Hands On: Keen Alameda 15 Laptop Bag

Eco-conscious outdoor-shoe-maker Keen has embarked on a new venture: It's now making carrying cases, like this one, the Alameda 17, for laptops. In fact the bag bears a strong aesthetic resemblance to Keen shoes--which are rugged, comfy, and found on the feet of many fit planet-lovers. Being a fan of non-black cases, I like the orange-and-gray look of my sample bag; it also comes in several other color combos, including a springlike robin's-egg-blue and gray.

Fitting with the "green" ethos, the shell and lining are made of of water-resistant polyester and recycled polyester, respectively, and recycled rubber protects the bottom of the bag. This model fits 15-inch laptops (thus the name), but there is also an Alameda 17 for... I think you know what size laptop. (The 15 retails for $120, the 17 for $150, though savvy shoppers can probably find discounts.)

The messenger-style 15 closes at top with a curved zipper--and it could just be me, but I often struggle a bit to align the flap with the body of the case so it'll close. At least it's a two-headed zipper, so you can go at it from both sides. The flap has a magnetic closure, but if the bag's a bit stuffed, it doesn't always connect--not a big deal, since it's already zippered up.

On the front is a handy zippered pocket for little gadgets and other assorted necessaries, and at the back of the case is a larger pocket that fits magazines easily and lets you grab them without having to mess with the flap. Two side pockets fit small water bottles and foldable umbrellas. And inside is a well-padded compartment for your laptop, along with a roomier compartment for books, gadgets, lunch... it fits a lot without looking bulky.

The nice, wide, padded adjustable strap can quickly be made long enough for you to wear the bag across your chest, which distributes the weight of what you're carrying comfortably. And I like the way the strap disappears into the side of the bag as you shorten it for shoulder-carrying. You can also carry the bag by a padded handle. As a train/subway commuter, I can tell you that this kind of flexibility in carrying styles is crucial!

Overall, aside from my fumbling with the slightly awkward zipper on the flap, I've been using the Keen Alameda 15 for a couple of months with pleasure. It's comfortable, looks nice, and feels like it will last a long time. And the recycled materials give me that bonus eco-friendly feeling.

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