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You are here: Home / Archives for Mobility / Apparel & Bags

Telic Energy Flip Flop Sandals Review

11/24/2019 By Hakan Can

Telic Flip Flop Left Side Closeup

Best Flip Flops for Women and Men?

I wear sandals from the moment I wake to the moment I go to bed. So it’s safe to say I enjoy wearing sandals. I work out of a home office, an office that doesn’t have heated floors, so I need something on my feet to keep them warm. Recently, we were contacted to try something in the footwear category. This brings us to Telic–the maker of Energy Flip Flop sandals. For the past four weeks, I’ve been wearing these sandals with great satisfaction. Now it’s time to share my experience with all of you. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Telic Energy Flip Flop Review.

Telic Flip Flop Right Side

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

Pros:
• Heat-activated; conforms to your feet
• Arch support
• Shock-absorbing Novalon® material
• Textured surface material; allows airflow
• Comfortable to wear for hours at a time

Cons:
• Not ideal for environments above 100°F
• Price, maybe?

Read:   Ausangate Socks - Best Alpaca Socks Review

Telic Energy Flip Flop Review

As I stated in the opening paragraph, I’ve been wearing the Telic Energy Flip Flops inside my home and in the front yard for the past month. Before this, I was wearing leather sandals from Kenneth Cole and inexpensive sandals from Timberland. The leather sandals are handsome, but they’re made for outdoor use, plus they’re falling apart after many years of use. The Timberland sandals aren’t much to brag about. They have only one purpose, and that’s for taking showers at the gym. So while I worked at home writing and editing, I was wearing socks (which often caused my feet to lose traction) or was barefoot. This was not ideal for Fall or Winter months. Until I find some split toed socks, I’ll be wearing these Energy Flip Flops the way nature intended–barefooted.

Best Flip Flops with Arch Support

Design, Features, and Performance

What makes these flip flops stand out from the crowd? First, they’re manufactured from a material called Novalon®. Although the name sounds like that of some character from the Marvel Universe, I assure it’s not. It’s actually an elastomer that’s latex and allergy-free. The description the folks at Telic provide is better than anything I can write. “The unique blend of elasto-polymers is feather-light, pillow-soft, and provides exceptional cushioning, rebound, and elasticity. Telic shoes not only absorb shock, but they have a noticeable “bounce back” effect that makes you feel like you are floating above the ground.” When I say that you won’t want to take them off your feet, I’m not exaggerating. They’re on my feet many hours per day.

Telic Flip Flop Left Side Closeup

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

Read:   1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Like many elastomer materials, the flip flops are affected by temperature. Under the Common Questions page on the Telic website, it states that cold weather makes the shoes more firm, while warm temps make them soft. Do try to avoid wearing them in temperatures above 100°F and do keep them out of direct sunlight. In other words, it’s not wise to wear them in Las Vegas or Phoenix during the height of Summer.

When I received the sample pair, my first thought was “they’re too small, they’ll never fit.” To my surprise, the Men’s Size 9 was a perfect fit. It took roughly a half hour for my arched feet to become accustomed to the flip flops. After all, they’re heat activated to conform to your feet. The contoured footbed with its arch support and shock absorption make this one very comfortable product to wear. And when you walk, there’s a nice bounce in your step.

Check out this next image demonstrating the differences between shoe types.

Telic Flip Flop Weight Distribution

Image Credit: Telic Copyright 2019

As you see from the Pros vs. Cons list, the former greatly outweighs the latter. From my perspective, the $50 price tag isn’t an issue as you’re getting a high-quality product that’s available in no less than a dozen or so colors and patterns. While I have a pair in Midnight Black, I intend to purchase a pair in Deep Ocean or Dolphin Gray for outdoor use to better match my clothes.

Keep your eyes open for sales as Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals are rapidly approaching.

Telic Flip Flop Rear Top View

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

Telic Flip Flop Underside

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

Recently I learned that the lifeguard at my Boston Sports Club wears Telic Flip Flops. He raves about them so much that the gym is considering purchasing a pair for its staff. Now that’s a pretty good endorsement.

Read:   Sennheiser Momentum Free Earbuds Review

Conclusion

For only the second time in my blogging life have I reviewed a product that had nothing to do with my head or hands. While reviewing a product for the feet (like socks or sandals), you wear them for extended periods; hence, the review is more thorough. I’ve been blessed that both footwear products have been home runs, so much so that I’ve become a repeat customer of Ausangate Socks, the first footwear brand I’ve reviewed.

From a physical design perspective, I found the Telic Energy Flip Flops perfectly fit my high-arched, size 9 feet. They’re so lightweight, soft and pillow-like that you don’t want to take them off.

Are there less expensive flip flops available on the market? Of course there are, but none that your feet will thank you for more. You won’t be disappointed with them. All of Telic’s footwear comes with a 6-month wear guarantee and an unlimited warranty against all manufacturers’ defects.

Telic Flip Flop Front/Rear Views

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

What do you think of this Telic Energy Flip Flop sandals review? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Do you think these might be the best flip flops for women or men available today? Might they be the best ergonomic flip flops or best flip flops with arch support? The only way you’ll know is if you try them on.

Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts. Should you wish to purchase this or another product from Telic, simply click onto their shopping page. We at Beantown don’t earn a commission or anything.

INSERT PHOTO

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Telic homepage to see the latest announcements and doctor and athlete testimonials.

FTC Disclosure: Beantown was provided with one (1) pair of Energy Flip Flops in Midnight Black for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2019.

Read:   Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: Energy Flip Flop, Footwear, Sandals, Telic Footwear 11/25/2019

One Stylish Mini Backpack for Women – Moshi Helios Mini

09/17/2018 By Hakan Can

Stylish laptop bag for women

Roughly six months ago, Moshi, the SF Bay Area manufacturer of premium bags, headphones, protective cases, and other digital lifestyle products, introduced their Spring/Summer 2018 Urban Safari bag collection. What we got were some stylish mini backpacks for women and men. We already had the pleasure of reviewing the Tego Urban Backpack so now let’s take a closer look at one of the recently released designer backpacks for women in this Moshi Helios Mini backpack review.

Stylish laptop bag for women

Pros:
• Well constructed mini backpack
• Weather-resistant vegan leather material
• Stylish design inside and out
• RFID shielded pocket
• Can hold up to a 13″ MacBook Pro

Cons:
• Two color schemes currently available
• $130 price may be deemed high by some

Read:   Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

This is One Stylish Mini Backpack for Women!

If you’re familiar with this website, then you know that after doing more than a dozen Moshi product reviews, we’re fans of this lifestyle brand. Still, we don’t allow that fact to cloud our objectivity.

Per the press release: “Moshi is excited to launch new bags as part of their 2018 Urban Safari collection. This collection is entirely crafted from sustainable vegan leather – ideal for the casually elegant travellers amongst us seeking an ethical wardrobe that doesn’t compromise on style and quality.”

“Helios Mini is a small designer backpack also crafted with lightweight, weather-resistant vegan leather. Its slim silhouette is ideal for users seeking a compact premium bag that can carry a 13-inch USB-C MacBook Pro, or a tablet with room to spare for sunglasses, a water bottle and wallet. Helios Mini is also available in Olive Green and Savanna Beige, with an MSRP of $130 USD on www.moshi.com.”

Stylish laptop bag for women

Moshi Helios Mini Backpack Review

Because I’m not the target consumer for this stylish laptop bag for women (being a guy and all), I needed a woman’s perspective and one that is my junior. Thankfully, I was able to enlist the help of one of my more attractive friends for this review. You can see photos of her sporting the Helios Mini designer backpack throughout this post.

