Every once in a while, a laptop bag comes along that makes you shout "Yes! YES!" Most recently, the Aya from Mamtak Bags did that for me.
Maybe it's Mamtak's design roots (Amsterdam and Tokyo - it doesn't get cooler than that)? Or that these folks know how to use the colour green on a laptop bag (both inside and out!)? What ever it is, the Aya has that je ne sais quois that made me fall in love at first sight. And then even after I put her to the test, I still love her.
The Aya is, quite simply, a beautifully designed laptop bag - it would be at home at a café in Paris, in a conference room in Brussels or on a runway in Milan (or even here in North America). The very best of European design is embodied in this one bag. Sleek and modern, stylish and functional, it makes me want to give my laptop a cool European name like Alessandro. Made of leather with a soft cloth interior, the Aya comes in four colour combinations - I have the Green & White combo, which has a fresh, flirty feel.
The front and back of the Aya are identical - each side sports a zippered document pocket, ideal for storing your travel documents, work papers or the latest copy of Wallpaper* magazine. The zipper pulls are covered with leather, which is a nice touch - makes it easier to grip and open any of the zippers on the bag. I always appreciate outer pockets on a bag for easy access - but I also appreciate that these pockets are zippered to keep my valuables from spilling out, in case my Aya gets knocked over on the train to Zurich.
Inside, the Aya keeps it simple. The interior is lined with a soft celery green fabric - makes it very easy to see what's in the bottom of your bag. There's a zippered slot for storing your valuables or smaller items (lipgloss, keys, card wallet, etc.) The middle of the Aya has a nice open area for files or reading material. There are two separate open pouches perfect for power cords or other big gadgets, or even a slim notebook. Finally there's the laptop sleeve, which fastens with a soft, thick tab of cloth with velcro. My 15.4" MacBook Pro fit nicely. The laptop sleeve isn't super padded but the bag itself is very structured and durable, so I'd say it's relatively safe to stash it in the overhead compartment.
The Aya's two handles are perfect for carrying over your shoulder. They're a good length and the slightly padded leather doesn't cut into your shoulder, even with a full bag - no Hunchback of Notre Dame here! And the bottom of the Aya has five silver feet to keep it up off the floor while you're enjoying your café au lait and croissant near Montmartre.
Whether you and your laptop are jet-setters on a European tour or you just want a durable, stylish, eye-catching laptop bag for your every day business, definitely consider the Aya. Allessandro will certainly thank you.
The Aya Laptop Bag is available from the Mamtak online store. It retails for 139.95 Euros (approximately 200 USD). You can also connect with the fine folks at Mamtak on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
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