Alright, right now I can be described as a professional college student. I have been searching for the perfect bag for sometime and unfortunately this isn't it. It is a good size. My previous bag was inbetween the large and medium and I needed something larger for all my classes and labs. Other than my three complaints this would be a great bag. First, the strap. Its padded and helps with long treks across campus but I wear my bag on the left side and this is only meant for the right side. It can't be changed. Second, the bag has very little structure to it. I sit in stadium style classrooms and I have to sit my bag on the floor. It keeps flopping over and I wish it was a bit stiffer or had some support that would allow it sit upright so I would have easy access to my stuff. Third and this one is optional for others but the bag could use more pockets. The flap is completely unusued other than covering the bag. The main compartment has a zipper so there really is no need for the flap but to cover the outer compartments. I think it could use some pockets on the outside of the flap. Three pockets of the same size on the outside would be perfect. I am considering contacting LL Bean and getting the material my back is made of (the green argyle which I love, BTW) and having my tailer add some evenly sized pockets for other things I carry. This was common practise in the Army to buy our rucks and have pockets sewed on to fit our individual needs.
I really like this bag! I ordered the Heatwave messenger bag in Rustic purple, and in the medium size. I really like the colour, and the size is perfect for my needs as a college student and busy mom. I like the padded shoulder strap and the multiple pockets. The reflective material is a plus. The zipper under the flap is great to make sure that my things do not fall out. The only minor issues I have with this bag are that the material seems a bit on the thin side, and the adjustable strap mechanism has easily come undone a few times and my bag suddenly dropped lower while I was wearing it. Overall, a great bag so far. I would definitely recommend it to others and I would buy another one down the road!
I purchased this bag just in time for an international trip - and it was exactly what I needed. I was able to shorten/lengthen the straps to the perfect length - depending on my needs at the moment. Prior to this purchase, I thought the bag might be a little too small, but it held all the items that I needed to carry with me.
I bought this as a replacement for a briefcase because I can actually fit everything I need in it. I'm not in love with the stripe on the front of the flap, but its growing on me because I love the rest of bag so much. I have a place for everything and best of all, the main compartment zips so if I have to hit the brakes while driving, the insides don't spill out all over the place. Also the handle in the back makes it easy to pick up and the strap makes the load feel a little lighter. After researching bags for twice the price and higher, I gave this one a try and am sticking with it.
