Customer Reviews

Wow this bag is AWESOME! I got mine this afternoon and I can already tell it is going to be a complete workhorse. As a graphic designer and a girl I'm dragging around a lot of stuff all the time. This bag is extremely lightweight and has lots of compartments for organization (as you can see in the product picture) but it's not huge, which is nice because I am not huge either. LOL So I can wear it messenger bag style and not be completely dwarfed by it - always a plus in my book.

So far, the superior part of this bag would be the pockets on the back. I have my wallet in the in-between velcro closed pocket and it's awesome to be able to grab my wallet without having to open the bag flap and/or show all the weirdos in line behind me all the stuff in my bag. I'm keeping all the other stuff I need to grab quickly (phone, chapstick, hand sanitizer, etc) in the zippered pocket with all the organizational slots and so far everything is easily accessible without slopping everywhere. The inner pockets are great for my sketchbook, notebooks and anything else I would want to keep clean and looking nice. I especially like that the inner zipper has a little collar to (hopefully) keep weather out of the main pocket. I'm not commuting via public transit anymore, but I spent many years riding buses and trains and I could see this being perfect in public transit situations.

Yes, it is a pricey bag, but so far it blows everything else I've had out of the water. Unless the strap suddenly drops off or all the seams spontaneously explode, I am looking forward to using this bag for a long time. Well worth the cost in my opinion!

I did a full scale review of this bag, complete with photos, on my blog. It is the perfect sketching bag! You can see the full review here: http://hudsonvalleysketches.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-of-nomadic-wise-walker -messenger.html

There've been some great reviews about this bag, not just on JetPens, but in blogs and other vendor websites as well - after having used the bag for about a month, and now I can now say that all those reviews are justified.

I use this bag for a couple of different purposes. Despite there being a ton of different pockets, each one is very accessible, and I'm not forced to pry into any of the pockets to ready myself for a different job. I'm not going to go into detail about every nook and cranny, but here are some features of the bag I like best.

The Main Pocket: And by "main", I really mean the biggest pocket - I'd argue that the zippered pen/pencil pocket is the one I access the most, but more on that later. The main pocket is zippered and located down the center of the bag, hidden by the big flap. It is large enough to fit my 14.1 inch (widescreen) laptop, and while my particular model is a thin-and-light, it would easily be able to contain one of any thickness. By my estimate, it'd be able to handle up to 15 inch laptops, but anything beyond that might be a stretch.

The lining of this pocket, as with the inner linings of the rest of the bag, is a nylon that's less rugged than the outside nylon, and it likely wouldn't be abrasive to any electronics you stick in there. Within these nylon walls is a very thin padding. It's not by any means mean't for protection, but it does make it so that you can't feel anything poking through from the bag's other pockets. Sadly, the bottom of this pocket isn't padded :( This is the main reason I use a laptop sleeve, because when I put the bag down on a hard floor, I'm afraid of breaking something.

Another neat feature of this pocket is that it's got a lip at the top where the zipper is (visible in one of JetPen's photos) that extends the storage height by about 3-4 inches. This leeway makes the main pocket more versatile than that of many bags I've seen/used.

Accessory Pocket: This is the pocket closes to the zippered pocket closest to the body when wearing the bag. There are no dedicated mini-slots to slide in individual pencils/pens, but I think this is part of the genius. I use everything from fountain pens to drafting pencils, and more often than not, individual pencil/pen slots don't fit my writing tools properly. The pockets in the Nomadic are made of tough sturdy mesh, allowing me to slip my pens with even the strongest-gripping clips into any pocket without fear of ruining the bag fabric. The white mesh is also pretty see-thru, which is great for artists who label their pencils/pens on pen casings.

The Strap: Just a little thing, but something I'm very particular about. Many bags have a sliding pad that you can adjust according to how you wear the bag. The Nomadic makes things a lot simpler - just pad the whole strap! No matter how I wear it, it is padded at my shoulder, and I don't have to fiddle or adjust anything to get that effect. As with any bag, you have to adjust the length of the strap to fit your height. After having done this when I first got the bag, I haven't had to re-adjust the strap length at all, which is something I've had to do with some bags because I carry a pretty heavy load at times.

