REVIEW: Knomo Cholet 13" laptop bag ideal for your tech accessories

I’ve been looking for a bag that’ll fit all of my random bits of technology as well as stupid amounts of make-up, an umbrella, a spare bag… The list could go on and on as I’m such a hoarder. Of course you can go with a normal bag, but chances are it’ll break under the pressure of umbrellas, eyeliner, tablets and laptops. Then there are some bags designed especially to house your tech stuff, but they’re often a bit bulky and don’t look great. I did have a brief affair with a backpack a few months back, but try getting on a packed tube or a bus with one on, it’s near impossible.

This is why the Shiny Shiny team were interested in trying out a Knomo bag. We’d heard of Knomo a little before and basically it’s a company that’s been around since 2004 which specialises in creating pretty high-end, stylish bags that are also functional for all of your tech accessories.

We chose to review a Knomo Cholet 13″ laptop bag and here are some of our thoughts.

Space

One of the main things I’m looking for when it comes to a bag to house both everyday items and tech is how much space it has. Although everything needs to be as compact as possible, no one wants keys scraping up against tablets, so there needs to be just enough room.

The Cholet 13″ bag has just the right amount of space for a laptop and one or two essential bits and pieces that are separated by a thin, quilted section in between.

Materials

One of the main things Knomo likes to shout about is how high quality the materials used to make its products are. The foam inside which houses your laptop is a special shock-resistant, quilted material and the leather on the outside means it’s super durable and looks good at the same time.

Looks

The bag has a wood-grain leather effect on the outside, so it looks fairly formal and a little more tailored and special than the laptop bags we’ve all become accustomed to over the years.

Comfort

Now my only main issue with the bag are the handles. They’re ideal if you like to hold the straps with your hand, but if you want it on your shoulder and it’s filled with all of your stuff AND your laptop then it’s going to dig into your shoulders a little.

If you’re not going to be walking with it too much then it shouldn’t be a problem and if you are you can always slip a special shoulder pad over it, just bear in mind it’s not one for really long walks.

Extras

There are a few fancy extras that come with a Knomo bag, like the Knomo Tracker, a unique code printed inside, which means if you’re fortunate enough to have your lost bag wind up in the hands of someone trustworthy, there’s a good chance you’ll get it back. Well maybe.

There are also lots of little pockets and compartments on the inside for your phone, pens and other bits and pieces.

Who are the Knomo bags for?

Someone who wants a bag that’s a little bit different to the run-of-the-mill black, boring laptop bags on the market. The tailored design makes me think it’s good for those who want something formal looking that’ll fit in just as well in the office as it will on a weekend. It’s also worth mentioning you’ll need a few pennies to spare, you’ll have to be prepared to part with your cash if you want enough space, quality and durability to transport all your gadgets around in.

The Cholet is available from the Knomo website for £185 (to carry a 13″ laptop) and £215 (to carry a 15″ laptop).