Crumpler Bags - are they any good?

[nostrum]

I'm thinking of getting a Crumpler bag to carry my 12 in PB around in. Do they provide enough protection? Has anyone else got any experience of these?

 

[bousozoku]

I have the Farmer's Doubler backpack and it's completely amazing and well-worth the extra money. This backpack holds camera equipment and a PowerBook and is quite well padded and has landed on its top from time to time without a problem.

 

[caveman_uk]

I have the 'Base Toucher' for my 15" PB. My only criticism is that the padded pocket is a bit large for the laptop. I've got a 'Gimp' for the notebook as well so that's not a problem for me.

Previously I had a 'Roll-O-Notes' which was fine though a bit small for everything I wanted to carry. If you don't have much else to carry though it would be fine.

Both bags have been extremely well made with top notch materials. They are expensive but I think they are just about worth the extra.

 

[.Andy]

I'm thinking of getting a Crumpler bag to carry my 12 in PB around in. Do they provide enough protection? Has anyone else got any experience of these?

I've had a good experience with Crumpler. I've got a blue 12" school hymn sleeve for my powerbook and I love it to death. My comps not got a scratch on it and the sleeve itself is very durable. Still looks just as good as when I got it. I just chuck it in a normal backpack. It's a bit larger than the powerbook but that means there's some extra room (about an inch or soon two sides) to add some high density foam with cut outs for the DVI to VGA cableand laser pointer etc.

Having checked out their bags and stuff and my experience with the hymn I'd definitely have confidence in getting another Crumpler product if I needed one . If only they made a nano case..........

 

[Abstract]

I think that over half the bags on the market would make their owners quite happy.

However, I think Crumpler is a bit too expensive for what you're getting. They don't look particularly great, and their product isn't more well thought out than some others. They also offer a similar level of protection. I'm not saying they're bad, but they definitely don't stand out from the rest. Most bags on the market don't, so again, it's not a fault of Crumpler. It's just that for the price they charge, I'd rather get a cheaper bag that offers the same storage and protection. There's lots to choose from. Are you looking for a backpack or messenger bag?

Anyway, if you like the Crumpler brand and popularity, I'm sure their quality won't disappoint.

 

[Bern]

I disagree with Abstract. The Crumpler is stylish and certainly a lot better than most ugly cheap bags on the market. You get what you pay for in the end.

I have the Crumpler Wack-O-Phone for my 12" Powerbook and I have to say it is the best bag I ever owned.

I travel a lot both locally and overseas and this bag is the best. It has a strong, stylish, original waterproof 1000d fabric, ripstop lining and is completely padded through out.

It is not heavy and very comfortable to carry, and I carry a lot in that bag.

So yes I highly recommend the Crumpler bags.

 

[adt]

I must also disagree with Abstract. I own a 'Very Busy man', and it is uniquely solid.

The design for crumplers has been well thought out. You can visit the site for more info, but here are the things i like:

- fabric and construction. very sturdy. you could swing it against a brick wall and have no damage to the inside or outside (eggs?)

- colour. they've demonstrated a great idea here: the inside of the bag is a different colour, usually something different to black (light blue on mine, some orange etc), so you can see items inside your bag more clearly.

- stabiliser. i had to ask them about this weird strap called a 'third leg' in their literature. similar to hiking backpacks, keeps it stable on your back.

Alan!

 

[iEdd]

It's gotta be as good as the website at least
'Nerd' sprays the screen with turd.. If a product is out of stock, it sticks the finger up at you.. As well as a couple of inuendos in the laptop bags catalogue..
lol

 

[Piarco]

I've got a Whack'o'phone for my 15" PB, and use it in conjuction with a Booq Vyper case - and the bag feels like its bomb proof. Wish it had a little more space for folders, but it does exactly what I want it too. I think they are expensive, so I'm chuffed I got mine on ebay for half price, but after 6 months of use, even the full price doesn't look that high.

After being cheap and getting a normal workbag with a laptop compartment and having the then 12" PB in a neoprene skin - the having to deal with a huge dint on the back edge of the PB when it hit the edge of a step (total accident, but these things happen) I would recommend spending the money....

 

[caveman_uk]

I'm thinking of getting a Crumpler bag to carry my 12 in PB around in. Do they provide enough protection? Has anyone else got any experience of these?

