Okay Geek Farm
t3ch Review - Tucano Finatex XS messenger bag and Doppio sleeve
Ricardo Trejo
There are just so many mobile devices out there that having a bag of some sort to take them with you is an absolute must. I got a chance to try out two of Tucano’s latest creations for the iPad and pick them apart. Let’s find out what I thought about them, shall we?
Product: Tucano Finatex extra small (XS) messenger bag
What it says it does: A small messenger bag able to fit 10” netbooks, and is also compatible with the iPad
My Experience: I’ve had a number of messenger bags in the past for notebooks and netbooks but I’ve never really found “the one”. And now with my recent addition of the iPad I’ve been having the same problem with yet another mobile device; I’ve tried sleeves before but none have ever really done it for me. So I thought I’d try something completely different and search for a practical man’s bag, if you will. And I can say with confidence that when I finally reached Tucano, a company doing nothing but facilitate multimedia bags, I found exactly what I wanted and needed.
The Finatex XS messenger bag is a really compact and lightweight transportation device, which is what the XS stands for in its title: extra small. It’s made from Italian materials and it’s entire build reflects that style. It’s got a less is more approach, which is just the thing I want in something meant to hold my iPad. There are only two zippers; one to open the main compartment, which has the perfect amount of space within for an iPad even those that have smaller sized cases on them; and another that has a similar size area but with a pocket to hold any sized iPod. The second zipper also wraps itself all the way up alongside the strap where headphones can travel from the iPod up through the strap and to the user. Convenient? Yes. However, it can be a challenge figuring out just how much slack is needed for your earbuds to reach your ear without you being restricted by your neck movements. Personally, I tried it but could never get it right.
What I really enjoyed about the Finatex the most was how it wasn’t trying to be anything it’s not. Most bags nowadays try to make every single open space some sort of area to stow away your stuff, whereas this bag in contrast is simply made to move your iPad or netbook, an iPod, a small paper notebook, and some headphones from point A to point B, all while making you look good.
The Finatex XS messenger bag comes in three colors: black, coffee, and red.
But while we’re on the subject of moving things from place to place, how about we use this review to also take a look at another item by Tucano.
Product: the Doppio second skin sleeve for the iPad.
My experience: Although I got my hands on a bag for my iPad I figured, “why not try out a sleeve made specifically for the iPad?” So I took a chance with the Doppio sleeve which is actually a pretty creative product, made with not just one compartment but with two - one on each side. First off, the Doppio is made out of a combination of neoprene and micro fiber materals, each being on one side of the sleeve. There are two zippers separating each compartment, the neoprene for the iPad and the micro-fiber for any accessories or items you want to take with you.
My only issue with the sleeve is the same problem I’ve had with previous ones I’ve tried out, and that’s that to use it you’re going to have to remove any cases you might have on your precious iPad, which most likely you’d like to take with you wherever you may be going. Some cases might fit within the Doppio, however it’s not guaranteed. But in the defense of Tucano, with the various sizes of cases available I can see how difficult it would be to make the sleeves bigger to accommodate them all - but still it’s an inconvenience.
Doppio second sleeve for iPad
Pro’s: creative design, solid protection against outer elements with two different materials on each side of folder
Con’s: snug fit for iPads with cases on them,
Price: $39.99
Where you can get it: Tucano
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Finatex Messenger Bag
Pro’s: good price, stylish, the right amount of pockets and zippers
Con’s: difficulty getting the zipper up the strap to insert headphones
Price: $24.99 - $34.99
Where you can get it: Amazon, Tucano
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