Waterfield Vitesse: Is this the ultimate messenger bag? (pictures)
If you're in the market for a lightweight, swanky messenger bag, Waterfield Designs' Vitesse Messenger should be on your short list. It's made out of water-resistant waxed canvas and leather and comes in three color options for $159.
Waterfield Designs Vitesse Messenger Bag review
Waterfield's Vitesse Messenger mixes a retro look with a modern design. It's lightweight compared with a lot of laptop bags and its wax-canvas exterior repels water.
Color options
The bag comes in three colors. All cost $159. An optional cycling strap is available for $10 more.
Roomy interior
The interior is roomy, and there's a separate interior compartment for holding your laptop or tablet. While the bag is lightweight, the only downside is that it doesn't provide a whole lot of protection for your laptop.
A peek inside
Because the bag isn't padded, it's probably a good idea to stow your laptop in a sleeve for added protection. You can get a 15-inch laptop into the bag (with a sleeve) without any trouble.
Velcro strap
The laptop compartment closed up.
Additional interior pockets
There are three additional interior pockets for storing smaller electronics.
Leather flap straps
One of the two leather straps you use to keep the bag closed. If you have a lot of stuff in the bag, you can shift to the lower hole. It's not the most secure system but the bag generally stayed shut when I attached the straps.
Labels matter
Like some of Waterfield's other bags, this one has a leather label.
Side access
You can access a separate, large interior compartment from either side of the bag. It's just one big compartment with a small ultrasuede pocket (for storing your phone) stitched onto to it on the inside.
I would have preferred if the large compartment was split into two smaller compartments, one you could access from the left pocket, the other from the right.
Laying flat
Another view of the side pocket. The zipper seams are rubber-coated to keep water from getting in the bag.
On the street.
Conclusion
The Vitesse is a great-looking messenger bag that's comfortable to carry around and is water resistant. My only small gripe is that I would have liked to have a few easy-to-access compartments on the outside of the bag -- under the main flap -- instead one huge one.
Otherwise it's a great messenger bag and reasonably priced for a swanky messenger that should hold up well over time.