ONLY TWO GRIPES: There are other things about the bag that I like, but they've mostly be said by other reviewers already. There are only two things I wish this bag featured: the first is a short handle so that it can be carried like a briefcase. When I'm lugging the bag out of my car, there isn't much to grab onto, and I've basically got to man-handle it until I'm able to get it on my shoulder. I'm not sure if this feature would actually be possible though, based on how the bag's design.

The second thing I'd wish for is a waterproofed finish. Considering the cost of the bag, I was hoping that the outer material would repel water better, but it doesn't :( I was standing out in a drizzle one day talking to a friend, and I could feel the outer material of the bag getting soft. I realized the water was saturating it.

Normally I wouldn't give 5 stars to something that "could have been better", but I feel like I won't find another bag out there that will come as close to meeting my needs as this one.

Things I regularly carry in the bag all at once (and still with empty pockets and room to spare):
-14.1in laptop (in sleeve)
-one 8 1/4" x 5 7/8" Black n Red notebook
-two 11 3/4" x 8 1/4" Black n Red notebooks
-two moleskins
-Nook Color (in case)
-a ziplock of dried fruits/nuts
-iriver mp3 payer
-Klipsch earbud case (maybe 5x3in)
-cables for Nook, iriver, mobile phone, and laptop
-mini-mouse for laptop
-Belkin mini-power strip (only about 7x4in)
-Variety of 9 pens/pencils, boxy eraser, lead cases
-gum, microfiber cloth
-bottled water
-a couple of file folders for loose papers

All this stuff does make the bag a bit bulky, but it doesn't feel like the bag is exploding, and the pockets direct the mass in such a way that it doesn't look like I'm carrying a duffel bag.

BOTTOM LINE: This isn't the cheapest messenger bag out there, but it's also not the type of bag I'll find myself replacing 3 years later due to finding something better. I'll probably be using this bag for a long time, not only because of its usefulness, but also it's solid construction. In that time, I can't imagine that I'll find a use for every last pocket in this thing, but if I do, I'll have considered this one of the best purchases I ever made!

I've had this bag for about a month now, and I am totally and completely in love with it. This bag replaced my "high school sport style" anime bag (the blue with the grey handles) which held a lot, but I kept losing things in the giant big pocket. This bag has so many pockets that I don't know where to begin. I use this bag for college, and here are some of the various items that fit:

*11" HP dm1z laptop
*Three B5-sized Kyouko binders
*Four B5-sized 100 pg Kyouko Campus Notebooks
*Nomadic light blue PN-91pencil case
*iClicker
*A few separate pen sets (5 pen and 12 pens)
*A 5 pack of hilighters
*Kindle

etc...

There are keys and my cellphone too, plus my glasses case in one of the mesh outer pockets, sometimes my cell phone in the other if I don't zip it into the top pocket. My entire school life, save for my textbooks, fits in this bag. I'm surprised every single day by the amount of crap I can pull out of it and throw on my bed. There are items that I haven't even mentioned stashed in that bag, and I'm pretty sure I've already lost things in one of the many pockets this bag contains. I totally recommend it for the person who loves to never be without their stuff during the day.

I've barely owned this bag for a week and I'm already confident in saying that it's going to be worth every penny - it has tons of pockets on all sides, it's very roomy but doesn't look huge and bloated, the strap is comfortable, and all the external compartments have very secure closures (zipper/velcro).

I especially love the fact that it doesn't look so large. My previous daily use bag was a tote which I would constantly lose things in, and it could get very bulky. This bag holds everything I usually carried around in that tote, but keeps it nice and neat. The zippered pocket on the flap is great for tucking small pieces of paper into, like receipts, and the back compartment is padded, which is comfortable but would also be great for storing a netbook or similar.

The only downsides I can see are the price - for me I think this is a little expensive (but worth it) and possibly the velcro closures which are really secure, so if you're a student try not to put things you'll need during class times into the velcro pockets...!

