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Looking at the sorts of bags people typically use for toting around their laptop computers or other workplace/academic gadgetry, the vast majority tend to be all-purpose messenger-style bags or backpacks. These do-it-all bags tend to combine light weight, generous padding and utilitarian styling in ways designed to please both students and professionals who prefer bags that aren’t too flashy but get the job done.

Some of the best examples of these workhorses are produced by Cocoon Innovations, who have rapidly risen over the last couple years to become one of the prestige names in computer and gadget bags. I was given a chance to put one of their signature products, the Soho Messenger bag through its paces, along with an example of Cocoon’s patented “GRID-IT” organization system. What did I think? Read on…

At first glance, the Soho doesn’t look like much, which is the general idea. In a bag landscape populated by flashy totes with lots of buckles and straps and pouches and racing stripes and tail fins, the Soho features a clean, plain design that doesn’t try to draw attention to the bag or its contents. Considering that many laptop bags telegraph that they have valuable equipment inside and scream “STEAL MEEEEE” the way that white ear bugs used to be a polite request to be mugged on the subway, that is something of a relief.

In fact, the Soho is virtually featureless on the outside. No pockets that tell the world where to look for your MP3 player or phone, no complex and elaborate buckles that look like child-proofing at a heavy metal concert. The front flap is smooth and bare, like most Messenger bags, and it is kept closed by two clever magnets, invisibly stitched into each lower corner of the flap.

The nylon carry strap is wide and solid enough, but doesn’t feature massive clasps or a shoulder pad that would do a linebacker for the Patriots proud. The only external pocket is a thin, open document pocket along the back of the bag. Even the Cocoon logo on the front of the bag is tasteful and understated. The overall feeling I get from the Soho is that it is more like a light-weight briefcase than a messenger bag….that is both good and bad.

The outer shell of the bag is made of heavy, durable nylon with a nice weave, and the strap is very well secured to the bag, stitched down the full length of each side which looks great and makes the bag easier to carry. However, it is worth mentioning here that the Soho is NOT a heavy duty bag or designed for extreme conditions. One of my minor complaints about the Soho is that it may be a little TOO light duty. I would be worried about putting my normal gadget load in the Soho since the strap is held together with plastic parts which look like they could break under too much stress.

For normal use I am sure the strap and bag would be just fine, but if you are looking for a bag that you can haul an entire office around in, this likely isn’t it. It also likely is not a bag for extended outdoor use or bad weather since the flap is only secured by the magnets and could open at an inopportune moment or if the bag is bouncing around too much.

Of course, this would not be a problem for most people and general use and I would imagine a fair number of business users would be happy to give up a little durability for the lighter weight of the Soho.

Under the messenger flap, the Soho is lined with thin colorful nylon and features lots and lots of pockets…with a couple pockets thrown in for good measure. The Soho has a good blend of pocket options, with some clearly intended for specific uses (pens, business cards, etc) and other more general pockets meant for whatever you would wish to put inside them (phones, MP3 players, gerbils etc).  Cocoon digs pockets so much that a matching pencil case is even included in case you should want still MORE pockets.

A very nice touch is that the front panel is made of the bag lining and is stitched into the shell, rather then just putting the pockets directly on the heavier shell. This is a clever move to cut down the weight of the bag as well as to make it look sharper, giving the front of the bag a sort of bezel effect.

The interior of the Soho is split into three main compartments. At the front is another document pocket, in the middle is a large general space, and at the back of the bag is a padded laptop compartment designed to accommodate up to a 16 inch notebook closed by a velcro strap.

The document pocket is a nice touch for organization purposes as well as giving a stiffer backing to the pockets on the front panel.

The main compartment should accommodate most text books and assorted bric-a-brac within reason. It is a little on the small size for me personally since I prefer a roomier bag, but for a general, light duty bag is should do fine for most people. Along the outside of the middle compartment are a short key-strap and two stretchy nylon pockets, one of which is designed to hold the GRID-IT panel which I will describe in a moment.

The laptop compartment does the job effectively enough. The padding is not especially heavy but should be fine for most users. Don’t go dropping the bag onto concrete or anything, but it should cushion your computer against most normal bumps and thumps. A little added protection might have been added without more weight if this compartment were quilted but it isn’t a big deal, I just have a padding fetish.

This brings us to one of the big innovations that Cocoon tends to build its laptop and gadget solutions around, which is the GRID-IT system. A GRID-IT is essentially a stiffened panel with a lattice of rubberized elastic straps securely attached, allowing you to carry any number of small, differently-shaped objects easily, conveniently and safely. These are available in many different shapes and sizes, from around 7 inches to 15 inches (for going inside suitcases). Cocoon even produces one to fit inside of a three ring binder (dude, that is SO Ninth grade). A mid-sized model is included with the Soho messenger bag.

Personally I think the GRID-IT system is brilliant and I am amazed no one thought of it before. This is such a great way to keep things from bouncing around the inside of your bag, even more effectively and certainly lighter in weight than using smaller bags (my usual solution). I especially like the fact that you can keep objects that you need together on the same GRID-IT for convienience (camera, batteries, power cable, lens cleaner and extra SD cards for example, or MP3 Player, ear buds, sync cable and cigarette lighter). How often have you switched your camera from one bag to another and forgotten the extra batteries or the cable? Now, you just pull the GRID-IT out and put it in your other bag, no worries. Literally I can think of dozens of great uses for the GRID-IT system beyond gadgets, from emergency supplies to kitchen storage.

The Soho messenger bag is a great all around carry all for a student or professional. Laptop bag, organizer, messenger bag…it does it all well enough. It will keep your laptop safe and discrete as well as your gear organized with plenty of pockets and the fantastic GRID-IT system. Sure the bag isn’t flashy or designed for specialized use, but for toting to work or class day in day out, it would be a fine choice for the average user and I would certainly recommend it.

The Soho is available for $79.99 from Cocoon Innovations.

• Classy and Discrete
• LOTS of Internal Pockets
• Excellent Materials
• The GRID-IT System (BIG PRO)
• Jack of all trades…

• Not for Heavy Duty Use
• Strap Fittings Made of Plastic
• Flap May Not Stay Closed in Motion
• …Master of none.