Patagonia Half Mass Bag - 1464cu in - 2008 BCS

I’ve been a Patagonia fan for years, but I am really disappointed in this bag.

First, the laptop sleeve is poorly designed. Although the laptop fits, if I am not careful it always catches on the inside flap as I insert the laptop into the sleeve and the [strap/sleeve handle] which secures the laptop is not a good thing.

This laptop sleeve is secured inside the bag with three clips in order to hold the bottom of the laptop up off the bag bottom by several inches. A good idea in that it protects the laptop from shock when one puts the bag down, however it puts the whole bag off balance so the bag always immediately rolls over on its side when one sets it down and it also means that one always has to hold the bag up with the handle when searching for something inside.

The small handle at the top of the bag is flimsy. If one used this handle (and there is nothing else to use) every time one lifted the bag to get the strap off one’s shoulder, I am sure the handle would tear in short order.

The recycled polyester fabric appears and feels very cheap. I understand the idea of being ‘green,’ but the durability of this fabric certainly cannot compare with the ballistic nylon (sometimes waxed) used on some competitor’s bags, and a less durable fabric does not equate with being ‘green.’ The bright colors available, while attractive, get dirty very quickly on this chintzy fabric. The fabric also has so little substance the bag feels too loosey goosey unless one has the bag filled with stuff.

There are not enough small to medium size pockets inside the bag to keep my expensive electronic gadgets from banging against each other. There are some pockets, but they are insubstantial. The small strap with hook for holding one’s keys is a ‘joke.’

One has to throw the shoulder strap over one’s head or else it tends to slide off one’s shoulder. I don’t know what happened to the ‘human curve’ strap Patagonia used to use…..too expensive I guess.

The bag is made in Viet Nam…..I remember when all the Patagonia bags were made in the U. S.

I ordered the ‘Fire Red’ color, but it seems more orange than red.

One of the reasons I used to like Patagonia gear so much is that everything was tested and developed ‘to the nth degree’ by the intelligent employees. I don’t know what went wrong here, but I strongly feel the Patagonia Messenger bags need a complete rethinking.

I intended that the Half Mass would replace the old Patagonia Valise (made in the U. S.) I used for eight years. The Valise was made of very durable ballistic nylon and leather. Still, the bag eventually ripped under the substantial leather handle from the weight of the laptop I always carried around. I’m sure these new bags won’t last anywhere near as long.