While I really like this messenger bag, I've found that the strap does not adjust to be short enough. As a graduate student, the bag itself is large enough to hold everything I need for the day (laptop, waterbottle, notebooks, etc). I'm average height for a woman (5'4"), but with the strap at its shortest, the top of the bag is just above hip height. I stopped using the bag after a couple months because I felt like I was straining my back. And it's too long to bike with comfortably (it was always falling to the side & getting in my way).
ProsDurable, Great Value, Performing as Expected, great looking too!
I have been searching for quite some time for the ultimate bag. I have a long commute to work every day, and I carry a lot of stuff with me. Some days I drive to work, but more often I ride the bus, and this bag is ideal for either. I bought the medium size of this bag after previously purchasing the large size for my daughter to use for school. I love, love, love this thing! I can carry my lunch, water bottle or coffee thermos with plenty of room and keep it all separate from my book, mail and whatever else I might have. There's a pocket for everything and it is all very conveniently positioned. It holds my scarf and gloves, sunglasses and all my other junk, in a completely organized fashion. The wide padded strap is so comfortable, and the bag itself is so lightweight. I was worried that it would be too large and bulky, considering it holds half my earthly possessions, but it never feels too big at all. My only complaint would be to agree with the reviewer who pointed out that the cell phone pocket on the strap is not changeable, as I, too, would prefer to wear my bag on the other shoulder. Still, that is not enough of a drawback to make me unhappy, and I am already used to wearing it the other way. I never really buy anything for myself, so this was a big purchase to me. I could not be happier with my bag. I have been a loyal customer of LL Bean for years, and this is actually the third bag I have bought from them. Their products are very high-quality and well made. I would recommend this messenger bag to anybody!
I've ordered both the large and regular versions of the bag. The large bag is too big and the regular bag is too small to hold a laptop or netbook. While the material is durable and there are a number of small exterior pockets, the main compartment of the bag is undivided. That means everything is jumbled together and disorganized. This bag is not what I hoped it would be.
I love this bag. I have the smaller of the two, and it is so roomy I will never fill it. Straps are comfortable, perfect number of pockets and nooks and crannies.
