The Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase does double-duty as a laptop computer backpack and messenger bag hybrid, but it surely’s extra inexpensive than most opponents. Pair that with the performance, and also you is likely to be among the finest funds laptop computer backpacks you should buy this summer time. College students and workplace employees, be aware of this tote!
Solo has a formidable array of briefcases, backpacks, duffels, totes, and different versatile baggage in inventory, with many premium packs that hover across the $100 vary. The New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is essentially the most inexpensive hybrid bag of their assortment, however that doesn’t imply it’s low cost.
Laptop computer backpacks are universally higher to your backbone than messenger-style briefcases, and this hybrid briefcase brings you the very best of each worlds with out breaking the financial institution (or your again). Are the compromises definitely worth the value level?
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase value and availability
The Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is obtainable for $44 at Walmart, $58.46 at Amazon, and $64.99 on Solo’s personal web site, together with a wide range of different on-line retailers. It’s backed by a five-year restricted guarantee to cowl any defects in supplies or craftsmanship, which provides some additional worth to the combo. The bag solely is available in two colours: black or grey.
What makes this a “hybrid briefcase,” you ask? At first look, you would mistake the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase for a easy messenger-style bag. Unzip the again compartment, nonetheless, and also you’ll discover hidden shoulder straps that immediately remodel the briefcase right into a backpack. It is a clutch function when quick schleps in some way flip into quick treks.
Yet another factor: as of this writing, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase had a mean buyer score of 4.8 (out of 150 opinions) on Solo’s web site, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase design
Measuring 17 x 12.5 x 5 inches and weighing simply 2.1 kilos, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase shares roughly the identical heft because the Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech and Timbuk2 Spire Laptop computer Backpack 2.0. Nevertheless, it’s rated for 15.6-inch laptops, whereas Herschel and Timbuk2’s backpacks are meant for 16- and 17-inch laptops respectively. That being mentioned, 15-inch laptops are fairly good for many productiveness chores, and 15-inch gaming laptops preserve getting extra highly effective (and extra cell too).
The polyester shell is pleasantly granular to the contact; it feels extra rugged than it appears, which is an effective factor.There’s a padded laptop computer sleeve in the principle compartment meant for as much as 15.6-inch laptop computer screens, a smaller sleeve for iPads or tablets, and a Velcro strap to maintain each units in place whenever you’re rummaging across the bag. The adjustable shoulder strap can cling free or be eliminated when utilizing the bag in backpack mode; it’s easy sufficient to unclip and stow your straps of selection.
You gained’t discover a sternum strap on this bag, which is a bummer, however an anticipated compromise for any hybrid bag on this value vary. The polyester materials isn’t weatherproof, both, so that you’ll need to preserve it out of the weather. Metropolis-dwellers may not thoughts, particularly for those who plan on principally utilizing the bag indoors.
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase pockets and group
In the case of pockets and group, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is a primary instance of “you get what you pay for,” which isn’t essentially a nasty factor. The biggest zippered compartment accommodates the laptop computer and pill sleeves. There’s additionally a zippered enclosure on the again to retailer these backpack shoulder straps when utilizing the bag in briefcase mode. True to type, my previous 15.6-inch Acer Aspire E5-575 match snugly contained in the allotted sleeve, as did my 8-inch iPad and 6-inch Kindle Paperwhite, no drawback.
In entrance, you’ll discover three extra zippered compartments of various sizes, and the most important one has six organizational sleeves on the within for Put up-It notes, pens, or the rest you’d like fast entry to. A built-in keychain might need been good, however the smallest pocket was the right measurement for my every day Trek Trifecta (ie, pockets, keys, smartphone).
Herschel, Timbuk2, and Peak Design have plentiful pockets galore on the laptop computer backpacks I not too long ago examined, however Solo lags behind on this regard. There merely aren’t many organizational choices to be discovered on this bag, and those contained in the entrance compartment really feel low cost. Once more, I preserve my expectations low at this value vary, so I wasn’t precisely shocked.
You gained’t discover a devoted water bottle or umbrella pocket on the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase, however in my testing, the second-largest entrance pocket was simply the fitting measurement for a 16-ounce water flask, with room to spare. Granted, utilizing this pocket for water bottles in backpack mode might be a nasty thought, since they’d be tipped on their sides and liable to leak.
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase adjustability and luxury
As an avid outdoorsman, I recognize an excellent backpacking backpack, which often features a totally adjustable hip belt, sternum strap, and built-in lumbar help of some form. Such baggage are constructed for longer treks within the nice open air, whereas hybrid-style backpacks are meant for way more informal excursions. To check out the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase, I tossed roughly ten kilos of tech inside and took it for a trek round city — switching between briefcase and backpack as I went.
In briefcase mode, I most well-liked carrying the bag by my facet half the time. The shoulder strap is sort of tough on any uncovered pores and skin when in movement, and will use extra padding on the underside.
In backpack mode (my most well-liked methodology of carry), I used to be pleasantly shocked at how snugly the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase match to my again, and the way snug the padding was general, with good weight distribution. The backpack straps are a bit slender for my style, nonetheless, particularly when in comparison with the Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech, which supplied way more padding from high to backside.
My 6-foot-3-inch body is on the bigger facet, however I like to recommend this laptop computer backpack for smaller people, too. After utilizing it for just a few errands (together with a 30-minute stroll round my neighborhood), I virtually forgot my laptop computer was strapped firmly inside.
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase particular options
The padded briefcase handles may be linked through magnetic snaps for additional safety. Past that, you gained’t discover a lot else below the hood. As I discussed above, you possibly can’t count on too many extras on this value vary — particularly because the hybrid fashion of this bag can be the first function.
When you’re in search of water resistant development, built-in keychains (or bottle openers), daisy-chain tactical webbing, baggage sleeves, or different travel-friendly goodies, you’ll need to contemplate extra premium laptop computer backpacks, which might price northward of $100.
Backside line
For budget-conscious college students, on-the-go workplace employees, and anybody else eager about a good laptop computer backpack that’s additionally a messenger bag, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is an effective worth choice. It’s definitely not as rugged as different laptop computer backpacks in the marketplace, but it surely’s additionally extra inexpensive, and most cell mavericks are unlikely to be disenchanted with its backpack-to-briefcase capabilities.
That being mentioned, for those who take your tech exterior a lot, the Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech and Timbuk2 Spire Laptop computer Backpack 2.0 each supply weather-resistant development, and a greater diversity of distinctive organizational options — to not point out sternum straps — that bely extra premium value tags.
Pound for diminutive pound, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is a wonderful funds laptop computer backpack that provides all of the fundamentals — no extra, no much less.
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