STM Trust 13 laptop messenger bag review

Buying an Ultrabook or MacBook Air is a revelation if you’re used to bulky desktop replacement laptops, as their thin and light designs mean you can carry one just about anywhere. Finding the right bag for such a laptop is a little trickier – much of the time you’ll have other kit to carry too, but opt for a traditional laptop bag built for a larger laptop and you’ll be lugging around a lot of unnecessary bulk. STM’s Trust 13 is the ideal compromise; it’s just large enough to hold a 13in laptop comfortably, yet has room inside for a lot more besides.

The messenger-style bag is designed to be worn over the shoulder, but has a carry handle and detachable straps, meaning you can carry it like a briefcase or laptop bag if you prefer. The straps’ spring-loaded clips are designed for quick release, but we found they snagged on our clothes – it’s frustrating if you don’t plan on ever detaching them. A padded shoulder pad does a good job at relieving strain when carrying an overloaded bag.

The bag is made from a water-resistant polyester blend and is available in three colours; red, olive and graphite. We liked the olive version, as it’s not quite so garish like the red but has a little more character than the graphite.

The small zip-up pocket on the front is lined with a soft material which should keep smartphones or sunglasses free from scratches. The same material lines the laptop compartment, which can be accessed quickly using two zips, without having to open the whole bag. There’s also a magazine slip pocket at the back and a bottle holder on either side, but for everything else you’ll need to unclip the straps at the front.

Inside, there are two separate sections. The larger one has several slip pockets for documents and a lined pocket for a tablet, while the smaller one has pockets for pens and a smartphone, along with a see-through mesh pocket for storing the things that would otherwise float their way to the very bottom of your bag. There’s an impressive amount of space, considering the bag itself doesn’t look or feel particularly big.

We managed to fit a 13in MacBook Pro and power adapter, iPad Mini, Panasonic GX7 compact system camera with charger, iPhone, USB power adapter and several cables inside, yet still have plenty of room for documents and not have to book an appointment with chiropractor after a week of commuting, either.

There’s not much to criticise at all here, although if speed of access is an issue you may find having to unclip the front pocket and then open a zip just to get to the interior a slight annoyance. Otherwise, the Trust 13 is an excellent bag for commuters that don’t need to lug an entire desk worth of gear around with them every day. At around £95 it’s expensive, if not ridiculously so, so unless you need significantly more space, or prefer backpacks to shoulder bags, this is our current favourite laptop bag.