Speck TuckPack Review

Speck TuckPack Review

Today’s
review item is a notebook-carrying sleeve from Speck called the TuckPack.  It appears to be a cross between a messenger
bag and a laptop sleeve.  The TuckPack is
designed t
o fit notebooks up to 13”.   It
comes in two styles, which are familiar to those who have or looked at Speck’s
CorePack Fly bags. 

I have been looking for a low profile bag for ferrying my MacBook Air
around and the Speck TuckPack seems like it may fit the bill.
 

Speck TuckPack
for notebooks up to 13″

Reviewed by:
Tomas Ratas

Sponsor:   Speck

 

Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:

 

TuckPack
for notebooks up to 13″

Quick
Overview

Small and
sleek yet loud and proud, TuckPack is your perfect solution to light, safe
laptop travel! Cool quilted padding and extra-plush microfleece notebook
compartment keeps your Laptop and a few important documents snug and secure
inside, while fresh patterns outside keep you looking smooth and Spexy on your
daily commute! Heavy duty padded strap clips on for a comfortable over-the-shoulder
fit, or is conveniently removable when you want to slip TuckPack into a larger
bag or under your arm. Fit small cords, your wallet, or other supplies inside
the outer slip pocket, and ensure their safety with the hefty velcro closure!

 

-Ideally sized to hold up to a
13″ MacBook or similar-sized notebook

-Compact, lightweight, stylish
notebook protection

-Slim design ideal for carrying
or placing inside a bag or pack

-Adjustable, removable, padded
seatbelt-quality shoulder strap

-Durable exterior with
double-needle stitched bindings

-Thin front inner pocket for
quick access to documents

-Duraflex high-performance
buckles

-Secure velcro closure

-Holds notebooks sized up to
1.5″ thick, 9.5″ deep, 13.5″ wide

-One year Speck limited warranty

Usage:
Adjust TuckPack’s seatbelt-style strap and sling it over your shoulder for a
comfortable cruise around town, or remove the strap and tuck it under your arm
for a low-key commute! Slip all your important papers and folders in beside
your laptop, and keep your wallet and minor chords in the outside pocket to
keep your clutter to a minimum while knowing that you are totally prepared for
the day ahead. Enjoy TuckPack’s perfect simplicity and ample padding, designed
to assure your laptop is safe and protected while you’re on the move!

Product Dimensions: 14×2.5×10.5

SKUS:NBAG-TUCK13-PXLGRY

Price:
$39.95

 

{mospagebreak title=A Better Look at things}

A Better Look at Things

:

 

 

The TuckPack ships in a clear plastic bag; remember kids “THIS BAG IS
NOT A TOY”!  

 

 

Speck describes the TuckPack as a notebook carrying sleeve, but it is
thicker than most sleeves that I have encountered and seems more in the
“messenger bag” class than sleeve.  On
the side of the TuckPack is an instruction booklet with the adjustable, padded
removable shoulder strap on the inside. 

 

 

There are two styles of the TuckPack – either Restart Greyscale Pixel or
SpeakEasy Grey Pinstripe.  For today’s
review we will look at the former.  This
bag measures
14” x 2.5” x 10.5” and can accommodate
notebooks up to 1.5″ thick, 9.5″ deep, 13.5″ wide. 

 

Speck designed the exterior out of a durable polyester material with a grey/light
grey/black chessboard style pattern on the front and back. 

 

 

The bindings on the sides and around the front flap are double needle
stitched for improved durability. 

 

 

On the back sides of the top of the TuckPack are two Duraflex buckles
that are hidden behind a pocket of nylon.  These buckles are used for attaching the shoulder straps onto the bag. 

 

 

On the bottom right front flap is a rubber Speck logo; otherwise the rest
of the bag is covered by the black and grey checkerboard pattern on its
exterior. 

 

 

Lifting the front flap of the TuckPack reveals a neon green
interior.  The inside flap has a diamond
stitched pattern with a black central diamond with the Speck logo, website
address and “made in china” information.  At the corners of this segment are two Velcro sections for locking the
flap down onto the bag. 

 

 

The main compartment is covered with a micro-fleece with padding to
protect its contents.  On the Restart Greyscale
Pixel version this interior fleece is neon green. 

 

 

In front of this compartment is a nylon pocket with a central Velcro
closure for storing addition accessories for one’s laptop or papers and other
miscellaneous material. 

 

 

The front part of this compartment is a plain black polyester material
with a strip of Velcro at the bottom for the flap to tack down. 

 

 

The shoulder straps insert into the top of the TuckPack “seat-belt”
style, locking into place. 

 

 

Installation, Testing and Comparison

 

 

For testing I used the Speck TuckPack to carry around my MacBook Air
with some other items.  The bag was roomy
enough to accommodate the MacBook Air, its power supply, a Canon S90 camera,
iPad and headphones without items feeling forced inside the bag. 

 

 

There are only two pockets so space is definitely at a premium.  Speck could have added more pockets but then
it would have been less laptop sleeve and definitely more messenger bag
like.  Plus more pockets would make the TuckPack
less stylish. 

 

Carrying the bag was comfortable especially when traveling with just the
MacBook Air as the bag and laptop weigh next to nothing.  The strap has a padded section, which is nice
when carrying heavier objects such as a standard MacBook. 

 

The straps originate from the back side of the sleeve/bag.  This design requires carrying the TuckPack
with the front flap facing away from one’s body for the ideal carrying
position. 

 

If the TuckPack is slung over ones shoulder with the flap towards the
user then it tends to tilt down into the carrier.  Personally I wish the strap came off the sides
on the top of the TuckPack making it irrelevant which side of the sleeve is
pointing outwards.

 

Another pet peeve I had with the TuckPack was the lack of a carrying
handle on the top of the bag.  Speck
advertises it as a sleeve so not having a handle is not unusual, but Speck did
put a handle on their PixelSleeve, so why not the TuckPack?  As a sleeve it is a bit larger than most
sleeves that I have encountered. 

 

Summary:

 

 

Speck has once again created a stylish accessory that is both well made
and functional.  For the MacBook Air the TuckPack
provides plenty of protection in a low profile bag.  Speck calls the TuckPack a notebook-carrying
sleeve but is more of a messenger bag lite. 

 

Other than the handle and strap issue, the TuckPack is a very nice
affordable laptop bag.  It could use a
few more pockets, but that would bulk up the TuckPack which is designed as a
sleeve. 

If you own a 13” laptop or smaller, then the TuckPack is a nice way to
carry your machine around town.

 

 

DragonSteelMods gives the TuckPack a 4 out of 5 score.

 


Pros:

+Stylish

+Low Profile

+Roomy enough for the basics

 

Cons:

-Lack of handle on top of the bag

-Strap sits off center

 

 

Disclosure: This product was given to DragonSteelMods for review by the company
for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the
review; we do not, never have, and never will, accept payment from companies to
review their products.

 

To learn more about our review policy, testing methods and ratings please see this page.