Brand | Seventy Eight Percent | Carryology

Top 10 Back to Work Bags

Carry HQ — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 19:43:49 +0000

Whether you work in a casual or formal environment, what you carry says something about you and what you value. Creativity, organization, versatility, understated practicality…whatever you prioritize, your work bag should help you achieve that. So we’ve rounded up our picks of the top 10 back to work bags to help get you through the daily grind while projecting your desired work persona…

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Mismo M/S Office

Bringing casual-chic style to the office, this bag offers relaxed Danish sophistication with useful pockets, a removable shoulder strap and durable construction.

Mismo M/S Briefcase

If you’re looking for a touch of luxury with a slightly more formal silhouette, the Mismo M/S Briefcase delivers in understated style. A range of pockets keep work tools organized, and a removable shoulder strap comes in handy for extended carry periods.

Property Of… Wally Briefcase

Clean and classy, the Wally Briefcase is constructed with durable waxed cotton canvas, a wide opening for easy access, and multiple pockets for organization. The bag also comes with a shoulder strap so you can alternate between carry options to suit different settings.

Porter Formal Briefcase

Elegant and understated, Porter’s Formal Briefcase brings a quiet confidence to your business carry with its premium construction, functional interior organization and sleek profile.

Seventy Eight Percent Dimitri

The Dimitri Briefcase features an attractive combination of Japanese cotton canvas and vegetable-tanned Italian leather. Available in a variety of colorways to suit personal tastes, the briefcase fits a 15″ laptop and comes with a removable shoulder strap.

côte&ciel Riss

Inspired by Japanese armor, the Riss is guaranteed to turn heads with its eye-catching silhouette. The messenger can be worn across the back or over the shoulder, and fits up to a 13″ laptop or tablet, with two further pockets for smaller EDC and work tools.

QWSTION Office Bag

The QWSTION Office Bag offers three-way carry to accommodate the commute, work environments and travel requirements. Adapt it to changing needs by carrying it as a backpack, shoulder bag or briefcase-style with the grab handles. The bag fits up to a 17″ laptop and offers a wide-opening main compartment for easy access to the contents.

Joshu+Vela Zip Briefcase

Minimalist in style and durable in build, the Zip Briefcase is made in San Francisco with a handsome combination of canvas and bridle leather. Smaller items can be organized in a choice of four exterior pockets and two interior pockets, while the laptop sleeve fits a 15″ laptop.

côte&ciel Isar Twin Touch

If you’re looking to stand out, the striking silhouette of the Isar Twin Touch will do the job with effortless ease. The padded laptop compartment fits up to a 15″ device, with additional storage available for work and personal items.

Seventy Eight Percent Jurgen

The Jurgen backpack provides plenty of urban style, with enough room to fit A4 documents, small tools and EDC items, and a 13″ laptop. If you’re looking for a bag that will easily carry the essentials while delivering aesthetics that are a little different from your work norm, this is a fine choice.

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78% The Gustav

Nigel Ewart — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 21:24:46 +0000

The Gustav is one of those bags that makes you do a double-take. There’s no boring seen-it-all-before messenger design here. Instead you’ve got chic styling that looks great in the office, at the coffee shop or striding through the airport. Vegetable-tanned Italian leather gets cozy with a choice of fabrics such as Japanese cotton canvas or raw denim. Plus the bag fits a 15-inch laptop and features a range of pockets, so you can keep your work tools or weekend essentials neat and tidy.

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Drive By :: Seventy Eight Percent Jurgen

Carry HQ — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:55:12 +0000

Stephanie Sacco, Customer Stoke Manager and Super Mum, reviews the Seventy Eight Percent Jurgen…

I am a bag addict. I love bags; lust after them. A bag can make your day or ruin it, make your event awesome or destroy it. I have long been on the search for the perfect bag, so when I was asked what kind of bag I’d like to review I was picky but not overly specific. “It has to be stylish”…. “It needs to go from work to play”…. “It can’t be too small”…. “It needs to be tough”….

