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You are here: Home / Archives for messenger bag

Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

06/07/2017 By Hakan Can

Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

Before ever hearing of Moshi, the west coast maker of premium backpacks, shoulder bags, headphones, protective cases, and other digital lifestyle products, an event took place in San Francisco where a new laptop messenger bag (and more) was introduced. Fast forward to mid-2017, and Moshi has what some consider one of the best messenger bags for men or women since. When I finally got my hands on one, I was immediately impressed with its look and feel. So without any further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Moshi Aerio messenger bag review.Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

Pros:
• Modern look, lightweight design
• Three handsome color schemes
• Durable fabrics and materials
• Ample padding where needed

Cons:
• $150 price may be deemed high by some
• No water bottle holder

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

Per the press release: “The newest addition to Moshi’s line of stylish, tech-savvy bags, Aerio is an ergonomic messenger bag featuring premium materials and modern design.”

One Stylish Modern Design

When I state that his laptop messenger bag looks great, it’s not an overstatement.

From the outside, you may have noticed that Aerio is made from the same high-resilience polyester materials with the same weather-resistant surface treatment that appear on the Arcus backpack. (See the inline post of our backpack review below.) The similarities don’t end there. Aerio’s two original color patterns and its lining were transferred to the Arcus as well.

On the front and rear, you’ll notice two left-to-right brown zippers with tan-colored vegan leather trim. You can’t help but notice the front and top rear zippered areas stand out, and each zipper handle is unique. The front metal handle is rounded with a stamped or engraved ‘moshi’ logo. The rear metal handle has an embossed surface for better grip.Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag ReviewInside the full-length rear compartment is a pocket for business cards, larger documents, and files, as well as a strap w/carabiner for your keys. I’ve seen this carabiner feature on other bags and found it most useful. Just above/below this rear zipper is padded top handle and the rear trolley strap for transport on rolling luggage, respectively.

As stated in the Arcus review, “the color combination of this titanium gray backpack is gorgeous. The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.” The charcoal black and the harder-to-find herringbone gray versions are equally attractive.

Regarding this herringbone gray variant release, Michael Leonhard, President of Moshi said the following: “Our 2016 Fall/Winter Bag Collection takes you from boardroom to happy hour with effortless, elegant style. Reminiscent of a high-end, tailored business suit, our limited edition seasonal collection uses a sharkskin color to complement Fall/Winter color palettes while its intricate herringbone pattern adds body and texture to the bags.”

How I would have loved to see the latter.Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag ReviewFlipping the messenger flap over, you’ll notice another zippered compartment as well as a hidden one. Are two pockets needed here? In my opinion ‘No,’ but the addition of the hidden pocket adds to the character of the bag, and an overall better look. Still, these compartments aren’t what’s best here. This is reserved for the discrete locking hardware. Without the hidden locks, the Aerio messenger bag would be more ordinary and less modern looking.

On the underside, there’s a thicker, more durable padded surface to protect contents against drops.

Closing out the exterior, there’s a lengthy, durable, and adjustable shoulder strap with a well-padded, sliding, and removable shoulder cushion. What you may not notice and I probably wouldn’t have had I not read everything is the proprietary ViscoStrap™. This viscoelastic strap was designed to mitigate shoulder strain. As someone who uses shoulder and messenger bags regularly, I’ll try anything which can alleviate that strain.Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

It’s What’s On The Inside That Counts

I always liked this phrase.

The inside of the Aerio is broken down into two compartments. One is a thickly padded laptop compartment which protects your 15″ laptop in case of drops. Should the bag get upside down, you need not worry about the laptop sliding out. A Velcro strap holds it in place.

The second has an expandable padded pocket that supports (encased) headphones like Moshi’s Avanti, a padded 10″ tablet sleeve, and three thinner pockets for items like toothbrushes, pens, or a battery charger like the Moshi IonBank. This second and spacious main compartment is no less than 4″ wide at the bottom. You can fit an entire change set of clothes, plus have room to spare for a large sandwich.

If you haven’t noticed by now, the lining of this Aerio bag is luxurious, and it’s throughout. It’s what you would see on similar, stylish bags 2-3x the price, for example, from the likes of Tumi. Bags within Moshi’s 2017 lineup also contain this lining.

This messenger bag weighs 32.8 oz and has dimensions of 16.93″ x 5.91″ x 11.02″. For you Metric System users, the Aerio’s weight is 930 grams, and its dimensions are 43 x 15 x 28 cm.Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

Read:   Moshi Vortex Air Headphones Review

Conclusion

For what it offers, this Aerio messenger bag delivers on its promises. It protects your digital lifestyle products in a stylish, modern design. When compared against bags from other premium brands, I believe the $150 price tag is fair.

