as your credit cards, passports, and driver’s license to protect them from an RFID scanner. The backpack has a padded laptop pocket that accommodates computers up to 14-inches in size (ideal for MacBook products) as well as a tablet sleeve in the same compartment. 

USER IMPRESSIONS

At first glance the Pearl Rose Massaging Backpack looks like a simple, business-oriented backpack. There are a lot of pockets and compartments, which I love because it makes it easier to organize my belongings. The only downside is that with so many pockets, it can be hard to decide where to start first. Even though the pocket is only designed to fit up to 14” laptops, I did attempt to store my 16” MacBook Pro in it. It did fit, but not well. I think 15” laptops could potentially fit, but to be safe, I would recommend using 14-inch notebooks (or smaller) as recommended. I also loaded my 11-inch iPad Pro into the tablet sleeve. I have the Apple Smart Keyboard that wraps the entire tablet with a case and the iPad still fit into the sleeve. 

The backpack seems to have ample room for a day-trip or just as a commuter bag. In the main compartment of the backpack, I was able to store some paperwork, an extra outfit and a sweater and there was still some room left. I wouldn’t say that you could fit that much more than that – especially with a laptop and tablet being stored in the other main storage compartment. The smaller pockets are great for organization, but if you load up the laptop pocket and the main storage compartment, there isn’t much room for those smaller areas to expand. I do love that there is an extra soft ‘secret’ pocket on the top of the back pack that is ideal for a smartphone or sunglasses. 

It may sound odd, but when I try out backpacks I always consider the fit and how comfortable it is to wear. Even though most backpacks are considered “one size fits all,” they don’t always wear well on larger people. I happen to be one of those larger people and I was able to get the straps to adjust properly so that the backpack was resting in the middle of my back. I didn’t feel a lot of strain on my back or my shoulders because the shoulder straps are well-padded and the entire bag is well-designed so that it is balanced no matter how many items you store in it. 

As far as the massager goes, I was impressed. It’s a gentle vibrating massager that can be focused on your upper shoulders, lower shoulders, or lower back. To activate it, you simply connect battery to the white USB cable that is sticking out of the battery pocket. There is a button on the right-hand waist strap that you press/hold for 3-5 seconds for the massager to turn on. Once it’s on, you can press the power button again to shift the massaging action to your lower shoulders or lower back. There is not a setting for automatically moving through the different massage areas. As I mentioned before, I have been using the massager since I started writing this review to help alleviate tension that as caused by heavy lifting. While I still have some aches, I can say that the tension was eased by the massager. I think that this would be a great traveling companion — even if you are walking to and from your home and office the massager could be beneficial. 

One of my major gripes about products is when some accessory is ‘required’ for some of the features to operate, but that accessory isn’t included by the manufacturer. For example, when a wireless charger states it can achieve up to a certain amount of wattage, but only if it uses a certain type of power adapter — and that power adapter is not included — that really disenchants the review process for me. When I first read the specs on this backpack, I thought, “Great! A backpack that can charge, massage, and store all my daily essentials.” I was truly excited to review it. Then I saw that a battery pack was not included. So, at first, it didn’t make sense to me that a battery wouldn’t be included, but then I realized that Swissdigital doesn’t make batteries. With that in mind, I didn’t hold the absence of a battery against the design of the bag. And given the specs they provided, I can recommend the RAVPower 10000mAh Power Bank Dual USB Ports Battery Pack as an option for use with this backpack. I’ve had good luck with RAVPower batteries in the past and it’s a slimmer battery pack so it should fit easily into the storage area for the charger.

CONCLUSION

The Swissdigital Pearl Rose Massaging Backpack is a very complete backpack. There is plenty of storage available and it gives you lots of extra features — like an integrated massager — to enjoy. While I was a little apprehensive at first about the massager, it turns out to be a good asset for the backpack. The backpack is very sturdy and because it’s made with premium materials, it should last 

For more information, visit swissdigital.us, Facebook, and Twitter.

A sustainable duffel bag with a sleek design.

In late March this year, COVID-19 took hold where I live. My company had to shut down and all of our employees were furloughed. This is a familiar story for many people around the world and even more familiar is how people returned to work. For me, I ended up returning to work full time in May, but I took a variety of precautions to protect my family at home. One of those precautions included taking a second outfit with me to work so that I could change out of my work clothes before I headed home each day. I know a lot of people have taken to using a similar routine and continue to do so – especially as the disease begins to take root again in many U.S. communities. In order to accommodate my usual laptop, accessories, and paperwork that accompany me on my daily commute, as well as my COVID-19 safety needs, I needed a new bag as my regular laptop messenger bag just wouldn’t do. I ended up with the Re:Move Duffel from Solo New York.