Then up popped the Jurgen backpack from Seventy Eight Percent. With beautiful, minimalistic design complemented by stunning woven Japanese cotton canvas, vegetable-tanned Italian leather trimmings and a polycotton lining, Jurgen ticked all the boxes. Visually, I was in love. I usually don’t gravitate towards backpacks but the clean lines and quality materials and construction made me overlook my preference.

Who It Suits

Anyone wanting a bag that looks equally chic in the office and about town at the weekend. The beautiful aesthetics will turn heads, the durable construction will serve you well for years to come, and the minimalist design is just right if you’re looking for a bag that will help you declutter your carry while still offering some organization for bits and pieces.

Who It Doesn’t

If you need to carry a lot of stuff or awkwardly-shaped items, there are better bags out there to suit your needs. If you’re a minimalist packer the pocket setup will be fine, but again there are more suitable bags if you appreciate numerous organization options. In addition, if you want a bag that can glide between city and outdoor environments, this isn’t it. The Jurgen is designed for urban environments rather than outdoor exploration.

The Good

I eagerly started loading my gear into this gorgeous bag and took stock of its features. Its internal document pocket accepted my 13″ MacBook Air with ease, though the height of the pocket fell slightly short and I wasn’t able to secure the button. Mildly annoying but not enough to dull my excitement. The larger internal pocket housed my organizer (yes, I know. I’m old school, let it go.), a small toiletries bag, my Bellroy Carry Out and a novel. It was cozy, but not crowded.

The external pocket held my smartphone snugly so I wasn’t worried about it sliding out of the pocket and getting lost, and last but not least, my favorite pen slipped into the handy pen pocket.

Now here’s the part that I really love, the fold-over flap that secures with the leather strap and a metal closure provides an extra layer of security against any who might try to get their hands on my precious cargo.

“Visually, I was in love. I usually don’t gravitate towards backpacks but the clean lines and quality materials and construction made me overlook my preference.”

So far, I’m thrilled.

During the first week, and for the majority of the trial period, this bag slipped into my day-to-day existence seamlessly. Having only a handful of pockets limited the amount of “stuff” I tried to jam into my bag every day. Receipts, information booklets handed to me on every Melbourne street corner and extra pens just to touch on a few. The Jurgen actually made me stop and think about what I needed and what was erroneous, and I soon found myself carrying less and less and spending much less time searching through my bag for what I needed.

The Not So Good

The second week told a slightly different story. I took my beautiful Jurgen on a day trip with my two kids. I was in and out of my bag every 5-10 minutes, and the kids were asking me to stash their gear as well as my own. I needed my wallet about 50 times that day over the space of around four hours and that’s when the bag’s features stopped working for me. I started to simply leave the strap unfastened to make getting in and out of the bag faster, having all the extra ‘stuff’ to jam into the large inner pocket made it difficult to find anything that I wanted in a hurry, and with extra weight the woven straps were not so comfortable on my shoulders. I found myself getting more and more frustrated as the day wore on.

Fast-forward to another quiet day, without the tiny humans, and my love for Jurgen returned. Without the extra demands on the space of the bag, it reclaimed itself as the organization tool it was.

“…the fold-over flap that secures with the leather strap and a metal closure provides an extra layer of security against any who might try to get their hands on my precious cargo.”

Verdict

When I sat down to write this review, I started thinking about that day (shudder) and my growing frustration at the Jurgen’s limitations and it became abundantly clear to me that no one bag is going to adapt to every situation, event or lifestyle. Yes, there are bags that will take you from work to play but if you work in an office and play for you is hanging from a cliff by your fingertips then you might find that one bag for both situations will greatly disappoint you.

“The Jurgen actually made me stop and think about what I needed and what was erroneous, and I soon found myself carrying less and less and spending much less time searching through my bag for what I needed.”

In my pursuit of the perfect bag, I tried to force the Jurgen to be awesome in a situation that it simply wasn’t designed to excel in. This is a bag that is clearly designed for the urban crawler. Keeping your gear neat and organized while you trek from one end of Melbourne to the other, and adding a sophistication to your look with clean asymmetrical lines and craftsmanship that screams quality and passion. It is a welcome addition to my collection and has definitely become a favorite; though I can’t say I’m disappointed that my foray into the world of Carryology has reinforced my need to collect more carry goodies.

