Scotsman gadget review: Be.ez LE Reporter Bag

THE name of this new over the shoulder messenger-style bag by Be.ez suggests it should be filled with the stock in trade of members of the fourth estate - a few notebooks, pens and perhaps a battered trilby.

Picture: Be.ez

Gadget review: Be.ez LE Reporter Bag

£49.95 to £69.95

Certainly, it offers ample space to accommodate those items and more, but it is designed with Apple products in mind.

Available in two sizes, the smaller version is built to hold either a MacBook Air 11”, while its larger counterpart is sized for the 13” and 15” models of the MacBook Pro. The main compartment is well padded and, cleverly, slightly raised from the bottom of the bag’s exterior, meaning that laptops and tablets are protected from shock impacts.

Although its exterior is tapered and seems a little too slim, the interior also features slip pockets and webbings. These are of modest proportions but sufficient to carry a mobile phone, wallet and keys. Add to this four zipped compartments - two of which can house an iPad or Android tablet - and there is a surprising amount of storage on offer.

With a canvas coated PVC exterior with subtle coloured stitching - either coral blue or sorbet orange - the bag is waterproof and durable. The French firm’s choice of aesthetics are modern without being overly flashy, however, and it is not the most striking product available. Another divisive feature is the heavy duty velcro fastener over the main flap - it does its job admirably, but for some, the tearing sound might be offputting.

A standard carry strap is comfortable and distributes weight well, although it would have been nice for Be.ez to have included a carry handle. The LE Reporter is a good all-round courier bag for transporting your tech safely, but with a couple of tweaks to its design, it could have been even better.