It takes but a second to open, it keeps items inside dry and relatively safe, and all of these are reasons why I still reach for the Sutter Slim on a near-daily basis. The Compact bag measures in at 16.5 x 10.5 x 4.75-inches, weighs 2.4 pounds, and has a volume of 15 liters when the bag is open. If you want to pick up the Tech Rolltop for yourself, head over to the Waterfield website and grab the Compact bag for $229 or the Full-size bag for $249. The iPhone 14 Pro lineup may set itself apart with no notch, the A16 processor, and a 48MP camera. Everything will settle into the bottom and be awful to carry.The top doesn't properly seal maybe a zipper? so it's susceptible to dirt infiltrating.You can do a LOT better, for a LOT less! That ability is thanks to the expanding main pocket with a rolltop and ingenious latching mechanism. The sleeve is probably preferable for carrying hardware versus the exterior mesh, which is less comfortable and leaves your devices exposed to the elements. Well, that brings us to the absolutely-amazing fastener with a Fidlock buckle. I wish they'd at least offer that as an add-on feature. Waterfield is also not keen on using sternum straps a clip strap that connects the two shoulder ones to alleviate pressure on your shoulders and back significantly. The iPad Pro and the MacBook Air are powerful and reasonably-priced ways to work. If you can afford it and fashion does matter that much to you, by all means buy the Tech Rolltop you won't be disappointed. This bag has been a part of my EDC (everyday carry) ever since it arrived on my doorstep. } Which brings us to the Waterfield Tech Rolltop Backpack. if (document.getElementById("unic-ccpa")) { I have fallen in love with the various products that come from the folks at Waterfield. Michael Crider has been writing about computers, phones, video games, and general nerdy things on the internet for ten years. Both bags are worth your investment. The rest of the space is dedicated to holding as many loose items as it possibly can. Stitching is tight and materials are tough, especially the waxed canvas, which seems like it would take a Bowie knife to rip. That should be enough for a long weekend and toiletries, plus a laptop in the padded exterior zipper compartment. Leif is a San Francisco-based tech journalist. A small zip pouch can hold incidentals. The Tech Rolltop is a fantastic purchase. The volume comes in at 18 liters when closed, or 24 liters when expanded. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, articles, and more. Leather-wrapped chargers, Swarovski iPhone cases, Hermes Apple Watch bands, and so on, many of which cost a lot without adding tangible value. If an iPhone is your primary device, an XS Max may not be far-fetched. Just before we published our review of the Waterfield Vitesse messenger bag, Waterfield announced its latest offering, the Tech Rolltop. Get the best of Windows Central in in your inbox, every day! The basic backpack has nearly infinite varieties, but the rolltop is a popular option if youre looking for maximum storage. This bag is really for people who want a status symbol as much as something useful whereas a 5.11 product looks like you just got home from a tour in Afghanistan, WaterField's lineup is meant to blend in with the business casual world. On both points, the Tech Rolltop is adequate. If youre dissatisfied with what we recommended and you return the product, we dont see any money from it. document.getElementById("unic-gdpr").style.display = 'inline-block'; Its the pouch I use the mostalthough, as well see soon, I wish that honor went to another. console.log(window['UnicI'].geo); Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, That laptop slot is lined with a very soft fleece-like material to ensure your precious cargo won't scratch. Waxed canvas is easy enough to clean, but I was surprised at how quickly it picked up stains from putting it on the ground. The new blue looks great although waxed canvas is more prone to picking up some lint. setTimeout(waitGEO, 200); WaterField's latest backpack is a durable and versatile option for carrying your MacBook, iPad or other tech gear, but the price is only worth it if you put style on the same pedestal as function. Thats convenient, all rightconvenient for anyone wanting to take part in a bit of illegal trick-or-treating when youre wearing the Tech Rolltop Backpack on your back. Do I need to use AT&T to submit an AT&T unlock request? var readyGEO; Windows Central is supported by its audience. The new Surface Laptop Go 2 is a thin and light Windows notebook at a low cost, and has been positioned by Microsoft to be a competitor to Apple's latest M2 MacBook Air. Here's what happened, how service customers affected by the sudden shutdown can get help and how to buy assets from the shuttered company. Macworld is your best source for all things Apple. There is an additional padded pocket thats also capable of housing your laptop or tablet. Most of our revenue is made through referral programs, which means that if you click on one of our product links, Matterful might receive a small commission at no cost to you. last updated 5 August 19, This highly adaptable backpack is the best money can buy for your laptop. Just about all of their products are made of materials like leather, suede and canvas, yet while that's unnecessary it does have value in the context of things like pouches and backpacks. The Waterfield Designs Tech Rollup Backpack is not cheap, but worth every dollar. Combine that with a very high price tag, and it just doesnt make a compelling offering as a premium bag. Our continued financial success depends on making the best possible recommendations, and your satisfaction with the products we