Laptop Cases: SleeveCases, Racer-X
-What SleeveCase size goes into your bags?
-What is the loop at the bottom of my SleeveCase for?
-Do I HAVE to use a SleeveCase with my laptop inside your bags, other than the Racer-X?
-I bought a SleeveCase without a shoulder strap or piggyback. Can I add them after I've received the SleeveCase?
-What's the difference between the vertical and horizontal SleeveCase?
-I've already ordered a SleeveCase from you online and I now want one of your Mambo Combos. Can I still take advantage of the Mambo Combo pricing?
-Functionally, what is the difference between the Cargo and the Racer-X?
-Do laptops other than the Apple MacBook Pros fit in the Racer-X?

Bags: Cargo, Cozmo, VertiGo
-What’s the difference between the Large and Medium Cargo bags?
-Functionally, what is the difference between the Cargo and the Racer-X?

Accessories: Shoulder Straps, Wallets, Gear Pouches
-Which shoulder straps come with which bags? Do they all come with shoulder pads?

Miscellaneous: Colors, Custom Orders, etc.
-Can I order a case with a different color of Indium?
-Can I customize a case in ways other than changing the color?
-Do you have a catalog?
-Can I order on the phone, or just online?
-I would like more information about your products.
-Do I have to order using a credit card? Do you accept checks, money orders, or PayPal?
-Help me decide which bag is for me.
-If I give you my email address when placing an order, will you use my email address to spam me? Will you sell my email address to someone else?
-How can I find out about new products or new sizes coming out? What if I have a suggestion for a new bag or product enhancement, can I contact you?

Laptop Cases: SleeveCases, Racer-X

What SleeveCase size goes into your bags?

Click here to find out.

What is the loop at the bottom of my SleeveCase for?

Grip this loop with one hand while you pull your laptop out with the other...a little detail we didn't overlook.

Do I HAVE to use a SleeveCase with my laptop inside your bags, other than the Racer-X?

We recommend the use of a SleeveCase to protect your laptop when inserted inside any bag because the SleeveCase gives you added protection from bumps and scratches. However, with our bags, you don't HAVE to use the SleeveCase; it just depends on how much protection you want.

I bought a SleeveCase without a shoulder strap or piggyback. Can I add them after I've received the SleeveCase?

Yes. If you send back the SleeveCase, we can sew on the d-rings that are required to attach the shoulder strap and piggyback. We don't charge more for this service than we would if you had purchased the option when you originally ordered the SleeveCase. If you already have d-rings (because you already have the shoulder strap), then you can order the Piggyback by itself on the SleeveCase page on our website. The flap is one feature that can’t be added as it is sewn on early in the production process.

What's the difference between the vertical and horizontal SleeveCase?

Many people who carry the SleeveCase and laptop in another bag will match the orientation of the SleeveCase with the orientation of the bag it will be carried in. For example, the typical backpack is vertical, so backpack owners will buy a vertical SleeveCase. If the SleeveCase will be used in a horizontal case like the Cargo, then many people will buy a horizontal SleeveCase. Why? Because these people want to be able to pull the laptop out of the SleeveCase without having to pull the SleeveCase out first.

However, these are just guidelines. You can, of course, order any orientation that would work for you.

I've already ordered a SleeveCase from you online and I now want one of your Mambo Combos. Can I still take advantage of the Mambo Combo pricing?

To take advantage of the Mambo Combo discount, all components need to be ordered and purchased together at the same time.

Functionally, what is the difference between the Cargo and the Racer-X?

The Cargo is a general purpose bag that works well at holding your laptop SleeveCase along with a lot of other gear. The Racer-X is a computer case which has two main compartments. One compartment is designed specifically to hold your Apple laptop, while the other can hold a few not-too-bulky accessories and other goodies like your cellphone, Palm, Altoids, files, files, magazines, etc.

Do laptops other than the Apple MacBook Pros fit in the Racer-X?

The Racer-X is specifically designed to snugly fit the 13" MacBook or MacBook Air, and 15" and 17" MacBook Pros. If your laptop is no bigger than the MacBook or MacBook Pro designed for a specific size Racer-X, it should fit, though how snugly it fits depends on how much smaller it is.

Bags: Cargo, Cozmo, VertiGo

What's the difference between the Large and Medium Cargo bags?

The Large also has a long, narrow pocket in the rear of the main compartment designed to hold a smaller laptop SleeveCase tight against the back and bottom panel. The Large Cargo has one hard side that allows it to keep its shape and stands up on its own when you set it down.

The medium and large Cargo are a soft case similar to a traditional messenger bag. While the ballistic nylon used on our Cargo is very firm, the bag will contour to your body and become larger or flatter/smaller as contents are inserted or removed.

The large Cargo has the option to add an internal padded stiffener. The stiffener allows the case to keep its shape and stand up on its own.

The large Cargo has a long, narrow pocket in the rear of the main compartment designed to hold a smaller laptop SleeveCase tight against the back and bottom panel. The large Cargo has an 18” wide flared zipper opening designed to accommodate larger laptops while the medium is 16” wide. Both measure 12” in height. The large Cargo has an average interior depth of 5” while the medium Cargo has a depth of 3”. The medium size does a good job at holding long, slender items.

Functionally, what is the difference between the Cargo and the Racer-X?

The Cargo is a general purpose bag that works well at holding your laptop SleeveCase along with a lot of other gear. The Racer-X is a computer case with has two main compartments. One compartment is designed specifically to hold your Apple laptop, while the other can hold a few not-too-bulky accessories and other goodies like your cellphone, Palm, Altoids, files, files, magazines, etc.

Accessories: Shoulder Straps, Wallets, Gear Pouches

Which shoulder straps come with which bags? Do they all come with shoulder pads?

