Travel Products - Thoughts on Booq Cobra L?

I'm potentially looking for a new laptop briefcase (if I can convince my wife to indulge my luggage fetish).

Has anyone tried this the Booq Cobra Case L, which looks quite new?
Site is:
http://www.booqbags.com/All-Products/Cobra-laptop-bags/Cobra-case-L

I'm especially interested in how it might compare to the Tom Bihn Empire Builder:
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0730

Thanks!
-Dan

I'm on the verge of ordering the Booq Cobra L, I can't decide whether to get the brief or the case (main difference seems to be about 3 extra inches of width).

Can't provide a direct comparison with the Empire Builder, but despite being a big Tom Bihn fan (own 3 bags and various accessories) I simply don't like the looks of the Empire Builder/Zephyr. The Booq looks more professional IMO, but that's obviously very subjective.

One of the main differences is that you'll need to buy the Brain Cell as the Tom Bihn bags don't have any standard protection built in. That, added to a shoulder strap, narrows the price difference considerably.

Can't speak for their new line of Cobra cases, but I do have the Boa Flow M as well as two older generation Booq backpacks. I will say that Booq quality and design is excellent, and I am totally hooked on their products. Each generation of bags just gets better and better, and was really surprised at the quality of materials and construction used on my Boa Flow M. Based off my experience, I'm assuming that the new Cobra line is top-notch, and I wouldn't hesitate to order one at all.

Just received the Booq Cobra L Case (bigger brother to the Brief). Haven't used it yet, but initial views are positive.

Very glad I got the bigger Case. I wanted something to hold a laptop, iPad, folio and assorted cables, chargers etc. and I'm not sure the Brief would be big enough.

The bag looks professional and classy, a cut above the normal black nylon laptop bag (as it should given the price). The internal finish and number of pockets are v impressive.

One big positive is the shoulder strap is thick and heavily padded with an adjustable wrap, it looks like it is built to cope with heavy loads. This was the main reason I stopped using my fairly new Briggs & Riley as the strap was awful. Too thin, poorly padded and kept twisting and cutting into my shoulder.

One possible negative is that the two iPad specific exterior pockets look like they will only hold a naked iPad and aren't big enough to hold one with a case on it. Not a huge problem as there are more than a few other internal pockets which will hold the iPad.

Kgmm77: Wondering what you think of the Cobra Case? I bought the Cobra Brief, but feel it's a bit too small. Love the look of the line, but am concerned the Cobra Case is too big? How does it feel after a year of use?

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Kgmm77: Wondering what you think of the Cobra Case? I bought the Cobra Brief, but feel it's a bit too small. Love the look of the line, but am concerned the Cobra Case is too big? How does it feel after a year of use?

I posted on another thread within the last month on this (unfortunately can't do a search on mobile FT), but it's simply too heavy a bag for me to like. Design is excellent, particularly the two external lined iPad sleeve pockets, it looks good yet still professional, construction seems fine...but the empty weight is a killer at around 3kg/7lb. I generally carry a Tom Bihn Aeronaut with 12-15kg so weight isn't normally a problem, but the Booq is, IMO, inefficient, particularly in the excessive size and weight of the laptop padding and the rubber base. The brief may be a better compromise, but the structured nature if the bag means you can't stuff it full or overpacking it..

Appreciate the reply...very helpful feedback!

The Booq Cobra bags are indeed very nicely done. They look and feel as expensive as the price. I first got the larger Cobra Case -- which is just too big for my day to day use to the office. So I ended up getting the Cobra Brief. The Case is the way to go if you carry a lot of stuff. On a day to day basis, I only carry less than 1/2" thick stack of papers, so the Brief is nicer on a daily basis as it is less bulky. These bags have a lot of pockets and storage, I don't regret having both.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread -- hope this is helpful to someone down the road.

The Booq Cobra bags are indeed very nicely done. They look and feel as expensive as the price. I first got the larger Cobra Case -- which is just too big for my day to day use to the office. So I ended up getting the Cobra Brief. The Case is the way to go if you carry a lot of stuff. On a day to day basis, I only carry less than 1/2" thick stack of papers, so the Brief is nicer on a daily basis as it is less bulky. These bags have a lot of pockets and storage, I don't regret having both.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread -- hope this is helpful to someone down the road.

Thanks for the info. I have been looking at this bag recently. Do you also find the case to be heavy?

The Booq Cobra bags are indeed very nicely done. They look and feel as expensive as the price. I first got the larger Cobra Case -- which is just too big for my day to day use to the office. So I ended up getting the Cobra Brief. The Case is the way to go if you carry a lot of stuff. On a day to day basis, I only carry less than 1/2" thick stack of papers, so the Brief is nicer on a daily basis as it is less bulky. These bags have a lot of pockets and storage, I don't regret having both.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread -- hope this is helpful to someone down the road.

was just researching new bags today after my kensington contour bit the dust after a 2 week trip into asia. Was deciding between the Cobra courier M and the Brief but seems like the Brief will be the better trade off for space. thanks.

