Knomo Stirling laptop bag

The Stirling messenger bag from Knomo is the perfect compromise between having a small lightweight solution for carrying your laptop and little else, and needing the space and bulk to carry all your daily essentials.

Like the Tardis it’s compact yet roomy on the inside with space for all those extras such as cables, leads and travel paraphernalia. As well as a padded space for your laptop, the Stirling offers enough pockets and compartments to ensure order as you make your way from A to B and back again.

The bag is a stylish mix of genuine leather cow hide and nylon twill back finished with some solid stitching. We particularly liked the silky fabric lining with scotch guard coating, which on the sample we viewed was an earthy green. A quilted computer pouch should protect your MacBook from daily use although hardcore road warriors may need to seek out hard case protection.

The Sterling comes with a handy adjustable shoulder strap and grab handle, the best of both worlds, for travellers who want a comfortable and varied journey. The bag is also compact enough to fit inside a large carrier bag should your travels take you somewhere you rather not be, especially late at night. All Knomo bags come with a unique ID number for registration to help return your belongings, although this system, while worthy, relies on the honesty of the finder, or thief.

The Stirling is big enough for a 15-inch laptop. Priced at $150, it doesn’t come cheap. The Stirling is available in black leather with a durable nylon twill back. The bag is “guaranteed until his 2nd birthday,” covering faulty materials or craftsmanship.

Macworld buying advice

Knomo’s Stirling is an expensive option but a solid investment for anyone who likes to carry their MacBook in style. Fashionable yet practical, the messenger bag is also well made with enough room to roam in comfort as long as you don’t plan an expedition.

[Nick Spence is a freelance contributor to Macworld UK.]