I had a two-week wait for this bag (I don't live in the US) and when the Parcelforce man handed me the tiny, featherweight box, my heart sank. I suspected I'd ordered the wrong item. When I took it out of the packaging, the bag looked even smaller and I was steeling myself to the fact that I might need to return it. I really didn't believe it would take an A4 pad or a 13 inch laptop, let alone both. But it swallowed absolutely everything I loaded into it -- 13" laptop, several pads, A4 documents, pens, iPad, make-up bag, chargers, phone, snacks, and more -- with room to spare. It even took a Rhodia size 19 top-bound pad and its plastic cover, which is at least an inch longer than A4. I compared it to my other laptop bags (notably a Superdry one I bought recently) and they're much bulkier and yet only accommodate a fraction of the items that I can get into this bag with ease. The compartments are easy to access, and I can live with the Velcro noise. I took the precaution of spray-waterproofing it before taking it outside because I'd read reviews that suggested it might be showerproof but not rainproof, but that's probably my worry-gland working overtime. It sits close to the body so you can move through a train or plane easily - no smacking other passengers in the face with your bag as you struggle down the aisle. In other words - good design, and worth every penny. If they expand the colour and material range in this style, I'll be back for more.

I agree with all of the positives that everyone has said on this bag. It truly is amazing in terms of intelligent design, stylish look, not too big, and a zillion pockets to put everything you need into. I use it daily and really love it.

Unfortunately with daily use this bag has not held up as much as I had hoped. Because the bag only has one way to hold it - by the shoulder strap - the strap has started to degrade. The shoulder strap pad has started to fall apart and leaves little bits of black all over my clothing and skin every time I use it and now the white padding underneath is showing through. For such a costly bag I would not have expected this after only a few months of use. It's very disappointing.

I agree with the other reviewers - this bag is amazing. The size is perfect, with just the right number of pockets. I can carry all my gadgets if I choose, a slender notebook computer, a tablet with portable keyboard, even my Alphasmart Neo, (I don't though - the weight would kill me! - but they WOULD fit) as well as good ole traditional paper notebooks.

A big plus is how lightweight the bag is itself. Very nice, especially if you like to carry a few too many items with you.

The only downsides - and note that I did not take off a ratings star for these - is the sound of the velcro (can be loud!) and (as another reviewer already noted) the lack of a small pick up handle.

Great, great bag!

For context: I'm a bag whore. Just like another reviewer here. Have a million. Out of all of them, my gold standard is the Oakley Vertical Computer Bag 3.0 (no longer made but they have a good-enough replacement out). However, all of my equipment has gotten smaller, but my Oakley bag remains the same size, so I've been on the hunt for a long time for a replacement.

I've been through them all. ALL. Making liberal use of return policies, too. Most recently, the champ was the Tom Bihn Ristretto 13". Not really a huge fan of Tom Bihn but it seemed to fit the bill. Two weeks in and man, while it can expand gracefully, there just aren't enough pockets. And no reason why there couldn't be more.

The WR-08 has been on my radar for a long while, and I finally pulled the trigger. One day in so far. I'm really liking it overall. Very light but very durable, and as others mention, plenty of pockets. Where it shines in that like my Oakley, it has plenty of pocketing available without having to open any main compartment. This is one of those design features that every bag should have - quick access storage!

Pros:
- Light! Durable!
- Pockets everywhere, both internal and external for quick access.
- Lightly padded interior for delicate bits of tech. (You may still want a sleeve for your laptop though.)
- Bright orange interior makes it easy to find things.
- Expands gracefully.
- Due to minimal internal structure, sits tight on your body whether you're wearing it one-shoulder or cross-body.

Cons:
- No pen loops (aka pen holders). Kind of a weak omission. ;)
- Shoulder strap cannot be easily replaced. Sure you could rethread a new strap into the clamps with the help of a flathead screwdriver and patience, like a lot of other bags, but seriously: every bag should have D-rings. Every bag ever. Period.
- Shoulder pad is built into the strap; could also be much more slip-proof. It does have some rubber, but neoprene would have been a better fit.

Neutral:
- There are two clips on the sides that, in addition to velcro, hold the main front panel down. They're designed to allow you to get into the two front pockets, without fully lifting/disengaging the main front panel and thereby potentially exposing your goods to the outside world. I can see the reasoning behind these, but they're not removable. Ergo, if they're not clipped, they just sorta flop around; if they are clipped, it's more involved to get inside the main bag areas. Personally, they're a con, but I don't want to risk messing up the bag removing them with an X-Acto blade.

Anyway! Overall, solid 4/5. Highly recommended!

I've had this bag for around 3 years now and it is still a 5 star product hands down! I just wanted to mention one thing --

The bag I got is the one shown here, the light grey version. I have it hanging from my right shoulder and I guess, when I had my winter coat on, the rubbing of the bag on my coat made the inner side of the bag turn black in some sports. I haven't tried cleaning this yet but I am not even sure how I can start to remove the "stain..."

