Customer Reviews Patagonia Half Mass

This is a superb bag. I love that it provides space for my laptop, as well as other items. It is well made, and I'm super happy with it.

I've been looking for a versatile work back for a while, that would fit a 15" laptop, infinite paperwork and not bog me down. I'm on week two using this bag, and pretty happy with it. It's inherently bulky, which is a little annoying on the days i'm dressed nicer and carrying less. But for most days, it's perfect. The laptop has a padded enclosure and there's a separate area for paper. Enough pockets, but not too much. The shoulder pad can limit how much you can tighten the strap, although not a deal breaker. In all, this bag works.

This bag is very well-made. It is durable and lightweight. The grab and go handle is particularly handy. There are plenty of pockets inside and out. They've thought of just about everything including securing the clip straps when they're not in use. My only complaints are these:first, most of the smaller, interior pockets are obscured when there are items in the main compartment and second, the main compartment is not as wide and/or as roomy as I was hoping, especially when the interior pockets are filled. I purchased this to use as a diaper bag. I think it will suit our needs, I just wish it had a slightly larger capacity (like the original Mass) and that the smaller, interior pockets were more accessible.

Oh Patagonia, you make the ugliest stuff on the planet. This bag replaced a similar version that was very easy on the eyes. The trim and entire interior of this bag is blindingly neon orange. I can't leave it lying open because it hurts my eyes. Otherwise the bag hits all the notes; protective, sturdy, adequate pouches, not too bulky. I just wish they didn't only make them in abhorrent color schemes.

This a great, sturdy, compact bag. I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 for two reasons. First, it is hard to get much else besides your laptop and a few files in it. I like to put everything I need to carry in one bag and a small purse barely fits when I have my laptop in it. Secondly, the wide, padded portion of the strap makes it constantly slip off my shoulder when I wear a coat (I live in the Midwest so that's often). I have to shove that piece further down the strap to keep the bag from slipping off so it's an easy work-around but a bit inconvenient. Otherwise this is a great bag and I highly recommend it.

This bag is BIG. It holds everything but the kitchen sink. I can carry my running shoes, gym clothes, lunch wallet, phone, water bottle, plus a few other things. Plenty of room for all you need. I agree with another reviewer that a zippered pocket would be helpful. But that's my only criticism. Otherwise, a great bag.

Nice bag, although larger than I needed. I was looking for a bag to take to class, and this holds all of my books, wallet, cosmetics bag, etc., with room to spare. But I feel like it's one size too big for me, and I should have looked into something more compact. My fault, not the bag's.

I am short, 5'1", and that has a lot to do with this review. I felt like this bag was huge -- not just inside, but made for a large person. The main strap is adjustable, but I have to slide the buckle down pretty far so that the bag rests where it should when I'm riding a bike (lower back). At that point, the cushioned part over the strap is so far down (since it's on the "short" side of the buckle) that it's more under my boob (can I say that on Zappos?) than cushioning my shoulder. Unless you wore it on your left shoulder, then it might be right. And the strap that goes around your waist is super long, and oddly connects diagonally across the back of the bag, so one end is kind of around your armpit and one's around your waist. Basically, I just felt like it was six sizes too big, for a small person like me.

I have been a Patagonia fan for years, but I am really disappointed in this bag. First, the laptop sleeve is poorly designed. Although the laptop fits, if I am not careful it always catches on the inside flap as I insert the laptop into the sleeve and the [strap/sleeve handle] which secures the laptop is not a good thing. This laptop sleeve is secured inside the bag with three clips in order to hold the bottom of the laptop up off the bag bottom by several inches. A good idea in that it protects the laptop from shock when one puts the bag down, however it puts the whole bag off balance so the bag always immediately rolls over on its side when one sets it down and it also means that one always has to hold the bag up with the handle when searching for something inside. The small handle at the top of the bag is flimsy. If one used this handle (and there is nothing else to use) every time one lifted the bag to get the strap off one's shoulder, I am sure the handle would tear in short order. The recycled polyester fabric appears and feels very cheap. I understand the idea of being green, but the durability of this fabric certainly cannot compare with the ballistic nylon (sometimes waxed) used on some competitor's bags, and a less durable fabric does not equate with being green. The bright colors available, while attractive, get dirty very quickly on this chintzy fabric. The fabric also has so little substance the bag feels too loosey goosey unless one has the bag filled with stuff. There are not enough small to medium size pockets inside the bag to keep my expensive electronic gadgets from banging against each other. There are some pockets, but they are insubstantial. There is no strap with clip for keys. One has to throw the shoulder strap over one's head or else it tends to slide off one's shoulder. I do not know what happened to the human curve strap Patagonia used to use I ordered the fire red color, but it seems more orange than red. One of the reasons that I used to like Patagonia gear so much is that everything was tested and developed to the nth degree by the intelligent employees. I do not know what went wrong here, but I strongly feel the Patagonia Messenger bags need a complete rethinking. I intended that the Half Mass would replace the old Patagonia Valise that I used for eight years. The Valise was made of very durable ballistic nylon and leather. Still, the bag eventually ripped under the substantial leather handle from the weight of the laptop that I always carried around. I am sure these new bags will not last anywhere near as long.