Krusell is a well-known Swedish company which designs cases for PDAs, Cell Phones and MP3 players and now, laptop bags.
Today, we will be looking at one of their new laptop bag line of products, the Radical Messenger Bag. Like most messenger bags, this model from Krusell features plenty of pockets for storage, while maintaining a streamlined profile that is associated with this style, plus this bag accommodates laptops up to 15.4”.
Besides plenty of zippered pockets, the Radical Messenger includes a well padded laptop pocket and a padded shoulder strap, which is a nice bonus, especially if you carry around one of the heavier laptop models.
So let’s get started ….
Krusell Radical Messenger Bag Review
Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas
Sponsor: Krusell
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
This colorful and fashionable messenger bag, suitable for laptops up to 15.4” is a perfect every-day bag for the youthful personality on the move!
Labeled as: Radical messenger bag
Product info: Item no: 71110
Color: Blue/Navy (various other colors combinations are available)
Price: Approximately $89 US
About Krusell:
BUSINESS IDEA
To produce and globally distribute unique carrying equipment for portable electronics.
COMPANY STRUCTURE
Krusell was founded in 1991. Today the group consists of the following companies: Krusell United AB, Krusell International AB, Krusell Thailand Co Ltd and Krusell Industrial Co Ltd.
LOCATIONS
Headquarters are located in Mölndal, Sweden. Production facilities are located in Thailand and China.
MAIN PRODUCTS
Carrying cases for portable electronics. Main focus on carrying solutions for devices like mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras and MP3-players. Krusell is the patent holder of the unique Multidapt carrying system.
CUSTOMER BASE
Our goal is to work with distributors all over the world. Presently, we have distributors in over 50 countries (2007). Over 7000 retailers worldwide sell products assembled with the unique Multidapt-system. The main outlets for our products are telecom and computer dealers, the brown goods sector and department stores. In the industrial field we work with sub-contractors as well as major OEMs.
{mospagebreak title=A Better Look at things}
A Better Look at Things
:
The Radical Messenger Bag arrives in a clear thick plastic bag similar to the bags that bedding sets are packed in.
On the bottom left hand corner of the bag, one finds the Krusell logo in red and the model name of the bag.
The Radical Messenger Bag is composed of a Terylene shell and a Polyester lining. There are multiple color options, including dark blue/light blue, orange/white, black/white, black, pink, lime green, white, and orange. The review model we received is dark blue/light blue with gray piping.
The Krusell bag is similar in size as most messenger bags.
Starting from the outside, one will see the Krusell logo on the bottom of the front flap. The front flap is composed of a square navy section, which is divided into two pockets with two zippers that can go across both pockets. Bordering this navy section is a gray piping with a blue border and another gray piping.
A Better Look at Things
Continued:
The back side of the bag features a nylon strap handle on the top, with a large rectangular pocket with the zipper location towards the bottom of the bag. This zippered pocket opens into a divider located inside the Radical Messenger Bag.
All of the zippers feature a silver metal tag with the Krusell logo in black.
The side of the Radical bag has a circumferential zipper which when released increases the storage volume of the bag.
Opening the bag reveals a predominantly gray interior with a blue border. At bottom of the inner flap, there are two rectangular areas, which may house weights or magnetic clasps to keep the flap closed when down.
When the flap is elevated, there is an external Just above this is a square pocket with a zipper that goes around the right side and top. Behind this area is a pocket that opens with a Velcro closure.
The main storage pocket which is large enough to hold a few books, many papers, clothing, etc can be found next. In addition, there are two more, smaller pockets. Finally, behind the main area, is the laptop pocket, which is sealed with Velcro. This area is padded on both sides, providing additional protection for the laptop.
Over the main section, there are two small side flaps, to help protect the main pocket and laptop from damage. Just outside to these flaps are the straps.
There is an adjustable buckle to alter the strap length. Found on the strap is a Velcro adjustable pad which offers cushioning for your shoulder.
The inner portion of the flap features a gray polyester lining with a blue border and the gray piping in between.
Installation, Testing and Comparison
The Krusell Radical Messenger bag was able to fit my MacBook Pro and its power adapter with plenty of additional space for an external mouse, iPod, several pens, small books and papers with room to spare.
The padding on the shoulder strap makes Radical comfortable to carry around. Aesthetically, the bag looks great. It is has a streamlined appearance and has plenty of room.
Since the shoulder strap is adjustable, the Radical should fit comfortably, no matter what body habitus you have.
I did find the front pockets on the flap were a little tight and pulling small objects out of those pockets was slightly cumbersome.
The other thing I found to be peculiar, was the Velcro strap used to secure the laptop was fairly long and the Velcro closure was at the very end of the strap. This made strapping the laptop pocket down tightly, an impossibility.
Finally, the carrying handle is not located directly over the center/top of the bag, so when using it, the bag is actually tilted to the side.
Summary:
A comfortable, sturdy, good-looking laptop bag is usually hard to find. Since this bag will be traveling with you whenever you carry your laptop, it is important to be able to protect your laptop as well as fit all of your other peripherals and materials.
Krusell’s foray into the world of laptop bags has been successful, but there are a few issues that should be addressed in the future.
That being said, this is still a stylish bag which you can carry around proudly.
DragonSteelMods gives the Radical Messenger Bag for Laptops a 4 out of 5 score.
Pros:
– Nice Appearance
– Plenty of storage room
– Well padded
Cons:
– Laptop Pocket does not close tightly with Velcro
– Some pockets are tight and too deep
I would like to thank Krusell for the chance to review the Radical Messenger Bag for Laptops and for their support of DSM.
review#432