I have owned a couple of messenger bags, and they have been the most useful and versatile bags that I’ve owned. They can convert quickly from being carried on your back and out of the way, to being placed in front of you for an easy access. They were initially designed for biking messengers, but I have rarely used mine for such purposes. They are my primary bags for traveling and going on business in an urban jungle. They also happen to be very effective camera bags.

Boa Nerve messenger bag in comparison to my other (still pretty advanced) messenger bags is like a Lexus compared to Honda Accord. This is an incredibly well designed and luxuriously made bag. It is made out of some soft faux-leather material. It feels very slick and smooth, and it is very water resistant.

The bag features a unique and intricate magnetic buckle. Initially I had some trouble figuring out how to use it, but once I got a hang of it it was a very efficient mechanism for adjusting and modifying the bag’s strap.

The interior of the bag is very spacious. There is a big 15” padded compartment for a laptop, as well as numerous small pockets for accessories. It even features a large pocket for a U-lock, but so far I have not had the chance to use it. The bag is an ideal accessory for someone who carries a lot of different computers, tablets, gadgets, cameras and other small accessories, in addition to papers, notebooks and other more traditional carry-on items. The only “problem” with this kind of high functionality is that it subtly encourages overpacking – this is one of the issues that I constantly struggle with.

This bag, like all other Booq bags, comes with the Terralinq lost-and-found service – essentially a small tag with unique number and a website info where you can inform the owner if you find the bag. This is an interesting feature that I have not seen with any other luggage service before. Fortunately, other than the airlines, I have never had any of my bags or luggage lost, but I can see how disconcerting such an event could be, especially if you have all of your most prized technology and gear stove in one of these. (Not to mention the value of the bag itself.) However, I am not really sure who effective this service would be in the real world, but I guess it’s better than none.

Being a “stealth” (i.e. all black) bag can have its disadvantages. Notably, if you do end up biking with this bag you will be much less visible to the motorists in the dark. However, Boa Nerve features reflective seams that can help the incoming car see you. I would still recommend getting extra reflective covers or stickers to put on the bag if you frequently bike in the night.

This is indeed probably the finest and most versatile bag that I have come across. It would be equally at home in graduate student’s office as well as a C-suite executive’s. If you are looking for a quality luxurious and effective messenger bag, you will probably not find anything that surpasses Boa Nerve.

**** Product provided for review purposes. ****