STM's Velo 2 isn't just a messenger bag—it's a breath of fresh air. While it has all the standard signs of an exceptional messenger bag (durable materials, thoughtfully designed, plenty of padding), it also has some additional features that make it stand out from other bags. For example, this:
Now you're thinking, "So what, a shoulder strap?" And my response is: Yes! But it's a shoulder strap that is joined to the bag with a 360 degree swivel joint so it never gets tangled. If that doesn't sound like a big deal to you, you've obviously never spent time struggling with a strap only to have it snarl up again as soon as you've walked a few blocks. It's a pretty good example of the intelligent bag design that you'll find throughout the Velo 2.
Part of STM's Velocity Collection, the Velo 2 comes in two sizes, small and large, to hold 13 or 15 inch laptops respectively. We tested the small, which measures 18.5 inches by 13.8 inches by 6.7 inches. It weighs 2.4 pounds (when empty) and has a capacity of 15 liters. My 13 inch ultrabook had plenty of room in the laptop compartment; if you're only carrying a tablet, even the small Velo 2 might be too large for you. The Velo 2 is made from 300 denier polyester on the exterior and a 200 denier water-resistant polyester on the interior. It comes in three colors: blue, grey, and black.
The Velo 2 is nicely organized—there is zero wasted space on this bag. The rear of the bag includes a mesh panel and a back slider pocket that unzips at the bottom so you can slide the entire bag over a luggage handle. The rear also features the stabilizing waist straps and a small loop near the top handle; the bottom of the bag also features a loop intended for bike lights, which is a nice touch.
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