All three colors (patterns) of the Aerio bag are available for purchase on either Amazon (see link below), B&H, or the Moshi website. I recommend you read the Amazon reviews.

Whether you’re an urban professional, male or female, it doesn’t matter, or someone who likes to accessorize with a good-looking product, I believe you’ll be most happy with the Aerio messenger bag. Don’t be surprised when this bag lasts a decade or more. It’s made that well.

Based on everything I’ve stated above, Moshi’s Aerio messenger bag is one handsome accessory. For those of you who already have an Aerio, you know what I mean. And I bet you love yours.Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag ReviewWhat do you think of this Moshi Aerio messenger bag review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the best messengers bags for men or women since its introduction at the end of 2015? 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) Aerio messenger 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 or Beantown LLC © 2015-2017.

Read:   Moshi Mythro Air Earphones Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: Aerio, Laptop Bag, messenger bag, Moshi, Shoulder Bag 06/08/2017

Speck’s New Business Travel Laptop Backpack and Bag

07/22/2016 By Hakan Can

Speck Business Travel Laptop Backpack

Speck Expands Their Product Line for Summer 2016

Back in January at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Speck, the best-selling mobile phone case maker in the U.S., introduced something new to the brand–backpacks. The Speck MightyPack and MightyPack Plus backpacks were on full display. The key marketing points for these backpacks were to “protect, organize, and mobilize” your high-tech gear. A little over six months later, Speck increases their backpack line by 300% with the introduction of two new categories: business and school. The back-to-school backpack line consists of four affordable products (covered in another post) and an attractively-priced business line which consists of a Speck business travel laptop backpack and laptop messenger bag.

Expired: Feeling lucky? From now until 3 PM on August 3rd, we’re running a giveaway for two (2) Speck CandyShell iPhone 6/6s cases to one lucky winner. Click on the highlighted link to redirect you there. Please read the rules.

Press Release

“Speck today announced a new line of backpacks built to protect the tech you rely on. Each bag fits either a 15-inch or 17-inch laptop and has additional space for gadgets, gear, and everyday work or school essentials. The bags’ carefully crafted features provide ultimate protection, organization, and mobility for students, professionals and commuters alike.”

Speck Business Travel Laptop BackpackSpeck Business Travel Laptop Backpack

“Designed for the business traveler, tech professional, or anyone toting around gadgets, Laptop Business Backpack is a sturdy laptop bag with plenty of space for all of your gear, including a tablet, e-reader, camera and much more. Its stylish, all-black design keeps your tech safe while still looking professional.”

  • Viz Air technology, bumpers with air pockets, on bottom corners provide maximum shock absorption.
  • Checkpoint-friendly rear compartment design unzips to lay flat for TSA screening.
  • File compartment with convertible floor expands in length to accommodate your larger documents and files.
  • Padded laptop sleeve protects your 15.6″ laptop in case of drops.
  • Soft tablet sleeve secures and protects a 10-12″ tablet or e-reader.
  • Padded top handle/trolley strap offers easy and comfortable transport. Easily attaches to your rolling luggage.
  • Contoured design makes it comfortable to carry. Mesh foam back padding provides superior comfort.
  • Pass-through ports allow for easy charging between compartments.
  • Water bottle pocket lies flush against the bag when it’s not in use.
  • Dimensions: Currently not available.
  • Weight: Currently not available.
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • MSRP $69.99
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Read:   The Best Speck CandyShell iPhone 6/6s Cases of 2016

Speck Business Travel Laptop Messenger BaSpeck Business Travel Laptop Backpackg

“Laptop Business Messenger Bag is a spacious, protective bag that holds all of your stuff with room to spare. Two large zippered compartments can fit tablets, e-readers, cameras and other large gear, while the smaller buckled compartment organizes pens, keys, cables and other small items. This laptop bag’s sleek, professional design makes it perfect for college students or commuters on-the-go.”

  • File compartment accommodates your larger documents and files.
  • Padded laptop sleeve protects your 17.3″ laptop in case of drops.
  • Soft tablet sleeve secures and protects a large tablet or e-reader.
  • Padded top handle offers easy and comfortable transport. Easily attaches to your rolling luggage.
  • Adjustable, removable shoulder strap is contoured to ensure a comfortable fit once it’s on your shoulder.
  • Convertible pocket (smart sleeve) can open to slide over a suitcase handle. Close the top and bottom zippers to transform into a pocket.
  • Weather-resistant base protects contents from the elements.
  • Dimensions: Currently not available.
  • Weight: Currently not available.
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • MSRP $59.99
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Read:   Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Review - SonicPro Headphones

Speck Business Travel Laptop Bag/Backpack Specifications

Both products have a sharp black durable exterior with deep blue accents. The interior color is a eye-catching shade of blue. Stitches, zippers, handles, and straps are all of high quality.