I just noticed you're in the UK. I'd recommend buying from these people. They are quite a bit cheaper than anyone else - even crumpler's official site in the UK. I've bought several things through them. No worries whatsoever.

 

[kretzy]

I have a Crumpler - "the Considerable Embarrassment "- for my 15'' PB and I love it! It looks great, protects my notebook well and has enough room to fit in a few books and other bits and pieces.

 

[Koodauw]

I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with abstract as well. The Crumpler bags are rather nice. I have the Moderate embarrassment, which will hold a 12'' PB / iBook, and a few other books, etc. I like it a lot. You can check out the Crumpler, Booq, Review thread for lots of great pics.

 

[Abstract]

I must also disagree with Abstract. I own a 'Very Busy man', and it is uniquely solid.

The design for crumplers has been well thought out. You can visit the site for more info, but here are the things i like:

- fabric and construction. very sturdy. you could swing it against a brick wall and have no damage to the inside or outside (eggs?)

- colour. they've demonstrated a great idea here: the inside of the bag is a different colour, usually something different to black (light blue on mine, some orange etc), so you can see items inside your bag more clearly.

- stabiliser. i had to ask them about this weird strap called a 'third leg' in their literature. similar to hiking backpacks, keeps it stable on your back.

Alan!

Again, nobody will be disappointed by their Crumpler bag. It is great quality. I have considered them. However, nobody will be disappointed by their STM bag, either. Same with a Tom Bihn Brain Cell. Or a Waterfield. Or how about people who can afford to buy a Knomo , the "Louis Vuitton" of laptop bags. You'll all like your bags because any bag from a decent vendor will provide you with a bag that makes you happy and does everything you expect from it. Your bag does what you want, and as a satisfied customer, you'll say "Crumpler is great!" I'm happy with my STM messenger bag, and I can say, with an equal amount of enthusiasm, that STM bags are great.

The point is that I'd take price into consideration, because chances are you'd be happy with the right bag from any of the companies I named. There are others that offer a good product for less money. You can say the same thing about clothes, too, but hey, that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy what you want. That's all I meant.

 

[Gordy]

I just noticed you're in the UK. I'd recommend buying from these people. They are quite a bit cheaper than anyone else - even crumpler's official site in the UK. I've bought several things through them. No worries whatsoever.

I got mine from these people and they were superb.

I couldnt fault my crumpler at all its great. If you are worried about damage just get a neoprene cover they will fit into the crumpler bags

I've got some pictures and info on the bags on my site here http://www.gordyhand.co.uk/main.php?page=mac

 

[nostrum]

Thanks for the feedback people. I went out and bought a Roll-o-notes today. It was at an unbelievably good price of £59 from Jacobs Photo, cheaper than anywhere else i've seen it. Its perfect for my needs.

Another Mac dilemma solved by the Macrumours Forum posters

 

[EGT]

I know what you mean Abstract. I have a Tom Bihn Brain Bag with the Brain cell but I'm looking for something smaller and a bit more travel friendly. The brain bag is a great, massive big thing but it encourages me to carry to much crap around.

Do you have any recommendations for well thought out Bag? What do you use if any? I haven't come across anything with same protection that the brain bag/brain cell combo offers.

 

[Paladin]

I also have a Wack-O-Phone for my 15" PowerBook, and it's the best bag I've ever seen, much less owned.

 

[Marneus]

I've got a 12" School Hymn for my iBook and I love it, it's not that snug that I can't plug things into it when it's sitting in the case and it feels nice and durable. Plus you can stick stickers onto it.

 

[0098386]

I have a Wee Bee for my 12" PowerBook. absolutely stunning bag. just fits the PB and its oh-so snug in there infact somedays i wish i was my PB...
its just brilliant. cant fault it. fits everything in for me (PB, charger, wireless mouse, keys, phone, iPod headphones sit on the top in a hidden fold, a couple of A4 sketchbooks). perfect!

 

[ozone]

Again, nobody will be disappointed by their Crumpler bag. It is great quality. I have considered them. However, nobody will be disappointed by their STM bag, either. Same with a Tom Bihn Brain Cell. Or a Waterfield. Or how about people who can afford to buy a Knomo , the "Louis Vuitton" of laptop bags. You'll all like your bags because any bag from a decent vendor will provide you with a bag that makes you happy and does everything you expect from it. Your bag does what you want, and as a satisfied customer, you'll say "Crumpler is great!" I'm happy with my STM messenger bag, and I can say, with an equal amount of enthusiasm, that STM bags are great.

