I have been looking for an orange bag that was big enough to hold a netbook in a protective case plus throw in a purse and a jacket or lunch bag if needed. Most totes/bags couldn't really fit the netbook in a hard shell case and I wasn't going to abandon the laptop case and leave the laptop exposed to bumps, tosses, etc. Try to throw in anything else and it wasn't going to happen.
I have been looking at this bag for a few weeks and after ordering another orange bag that fell short in size and construction, I bit the bullet and ordered this one.
Yes, there is a bit of an odor out of the box as other reviewers have noted - it isn't horrendous but it is noticeable. I have had it out of the box for 24 hours and it is still there a little - I assume it will fade over time.
It is a little on the heavy side but it is not a thin flimsy material. I prefer to get a thicker bag to hold up to wear and tear.
Construction wise, this is a NICE bag. The zipper top free floats at the end but the stitching to the purse is very strong and will put up with repeated zips. The handles are thick enough to feel secure but not bulky and the handles are double stitched to the bag. I don't do shoulder straps so I can't comment on use of that accessory.
Lining is nice quality, seems well made. I like the inside zipper and the outside zipper option.
The lock on the front is for decoration only. There is a key inside the hanging fob but unlocking it seems to serve no purpose as the bag does not expand or contract. Pretty much the only reason to unlock it was to remove the plastic protection around it...which by the way was a bit of a job considering the plastic went all around the band including through the holes on the side. Unlike another bag I returned with a lock on the front that was very noisy and clangy, this lock makes virtually no noise....another bonus.
Some reviewers noted the bag was 'floppy' and that was a concern for me but this bag does have a flat bottom form and the material is thick enough not to feel this was a drawback. The flat bottom also has 4 metallic nubs to keep the bottom of the bag elevated.
So overall, the money was worth it factoring in color, size and style. The faux ostrich is a nice touch and different. I have already made this my 'go to' back for work so my purse and lunch share the same space without squishing either one. The only reason this is a 4 star and not a 5 is the time you have to wait for the odor to disipate.