Home > Consumer Reviews > BumBakPak Hamptons Hybrid Messenger/Backpack Laptop Bag ChocoTango Medium

I've had a medium choco tango Hampton since 2006 and absolutely love it. This thing goes with me everywhere. I live out of this bag. It carries a laptop safely and securely along with all the cables I can think of, cell phone parts, spare discs... You name it. I'm pretty OCD, too. Everything in its place. Lots of pockets in this bad boy. I don't like my food to touch.

The people are great too. I'm actually on my third bag. The first one suffered from some minor quality issues. When contacted, BBP sent out a replacement bag no questions asked. Recently one of the buckles let go (the laptop was safely padded inside and suffered no harm from a 3 foot fall). I emailed them again and they sent out a replacement again with no questions.

You can't go wrong with a bumbackpack. They look great and feel great. Style and Function all in one! It's comfy as a back pack. I use it this way when travelling as it's more secure. I feel better with everything tidy and close on my back (lower back). I use it as a messenger bag otherwise for ease of access. Love it!

I'd recommend the bag for sure although I wish I got a smaller size. It comfortably fits my small Macbook, a notebook, book, sneakers and gym clothes which is what I tend to carry to work and I can shove a few more things in there as well. Straps were confusing to figure out but once you get it, you're set. I no longer have that one-shoulder ache from carrying bags on one side. And pretty cute.

For the last year, I have been using an STM Small Alley bag to carry my Macbook and supplies. That's a great bag for travelling light. If you don't carry much with you, go find one of those instead. I have more things I need to carry with me lately, so I tried this BumBakPak Hamptons Hybrid. It rules!

There are plenty of pics and details available on the mfg. website, so I'll just include a few comments here. The construction of this bag seems to be very rugged and sturdy (the STM did have a pocket that was starting to tear at the seams--I can't imagine that happening on the BBP). After a month of hard use, airport runs, and exposure to construction sites, it shows no signs of wear and still even looks sharp. The number of pockets and compartments is what drew me to this bag...I had many things to take with me and wanted to keep things organized. I have been very pleased. The options for organizing is almost overwhelming, but I've put every pouch and pocket to use. The only real bad news with this bag is that you have the potential to make it very heavy once you've filled it up. The innovative comfort of the carrying system does a great job of offsetting this, but heavy is heavy. If you don't over-stuff it, of course, it's not heavy at all. The back pocket with waterproof zipper for storing a notebook computer is fantastic in every way--easy access (helps in airport security!), great protection and the stealth of an almost-hidden separate compartment.

The backpack carrying style works well and the low-slung weight and soft pads make it very comfortable. I usually use only one shoulder strap and the bag works well in a "messenger" style this way. When I've had it on for a long time and the weight starts getting to me, I can quickly slip on the 2nd shoulder strap without taking the bag off. The hand-strap for briefcase-style carrying is reasonably padded. Reviews I read criticized it for not being padded at all, so this is apparently a recent upgrade.

There's another detail which was not as expected with the Hamptons bag I received. The reviews and pictures I'd seen indicate a shiny, almost rubbery smooth surface inside the main compartments. This looks very rugged and waterproof. The lining of my bag is a tightly-woven nylon material. It seems like it may be (slightly) less waterproof and durable, but probably lighter and easier to slide things in and out of. I still would feel fine carrying this bag in the rain, and as noted above, lightening the load is welcome.

Overall, the Hampton's style, utility, build quality and comfort are all top notch. This is the ultimate carry-on bag if you're traveling with a laptop and have other things to bring with you. I have quickly gotten used to saying, "I've got one of those right here!" to just about everything since I started carrying mine. :)

I bought this bag because I was traveling throughout Europe with my labtop. I bought the med size and it is great. My back feels great which was not the case with my old bag. Many people have stop to ask me about the bag and saying how cool it looks. They have different models, now that I have been using the bag for a while, I think that the only thing missing is a zipper in the front, which I believe one of the other models carry. Other then that I would not change a thing.