First impressions are important, and the ones I received from her were excellent. “I really like the Helios Mini because it’s not only stylish, but it’s sufficient. It has plenty of pockets for everything I need to carry on the go.”

Don’t believe her? Then feel free to walk around a large department store like Macy’s or peruse the web. I welcome you to compare Moshi’s bags and backpacks to those that you see there. Only then will you know you’ve found the right bag or backpack for you.

Read:   Moshi Helios Lite Designer Backpack Review

On The Outside…

If you’re familiar with the Helios Lite backpack, then you’ve probably noticed something different about the Helios Mini. This time around, Moshi utilizes a design comprised of weather-resistant and easy-to-clean premium vegan leather as opposed to fabric. Although the Mini is the little sister of the Lite, they look and feel different on the outside.

The differences don’t end there. Silver hardware has been replaced with ones of gold.

On the front, you’ll see one left-to-right zipper plus two faux-adjustable straps with magnetic snap latches. This zippered pocket is a perfect place to store glasses and the Vortex Air in-ear headphones. You can’t help but notice how the gold zipper stands out. The metal handle is stamped or engraved with the ‘moshi’ logo. Like the one on the rear, both zipper handles complement the color patterns and offer a contrast to the 90-degree angles of the bag.

There’s also the standard square metal ‘moshi’ logo located on the lower right front of the Helios Mini.

Stylish laptop bag for women
Stylish laptop bag for women

On the rear of this 9.06″ x 13″ x 4.3″ designer backpack is one nearly top-to-bottom zippered Napoleon pocket. If you want to hide those items that’ll make you most upset if lost or stolen (identification cards, wallet, passport, etc.), then I suggest this pocket or the RFID protected one on the inside is where you hide them.

What’s truly magical is a portion of the metal handle can be tucked away. Although barely noticeable, it’s a beautiful addition to the Helios backpack line. Like with the vegan leather/fabric adjustable shoulder straps, the handles show that added bit of care and craftsmanship.

One thing you don’t see on this mini backpack is water bottle holders. You can tuck that drink away on the inside.

As stated in many of our Moshi reviews, “The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.”

Read:   Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

… And Now For The Inside

The interior of the Helios Mini is broken down into three compartments. Directly underneath the top front flap is the first compartment capable of holding some notes. It’s accented with black vegan leather trim.

The next two compartments are within the bag’s opening. First, there’s the thickly padded 13″ MacBook Pro compartment which protects your pricey tech in the event of a drop. Opposite to the padded compartment is a zippered pocket for your most sacred items, i.e., wallet, passport, etc., plus a few sleeved pockets for items like a pen, a toothbrush, USB cables, or a power charger like the Moshi IonBank 5K.

Within the bag is plenty of space for a few food items and/or Moshi’s Avanti headphones. There’s also an adjustable strap down low to tighten or loosen the width of the pack.

Stylish laptop bag for women

Just like Moshi’s other product lines, the lining of this bag is luxurious. On this particular model, the lining is dark gray.

This bag weighs 1.55 lbs and as stated earlier, has dimensions of 9.06″ x 13″ x 4.3″. For you Metric System users, the weight is 0.7 kilogram, and its dimensions are 23 x 33 x 11 cm.

Read:   Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Final Thoughts

Both color patterns of the Helios Mini are available for purchase on either Amazon (see link below) and the Moshi website (see links above.)

The Helios Mini is one beautiful designer laptop backpack which fits nicely within Moshi’s Summer 2018 Bag Collection. Should your needs steer you to something larger, then I direct you to Moshi’s Helios. Whether you’re a fashion-conscious college student or a young urban professional who likes to accessorize, I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the Helios Mini. I know my model is.

We review plenty of bags every year, so if the Helios Mini isn’t a contender for the best designer backpack for women in 2018 and beyond, then we don’t know what is.

I really like the Helios Mini because it’s not only stylish, but it’s sufficient. It has plenty of pockets for everything I need to carry on the go. Click To Tweet

Stylish laptop bag for women

Read:   Moshi Urbana Briefcase Review

What do you think of this Moshi Helios Mini backpack review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the more stylish mini backpacks for women this year? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. Moshi and we are eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi press page to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. There’s a one-year limited warranty on all Moshi products. There’s also an extended warranty via product registration. We highly advise you take advantage of this.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Helios Mini designer laptop backpack sample (in savanna beige) for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2018.

Read:   Best Urban Backpack of 2018? Moshi Tego Backpack Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: Fashion Backpack, Helios Mini, Laptop Backpack, mini backpack, Moshi 09/27/2018

Best Urban Backpack of 2018? Moshi Tego Backpack Review

04/21/2018 By Hakan Can

Moshi Tego backpack review

Three months ago at CES2018, Moshi, the west coast maker of premium backpacks and bags, headphones, protective cases, and other digital lifestyle products, introduced their Tego 2018 bag collection. With Spring finally upon us, what better opportunity than now to review their latest offerings. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at one of their recently released products in this Moshi Tego backpack review.

Pros:
• Well constructed with futuristic design
• Cut-proof, lightweight, durable fabrics
• Weather-resistant treatment
• Can hold a 10″ tablet + 15″ laptop
• Technology conscious design
• 3M Scotchlite reflective strip

Cons:
• Only two color schemes available
• $149 price may be deemed high by some

Moshi Tego backpack review
Front Exterior View
Moshi Tego backpack review
Rear View w/Straps Pulled Back w/Storage Bag

Read:   Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

Moshi Tego Backpack Review

A Backpack for the Tech-Savvy Urban Commuter

If you’re familiar with this website, then you know that after doing a dozen reviews on Moshi products, we’re fans of this lifestyle brand.

Per the press release: “Moshi, the international accessory designer, today announces the debut of the Tego Collection, four new bags inspired by urban streetwear that provides the ideal combination of style and safety, and Avanti Air, wireless on-ear headphones blending minimalist and retro styling with the best wireless audio technology.”

“Each bag in the Tego Collection ensures you travel smart with anti-theft concealed zippers, cut-proof fabric and 3M Scotchlite reflective strip for safety at night. Crafted from lightweight and durable fabrics, each bag features padded Airmesh straps for breathability and comfort, weather-resistant surface treatment and zinc alloy hardware and studs. The Tego Collection consists of four styles: Tego Backpack, Tego Sling Messenger Bag, Tego Crossbody Sling, and the Tego Slingpack, each available in Stone Gray and Charcoal Black, and are priced starting at $99.95.”

With the exception of the Tego Slingpack, the Tego Collection is not part of the Urban Safari Bag Collection which was introduced in February of this year. This latter collection consists of the Lula crossbody mini handbag and Helios Mini backpack, both available in the olive green or savanna beige colors.

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

On The Surface

You’re probably saying to yourself or maybe out loud something to the effect, ‘What’s up with this futuristic, science fiction, and space travel inspired design?’ I certainly did at first glance.

The Tego backpack is made from the same high-resilience polyester materials with the same weather-resistant surface treatment that appear on most, if not all of Moshi’s 2016 and 2017 bag collections. The charcoal black color is the same that graces the Vacanza travel bag, and Arcus and Helios backpacks. Stone gray is new to the Moshi universe, and only appears on the four Tego-named products.

Moshi Tego backpack review
Rear View w/Straps Shown
Moshi Tego backpack review
Rear View w/Straps Pulled Back

On the front, you won’t see any zippers or sleeves; not a single one. All you’ll see is the square metal Moshi decal on the lower right. What you don’t see is the weather-resistance surface treatment which protects Tego from the elements or the 3M Scotchlite reflective strip. Of course, you’ll only notice the latter at night.

