I am always on the search for a great commuter bag. Getting my stuff back and forth from work with ease is important. I have now owned and tested several bags designed for commuting and there are things to love about each of them. I will be focusing on the STM Linear Medium Laptop Shoulder Bag in this article. This bag has proven to me over and over that it was designed to handle the daily abuse of commuting. We are also giving away a STM Arvo iPhone 5 case to one lucky reader, check it out below the review.
First off, you might notice that this bag carries differently than most laptop bags. It carries the laptop vertically, making this bag feel a lot skinnier than other laptop bags. The width of the bag is great when getting onto a loaded bus or train. Some bags are so big and bulky, that the bag seems to be in the way when crammed into a crowded commuter train. But the first thing I think of when someone tells me a bag is not big, is that it must be small. Well this bag is deceiving for sure.
When looking at the Linear I was never thinking that I was going to get my next carry-on bag. But I was shocked at just how much I was able to get into this bag. The main pocket is a padded fleeced lined pocket for your laptop. The Medium Linear fits most 15 inch laptops. I was able to stuff a lightweight jacket into this pocket as well. The pocket that I use the most is the fleeced lined 10″ tablet pocket. When commuting I use my tablet to write and edit articles, so I am taking it in and out all the time.
But the pockets don’t stop there. There is another fleeced lined pocket on the flap of this bag that is great for quick access to glasses, headphones or anything else that you want handy. Under the flap there is a zipped pocket, perfect for items that you want a little more secure. There are also two pockets great for documents. The flap of the Linear has two claps that are easy to clip and unclip. There is shoulder strap as well as a handle for two carrying options. There is also a luggage pass-through great when using this bag for travelling.
I have now been using this bag for a few months and love it. The only downside to Linear shoulder bag is probably why I love the bag as much as I do; the size. When I use this bag for commuting it works great if I take my laptop or a lunch, but not both easily. This works out for me most days as I don’t always take a lunch to work. I have crammed all of it into this bag but I wouldn’t recommend doing this day after day.
The Verdict: The Linear Medium Laptop Shoulder Bag is a simple, smart, slim and stylish laptop bag. Attention to detail has made this a great commuter bag day in and day out. If you pack a lunch and your laptop each day this bag might be a little small. But for those who are looking for a lightweight bag that can get their laptop, tablet, documents and more back and forth safely and secure this is definitely a winner.
MSRP: $70.00
Product provided for free by the manufacturer for review purposes.