I have had my eye on the Ella Duffle in flash magic for months! I wanted it so much, but couldnt justify the cost. Then it was marked down to $137 during the annual sale and I didnt hesitate! Now I wanted to wait to do a reveiw of this bag until I had a chance to use it several times. It worked out that I had three small trips over the course of about ten days, each being 2-3 days.
First thing to note, this bag is not heavy at all. Someone else commented the bag is so heavy its not worth carrying….I have no idea what they are talking about. Mine was only slightly heavy when it was full and had my computer in it. Now onto fuctionability! One thing I wasn’t really expecting is that the bottom shoe compartment has an expandble (for lack of a better term) aspect to it, that effects the inside space by about two inches. Meaning when you are not using the bottom compartment you have more room in the main part of the bag vs when you are using the bottom you have less. I wasn’t expecting that, I thought the bottom would expand down and not effect the main compartment. I’ve included pictures so you can see what I mean.
Next, there are a ton of pockets that make the bag very fuctional in both the inside and outside of the bag. I especially like the ring clip and outside pockets. I was able to comfortably fit my computer, charger, and kindle in the computer sleeve, then three days worth of clothes. I wasnt able to fit my toiletries in as well, but probably could have had I not been using the bottom compartment (I actually used it for my heating pad folded up and loved how well that fit). The shoulder strap is a bit oddly placed in that it doesnt hook to the sides of the bag but rather the handles. I thought this would bother me, but after using it for a few days it doesnt. It actually makes more sense for proper weight distribution when you think about it, i.e. you are pulling weight at the strongest points of contruction where nothing will tear.
Onto the color, I’m so in love with it! I love the more neutral tone of the outside (the grey). Then it’s so much fun when you take pictures. I also adore the inside design, I love that it matches my cosmos yoga mat. The inside design of the other ella duffles is what deterred me, I didnt like the bright inside designs for the darker bags (blue, black), but thats just a personal preferrance. If the inside design of the flash magic was matched with a dark blue or black duffle I would have scooped that design up right away!
One thing to note is that there is absolutely no way to fit a yoga mat in the sleeve when the bag is full. Even empty I can’t fit my cloud cushion mat in the sleeve. This does not bother me slightly, but just note incase this is what you want the bag for.
OverallI I am so in love with this bag! It was great for what I wanted and how I was using the bag.The only true downside is the cost.
Now onto my main problem. Having this duffle I now absolutely WANT the Ella backpack in magic flash, even though I don’t NEED it. The struggle is real.