Flipping the bag over, you’ll see the adjustable shoulder straps, the heavy-duty coat hook, the padded and vented back support, and an 11″ x 7″ RFID shielded zippered pocket. It’s in this last feature where you’ll want to place those (micro-chipped) items that’ll make you most upset if lost or stolen (identification cards, wallet, passport, etc.) This RFID protected pocket is a must in today’s society, and I for one am glad that Moshi incorporated it. I hope we see an RFID pocket on all Moshi bags and backpacks going forward.

What the Tego backpack doesn’t have are water bottle holders or cross-body straps. Not including either was the right move on Moshi’s part.

Moshi Tego backpack review
RFID Zippered Compartment
Moshi Tego backpack review
Durable Hardened Underside

Harder to notice is the 40″+ wrap-around zipper which allows for the bag to lay flat when opened. Even though space is tight, there was no difficulty opening this zipper, unlike on a previously-reviewed crossbody bag. The other inconspicuous item is the pass-through USB charging port. I’ve seen this feature on bags before, but they were usually poorly conceived; not the case with Moshi’s design. Who wouldn’t want a pass-through charging port?

Finally, we come to the underside which has a durable and hardened surface with padding behind it to protect contents against drops.

As stated in the past Moshi product reviews, “The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.” The craftsmanship of this backpack is solid.

Read:   Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

What’s On The Inside

The interior of this Tego backpack is broken down into two compartments.

The front side of the backpack has a 3½” x 6″ microfiber pouch for holding sunglasses, plus there more pockets, one of which is to carry a battery charger like the Moshi IonBank 5K. After all, the pass-through USB port has to go somewhere.

Moshi Tego backpack review
Interior Compartments
Moshi Tego backpack review
Interior Compartments

On the back flap, there are two padded sleeved compartments. One is for holding up to a 10½” tablet, the other a 15″ laptop. Should the bag get upside down, you need not worry about either device sliding out. A Velcro strap holds both in place.

Below these are two equally sized 5½” x 6″ deep pockets. Each pocket is capable of holding one sizeable mobile device.

The belly of the backpack is 5″ wide and with more than enough space to simultaneously hold books, clothing, lunch, a headphones case, even a Manfrotto compact tripod.

The lining of this Moshi bag is luxurious, and it’s throughout their 2017 and 2018 lineups. On this particular model, the lining is dark gray.

Moshi Tego backpack review
Laptop/Tablet Sleeve Compartment
Moshi Tego backpack review
Pocket/Sleeve Compartment w/Charger

This bag weighs 1.87 lbs and as stated earlier, has dimensions of 13″ x 20.6″ x 5.5″. For you Metric System users, the weight is 0.85 kilograms, and its dimensions are 33 x 52.5 x 14 cm. Also included is a storage bag big enough to fit the backpack.

Read:   Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Final Thoughts

Although my first impression was “What the heck is this?” it didn’t take long for me to grow fond of the Tego backpack. After all, this bag was well thought out and has some very real-world, practical uses.

The Moshi Tego backpack provides much with its feature-rich, tech-forward approach at a price of $149.99. If you’re an urban dweller or a suburban commuter, you can’t go wrong with a great-looking product. I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the Tego.

Both color patterns of the Tego are available for purchase on either Amazon (see the link at the bottom of this review) and the Moshi website.

Based on this thorough review,  Moshi’s Tego is one handsome, futuristic-looking commuter backpack which fits nicely within their Urban Safari bag collection for Spring 2018. If your needs are for something a bit smaller, then I direct you to either the Moshi Tego Sling Messenger or the Tego Crossbody Sling.

The Moshi Tego backpack provides much with its feature-rich, tech-forward approach at a price of $149.99. Click To Tweet
Read:   Moshi Urbana Briefcase Review

You’re welcome you to compare Moshi’s bags and backpacks to those from other brands. Only then will you know you’ve found the right bag or backpack for you.

What do you think of this Moshi Tego backpack review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the best commuter backpacks for 2018? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi press page to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. There’s a one-year limited warranty on all Moshi products. There’s also an extended warranty via product registration. We highly advise you take advantage of this.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Tego backpack sample (in charcoal black) for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown and Moshi © 2018.

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: backpack, Commuter Backpack, Designer Backpack, Fashion Backpack, Laptop Backpack, Moshi, Tego 09/26/2018

Preview: Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection

10/02/2017 By Hakan Can

Gitzo Century camera bag

For you camera bag and backpack lovers, just when you thought there would be nothing new and exciting between Back to School 2017 and CES2018 comes the Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection from Manfrotto. For those of you who still aren’t familiar with Manfrotto or their partner brand Gitzo, it’s high time you become so. You probably own one of their tripods and not realize it. We at Beantown are fans and users of Manfrotto’s products. Should you be heading to NY this month for the upcoming NAB NY or PhotoPlus expos, then you’ll be among the first to see the Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection in person.

Gitzo Century camera bag

Gitzo Century Traveler Camera Messenger

If you’re heading to PhotoPlus Expo, you can see the collection in Hall 3, Booth 855.

Manfrotto Introduces the Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection for Fall 2017

A little over a month ago, the folks at Manfrotto did something that caused the genie to come out of its bottle. It turns out that Gitzo, a partner brand of Manfrotto, are celebrating their 100th anniversary. In honor of that celebration, they introduced the Century Camera Bag Collection.

Over the past two months, we’ve previewed a handful of back-to-school, urban professional, and travel bags from the likes of Speck and Moshi. (Inline related posts are sprinkled below.) All are beautiful, practical, and well-designed. And we’ve put many of them to good use. Unfortunately, we’ve gone many months without seeing anything new in the camera bag department until now.

The Century Collection takes the typical boring and drab camera bag and tosses it out the window. Per the press release “All the models in Gitzo’s new range are built to meet the needs of the world’s most style-conscious photographers. Made in Italy, they are an appealing combination of genuine Italian cow leather and wear-resistant nylon, guaranteeing high resistance to scratches and abrasions. The bags are water-repellent and were crafted to resemble the look of carbon fiber, reminiscent of the Gitzo Traveler tripod legs.”

Gitzo Century camera bag

Gitzo Century Compact Camera Messenger

Both bags and backpack come in black and are made of genuine Italian leather and carbon fiber designed wear-resistant nylon. If this isn’t attractive enough for you, pull back the straps, and a beautiful lining is revealed.  For those of you who not only care about the look of your bag but the internal quality, this collection has ‘Premium’ written all over it.

While each bag and backpack has something different to offer its user, there’s plenty in common. All three products in the Century Collection have a water-repellent coating applied to them. If being water repellent isn’t enough, each has a fold-out rain protector.

The bags and backpack also have either flexible, interchangeable, or removable dividers. You can customize the placement of your lenses and gear while also having the ability to fold or pull out the dividers when needed. They can accept a DJI Mavic Pro drone. The backpack and larger messenger bag even have an external tripod connection. In addition to the carbon fiber look, all three have a trolley strap to fit over a luggage handle. The backpack can hold a 15″ laptop with the messenger bags able to hold a tablet.

Read:   Preview: Manfrotto Windsor Camera Bag Collection

Introducing the Gitzo Century traveler camera backpack, Century traveler camera messenger bag, and Century compact camera messenger bag.

