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Waterfield (SF Bags) iPad Travel Express

mysterygirl said:
Just wondering if anyone managed to grab one of these before they sold out. I'd love to hear some real world reviews and see real world pictures from those who got one. I've just placed an order, but it won't be available until sometime after April 7, as the most recent production run sold out.

http://sfbags.com/products/ipad-cases/travelexpress-ipad.php
Click to expand...

It's a bit overpriced. I have the case logic 10" carrying bag and all my stuff fits in it except for the keyboard. I have 4 av cables, chargers, stylus all. The bag is $15. Used it a lot when flying to CA and it fits right front pouch seat in the plane.
 
I agree that it is overpriced, and don't like the fact that there isn't a dedicated compartment for the keyboard.

I have the Incase Travel Kit Plus and love it. It has a special keyboard compartment and the Apple BT keyboard fits in perfectly! Everything else fits, too: charger, cord, earphones, iPad 2 in a case, stand (comes with the kit), etc.

The Incase is $10 less than the SF Bags Travel Express.

Mdifilm said:
It's a bit overpriced. I have the case logic 10" carrying bag and all my stuff fits in it except for the keyboard. I have 4 av cables, chargers, stylus all. The bag is $15. Used it a lot when flying to CA and it fits right front pouch seat in the plane.
Click to expand...
 
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mysterygirl said:
Just wondering if anyone managed to grab one of these before they sold out. I'd love to hear some real world reviews and see real world pictures from those who got one. I've just placed an order, but it won't be available until sometime after April 7, as the most recent production run sold out.

http://sfbags.com/products/ipad-cases/travelexpress-ipad.php
Click to expand...

I have the iPad Wallet which I think is a better solution. 2 compartments, 1 for the iPad and one for the Apple BT keyboard.
 
Thanks for the rapid responses and feedback. I'm intrigued by the quality (water-resistant, YKK locks, etc) of Waterfield bags vs. some of the competition. I've never owned a Waterfield, so can't verify that it is indeed worth the extra expense, but I admit to being very curious and maybe willing to spend a bit more than necessary to test it out. I think the Travel Express is $69, which is the same price as the Incase (current price at Amazon at least).

I looked into the Waterfield iPad Wallet, and liked it very well also. It seems quite a bit more bulky than the Travel Express, which swayed me to the Express. That said, I could be convinced otherwise. :)

Also, it's worth noting that I don't actually have a BT keyboard. I basically want a sleeve with extra space that would allow me to carry a cell phone (often 2!), large wallet, and a few other accessories. I'd also like the option of storing the iPad while it's in another case (likely a Moleskine-type case). And I'd like the option of being able to use it as either a throw in bag option or a stand-alone unit. (I admit this list of requirements may be ridiculous! :rolleyes:)

Seems like the Travel Express may fit the bill for now, but I'm definitely happy to hear and entertain other/better options!

Thanks!
 
I had the Waterfield ipad Exo Sleevecase and the iPad Ultimate Sleevecase, both were high quality. But I prefer and use my much cheaper STM iPad Jacket. ebags sells these. the STM has a pocket for a smartphone, a big zippered pocket, and the main zippered compartment, and back opening slot for thin items. all padded, with a grab handle and a removable shoulder strap. 3 colors now. it works and is $22 now, I paid $30. Its good quality.
It's smaller than the Travel Express, only holds ipad in a slim case in the main compartment.
 
I am waiting for a Portenzo iPad case and I checked with Gary @ Waterfield regarding larger cases and his iPad bags. The only bag that can accommodate an iPad in a case bulkier than the Apple SmartCover is the Muzetto. He said the Muzzeto is made to work with Waterfield's sleevecase which is roughly the same size as notebook-style cases. If you like WF's other options you'll need to have your iPad naked or with a case no thicker than a smartcover.
 
aricher said:
I am waiting for a Portenzo iPad case and I checked with Gary @ Waterfield regarding larger cases and his iPad bags. The only bag that can accommodate an iPad in a case bulkier than the Apple SmartCover is the Muzetto. He said the Muzzeto is made to work with Waterfield's sleevecase which is roughly the same size as notebook-style cases. If you like WF's other options you'll need to have your iPad naked or with a case no thicker than a smartcover.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this info!! Definitely gives me something to consider. I also have a smartcover (which I'm debating returning), which I could use with the Express.

It did look to me like the iPad Wallet might accommodate the Potenzo. Hmm...now I'm not sure--I actually wouldn't use the Portenzo inside the sleeve that often. Just on rainy days and when I travel (about once every 6-8 weeks).

