Portland Leather Goods The Toaster Camera Bag Review
Without hesitation, The Toaster bag is the most unisex/gender-neutral bag offered by Portland Leather Goods. In addition, it has a more refined look compared to more casual tote bags. Since The Toaster is a boxy-style camera bag, it is similar to many camera bags that you can find from other luxury brands. With its neutral-looking style, men and women are both suitable to carry this bag and freely style it the way they want.
In terms of specs, The Toaster is about 9" in width, 5.5" in height, and 2.25" in depth. The measurements may differ slightly from their website because it sometimes varies due to the material's nature. The bag itself is lightweight, and since this is a smaller bag, it isn't likely weight could be an issue for anyone. The crossbody bag has a non-removable strap that you can wear as a shoulder bag or crossbody. The strap is adjustable, and if you prefer a shorter length, you can easily use a hole puncher to adjust accordingly. On the outside, it has a full-width slip pocket and another slip pocket inside the bag.
So why would I recommend this bag? First, it is made with high-quality full-grain leather. You can get a camera bag from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, or Gucci, but you often have no idea what kind of leather they use. After paying 20x more, you may pay for the brand value rather than the material or the craftsmanship. The Toaster bag will age and develop a patina beautifully with the full-grain leather material. In addition to leather, I love the hardware they use, particularly the zipper; it is smooth even around the corner. The size of The Toaster is so functional, and it is big enough to carry most of your basic needs when you don't want to drag a big tote with you. The outside slip pocket is big enough for most large phones, so you can go hands-free when shopping for more bags. I also love the minimal branding they have on the bag. Besides the small debossed logo on the outside, the bag can easily fit into any minimalist fashion style. Lastly, the bag features raw edges like other totes from Portland Leather, so you don't have to worry about the glazing melting or peeling, as you would find on some designer handbags.
However, every bag has flaws, and here are a few personal points to help you decide if this bag is right for you. First, I wish PLG could improve the depth of this bag. With a 2.25-2.5" deep, it is slightly too narrow for some of my compact cameras. I can still squeeze my camera in, but the bulge-out look isn't appealing. Secondly, since the strap is non-removable, you are stuck with it whether you like it or not. The strap is on the skinnier side, and sometimes I thought if I could switch it out and use a wider strap, it could look more stylish and comfortable to carry. For that reason, I did see other customers cut off the strap or convert it to a removable setting.
Overall, it is a relatively straightforward bag; often, less is more. Unless you want a bag stamped full of logos, sometimes a minimalist style bag is better when you do outfit coordinating. For my personal choice, I like accessories that work well with my wardrobe instead of having a loud piece that draws everyone's attention without a real purpose. The Toaster Bag from Portland Leather Goods seems to fit that need and also be a functional crossbody bag that will last a lifetime!
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