REI Urban Sling Laptop Bag

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

For the past 3 years, I've been on a quest for a bag that I can travel with that:

a) Holds a 13" laptop
b) Has enough room for other traveling accessories (noise-cancelling headphones, magazines, etc.)
c) Fits neatly under the seat in front of me with room to spare
d) Has easy access to pull stuff out when going through security

After trying various messenger bags and bulkier backpacks I think the Urban Sling is the first to satisfy all my needs. This is not a bag for someone who wants a hundred pockets. Its fairly minimalist design keeps the bag slim, with one large compartment for large items, and a few smaller pockets that can handle small electronics, writing utensils, or papers. The bag is just wide enough to slide my laptop in.

The bag is very comfortable and unobtrusive as you're walking through crowds. I choose to wear the strap across my chest instead of hanging off one shoulder. It has a waist strap, which I have never used, but it can be tucked away in a little pocket on the back.

The bag appears rugged and water resistant, although I wouldn't necessarily trust it to protect my laptop if I drop it.

If you travel frequently and value convenience and efficiency over having room to bring the kitchen sink with you, this is the bag for you.

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

This is a practical yet elegant bag. A netbook slides easily into the interior accessory pocket and hides there leaving the rest of the interior for other items.

The lack of a-pocket-for-everything keeps this bag sleek. Slide through crowds or tight spots. No bulging pockets or extra straps to catch on things. This pack enforces minimalism while at the same time providing maximally in the purpose for which it is intended.

The sling strap is comfortable and makes you feel like the pack is part of you. Unlike a two strap pack worn on one shoulder, there is no dangling shoulder strap to act as a ready handle for someone else. For real security, fasten the belly strap; you're locked and loaded.

The catalog description is accurate in every respect. If it sounds like this sturdy pack is right for your purpose, but it. You'll be glad you did. Use it religiously to carry your netbook and you'll have both for a very long time.

Service and delivery comments:

Picked it up at the Seattle store.

Rita chatted with me about netbooks. That was fun! : )

No one seemed impressed by my relatively low REI number : (

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

I've been looking for a sleeker way to carry my laptop and other work essential as my old EMS backpack was just getting a little dated. That said, a sleek model means you have to sacrifice some space...basic physics here. With that in mind, this sling bag can still keep my 15.4 Lenovo, power cord, coffee thermos, notebook, files, cables, etc. and still have some room to spare.

Pros:
- Only one strap!
- Sleek overall appearance...nothing dangling or bulging
- More comfortable when slung across body than a backpack carried on both shoulders; no more hunched over walking as the sling allows you to stay upright rather than the typical backpack-induced forward tilt
- The stretchy mesh side pocket is very deep; carries a 16oz skinny thermos very well. The same thermos would tip out of the soda-can depth pockets on my old bag.
- Bag seems very well constructed.

Cons:
- The "organizer" is a bit of a bad joke; two slots for pens and a couple of biz card sized pockets...AND the overall organizer just barely fits in its intended pocket(s) so it takes some finagling to pull it out, grab your pen, and then stuff the thing back in such that the zipper can close. I think the organizer may find its way into a dusty drawer for safekeeping.
- As mentioned elsewhere, the mesh cellphone pocket on the strap will only hold a small phone...forget stuffing a QWERTY BlackBerry in there (too wide for the pocket)
- the two front vertical pockets are pretty shallow again, helps to keep things slim), so don't plan to stuff large or chunky items in there
- the "carry" handle at the top of the bag is anemic at best; it is just big enough to slip two fingers through; definitely not meaty enough to grab the bag for a quick traverse...thankfully the sling strap is designed to be easy to grab from nearly all angles; In fairness, maybe it is intended to be a locker loop and not a carry handle...if so, then GREAT locker loop!
- the zippers are a bit stiff but I assume, and hope, that they'll ease a bit with use

Overall, and so far, I like the bag quite a bit and am optimistic that it will meet my needs. When I need to bring the kitchen sink, then I'll bust out a different bag or a pack mule.

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

while intended as a laptop bag for urbanites, I use it as a snowshoeing daypack.

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

This is a super laptop bag. Just a brief warning though. I was assessing the Urban Sling for a 14" laptop, in heavy transit, from streets, to airports, to busses and trains, along with other 'laptop slings', already pretty discouraged. And more so, with the Urban Sling, upon first viewing. Based on the product description I read here, I 'kind of' expected a fully removeable neoprene laptop sleeve. No, it's just a slightly flimsy, very stretchy, pocket in the highly vulnerable main compartment. As I started to huff and puff, I began to notice the exceptional overall construction (weatherproofing, ruggedness, materials, and design otherwise). I was persuaded to further consider the promise of a laptop bag for 15" or less. I resigned myself to buy it, tentatively; and compare it to one of the others, only available online. I kept speculating, along with a full neoprene sleeve, purchased separately, it might work out, where others had failed me. My mobile phone fit perfectly in the side pocket, I earlier envisioned for it. And that compartment was heavily padded, hmmm. Then I walked straight into the neoprene sleeve rack. Well, the right size for me, was available only in a pattern, I really disliked. But it fit, just right, inside that flimsy pocket, and filled out the main compartment to make it max protection. I saw, I believed. But, the pattern was blinding; (oh, and the price was too, on top of the [$] hit [Didn't go for the Chestnut myself, either, but you might like it]). I stumbled around the corner to the next aisle, dismayed, clasping in desparation, Urban Sling and neoprene eyesore. And, I collided with neoprene sleeves, in styles pleasing to me; on clearance sale (like the Chestnut), with a tighter fit!! BUILT is the brand, of all the sleeves in the store, btw. This duo, is totally airport friendly. All the compartments are perfect. The construction (ahh, the weatherproofing), the comfort, and fit, are elation. I can see, although my 14" laptop is firmly hugged by padding, all around, this bag will also take a 15" with the next larger sleeve. You have to see it, to believe it. Totally take my advice. You can't do better. I'm sure you'll find the right neoprene sleeve somewhere.I didn't even bring my notebook, for the trial. But, I knew before I left the store, I had exactly what I needed. REI really delivered.

