PIP: Madewell Transporter tote & Zipped Transporter

[jchokie79]

I know a few of you expressed interest in the Madewell bags so thought I'd post some comparison pics.  

I've been looking for a cognac leather tote for work.  I love my Madewell Kensington satchel and wanted something similar but in a larger cross body tote so I can carry my laptop when necessary.

Transporter - thin leather material, thin handles.  One interior pocket and no lining, worn over the shoulder.

Zipped Transporter - thin leather material, thin handles.  One interior pocket, two phone pockets, cotton interior lining.  Can be worn cross body or carried by handle.  Does not fit over shoulder.  

The tote is bigger and would fit more but I love cross body bags and zippers are almost a must have for me so I'm leaning a bit toward the zipped bag.  

If anyone owns either bag, I would love to hear your feedback especially if you have had it for a while and use it daily.  

Here are some pics of the bags for comparison.  I'm 5'2" for reference.  









OR do I spend a little more and get the Tory Burch tote?

www.toryburch.com/york-buckle-tote/22149613.html?start=12&cgid=handbags-totes&dwvar_22149613_color=500

So confused! 

[house]

I don't own any of those bags but I think the open tote looks too big on your frame. Sorry. I like the zipped transporter. It looks like a good size bag. I looked at the TB tote (from your link) but the handles on those also look thin. Sorry if I am no help.

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[aak0517]

I'm partial to the transporter. It's perfect for work or everyday wear and I've worn/used it since I bought it a few months ago. Lol

[cransplash]

So I am likely going to be the Debbie Downer, but I'll put in my 2-cents.

I looked at both the Transporter Tote and the Zippered version at Madewell. I also own the Kensington satchel.

Transporter Tote- I know this gets rave reviews on the board so I finally remembered to stop in the Madewell store over the weekend. I loved the color, but the bag was huge on me, but I'm also 5'2". It took up my entire half of my body. The leather was thin, and the straps seemed thin.

Zippered Transport- It was much smaller than the transporter tote, and when I bumped it up against my Kensington satchel (which I had with me), it almost seemed the same height. The quality was subpar to me (like jchokie79 said- it was thin leather body, thin straps). After putting in my laptop and other things (cosmetic bag, wallet, water bottle), I don't think this bag would last long. I would be afraid the handles would rip off, and the crossbody strap isn't comfortable to me, especially when the bag is weighed down like this.

Since you are looking for a crossbody zippered option, I would personally pay the extra $100 for TB (though- looking at the pictures, the straps seem thin so I'd be afraid that it would dig into my shoulder.) I don't know how much your laptop weighs, but for me- I'd need more cushion than the TB bag. But, if your laptop is lightweight and you don't carry much, the TB will likely be a more quality choice IMHO.

[house]

If you were not stuck on the color and the zip top, I would have suggested this in the brown sugar color.

m.katespade.com/lola-avenue-rollins/PXRU5020%2Cen_US%2Cpd.html?dwvar_PXRU5020_color=203&cgid=ks-sale-handbags-wallets


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[kris356]

My sister(black with brown handles) has had the Transporter for three years, it is her every day work bag and still looks great. Granted, she does not carry a laptop but her lunch, makeup, planner, iPad, various other shit that you take to work on a daily basis. It still looks great. I bought my other sister one for Christmas in olive green and she uses it as her purse/work bag and has had no issues with everyday use. She does have a work issued laptop that she does sometimes transport. I will add the caveat that they were purchased at a discount so the price was significantly less than retail.

If you are on the fence, then spend more on the TB if you like it better. Although, I think the leather being "thinner" would make the bag lighter especially when carrying a ton in it.

[mrsg123]

IME straps that thin could not support a laptop, cords wtc for long. I would get the TB or do a different bag. I have been lusting after the KS Henry Lane Lulu for months. It is orange. Can't link, sorry.

[pearl]

You are so pretty!

I think the transporter is so classic and nice to have. I've been coveting it for awhile.

But it's pretty basic. Kind of like a longchamp. In that you know it's just a tote, but you want it anyways.

The new zip seems really cute. I just wish it could also be worn on the shoulder. (straps)

I'd keep both.

I don't think the larger one (transport) would be super comfortable with a laptop, but neither would.

[nabum]

Nov 1, 2015 20:31:59 GMT -5 swizz said:

I was searching madewell bag reviews and found this thread. Is the squatty bag in the OP the Tory burch one?

I have a MBMJ Natasha right now and it's just a little too small for the post-diaper bag still need to carry toddler shit era of my life.

I want cognac, crossbody and <$200.

I have the zip transport tote. It's not cross body, but it's huge and works great as a post diaper bag bag. It's not great for lugging heavy items for long periods of time (I carried it around NYC last weekend and it hurt my shoulder after a while) but I do love the size and pockets!

www.madewell.com/madewell_category/BAGS/totes/PRDOVR~E0326/E0326.jsp?color_name=true-black

[nabum]

Nov 1, 2015 20:55:28 GMT -5 swizz said:

Nov 1, 2015 20:53:02 GMT -5 nabum said:

I have the zip transport tote. It's not cross body, but it's huge and works great as a post diaper bag bag. It's not great for lugging heavy items for long periods of time (I carried it around NYC last weekend and it hurt my shoulder after a while) but I do love the size and pockets!

www.madewell.com/madewell_category/BAGS/totes/PRDOVR~E0326/E0326.jsp?color_name=true-black

They aurally have a zip transport with a crossbody handle! That's what I was looking at.

www.madewell.com/browse/single_product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441769485&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302029798&bmUID=l2OYZU.

Crossbody is my absolute must.

I've seen this bag. It's too small to lug all of the shit I need, but it's nice. Do you have a store nearby where you can try them out? 

[jchokie79]

Nov 1, 2015 20:31:59 GMT -5 swizz said:

I was searching madewell bag reviews and found this thread. Is the squatty bag in the OP the Tory burch one?

I have a MBMJ Natasha right now and it's just a little too small for the post-diaper bag still need to carry toddler shit era of my life.

I want cognac, crossbody and <$200.

The squatty one in the front is also a Madewell bag.  All three of those were from Madewell.  If you're open to other styles, check out MZ Wallace.  Lots of crossbody options just not in cognac.

[kris356]

Nov 2, 2015 9:32:47 GMT -5 swizz said:

Nov 1, 2015 20:58:59 GMT -5 nabum said:

I've seen this bag. It's too small to lug all of the shit I need, but it's nice. Do you have a store nearby where you can try them out? 

Not currently but I will in a few weeks. I need to go try them out bc I don't want huge but I do need it to fit certain things.

The squatty one is the Glasgow satchel. It is my everyday bag. It holds a lot of shit. I can carry a full size zipper wallet, iPad 2, a Nook Glowlight, a Sony DSLR camera, several small cosmetic bags, my iPhone, a lightweight sweater and various other things no issues.

I am not sure what you need to put in there but it holds a lot.


 

[mommytutu]

I've been carrying this bag for almost a year. Love it and it's held up great.

m.zappos.com/fossil-sydney-shopper-camel-2?ef_id=Vje8hAAAAR8hZYWx:20151102194156:s

[ilovebed]

I don't have any experience with either of these bags but I have a very similar style bag as the zipped transporter and would go with that over the open bag. The cross body and zipper feature would win me over...and I think it looks more professional if that matters to you. I use mine as a sort of brief case when I need to go to court.