A crazy man's quest for the perfect T61 sleeve/backpack combo

Hello all,

I recently purchased my first laptop, a T61, and have since been searching for the perfect combination to carry and protect my investment. After general thinking, I decided on using a sleeve and backpack combination in order to get the best possible comfort, versatility and quality.

I wasn't interested in advertising my $2000 cargo with a Targus or computer accessories company related bag. I will be using this setup for work and also wanted a bag that could do double duty on car-camping trips and be used as a daily survival EDC sack.

I did a lot of researching online and a few bags caught my eye. The Kelty Range, Jansport Firewire and the North Face Recon II top among them. I was interested in a masculine, plain-looking pack that was rugged and had enough space for a laptop in its own neoprene sleeve.

I ordered a vertically-oriented sleeve from Waterfield Designs matched to my 14.1" widescreen T61 after hearing so many good things about their build quality and customer service. I try to buy made in USA also these days and this seemed like the ideal sleeve to invest in.

My sleeve arrived the same day as my laptop. The next day I stopped at REI and nabbed the Jansport Firewire backpack (I didn't have my laptop with me so I couldn't test the fit in the store). I really liked the design of the Firewire's shockproof sleeve area and the bag was big enough for extra tools, and not as puffy as it looked online.

While fitting my laptop into the Waterfield sleeve, I was amazed at the build quality but a bit worried about the fit. It was close, but I felt it could be .5" deeper and 3/4" less wide (circumference-wise). On it's own it may have been no big deal but since I was trying to fit it into a pack designed for a naked laptop I needed the fit to be as snug as possible. The sleeve's sides smushed in a bit while held in the Firewire's special laptop area.

Last night I emailed Gary from Waterfield Designs my concerns and some pictures of my laptop in the sleeve. I inquired about an existing size perhaps a bit different in the dimensions I was seeking. Today I stopped back by REI and this time brought my laptop and sleeve to test out in all the packs. The "universal" nature of the laptop area in the North Face Recon II was better and allowed my laptop to ride lower and fully fit in (only very minor top corner bumps felt when backpack was zipped up). I still felt that the sleeve could be better tailored to my laptop but I was getting closer to a perfect 10 combo.

When I got home from work today (3:00 PM central), Gary had already emailed me twice, once suggesting a couple of different size options and then telling me that he was sending out two new sleeves with a prepaid envelope back to SF. I could try out all three, then mail back the unused two with some feedback on how it worked out.

I just wanted to share this experience with you all because I know there are a lot of bag curious people out there and it's very hard to size up fits while ordering carry options online. I want to give big props to Gary and Waterfield Designs because they are going above and beyond to meet my obsessively demanding standards. As I told him in my email, this situation is a testament to the quality of the company and his customer relations efforts. Rather than emailing back about gross size problems, build quality or shipping delays I was instead bothering him about tailoring fractions of an inch. His gesture speeds up reaching my solution and left me saying "WOW".

As for the North Face Recon II, I am liking it. The laptop and sleeve fit well, and I am pleased with the amount of storage, hooks, and supports. The pack is a modest size and feels good while on my shoulders. The fabric and seam quality is good and the hidable hip belt straps are a great design feature. I am no expert on backpacking gear or packs, but for now I am really excited about the future of using this backpack. With the added protection of the sleeve, I think I may have found my ideal a carry combination.

I will try to update this thread with pics when I have everything settled and fitted. Have a great day.

The North Face Recon II
Waterfield Designs Laptop Sleeve

 

Wow thats amazing great service from Waterfield Designs, my next sleeve/bag will definitely be from them. Thanks for the input.

 

Good info. I planned on getting a sleeve from incase, but I can't seem to reach anyone when I have called them. I think I will order a sleeve from SFbags now.

 

Interesting Post. I've been thinking of getting a Horizontal Sleevecase with a Piggyback for a lighter/slimmer option than my Tom Bihn+Vertical BrainCell when I don't need all my accessories.

 

Can I just add my endorsement to the excellent service that Gary and his team at Waterfield Designs provide.

Customer satisfaction is guaranteed.

I was due to go on holiday and had ordered a sleevecase for my EEE PC.
Unfortunately they were still fine-tuning the design, so it wouldn't be in time for my trip.

Gary sent me a sleevecase of as close a size as possible, for me to use for my trip, and on my return from holiday, the case I had ordered was waiting for me.
He even let me keep the stand-in sleeve.

My comments can be found amongst the testimonials on the website.

I absolutely love their products too!

Umu