The Cozmo and Racer-X come standard with the removable suspension shoulder strap which has a built in shoulder pad. The Waterfield Designs Shoulder Pad is not compatible with the suspension strap.

If you add d-rings to the SleeveCase, you have a choice between the standard shoulder strap and the suspension straps. The standard shoulder strap is 1.5” wide, adjustable in length and has no pad. You can use the Waterfield Designs Shoulder Pad with the shoulder strap. We have mini straps that ship with the Netbook SleeveCases. If you add a shoulder strap to the Travel Cases for the Kindle 2, it will be an adjustable 1” wide standard strap.

The Cargo and VertiGo bags have an adjustable, non-removable, static shoulder strap and come standard with the Waterfield Designs Shoulder Pad. The Shoulder Pad velcros around the strap and has a non-slip rubberized material that really hugs your shoulder. The Shoulder Pad is designed to move along the strap so you can place the pad on your shoulder even if you move the Cargo or VertiGo from your side to your back.

Miscellaneous: Colors, Custom Orders, etc.

Can I order a case with a different color of Indium?

Yes, we can create a custom case with any WaterField color. For example, if you want a SleeveCase with Taxi trim instead of Lead, we can do that for you. The charge for this is an additional $25 since we have to disrupt our normal production run. Call us to place your order and allow a week or two for us to make it fresh for you.

Can I customize a case in ways other than changing the color?

Unfortunately not.

Do you have a catalog?

You're looking at our only catalog—our website. The site carries our full product line.

Can I order on the phone or just online?

The quickest, most efficient way for us to receive your order is via our website. Website orders go directly to our Shipping Department and these orders get processed faster before telephone orders. And, you can order from our website 24 hours a day easily from anywhere in the world.

If you feel more comfortable ordering via telephone, then you can call toll-free 877-546-1040 (or +1-415-552-8272 from overseas) during business hours (8:30am–4:30pm San Francisco time, Monday-Friday, except holidays). Because we don't have a call center, your call may occasionally go to voicemail when we are busy.

I would like more information about your products.

Our website has a lot of information that many people don't see at first glance. For example, on most product pages, you can see more pictures by clicking on the smaller pictures underneath the main picture. On the SleeveCase page, you can learn more about the different options by clicking the "more info" link next to area where you select options. The customer testimonials and product reviews on each product page are there not only to stroke our egos, but also because they often contain useful information about the products and how they are used. If the information on the website is not enough, then feel free to email us at heygary@sfbags.com.

Do I have to order using a credit card? Do you accept checks, money orders, or PayPal?

We accept payment by MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and PayPal only.

Help me decide which bag is for me.

Our bags can be categorized into ones specifically meant to carry a laptop and related accessories (namely, the SleeveCase and Racer-X) and general purpose bags (Cargo, Cozmo, and VertiGo) that can a laptop along with a lot of different other things, like books, your lunch bag, etc.

If all you want is something to protect your laptop, then get a SleeveCase. If you want to also carry it around by itself (vs. putting it in another bag), then we recommend the optional shoulder strap and flap (to protect your laptop from the elements). If you also want to carry around a few accessories, then get the optional Piggyback.

If you also want to carry around a few other things like files or magazines but want something very compact, then you should consider the Racer-X, which has a built-in sleeve and another compartment for laptop accessories and a few thin items (not thick textbooks, for example). It also has some interior and exterior pockets for pens, business cards, airline tickets, etc.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Cargo. The Cargo is our most feature-laden bag. This is the bag for you if you carry around a lot of things of different shapes and sizes and like to be very organized with everything in its place. The Cargo has tons of pockets on the inside and outside. There are even pockets inside pockets. One popular feature on the Cargo (and VertiGo) is the exterior cell phone pocket, which allows you to have your cell phone handy at all times. (A lot of people use the cell phone pocket to carry an iPod in instead.) People also like the aluminum airline seat buckle, which makes the bag different from almost every other bag. Diagrams on the Cargo page on our website will more fully explain all the different pockets and features of this bag. The large Cargo has one hard side, which allows it to stand up on its own like a briefcase. The large Cargo with padded internal stiffener has one hard side which allow it to stand up on its own like a briefcase. The small, medium and large Cargo are soft-sided which allow them to mold to your body like a traditional messenger bag.

The Cozmo can hold about the same amount of stuff as the Cargo, but it is more minimalist in style and is a bit more compact and lighter weight. Cozmo doesn't have as many pockets as Cargo, though it still has a good number of them. They are soft-sided but have a stiff lower section which allows them to stand up on their own. The Cozmo comes standard with the removable, suspension shoulder strap.

VertiGo is our least expensive, lightest, and most minimalist general purpose bag. It is meant to be carried on your shoulder, so it comes with only a shoulder strap (no handles). It still has a lot of features, including two large exterior pockets for flat items, an exterior cell phone pocket, and little interior pockets for pens, business cards, etc. Its soft sides mean it can expand to more things than you would expect, given its small exterior dimensions.

If I give you my email address when placing an order, will you use my email address to spam me? Will you sell my email address to someone else?

We HATE spam! Unless you sign up for our mailing list, we will not send you unsolicited emails. Even people who sign up for our mailing list won't get many emails from us (typically one every 3 months). We ask for your email address when we take your order so we can email out confirmation emails and in case we need to contact you about an issue with your order. We will NEVER sell or give out your email address to anyone (unless it is by court order, which law-abiding citizens usually don't have to worry about).

How can I find out about new products or new sizes coming out? What if I have a suggestion for a new bag or product enhancement, can I contact you?

If you would like to be informed of new products, please sign up for our mailing list by e-mailing heygary@sfbags.com. If you have suggestions about new products or improved features, please let us know by emailing us at heygary@sfbags.com. We truly value your feedback and suggestions.