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

I purchased this sling in my quest to find the best work bag. I dont regularly carry a laptop, but a neoprene sleeve is useful for many things. I intended to carry a change of clothes, some work documents, misc work goodies and some '10 essentials' type gear.

I only have two major concerns with this bag. First is the comfort of the strap. That nice big wide splay at the top is great if you dont want strap to rip out of the bag, however its not comfortable. That area between your neck and the tip of your shoulder socket is not flat, its contoured, the wide splay wants wide and flat and it'll smash your soft tissue to make it. Second is the zippers, the weatherproofing material makes the zippers very hard to open and close, very rough feeling.

Other lesser concerns is the 'essentials' pouch on the strap, youre not going to fit your full figured smart phone in that pouch. The fold out water bottle pouch, didnt hold my 24oz 'KleenKanteen' style bottle very well at all. And the pull out organizer didnt seem to organize much.

On the upside, the back padding is comfy. The third stabilizing strap works great. And the overall volume of the main compartment was adequate.

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

One of the best features of this smart bag isn't even mentioned by REI or other reviewers: You can easily switch which shoulder you want to carry the bag on by reconfiguring the straps. Every other bag I've seen is designed for either right or left shoulder carry, and to just toss the bag onto your other shoulder for a short time is uncomfortable. But the flexible design also makes it comfy on the other shoulder when you just want that. Nothing on this bag is over designed or over padded, so it's sleek and hugs close to your body. Fits a 15.4" macbookpro easily in the sleeve, and if you also use a padded computer sleeve, that fits too. The removable pocket for pencils and tools makes it handy to have your work items at the ready without digging into the bag. Side pocket easily fits iPhone.

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

I wanted the Urban Sling Bag in Chestnut and found a store that still had the discontinued color is stock via the REI website. [...] This bag is just the right size for my needs as a daypack for bicycling, snowshoeing, or hiking. The main compartment is big enough to hold my hooded winter compressor jacket, gloves, hat, and scarf with plenty of room left for my REI thermos of hot chocolate, and snacks or lunch ! The medium size pockets hold my compass, maps, GPS, flashlight, monocular, knife, pad/pen, little kleenex, sunscreen, lipbalm, mini-sound recorder, whistle, and whatever other little items I may choose. The padded zipper pocket is perfect for my camera, and the little top zipper pocket holds my cellphone. I wear the bag over my right shoulder so the camera pocket is facing up when I sling the bag around. On the other side is the bottle pocket which holds a 16 oz. waterbottle perfectly. My laptop would fit nicely if I needed it, but my use for this bag is as my everyday go-to daypack. I prefer the sling style because of how easy it is to access while hiking or biking. The only problem I noticed was the REI product tags incorrectly labeled the padded pocket as the water bottle pocket, and the top zipper pocket as the padded pocket. Not a product problem, but more a proof-reader's problem. I have been an REI member for years and never been disappointed by their great service and dedication to customer satisfaction !

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

Just took this to Thailand for 3 weeks. It held my 13" macbook pro perfectly. Most of the zippers are waterproof which came in handy when I was caught in a downpour for about 20 minutes with no shelter. The bag seems thin but it holds more than you think it could. Perfect pocket for a digital camera, that's easily accessible, small water bottle sleeve, comfy straps, and a few other handy compartments. Great pack. Served it's purpose perfectly.

Comments about REI Urban Sling Computer Bag:

Wife and I headed overseas. Taking laptop to book pensione style lodging the day before or the day of. Needed someway to carry laptop besides the neoprene sleeve we use here in the US to carry it to coffee shops.

We have used sling style bags (although smaller sizes) on previous trips.

We wished it had more pockets and that it had one or two external D Rings to allow the attachment of small carabiners for attachment of other lightweight items.

Laptop is a Gateway NVS4. It's exact dimensions are 14 1/2" wide by 10" high by 1 1/4" deep.

We brought this bag home and laid it beside the laptop. We were skeptical. BUT, this laptop just barely fits inside the made for a laptop inner compartment. We have to carefully pull the sides together to zip around the laptop. An 1/8" inch higher (along the 10" dimension) and it would not have fit.

With the laptop encased inside, the bag rides comfortably inside with the strap slung across the front of my chest.