Gitzo Century Traveler Camera Backpack

Gitzo Century camera bag
Gitzo Century camera bag
Gitzo Century camera bag
Century Traveler Backpack
• External Dimensions: H x L x W
• Internal Main Compartment: H x L x W
• Personal Compartment: H x L x W
• Laptop Compartment: H x L x W
• Camera Insert Dimensions: H x L x W
• Number of Lenses / Type of Gear
• Weight

Specifications
• 18.11 x 12.99 x 5.91 Inches
• 17.72 x 12.6 x 4.72 Inches
• 9.06 x 11.42 x 4.72 Inches
• 16.93 x 11.42 x 0.79 Inches
• 8.27  x 12.6 x 3.94 Inches
• 3, Drone/DSLR/Mirrorless
• 67 oz

Gitzo Century camera bag

Read:   Introducing the Targus Mobile ViP Collection - Premium Laptop Cases

Gitzo Century Traveler Camera Messenger

If you couldn’t tell, the two Windsor messenger bags are identical in every way except size; the ‘S’ is for Small, and the ‘M’ is for Medium. Whichever model you go with, you’ve chosen a beautifully designed bag.

Gitzo Century camera bag
Gitzo Century camera bag
Gitzo Century camera bag
Century Traveler Messenger Bag
• External Dimensions: H x L x W
• Internal Main Compartment: H x L x W
• Laptop Compartment: H x L x W
• Tripod Compartment Dimensions: H x L x W
• Number of Lenses / Type of Gear
• Weight

Specifications
• 11.02 x 15.35 x 5.51 Inches
• 9.84 x 14.17 x 3.54 Inches
• 9.84 x 12.99 x 0.79 Inches
• 17.72 x 4.72 x 4.72 Inches
• 4, Drone/DSLR/Mirrorless
• 42.32 oz

Gitzo Century camera bag

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

Gitzo Century Compact Camera Messenger Bag

Gitzo Century camera bag
Gitzo Century camera bag
Gitzo Century camera bag
Century Compact Camera Messenger
• External Dimensions: H x L x W
• Internal Main Compartment: H x L x W
• Laptop Compartment: H x L x W
• Number of Lenses / Type of Gear
• Weight

Specifications
• 8.27 x 12.99 x 4.72 Inches
• 7.87 x 11.42 x TBD Inches
• 7.87 x 9.65 x 0.59 Inches
• 3, Mirrorless
• 26.45 oz

Gitzo Century camera bag

Read:   Motorola Moto Z2 Play Review

Final Thoughts

Pricing for the Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection is as follows:

• Century Traveler Camera Backpack
• Century Traveler Camera Messenger Bag
• Century Compact Camera Messenger Bag

• $299.99
• $199.99
• $169.99

At a price range of $170-$300, the Gitzo Century Collection is slightly higher than comparable product lines from other manufacturers. Favorable factors here are its style, choice of materials (leather/nylon), and water repellent feature. For a list of compatible camera models for each bag, please visit the respective linked Gitzo product page, and look under Specifications. Don’t hesitate to head over to the Manfrotto website to see everything else they’ve got. Click the following link to see videos on the Gitzo Century Collection.

What do you think of the Gitzo Century bag collection? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Manfrotto’s Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection comes with a 5-year standard limited warranty upon registration.

Read:   Speck Back To School Backpacks for 2017 Preview

All photographs are courtesy of and the copyrighted property of VitecGroup Italia Spa (Manfrotto.)

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: Camera Backpack, camera bag, Gitzo, Gitzo Century, Manfrotto 10/02/2017

Speck Ruck Backpack Review

09/18/2017 By Hakan Can

Speck Ruck Backpack

It’s official. Summer 2017 is over, and with that, Back-to-School Shopping Season is behind us as well. Speck, the best-selling mobile phone case maker in the United States, just released their latest line of protective laptop backpacks for 2017. These four new school bags: 3 Pointer, Candlepin, Module, and The Ruck, offer something different for nearly everyone, and at a price point to please. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Speck Ruck Backpack review.

Speck Ruck Backpack
Speck Ruck Backpack
Speck Ruck Backpack
Speck Ruck Backpack

Introducing the Speck Ruck Backpack for 2017

Press Release

Per the Speck Products press release, “Speck’s 2017 Backpacks are durable, stylish, and ready to go with you to class or on your next adventure. Each bag fits up to a 15-inch laptop and has a sleeve to protect and secure a tablet. For all of your other gear, each bag features plenty of space and pockets to keep you organized.”

Read:   Speck Module Backpack Review
Speck Ruck Backpack
Speck Ruck Backpack

The Ruck Backpack

“With two compartments, several pockets, and dedicated sleeves for a laptop and tablet, The Ruck gives you enough storage space for everything you need to carry.” The folks at Speck aren’t kidding about the “storage space.”

In our testing, we placed a 13″ laptop in the lined sleeve where a 12″ tablet is supposed to go with no effort necessary. Simultaneously, we securely put a 15″ laptop and multiple books, big and small, in the main compartment of the Speck Ruck backpack with room to spare. The front face of the bag has a zippered pocket for glasses and in-ear headphones with another, this time larger and hidden, for longer items. The tablet compartment has one open sleeve in addition to the tablet sleeve, one zippered sleeve for a wallet, holders for three pens, and carabiner for your keys. Each side is capable of holding a water bottle.

  • Available Color Patterns: Khaki, Charcoal Grey
  • Padded laptop sleeve protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops.
  • Interior tablet sleeve secures and protects a 10-12″ tablet or e-reader.
  • Front pocket keeps cables, phone, and other small items handy.
  • Side water bottle pockets, one per side. Not elasticized.
  • Mesh foam strap and lower back padding provides superior comfort.
  • Hangar hook and padded top handle offer easy and comfortable transport.
  • The contoured design makes it comfortable to carry.
  • Standard zippers have oversize drawstrings.
  • Dimensions: Currently not available.
  • Weight: Currently not available.
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • MSRP $49.99
Speck Ruck Backpack
Speck Ruck Backpack
Speck Ruck Backpack
Speck Ruck Backpack
Read:   The Best Speck CandyShell iPhone 6/6s Cases of 2016

Final Thoughts

With all its features, the Ruck laptop backpack from Speck delivers plenty of bang for the buck with its stylish, urban commuter design. When compared to similar packs, I believe the $50 price tag is quite fair. The colors are perfect for the Fall 2017 season.

If you’re a 20 or 30-something urban or suburban commuter or some chap who likes to accessorize with a great-looking product, I believe you’ll be very pleased with The Ruck. If you take great care of it, don’t be surprised when this backpack lasts you a decade or more.

Read:   Speck Back To School Backpacks for 2017 Preview

What do you think of this Speck Ruck backpack review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the better laptop backpacks for boys and girls for Fall 2017? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Speck’s press page or blog to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about customer service and support, click here.

All four Speck back to school 2017 book bags are currently available on the Speck website with a minimal $5 two-day shipping fee. And all come with a limited three-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Speck provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Ruck laptop backpack sample in charcoal grey for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Speck Products or Beantown LLC © 2017.

Read:   Moshi Helios Lite Designer Backpack Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: back to school, back to school 2017, Laptop Backpack, Laptop Bag, Speck, The Ruck 09/18/2017

Speck Module Backpack Review

09/17/2017 By Hakan Can

Speck Module Backpack

Summer is nearly over, and with that said, Back-to-School Shopping Season begins. Speck, the best-selling mobile phone case maker in the United States, just released their latest line of protective laptop backpacks for 2017. These four new school bags: 3 Pointer, Candlepin, Module, and The Ruck, offer something different for nearly everyone, and at a price point to please. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Speck Module Backpack review.

