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I got an iPad but have no bag to carry it in!
I once introduced the bag I was using, along with everything inside it, in this article.
I tend to stick with things I buy for a very long time, and I think I used that bag for over five years.
It was a great bag that lasted well, but it had one significant flaw: no dedicated space for an iPad.
That said, I loved the brand’s incredible value for its functionality, so I went on the hunt for a model that could carry an iPad. Today I’m introducing the new bag I bought.
What Is the TOPO DESIGNS “Commuter Briefcase”?
TOPO DESIGNS is an American outdoor gear brand.
Every product balances a playful character with the durability needed to withstand the rigors of the outdoors.
This bag is primarily designed as a commuter bag, but it’s a 3-way bag — backpack, tote, and shoulder — so you can choose the carry style that fits the situation.
Product Specifications
Here are the main features:
Product Details
· 3-way carry: handheld, shoulder, and backpack
· Made with 1000D Cordura nylon
· Bottom features Horween Chrome Excel leather
· Front zip pocket with key clip
· Luggage pass-through loop for carry-on setup
· Concealed mesh-padded backpack straps
· Padded shoulder strap included
· Leather handle grip
· Waist strap for backpack mode
· Cinch strap (bottom)
· Interior organizer pockets + laptop sleeve
· Highly visible interior lining (pack cloth nylon)
Material: Nylon / Leather (1000D Cordura®, Horween® leather, 420D nylon pack cloth liner)
Size: H28cm × W40cm × D10cm
Capacity: 15L
COMMUTER BRIEFCASE-Leather – Topo Designs
How I Use My iPad with the Commuter Briefcase
This is the Commuter Briefcase I actually use.
I have all the accessories attached here so you can get a clear picture of how it looks fully loaded.
Here is how it looks when worn as a backpack.
It’s a decent size — pretty substantial.
iPad Storage Compartment
The interior uses a fluorescent color so you can immediately see what’s inside at a glance — very much in the outdoor brand spirit.
There’s a divider inside, and the iPad goes in the back compartment. Since a 13-inch laptop fits comfortably, a 12.9-inch iPad works perfectly too.
The biggest benefit of the divider is that you can retrieve the iPad without any friction or hassle. It’s not an exaggeration to say I bought this bag specifically for that feature.
The surface that rests against your back when using it as a backpack has padding, so the iPad won’t be stressed during transport.
I once had an old backpack with no padding and my iPad actually bent — so padding is absolutely essential when carrying thin gadgets like the iPad.
Storage Beyond the iPad Is More Than Sufficient — What’s in the Bag?
This bag also fits quite a few smaller gadgets alongside the iPad.
Here’s what’s inside:
Compared to the previous bag contents article, not much has changed — just a few minor updates here and there.
Since I started bicycle commuting, I’ve added a few gadgets for that.
Mainly a bicycle pump and a bike light.
Using It for Bicycle Commuting in the Rain
This bag uses 1000D Cordura nylon, so it holds up extremely well against rain.
That said, the older model had a PVC interior lining for rain protection, but this new model dropped that feature — which left me a little worried about water resistance.
I figured the only way to find out was to test it in the field, so I actually rode my bike to work in snowy and rainy conditions across various environments (lol).
My bike, as introduced in this article, is a mountain bike type, so riding without fenders through puddles sends water splashing straight onto my back.
I rode without fenders in the rain several times, and even then, nothing inside the bag got wet.
Well, it didn’t get wet at all — so I thought, fair enough, no PVC lining needed… maybe this also reduces the risk of the PVC peeling with age?
When I was outside for 20 minutes in a torrential downpour, it did get a little damp. Still, that’s incredibly impressive.
Summary
All TOPO DESIGNS bags use high-quality Cordura nylon that resists losing its shape and has an excellent texture.
I highly recommend this brand to go alongside your iPad or any gadget you are interested in — if it catches your eye, check it out.
I hope this article helps you find the right bag.