I've had this bag for about 4 months now, and it's simply the best all around work bag I've ever owned. I keep a 13 inch macbook pro, macbook pro charger, pens, notebooks, various manilla folders, a business card holder and at least one book I'm currently reading in it every day. At times I've stuffed thick binders into it, an additional PC laptop (sometimes my job requires me to use my officially issued PC work computer), thick manuals, etc. It handles them all easily.
While it can fit quite a lot in it when called upon, it's at its best with a laptop and basic work type needs in it. The design is kind of like an accordion type effect, where when packed it bulges. While this in some ways sounds like a negative, it is actually a positive. It means that when not cram packed it stays slim, but can expand to do the job when necessary. Most bags you have to choose between slim but little space or bulky but with lots of space; with this bag you get both (within reasonable limits obviously).
It's also gorgeous. I got the dark brown finish, as it better fits the shoes and belts I wear most often and to my tastes seems a bit more professional. The leather is very supple and gains character as it ages, only enhancing the appearance.
While some reviewers mentioned the strap having issues popping off, I've never had any problem with it coming off. It's fabric with a slidable leather padding piece you can adjust to give a little bit of padding when carrying. I like the tough canvas leather combo strap. It's not the absolute most comfortable strap you'll ever have, but is probably about as comfortable of a strap as you could have without it getting bulky and starting to look unprofessional. The strap is wide, allowing the weight to more evenly disperse, so it doesn't cut into your shoulder.
The front cover serves dual purposes, covering the accessory pockets, while also covering the main laptop pocket. The main laptop pocket is divided into two parts, first it essentially has a lightly padded laptop sleeve (that you can't remove) built in. It looks as if it could easily fit a 15" laptop. I put a 13" macbook pro with a neoprene sleeve inside it, and it's not tight, but doesn't jostle around. a velcroed canvas strap (similar to a smaller version of the shoulder strap) goes over the top of the sleeve portion of the main compartment. In the front compartment there's also a non-padded portion that easily accommodates notebooks, small to medium binders and manilla folders. There are two accessory pockets that can easily hold pens, pencils, cell phones, laptop chargers (mine holds a macbook pro square brick with room to spare), even a kindle or macbook mini. This is all covered by a front cover that's attractive, with two sort of faux buckles. The buckles appear to be belt style (like a belt you wear) closing. Instead they hide metal click in mechanisms. The metal click in mechanisms are my only gripe about the product whatsoever. They're kind of a hassle to click in and out. However, I don't really ever have any need to lock the front compartment. It doesn't come open in normal use, so I simply let it drape over. The flap is heavy enough that it never flaps open on its own unless turned upside down. Occasionally one of the clasps will slide into the clip and lock and it's kind of annoying to undo. This is a minor inconvenience, but worth mentioning at least.
The back pocket is also divided into two portions with one cover. The larger compartment will fit large books. I was reading warren buffet's biography (around 800 pages hardcover) and it fit easily in the main compartment. The other compartment is very slim and is for things like individual papers, very slim notebooks/planners or manilla folders. They are covered by a flap that secures magnetically. If you stuff these back pockets heavily, the accordion type effect I mentioned above keeps the magnets from attaching, so the cover just drapes over, but usually this is fine.
So overall that's 2 areas in the front (one padded for a laptop, one not), two accessory pockets in the front. 2 compartments in the back (one slim, one bigger).
The leather handle is comfortable and stylish. The kenneth cole reaction logo is on the front of the bag, but very discreet and you only notice it if you're actually looking for it, as it's simply lightly pressed into the leather.
I get a lot of compliments on this bag. And it has never let me down. It simply does the job it needs to do, is versatile, and comfortable and on top of all that it's extremely attractive. I couldn't be happier with it. If you only need to carry a laptop and a few papers, you could probably get away with a smaller bag. If you need to carry around a lot of large books, or whatever else, you probably should get a dedicated backpack. This bag allows you to carry about as mush as you should anyway. If you can't fit it in this bag, you probably shouldn't carry it in a messenger style bag anyway. For what it is, I really couldn't imagine it being much better, aside from the VERY minor quibble with the front clasps.
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From the manufacturer
Kenneth Cole Reaction "Mind Your Own Business" Colombian Leather Laptop Dowelrod Briefcase
by Kenneth Cole Reaction
Have your business essentials with you, and organized, on the go. In this Mind Your Own Business' luxurious Kenneth Cole Reaction Colombian leather multi-pocket, expandable, business computer case. Loaded with features including a luxurious, Colombian leather exterior, a main compartment with padded tablet pocket and zipper pocket features, and an organizer to hold a variety of business essentials including cell phones and passports. Travel comfortably with a padded, adjustable shoulder strap that extends 60 inches.This is the perfect slim leather messenger bag for the modern, organized traveler.
Color Assortment
Dark brown, cognac, black
Features Summary
- Overall Size: 16.0” L x 14.0” H x 5.5” D
- Laptop Pocket: 13.75” L x 10.5” H x 2.0” D
- Holds Most Laptops With Up To 15.0” Screen
- Adjustable shoulder strap
- Full-Grain Colombian Leather
- Weight: 4.0 lbs
Feature Details
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Front Features
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Rear Features
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Interior Features
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Fine Finishes
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Kenneth Cole
Kenneth Cole started his business in September of 1982 selling shoes out of a 40-foot trailer in Midtown Manhattan. Today, the company is a fashion leader and has taken an edgy approach to many categories including business and travel with their Kenneth Cole Reaction line. For over 30 years, Kenneth Cole has embraced the essence of New York – its boldness, its energy and its diversity. New Yorkers are born in every city, in every country, every day, because being a New Yorker is a courageous state of mind.
Reviews with images
Good looking bag but not high quality
After a month of daily use I think I can write a meaningful review (everything looks nice after unboxed).The pro of this bag is the amazing look, you'll receive tons of complimentsThe cons:It is not a good quality bag. It claims to be full grain leather, but it is thin, and it is not dyed till the lower layer. This is visible at the bottom or corners, if you scratch it a tiny bit, the white leather will show up. To disguise this, they paint the edges in brown. Another thing is that the strap is nylon, and though it's seems resistant, it wears and does not look as neat as in the first day.The rings that hold the strap do not look very sturdy. So far they were fine, but they do not inspire a lot of confidence (the screw that hold them is becoming a bit loose).It does look big in the outside, but the inside is not that big. I carry a binder and a 10 inch laptop, and that's about it. A book won't fit once you have that inside. (A 15 inch laptop fits too).Overall, it is nice but don't expect an astounding quality, after all is made in China.