DETAILS

The Re:Move Duffel is one of the bags that Solo New York has created to be eco-friendly and is apart of there Re:Cycled collection. There are seven pieces in the collection and they are all made from recycled materials. The Re:Move Duffel is made from recycled water bottles. All the tags, strings, and stuffing are also all made from 100% recycled and biodegradable materials. This duffel was designed in urban-cool gray with functionality in mind. It has a removable/adjustable shoulder strap and a back panel that slides over the luggage handle. The bag also features an interior organizer with key clip and a front zippered pocket.

USER EXPERIENCE

As I mentioned above, I planned to use this bag for my daily commuting. As it turns out, it was the perfect size for that function. Even though there is plenty of space to use this as a weekender bag option, I found it to be ideal as a computer/work/extra outfit bag. For my purposes, I found the duffel to be wonderfully adequate. The photo below is an example of what I carry to and from work every day. The items included are a book, iPad Pro, an extra outfit (usually scrubs) for after work, an extra pair of shoes (Crocs are pictures here), and my laptop case, which includes my 13-inch MacBook Pro, cables, and a couple of other accessories. I didn’t have any problem with the bag feeling overloaded or awkward to carry. It also zipped up easily and I really appreciated all the different pockets, which are ideal for organizing your belongings.

As far as the Re:Move Duffel being made from recycled materials, to be honest, I couldn’t tell the difference between this bag and other bags. This surprised me since the material of the bag is supposed to be made from recycled plastic and it’s soft like standard cloth is. The bag is comfortable to carry and feels well-balanced when you carry it. The handle is soft and my hands didn’t get tired after carrying the bag around. The zippers were also easy to open and close, which is always something I struggle with. The only thing I found a little strange about this bag was its removable strap. The strap itself

CONCLUSION

The design of this bag is very versatile and stylish. It’s ideal for someone who needs a simple bag for overnights of just something a little more than a laptop bag. The cost is very affordable. At only $64.99 (at the time of writing this article), the duffle is an incredible purchase. I can recommend it as a recreational, daily commute, or travel bag for just about anyone.

For more information, visit solo-ny.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Inexpensive Cable Organization

I have a confession, I am an over-packer. My wife likes to make fun of me for having too many pairs of socks/underwear and for generally bringing too much stuff. Typically when I travel, I will bring my iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPad Pro 11″, my MacBook Pro 15″, and sometimes my Nintendo Switch. If you are unaware, the iPhone still uses a lightning connector but the other three devices utilize USB-C. With the loss of the 3.5mm port on my phone, and the need to add dongles to regain/enhance functionality, it became a constant frustration to find needed chargers/cables/dongles. I thus purchased the BUBM double-layer medium size travel organizer to make sure that I had a reliable place to organize my wall chargers, cables, and dongles. Essentially I wanted an electronics Bug-Out-Bag.

Although it was on the larger side, the double-layer bag fit perfectly into the middle compartment of my backpack. To further add to my travel organization, I wanted a smaller bag for a few more dongles and to add additional USB-C cables. I navigated back to Amazon.com, searched through a variety of bags, and found the BUBM Universal Electronic Accessories Case.  Instead of a thick double layer design, the electronic case opened like a TrapperKeeper.  Excitedly, I added the device to my cart and waited patiently for the forty-eight-hour Prime Delivery time period to pass. The 10 1/4 inches wide by 8 inches tall by 1/2 inches thick black/grey nylon bag matched that of my BUBM double-layer case perfectly.  Similar to my prior experience, I loved the look and feel of the bag. The red/white 1 3/4 inches wide by 7/8 inches tall rubberized BUBM logo along the bottom right of the cover added a much-needed touch of color to the case.  The bag was surrounded on three sides by 26-inches of zipper, and had a 7-inches long clamshell hinge.  The only thing missing was a carry handle along the spine.