Module Backpack from Speck
Module Backpack from Speck
Module Backpack from Speck
Module Backpack from Speck

Introducing the Speck Module Backpack for 2017

Press Release

Per the Speck Products press release, “Speck’s 2017 Backpacks are durable, stylish, and ready to go with you to class or on your next adventure. Each bag fits up to a 15-inch laptop and has a sleeve to protect and secure a tablet. For all of your other gear, each bag features plenty of space and pockets to keep you organized.”

Read:   The Best Speck CandyShell iPhone 6/6s Cases of 2016
Speck Module Backpack
Speck Module Backpack

Module Backpack

“You’ll stay organized with the Module backpack. It features several pockets to store everything you carry each day, from notebooks and pens, to cables, chargers, and your favorite tech.”

The folks at Speck aren’t kidding. In our testing, we placed a 10″ Android tablet, a large 15″ laptop, two 600-page books, and a coffee table book, in the main compartment of the Module backpack with room to spare. Each side is capable of holding a water bottle, with a third able to be placed into the long front pocket. Don’t need three water bottles–that’s fine. Use the long pocket for a compact umbrella in the event of rain. The remaining two front pockets are perfect for cables, chargers, and in-ear headphones.

  • Available Color Patterns: Black
  • Laptop sleeve protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops.
  • Tablet sleeve secures and protects a 10-12″ tablet or e-reader.
  • Elasticized water bottle pockets, one on each side.
  • Front pockets keep cables, phone, and other small items handy.
  • Eyeglasses pocket provides protection from scratches.
  • Padded shoulder straps keep you comfortable.
  • Large zippers have oversize drawstrings.
  • Polyester exterior for durability.
  • Dimensions: Currently not available.
  • Weight: Currently not available.
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • MSRP $39.99
Module Backpack from Speck
Module Backpack from Speck
Module Backpack from Speck
Module Backpack from Speck
Read:   Moshi Helios Lite Designer Backpack Review

Final Thoughts

With all its features, the Module laptop backpack from Speck delivers plenty of bang for the buck with its tech-savvy, camouflaged trimmed design. When compared to other backpacks for teens and the college-aged crowd, I believe the $40 price tag is quite fair. It’s perfect for the Back-to-School 2017 season.

If you’re a 20-something urban or suburban commuter or some chap who likes to accessorize with a great-looking product, I believe you’ll be very pleased with Module. If you take great care of it, don’t be surprised when this backpack lasts you a decade or more. It’s made that well.

Read:   Moshi Mythro Air Earphones Review

What do you think of this Speck Module backpack review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the better laptop backpacks for boys and girls for Fall 2017? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Speck’s press page or blog to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about customer service and support, click here.

All four Speck back to school 2017 book bags are currently available on the Speck website with a minimal $5 two-day shipping fee. And all come with a limited three-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Speck provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Module laptop backpack sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Speck Products or Beantown LLC © 2017.

Read:   Introducing the Targus Mobile ViP Collection - Premium Laptop Cases

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: back to school, back to school 2017, backpack, Laptop Backpack, Speck 09/17/2017

Moshi Helios Lite Designer Backpack Review

09/14/2017 By Hakan Can

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

Nearly one month ago to the day, Moshi, the west coast maker of premium backpacks and bags, headphones, protective cases, and other digital lifestyle products, introduced their Autumn/Winter 2017 bag collection. With Autumn right around the corner across Europe and North America, what better opportunity than now to review their latest offerings. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at one of the three recently released products in this Moshi Helios Lite backpack review.

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

Pros:
• Well constructed modern design
• Durable fabrics and weather-resistant materials
• Fashion and technology conscious design
• Four beautiful color schemes

Cons:
• Designed solely for women
• Cannot hold a 15″ laptop*
• $120 price may be deemed high by some

Read:   Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

Moshi Helios Lite Backpack Review

If you’re familiar with this website, then you know that after doing a dozen reviews on Moshi products, we’re fans of this lifestyle brand.

Per the press release: “Moshi is excited to introduce its A/W 2017 bag collection featuring the Urbana briefcase, Helios Lite backpack and Costa travel satchel in two new colors: Slate Black and Sandstone Beige.”

“Whether it’s the twill-patterned Earth color option reminiscent of sturdy tweed jackets or the silky Coal color option with a luxurious herringbone pattern, Moshi’s new seasonal bag collection adds both class and sophistication to the everyday carry.”

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review
Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

A Stylish Backpack for the Younger Business Woman

Once again, I’ve done something different for this review. I had no choice but to enlist the help of others. As I’m not the target consumer for this fashion backpack (being a guy and all), I needed a woman’s perspective and a younger one at that. So I asked and received the assistance of my friend Smiley (I won’t disclose her actual name) on the review of this designer backpack. Photos of her sporting the Helios Lite are sprinkled above and below.

First impressions are important, and the ones I received from her were excellent. When Smiley first saw this fashion backpack via Moshi’s website, she was impressed and wished she had one. If you saw this product online, what would your first impression be?

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

To present the proper perspective on the Helios Lite backpack, it must be compared to similar fashion packs from the likes of Grafea, Kelly Moore, Vinta, just to name a few. Visit any of the brands’ websites and you’ll see that Helios/Helios Lite stack up well against them. You’ll notice similarities and you should since they’re all designer backpacks. It turns out that the quality and craftsmanship of their products is a non-issue. Along with more features, what you’ll see is a much better price, and to the high majority of us, that’s a deciding factor. Pretty much everything the others manufacture is over $200.

I welcome you to compare Moshi’s bags and backpacks to those more expensive brands. Only then will you know you’ve found the right bag or backpack for you.

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

On The Outside

You probably noticed that the Helios Lite laptop backpack for women is made from the same high-resilience polyester materials with the same weather-resistant surface treatment that appear on most, if not all of Moshi’s 2016 and 2017 bag collections. The similarities don’t end there. The Slate Black and Sandstone Beige colors that now grace the Urbana briefcase and Costa travel bag appear on this product as well.

On the front, you’ll see one left-to-right zipper with black vegan leather trim plus two faux-adjustable straps with magnetic snap latches. This 5″ x 9″ zippered pocket is a perfect place to store (sun)glasses and in-ear headphones like the Vortex Air. You can’t help but notice this zipper stand out. The metal handle is rounded with a stamped or engraved ‘moshi’ logo. Like the one on the rear, this rounded handle offers a contrast to the 90-degree angles of the bag, as well as to the square metal ‘moshi’ logo located on the lower right front of the Helios Lite.

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review
Moshi Helios Lite backpack review
Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

On the rear of this 11.2″ x 3.9″ x 15.1″ designer backpack is one top-to-bottom zippered 8″ x 9″ hidden pocket. If you want to hide those items that’ll make you most upset if lost or stolen (identification cards, wallet, passport, etc.), then I suggest this pocket is where you hide them. What’s truly magical is a portion of the metal handle can be tucked away. Although you barely notice it, it’s a wonderful addition to the backpack.

One can’t forget the long, durable, padded, and adjustable shoulder straps. Each shoulder strap has two attachment points for items like a padlock or carabiner. Wrapping up the exterior is the thick vegan leather coat rack handle. What you don’t see on this backpack are water bottle holders or a cross-body strap, and I for one believe this is a good thing.

And finally, we come to the underside which has a durable and hardened surface with padding behind it to protect contents against drops.

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

As stated in the past Moshi reviews, “The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.” As this product dates back to CES 2016, this fashion backpack is now available in four color patterns. (Sky Blue and Titanium Gray are its original colors.)

Read:   Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

What’s On The Inside

Just like it’s big sister Helios, the interior of the Helios Lite is broken down into three compartments. Directly underneath the top front flap, the first compartment is capable of holding a 10″ iPad or tablet, plus a notebook. It’s accented with black vegan leather trim.

