Kenneth Cole Reaction Colombian Leather Dual Compartment Flapover 15" Laptop Dowelrod Business Portfolio, Brown

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.

I love this messenger bag. It looks great, very professional looking, and is very well constructed. I have owned this bag for a little over a year now and it has held up very well. I carry a lot of stuff around with me and this bag handles the weight very well. I have a separate bag that I use for my 17" laptop but in here I carry a lot of files, my glasses, journal, a ton of pens, business cards, a large book or binder every now and again, and it carries all that with ease. For those that complained that this bag doesn't carry much, I would suggest getting one of those small rolling suitcases. Short of needing that I believe that this bag would suit most people pretty well and it looks very stylish.The one additional thing that I like about this bag is that the strap is attached so that the weight is distributed in the center of the bag thus taking the pressure off of the buckles that keep the flap closed. My last bag was a true "flap-over" design and with the weight that I carry around it constantly put tension on the buckles that keep the flap closed. Once those gave way the bag was useless. With this bag there is almost no tension on the buckles and the center spine of the bag carries the weight and not the flap.Well worth the $$ to me...should last for many years to come.

Bag has a sturdy handle and strap. The handle and strap rings are screw-fastened into top dowel rod. The handle is very nicely wrapped in leather and comfortable to hold. The strap is sturdy and long enough to allow the bag to be worn over the shoulder or across the body. The strap has a leather shoulder pad that does a good job of staying place, yet allows the bag to be moved from front to side to back of the wearer. The leather is nicely tanned, of a consistent color with few marks, yet slightly distressed and supple to give it that “used” look and feel; and the leather is thick enough to be sturdy but still thin enough to not create a heavy product. Construction is well-done with sturdy stitching inside and out and adds a nice cosmetic trim to the bag as well. There are plenty of pockets to hold everything you could need, including a 15 inch laptop, small portfolio, notebooks or legal pads, business cards, and pens and pencils. The interior lining is smooth and free of anything that might cause papers to catch and tear or bend and also easy to clean (just wipe out with a damp cloth). The snap buckles make the bag hassle-free to open though they do take some getting used to in order to get the feel for when they’re depressed enough to slide past the clasp. This bag is just as functional as it is good looking. Perfect for travel or everyday use, and just as at home in the classroom as it is in the boardroom.

Totally love this bag, I'm using it everyday now. It meets my purposes as it is very functional with lots of compartments. I tried putting my company's 14 inch laptop in it, still works but very heavy to carry (because of my laptop weight); good thing the sling is very robust and makes carrying the heavy laptop very comfortable and manageable.The design is of the type I love, and so is the color with the vintage bronze metal clasps and buckles. Very vintage yet very classy with a touch of modernness with the font of the brand name. Workmanship is excellent. Only complain I have is the cow that the leather came from probably has acne, so there are quite some scars on the leather. In a sense, it makes the bag looks more rugged, but you can also tell immediately that it's not top quality upmarket stuff like Braun Buffel.Overall, for the pricing, design and workmanship, I would highly recommend this bag if the design is to your taste and you are seeking good value.