recommend. And its a nice mechanism, to be sure: you can slide the clasp out easily with one hand, and getting the two points sort of near each other is enough to snap it back into place via the sliding magnet design. The Rivian Problem No One Is Talking About. I tested it under a few circumstances, including using it as a grocery bag I was able to fit three large boxes of protein bars and four packages of ground turkey with room to spare. Sorry, but way out of my price range. The product comes in either waxed canvas or ballistic nylon, depending on the color you want, and in two sizes: "Compact," holding up to 15 liters, and "Full," storing up to 24. Its by far the most convenient pocket to get to, which means it should be the holy of holies: the pocket you use to grab your AirPods when youve got the bag in front of you while seated on the bus. Start by looking at packs from companies known for making actual backpacks and not laptop sleeves. No other bag Ive handled from WaterField better illustrates why the company uses a golden honeycomb fabric for its interiors. But what if you also want a designer label with your utility? Unfortunately, youre going to have to do a lot of organizing yourself on that trip. You may need to start with the the former when packing the bag though I found that if I waited until clothes and other items were in, even a 9.7-inch iPad (in a rugged case, mind) was troublesome. Needless to say, I had to get my hands on it. Compared to other Waterfield backpacks the Tech Rolltop brings two water bottle holders, has a slim design, and is meant for both the office as well as a jaunt to the great outdoors on the weekend. It contains a number of new changes as Apple prepares it for release. Most of the time the pocket stays closed. Aside from the laptop pocket and two water bottle pouches on either side, there are only two more pockets on the bag. How Apple's Files app is getting better in iOS 16 & iPadOS 16, Nomad launches new gold color for Base One and Base One Max MagSafe chargers, The best ever $279 Apple Watch Series 7 deal is back at Amazon, Apple TV+ 'Luck' is John Lasseter's post-Pixar redemption arc, Apple is just getting started with Apple Silicon, Which Adobe Creative Cloud pricing tier is best for you, How to hide photos in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Redesigned Eve Aqua has Thread and improved valve mechanism. First and foremost, the bag comes in two size models: Compact and Full. They wont adjust themselves by accident, which is great. This is a problem that Ive encountered in other backpacks so Im excited to see this as a non-issue with the Tech Rolltop. The same goes if the bag is handling both work and fitness. Its attractive for a rolltop bag, although I miss the heavy leather accents WaterField tends to use for its bags. I have an addiction. However, if you suddenly need to jam some clothes, or larger items the unrolled bit gives your back much more expansion abilities. } Even though I have a closet full of bags to choose from I've been using the Tech Rolltop exclusively going to Microsoft Build, private press events in New York City, Taipei for Computex, and Mexico on vacation. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. No, Id prefer to keep such things in the top easy-access pouch, which perches right below the rolltop opening. The bag weighs over three pounds empty (and thats the larger version). All Rights Reserved. Suede for a bag isawful, soeasily gets dirty and stained. Unfortunately, its massive storage capacity is weighed down, literally, by a heavy build that doesnt offer much flexibility as a trade-off. (If youre looking for something better suited to the boardroom than the backwoods, you can also get it in a black ballistic nylon fabric.) Here's how the ultra-portable notebooks compare. I've been using the new Tech Rolltop backpack for the last three months. We have both M2 Macs here in our testing studio. The other gripe is price. WaterFields Tech Rolltop hopes youll take a look. I cant recommend it. Even as someone whos no stranger to triple-digit price tags for nice bags, I cant say I blame them. WaterField makes the magnetic clasp keeping the rolltop secure a significant focus of its marketing. The addiction is real. Alas, WaterField made it a little too easy to access. They're relatively spacious, so they should be handy for things like GoPros, water bottles, protein shakers or even Bluetooth speakers. For those with 15-inch laptops (or larger) getting the full size is a better choice. Its also pretty rugged-looking in the brown finish supplied for our review unit. A mesh laptop/tablet compartment sits up against your back, and the interior has a padded sleeve compartment that can fit a 15-inch MacBook. Theres one more pocket found on the outside of the Tech Rolltop, and thats located beneath the straps. If youd like something that looks a little like camping or military gear, itll do. These pockets are not protected from the outdoor elements, so youll need to be careful if you opt to put a charger in here. Waterfield is one of my favorite makers of quality laptop bags, backpacks, and slings. (function waitGEO() { Please refresh the page and try again. AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. The bottom pouch technically suffices, but the bigger items I keep stuffed in there make finding smaller items a hassle. When you first unroll the top, you find a small zipper pocket which is handy for headphones, keys, or your wallet. That wont happen here. Theres the padded, zippered sleeve along the back, for instance, which lets you slip out a device as big as the 15-inch MacBook Pro in TSA lanes or the coffee shop without bothering to open the main rolltop compartment.