The point is that I'd take price into consideration, because chances are you'd be happy with the right bag from any of the companies I named. There are others that offer a good product for less money. You can say the same thing about clothes, too, but hey, that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy what you want. That's all I meant.

I agree with Abstract - it's all about value-for-the-money. I bought my wife a Crumpler School Hymn for her TiBook and it's great. Looks sharp, nice quality, but it's really a glorified sleeve and it doesn't offer the most protection that I've seen. For the price, I could have gotten any old sleeve for a lot less. I myself have a Tom Bihn Brain Cell and the padded laptop sleeve is better than almost all: it has a hard, corrugated plastic shell that really does offer side protection and the laptop is suspended inside, so when it drops, it never touches bottom. It came at premium price so you could argue cost = protection. But you know, the sleeve isn't the greatest looking, and it is bulky. You'd think for what I'd paid, you could get something stylish too.

In the end, to each their own. I think in these threads about bags, sleeves, etc. the main discussion should focus on likes/dislikes. Each person is going to have to decide on value by him/herself and that depends on how little he/she is willing to eat that week!

 

[Abstract]

I know what you mean Abstract. I have a Tom Bihn Brain Bag with the Brain cell but I'm looking for something smaller and a bit more travel friendly. The brain bag is a great, massive big thing but it encourages me to carry to much crap around.

Do you have any recommendations for well thought out Bag? What do you use if any? I haven't come across anything with same protection that the brain bag/brain cell combo offers.

You must realize that you make a sacrifice in the amount of protection you get from your bag by going smaller and lighter. What are you looking for?

Brenthaven backpacks are great. I would have bought it, but it was CDN $225 + tax, so it would have been approx US$200 after tax in Canada. They make shoulder bags, too. I've never seen them, but everything they make is excellent. Not pretty, though.

And you already know how amazing Tom Bihn stuff is, although the shoulder bags look a bit ugly from the photos.

I own an STM Small Loft, and got it because its looks "stand out" (but only in person.....the photo makes it look ugly ), although if you want something "better thought out," the STM Wave might be better. It has little holders for pens and such, which is a nice touch. I don't like bags where they expect you to throw your pen, pencil, calculator, mobile phone, etc, into a single pocket, as if these things should go together, or are easy to find if placed in a single pocket. The padding isn't as good as with a Tom Bihn, but same thing with Crumpler bags, IMO.

Gordy has a Wee Bee, but there's a Crumpler bag called the Breakfast Buffet that seems quite similar. I've seen the Wee Bee, and it seems excellent.

Anything from Waterfields is considered ace.

I've heard a lot about Tucano sleeves, but not the bags. Or maybe I just can't remember.

RoadWired products are supposed to be good, or so I've heard.

Same with Acme Bags This year, the style is "stripes," which I hate. Last time I checked, the styles were more acceptable. It varies by year. However, there is always a plain model of their bag somewhere. Move your mouse over the plain black bag.

Tumi and Knomo (I gave you the link earlier) are stylin' bags.....very professional. They can be small, too.

Do a search in MacRumors for laptop bags, and I'm sure you'll find a lot more recommendations.

 

[Gordy]

Gordy has a Wee Bee, but there's a Crumpler bag called the Breakfast Buffet that seems quite similar. I've seen the Wee Bee, and it seems excellent.

It looks identical can't see any differences??

 

[Abstract]

Neither can I, but Crumpler's website has them both. It's probably something about the pockets, or one can carry more magazines or something.

Personally, I think almost all Crumpler bags look the same, so I'm not the person to ask.

 

[Bern]

Neither can I, but Crumpler's website has them both. It's probably something about the pockets, or one can carry more magazines or something.

Personally, I think almost all Crumpler bags look the same, so I'm not the person to ask.

Yeah you've made your point about how you feel about Crumpler bags we get it.

 

[Abstract]

I said they made good bags. Is it my fault that many of the bags look the same? Not even a Wee Bee owner can tell the difference between his own bag, and the Breakfast buffet model. That's pretty odd. I'm sure I can tell my bag apart from another style from the same company. It's not like I made it up. Just read the post above mine.

Anyway, they're good bags, but how much you are willing to pay is up to you.