{"id":349,"date":"2020-10-14T11:04:13","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T11:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/?p=1323308"},"modified":"2020-10-14T11:04:13","modified_gmt":"2020-10-14T11:04:13","slug":"waterfields-slim-180-tech-folio-will-convert-messenger-bag-haters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=349","title":{"rendered":"WaterField\u2019s slim $180 Tech Folio will convert messenger bag haters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I\u2019ve never fully got on board with the idea of a laptop sleeve \u2013 you know, those envelopes that you can slide your laptop into and carry just that. It has no handles, offers little protection, and doesn\u2019t have room for anything else. That\u2019s a difficult trade-off for sleekness, and so I grudgingly lug around a larger messenger bag<\/a>.<\/p>\n

San Francisco\u2019s WaterField Designs<\/a> might have just hit on the best of both worlds. Its new Tech Folio<\/a> fits most laptops up to 16 inches, as well as a bunch of accessories, and can be carried in hand or on your person with a comfy strap \u2014 all while maintaining a slim, discreet profile.<\/p>\n

Design<\/h2>\n

WaterField\u2019s design language features materials like full grain leather and waxed canvas that weather naturally and develop their own distinctive patinas. After owning several pieces of luggage made of common synthetic fabrics, I\u2019m glad to see options like these which can age gracefully.<\/p>\n

\"Unlike
Credit: Abhimanyu Ghoshal \/ TNW<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>Unlike many messenger bags, the Tech Folio maintains a slim profile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With that in mind, I asked WaterField to send over the brown waxed canvas option with chocolate leather and black hardware; you can also opt for black ballistic nylon with leather accents. I love how this looks sophisticated, yet rugged thanks to the prominently textured materials.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h2>\n

The Tech Folio looks deceptively slim; it\u2019s actually roomy enough to fit a 16-inch MacBook Pro, as well as its charger and several other accessories and stationery.<\/p>\n

As I mentioned before, that\u2019s been my gripe with sleeves and small bags. Sure, most modern laptops can last a whole workday and let you leave your charger at home, but I hate having to multitask without a mouse. I also carry other gear like headphones and external hard drives when I travel, and I\u2019m happy to report you can fit a bunch of small items like these in the front pocket.<\/p>\n

Like WaterField\u2019s other bags, the Tech Folio features a bright gold-orange interior liner that makes it easy to spot your gear easily as soon as you open the two compartments.<\/p>\n

\"The
Credit: Abhimanyu Ghoshal \/ TNW<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The Tech Folio\u2019s front compartment can store small gadgets like earbuds and a Kindle, or even your laptop\u2019s charging brick<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are several little pockets in both compartments to hold your stuff in place \u2014 pens, flash drives, and cables, for example. The main compartment, which opens flat for easy packing and unpacking, has a padded laptop pocket, large mesh pockets so you can see what\u2019s stashed inside, and a couple of padded pockets for delicate items you don\u2019t want scratched up.<\/p>\n

\"The
Credit: Abhimanyu Ghoshal \/ TNW<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The Tech Folio\u2019s main compartment has mesh pockets so you can see where your smaller items are<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I had little trouble packing enough gear for a full day\u2019s work, including an HP Envy 15 and its paperback-sized power brick, wireless earbuds, a USB-C cable to juice up my phone. And although there isn\u2019t a dedicated pocket for it, I was fine stashing my iPad Air with a front cover on it in the main compartment along with the laptop.<\/p>\n

Using the Tech Folio<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s rather strange reviewing a bag when you can\u2019t go anywhere. Thanks, coronavirus. Still, I do visit family and a couple of friends occasionally, and work out of their homes \u2014 and those little outings will have to make do in replicating commutes to my co-working space.<\/p>\n

\"The
Credit: Abhimanyu Ghoshal \/ TNW<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The interiors include well padded pockets and a bright liner that makes it easy to spot small items<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Tech Folio works great in this regard; I don\u2019t have to leave anything I actually need behind at home, and I\u2019m glad to be able to carry my stuff in a sleek, grown-up bag. The shoulder strap has soft padding that makes it easy to wear across my chest, and I like the option of ditching the entire strap if I\u2019m taking a cab and can simply carry the Folio with its grab handle. And not that I have any flights to catch soon, but if I did, I could slip the Folio\u2019s passthrough strap over my suitcase\u2019s trolley handle and drop the weight off my shoulder.<\/p>\n

Who is the Tech Folio for?<\/h2>\n

The Tech Folio is really a gear case disguised as a bag, and its clever design allows it to work well in a variety of situations, whether you\u2019re traveling, commuting, or just storing your gadgets carefully.<\/p>\n

\"The
Credit: Abhimanyu Ghoshal \/ TNW<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The Tech Folio features high quality hardware and materials throughout the bag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s also a tasteful design that thankfully doesn\u2019t scream \u2018tech.\u2019 The Folio is discreet enough to not draw too much attention, but there are also neat details to appreciate when you get a closer look. And with its slim profile, it brings most of the benefits of a practical messenger bag, without all the bulk.<\/p>\n

At $180, the Tech Folio isn\u2019t cheap. But for that price, you get premium materials, and excellent construction and finish in a Made-in-America product. If you\u2019ve tried other popular backpacks and messenger bags and haven\u2019t liked their looks or construction \u2014 like the ones favored by The Wirecutter<\/a>, and The Strategist<\/a> \u2014 this is certainly worth a look.<\/p>\n

Find the Tech Folio over on WaterField Designs\u2019 site at $179<\/a>. The company also makes two smaller (and cheaper) models suitable for devices measuring up to 11 inches<\/a>, and 13 inches<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more gear, gadget, and hardware news and reviews, follow Plugged on Twitter<\/a> and Flipboard<\/a>. <\/i><\/p>\n

Published October 14, 2020 \u2014 11:04 UTC <\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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