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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.

David Carnoy
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
David Carnoy
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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.

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2 of 12 Waterfield Designs

Color options

The bag comes in three colors. All cost $159. An optional cycling strap is available for $10 more.

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3 of 12 Sarah Tew/CNET

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.

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4 of 12 Sarah Tew/CNET

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.

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5 of 12 Sarah Tew/CNET

Velcro strap

The laptop compartment closed up.

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Additional interior pockets

There are three additional interior pockets for storing smaller electronics.

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7 of 12 Sarah Tew/CNET

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.

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8 of 12 Sarah Tew/CNET

Labels matter

Like some of Waterfield's other bags, this one has a leather label.

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9 of 12 Sarah Tew/ CNET

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.

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10 of 12 Sarah Tew/CNET

Laying flat

Another view of the side pocket. The zipper seams are rubber-coated to keep water from getting in the bag.

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On the street.

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12 of 12 Sarah Tew/CNET

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.

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