We’ve already professed our loved for STM, well at least their Loop Large backpack. We then tried to explain one of the most unique bags that we’ve ever seen. We then concluded that while the bag was not for us, the quality that is STM was not lost. STM sent us another bag, one a tad bit more conventional and today we look at our first shoulder bag. (We also try to finish up 32Reveiws32Days, which has now turned into like 30Reviews40Days, but that’s another story…) Here’s our take on STM’s Remedy Large.

Where are the Two Straps?

It’s a new concept for us: not a backpack. As we mentioned before the unboxing video didn’t happen. It’s pretty simple: it’s the bag. As one side note, the pictures listed on STM’s website look more like the Medium (15″) offering of the bag, ours’ is definitely larger.

Design

It definitely doesn’t scream special in any way. As far as we can tell this is just another shoulder bag. Keeping with the normal STM profile, its a combination of dark grey and charcoal black that aims at keeping a low profile. For those looking for excitement, you are going to be pretty disappointed as everything is fairly subtle from the outside. Even the logos are relatively stealth with the largest being featured on the shoulder strap.

Storage

In total the bag has three pockets, with only two being zippered. The non zippered is on the back side of the bag and is identical in size to the large pocket on the front side. That pocket (the one in the front with a zipper) house the normal storage pockets and a keychain holder. The front most pocket is unfortunately not very tall limiting its storage abilities to mainly cables. We managed to fit three notebooks (not of the computer variety), but even that was a tight fit, only reinforcing our idea that this bag is for the professional.

Notebook Protection

It’s what we would expect from STM. Soft cushions and thoughtful planning in the middle pocket. We feel like the cushioning is a tad bit stiffer then other STM bags, but that’s probably a good thing. It fit our 17″ MacBook Pro and case fine, although if you want to try to stick a neoprene sleeve in there – forget about it. The nicest addition was a top piece of material that not only protects your notebook from zippers, but also means that it is fully encased by protection.

Comfort

It’s our first shoulder bag in four years, so the most important part without a doubt was finding the right shoulder length. After that it was fairly comfortable whether worn across the body or hanging off one shoulder. The padded strap adds a decent amount of comfort, but we are still probably backpack fans. Given that you can’t stuff as much as other bags, the weight isn’t as bad, excluding that 17″ notebook, but we had no problem walking around on a daily basis with the Remedy.

In the End

As far as we are concerned STM is 2 for 2, they are just 0 for 2 in sending bags that are right for us. We still favor backpacks, but if forced to abandon our beloved backpack, STM would be a definite place to look. The quality and protection offered is simply second to none and that’s why they are 2 for 2 in our books. If you’d like to purchase the STM Remedy, our friends at Radtech offer both the Large and Medium for $59.95.