robmab719
08-16-2004, 11:10 AM
My Bandicoot has just arrived and I am IN LOVE!!! This is one awesome bag.
First impression: it's smaller than I thought. I thought the Alpha 7 was small, but this is slightly smaller. However, the additional Joey clutch will hold ALL my mommy stuff (which is exactly why I wanted this bag), so that makes up for some of the "smallness" of the main bag. (And then I guess I could learn to pack less, too!)
The bag is extremely well made. The ballistic nylon exterior is more rugged-looking than I normally like, but for this bag, it just works. The inside is a nice khaki/taupe colored nylon...lighterweight than the ballistic exterior, almost silky, but not at all flimsy.
I got the black/moss combination and I love the way the silver hardware looks with it. Also, they used silver zippers, which is a nice contrast with the fabric and makes it look a little "sporty."
The shoulder strap, which is nicely padded and very wide at the top, has five "settings." I currently have it on the middle setting, but even at the lowest, it's not quite long enough to be worn messenger style. This is fine with me because I've found that I rarely wear bags messenger style anyway -- especially when I can just convert them to a backpack. And speaking of backpack, the backpack straps are also adjustable, but there are only two settings. They adjust with snaps -- not the adjustable buckles that other bags have. The straps fit neatly into the back pocket of the bag when not in use, still leaving enough room for the changing pad to fit there, too.
There are no bottle pockets on the inside, but the two on the outside are a good size. I think I like the fact that the inside will be used only for "dry stuff." I haven't packed it up yet (I'm at work), but my only concern is that the two front pockets are a little small for diapers and wipes. (I will confirm that later.) They will easily fit in the inside back pocket instead.
The Joey clutch is a great size. I can fit my small credit card/money pouch/coin purse, plus my phone, keys, checkbook, lip gloss, mirror, even my mini brag book. The strap on the clutch is a perfect length for wearing on your shoulder, but you could also carry it in your hand. (This strap is not adjustable.) The clutch is also made of the ballistic nylon, which I was apprehensive about because I wasn't sure it would look dressy enough for me to carry as a purse to work, etc. But it actually has a really nice look to it. It's unlike any purse fabric I've ever seen, but I really like it! The moss color (kind of an olive green) will match everything.
So, as you can tell, I'm darn happy with this bag. It was worth the wait. And I have to give another plug for Joanne at Kids N Style. She even included a Starbucks card with my order. If she was here, I think I'd hug her right now! :)
I can post pics tonight if anyone is interested in seeing the black/moss color.
First impression: it's smaller than I thought. I thought the Alpha 7 was small, but this is slightly smaller. However, the additional Joey clutch will hold ALL my mommy stuff (which is exactly why I wanted this bag), so that makes up for some of the "smallness" of the main bag. (And then I guess I could learn to pack less, too!)
The bag is extremely well made. The ballistic nylon exterior is more rugged-looking than I normally like, but for this bag, it just works. The inside is a nice khaki/taupe colored nylon...lighterweight than the ballistic exterior, almost silky, but not at all flimsy.
I got the black/moss combination and I love the way the silver hardware looks with it. Also, they used silver zippers, which is a nice contrast with the fabric and makes it look a little "sporty."
The shoulder strap, which is nicely padded and very wide at the top, has five "settings." I currently have it on the middle setting, but even at the lowest, it's not quite long enough to be worn messenger style. This is fine with me because I've found that I rarely wear bags messenger style anyway -- especially when I can just convert them to a backpack. And speaking of backpack, the backpack straps are also adjustable, but there are only two settings. They adjust with snaps -- not the adjustable buckles that other bags have. The straps fit neatly into the back pocket of the bag when not in use, still leaving enough room for the changing pad to fit there, too.
There are no bottle pockets on the inside, but the two on the outside are a good size. I think I like the fact that the inside will be used only for "dry stuff." I haven't packed it up yet (I'm at work), but my only concern is that the two front pockets are a little small for diapers and wipes. (I will confirm that later.) They will easily fit in the inside back pocket instead.
The Joey clutch is a great size. I can fit my small credit card/money pouch/coin purse, plus my phone, keys, checkbook, lip gloss, mirror, even my mini brag book. The strap on the clutch is a perfect length for wearing on your shoulder, but you could also carry it in your hand. (This strap is not adjustable.) The clutch is also made of the ballistic nylon, which I was apprehensive about because I wasn't sure it would look dressy enough for me to carry as a purse to work, etc. But it actually has a really nice look to it. It's unlike any purse fabric I've ever seen, but I really like it! The moss color (kind of an olive green) will match everything.
So, as you can tell, I'm darn happy with this bag. It was worth the wait. And I have to give another plug for Joanne at Kids N Style. She even included a Starbucks card with my order. If she was here, I think I'd hug her right now! :)
I can post pics tonight if anyone is interested in seeing the black/moss color.