In Vancouver, BC, trying to hunt down a laptop sleeve for my new 13″ Macbook Pro wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined it was going to be. Many stores carry sleeves that accommodate 15″ and 17″ models, but for some reason don’t offer a wealth of choice when it comes to the more portable 13″ flavour. I opted for a laptop bag instead, and got my hands on the fashionably red Crumpler Hee-Goer.
If you’ve never checked out Crumpler’s website, you’re missing out on an entertaining interactive web experience (once the site is loaded), not to mention some pretty cheeky names for their enormous variety of bags! The Hee-Goer is joined by his friends Baby Pea, Tony Blair Squirrel, Mock Tudor, The Manchild, 5 Million Dollar Home, Old Banger, Yee Ross, and the list goes on.
Crumpler is an Australian company founded in 1995. It became famous early on for its line of offbeat, colourful messenger bags, highly sought after by the bike messenger community. The bags were so popular that the limited line soon expanded to include photography gear bags, laptop cases, and backpacks. Crumpler stores can now be found worldwide.
EXTERIOR
The first thing I noticed about the bag was its generously-padded shoulder strap, containing a very large and solid Quick Flip clip. If the strap is too long, the rest can be tucked into a loop on the side of the bag. The second thing that grabbed my attention were the very solid clicks heard when opening and closing the main compartment.
I haven’t seen that level of quality closure on any backpack or bag I’ve owned to date. I also discovered a second loop on the side of the bag that could be used as a clip-on space for other gadgets.
The overall design of the bag allows for its secondary (interior) colour to peek through.
It’s designed that way to invite me to open it, a good design call from their product development team. Another design feature is the use of two subtle shades of red, to quietly play off of one another. I enjoy using a product that’s as well-designed as it is functional.
The material is made of a water resistant 1000D shell and has 300D ripstop lining. Living through Vancouver’s pesky rainy seasons (yes, that’s intentionally plural!), I’m bound to come across many days where I’ll be grateful to have that protection for both my Mac and other essential gear.
INTERIOR
I was immediately greeted by a yellow interior accent colour, housing a zippered netted pouch on the top flap for small essentials. The zipper there too is large and solidly built. So far so good.
Further along is the laptop’s actual home, with a velcro flap to hold it securely in place. And then one after another, the handy pouches, zippered interior pockets, pen storage areas, a plethora of choice for keeping things handy and in their own zippered area.
I have to admit that I go for purses with lots of pockets and zippered sections, so this breed of Crumpler bag has made a fan out of me.
ONE THING, THOUGH…
The only negative aspect of the bag I’ve found is the velcro – while nicely shaped – is loud when the bag is opened, something to keep in mind when in meetings or quiet areas. I haven’t road-tested any other Crumpler models, so I can’t say whether other bags have this problem or not. I’ve read that Crumpler has incorporated a “Velcro Silencer” feature in their camera bags, so perhaps this design flaw will be addressed in future laptop products as well.
OTHER POINTS of NOTE
There’s a special side stability strap that keeps the bag from swinging around to the front, made for wearing the bag while cycling, messenger-style. So much room in a bag that doesn’t overwhelm my body frame to carry around!
The bag measures just a tad over 12″ by 16″ and is available in several colour combinations at a cost of $170.00. The construction is extremely sturdy throughout so I know I’ll be carrying it around for years to come, regardless of whether it’s my laptop or anything else that can be easily stowed inside this roomy bag. Crumpler’s Vancouver store is located at the corner of West Cordova and Richards Street, close to the Harbour Centre.
I was sent the Hee-Goer for the purpose of writing this review.
