The question of Team Backpack vs. Team Messenger Bag has plagued humanity since the first laptop was invented. Even the Mac|Life staff is divided on the issue. But I know the truth: messenger bags are superior to backpacks. In order to expedite the enlightenment of backpackers, I offer you a shoulder bag done right—Booq’s Cobra Courier M. It’s destined to make believers out of the staunchest dual-strap-wearing backpackers everywhere.
The Cobra has everything—comfort; style; high-grade, water-repellent ballistic nylon; and enough room to carry your iPad, a 17-inch MacBook Pro, and paperwork. Even when the bag has been stuffed like a turducken, it still retains its form and style. The Cobra Courier’s all-black exterior might suggest “just another black bag,” but open the Velcro, and you’ll be greeted by gorgeous vanilla nylon twill and orange embroidered quilting. It’s so soft inside, it must be like a vacation for laptops in there.
Business on the outside, party on the inside.
Which is a fitting description—if you’re the traveling type, the Cobra will save you loads of TSA headaches. A specific emphasis has been put on making the Cobra especially airport-friendly—a slot in the fabric allows for easy mounting to the handle of a suitcase and a detachable laptop sleeve makes for swift laptop removal. The sleeve is designed to fit a 15-inch MacBook Pro (although your naked 17-inch MacBook Pro will fit in the bag just fine), and it’s one of those little touches that goes a long way. Aside from all the bells and whistles, the Cobra Courier would win our hearts just for its elegant, meticulous crafting.
All this luxury comes at a price, and at $195, the bag’s no steal. But factor in the laptop sleeve you won’t need to buy, and the price becomes more tempting. Plus, the bag has a built-in return mechanism, a metal tag called a Terralinq. The Terralinq contains a unique serial number that you can register online. Then, if you leave your bag in the back of a bar or a taxi, a good Samaritan can enter your tag number online, and Booq will work to reunite you with your bag—although we’d guess that your MacBook will probably have vanished.
The bottom line. It can hold a ton of gear, and it has the fit, finish, and functionality to withstand daily use in style.
Booq Cobra Courier M Bag
Any-size MacBook Pro (preferably 15-inch), other stuff to carry
Unassuming black. Comfortable shoulder strap. Well-thought-out compartments. Included sleeve for 15-inch MacBook Pro. Also fits 17-inch MacBook Pros.
Expensive. Velcro seems out of place on a bag this nice. Strap frequently gets twisted.
teejaysplace
May 13, 2011 at 2:10pm
Thank you for this post, Nic. I actually don't use a messenger bag for my MacBook, but do for my iPad - a Swiss Gear vertical travel bag that I picked up from Target a few years ago as a gift for my Mom, who never really used it. It was actually designed to hold books (like, real books) and gadgets for convenient traveling. As it turns out, however, it fits my iPad perfectly and the ridiculous amount of pockets make it far more functional than any dedicated iPad case I've seen made so far. (It also retails for about a third of the price.)
The only problem it presents is that the main pocket, having been designed to hold a Harry Potter-sized tome, lacks adequate padding and provides a bit more girth than is necessary for iPad's svelte chassis. Consequently, I've been looking for a padded iPad sleeve and have, so far, turned up few products that justify their price or provide the simplicity I need. When I noticed the quilted inner sleeve on the Cobra, however, I checked Booq's website and, as it happens, they make two such sleeves for the iPad. At $29, they are fairly reasonable solutions, both of which should fit inside of my current gear. Thanks, y'all!
nicvargus
May 13, 2011 at 3:53pm
That's great to hear! We're big fans of a lot of Booq's stuff and the Cobra's quilted inner sleeve has been an absolute Godsend for us. Hard to imagine going back to another bag now!
Nic
