MiBag 17in laptop bag

We're not really sure why anyone would want a laptop bag with an outer cover that can be swapped for ones in other colours, but there's clearly some demand as that's just what you get with MiBag's latest offering.

Available for both 13in and 17in laptops, the stock MiBag looks much like any other laptop carrier. Made from tough-feeling ballistic nylon (with a mix of matte and semi-gloss finishes), it has an agreeably understated design that seems to belie the modest price tag.

Available for both 13in and 17in laptops, the stock MiBag looks much like any other laptop carrier. Made from sturdy ballistic nylon (with a mix of matte and semi-gloss finishes), it has an agreeably understated design that seems to belie the modest price tag.

The large front flap is kept closed by a single large plastic buckle, but the magnetic fastener at each end of the flap don't seem to serve much purpose and won't keep the flap closed if the buckle isn't fastened. The flap has a mid-sized zipped pocket that's big enough for a paperback book, but there isn't enough room for a magazine.

The zipped pocket at the rear is larger, but the narrow zipped opening means that it can only accommodate a magazine in a portrait orientation, with the top poking out. This pocket also has a zipper along its bottom too, but apart from providing convenient access to pick-pockets, we have no idea what this is for (please feel free to correct us on this one).

Two more zipped pockets sit under the outer flap, one of which contains pouches of various sizes to hold pens and other bits, plus there's wide sleeve pocket large enough to hold a folded broadsheet newspaper or a glossy magazine.

The single interior pocket is large enough for the 17in MiBag to double as an overnight bag, but it isn't padded for laptop use. Not that this is a problem - the laptop actually sits inside a smaller slipcase that can also be carried separately, courtesy of two retractable handles. This has three exterior pockets of its own to house a laptop power lead, mains charger and other paraphanalia, but the padding felt a bit on the thin side for our liking. Still, it shouldn't be a problem when the slipcase is carried inside the main bag.

That colour customisation comes via coloured outer flaps -- the stock black one zips off, the new one zips on. These are a little pricey at £10 a go, but they're an easy way to inject a bit of personality into what would otherwise be a plain (but still stylish) black laptop bag.

But as you can probably tell , we weren't blown away by the MiBag. The coloured sleeve idea is a nice one and we certainly liked the bag's looks, but despite feeling generally well-made, it simply doesn't feel in the same class as say, something similarly priced from Brenthaven. 

For example, the dog lead-type hooks that attach the should strap didn't look particularly sturdy (again, compared to chunkier examples on other bags) and the shoulder strap lacked sufficient padding to keep the bag comfortable when laden with a laptop. Worse still, the carry handle is a stiff rubber strip that's too wide to sit in the hand properly and is uncomfortable to hold even when the bag is empty. The zippers are reassuringly chunky and look like they should resist fouling, but unfortunately, the pull tabs bent with very little effort and we managed to snap one off with surprising ease.

So, while the colour-coordinating MiBag is a neat idea, the execution leaves something to be desired and there are better, sturdier bags available for the money.