Thanks for the feedback! I may need to look at some other options.
 
Actually...

aricher said:
I am waiting for a Portenzo iPad case and I checked with Gary @ Waterfield regarding larger cases and his iPad bags. The only bag that can accommodate an iPad in a case bulkier than the Apple SmartCover is the Muzetto. He said the Muzzeto is made to work with Waterfield's sleevecase which is roughly the same size as notebook-style cases. If you like WF's other options you'll need to have your iPad naked or with a case no thicker than a smartcover.
Click to expand...

I have my iPad Wallet on order and was concerned when I saw this post since I will use another case in addition to the Smart Cover. When I emailed them, they said that the iPad Wallet and the iPad Travel Express can accommodate the iPad 2 in a bulkier case in the main area vs. the iPad-specific pocket. I can report back when I get mine with details if people are interested.

On the price issue, I actually find WaterField bags (I have their Cozmo and Camera Case) to be cheaper in the long run, because the quality is so much better that it seems like (so far at least, and I'm pretty hard on my gear) they will last forever. I guess you get what you pay for. Hope this helps!

Has anyone found a good clear, super thin cover for the iPad screen? If so, I'd love a recommendation. Thanks.
 
bigcheese72 said:
I have my iPad Wallet on order and was concerned when I saw this post since I will use another case in addition to the Smart Cover. When I emailed them, they said that the iPad Wallet and the iPad Travel Express can accommodate the iPad 2 in a bulkier case in the main area vs. the iPad-specific pocket. I can report back when I get mine with details if people are interested.

On the price issue, I actually find WaterField bags (I have their Cozmo and Camera Case) to be cheaper in the long run, because the quality is so much better that it seems like (so far at least, and I'm pretty hard on my gear) they will last forever. I guess you get what you pay for. Hope this helps!

Has anyone found a good clear, super thin cover for the iPad screen? If so, I'd love a recommendation. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Thanks, bigcheese.
This is exactly what I was counting on--that I could fit the ipad in the case in the main compartment and then stash a few extras in the smaller pockets. That, and the much talked about quality of Waterfield products. I think I'll keep my current order for the Travel Express and report back about fit, etc. once it arrives.

In the meantime, keep the other suggestions coming. And if anyone has any pics and impressions of their Travel Express, please share!
 
Mdifilm said:
It's a bit overpriced. I have the case logic 10" carrying bag and all my stuff fits in it except for the keyboard. I have 4 av cables, chargers, stylus all. The bag is $15. Used it a lot when flying to CA and it fits right front pouch seat in the plane.
Click to expand...

Your Case Logic case is cheap because it's Made in China.

Waterfield Designs are made in San Francisco. I have their Slip Case, Cargo and iPhone 4 Slip Case and the quality is impeccable. It feels good buying products made in the U.S.A.
 
mysterygirl said:
Thanks, bigcheese.
This is exactly what I was counting on--that I could fit the ipad in the case in the main compartment and then stash a few extras in the smaller pockets. That, and the much talked about quality of Waterfield products. I think I'll keep my current order for the Travel Express and report back about fit, etc. once it arrives.

In the meantime, keep the other suggestions coming. And if anyone has any pics and impressions of their Travel Express, please share!
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, I think you're right on using the iPad 2 in the other pocket instead of the iPad specific pocket. I just dug up my email reply from Gary @ Waterfield:

"The Portenzo adds quite a bit to the dimensions - I know it won't fit into the pocket of either the iPad Express or the iPad Wallet - it may fit well into the main compartment of the iPad Wallet - but not the pocket ipad section.

I don't think our EXO case for the iPad is large enough either - this was designed more or less for the case Apple sold for the iPad 1 - your case is quite a bit larger than this one."
 
aricher said:
I'm sorry, I think you're right on using the iPad 2 in the other pocket instead of the iPad specific pocket. I just dug up my email reply from Gary @ Waterfield:

"The Portenzo adds quite a bit to the dimensions - I know it won't fit into the pocket of either the iPad Express or the iPad Wallet - it may fit well into the main compartment of the iPad Wallet - but not the pocket ipad section.

I don't think our EXO case for the iPad is large enough either - this was designed more or less for the case Apple sold for the iPad 1 - your case is quite a bit larger than this one."
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification. Fingers crossed, it will work out well. I'll report back when the case arrives. Waterfield sent an email today to confirm that I'm in the April 7th run, but they will "squeeze" me in sooner if possible. Impressed with their random email to set expectations.
 
