Ok, today I received the eBags and Victorinox models. I was most excited to explore the Victorinox, but checked out both. Here are initial impressions.

The Victorinox is a no-go. It is a really small bag, surprisingly so. I'd say it's maybe 2/3 the size of the Briggs & Riley, for example. The main problem with the size is the lack of width. Honestly, I can't believe they designed it this way. If you have file folders you want to put into this case, you cannot put them in horizontally, you have to put them in vertically. Well, now all the papers are free to fall out. That's not going to work. Just on that alone, this case is going back.

It seems to be a very well made case, no issues there, but besides the small size, the design is a bit funky. Tough to explain, but just going through all the organizational features, I kept thinking "why are they giving me more of those kinds of slots? Where would I put x?"

Re the laptop enclosure, it's no more padded than the B&R bag, and maybe less so. And it has no fastener of any kind at the top. You just slide it in and zip it up. But because the case is so small, that laptop isn't going anywhere.

Also, it's more cumbersome to take on and off than the B&R. No question I like the B&R bag better than this one, not even close.

On to the eBags model.

I'll say this straight away: if you're ok with the styling of this bag, it's a GREAT value. This is a very well made bag, less than $100, and it's rich with features. Like the Victorinox, the laptop enclosure also has nothing on the top to secure the laptop. It's bigger than the Victorinox so there are probably a few inches between the top of my laptop and the top of the bag. But I put my laptop in and shook it a bit and it seemed pretty secure.

The organizational features are good. Maybe a little gimmicky, or maybe that's just me. Watch the product video for it and it gives a great description of the bag. Files fit no problem, and it has plenty of organizational features to stash your stuff.

My problem with this bag is aesthetics. First, it just looks like a very standard run of the mill backpack. Second, and I read other reviews mentioning this, the eBags label is big, and it's front and center on the bag. Just a horrible design and placement, in my opinion. I'm not sure if looking at that damn label every time I pick up my bag would drive me nuts or if I'd stop seeing it over time. Just not sure, but my initial reaction to it is not positive. Just adds, in my mind, to the aesthetic impression of it being a student backpack. Now, it absolutely has the functionality and build quality to be a professional pack, but it just lacks a cool factor.

I know that probably sounds shallow, but if I'm going to use it every day, I want to enjoy the experience. I want to feel good about picking it up and using it. To me, it's not like a shovel. "What color do I want? I don't care, it's a shovel. It's just a tool." For me, this is a tool, but I'd like it to have a nice aesthetic, and in this, for my tastes, it's lacking.

I'm glad the other two bags won't be here for a few more days. That gives me time to get used to seeing these two sitting in my home office. But if I had to decide this moment on one bag, I'd go with the Briggs & Riley. Those who already own one of their pieces can probably relate, it just exudes quality and character. It's not a flashy bag, but it's well designed not just from a functional standpoint but also an aesthetic one. And I like the organizational capabilities of it a lot.

If I were to keep the Briggs bag, what I would probably do is just use it as is for day to day stuff, and then maybe get the Bihn Brain Cell unit I mentioned above for traveling, where it's going to be subjected to more potential abuse and jostling.

So to summarize, the Victorinox is out. Too small, and kind of funky organizational features. If ignoring aesthetics, the B&R and eBags bags are very close, but I probably give a modest edge to the B&R bag. I don't think it's necessarily a 'better bag', but for my needs, I think it's a better organizational fit. If including aesthetics, it's no contest, at least right now. I may wake up in two days and think "you know, that eBags bag is growing on me." When I ordered it, it looked pretty plain on the website, but then, so did the Briggs & Riley bag. When I got the B&R bag, as I said above, it pleasantly surprised, aesthetically. When I got the eBags bag, well, it looks pretty much exactly like what you see on the website. I was hoping it, too, would pleasantly surprise in that department. Nope.

I'm very much looking forward to receiving the Brain Bag and the Brenthaven bag, but as of now, if I had to live with the Briggs & Riley bag, I could be happy with it, I think.

More as I get it.