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The Juan Valdez ColcaSac shoulder bag is the most comfortable one you'll ever own
Years ago I wrote about a small company named ColcaSac that had just started selling cases and sleeves for Apple's MacBooks and iPads. I was impressed with the products, and I'm happy to say the company has kept updating its offerings and the quality is as good as ever. ColcaSac has a number of new sleeve for MacBooks, Kindles and iPads, but it's the newest product I've fallen in love with: The Juan Valdez ColcaSac shoulder bag. It's not inexpensive, but it's delightfully comfortable and light. ColcaSac prides itself on blending classic styles with minimalist design, while at the same time using materials that are eco-conscious. The Juan Valdez ColcaSac shoulder bag is made of a burlap exterior with a hemp lining. Inside, the bag's lining is made of a soft fleece. The look of the bag is the most startling thing. It seems as if it was designed from leftover coffee sacks. I think it's a brilliant design, but I'm the kind of guy who likes my cases and bags a bit different. Underneath the Velcro flap you'll find a zippered exterior compartment that can comfortably hold a paper notebook, journal and an iPad mini. Inside the bag are two open free-hanging pockets on one side and a slightly larger zippered pocket on the other. The zippered pocket is handy for wallets, pens, earphones and power adapters. Most importantly for a shoulder bag that houses expensive electronics, the shoulder strap is thick, strong and long enough to leave a lot of room for adjustment. The bag isn't going to have a problem hanging on to you. The shoulder bag doesn't have a specific slot inside for a MacBook. It's wide and open and can actually probably fit two MacBook Pros in a thin sleeve easily. My 15-inch MacBook Pro in a sleeve fit inside along with my iPad, and two large books. Overall I love the bag's look and feel. It's something I'll take with me the next time I go traveling. It's also the most comfortable bag I've ever owned. The burlap is soft and not scratchy. It's also flexible enough that the bag curves around you if you don't have much in it. The bag is also incredibly light, making it that much more comfortable. The Juan Valdez ColcaSac shoulder bag is US$149 and can be purchased directly from ColcaSac.
IRL: ColcaSac Jack Bauer shoulder bag, Mitsubishi WD-82740 3D TV and the Galaxy Note II
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Hey, we never said our favorite things were practical. This week, Darren tells us why his $125 shoulder bag was worth it, while Jason defends his decision to purchase an 82-inch 3DTV at 2AM (no he wasn't drunk -- we don't think, anyway). Rounding things out, Jon doesn't generally like super-sized phones, but he can't help but enjoy the Galaxy Note II. Read on to find out why.
IRL: ColcaSac's Hanakapiai sleeves, the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S III on MetroPCS
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Two sleeves, two phones. That's what we've got in store for you this week, with Darren dropping $55 on two protective cases and two of our intrepid staffers trying out some new handsets. On team Android, we have Edgar setting aside his Galaxy Nexus to try out the GS III, while Jon Fingas (team Phone, really) trades off between a GNex and iPhone 5. How does he like his new iPhone apart from mapgate and that minor purple flare issue? Read on to find out.
TUAW Review: ColcaSac sleeve for iPad
I've never understood people who keep their iPads bound up in cases. I get that they want to protect their iPads, but I never understood why they choose cases which just add to the bulk of the beautifully thin device. I've always been a sleeve guy myself -- something to keep the iPad scratch-free while transporting, yet which easily allows you to slide it out and hold it in your hands the way Jobs intended. That being said, I've searched for months for a good iPad sleeve. Most of the sleeves out there are very sterile and bland in appearance. Their designs are fit for mass production, but not much else. My search for the perfect iPad sleeve ended when I discovered the ColcaSac iPad sleeve. ColcaSac is a small company in Salt Lake City, Utah that makes five different iPad sleeves, plus numerous iPhone and MacBook sleeves. Their designs are simple, yet different. The ColcaSac I have is the Hanakapiai model. It's got a soft cotton interior that gives the iPad's screen a nice wipe every time it's taken out of the sleeve, helping wipe away fingerprint smears. The outside of the sleeve is made of a beautiful basketweave hemp canvas that gives it a slightly rugged look. But one of the things I like most about the ColcaSac is the sleeve's outside pocket (which so many sleeves lack), perfect for carrying a USB cable and charger. And best of all, the iPad fits snugly into the sleeve. I've tried many iPad sleeves, and most of them don't hold the iPad tight. With the ColcaSac sleeve I can open the sleeve (it uses a Velcro fold to close), hold it upside down, and have the iPad slide out slowly. Considering the design and quality materials they use, the $35 price tag for the ColcaSac is a steal. It's also a beautiful choice for iPad owners who want something aesthetically different than the usual offerings of iPad sleeves found on Amazon or in Apple Stores. If you're looking for a great sleeve, I highly recommend this one. Broke? Can't afford one? Not to worry! The guys at ColcaSac have been good enough to provide a sleeve for one of our lucky TUAW readers. Check back in the next few days for the giveaway post!