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Drive By :: Seventy Eight Percent Katz

Cory Zanoni — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 21:18:16 +0000

Everyone has a story about seeing someone and being immediately taken by them. Maybe it was the way they walked, maybe it was their eyes, maybe it was the way that their hands emphasized what they said in a way that was both effortless and profound.

It doesn’t matter why you were taken by them though. You probably hadn’t even thought about it. You were and that was it.

Then you spoke to them. And…nothing. No chemistry, no connection.

For all your attraction there was just nothing inside for either of you. It’s no one’s fault – it just didn’t happen. So you left disappointed.

This isn’t one of those stories. The Seventy Eight Percent Katz won’t disappoint.

This might not be a surprise: Seventy Eight Percent has made its name through attractive bags built to last. They try to make ideal partners for your inner-city adventures, taking from home to work to a bar and back again. Surprise: that’s what the Katz will do.

Who It Suits

People with lightish carry requirements who favour style and organization. A healthy back would help too.

Who It Doesn’t

Anyone who needs to haul a lot, ride a bike or break into a run now and then. This bag is for mosey-ers only.

The Good

This bag looks nice. It’s striking; the “boxy” shape just works. People will gush over it.

And they’ll gush even harder when you open it up. Both pockets have a nice patterned lining and the front pocket is just plain well organized.

There’s a mesh pocket for your cords, cables and what-have-yous. There are two wide slips on one side and a smaller, conveniently wallet-sized slip on the other. At the bottom you’ll find a deeper pocket, perfect for a Kindle or journal. There’s also a “designated pen slot” but don’t feel obliged to do what Seventy Eight Percent tell you to do.

One of my friends saw it and said “It’s like a wallet, but a backpack”. That’s a perfect description. The Katz is a back-wallet.

Am I gushing? I feel like I’m gushing.

“It’s striking; the “boxy” shape just works. People will gush over it.“

The back compartment is less interesting. There’s a slip that seems to be for a laptop but, for some reason, it’s only padded on one side. I’ll come back to that in a minute.

The Katz has some stellar materials. The bulk of it is a nice, hard-wearing Japanese canvas with Italian leather accents – think base, zip pulls, handle and strap adjusters. The canvas will hold up to a lot and the leather looks like it’ll age well.

There’s an external zipped pocket for your to-do needs. I put my keys in there but you’re probably more exciting than me.

To top it all off, it features splash-proof zips from YKK. It’s a small detail, sure, but it’s nice to have. And, best of all (as far as I’m concerned), their color offsets the canvas nicely.

Oh, and there’s also a small slot on the front of the bag. Seventy Eight Percent say it’s for “business cards, notes, etc” but, honestly, that sounds a bit naff to me. Maybe they just thought it looked nice? If so, they’re right. It throws off the bag’s symmetry in the right way.

The Not So Good

For all its functionality, the Katz puts form over function.

I wouldn’t want to carry too much in this bag – the straps don’t exactly scream “long haul” support. I’d even hesitate to throw a moderately heavy coat in the main compartment. You’d get it in there, sure, but it wouldn’t be pleasant.

While I can’t confirm this, people over 6′ may want to measure this bag out on their back. I’m guessing most have to do this anyway but I have a sneaking suspicion that this shape will really emphasize the “small bag on a big person” problem.

“For all its functionality, the Katz puts form over function.“

Thankfully I’m Captain Average when it comes to body shape but just something to keep in mind.

And that laptop slip. It’s padded, sure, but the bulk of the padding seems to face away from your back. Your computer (up to 15″) won’t crush your juice box but your spinal column won’t be happy with you when you run for the train.

Others to Consider

KILLSPENCER’s Rucksack is slightly cheaper and delicious as far as aesthetic. And the Tanner Goods Voyager is cheaper again, has less organization, but nails that heritage vibe.

Verdict

My recommendation? Leave for the train five minutes early.

If you’ve come here after eyeing the Katz elsewhere and want me to confirm that, yes, dropping USD $410 on a self-proclaimed “lightweight” and “minimalist” backpack is a good idea then, yeah, I say do it.

