Mountainsmith Hoist Messenger Bag Video Review (Features Score: 11.0; Access. Score: 8/10)

Mountainsmith Hoist Messenger bag

Pros:

Well made with stout materials +3

Two side mesh pockets big enough for a 750mL bottle +2

External access to laptop compartment. +3

Top zip pocket on the flap for glasses. +2

The bottom of the bag is flat and perpendicular to the sides so that it stands solidly without tipping over. +2

Great deal (right now). +2

Shoulder strap attached low on the sides of the bag to allow the cover flap to remain in place (preventing water ingress) +2

Zippered pocket on the shoulder strap. +1

Truly excellent organizer panel with more options than most. +1

Wallet pocket (at least that is what I would use it for).  +0.5

Comfortable handle that I would be able to use without hand fatigue.  +0.5

Cons:

The shoulder strap cushion is thin and short. -1

There is no open file pocket on the back of the bag for easy access to document or stashing mail. -2

Velcro holds down the flap and, while handy for quickly securing the flap, it does not make up for the loud tearing sound every time you open the bag in a quiet room. -2

No strap or buckle to secure the laptop inside the laptop compartment.  -1

No pass through on back panel that would allow you to carry this bag on the handle of your rolling luggage. -1

No separate tablet sleeve in the padded laptop compartment.  This is the year 2015 folks! -0.5

The cell phone pocket is only large enough for an iPhone 5s or smaller.  There are other places where you could put your phone, however.  -0.5

Nice but not necessary:

Removable stabilizer strap on back.

Accessibility:

A bag's accessibility is rated on a 1 - 10 scale (10 = most).  Three major compartments are judged.  The accessibility score for this bag:

Organizer pocket(s) = 6. Arrrgh. An organizer panel should never be in the main compartment.  It also should not be against the back wall as you will inevitably have stuff in front of the panel. Arrgh!
Main compartment = 9. Under a flap that you have to hold up to get access to your stuff.  Once there, it is easy access since it is big, bright, and has a slightly scooped neckline.
Laptop compartment = 9. Nearly perfect.  It is external but not TSA friendly. Not sure why it's not.

Overall accessibility: 8 out of 10.

Overall:  

With pros = 19 points, cons = -8.0;  The Mountainsmith Hoist earns an 11.0.

Front of Mountainsmith Hoist Messenger.

Back of bag

Showing how it sits without tipping over

Top pocket for easy access to my sunglasses

Showing the bag with my stuff in it

Front zippered pocket under the flap

The organizer against the middle divider

Small zippered pocket for my wallet

Laptop compartment with an iPad mini

The shoulder strap "arm" attached low on the bag (correctly done)

Small zippered pocket along the shoulder strap "arm"

The rear opening access to the computer compartment