There are so many types of travel bags and pouches that we decided not to be lazy and started testing them on a grand scale.
The company Heys, a popular luggage manufacturer, allowed us to test the complete HiLite series of travel accessories. We tried everything we could – from a small messenger bag to a large travel duffel. And how did it turn out? You can read about it in the following lines.
Judge for yourself which variant will be the right one for you. :-)
Heys HiLite RFID Crossbody Messenger
Crossbody Messenger is a sportier alternative to a handbag with plenty of pockets and functional features. At first glance, I was a bit surprised by the size, which is somewhat above standard for this type of carry-on bag. In the end, however, I must admit that thanks to the generous dimensions, I can fit everything I need into it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + plenty of pockets | - unpadded strap |
| + larger volume | - stiffer fabric |
| + sporty look |
The Crossbody Messenger bag has a main compartment with a lid that closes using strong magnets. On the outside of the flap, you will find three zippered pockets, one of which is softly padded inside, suitable for electronics or glasses. Inside the flap, there is a relatively large zippered pocket and a small transparent pocket for an ID or transit ticket.
On the front of the bag under the lid, there is another functional pocket with a pen holder, a mesh pocket, a key loop, and two compartments for a mobile phone. For my smartphone, only the larger pocket was usable, but the smaller one with a Velcro flap was happily occupied by my glasses. Both are softly padded.
Inside the main compartment, you will find space for a 10" tablet and one zippered pocket. In the remaining space, there is still enough room for a diary, a book, and other daily essentials. The space is shielded with a foil featuring RFID protection for the security of data on your cards. I didn't fully utilize this feature, but it's good to know about it.
A handy feature is the side pocket for an umbrella or a small water bottle. You can shrink the pocket by snapping a stud, making it practically invisible on the bag. On the back, there are two more pockets – one with a magnetic closure and the other with a zipper. Inside, there are small flat pockets, one mesh and one solid zippered one.
You can use the small fabric handle to hang the bag on a hook. There is also an adjustable shoulder strap. It is true that it could be a bit better padded, but it didn't bother me much even during longer wear.
Heys HiLite RFID Crossbody Messenger is, in my opinion, a very practical, sportier messenger bag for everyday wear. It earned plus points for plenty of storage space and a very durable material.
Heys HiLite Laptop Case
A laptop backpack is an amazing and comfortable thing, but what if you are wearing a dress or "business attire"? A backpack is not always the right choice. And that is exactly when a handy laptop bag comes in useful. I chose the practical Heys HiLite Laptop Case in a trendy navy blue shade.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + clean design | - squeaky straps |
| + ideal size | |
| + luggage trolley sleeve |
At first glance, the bag is simply elegant, without a lot of unnecessary zippers and "trinkets". On the front of the bag is a small pocket for a mobile phone, and on the back, you will find another pocket equipped with a zipper on the bottom as well. After unzipping it, you get a trolley sleeve, so you can move comfortably at the airport without having your hands full of luggage.
Inside the bag is a padded laptop compartment, where I managed to squeeze in my 16" giant. Small pockets for small items are on the inside of the bag, along with one larger zippered pocket. A pleasant surprise for me was that the bag can also fit a medium-thick A4 folder.
The shorter straps are comfortable to hold, although I felt they squeaked a bit under heavier loads. The bag includes a detachable shoulder strap that attaches to the bag's rings using metal carabiners. You can reinforce the shoulder strap with the included padding, which attaches to the strap with Velcro.
Heys HiLite Laptop Case met my expectations, and I will be happy to enjoy its company on my travels again sometime. :-)
Heys HiLite RFID Laptop Tablet Tote
I was most excited about this bag! At first glance, I liked it in terms of design, size, and functionality. The bag is similar to a women's handbag, but it also contains space for a 13" laptop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + perfectly functional | - pity it wasn't available sooner |
| + plenty of pockets | |
| + detachable strap | |
| + RFID data protection |
On the front, there is a spacious pocket with soft padding and a magnetic closure. In the back, you will find a smaller pocket for small items, which has a great feature in the form of a second zipper. After unzipping it, you get a sleeve to easily hang the bag on a luggage trolley.
The two handles are long enough to carry the bag on the shoulder, which I personally appreciate very much. It also includes a long strap that you can attach to the bag with metal carabiners. There is sliding padding on the strap, making it comfortable to carry even with a heavier load.
I already touched on the internal organization – besides the padded laptop pocket, there is a small zippered pocket and two small pockets for a mobile phone or other essentials. The bag features RFID protection against data misuse. You can, of course, securely close the main compartment of the bag with a zipper.
The versatility of the Heys HiLite RFID Laptop Tablet Tote and its "just right" size clearly put it in first place in this series of accessories.
Heys HiLite Multi-Zip Boarding Duffel
This is a real giant! For everyday wear, the Heys HiLite Multi-Zip Boarding Duffel with a volume of 28 liters is somewhat large, but when you need to pack for one or two days, it will certainly come in handy. In terms of size, it corresponds to standard carry-on luggage, so you can travel with it on longer distances by plane without any problems.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + carry-on size | - too big for everyday use |
| + practical internal layout | - stiffer material |
| + trolley sleeve | |
| + light-colored interior |
The bag has two small zippered pockets on the front, which are softly padded. Above them is a larger, also padded pocket where you can put a tablet or a diary. On the sides, you will find two pockets for drinks or an umbrella. A matter of course is the pocket in the back, which turns into a trolley sleeve when unzipped.
The internal space of the bag is truly generous, and its distinctive yellow color makes it much easier to find dark electronics. Two large side zippered compartments are complemented by three smaller pockets and three pen loops. A padded laptop compartment is a matter of course, into which you can fit even some 17" giants. You can close the main compartment with a two-way zipper so that all things stay in their place during transit.
I positively evaluate the bottom reinforced with small metal feet, which help increase the bag's durability and stability. On the other hand, I see a small drawback in the inability to lock the bag. The zipper sliders do not have eyelets for a padlock.
Which of the bags caught your attention the most? Share your impressions with us in the comments! :-)
