The days of carrying your mobile phone in its own suitcase are over. As our gadgets continue to shrink (most of them, at least), the modern mobile workforce has little need for the oversized backpacks and messenger bags of the 2000’s. Especially not when you can pack an entire office worth of gear into Crumpler’s slim-line Cut of Horror.
What Is It?
It’s Felix the Cat’s Magic Bag, but real. It’s a weather-resistant, fold-top messenger bag with room for a 15-inch laptop, an iPad-sized tablet, all their accessories and your daily carry.
Who’s It For?
People that carry multiple devices too big to fit in their pockets.
Design
The Cut of Horror is actually a very nice-looking bag. The black or oatmeal exterior is made from heavy-duty 900D polyester with water-resistant a coating, while the neon green interior is made from a lighter strand. The spacious interior is accessible via the clip-secured, zipper-closed, fold-over flap (that is, you need to unclip it, unfold it, and unzip it to gain access — because screw you, coffeehouse thieves). Under the flap, you’ll find the separate, padded tablet pocket. A vertical lower pocket is large enough to hold your wallet and phone while you’re on your bike but doesn’t offer the same level of security as the other two sections.
Using It
It’s a bag. Put stuff in it, adjust the shoulder straps and wear.
The Best Part
I very much like the slim design, even when the bag is full. It makes navigating crowded trains much easier and drastically cuts down on the drag generated when I’m riding.
Tragic Flaw
The unpadded straps are situated a little close for my taste and tend to dig in and rub during longer commutes.
This Is Weird…
All of the bright, reflective material (which I can only assume is based on the colour of Ed Hardy’s blood) is on the inside of the bag. Make sure you use a tail light when riding with this on.
Test Notes
- Shoulder straps can effectively double in length, not sure why you’d want this bag to hang down below your bum, but the option’s there if you need it.
- Shrugs off light showers but will become inundated in a sufficiently strong downpour.
- Smaller versions — the Pinnacle and Flock of Horrors — are also available.
Should I Buy It?
You’re not going to be backpacking across Europe with this thing, but for getting to and from work the Cut of Horrors turned out to be quite loveable. It’s a purposefully designed, solidly built, weather-resistant container for the most precious of cargo — your gadgets.
Specs
- Dimensions: 13.3 inches (W) x 16.5 inches (H) x 8.6 inches (D)
- Volume: 12L
- Weight: 690g
- Colours: black, oatmeal
- Material: 900D polyester with water-resistant coating
- Price: $155 from Crumpler Australia