The Collins Collection from Brenthaven
Product: Indigo Chambray Messenger Bag from Brenthaven
Rating: 
Features: The Classic Collins collection gets a new edge with the Indigo Chambray color option featuring pinstriped lining and leather touch points. The messenger bag has been designed to hold laptops up to 15.4 inches and has a padded, custom fit tablet pocket. Your gear is kept safe with Brenthaven’s signature High Density Foam protection system.
What I thought: Brenthaven is headquartered here in my home town, Seattle, and I love doing business locally. They offer value-priced premium bags designed to fit the needs of modern technology users.
This messenger bag was perfect to give to a guy in my life who would put it through its paces to see how it performs. Used every day for several weeks, stuffed full of files and gadgets, this bag lived up to its billing for durability while still looking stylish.
What was great:
- Local Seattle company
- Durable, easy to clean fabric exterior
- Wide carrying straps, giving an easy sling over a shoulder
- Top carrying handle, making it easy to grab
- Lots of padding to keep gear protected, without creating a bulky or heavy bag
- Easy open zippers and velcro spaces for easy access and closure
- Value priced quality not typically found at this price point
- A good, every day, kind of bag
And what wasn’t quite as great:
- The bag was spacious, but another half inch in the interior would have made it perfect. (This from a lawyer who carries a lot of bulky files to court.)
- The indigo chambray fabric was great for everyday use, but a little too casual for business meetings or court appearances. This style of messenger bag in a black leather would be the perfect dressier choice.
Who it’s for: This bag is perfect for those ready to graduate from a backpack to something more professional. It’s great for college students, mobile and virtual workers, and is an solid every day briefcase choice for everyone. For those in more conservative professions, the chambray look may be a bit too casual.
Price Range: The messenger bag is priced at $89.95. Other bags in the chambray collection range from $34.95 to $89.95. All bags are backed with a 100% Lifetime Guarantee. The bag may be purchased online and is also available through local distributors.
Personal Notes: Brenthaven is active and responsive on social media; you can follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook. They also have Pinterest, Instagram, and G+ accounts.
Disclosure: I received this bag complimentary for purpose of a review.