Thanks for the info. I have been looking at this bag recently. Do you also find the case to be heavy?

Heavy is a relative thing. I find quality bags tend to be on the heavier side due to the use of higher grade material. Certainly they have more weight than my nylon samsonite but even the larger case only felt 'heavy' once i loaded it up with my macpro.

I am a small guy and never really felt weight to be much of an issue with the Booq.

On a side note, my friend who is a Tumi fan and uses an Alpha, really likes the Booq Cobra and considered stealing mine. His Alpha feels heavy.

Heavy is a relative thing. I find quality bags tend to be on the heavier side due to the use of higher grade material. Certainly they have more weight than my nylon samsonite but even the larger case only felt 'heavy' once i loaded it up with my macpro.

I am a small guy and never really felt weight to be much of an issue with the Booq.

On a side note, my friend who is a Tumi fan and uses an Alpha, really likes the Booq Cobra and considered stealing mine. His Alpha feels heavy.

Very fair points. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on one of these soon. Especially as pre-check rolls out to more places, I won't miss the checkpoint functionality quite as much.

Now just to decide on which size!

I recently purchased two Tom Bihn bags and had it fitted with their Absolute Strap. ^

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/500/TB0505

I must say this strap does work and should I find myself with a loaded Booq Cobra Case, I will definitely be using this strap to "lighten" my load.

I recently purchased two Tom Bihn bags and had it fitted with their Absolute Strap. ^

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/500/TB0505

I must say this strap does work and should I find myself with a loaded Booq Cobra Case, I will definitely be using this strap to "lighten" my load.

Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm very tempted to buy this bag now that SEA has TSA Pre and it will be one less place to pull my laptop out at.

booq seems like a really nice bag with stylish lines and all. But, it's darn heavy. For the same space and money would a Briggs slim rolling brief http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Riley-Briefcase-Chocolate-12-8x15-8x7/dp/B002LIB7LA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336097727&sr=8-1 or a wheeled tote like this http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Riley-Wheeled-Compact-12-5x15-5x7/dp/B000N2LS3I/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1336097770&sr=1-2-fkmr1 work?

I am in the process of upgrading my bags and at a crossroad on whether to admit defeat at simply go with a rolling bag (albeit a nice one) or suffer the backpain and stay with stylish bags like booq or tumi......

thoughts?

booq seems like a really nice bag with stylish lines and all. But, it's darn heavy.

I am in the process of upgrading my bags and at a crossroad on whether to admit defeat at simply go with a rolling bag (albeit a nice one) or suffer the backpain and stay with stylish bags like booq or tumi......

thoughts?

I use my booq to go to office daily. So using a wheeled bag plainly looks silly. When I travel, the booq sits on top of my wheeled roll aboard - so weight becomes less an issue.

I'm referring to the times when you are at a different city and have a walk a bit with your briefcase. Of course, we all have different jobs so YMMV but just walking about 5 blocks in NYC with a full sized brief case filled with laptop and paper files can be tough on your back. I tried the messenger style shoulder strap but my bag ends up pretty heavy as some files are legal materials that cannot be stored in e-media. of course if you are just going from the parking lot to the office,,,, you can use practically anything......

I'm referring to the times when you are at a different city and have a walk a bit with your briefcase. Of course, we all have different jobs so YMMV but just walking about 5 blocks in NYC with a full sized brief case filled with laptop and paper files can be tough on your back. I tried the messenger style shoulder strap but my bag ends up pretty heavy as some files are legal materials that cannot be stored in e-media. of course if you are just going from the parking lot to the office,,,, you can use practically anything......

Then yes, the big Booq Cobra case loaded with laptop and papers will feel heavy walking 5 blocks in NYC in suits in July :D

I think the Tom Bihn Absolute Strap will help, but in this particular case, I would consider rolling briefcase. Better to feel good than to look good. :)

But really though..... I do feel a bit odd rolling a briefcase in a busy street. And none of my colleagues have the rolling case either. At my firm it's pretty much black tumi alpha in leather. But most of the guys have it full of research files that they hunch over when they walk. Of course the ladies all use some kind of a roller.

I'm just not sure about the masculanity of the rolling briefcase. How do guys feel about that. Am I being a wimp? :confused:

booq seems like a really nice bag with stylish lines and all. But, it's darn heavy.


I have to go with you on the rolling briefcase. I just did a trip to Madrid, where the Iberia terminal seems to go on about 1 mile. I felt as if my back was going to break with my computer bag. Even the nicest design won't eliminate that pain.

Just about to buy the brief for daily use when not traveling.