To open the bag, grip the metallic red/white BUBM zippers and unzip them completely. The zippers moved smoothly and stopped at the 7-inches long spine. When fully unzipped, I was able to access the internal contents of the neon-green bag.  The left panel had three cable-channels across the top and a 7 inches wide by 4 inches tall mesh-lined zippered pouch along the bottom. Each of the cable rows had a 3/4 inches thick by 1 1/2 inches wide elastic band located approximately two inches from the edge of the bag.  This retention strap was designed to be half of the two-part cable retention setup.  The section adjacent to the inner spine of the bag had a 3/8 inches thick by 1 1/2 inches wide elastic band, which was connected to a mesh lining.  Before inserting a cable into the channel, you will need to fold them into 7 inch long sections.  Once looped to the appropriate length, slide the cable under the outer 3/4 inches wide elastic strap and then into the mesh layer.  If you do not have cable retention straps, you can use bread ties, twist ties, Nite-Ize cable ties, or you can use the included DAMAI Hook & Loop cable wraps.  

Save a few differences, the right half of the BUBM bag was similar to the left side of the bag.  However, instead of a mirror image, the company chose to provide an inverse design for the right side.  Additionally, instead of a mesh bag/retention strap, BUBM provided three 3/4 inches wide elastic retention straps.  Along the top of the panel, you will find the 7 1/4 inches wide by 4 inches tall mesh bag.  It had the same 7-inches long zipper with single red/white BUBM zipper.  Alike the other mesh bag, the zipper pull was smooth and remained functional through over 250 open/close cycles.  Beneath the mesh bag, you will find the three cable channels with elastic retention straps.  From left to right, each of the channels were divided into a 1 1/8 inches wide section, 1 1/4 inches wide section, 1 1/8 inches wide section, and a 1 1/4 inches wide section.  From top to bottom, the channels measured 1 3/4 inches tall, 1 1/2 inches tall, and 1 1/2 inches tall.  

To add to my cable storage, I added a 6-foot long black USB-A to USB-C Amazon Basics cable, a 6-foot long USB-C to Lightning cable from JSAUX, and a standard Apple USB-C to Lightning cable to the left channels. I added an Apple USB-C to 3.5mm dongle and an Apple 30-pin to lightning dongle within the lower-left mesh bag. In the upper right mesh bag, I added a standard 1-meter long USB-A to Lightning cable and a blue 3.3foot long JSAUX USB-C to USB-C Cable. If desired, the pouches could hold jump drives, portable batteries, small hard drives or even your smartphone. The smaller mesh pockets on the left could also be used to store smaller dongles/jump drives if desired. Within the lower three channels, I added two 2-meter long Apple USB-C to USB-C cables and a 1-meter long Apple USB-C to Lightning cable. To complete my carry bag, I added 6.6-foot and 10-foot long USB-C to USB-C JSAUX cables. The entire 22.37-ounce setup slid nicely into my Outdoor Products backpack and paired perfectly with my larger BUBM organizer. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to carry your needed cables, look no further than the BUBM line.
Learn more about BUBM products, Follow BUBM on Facebook. 

Organize your dongles

As our technology moves from USB-micro and Lightning to USB-C, we are forced to purchase more and more cables.  Likely, you can find dozens of USB-A to USB-micro cables lying around and countless USB-A to Lightning cables.  However, we are still on the cusp of new technology, when considering USB-C.  Only recently have I started to amass several USB-A to USB-C, USB-C to USB-C, and other necessary dongles (lightning and USB-C).  In fact, I encourage you to watch the humorous Apple Dongle video, and try to maintain a straight face.  Having thrice attended CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the recent Imaging USA 2020 conference, I have grown to hate the dreaded dongle search.  It never failed that I would need a charging cable, my HDMI to lightning or HDMI to USB-C dongles, or my 3.5mm adapters.  Ire inducing, I struggled to find where I had misplaced them.  Thus, instead of dumping my cables into a drawer or into a backpack/satchel, I wanted a stand-alone cable organizer for my cables/dongles.  

A quick Amazon search led me to the BUBM “Be Unique Be Myself” double layer medium travel storage bag, which was available in black, black pu leather, dark blue, denim blue, denim grey, and denim pink colors.  I ultimately decided upon the black medium-sized bag, which measured 9 1/4 inches long by 6 1/2 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches thick.  The cover panel had a centralized 1 3/4 inches wide by 7/8 inches tall rubberized logo with BUBM in bold white and red coloration.  The surrounding stitching mirrored the outer 7 7/8 inches wide by 4 1/2 inches tall surrounding layer of stitching.  The top panel had a 4 7/8 inches long by 15/16 inches wide carry handle, and the remaining surfaces were devoid of writing. Each of the two chambers was lined by approximately 24-inches of zippered teeth, with dual zipper pulls.  When fully unzipped, the bag could unfold at the 6 5/8 inches wide clamshell hinge.

