| Product: Cargo Bag/SleevCase | Company: Waterfield Designs | | Web: www.sfbags.com | Phone: 877-546-1040 | | Platform: Your shoulder | SRP: US$209 (bundle)
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Object Value | There I was all set to purchase a new PowerBook G4 Titanium laptop. I'd received clearance from my lovely wife and was about to place my order, when we realized that our clients hadn't paid us yet. Resigned to spending another few Mac-free weeks, I decided to spend the time searching for the best way to carry my expected G4. I have what only could be called a bag fetish. It is something about the security of having all your tools with you, accessible at a moment's notice, like Batman and that ever-present utility belt. When it comes to cases, I've tried them all: Tumi, Brenthaven, Briggs and Riley - they all make good bags. The only problem with them is that they are so corporate, and well, black.  I'm different. I'm a designer. No, I'm a design junkie. I need to feel smug about my objects. I need beauty. I need cool. I need color! I found all of this in a modular line of bags from Waterfield Designs. Gary Waterfield is a designer and ex-messenger from San Francisco who's been making high quality bags since 2000 [Hey ya gotta start sometime! -Ed.]. The bag, called the Cargo, is halfway between a messenger bag and a briefcase. Waterfield also makes a minimalist sleeve for the G4 and other notebook sizes called the SleevCase. The SleevCase is cushy neoprene surrounded by tough black ballistic nylon (the nice stuff, not that rough Cordura). It features a Velcro closure made from nylon webbing. The base of the sleeve on the outside is covered in "Indium" a woven nylon fabric that has a really cool and unusual texture and look. The SleevCase offers enough protection so you can turn any bag or backpack into a computer-friendly case. 
Close-up of Indium nylon weave But Gary's real genius lies in the Cargo bag. It has the profile of a messenger bag, the access of a briefcase, and the load capacity of a backpack. It an impressive example of design in action, with room for all your gear in a very stylish package. The most notable feature of the bag is its airline seat-belt buckle that holds the bag's flap. In addition to looking coolio in extremis, the buckle allows one-handed access to the pockets underneath. The flap is done in that fun Indium weave, and you get to pick various colors, from a loud taxi-yellow or a more-subdued pewter and black. Mine is blue A slash pocket on the flap holds airline tickets and ID badges with ease. The bag has 12 inside pockets, each one well thought out to allow for maximum stuffability with minimal space and weight. There's a handy outside cell phone pocket, which will also hold a tin of curiously strong mints and a pen or two, an MP3 player or a small GPS receiver. A wide 2" messenger bag strap with locking cam style buckle ensures the load is evenly distributed. The bag has other small touches of great design as well. The linings of the Cargo are done in gold nylon to enhance visibility and provide contrast with the contents of the bag, which for me tend to be small black gadgets. The top handles are wrapped in leather with the seams facing each other, so heavy loads are easy on the hands. The best thing about the bag is how I can stuff my essentials in it, and then carry it around in comfort. Even though the Cargo is compact, it can easily hold the G4, power accessories, extra battery, PDA, pens and pencils, mobile phone, magazines, a journal, and all those scintillating reports and papers for work. With all those contents, it is still comfortable to carry around, unlike just about every computer bag I've used. The medium Cargo sells for $189 and the G4 SleeveCase is $39. Gary runs a special called the Suite Spot where he bundles the medium Cargo, the SleevCase, and an accessories pouch for $209. Not exactly cheap, but not Tumi prices either. Frankly, Gary's stuff is cooler, more flexible, more colorful and at least as well made. It also shows more thought for the user, and that makes the designer in me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. - Eric Diamond [6/15/01] Check out our other offerings:
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