Cambridge Messenger Brief
4.7
5
12
12
Rugged, sophisticated, manly bag
I love this messenger bag and I loved it more once I realize the bag was a darker brown than the picture indicated. I looked at a lot of messenger bags and wanted one with a handle and a leather strap. Some of the reviews indicate that the strap is too short. I'm 5'9" and the strap works fine for me across body or over the shoulder. It is also comfortable. The pockets themselves are organized well and I can fit in different size journals and a 13 inch MacAir notebook (bigger sizes should not be a problem). This bag signifies confidence and a style that resonates with me as I dislike briefcases. The dark brown leather is nice to the touch, and the canvas lining is a nice compliment. The hardware is also well designed. I'm a professor so the bag can swing between casual and formal and I compliment with a Bomber Jacket folio and journal.
May 25, 2013
what i needed
I reviewed many bags and took a few months to decide on this purchase.
This bag is incredibly well made. It is classy and professional as well. It is worth the price for sure!
Many of my friends are envious!!
I plan on buying another one as a gift for my son when he finishes his PhD.
May 25, 2013
Professional and stylish and functional
My wife bought me this brief for my 'going back to work' present. I immediatley thought that she had spent close to a $1000 due to how clean and well built this brief looks. The closer you look the more detail jumps out. It is as well built as a nice luxry car yet the value for dollar is outstanding in my eye.
Anyone who purchases a brief deom Levenger should have the confidence that people will see a business tool that has style, class and funtion yet is not flashy or come across as needing to carry a LV brief for the initials.
Pure class and highly professional. Well done Levenger. I will purchase my son and dughter Levenger briefs when they graduate from college.
May 14, 2013
Fantastic Bag
I ordered this briefcase for my boyfriend last Christmas and it was a HUGE hit. It's extremenly functional, fits everything he needs to tote around town and has worn beautifully over the last year. This is truly a quality product. Hopefully the matching Cambridge Explorer travel bag will go on sale and he'll be all set for his business travels. Thanks Levenger!
January 31, 2013
Very good ... not great
I recently received this bag as a gift after completing my Ph.D. It is truly gorgeous. The leather is rich and supple, and it is clear that it is going to wear well. When I began using it, I was also pleased to find that it accommodates 13" MacBook Pro even when it is in a protective sleeve. In all of these ways I am pleased with the bag and incredibly grateful to have received such a generous gift.
And yet I still have a few complaints. My major complaint, which others have also expressed, is that the strap is simply too short. I'm about 6'4" and the strap works okay if I wear it on one shoulder, but when I try to wear it across my body the bag rides in the middle of my rib cage. (Since this is the way that a messenger bag is typically worn, I wonder if the bag's name isn't a misnomer.) I had derived a bit of hope the response that a customer service agent had given to an earlier comment complaining about the length of the strap, which suggested that there may be a remedy. Unfortunately, when I called customer service, they told me that my only choices were to keep the bag with the shortened strap or to return it. Neither seems like a satisfactory resolution to me.
Ultimately, I think that this is a very, very good bag. But until it is more suited for tall users, I for one won't be able to declare it great.
January 4, 2013
Excellent Bag
I wanted this bag for a long time, but was too cheap to pay the full price. So instead, I bought three different bags over a two-year period, only to be disappointed in them. Finally, my wife just ordered me this bag.
It's worth the money - just get it.
The quality is ridiculous, the style is spot-on, and everyone comments about how nice it is, which is not something that happened with my previous bags.
My only quibble is the length of the strap, as others have already pointed out. It is *just* long enough for my taste, and I'm not that tall. (5'10"). I hope the designers will offer a few more inches in the future.
But overall, this is a great bag. Get it, be happy, stop buying lousy bags.
January 2, 2013
Excellent Choice
Was originally eyeing the Cambridge Briefbag, but was in the store in DC and saw this one. As my "gear" has been shrinking (lighter laptops, etc.) I have been looking for a slimmer bag to use day-to-day while still having ample room to carry a laptop, Circa binder and ipad. This is the perfect size and functions great.
Quality is first rate and it gets lots of compliments. In fact, I've had three different people comment on it in the first couple of weeks. It scuffs easily, but because the leather is died all the way through, the scuffs rub right out with your finger. If you like the "worn-in", rugged look, just let the scuffs accumulate.
I've found that Chelsea Leather Food (by Caswell & Co from England) does an excellent job of refreshing the leather, and maintains the orginal waxy coating the Tusting bags come with.
Highly recommend on functionality, quality and style. Go for it...
November 22, 2012
Great product - but tall people be aware!
Bought this bag for my fiance when he got his Ph.D. and, we were both very happy with the construction and look of what came (minor hardware issue, but Levenger's been great about handling with replacement parts/product).
However, a word of caution: for a bag that's billed as a "messenger", the strap is too short for my 6'4" fiance to wear across his body comfortably. I called Levenger about the issue and was told the strap is the same length for all Cambridge bags, so there's no way to get a longer one. As a standard shoulder strap everything works fine, but I expected something longer (or that would at least expand to longer) in a messenger bag. This probably wouldn't be an issue for average to shorter-height customers, but we'll have to make a decision about keeping the bag when it can't be worn as intended.
September 13, 2012
Functional and beautiful
Received this as a gift two years ago. So beautiful I was afraid to use it. However, I am glad to say that I have dutifully carried it back and forth to work for two years now and it still looks as good as the day I received it. Classic bag that is large enough for routine document toting. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an impressive piece to travel in style. Functional and beautiful - what a great combination!
July 14, 2012
Great Briefcase
I have been sing this bag for 10 years now. Purchased what was then called the Barrister's Brief Bag. Photos appear identical to this bag. Excellent craftmanship throughout; storage space is more than adequate for daily needs, though I require a second/larger case on a regular basis for my work.
Only reason I did not give 5 stars for quality is due to the brass clips and hooks for the shoulder strap. Over time the softness of the brass has caused the hooks to wear away. Until I can find a way to replace them without the stiching and beautiful leather being destroyed, I have to cary the bag using the handle. Otherwise, the weight of a full bag will cause the fatigued metal of the shoulder strap to give way and send the bag and my laptop crashing to the ground. If not for the inability to use the strap, this would still be a perfect bag after 10 years of continuous use.
March 21, 2012