The next two compartments are within the bag’s wide-mouth opening. One is a thickly padded laptop compartment which protects your 13″ laptop in case of drops. The second is wide and deep. Internally on the front side, there’s a zippered pocket for your most sacred items, i.e., wallet, passport, etc., plus three loose pockets for items like a pen, a toothbrush, USB cables, or a Moshi IonBank 5K.

On the opposite side of the laptop compartment are two equally sized padded pockets running just under half the height of the pack. Each pocket is capable of holding one large mobile device. In the middle, feel free to pack some clothing, gloves, headphones, and lunch. We were surprised how much we could place in here while maintaining the backpack’s appearance. There’s also an adjustable strap down low to tighten or loosen the 4″ width of the pack.

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review
Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

The lining of this Moshi bag is luxurious, and it’s throughout their 2017 lineup. On this particular model, the lining is dark gray.

This bag weighs 25.74 oz and as stated earlier, has dimensions of 11.2″ x 3.9″ x 15.1″. For you Metric System users, the weight is 0.73 kilograms, and its dimensions are 28.5 x 10 x 38.5 cm.

Read:   Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Final Thoughts

The Moshi Helios Lite backpack delivers much with its feature-rich, fashion approach. Whether you’re a fashion-conscious Instagrammer girl or a young urban professional who likes to accessorize with a great-looking product, I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the Helios Lite. Smiley sure is.

All four color patterns of the Helios Lite are available for purchase on either Amazon (see link below) and the Moshi website.

Based on everything above, Moshi’s Helios Lite is one beautiful designer laptop backpack which fits nicely within the A/W 2017 bag Collection. If your needs steer you to something larger, then I direct you to Moshi’s Helios*.

The Moshi Helios Lite backpack delivers much with its feature-rich, fashion approach. Click To Tweet

Moshi Helios Lite backpack review

Read:   Moshi Urbana Briefcase Review

What do you think of this Moshi Helios Lite backpack review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the best fashion backpacks for women in 2017? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

• Follow Moshi on Twitter
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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi press page to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. There’s a one-year limited warranty on all Moshi products. There’s also an extended warranty via product registration. We highly advise you take advantage of this.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Helios Lite laptop backpack sample (in slate black) for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown and Moshi © 2017.

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: backpack, Designer Backpack, Fashion Backpack, Laptop Backpack, Laptop Bag, Moshi 09/26/2018

Speck Back To School Backpacks for 2017 Preview

07/31/2017 By Hakan Can

Speck back to school backpacks 2017

We’re halfway through Summer, and with that said, Back To School Shopping Season begins. Speck, the best-selling mobile phone case maker in the United States, just released their latest line of school and college backpacks for 2017. These four new school bags, 3 Pointer, Candlepin, Module, and The Ruck, offer something different for nearly everyone, and at a price point to please. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Speck Back To School Backpacks for 2017 preview.

Speck back to school backpacks 2017

Introducing Speck Back to School Backpacks 2017

Press Release

Per the Speck Products press release, “Speck’s 2017 Backpacks are durable, stylish, and ready to go with you to class or on your next adventure. Each bag fits up to a 15-inch laptop and has a sleeve to protect and secure a tablet. For all of your other gear, each bag features plenty of space and pockets to keep you organized.”

Read:   The Best Speck CandyShell iPhone 6/6s Cases of 2016

The Ruck Backpack

“With two compartments, several pockets, and dedicated sleeves for a laptop and tablet, The Ruck gives you enough storage space for everything you need to carry.”

  • Available Color Patterns: Khaki, Charcoal Grey
  • Padded laptop sleeve protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops.
  • Interior tablet sleeve secures and protects a 10-12″ tablet or e-reader.
  • Front pocket keeps cables, phone, and other small items handy.
  • Side water bottle pockets, one per side.
  • Mesh foam strap and back padding provides superior comfort.
  • Hangar hook and padded top handle offer easy and comfortable transport.
  • The contoured design makes it comfortable to carry.
  • Dimensions: Currently not available.
  • Weight: Currently not available.
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • MSRP $49.99
Read:   Moshi Venturo Sling Backpack Review

3 Pointer Backpack

“The 3 Pointer has a classic style with plenty of room for your daily essentials.”

  • Available Color Patterns: Navy
  • Padded laptop sleeve protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops.
  • Interior tablet sleeve secures and protects a 10-12″ tablet or e-reader.
  • Front pocket keeps cables, phone, and other small items handy.
  • Polyester exterior for durability.
  • Cushioned shoulder straps keep you comfortable.
  • Dimensions: Currently not available.
  • Weight: Currently not available.
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • MSRP $39.99
Read:   Lexar JumpDrive C25i Review for iPhone or iPad

Candlepin Backpack

“Candlepin is the perfect bag for your on-the-go, sporty lifestyle.”

  • Available Color Patterns: Grey/Black
  • Laptop sleeve protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops.
  • Interior tablet sleeve secures and protects a 10-12″ tablet or e-reader.
  • Front stash pocket keeps cables, phone, and other small items handy.
  • Elasticized water bottle pockets, one on each side.
  • Eyeglasses pocket provides protection from scratches.
  • Mesh padded shoulder straps keep you comfortable.
  • Dimensions: Currently not available.
  • Weight: Currently not available.
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • MSRP $39.99
Read:   Petzi Treat Cam Review

Module Backpack

“You’ll stay organized with the Module backpack. It features several pockets to store everything you carry each day, from notebooks and pens, to cables, chargers, and your favorite tech.”

  • Available Color Patterns: Black
  • Laptop sleeve protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops.
  • Tablet sleeve secures and protects a 10-12″ tablet or e-reader.
  • Elasticized water bottle pockets, one on each side.
  • Front pockets keep cables, phone, and other small items handy.
  • Eyeglasses pocket provides protection from scratches.
  • Padded shoulder straps keep you comfortable.
  • Polyester exterior for durability.
  • Dimensions: Currently not available.
  • Weight: Currently not available.
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • MSRP $39.99
Read:   Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

Final Thoughts

All four Speck back to school book bags are perfect for junior high through college age students. They are currently available on the Speck website with a minimal $5 two-day shipping fee. All four school bags come with a limited three-year warranty.

With the back to school shopping season upon us, these school backpacks should appear any day now on Amazon.

FTC Disclosure: This writer is not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Speck Products.

Read:   Introducing the Targus Mobile ViP Collection - Premium Laptop Cases

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: back to school, backpack, Laptop Backpack, Speck 08/01/2017

Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

07/22/2017 By Hakan Can

Moshi Vacanza travel bag review

Last week, we reviewed the first of two products Moshi recently introduced to kick off their Summer  2017 Travel Collection. With Summer in full swing across Europe and North America, what better opportunity than now to review their latest offerings, Costa and Vacanza. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at the second of two recently released products in this Moshi Vacanza travel bag review.Moshi Vacanza travel bag review

Pros:
• Modern design, great construction
• Durable fabrics and weather-resistant materials
• Crush-resistant front pocket
• Designed for both men and women

Cons:
• Currently only two color schemes available
• No luggage tag
• Price may be deemed high by some

Read:   Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

Moshi Vacanza Travel Bag Review

Per the press release: “Moshi has announced two new bags, Vacanza and Costa, as part of its Summer Collection tailored for the modern traveler. Whether it’s for business or a short trip to the beach, the new collection combines Moshi’s minimalist style and thoughtful functionality to add a level of ease and sophistication to your journey.”

