Metro-Traveler review from Kate @ Funky, Chic, & Cool Laptop Bags

A big thanks to Kate at Funky, Chic and Cool Laptop Bags for reviewing our new Metro-Traveler laptop bag. Kate’s review is below or you can read the review on her Squidoo lens. Be sure to also stop by Kate’s FunChiCo blog for other great reviews and laptop bag news… along with a picture of my two beautiful daughters

Metro-Traveler Laptop Bag from Rainebrooke
Lightweight and functional laptop bag
It was Canadian Thanksgiving this past weekend and I spent the holiday weekend with my spouse, in-laws and hound on beautiful Vancouver Island. Traditional dishes were prepared, the dog was walked, and while the others were distracted by frolicking, I got a lot of work done! So over the turkey dinner, as I gave thanks for my multitudinous blessings, I made sure to also give thanks to Steve from Rainebrooke for sending me the Metro-Traveler Laptop Bag in time for my trip.

The new Metro-Traveler’s functional design, solid construction and uncluttered look made it the perfect bag for my working weekend. I basically needed to bring a pared-down version of my office over to the island with me; the Metro-Traveler helped me get organized and keep things simple.

I tested out the “traveler” part of the Metro-Traveler early on – the bag has a back flap that you can either use as an extra pocket (for files or magazines) or as a pass-through with your rolling luggage. When you’re not using it, the pass-through is zipped closed at the bottom and Velcro’d shut at the top, which keeps the bag looking sleek.

Behind the back flap is a large organizer pocket with pockets and spaces for phone, pens, business cards, PDA, etc. The back pocket has mesh gussets to keep things that may have shifted during the ferry ride from flying out – a very nice touch. I tucked my moleskine notebook in there for easy access in case a brilliant idea struck me; it was great to be able to reach in and grab it without having to rummage around in the main part of the bag. Handy!

The main compartment of the Metro-Traveler is divided into two areas – there’s room for up to a 17″ laptop in the nicely padded laptop compartment and plenty of space in the second compartment for your power cords and other accessories. The second compartment also has spaces for electronics, a zippered pocket and a key tether – love the key tether. The Metro-Traveler is very lightweight and quite roomy – I managed to take my MacBook Pro and cords along with a couple of books and files without distorting the Metro-Traveler’s lines.

The Metro-Traveler’s envelope-like front flap fastens with a thick strip of Velcro, keeping the contents secure. And the two front pockets are great for whatever you need access to – phone, iPod, or, in my case, snacks! That ferry ride goes a lot faster when you’ve got enough M&Ms.

The handle of the Metro-Traveler has a nice, textured rubber grip on it, which makes it easy on the hand. I have to say that I have the same beef with the single handle and the handle placement as I did with the handle of the Metro-Lite. But I mainly used the sturdy, padded shoulder strap to carry the bag, which was fine.

While the Metro-Traveler’s exterior is fairly plain, it does come in four hot colours (I had the royal purple)! The Metro-Traveler is on sale now for $59.95 over at Rainebrooke’s site (a great deal in these uncertain economic times). And don’t forget, Steve offers my readers a 10% discount! Simply use the code FunChiCo on checkout!

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