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These days, most brands make laptop bags in a wide variety of sizes and capacities so it’s easy to get caught up in the design and the aesthetics while completely forgetting about the important stuff.
We’ve been in the bag business for quite a while now, and after interacting with so many people here are 4 COMMON MISTAKES people make when buying a laptop bag.
Not the Right Fit
The first and most important thing about buying a laptop bag is knowing the size of your laptop. Is it a 13 inch, 15 inch or a 17 inch laptop? After all, you are buying a BAG for your LAPTOP so that’s the most important bit of info you need to have.
This means that if you have a 13 inch laptop you need a bag that specifically fits a 13 inch laptop. Sure you can get a bigger bag, one that fits a 15 inch laptop perhaps but that may not be the best for your laptop.
Laptop bags usually come with padded compartments and it’s designed so that your laptop has a snug fit. THINK OF IT LIKE A HELMET! When you wear a helmet, it can’t be lose right? It needs to be a snug fit! Same thing with your laptop bag. Buying a bag with a laptop compartment that’s too big will not give your laptop the protection it needs.
Compromising carry comfort
Are you constantly on the move? Do you have loads to carry besides your laptop? Ask yourself these questions because your carry comfort greatly depends on it.
If you are constantly on the move and probably have a heavy load to carry then you need to consider a good backpack.
A backpack has 2 padded shoulder straps for better weight distribution. If you have a heavy load to carry, a backpack can also help promote better posture and give you the freedom to move about.
Another important feature which I personally look for in a backpack is a chest strap. A chest or sternum strap is great for people with smaller shoulders. The strap holds the shoulder straps in place and keeps it from sliding off your shoulders. I find that this feature adds greatly to carry comfort.
A messenger bag is a great laptop bag too if you’re not carrying too much. Messenger bags allow quick and easy access and for some designs, can even double up as a briefcase too.
Durability
Understand that everyone has a budget to work with and I’m are not saying that you need to put a hole in your wallet just to be able to own a really good laptop bag. But do take into consideration…durability. I’ve heard stories of people losing valuable items in the middle of their commute because their bags gave way. Most of them were using bags with poor quality and durability. Affordable no doubt, but poor quality.
So consider the material and DURABILITY of the bag especially if its heavily used. Invest a little extra and you’ll have a bag that can last you for a longer time. Please also consider that bags do and will undergo wear and tear especially when they’ve served you well.
Water Resistant or Water Proof
This is probably one of the biggest confusion in the bag world. I get asked “Is this bag water proof?” all too often and most of the time, “No, its not water-proof, its water resistant”. Not understanding the difference between water resistant and water proof can lead to major problems.
First, let’s take a look at these terms from Oxford Dictionary.
- Water-resistant or repellent: Able to resist the penetration of water to some degree but not entirely as a result of being treated for such a purpose with a surface coating
- Water-Proof: Impenetrable by water
So there you have it. These days, most bags are made with materials that have been treated to repel water. The bag will be able to handle spills and perhaps some light rain but may not handle a heavy downpour or a trip to waterfall.
For outdoor sports, you have to specifically ask for a water proof bag which often comes in the form of a dry bag. Dry bags are available in a wide variety of sizes and forms. Most come in a roll top design and are designed to float when it hits the water. You can also get dry bags that are backpacks with laptop compartments too.