Laptop bag reviews – Scaramanga Small Wide Leather Satchel

Laptop bag reviews – the best bags for working away from home

Helping you to carry all you need for a day working away from home – laptop bag reviews by busy home workers.

Scaramanga Small Wide Leather Satchel With Front Pocket 13”

Design *****
I have a weakness for brown leather bags and there’s something very appealing about this cute little messenger bag/briefcase, something to do with the scaled-down proportions. But the rugged distressed leather and sturdy straps and buckles stop it looking too twee and feminine. The Scaramanga Small Wide Leather Satchel is also available in polished tan leather and I’m sure both will age beautifully.

Capacity ****
The main compartment of the bag I tested actually measures smaller than the stated 13 x 4” – slightly under 12 x 3”, but an A4 pad just fitted into it. It’s recommended as a bag for an 11” MacBook Air or a netbook. There are two pockets in the main compartment, one zipped, both with enough room to slip an iPhone or similar into. There’s also a zipped pocket on the front of the bag, as well as a little pocket fastened with a strap and buckle. So plenty of compartments to divide up work and personal items. If I had a small computer and a smartphone I’d get everything I need for a day’s mobile working into this compact bag.

Well-made *****
Yes, it’s good leather, the stitching is neat and it’s lined with a hardwearing green canvas. Looks and feels good quality. Comes with a silky floral dustbag.

Does your laptop feel secure? *****
An 11″ MacBook Air fits very securely into the main compartment – I know because I tried one in John Lewis! The salesman said that the only reason to use a sleeve would be to protect the computer from scratches, it would come to no harm from a functioning point of view.

Easy to carry *****
The strap seems quite wide for the size of the bag but it distributes the weight beautifully, especially when you wear it across body. For an extra £5 you can opt for a briefcase-type handle, which is thick and cushions the weight of the bag.

Price *****
At £70 with an optional £5 for the carrying handle, plus £4.95 for delivery, this is amazing value. A really sturdy bag that will handle the inevitable knocks of mobile working and just look all the better for them.

Overall score 4.8 *****

Best for
Women who want a bag that’s practical but not bulky. The style of the Scaramanga Small Wide Leather Satchel would appeal to both sexes, but I think men would find this size too girly. Scaramanga have a huge range of leather bags for both men and women (for example the Medium Overlander) and are happy to discuss leathers and sizes to make sure you choose the right one.

Thank you to Scaramanga for supplying us with a Small Wide Leather Satchel for our laptop bag reviews.

Buy a Scaramanga Small Wide Leather Satchel