Short Version: Sumo is fairly new to the bag game but this is a strong showing for the company. For $79.99 you get a 17-inch laptop bag made of waterproof ballistic, rip-stop nylon. Sadly, a lack of internal organization pockets hampers the overall storage capacity.
Info:
* Sumo
* Messenger Bag
* Fits 17-inch Macbook
* Ballistic Nylon
* Waterproof
* MSRP of $79.99
Pros:
* Cool styling
* Plenty of internal storage
* 3 colors
Cons:
* Three massive pockets don’t lend to organization
* Sideways pockets cause things to drop out
* “Bulking” when full
Disrupt 2026: The tech ecosystem, all in one room
Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $400.
Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit
1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediately
Offer ends March 13.
Oh, the bulking. The bulking. It always happens: you start packing to travel and you stick in some laptops, some cameras, some cables, a book or two, and your laptop bag turns into a balloon. I may be a special case, but I always bulk out my messenger bags. It happens as soon as I start packing and it, sadly, often ruins a bag.
So far the Sumo Messenger Laptop Bag has taken a beating and kept on carrying, although there is plenty of bulking in evidence. Of course if you’re a sane traveler, you can definitely get away with putting a magazine and a laptop in here without issue.
My second issue? There isn’t enough organizational structure to this bag. There are three peripheral pouches, three laptop-sized pouches, and a few zippered areas. There is also an easy access front pouch with Velcro along with three zippered pockets on the front, back, and top flap. You can put a lot of stuff into this bag, but it’s hard to find a lot of them once they’re in there.
But, again, this is a messenger bag. You’re supposed to ride a bike with this thing on, not schlep around airports. So with that in mind I can safely report that the Sumo Messenger Bag is spacious but dangerously overstuffable by the average geek.
Read more Bag Week reviews here.
