Laptop-Review.eu

The mention of the name Umates might only invoke a blank stare in most, but it is certainly a brand everyone should familiarise themselves with. They are all about making high-quality bags, primarily for businesses and professional users, and they do it extraordinarily well.
This particular model deviates slightly from what they usually make. It is a somewhat more stylish take on the briefcase or bag you bring to work every day. Hopefully it will reflect the standard Umates quality. We take a closer look at LightUp Messenger.

The product was kindly lent to us Umates.com

Specifications

Material
Nylon

Material description
A combination of black, durable ballistic nylon and normal nylon

Elastic pouch
The built-in elastic pouch provides the laptop with optimal protection against bumps and bruises

Ergonomic shoulder strap
Extra soft ergonomically-shaped shoulder strap in a special material that conforms to your shoulder

Extra padded handle
No

Self-repairing zipper
Umates PC bags are equipped with a self-repairing zipper – the bag lasts longer.

Front pocket
W35 x D28 x H6 cm

Rear pocket
Narrow rear pocket with space for documents, newspapers etc.

Special compartment
Special compartment with space for AC adapter, documents, PDA, key ring, minor sundry items and a newspaper.

Pockets
Front pocket

Pen holders
Yes

Key ring
Yes

Number of main compartments / large pockets
2

Number of compartments / pockets in total
15

Optional company logo
Yes

Umates warranty
Lifetime warranty on production and material faults

Inner dimensions
W40 x D30 x H5 cm

Weight
1.3 kg

Notebook size supported
Up to 17”

Construction & Design


(Click on the picture)

(Click on the picture)

The bag is relatively large, although this is because it is made to support 17” computers which require a fair bit of space. The design is more youthful, and that it draws inspiration from many of the popular student bags is obvious. The white stripes are actually reflectors so you can be spotted in traffic – though not a bad thing in any way, it perhaps does not cater so much to the professionals who have previously made up customer base. The size is quite good and the bag appears to be spacious enough for most.

The materials

The bag is made of nylon treated in various ways. The exposed areas are made of ballistic nylon while the rest are just standard nylon.


(Click on the picture)

I definitely believe the bag will last for a long time; the quality is absolutely superb, and I do not think I have ever felt a zipper glide so well and work so perfectly.


(Click on the picture)

The ends of the strap are not attached with plastic rings – a method employed by many bags – but directly stitched to the bag itself for durability. All in all it appears a very sleek and finely crafted product.

Handle and strap


(Click on the picture)


(Click on the picture)

As noted already, the ends of the strap are securely fasted as they are stitched into the other nylon. There is no handle as it pretty much made to be carried on the shoulder. The carrying mechanism thus consists of a very long, adjustable strap that has soft padding in the middle. At the point where the ends of the strap are attached to the bag are two flaps that ensure the bag remains close to the body, rather than just dangle loosely around. The whole thing seems to be very well made and the shoulder padding is comfortable.

Pockets and functionality

There are quite a few compartments, so we will just be looking at them one at a time.

At the stitching that connects the ends of the strap to the bag is a small compartment at the rear that I will refer to as the newspaper pocket. Here you can put today’s newspaper or documents you receive as you are walking out, without having to open up the bag. A practical solution and it hardly takes up any space.



On the side is a feature for those who bike to school or work. It is basically a small net for holding a bottle of water or other drink. Once again this shows they are catering to a slightly different user group.



On the flap itself that closes the bag is a narrow, zippered compartment which is practical enough, although I am not quite sure what  I would use it for. Perhaps another newspaper pocket.

Below the flap

When you open the flap a number of things emerge. The entire front is designated for more practical items. Here are spaces for various electronic cards, pens, a notebook, and a zippered compartment for a PDA if you want to leave it in your bag. Highly work-minded.


(Click on the picture)

Behind that is the pocket where you actually keep your computer. It consists of a Velcro-fastened pouch, in the front of which are some smaller compartments. There is also a larger compartment (the largest in the bag) behind the pouch where you can keep various books and notebooks.


(Click on the picture)


(Click on the picture)

The computer storage area consists of an elastic fabric attached to a harder material with a sort of lid. That makes a sort of pouch, and you simply pull it at the top to take out pouch and computer. The great thing about this pouch is that it never touches the bottom of the bag, ensuring the computer does not smash against the floor if you drop the bag. This is a clever solution patented by Umates.



There is no doubt the pouch is soft and the computer protected against bumps and bruises. A secondary advantage of the pouch is that it makes is really easy to take the computer out of the bag, so the conclusion is that the functionality is superb.

Conclusion

Since this is a high-quality bag designed for functionality, there is not all that much to say about it. That does not make it a bad product, however.

The bag is finely crafted, made of durable materials in the places where it matters most, such as at the bottom. It also sports reflectors for when you are biking and has room for the newspaper if you opt for public transportation. There is space for various work-related items that you need quick access to, and a larger compartment for books and thicker notebooks for meetings and such around the office. In other words, you got all the space you need for work. The most important thing of all is the pouch for the computer, of course, made of an elastic piece of fabric and a hard top so it protected from above as well. It will certainly keep your computer nice and safe, and the solution is well thought-out.

It is a very sleek bag, and you will certainly grow to appreciate it – every single day. The design is somewhat contemporary but mostly professional.

My only concern regarding this product is whether or not it lands in that grey area between business and design, and maybe they should have stuck to business only. Perhaps the people who want something more modern will go for more design-oriented products, possibly at the cost of quality.

In any case that is their loss, because they miss out on a truly sleek product like this Umates LightUp Messenger.

Construction:	5 / 5
Mobility:	4,5 / 5
Innovation:	2,5 / 5
Price:	4 / 5
Design:	3 / 5
Performance:	4,5 / 5
Overall:	4 / 5