I know that many folks have started using an iPad Pro recently, including those who found one under the Christmas tree. If that includes you, then I'm sure that you are currently looking at accessories that work with this larger iPad. When it comes to carrying my iPad back and forth to work every day, I've long been a fan of a messenger style bag, and for several years now I have used the 11" size of a Tom Bihn Ristretto bag (reviewed here and here). That bag was the perfect size for an iPad, but is too small for an iPad Pro. Thus, I have been researching larger messenger style bags, and for the last few weeks I have been testing two models: the Field Muzetto by WaterField Designs ($169 for the small size that I tested) and latest model of Tom Bihn's Ristretto bag ($140). Between the two, I prefer the Ristretto because it can store more items, it is easier to get to the items in and out of the bag because of the way that the zippers work and because of the useful o-ring system, and I prefer the look. But if you carry around fewer items, the Field Muzetto may work well for you. [UPDATE 2/2/2016: Here is my review of the Ristretto.]
Look and feel
My personal preference is to use a messenger bag that is black. Thus, when WaterField reached out to me to send a free review sample of one of its messenger bags, I originally asked for the Muzetto Leather Bag, which comes in a variety of colors: black, copper, flame, green and pine, all with either black leather or grizzly (brown) leather on the outside. However, review units of those models were not available at the time, so WaterField instead sent me the Field Muzetto, which is made of brown cotton canvas.
Under the flap, there is a chocolate-colored full-grain distressed leather panel. It doesn't do much, and you don't see it when the bag is closed, but I like the nice leather feel and look.
Although the look and feel of canvas is not my personal preference, the materials used are very strong, and the bag is obviously put together very well. Although I have only been testing this bag for a few weeks, I have no doubt that this bag would hold up very well over time. Indeed, for years I have seen other reviewers rave about the quality of other WaterField Designs products.
If you like its canvas look and color — I suppose it is sort of an Indiana Jones look — then the Field Muzetto will be great for you because it is cheaper than the leather version. But if you want the look and feel of leather on the outside of the bag, plus the ability to select from a variety of colors, then I suspect that you'll want to spent the extra $60 or $70 for the leather model, which looks very nice on the WaterField website.
iPad Pro compartment
The Field Muzetto comes in small, medium or large. I used the small size, which the company says is best for an iPad Pro or a 12-inch MacBook. (The medium size is good for a 13-inch MacBook and the large size is good for a 15-inch MacBook.)
The iPad Pro fits in the padded compartment at the back of the bag. The height of the compartment is perfect for the iPad Pro. There is still about an inch and a half of extra space on the side when the iPad Pro is in there, which does make the bag feel bigger than it needs to be. (The Ristretto has a similar problem.) But I definitely felt like my iPad Pro was very safe in this compartment.
Flap
Like other messenger-style bags, the Field Muzetto has a flap over the front. But unlike some other bags, there is no buckle or other connector, so you rely on gravity to keep it closed and flat when the bag is upright.
In my tests during the last few weeks, that design has worked fine, but I'll admit that it made me uncomfortable that the flap could easily open; I was worried that the contents would come out. I didn't take a plane during the last few weeks, but I know from past experience with my old Ristretto that between going through security and sliding it under the bottom of the seat in front of me, a messenger bag can find itself in lots of different positions during travel. I have some concerns about using the Field Muzetto in these situations. But again, for walking around and generally using the bag over the last few weeks, I never once saw the contents start to fall out.
Content and capacity
In addition to the back compartment for the iPad Pro, there is a main compartment. The size is fairly generous, about a maximum of 2.5 inches side on each side, and it can get even larger in the middle.
On the front side of the main compartment, there is a zippered area, inside of which is one main section and two smaller pockets.
Then there is a smaller front compartment which is padded and which also has two smaller, padded pockets.
On the back of the bag, there is an open-topped compartment that is deep and wide enough to hold a magazine or something that is letter-sized (8.5" x 11"). You could also put a legal-size pad in there, if you don't mind it sticking out a little.
This sounds like a lot of compartments and pockets, but I actually found it difficult to put all of the items that I had been carrying for years in my smaller 11" Ristretto. Part of the problem is that I missed the numerous customized compartments that one can create in Tom Bihn bags like the Ristretto by using the o-ring system, which lets you attach smaller pouches can be easily removed from a Ristretto to make it simple to locate and access specific items.
Additionally, when I had a number of items in the Field Muzetto, I often found it difficult to find the item that I needed because you can only reach down for items from the top. On the Ristretto, the front pouch opens with a wrap-around zipper so that you can see a large area from the front, instead of needing to look down from the top.
I will admit that perhaps I just carry too much stuff — charging cords, connectors, backup batteries, and lots of other items. If you carry fewer items, the Field Muzetto's compartments may be perfect for you.
Conclusion
After trying it out for the last few weeks, I don't think that this is the bag for me. That is partially because I don't personally care for the look and feel of the brown canvas, but I can understand how someone with different tastes might feel differently. I also don't like that the flap doesn't have a way to stay closed (other than gravity when it is in the upright position). And while it has a number of storage compartments, I preferred the storage compartments on the Ristretto.
Having said that, the Field Muzetto is a well-made bag. It fits the iPad Pro fairly well, and gives you space to carry other items too. It seems to be pretty durable. If you like the look of brown canvas, then this could be the bag for you and your iPad Pro.
Click here to get the (small) Field Muzetto from WaterField Designs ($169).
