Yesterday I realized that I have (yet another) problem that I wasn’t aware of, (another) hoarding problem. You see, I know I have an issue with notebooks, and also with pens. I collect gadgets, I have a huge collection of collectable statues and action figures. I have a problem with books, I buy them just to have them, But now I have to admit that I also collect bags. That's a big problem for me to admit. Mostly because I make fun of my mom and her bag collection.
My mom buys bags for reasons no one understands. She can buy one, and a week later buy a new one because the last one had something missing with it; One has too little pockets, the other too many, one is just too heavy, the other can't carry enough. She loves the patterns on this one bag, but a month later those are the worse, so she absolutly need that new bag she saw in the window.
I didn’t see myself has having this little addiction, but yesterday, while thinking about this review I realized that I have too many bags for my laptop and accessories. We are not talking about bags That were used until there was no choice but to set them free. These are great bags, that are perfectly fine. I can use any of them any day, And someties I do. It's just that I see a new bag and I really need it.
I looked in the closet and I found the blue, hard shell bag That I purchased in London some 8 years ago for my laptop and little else. I have a bag for my iPad, a notebook That I jave no idea where I got, but it's great. I have a big bag from Crmpler that I love because I can put everything I want into it. I got another one that my brother chose for me for my first MacBook Pro. I have more, so much more, and sometimes I even rotate between them and really use the others. NOW however, I think that I found a cure for my addictions - The Messanger Bag from Pad and Quill. It is a bag to end all bags. I hope.
THE LOOKS
Lets start from the superficioul, because it is a bag, and you will all see me carrying it, and I need you to envy me. Simply put, it's gourgeous. The bag is made from the kind of materials that will gain character the more it is used. The full grain american cowhide leather is tanned, and soft and smooth, the inside is covered with an orange twill woven waxed canvas that is nice to touch. I don't like orange normaly, but this one is nice and doesn't hurt the eyes. The strap is comfertable to put over your shoulder with a wide section to help balance the weight. The strap is connected with nicely designed metalic hooks that makes the bag a lot more reliable for the long run.
This is a bag that you will love to take out with you in public and, unless you have a problem, this might be the last bag you will ever need, and don't worry, just in case you do need to fix it, the people at Pad and Quill give 25 years gurentee on the leather. This bag is really a work of art, I love it, and I love the fact that the person who makes it also signs hers name on it. Mine was build by Margarita from Leon, Mexico.
WHAT'S INSIDE?
Ok, looks is important, but we buy bags to holds our precious belonging. So, what can this bag carry? Well, it's large enough to hold a macbook 15’’ in its dedicated pocket. I tried it and it does fir perfectly, but I carry a few other items that makes a bit of a challenge to easily put a 15 inched in or take it out. My Macbook Pro 13’’ retina (or the Macbook Air obviously) work far better. Easily slip it in and out, while your nag is full of other gadgetry goodness.
The bag has a dedicated pocket to hold the electric cable (as last) and it even fits with the extra bulkiness of the PlugBug World by [Twelve South] [http://www.twelvesouth.com/product/plugbug-world]. The second pocket fits an iPad mini with a case. That’s great, but I have an iPad Air, so I use the second pocket for my Notebook - "The Confidant” by [Baron Fig] [http://www.baronfig.com/shop] (a fantastic notebook I backed on kickstarter, I’ll put a review about it soon). I Put the iPad, with it’s [Zagg Folio Keyboard] [http://www.zagg.com/ipad-air-folio/8977] in the main pocket, along side a Muji pen case and a small bag that I use to hold all the extra cables, plugs, extra battery to charge my iPhone etc.
Last, there is a zipped pocket for my wallet, business cards and other small stuff I don't want to fall out of the bag when I leave it on the floor (at the office for example) They all fit nicely and the bag closes without a problem.
OVERALL SATISFACTION?
I love this bag. I’ve been using it for almost a month, and it makes me happy. It holds everything I need when I go to work and back. It is elegant, unique and comfortable. For now, a competitor will have to try really hard for me to buy another bag and give this one up. I hope.
Price: $369 Shipment: UPS Satisfaction: 5/5