“One of my friends saw it and said “It’s like a wallet, but a backpack”. That’s a perfect description. The Katz is a back-wallet.“

This is a well-considered and well-crafted bag. It sacrifices a bit of comfort for that style but, given it’s designed for light packers, that sacrifice isn’t noticeable. There’s not a lot more to say.

People will look twice when you pass them in the street and you’ll want them to. Because you know the Katz isn’t just skin deep. It’s got the insides to charm too.

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The Best Briefcases for Dapper Professionals

Catherine — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 14:12:50 +0000

Having the right briefcase is one of the best ways to say you mean business without having to say anything at all.

But what exactly is the ‘right’ briefcase? It’s handy to think of it in terms of ‘right for your needs’ but in general a briefcase should nail it in an office environment, with a certain sense of status and professionalism to it. Rectangular shapes are best for accommodating documents and laptops, while the level of organization should satisfy the specific work tools you need to carry.

Our buyer’s guide of the best briefcases provides a curated selection of cases to suit a range of budgets and needs…

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Incase City Brief

Incase’s City Brief provides plenty of urban-friendly styling and handy work features at a price that won’t break the bank. The 15-inch laptop compartment has a soft fleece lining and 360-degree padding to protect your tech. Quick-access pockets on the outside of the bag store items you need to get to in a hurry and carrying options include a removable strap and grab handles that can be stowed out of sight when not in use.

Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase

Tom Bihn’s Daylight Briefcase is wallet-friendly and packed full of convenient features such as a key strap, O-rings, interior and external pockets and a removable shoulder strap. Large enough to accommodate a 13-inch laptop, the Daylight Briefcase is lightweight and rollable, making it a handy option for taking on trips where you want the flexibility of a business bag that works in non-business settings too.

BLC Intellect

A number of South Korean brands are doing awesome things with carry and BLC is one of them. Taking inspiration from a book, BLC’s Intellect bag merges style and structure, providing easy access to the contents in a form that can be carried both horizontally and vertically.

Topo Designs Mountain Briefcase

You’re always on the go, equally at home on a board and in the boardroom, and need a bag that can keep up. Topo’s Mountain Briefcase is that bag. It’s got everything you’d expect from a good piece of work carry – tough construction that will stand up to extensive use, exterior and interior pocketing for your work tools and a padded section for your laptop. However, it also includes three carry options. Sling it over your shoulder with the removable shoulder strap, grab it by the handles or wear it as a backpack thanks to the stowable pack straps.

Booq Cobra Brief

The Cobra Brief’s frill-free exterior gives the bag a clean look that complements a range of settings, from the coffee shop to a client meeting. There’s lots of organization options here, with a bright lining to enhance visibility of the contents and a padded laptop section to keep your 15-inch laptop safe and secure. The detachable shoulder strap comes in handy when you’re on the move and the luggage pass-through on the back makes it a cinch to keep your gear together when you’re zipping through airports.

Zero Halliburton Attache

Zero Halliburton’s range of attache cases are a striking combination of sleek styling and rugged construction. With aluminium, polycarbonate and carbon options in a variety of colorways, these cases provide superior protection for the contents – and look damn fine doing so.

Filson 72 Hour Briefcase with charger

Filson are known for their hard-wearing gear and this briefcase is no exception. Rugged construction using oil finish Tin Cloth, a selection of interior and exterior pockets and a luggage strap on the back of the briefcase are just some of the handy features. Then Filson ups the functionality with an integrated Joey charger so your devices can stay juiced while you’re on the go. Missing that important phone call is a thing of the past now.

Jack Spade Waxwear Base Brief

Functionality meets clean aesthetics with this brief. Constructed out of waxed cotton canvas with a leather base and leather-wrapped handles, the Waxwear Base Brief can slide between casual and more formal business settings with ease. A range of pocketing on the inside and exterior of the bag keeps your tech, pens, cards and other daily work items in order so you can get on with business..

KILLSPENCER Briefcase 2.0

If it’s sharp city looks you’re after, KILLSPENCER’s Briefcase 2.0 fits the bill. Available in a choice of materials, the bag’s sleek silhouette keeps things stylish during the commute, at work, in the airport and during leisure hours. The hardware is solid, with Cobra buckles and a Riri zipper, and a mix of internal and external pockets accommodate your work gear, including a 15-inch laptop.

