Waterfield Mezzo Laptop Backpack Brings Old World Style to Modern Technology

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WaterField does a fantastic job with their products and I am always amazed at the number of new offerings they release each year. As if on cue, they started the year with a brand new product — the Mezzo Laptop Backpack — and a great deal for those who jump in early. It looks great, and I’m seriously tempted!

Waterfield describes the Mezzo Laptop Backpack as:

a sophisticated midsized pack with padded laptop and tablet compartments, large water-bottle pockets on either side and a front, pleated pocket inspired by old-world saddle pouches that close with a sumptuous, full-grain leather flap.

The backpack is made from full-grain leather, and your choice of either black ballistic nylon or tan waxed canvas. I tend to go for the waxed canvas on my Waterfield products although, for a backpack like this, I think the black ballistic nylon probably gives it a bit more of a professional edge. It’s perhaps the way I’ll go if I end up picking one up.

As the name indicates, the Mezzo Laptop Backpack is designed to hold your laptop and other gear safely. A padded compartment is large enough to securely hold up to a 16” laptop, like the new 16” MacBook Pro.

A second padded compartment is large enough to hold a 13” tablet. That means if you, like me, often travel with both a laptop and a tablet you can easily and safely bring both along.

Waterfield has always been great about designing backpacks and bags that offer far more organization and storage than you might otherwise think. The Mezzo Laptop Backpack is no exception. It has several interior zippered pockets to your valuables stay safe.

As we have seen with previous Waterfield products, the interior is lined with gold, water-resistant material. This not only helps keep your electronics safe but makes it easy to find what you are looking for. This is a seriously underrated feature of Waterfield bags, and any time I use a non-Waterfield product, rare as that may be, I find myself missing this under-appreciated feature. Of course, as you would expect, waterproof zippers are used to secure the main compartments and add an extra layer of protection to the contents.

On the front, the is an expandable front saddle pocket with interior organization and a key clip to keep items you need to quickly access within reach.

The pocket is secured by a leather flap and a clasp or buckle. (More on that in a moment.)

On either side, there is a large pocket-sized to hold a water bottle. I love the fact that there is one on either side since it means I can keep a water bottle in one and my collapsible umbrella in the other.

At the back, there is an open panel that easily slides over wheeled-suitcase handle. If you have ever sprinted to make your flight, you know how great the addition of a suitcase handle panel is.

Finally, the backpack has ergonomic shoulder straps. I have a different Waterfield backpack that I’ve been using for years, and while their shoulder straps look simple, they are among the most comfortable I have worn.

Both the straps and the rear of the bag are lined with a breathable mesh padding that will keep you cool and keep the bag from getting soaked in a sweat if you are racing through the New York subway system.

At an MSRP of $299 the bag isn’t inexpensive but think of Waterfield bags as an investment that will pretty much last forever. I’m writing this post on a plane to Florida. Under my seat is the Waterfield bag that has seen the most use of any of my bags. It has been to Greece, Hawaii, CES three times, Israel five times and more and it still looks amazing. That’s due to the company using premium materials and masterfully constructing their products. The Mezzo Laptop Backpack is no exception. Waterfield used full-grain leather in the construction of the bag’s bottom to add to its durability as well as foam padding on the rear and bottom to help the bag maintain its shape.

The Mezzo Laptop Backpack rounds out WaterField’s diverse line of upscale backpacks, falling in size between the Sutter Slim Backpack for just the essentials and the overnight-ready Bolt Backpack and Pro Executive Laptop Backpacks.

The Mezzo Laptop Backpack is a great addition to WaterField’s line up. It also arrives with a bit of a twist or, more accurately, two.

First, anyone who orders the backpack before January 10 can choose to have either a self-finding magnetic Fidlock clasp or a performance-grade paragliding buckle to secure the front pocket. After January 10th, the pre-order clasp that received more orders will become the “official” design.

Also, anyone ordering before January 10th gets a complimentary Tech Pocket. $49 when ordered on its own, the Tech Pocket is a great way to not only hold some of your smaller items but it is also an ideal way to move your gear from one bag to another is if, for example, you move between a backpack and a bag.

You can learn more and order yours here. But remember, if you want your choice of buckle and a free Tech Pocket make sure to order soon. These incentives will only be around for another week. Check it all out here.
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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.