The Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase does double-duty as a laptop computer backpack and messenger bag hybrid, but it surely’s extra inexpensive than most rivals. Pair that with the performance, and also you is perhaps taking a look at probably the greatest finances laptop computer backpacks you should purchase this summer season. College students and workplace staff, be aware of this tote!
Solo has a formidable array of briefcases, backpacks, duffels, totes, and different versatile luggage in inventory, with many premium packs that hover across the $100 vary. The New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is probably the most inexpensive hybrid bag of their assortment, however that doesn’t imply it’s low-cost.
Laptop computer backpacks are universally higher on your backbone than messenger-style briefcases, and this hybrid briefcase brings you one of the best of each worlds with out breaking the financial institution (or your again). Are the compromises well worth the worth level?
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Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase worth and availability
The Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is offered for $44 at Walmart, $58.46 at Amazon, and $64.99 on Solo’s own website, together with a wide range of different on-line retailers. It’s backed by a five-year restricted guarantee to cowl any defects in supplies or craftsmanship, which provides some additional worth to the combo. The bag solely is available in two colours: black or grey.
What makes this a “hybrid briefcase,” you ask? At first look, you would mistake the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase for a easy messenger-style bag. Unzip the again compartment, nonetheless, and also you’ll discover hidden shoulder straps that immediately remodel the briefcase right into a backpack. It is a clutch function when brief schleps by some means flip into brief treks.
Yet one more factor: as of this writing, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase had a median buyer score of 4.8 (out of 150 critiques) on Solo’s web site, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase design
Measuring 17 x 12.5 x 5 inches and weighing simply 2.1 kilos, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase shares roughly the identical heft because the Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech and Timbuk2 Spire Laptop computer Backpack 2.0. Nevertheless, it’s rated for 15.6-inch laptops, whereas Herschel and Timbuk2’s backpacks are meant for 16- and 17-inch laptops respectively. That being stated, 15-inch laptops are fairly good for many productiveness chores, and 15-inch gaming laptops maintain getting extra highly effective (and extra cellular too).
The polyester shell is pleasantly granular to the contact; it feels extra rugged than it seems to be, which is an efficient factor.There’s a padded laptop computer sleeve in the primary compartment meant for as much as 15.6-inch laptop computer screens, a smaller sleeve for iPads or tablets, and a Velcro strap to maintain each units in place once you’re rummaging across the bag. The adjustable shoulder strap can hold unfastened or be eliminated when utilizing the bag in backpack mode; it’s easy sufficient to unclip and stow your straps of alternative.
You received’t discover a sternum strap on this bag, which is a bummer, however an anticipated compromise for any hybrid bag on this worth vary. The polyester materials isn’t weatherproof, both, so that you’ll wish to maintain it out of the weather. Metropolis-dwellers won’t thoughts, particularly for those who plan on principally utilizing the bag indoors.
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase pockets and group
Relating to pockets and group, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is a main instance of “you get what you pay for,” which isn’t essentially a foul factor. The biggest zippered compartment accommodates the laptop computer and pill sleeves. There’s additionally a zippered enclosure on the again to retailer these backpack shoulder straps when utilizing the bag in briefcase mode. True to kind, my outdated 15.6-inch Acer Aspire E5-575 match snugly contained in the allotted sleeve, as did my 8-inch iPad and 6-inch Kindle Paperwhite, no downside.
In entrance, you’ll discover three extra zippered compartments of various sizes, and the biggest one has six organizational sleeves on the within for Publish-It notes, pens, or anything you’d like fast entry to. A built-in keychain might need been good, however the smallest pocket was the proper dimension for my every day Trek Trifecta (ie, pockets, keys, smartphone).
Herschel, Timbuk2, and Peak Design have plentiful pockets galore on the laptop computer backpacks I just lately examined, however Solo lags behind on this regard. There merely aren’t many organizational choices to be discovered on this bag, and those contained in the entrance compartment really feel low-cost. Once more, I maintain my expectations low at this worth vary, so I wasn’t precisely stunned.
You received’t discover a devoted water bottle or umbrella pocket on the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase, however in my testing, the second-largest entrance pocket was simply the fitting dimension for a 16-ounce water flask, with room to spare. Granted, utilizing this pocket for water bottles in backpack mode might be a foul thought, since they’d be tipped on their sides and liable to leak.
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase adjustability and luxury
As an avid outdoorsman, I respect a very good backpacking backpack, which often features a absolutely adjustable hip belt, sternum strap, and built-in lumbar help of some sort. Such luggage are constructed for longer treks within the nice outside, whereas hybrid-style backpacks are meant for way more informal excursions. To check out the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase, I tossed roughly ten kilos of tech inside and took it for a trek round city — switching between briefcase and backpack as I went.
In briefcase mode, I most well-liked carrying the bag by my aspect half the time. The shoulder strap is form of tough on any uncovered pores and skin when in movement, and will use extra padding on the underside.
In backpack mode (my most well-liked methodology of carry), I used to be pleasantly stunned at how snugly the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase match to my again, and the way comfy the padding was total, with good weight distribution. The backpack straps are a bit slim for my style, nonetheless, particularly when in comparison with the Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech, which provided way more padding from prime to backside.
My 6-foot-3-inch body is on the bigger aspect, however I like to recommend this laptop computer backpack for smaller people, too. After utilizing it for just a few errands (together with a 30-minute stroll round my neighborhood), I virtually forgot my laptop computer was strapped firmly inside.
Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase particular options
The padded briefcase handles might be related by way of magnetic snaps for additional safety. Past that, you received’t discover a lot else underneath the hood. As I discussed above, you possibly can’t anticipate too many extras on this worth vary — particularly because the hybrid type of this bag can also be the first function.
In the event you’re searching for water resistant building, built-in keychains (or bottle openers), daisy-chain tactical webbing, baggage sleeves, or different travel-friendly goodies, you’ll wish to think about extra premium laptop computer backpacks, which might value northward of $100.
Backside line
For budget-conscious college students, on-the-go workplace staff, and anybody else fascinated about a good laptop computer backpack that’s additionally a messenger bag, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is an efficient worth choice. It’s definitely not as rugged as different laptop computer backpacks available on the market, but it surely’s additionally extra inexpensive, and most cellular mavericks are unlikely to be disenchanted with its backpack-to-briefcase capabilities.
That being stated, for those who take your tech outdoors a lot, the Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech and Timbuk2 Spire Laptop computer Backpack 2.0 each supply weather-resistant building, and a greater diversity of distinctive organizational options — to not point out sternum straps — that bely extra premium worth tags.
Pound for diminutive pound, the Solo New York Duane Hybrid Briefcase is a superb finances laptop computer backpack that provides all of the fundamentals — no extra, no much less.
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