These items comes with a limited three-year warranty.

Pricing and Availability

Both business travel laptop products are available online at the Speck website with a minimal shipping fee.

FTC Disclosure: This writer is not a paid product ambassador. Speck Products has not provided Beantown LLC with any samples for review purposes.

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: backpack, messenger bag, Speck 10/12/2016

STM Bags Review – The Brand To Own

05/30/2014 By Hakan Can

STM Bags Annex Shoulder Bag

STM, three letters you’re probably not used to seeing together. By the time you’re finished reading this post and reviewing the photos and video, you’ll be quite familiar with them. STM is a bag maker from all the way across the western pond based out of Sydney, Australia. They have a variety of bag collections: Annex, Canvas, and Velocity. But they’re more than just a bag maker. They also offer attractive and functional cases for mobile phones and tablets and sleeves for laptops. Their complete lineup is presented on their website www.stmbags.com. Feel free to peruse and try out their sizing calculator.

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A little over one month ago, STM introduced their Annex line of bags. For the purposes of this review we’ll focus on two models, the Link and Trust from within this line. The Annex line is available in three colors (charcoal, olive, and red), two of which I have in hand.

The STM Link is a quick cam-adjustable shoulder bag for use with 10” tablets that I would describe as cute, yet it’s not particularly aimed at women. It comes with two external sleeves, one of which is closed via magnet and three oversized aluminum zipper pulls with #10 YYK self-repairing plastic zippers, the latter a feature you don’t usually see on bags of this size. This feature helps prevent a zipper from malfunctioning. How many times over your life have you had a zipper fail? You can’t recall can you, but I bet it was plenty.

The bag can simultaneously hold a 10” tablet (high density foam padded on both sides) and a thick reading book, in this case, all 630 pages of Walter Isaacson’s biography Steve Jobs (see photo.) The bag’s exterior is Cottna 320D/640D (D for Denier) water resistant poly. Its interior is 200g polyester and brushed nylex. Each Link comes in at 0.8 lbs. with dimensions of 10.2” x 7.5” x 0.6”. This is for you specification nuts.  And yes, there’s plenty of space for your cards, keys, pens, wallet, and mobile phone. The Link has a list of price just under $60.

The STM Trust is a true messenger bag available in two sizes: for 13” and 15” laptops. Like its smaller cousin, the Trust has a quick cam-adjustable shoulder strap but this model also has an added padded shoulder cushion for comfort.

Oversized aluminum zipper pulls with #10 YYK self-repairing plastic zippers are a plenty, with four by my count. No magnets this time but there is one external sleeve in the rear with another within to hold a mobile phone. The latter is a nice feature, one in which may have to be enlarged as mobile phones keep increasing in size.

The laptop compartment is padded with high density foam on both sides. There are also two water bottle pockets with compression straps, one on each end. Now here’s where this comes in handy. If you’re heading to the gym, one side could hold your pre-workout drink, the other, your post-workout protein. The bags exterior and interior materials are just like that of the Link. This is across the Annex line. The small Trust comes in at 2.2 lbs. with dimensions of 11.2” x 15” x 4.7”. The medium Trust comes in at 2.5 lbs. with dimensions of 12” x 15.7” x 5.5”. With the Trust, there’s even more space for your cards, keys, pens, wallet, but this time, enough space for a laptop battery and an airport sandwich to spare. The Link has a list of price just under $130. And in case you’ve wondered, the workmanship and stitching is impeccable. I checked thoroughly on both models.

STM also offers a couple perks of purchasing. Register your product at www.stmbags.com/rt and they’ll be able to provide assistance in the case of a warranty. They’ve also partnered with RewardTagTM to help recover a lost bag. Just look for the information collar inside each bag to get started. Plus, there’s a monthly bag giveaway contest open to new registrants.

You can find STM products at a variety of online retailers, i.e. Amazon, eBags, and REI to name some. And if you look right now, you can catch some deals at REI’s current sale. You can also find STM at your local retailer. In the Boston area, they’re available at Eastern Mountain Sports and Micro Center. This way you get to touch and feel them.

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: Laptop Backpack, messenger bag, mini backpack, STM, STM Link, STM Trust 12/09/2018

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