I got mine on the 29th and am very happy with it. This bag fit my needs and that was big selling point for me. Yes, these bags are expensive but they are top notch quality and their customer service is amazing. Plus, I like to try and support a local company when I can.
 
enojado said:
I got mine on the 29th and am very happy with it. This bag fit my needs and that was big selling point for me. Yes, these bags are expensive but they are top notch quality and their customer service is amazing. Plus, I like to try and support a local company when I can.
Click to expand...

Thanks! This is still one of the few bags that seems to fit all my requirements. And I'm also willing to pay a bit more if it buys me higher quality. Hope it works out for me!
 
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It's easier on your back with a lighter wallet kind of feeling?
 
I got the Waterfield iPad Smart Case from them and it is great. I got the one designed for the iPad 2 with the Smart Cover, and my iPad fits in it snug enough that it will not slide out.

The iPad and Smart Cover fit perfectly in my Waterfield Muzetto bag. The cost is a little higher but the quality is definitely there.

I am a happy camper.
 
I had a Muzetto on order but had to cancel it. I plan on ordering again hopefully in a couple of months. I want the brown & flame color.
 
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Sorry to be a bit off topic, but figure this is the best group to ask. Does anyone own a waterfield wallet? For your cash not iPad. I'm looking into getting one and am curious if the use of the zipper makes it uncomfortable to store in your back pocket.

Any help would be great :) I wanna get a leather / taxi to match th inside of my newly ordered muzetto
 
To Higgs1,

I have two Waterfield products and can definitely state that the quality is top notch. I do not however have the wallet so can't comment on that, but would assume the quality is the same.

What I can say as someone who has had minor back problems for years is that you should not carry your wallet in your back pocket. This is for two reasons.

1. I puts your spine in a twist the whole time your sitting this is not good for your spine at all. The more stuff you carry in your wallet the worse the problem, but even a thin wallet will put you in a bind.

2. The back pocket is the first place a pickpocket will try for your wallet and the easiest for them to get to. Its behind you and you won't usually respond to a slight bump in a crowd so it makes it twice as easy for them. Think of all the info you carry in your wallet, its a thieves heaven, credit cards, drivers license, receipts, OH MY!!!

Carry your wallet anywhere EXCEPT in you back pocket. I carry mine in my front pocket, except when I'm wearing a sport jacket and then its in the inside pocket.

Just a thought to keep you well adjusted and secure.
 
Higgs1 said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Sorry to be a bit off topic, but figure this is the best group to ask. Does anyone own a waterfield wallet? For your cash not iPad. I'm looking into getting one and am curious if the use of the zipper makes it uncomfortable to store in your back pocket.

Any help would be great :) I wanna get a leather / taxi to match th inside of my newly ordered muzetto
Click to expand...

I really like Waterfield products in general, and I can recommend the wallet as well. However, I only have used it in the front pocket; the wallet is pocket-shaped, by the way. The zipper is not uncomfortable at all, at least in my experience. You can always contact the company and ask if anyone has had that problem before.

Waterfield products are relatively more expensive than similar budget products, and they definitely have a certain design-style. But the quality is really great, the service is great, and they are typically less expensive than luxury-style competitors.
 
lmg74 said:
@Mysterygirl have you received your Travel Express yet?
Click to expand...

Yes, I received it on Saturday. It shipped a day earlier than expected and arrived in 3 days (shipped from the west coast and I'm on the east coast). I'm very pleased with the bag. The iPad fits nicely into the dedicated pocket either naked or in a thin case (I'm currently using a Switheasy CARA). The larger area can easily be used to either hold a cased iPad or other accessories. There are also four internal smaller pockets, which I use to hold my cell phone, earbuds, keys, charger, stylus, and other small items.

It's built well and I can imagine this bag will be with me through several iPad generations! My only complaints are that there are no external pockets (I knew this before I purchased it) and price. It might me nice to see one small external pocket for easy access to small items. Also, it is a pricey case--I opted to add the suspension strap ($22) so the case was $98 shipped. I really like it and think it will serve it's purpose well, but at that price, it's worth making sure it really fits your needs. I travel a lot, so this will be my travel solution. I can also envision grabbing this bag instead of a purse to head to a local coffee shop or park. It works well for my needs and I'm happy with the purchase.

I'll try to post some pics soon. I'm actually traveling this week so it will receive it's first major test.
 
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