Apple World Today has a long-standing relationship with San Francisco-based WaterField Designs. It’s a company that creates some of our favorite carrying bags and cases for Apple products. Extremely well-made and fashionable, WaterField’s bags are sure to keep your Apple gear protected for years! Today I review the new Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag (starting at $209), and one lucky AWT reader will win this bag for his or her MacBook or iPad.
All images courtesy of WaterField Designs.
Perfect for Apple’s Compact Laptops
The Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag is perfect for those of you with one of Apple’s compact laptops or tablets. The Compact size ($209) easily holds an 11-inch iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard. The Tall size ($229) handles a 13-inch MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, or an 11- or 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard.
I tested the Tall in blue Italian Forza fabric with black leather accents. It’s truly one of the most beautiful bags I’ve seen for the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air.
Design of the Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag
The Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag features a cross-body adjustable strap allowing for hands-free carrying of your gear. The body of the bag is constructed of one of three materials: waxed canvas, the aforementioned Forza fabric, or ballistic nylon.
The waxed canvas is a wonderful tan fabric for rainy climates and comes with chocolate leather accents. The Forza fabric comes in blue and red with black leather accents, and is stunningly beautiful. For those who prefer basic black, the ballistic nylon with black leather trim is understated and classic.
Under the leather accent is a lined pocket for carrying your iPhone, pens, and other accessories. The liner is the traditional goldenrod yellow nylon that has been in every WaterField bag we’ve owned. It’s smooth and slick, and your devices don’t hang up on the material.
Splash-Proof Zippers
WaterField Designs uses splash-proof zippers that close so tightly that it’s almost impossible to see a seam! The company doesn’t market these as waterproof, but they’re sure to keep precipitation from harming your gear.
Inside the Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag
Inside the main part of the bag is more of that smooth nylon liner. There’s a special pocket in the back for your device lined on one side with a cashmere-like fuzzy material. It provides padding, although just on one side of the device.
In the middle is a spacious pocket for carrying a lot of other goodies like an external backup drive, a Thunderbolt or USB-C hub, and the AC adapter for your device. I was surprised at just how much one of these bags carries!
The front side of the interior has another large pocket designed for pens and flat accessories, as well as a key tether.
There’s More On The Back
The back of the case — where it would fit against your body — has one more large open pocket. While not protected by a zipper, it is useful for those things you need to have immediate access to. The top of the back pocket has a nylon strap that fits over a carryon bag handle for extra convenience.
The Strap
Let’s not forget the key ingredient that makes the Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag a true “cross body” case — the strap. Padded and adjustable, it fits anybody comfortably. The inside of the strap shoulder pad is lined with a grippy material that keeps the bag on your shoulder.
Comfort and Protection
As I well know from years of lugging various laptops, a good bag can mean the difference between a comfortable carry and an aching shoulder. The Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag is one of the most comfortable laptop bags I’ve had the pleasure to review.
I have one suggestion to make to the crew at WaterField Designs: I’d like to see that cashmere-like material on both sides of the laptop/tablet pocket to provide more padding for the device.
The Bottom Line
Check out my review criteria and scores below. The Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag is expensive, but if you have the money to spend, get one. This bag may outlast your Apple device! As I always say, you get what you pay for and the premium price of this bag ensures protection of your gear for years to come.
Giveaway!
Review overview
The Pros
- Beautiful design
- Top quality materials
- Perfect for 13-inch MacBook Air or Pro
- Zippers are splash-proof
- Manufactured to last
The Cons
- Pricy (you get what you pay for!)
- Device slot should have padding on both sides for more protection
summary
9.5The WaterField Zoom Crossbody Laptop Bag is perhaps the best bag for Apple's compact MacBooks and iPad Pros that we've seen. The quality of manufacture is typical of what we expect from WaterField -- excellent. If you have the money to spend on a high quality product like this, do it.
