Columbia Cate Cyber Convertible : Thin is In

When I'm strolling around town or a crowded airport terminal, I like to travel in style. I don't want a bulky day pack weighing me down. I want to look elegant and comfortable, without a care in the world. Like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Light.

Of course, I still have a few essentials to carry, but in my new Columbia Cate Cyber Convertible, I hardly look like I'm trail-bound--more like I'm ready to do some shopping and then make a stop for martini or two.

This slim black pack has two main compartments--one for my notebook or whatever book I'm reading at the time and the other for a 15" laptop. I have to admit--I never carry my laptop in this lightly-padded pack because I have so many other heavily padded packs. (And I'm completely obsessive about packing my PowerBook in layer after layer of padding.) But I love it as a purse replacement. I can carry it like a tote, or tuck the handles into handy pockets and retrieve the shoulder straps that turn the Cate into a day pack.

I love the thin profile, the quilted design, and the various pocket options. There are two discreet zippered pockets on the front of the pack, ideal for a cell phone and a iPod. In the main compartment, there's a pouch for my wallet, a zippered mesh pocket for my assorted lip balms, and a few other flat pockets for small items, pens, etc.

It's the ideal size for carrying a few files, or, on cool days, a thin windbreaker or blouse. Available in brown or black.

Bottom Line: I love this fancy pack. It's big enough to carry what I need with me, slim enough to be stylish, and versatile enough for street or travel.--E.D. (June 08)

Price: $65 (Click to Purchase Online for $49.95)

Manufacturer's Site: www.columbia.com

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