MacDirectory Magazine

WATERFIELD STAAD | THE BACKPACK REDEFINED BY RIC GETTER RevieW MacDirectory 65 Backpacks, as a whole, are not particularly cool. No matter what your personal style, business casual, hip, neo-geek, or outdoorsy, they just seem to hang there or make you seem like a displaced hiker or high school student. This is too bad because in this age of laptops, tablets, public transit and rampant cycling, backpacks are incredibly convenient, if not an outright necessity. Luckily, there is one company that knows how to combine style and functionality, make the mundane fashionable, and perform these feats while constructing products with an outstanding level of quality. We are speaking of WaterField Designs, based (of course) in San Francisco. The Staad backpacks are WaterField's latest creation. Like much of the WaterField lineup line, they combine a look that makes a subtle yet sure fashion statement with a design that is both durable and remarkably comfortable. It comes in two sizes, the Staad Slim will hold laptops up to 13" and the slightly wider and deeper Staad Stout will take your 15" device. One of the features that make the Staad unique is that it has a much flatter silhouette than your traditional book-bag/hiking backpacks. When you're in crowded places, you'll find yourself saying, "pardon me" far less often (though folks may ask where you got your cool bag). The Staad is available in a choice of two materials. For those who are more dedicated to convention, you can opt for the traditional black ballistic nylon. However, the Staad is also available in WaterField Designs' trademark tan waxed canvas, a material that actually gets to look better as it accumulates some mileage. Both designs come with your choice of leather flaps in basic black, chocolate brown or "grizzly" tan. The flap is held down by an easy to use clip, the design of which was lifted from old military ammo bags. Both sizes have a variety of inside pockets that will let you bring along your iPad, chargers, phone and other necessities. The interior surfaces are smooth and well padded, keeping your valuable electronics snug and safe yet making it easy to slide in and out. On the outside, there are two zippered slash pockets as well as a unique vertical zipper going down the center giving you access to the entire bag (and simplifying the process of finding the stuff that has slid to the bottom). The packs are comfortable to carry, even when generously loaded. The area between the straps that rests against your back is generously cushioned and covered with breathable ballistic nylon. And the wide, well-padded shoulder straps are some of the most comfortable we've tried. They're designed to not only spread out the weight but also resist the annoying twists that occur when slinging a pack onto your back. At the top of the bag a leather-padded handle that's actually wide enough for your whole hand. The Staad Backpacks are rather pricey at $319 and $329, a fact not only explained by the quality of materials and workmanship but the fact that they are hand made to order in WaterField's San Francisco workshop. The closer you look at the details, the more obvious is the time, skill and effort that went into crafting these bags. These days, you rarely have a chance to think about a product being truly well made until you come across one that really is. Like so may of its other products, WaterField Designs' new Staad backpacks will remind you that quality craftsmanship is alive, well and thriving in The City by the Bay. Product: WaterField Designs Staad Backpacks (Slim and Stout) Made by: WaterField Designs (SFbags.com) Price: $319 (Slim), $329 (Stout) Pros: A unique, stylish, low-silhouette design; excellent workmanship cons: Made for neither a student's needs nor budget MacDirectory Rating: ***** (five stars) © 2014 International Paper Company. All rights reserved. Hammermill, Tidal, and ColorLok and logo are registered trademarks and 99.99% Jam Free, Makes Your Work Look Better, Feel Free to Print, the Hammermill ream trade dress and Print Hammermill and logo are trademarks of International Paper Company. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Other trademarks, service marks, and logos are the property of their respective owners. The Print Hammermill App is available at no cost to users in the U.S. until 12/31/2014, while supplies last. Quantities are limited. For more information, visit hammermill.com/mobileprint.

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