Forget name brands for a moment. If you saw this weekender travel bag on a store shelf or online, wouldn’t your first impression be ‘Wow?’

To present the proper perspective on the Vacanza bag, it must be compared to similar ones from other premium brands like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Tumi, just to name a few. Visit any of the brands’ websites listed below and you’ll see that the Moshi’s Vacanza stacks up well against these upscale brands. It turns out that the quality and craftsmanship of the product is a non-issue, and hardly worth mentioning.  Along with more features, what you’ll see is a much better price, and to the high majority of us, that’s a deciding factor.Moshi Vacanza travel bag review

To give you a comparison, I went through each of the stated websites and checked out their weekend travel bags and satchels. Here are three products worthy of comparison:

  • Watson Lane Large Lyla from Kate Spade
  • Jet Set Travel Large Leather Weekender from Michael Kors
  • Double Expansion Travel Satchel from Tumi

Throughout each bag, you’ll see similarities to the Vacanza, and you should since they’re all weekender bags. In most cases, the materials of construction and the craftsmanship are identical; this covers both the exterior and interior of each bag. All four branded bags have quality shoulder straps, handles, pockets, zippers, lining, etc. Three out of four bags even have a double expansion feature, which positively adds to their appearance. Where the Vacanza leaps over the three is with its larger frame (in all but one case), crush-resistant pocket, weather-resistant surface treatment, and finally, price.

I welcome you to compare the Vacanza to those more expensive bags linked above. Only then will you know you’ve found the right bag and come to the right decision.

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

Weekend Travel Bag

As I’ve stated on numerous occasions while reviewing Moshi bags and backpacks, when I say this weekender bag looks great, it’s not an overstatement.

If you’ve spent some time looking at Moshi’s bags and backpacks, then you’ll have noticed that the exterior of the Vacanza is made from the same high-resilience polyester materials with the same weather-resistant surface treatment that appear on Moshi’s 2017 bags and backpacks. The similarities don’t end there. The Titanium Gray and Charcoal Black colors that grace the Arcus photography backpack also appear on this product.

Starting with its front side, the Vacanza travel bag comes with a crush-resistant compartment. It has two faux-adjustable straps with magnetic snap latches, and is sized at 12″ x 6.5″ x 1.5″. There’s a sleeve for business and identification cards and one pen within. Like you, as someone who travels around with a pair of glasses, sunglasses, and numerous mobile devices such as a phone and in-ear headphones, I often worry about their condition when stored. Now you can begin to worry less.

FYI The Arcus backpack and Costa satchel also come with a crush-resistant pocket. It provides reliable protection. There’s the now-standard square ‘moshi’ logo on the pocket as well.Moshi Vacanza travel bag reviewOn the rear, there’s a trolley strap making airport transit less adventurous as well as three hidden pockets. These pockets are unnoticeable until you feel around the surface. My recommendation would be not to put anything beyond slips of paper so as not to change the shape of the pockets.

What you won’t see beyond the 22″ top zipper are any additional zippers. Both metal zipper handles have an embossed surface for better grip.

What differentiates Vacanza from Costa is its larger size, the addition of a water bottle pocket, and a double expansion feature. As stated earlier, the double expansion feature is a welcome addition which adds more class to an already impressive bag. Then there’s the adjustable mesh pocket for holding a bottle. None of the comparison bags nor the Costa incorporated this side pocket. It was so needed here.

Wrapping up the top are the vegan leather handles as well as the long, durable, adjustable, and removable shoulder strap with a well-padded, sliding, and removable shoulder cushion. This shoulder protection is identical to that on the Aerio, Costa, and Urbana bags. What you may not notice is the proprietary ViscoStrap™. This viscoelastic strap was designed to mitigate shoulder strain by as much as 30%. As someone who uses shoulder and messenger bags regularly, it’s good there’s a product which can alleviate some of that strain. The shoulder strap attaches via two points, one on each short side of the bag.Moshi Vacanza travel bag review

And finally, we come to the underside. Here, there’s a thicker, more durable padded surface to protect contents against drops. To protect the high-resilience polyester material from getting dirty, scuffed, or worse, the underside of the bag has four rubber feet.

As stated in the past Moshi reviews, “The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.” As this is a new product, the weekend travel bag currently comes in two color patterns: Charcoal Black and Titanium Gray. I’ve seen both colors, and they’re equally attractive.

Read:   Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

And Now For What’s Inside

The inside of the Vacanza is broken down into three compartments. The first is a thickly padded laptop compartment which protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops. Should the bag become upside down with the zipper open, you need not worry. The Velcro strap prevents the laptop from sliding out holding it in place. There are also three pockets with padding on one side.

The second is a 10″ zippered by 7″ deep section which can hold a smaller iPad or Android tablet. This pocket is padded on one side only. Our preference would be for padding on both sides.

On the left side, there’s a discrete pocket which you can use to store identification cards, wallet, passport, etc. Its other function is to store a reusable wet/dry bag. To our knowledge, like the double expansion feature, this is a first for Moshi.

Moshi Vacanza travel bag review

The third and final compartment is the middle at 6.5″ wide at the bottom and 13″ deep. It’s able to hold plenty of clothing and footwear. It was surprising how much we could place in the bag while still maintaining its handsome appearance.

The lining of this Moshi bag is luxurious, and it’s throughout their 2017 lineup. It’s exactly like what you see on the stylish bags listed above. On both models, the lining is tan colored.

Like the Arcus and Costa, you get a large dust/storage bag with the Vacanza. If you’re not using the weekender bag for an extended period, store it, and prevent it from getting accidentally damaged around your home. Another use for the medium-gray colored storage bag would be to cover the Vacanza when placing it in an airplane’s overhead storage bin.

It’s these little things like a beautiful lining, and wet/dry and storage bags that set the premium brands apart from their rivals. It’s worth noting that none of the three comparison models come with both bags.

Moshi Vacanza travel bag review

This bag weighs 56.4 oz and has dimensions of 19.69″ x 7.09″ x 11.42″. For you Metric System users, the weight is 1.6 kilograms, and its dimensions are 50 x 18 x 29 cm.

Read:   Moshi Vortex Air Headphones Review

Conclusion

Let’s say it’s a Thursday and you’re set to take a 3-day weekend holiday to Seattle, WA, Montreal, Quebec, or The Hamptons in NY. Ask yourself one question, is this the ideal weekender travel bag for you?

The Moshi Vacanza weekend travel bag delivers much with its feature-rich, modern design. If you’re a weekend getaway traveler or someone who has a 2-3 day business trip and likes to accessorize with a great-looking product, then I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the Vacanza. When compared to those premium travel bags above, the sub-$200 price tag is most enticing.

Both colors (patterns) of the Vacanza travel bag are available for purchase on either Amazon (see link below) and the Moshi website.

Based on everything above, Moshi’s Vacanza is one handsome travel bag and our favorite in the Summer Travel Collection. If your travel needs steer you to something smaller, then I direct you to Moshi’s Costa.

Moshi Vacanza travel bag review

Read:   Moshi Urbana Briefcase Review

What do you think of this Moshi Vacanza travel bag review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the best weekender bags for men or women in 2017? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

• Follow Moshi on Twitter
• Follow Moshi on Facebook
• Follow Moshi on Instagram

• Follow Beantown on Twitter
• Follow Beantown on Facebook
• Follow Beantown on Instagram

Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi press page to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. There’s a one-year limited warranty on all Moshi products. There’s also an extended warranty via product registration. We highly advise you take advantage of this.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Vacanza weekend travel bag sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Moshi © 2017.

