Photo from Tom Bihn website.
It got great reviews (see here for a detailed review) and seemed like it would be a great dual purpose bag. This bag was designed in collaboration with knitters and thus, has design features specific to the needs of knitters. It is big enough to carry a knitting project, book and the usual items I bring to and fro on a daily basis. However, the price is steep, I was always skeptical about the lack of exterior pockets, felt it should have a top zipper and wasn't totally in love with the color choices. Still, I thought that I would likely buy one at some point.
That is, until I decided to poke around for some other options and found the Allston Tote:
Photo from EMS website.
This one ain't much of a looker either, but it has some super neat-o features. It is a similar size to the Swift bag and made of the same durable Cordura fabric. The Allston is a padded tote bag that stands up on its own without being really heavy. There are two flush zippered pockets on the front and a full size open pocket along the back. There is also a clip for keys and a zippered pocket on the inside. And then, there is my favorite pocket of all time:
Photo from EMS website.
This photo is of the padded, recessed, zippered pocket that I think is meant for a water bottle. Most of the time this pocket houses my Nalgene bottle. When I want to bring a banana to work this tall, cushioned pocket becomes a built-in banana cozy. I love it! When I get to work the banana is not smashed, bruised or otherwise mangled from my commute.
I have been using this bag for the past two weeks and have been nothing but happy with it. It provides all the function that I was hoping to get from The Swift bag and it costs less than half as much.
I know not everyone gets this excited about a bag, but there are many of us that find utter joy in finding the bag that does it all. And, the icing on the cake: the bag was on sale when I bought it (and still is until July 8th)!
You know I get excited about bags ... although, they are not generally knitting bags! I think you made an excellent choice, Trin. I'm sad to think, though, that this highly functional tote may have supplanted your need for knitted fruit cozies. MISS YOU.
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