If possible, purchase the black bag because this will not show stains. My entire bag is still clean and spotless with the exception of the "back of this bag"....

Hope this helps. Cheers!

This bag is absolutely amazing. So many pockets but that's not it - all the pockets are strategically placed for a wide variety of uses. For example, the big pocket that is accessed through the top of the bag is great to put things in that you use often (IE, your cell phone, keys, etc). Then there are are the two big pockets under the flap, and behind that is a zippered pocket for anything you want to keep safe.

I have owned this bag for about two years now and have used it 5 days a week for the past 1.5 years. I've had no issues at all with it. it actually still looks brand new but the cloth has worn in a little (not in a bad way) and is more flexible now than it was when it was brand new. I have this bag in grey and I want the one in black too!

This bag is AMAZING. The design of this bag is top notch, making Nomadic products really stand out in a market filled with average shoulder bags. There are pockets EVERYWHERE. You can see in the pictures how many pockets this bag has but until you have one of these bags in your hands, you can't appreciate how useful this bag really is. The bright orange lining is perfect for finding what you need.

The one thing I would recommend as an addition to this bag would be a handle of some kind on top of the flap. It would make switching from shoulder bag to hand-held carry bag really easy. I carry this bag along with the Nomadic back pack. The back pack is for my books, bento, umbrella and other, smaller bags while the Shoulder bag carries my thermoses (two for water, one for tea), pens and inks. I'm still working with the configuration so this can change but one thing is for sure: these two bags can cover any EDC situation you may need.

I am into bags the way some women are into shoes so take it from me: it's really hard to beat the design, utility and WOW factor of Nomadic products. Don't take my word for it, though. Buy some of your own! Now! =)

I've had this bag for nearly two years now and it's gotten to the point that I can't remember why I ever used another bag before this one.

I'm one of those people who always takes everything with them "just in case I might need it" even when deep-down I'm certain I won't, and that could be anything from my complete set of colored pencils to my husband's iPod cables. This bag is so versatile (and stuffable) that it handles my OCD needs without missing a beat, I can even throw in a change of clothes and a toothbrush for an overnight trip without overtaxing it.

Most days it sits in the nook next to my desk filled with the books, supplies and everyday miscellany (reading and sunglasses, journal, wallet, car keys, pencil case, sketchpad, Kindle...) neatly organized and at hand for working at my desk or for grab-and-go convenience as I'm heading heading out the door without having to worry about forgetting anything important.

If you're a carry everything person or just someone who wants their stuff organized and easy to find, then this is the bag for you.

If I had reviewed this upon receiving it, I would have given it 5 stars, but I've had this bag since around last October and I've had a few issues with it. I love the slim design, all the separate places to store things, and the bright orange interior but am unhappy about the way this project has held up.

Here are some issues that I've had:

This bag is not waterproof or even it seems water repellent. I've been caught in a couple of rainstorms and even the stuff in the big storage area in the middle gets wet; anything in any of the outer pockets gets soaked.

Even though I've had it for less than a year it is starting to show serious signs of wear and tear, most obvious being that the underside of the padded shoulder strap has torn in several places (along natural fold lines). Granted I use this bag almost every day but rarely does it have anything heavy (I've put my netbook in it 3x, otherwise the heaviest thing in it is my wallet. I have not overstuffed). Also I'e had other messenger bags (primarily Timbuk2) for several years that didn't show any wear and tear other than some dirt. These bags are roughly in the same price range so I expected them to hold up better.

I have used this bag for a couple of weeks. I agree with previous reviews: 1) a grab handle would be a wonderful addition and make it much easier to get a fully loaded bag out of the car without dropping it; 2) waterproofing would be a good addition if it can be done without adding alot of weight. As it happens I live in a dry climate and this is not an immediarte problem from, but it it is wet out you don't want to have your smart phone in the bag. If I had a tablet I would definitely want to have it in a padded envelope inside the bag. Otherwise, great to toting almost anything back and forth to work includingsome small tems.

I have owned a lot of bags over the years and this one is the best by a considerable stretch. The main compartment will -- just -- hold a MacBook in a sleeve. The smaller compartments are of useful sizes and are arranged conveniently. The bag itself is lightweight and the underside of the shoulder strap is slightly rubberized so that it doesn't tend to slide off your shoulder so much.