When unzipped and unfolded, the upper chamber could be divided into two parts.  The inner flap of the cover measured 8 3/8 inches wide by 6 inches tall.  The panel was divided into five columns of varying widths by a light grey mesh material.  From left to right, the columns measured 1 3/8 inches wide, 1 1/2 inches wide, 1 3/4 inches wide, 1 1/2 inches wide, and 1 1/2 inches wide.  At 1 3/8 inches from the top of the panel, BUBM included a 3/4 inches wide elastic band. Along the bottom of the panel, they included a 1 7/8 inches tall mesh pocket with 3/8 inches thick elastic band cap.  These columns proved to successfully hold at least five coiled cables of varying lengths.  Within my five chambers, I added a 40 inches long flat USB-A to USB-micro cable, a standard 41 1/2 inches long USB-A to Lightning cable with cable management strap, standard white and black 41 1/2 inches long USB-C to Lightning, as well as a black USB-A to USB-C cable. 

To continue this theme, the inner panel had three more of the columns.  However this time, the columns measured 6 inches tall and 1 7/16 inches wide.  Each of these columns had a 3/4 inches thick elastic strap, which was located one inch from the top of the panel (spine).  Along the bottom section of each of the columns, there was a 2 1/8 inches tall mesh pocket with 3/8 inches thick elastic cap.  Similar to the five columns above, the lower three columns could accommodate 1-2 coiled cables.  From left to right, I added lightning to HDMI dongle, a 41-inches long 3.5mm to 3.5mm braided cable, and USB-A to USB-C dongle into the lower columns.  Just to the left of the three columns, you will find a single six inches tall by 3 1/2 inches wide accessory pocket, accessible via a single zipper-pul. Within the mesh-lined zipper pouch, I added an iclever BOOSTDRIVE dual USB-A output car adaptor (5V/4.8A), a 1MORE 3.5mm airplane adaptor, plus my 3.5mm to USB-C, and 3.5mm to Lightning dongles.  I loved the dark black background with the grey mesh/dividers.  Additionally, the BUBM zipper pull, along with the inner zipper pocket, and the small tag, at the top of the upper panel, added an exciting touch of flare.  Before closing the pouch, I added a plastic ziplock bag that contained an 8 1/2 inches long USB-A to USB-micro cable and a braided 41 3/4 inches long USB-A to magnetic adjustable cable (USB-C, Lightning, USB-micro). 

Unzipping the lower panel, I found a similar layout to the top chamber.  The top layer (inner flap) contained two  3 3/8 inches tall by 4 1/8 inches wide mesh pockets with 3/8 inches tall elastic retention bands.  I placed a 30W USB-C charging cube into the left chamber and a USB-C to HDMI/USB-C/USB-A dongle in the other pocket.  The reverse side of the pockets was felt-lined and became part of another larger pocket just behind them.  The 6 inches tall by 8 1/4 inches wide upper pocket was designed to house a cell phone or a small tablet.  I found that it worked perfectly to house my 4 3/4 inches long by 3 1/4 inches tall 1MORE zippered earbud accessory bag.  The lower felt-lined chamber allowed for a large degree of customization with Velcro/felt-lined spacers.  I divided the chamber into thirds, spaced into two smaller and one larger rectangles.  Using one of the larger dividers and one of the small dividers, I broke this space into two 3 1/2 inches long by 3 1/2 inches wide pockets, and a 4 1/2 inches wide by 7 inches long large pocket. Within the left upper pocket, I added a DROK USB-A and DROK USB-C LCD Multimeter.  Along the bottom left pocket, I added a 15W USB-C apple charger and a model PA-Y19 AUKEY 27W PD charger.  Within the right column, I added a braided 84 inches long Uno branded HDMI to HDMI cable and a Nomad Pod for Apple Watch under one of the retention straps (Velcro).  On top of the HDMI cable, I added an AUKEY USB-C charge Hub.  Loaded with the above gear, the bag and contents weighed 43 oz.