Tumi Alpha 2 Expandable Organizer Laptop Brief

This bag is another great option if you’re looking for something that can handle your work carry along with a change of clothes. There’s plenty of organization options, with exterior pockets, separate internal sections and a removable laptop sleeve that fits a 15-inch laptop. When you need to pack a bit more in, whether it’s a busy day at the office or an overnight trip, the main compartment can be expanded to provide an extra two inches in depth.

Linjer Soft Briefcase

Linjer was born from the desire to provide fine leather goods that don’t come with the luxury markup as standard. The materials and craftsmanship of the Soft Briefcase are top-notch, with a pared-back minimalist style that beautifully showcases the full-grain vegetable-tanned leather. Carry it with the grab handles or removable shoulder strap, while keeping your daily work essentials organized in the range of pocketing which includes a padded section for a 15-inch laptop.

Tailfeather Kestrel

Luxurious top grain leather and careful hand stitching make for one handsome piece of carry. Combine this with a top that folds open for easy access, brass feet for self-standing stability, internal pockets and a choice of sizes to fit 13-inch and 15-inch laptops and you’re onto a winner in any work setting.

Seventy Eight Percent Dimitri

The Dimitri’s contrasting materials – vegetable-tanned Italian leather and Japanese cotton canvas – give the bag great visual appeal. However, there’s plenty of functionality too with space for pens, documents, a 15-inch laptop and other small items you may need, along with a detachable shoulder strap. If you want a slim and eye-catching briefcase for minimalist work carry, this is a fine choice.

Oppermann London Palissy

Sometimes you want the suave style of a briefcase but the capacity of an overnight bag. Meet the Palissy. This beautifully understated bag has the stylish looks and functionality of a briefcase, with pockets for your work tools and a padded laptop compartment. However, there’s enough space for a change of clothes too, making this a great option for overnight business trips or just hitting the gym after work..

Mismo Wessel

If you’ve got a passion for the sea and quality materials, the Wessel is sure to float your boat. Taking its name from Danish-Norwegian naval officer Peter Jansen Wessel, the bag features a lamella construction referencing sailboat construction. The full-grain vegetable-tanned leather will only look better the more you use it, while the interior pockets keep your work tools tidy.

Parabellum Briefcase

Gorgeous free-range Bison leather, a soft suede lining, military-grade ceramic hardware and superior construction make the Parabellum Briefcase a thing of beauty. A choice of external and internal pockets provide organization, while the removable shoulder strap lets you swap between briefcase and shoulder bag carry as required. Yes it’s pricey, but nothing says “boss” quite like it.

*Editor’s Note: Oppermann London has now rebranded to Carl Friedrik.

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Buyer’s Guide :: Best Work Messengers (Part 2)

Catherine — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:37:40 +0000

So what is a work messenger? Well, it’s not a messenger for professional bike couriers to haul random parcels in – that’s a different guide. A work messenger needs to look good and work well at work, when you’re working (at work).

It’s a single strap messenger that can deal with a laptop, some tech, a change of clothes, and will be comfortable enough for a cycling commute. Being Carryology, it also needs to be versatile, deal with at least a light drizzle, and even do well on a plane trip or three.

Is the position of Work Messenger up for grabs in your carry collection? These applicants are all eager to take on the role – welcome to part 2 of our buyer’s guide to the best work messengers…

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Mission Workshop Rummy

Mission Workshop makes some of the best carry out there, particularly if you’re commuting to work by bike. The Rummy gives you rolltop and flap-down access for carry flexibility, a 27-liter volume, a mix of quick-access and interior pockets and solid weatherproof construction. If you’re on the go a lot and want a bag that can keep up and glide between work, play and travel, the Rummy is well worth considering.

Mission Workshop The Shed

Got a shed load of stuff you need to haul to work? Mission Workshop’s The Shed is ready for duty. The same handy features as the Rummy but with a 35-liter volume means you’re covered when you need to carry extra gear.