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: carry-on bag, Moshi, travel bag, Vacanza, weekend travel bag, weekender satchel 09/13/2017

Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

07/19/2017 By Hakan Can

Moshi Costa travel bag review

Nearly two months ago, Moshi, the west coast maker of premium backpacks and bags, headphones, mobile device cases, and other digital lifestyle products, introduced their Summer 2017 Travel Collection. If you’re familiar with this website, then you know that we’re fans of this lifestyle brand. With Summer in full swing across America, what better opportunity than now to review their latest offerings. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at the first of two recently released products in this Moshi Costa travel bag review.Moshi Costa travel bag review

Pros:
• Modern look, lightweight design
• Durable fabrics and weather-resistant materials
• Crush-resistant front pocket
• Ample padding where needed
• Designed for both men and women
• Four color schemes available

Cons:
• Price may be deemed high by some

Read:   Moshi Urbana Briefcase Review

Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

Per the press release: “Moshi has announced two new bags, Vacanza and Costa, as part of its Summer Collection tailored for the modern traveler. Whether it’s for business or a short trip to the beach, the new collection combines Moshi’s minimalist style and thoughtful functionality to add a level of ease and sophistication to your journey.”

As Moshi is a premium product brand, I felt the need to compare their Costa work/travel bag against those from Grafea, Kelly Moore, ONA Bags, just to name a few. Visit a large department store like Nordstrom or Lord & Taylor, or any of the above-stated brands’ websites or Amazon for that matter, and you’ll see that the Costa stands tall against these smaller, upscale brands. It turns out that this work/travel satchel is well-priced against the competition.
Moshi Costa travel bag review

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

One Handsome Urban Work/Weekend Travel Bag

As I’ve stated on numerous occasions when referencing Moshi backpacks and bags, when I say this travel satchel looks great, it’s not an overstatement.

If you’ve spent some time looking at Moshi’s bags and backpacks, then you’ll have noticed that the exterior of the Costa is made from the same high-resilience polyester materials with the same weather-resistant surface treatment that appear on Moshi’s 2017 bags and backpacks. The similarities don’t end there. The Bahama Blue color that graces the Urbana briefcase also appears on this product.

Starting with its front side, the Costa travel bag comes with a crush-resistant compartment. It has two faux-adjustable straps with magnetic latches, and is sized at 12″ x 6″ x 1.5″. There’s a sleeve for business and identification cards and one pen within. Like you, as someone who travels around with a pair of glasses, sunglasses, and numerous mobile devices such as a phone and in-ear headphones, I often worry about their condition when stored. Now you can worry less.

Note: This is not the first Moshi product with a crush-resistant feature. The Arcus backpack and Avanti headphones come with a crush-resistant case. It’s some strong protection. There’s also the now-standard square ‘moshi’ logo on the compartment.Moshi Costa travel bag reviewOn the rear, there’s a trolley strap making airport travel less adventurous as well as three hidden pockets. These pockets are unnoticeable until you feel around the surface. My recommendation would be not to put anything beyond slips of paper so as not to change the shape of the pockets.

What you won’t see on this satchel beyond the 19″ top zipper are any additional zippers. Plus, there are no water bottle holders. They’re just not needed on the Costa. Both metal zipper handles have an embossed surface for better grip.

On the underside, there’s a thicker, more durable padded surface to protect contents against drops. To protect the high-resilience polyester material from getting dirty, scuffed, or worse, the bag’s underside has two rubber feet.

Closing out the exterior are the satchel’s vegan leather handles as well as the long, durable, adjustable, and removable shoulder strap with a well-padded, sliding, and removable shoulder cushion. This shoulder protection is identical to that on the Aerio and Urbana bags. What you may not notice is the proprietary ViscoStrap™. This viscoelastic strap was designed to mitigate shoulder strain by as much as 30%. As someone who uses shoulder and messenger bags regularly, it’s good to have a product which can alleviate some of that strain.Moshi Costa travel bag review

As stated in the past Moshi reviews, “The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.” This work/travel bag comes in four color patterns: Sandstone Beige, Slate Black, Bahama Blue, and Granite Gray. I’ve seen all four colors, and they’re equally attractive.

Read:   Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

What’s On The Inside

The inside of the Costa is broken down into three compartments. The first is a thickly padded laptop compartment which protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops. Should the bag get upside down with the zipper open, you need not worry about the laptop sliding out. The Velcro strap holds it in place. There are also three pockets with padding on one side.

The second is a 10″ zippered section which can hold your smallest iPad or Android tablet. This pocket is padded only on one side. I would have preferred both sides being padded, but it may not be necessary. If you choose to, use this zippered pocket to store identification cards, wallet, passport, etc. as there is no true discrete pocket in the travel bag.Moshi Costa travel bag review

The third and final compartment is 5.5″ wide at the bottom and deep. It’s able to hold clothing, footwear, over-ear headphones, and a meal. It was surprising how much we could place in the bag while still maintaining its stylish appearance. There’s even an adjustment strap on one side.

The lining of this Moshi bag is luxurious, and it’s throughout their 2017 lineup. It’s exactly like what you see on similar, stylish bags 2-3x higher in price, for example, from the likes of Tumi. What’s different this time around is the lining color has changed. On the Spring 2017 bags we’ve reviewed, the lining was tan-colored. With the Costa, the color is a light-to-medium gray, yet lighter than its Granite Gray exterior.

You even get a large storage bag for the Costa. In our sample, the color is medium-gray. If you’re not using the satchel for an extended period, store it, and prevent it from getting accidentally damaged around your home. Moreover, cover the Costa when storing it in an airplane’s storage bin.

It’s these little things that set the premium brands apart from the lesser rivals.

Moshi Costa travel bag review

This bag weighs 37 oz and has dimensions of 20.08″ x 5.91″ x 11.81″. For you Metric System users, the weight is 1.05 kilograms, and its dimensions are 51 x 15 x 30 cm.

Read:   Moshi Vortex Air Headphones Review

Conclusion

Let’s say it’s a Friday, and as an example, you’re about to take a train ride to Portland, ME or Hyannis, MA from Boston. Follow that up with a ferry ride to some island. Ask yourself this question, would this be the ideal weekend getaway travel bag for you?

The Moshi Costa work/travel bag delivers much with its stylish and spacious design. If you’re an urban professional or quick getaway traveler who likes to accessorize with a great-looking product, then I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the Costa. When compared to work/travel bags from other premium brands, I believe the $150 price tag is enticing. Feel free to compare this bag to those from more expensive or established brands. Only then will you know you’ve come to the right decision.

Both colors (patterns) of the Costa work/travel satchel are available for purchase on either Amazon (see link below), B&H, or the Moshi website.

Based on everything above, Moshi’s Costa is one handsome work or travel accessory and hands down a must for this Summer, and for many to come. If you’re into larger weekender bags, then I would direct you to Moshi’s Vacanza.

Moshi Costa travel bag review

Read:   Moshi Mythro Air Earphones Review

What do you think of this Moshi Costa travel bag review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the best carry-on travel bags for men or women since its introduction in May 2017? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

• Follow Moshi on Twitter
• Follow Moshi on Facebook
• Follow Moshi on Instagram

• Follow Beantown on Twitter
• Follow Beantown on Facebook
• Follow Beantown on Instagram

Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi press page to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. There’s a one-year limited warranty on all Moshi products. There’s also an extended warranty via product registration. We highly advise you take advantage of this.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Costa travel satchel sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Moshi © 2017.

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: carry-on bag, Costa, Moshi, satchel, travel bag, urban work satchel, weekender satchel 09/13/2017

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