Instead of hunting for my dongles/cables, I now enjoy my BUBM Everyday Carry (EDC) bag.  For the low price of $16.49, I gained a significant amount of organization.  To summarize, I obtained eight cable-columns, a zippered side pouch, two medium-mesh pockets, one large felt-lined velcro-accessible pocket, and a lower customizable section.  The Red/white zipper pull accents added a great deal to the overall allure of the case and the stitching appeared to be top-notch.  I have carried this bag daily over the past three months and have grown to rely upon the organization.  Gone are the days that I simply throw cables into my backpack.  Now, I have larger/smaller organization bags to maintain some semblance of order.  If you are tired of searching for that annoying dongle/cable, then look no further than the BUBM organizer.  Assuming that I put my cables away when done, it was rather comforting to know that I would not need to hunt for that missing dongle again. 

Learn more about BUBM products
Follow BUBM on Facebook. 

Combine practicality with security with Safy.

I’m a little obsessed with keeping my stuff safe. I never leave valuables in my car, always keep my phone in my front pocket, and I used RFID-blocking wallets so that my data is safe. When I travel, watching out for my things becomes a bit more complicated. What do I do on a long flight and need to sleep? What about going to a beach? These are reasons that Safy was developed. It’s an anti-theft bag that is designed to provide locked storage for valuables. 

DETAILS & FEATURES

Safy is a portable bag that combines practicality and security. The ‘bag’ is a hardshell case that is locked with a three-digit code. Inside the bag are pockets that are equipped with RFID-blocking technology. They hold items in place securely and protect items from card and passport-skimmers. The bag also features the option to add a Chipolo card for tracking the location of your bag — should it wander off. Safy is made with a durable, cut-resistant strap made with cotton and thin steel ropes that can be linked around any fixed objects. The exterior of the bag is completely water–resistant. 

The idea behind Safy came after an unfortunate experience happened to the CEO of Safy, Andrej Brumec. “My wife and I were on the beach four or five years ago, when our mobile phones were stolen from us. We shopped around for a bag that would protect us in the future but weren’t able to find anything that successfully combined usability and protection. Using our design background, we decided we needed to bring a product to market that could give users the peace of mind we craved, no matter the situation.”

And so, Safy was born. 

USER IMPRESSIONS

I love the idea of Safy. A few years ago, someone gave me a small lockbox that had a similar purpose to Safy, but it wasn’t as well developed. It was a simple, hardshell case and wasn’t resistant to the element, nor did it have built-in RFID shielding. These are features of Safy that I really admire. The case does seem to be very well-built. The strap locks into place on either side and the switch to unlock the strap is on the inside of the case. So, once it’s attached to something, it won’t come undone. 

I know that Safy isn’t meant to be a ‘catch-all’ for everything you are carrying around, but it would be nice if it was a bit bigger. I placed an iPhone XS and a Sony Xperia 10 into the main pocket of the Safy and that’s all that would fit. The iPhone does have a case with pop socket attached, but even with that, there just isn’t a lot of room inside. I couldn’t even fit a wallet that is less than an inch thick in there with the two phones. That being said, if you intend to use this box as an individual and you only want to put your phone, earbuds, wallet, and a room key in it, you should be fine. I just don’t see more than one person being able to store multiple valuables inside. 

The combination lock comes with a default of “000” as the combination. But it’s easy enough to change the combination. There is a small switch on the inside of the case that you have to flip and then lock back into place after you’ve chosen your combination. I changed the combination, locked it, unlocked it, and changed it back to the default just to make sure the process worked. I do wonder about the durability of the “cut-resistant strap.” I didn’t attempt to slice it up, but it seems as though a seat belt cutter might be able to get through it. Even though it’s supposed to be made with cotton and steel roping, it feels like a simple strap.

CONCLUSION

The Safy Anti-Theft bag is a great concept. The sample I received seems to be built very well and it looks sharp. I do question a few points of its design (the durability of the strap and the size), but overall, it’s a really nice product. I’m looking forward to having it when I take a trip in a couple of months to Florida as I think it will be perfect for storing my phone and keys in while I enjoy snorkeling. 

The bag is currently available for backers on Kickstarter. It retails for $110 or $134.50 with the Chipolo Card (at the time of publishing this article). It is estimated that Kickstarter backers will receive their Safy no later than November 2019. 

For more information, visit  safybag.com, Facebook, and Twitter.