Mission Workshop VX

Like the sound of The Shed and Rummy but looking for something extra tough? The Mission Workshop VX messenger takes things up a notch, featuring the Arkiv® closure system and a three-layer VX fabric for increased durability and waterproofness. There’s two colorways and three sizes to choose from to suit your preferences.

Defy Recon

If you like your bags with a generous dose of stealthy style, scope out Defy’s Recon messenger. Available in M35 military tarp and waxed canvas options, the Recon rocks rugged hardware (AustriAlpin Cobra buckles) and a range of sizes to suit diverse missions. There’s also a choice of exterior and interior slip pockets to keep your gear tidy. If you want something that’s a lot bolder than your average messenger, this is it. See the road test here.

Defy Vicious

Sometimes you want to organize all your gear; other times you just want to bung everything in your bag and go. The Vicious from Defy does both. A variety of organization options are available on the front panel and the strap, while the main pocket-free compartment keeps things simple, with a red lining for enhanced visibility of the contents. While the strap has an AustriAlpin buckle, there’s two options for the flap buckles – wallet-friendlier chunky buckles or pimp the bag with more Cobra buckles.

Seventy Eight Percent Gustav

Tired of carting the same old boring bag around? Well be prepared for envious looks from colleagues because the Gustav messenger is one handsome piece of carry. It’s not all fashion without the functionality though, as the bag accommodates up to a 15-inch laptop, with front and back exterior pockets as well as interior pockets for organizing your work tools. Plus it works for travel and leisure use too, making it a good option for people who want versatility out of their bag. Find out more in our road test.

Property Of Tommy Work Bag

The Tommy Work Bag balances casual-chic style with office-friendly design. Slip a 15-inch laptop in the main compartment, while smaller quick-access items find a home in the front and back exterior pockets. Add the flexibility of carrying it with the shoulder strap or by the handles as a briefcase and you’ve got a bag that ticks all the boxes for good-looking and functional work carry.

DSPTCH Briefcase

Want a trusty work companion that’s simple to use, with reliable construction that will see you through long days and longer travel trips? Meet the DSPTCH Briefcase, which is full of everyday functionality to get the job done. Sling it over your shoulder when you’re on the go or stow the strap away and carry it as a briefcase. Separate sections for a tablet and 17-inch laptop take care of your tech, with external quick-access pockets for grabbing items in a jiffy.

Filson Padded Computer Bag

If you lean towards the everything-in-its-place approach to packing, Filson’s Padded Computer Bag is one to have on your radar. Plenty of pocketing means all your work gear can be neatly organized, while the rugged construction and understated aesthetics that work in a variety of settings means you can haul it pretty much anywhere. Speaking of hauling, you can either opt for the removable shoulder strap or grab handles depending on your needs.

Veja Acacia

Veja creates fair trade and eco-friendly goods and their Acacia bag is a fine offering for work environments. Available in a variety of fabrics and colorways, the bag will fit a 15-inch laptop and looks good whether you’re catching that business flight, meeting up with a client or kicking back in the coffee shop.

Tom Bihn Founder’s Briefcase

If you love organization, this briefcase will have you in your element. The briefcase holds a 15-inch laptop and an optional Packing Wedge clips into the bag for carrying the likes of a change of clothes for an overnight trip. The aesthetics tend towards casual, so if your work setting is more laidback or you need to hop on a plane or train, this bag will see you right. Check out our drive by for more details.

Crafted Goods Carrera

With a style that’s bike-bag-meets-work-bag, the Carrera lends itself to the commute and the office equally well – so much so it scooped a High Commendation in our Best Active Messenger Award. There’s a few different options for organizing the contents, a 15-inch laptop will fit inside, plus the protective recycled inner tube tire base is an awesome added touch. Find out more in our road test.

Archival Field Bag

Understated, durable and functional, if you don’t need to carry tons of stuff or awkward loads the Archival Field Bag has pretty much everything you need in a work bag. The timeless design has you covered for years to come, the front and back exterior pockets are handy for stashing quick-access items, while the main compartment is large enough for a laptop, work folders and other assorted daily items you might need.

Pacsafe Intasafe Z400

The work-friendly aesthetics and handy organization features of the Intasafe Z400 are great for the office, while the range of nifty security features provides peace of mind when traveling with the bag. This is a thoughtful, versatile piece of carry that deservedly scored top honors in our Best Work Messenger Award.

