STM Trust (M) Review (Features Score: 27.0; Access. Score: 9/10) ~ Crossover Day Pack Reviews

STM Trust (M) Review (Features Score: 27.0; Access. Score: 9/10)

Posted by Unknown on Thursday, February 12, 2015 with No comments

STM - Trust (M)

Overall: With pros = 29.5 points, cons = -2.5; The STM Trust earns a Features Score of 27.0. Accessibility: 9 out of 10. (Read about the accessibility ratings below)

Recently, I compiled a table that placed the bags I have reviewed so far in order based on the Overall Score and then on the Accessibility Score. To my surprise, I noticed that the STM Trust (M) bag came up as the second ranking bag in both rankings. Given this, I wondered why I had not given the bag more thought as a keeper. While it is a bit bogus to justify something after the fact, I do think explaining to you why this bag did not measure up and become my keeper (so far, the Patagonia has been the bag that is the keeper) despite having such high scores in both metrics.

I would say that there are three things that are fairly significant strikes against it:

1. It has a flap. As many of you know, I consider the messenger bag style flap to be a pain in use (must move it out of the way when accessing the organizer panel and the main compartment). I also think it usually makes the bag look too casual. In this case, however, I must say that the design of the STM Trust flap is much less "bike messenger" and much more "camera bag" in its aesthetics. Still, even if I were able to overlook the flap on aesthetic grounds, I cannot ignore the accessibility issues it presents.

2. It has a terrible handle. The "handle" is a folded piece of webbing which is not comfortable to hold with any kind of weight in the bag and it is located along the back edge of the bag. If you were to carry the bag from your office to the meeting in the first floor conference room, this handle locations means that the bottom back of the bag kicks inward and hits your leg as you walk. In other words, the location of the handle makes it impossible for the bag to hang straight down at your side. If STM had simply moved the handle to the center of the bag (front-to-back) and kept it as a piece of webbing, I might have been able to overlook this issue.

3. It is a bigger bag than I need. As I have said in more recent posts, I have decided that I am looking for a bag that is a more compact option than my crossover day pack for when I do NOT need to carry my 15 inch MacBook Pro. That said, STM does make a Trust in a smaller size, so I could easily eliminate this issue. That, of course, still leaves me with issues 1 and 2 above.

So, there you have it. The STM is incredibly attractive is all other ways and should be a bag that is at the top of your list if you can overlook the issues I have pointed out. Good luck in your search!

Video:

Pros:

Well built, soft polyester fabric is flexible and gentle on clothing +2

Superb hardware (large zippers, aluminum buckles) +1

Two side pockets big enough for a 750mL bottle with straps to keep them in. +2

These water bottle straps also serve as compression straps to thin out the bag when your are carrying a smaller load. +0.5

External access to laptop compartment. +3

Front flap zip pocket lined with fleece with slot for iPhone 6 and a separate slot for sunglasses. +3

The bottom of the bag is flat and perpendicular to the sides so that it stands with only a slight forward tilt. +1

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

A wide shoulder cushion with sticky underside to keep it on your shoulder +2

Well placed organizer panel with more options than most. +1

Separate pocket for iPad. +3

More pocket options than most. +1

Two open pockets (one inside and one outside) for carrying file folders/papers. +2

No Velcro closure that make too much noise when opening. In fact, no Velcro anywhere! +2

Back designed to slip over handle of rolling luggage. +1

Lashing points on front flap for attaching my retractable key/ID clip. +1

Interior is lined in a light grey ripstop nylon or light blue fleece material making it easy to locate your items in the deep, darker corners of the bag. +1

A boarding pass pocket inside the rear file folder pocket. Nice detail, STM! +1

Cons:

The handle is a just a thick piece of webbing that would not be comfortable to hold for longer than a minute. -1

The back does tip forward when sitting on the floor due to the heavily padded laptop pocket on the rear and inevitably filled front pockets. -0.5

The soft polyester fabric, while softer, quieter, and more flexible than ripstop nylon and Cordura, clearly will not be as durable. I also would guess that it will hold stains and dirt making it look shabbier faster. -1

Nice but not necessary:

Shoulder strap adjustment cam is a cinch to use. Nicely done. Of course, I only adjust this once and then I am done forever.

Shoulder strap is easily removable and mounted on swivels.

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) = 9. The only issue is the flap. You need to hold a flap up out of the way while you retrieve the item from the organizer panel. Otherwise, this is a great pocket that opens wide.
Main compartment = 9. The only issue is the flap. This is why I am moving to the soft-sided briefcase with no flaps.
Laptop compartment = 9. Excellent and external. Just wish it was TSA friendly.

Overall accessibility: 9 out of 10.

Photos: