WEIGHT OFF SHOULDERS
I'm on an eternal quest for the perfect gadget bag, given my addiction to both gadgets and traveling. As a result, I'm constantly adding bags to my collection, as gadgets and bag innovations evolve. My wife sometimes accuses me of collecting gadget bags like Imelda collected shoes.
As I was packing for a long flight to Mumbai, India yesterday, I went through a closet full of gadgets bags that I'd accumulated through 2006, to find the "perfect" bag for the trip.
An important requirement was the ability to hold a 17" Macbook Pro, and an assortment of gadgets, their chargers, and related paraphernalia. At the same time, every external pocket needed to be zippered given that the bag would get thrown around a bit.
I decided on the Skooba Seventeen + from Roadwired, which I currently view as my favorite gadget bag. It also comes in a smaller size for regular 15" laptops and a ton of gadgets.
Unlike a lot of bags that are designed to carry large notebooks, the Skooba looks deceptively svelte and is lightweight. But it has over 20 pockets of various types, and the whole thing is secure with a ton of well-designed zippers. There's even a hidden water bottle carrier on the side, and a padded shoulder strap.
The description of the bag, either mine or Roadwired's doesn't convey the feeling of quality that the bag conveys. It feels like the BMW of gadget bags, even though it can be had for under $100.
The only other bag that comes close in terms of quality and build in my opinion is the Cozmo by 
Waterfield Designs. But that bag doesn't have a padded laptop compartment, requiring customized padded sleeves to fit your laptop. The price on that bag without the sleeve is almost about $150. It's my other favorite bag for 2006, but I prefer the Skooba for longer trips.
I'd definitely categorize the Skooba as a Thriller product, and would heartily recommend it for anyone in the market for some gadget transportation gear.
A gadget bag is but a humble product compared to the hot gadgets on all the top ten lists for 2006, like the video iPod, the Nintendo Wii and many others. But these prosaic things can also thrill.
Comments