The post Buyer’s Guide :: Best Work Messengers (Part 2) appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Drive By :: Seventy Eight Percent Dimitri

Mr Zing — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:39:27 +0000

We’re no stranger to Hong Kong-based Seventy Eight Percent. We interviewed its founder Shai Levi some time ago and our own John Canfield reviewed the Gustav. This time, we got to check out the Dimitri, quoted as “The Minimalist’s Satchel”. That nickname serves it well.

Dimitri caught our eye in a guest post we did for The Versatile Gent.

“Its simple lines, high-quality materials, attention to detail and interior organizing all make for a big WANT and a great office bag.”

Mr. Zing explored it in office trips for about three months, all the while having it “borrowed” by his girlfriend every now and then.

The bag is mostly made out of Japanese cotton canvas and vegetable-tanned Italian leather. It has a main compartment with several pockets, a laptop section and a zippered pocket on the back. There’s a canvas and leather shoulder strap that can be adjusted in length and taken off. The bag has a two-step opening/closure system. Metal buckles on the front go through two holes in the top flap; the bag and the top flap both have magnets, so the flap kinda clicks in place. Two leather straps go through the buckles to secure it. Another leather strap serves as a handle. The leather from the straps and the top flap is really thick and stiff at first; after a week or two it gets softer. And the bag comes in no less than 16 color combinations.

Dimitri’s size is 25.5 cm x 37 cm x 8.5 cm | 10.04 in x 14.57 in x 3.35 in and it weighs 0.95 kg, 2.02 lb.

Who it suits

The Dimitri is a stylish bag and it’s just right for people who don’t have a lot to carry. Once broken in, the leather gets more supple and the bag becomes easier to handle. Even on a bike the bag can be carried comfortably.

“Once broken in, the leather gets more supple and the bag becomes easier to handle.”

Who it doesn’t suit

My 13″ MacBook Pro Retina fitted nicely, my older 13″ MacBook Pro barely fitted and anything larger will cause minor to major fumbling. If you need to carry a lot of stuff or own a big ass laptop, go for something else.

The good

With the Dimitri, Seventy Eight Percent has paid a lot of attention to details. The buckles for the shoulder strap and the stitching are custom, the company name is nicely embossed in the leather and it’s got a great interior.

There’s a score of pockets inside (while rather small), but they don’t get in the way if you don’t want to use them.

Despite its stylish look, the shoulder strap is still comfortable; the attachment is unusual but the strap holds its ground under some twisting and turning, for example on a bike.

The leather of the top flap and handles is really thick and has a nice patina; Seventy Eight Percent sells it as a feature.

“Even after a few days of usage, because of opening and closing the top flap, lots of marks began to appear.”

The not so good

There Will Be Patina. Even after a few days of usage, because of opening and closing the top flap, lots of marks began to appear (see photo). For some this will be a feature, for others a flaw.

When you take the top flap off, the bag will fall over. We see this as a (minor) design flaw. The concept of the top flap being attached with two straps is nice, but it will fall over.

Finally, because of its small size, the bag can look rather feminine. In fact, my girlfriend “borrowed” it after a few days. The shoulder strap is just long enough for me (1.85 meters, 80 kg) and might be too short for anyone taller or bulkier.

Others to consider

Seventy Eight Percent offers the Schults as Dimitri’s bigger brother, if size is an issue. ($625)

From Danish Mismo, the M/S Brief has the same feel to it. ($436 – $545 depending on EU/Non EU)

Jack Spade offers the Waxwear Davis Brief ($378)

“For short commutes and modest paperwork, the Seventy Eight Percent Dimitri is perfect.”

Conclusion

For short commutes and modest paperwork, the Seventy Eight Percent Dimitri is perfect. It’s a stylish bag made with high-quality materials. It’s got great details, great patina and a decent array of pockets. As it says on Seventy Eight Percent’s website: “a guaranteed compliment generator”. And if you don’t like blue, don’t be afraid: maybe one of the other fifteen color combinations might fancy you!

Photos courtesy of Marian Herenius Photography

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