Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this bag based solely on the not-very-helpful photo, because it looked like the style I wanted. There were no other photos OR reviews anywhere though, and I think this bag deserves more attention. That's how much I love my new bag!
Size: The dimensions are in the product description. It is the perfect size for shopping, running errands, riding your bicycle, going to bars, etc. It's not ridiculously small like a clutch, but not oversized for simple tasks like a messenger bag. It can comfortably hold my wallet, phone, keys, kleen kanteen water bottle (pretty big), and a paperback book. I could probably put more in it, since there seemed to be room left over.
Design: Simply beautiful! Medium stiffness leather. The rust is the same color as in the photo and very elegant/classic. The black part is more typical leather looking, while the rust is a super smooth leather--it feels almost like nylon.
Straps: The straps are adjustable and can be worn as a very comfortable backpack, OR turned into a single-strap bag that you can wear on your shoulder or across your chest. The conversion from backpack to single-strap is EASY--you just zip the straps together and you're done!
Pockets: There is a side cell-phone pocket, a front small pocket, the large interior of the bag, and a hidden back vertical zip pocket for hiding your wallet/valuables against your body. I love this back pocket.
Coin purse: The bag comes with a small coin purse (or mini leather wallet) that attaches to a part on the inside of your bag. I really love this idea, because I always lose my coin purses in the wastelands of my bags. It's also useful for when you go to a place with a bag check where you want to keep your wallet on you, like while shopping or in a club. You can put your cards/money in the little purse and clip it to your belt/pants/skirt when you check your bag in, then reclip it to your bag when you retrieve it. I never have to rely on useless female pants pockets again!
Closures: The pockets all zip closed, but there is no closure for the main compartment. The top flap of the bag is stiff and shaped so that it naturally falls over the top of the main compartment, but I would have loved to have a snap closure or magnetic closure. I will probably add a closure myself, since the bag is otherwise perfect. There are two side snaps on the inside compartment to pinch the bag together so that the top isn't gaping wide open.
Uses: I wanted a fashionable, atypical bag to wear on my back while I commuted on my bicycle, which I could easily use for shopping, parties, etc. This is the perfect bag. Not big and clumsy to carry for short trips outside the apartment like my Chrome messenger bag, but not too small that it's useless or looks prissy. In fact, there is nothing prissy about this bag!
Craftsmanship: I haven't used this bag for very long, so I don't know how well it holds up. It comes with a 5-year warranty though. It looks solid and well made. The price is very appropriate for this bag and it would probably cost $100 more if it wasn't only available through the internet and was marketed better.
Overall: I spent two hours on Amazon looking through every leather backpack/satchet/rucksack out there. None of the rest were quite right. They were too girly or too mainstream or too military or just too boring. I took a huge chance buying something without any reviews and only one photo, and I am glad I did. Take my advice and check it out! Besides, you can always return it if you hate it. ; )
Click Here to see more reviews about:
The Partisan Backpack Color: Rust
Click here for more information about The Partisan Backpack Color: Rust
