A few months ago, my wife and I were heading out on a two week international trip. Being an entrepreneur who travels frequently (I’ve taken close to 30 flights already this year), I need to make sure that my Macbook Pro is safe from anything I put it through.
Last fall when Mrs D and I went to Europe for a month, I use my very old Powerbook G4 laptop sleeve. That felt a bit ridiculous, so when we were heading out on the latest trip I decided it was time to buy a real laptop sleeve to fit my computer.
We went to an electronics store of the B (United) terminal, and I decided on the spot to buy the Thule Luggage Gauntlet case.
Boy am I glad I did.
Thule Luggage Gauntlet Review
Obviously I am a bit of a gearhead. I love the coolest and newest gear, though won’t always buy it. I take care of my stuff, which is also why I had a 14 year old PowerBook G4 case.
I wanted a case that can stand almost anything. Being an outdoors junkie, I love Thule for carrying my skis and luggage so why not trust them with my laptop?
The Luggage Gauntlet has some incredible features:
- A rigid exterior provides added protection to your device
- Enhanced corner and edge protection
- Padded interior protects hardware from bumps and scratches
- The clamshell design enables you to use your device while still in the case and helps protect from the elements.
- Heavy duty zippers that won’t break open
I’ve thus far taken this case on about 10 trips and back and forth to the coffee shop too many times to count. In fact, having it has helped me to leave the backpack at home many times and just carry my laptop with me, which of course lightens the load I am carrying significantly.
The Luggage Gauntlet case also has two internal stretch nylon straps which keep the case from opening 180 degrees. This helps you also be able to use the sleeve with your laptop open, instead of fully removing the case every time you want to use your computer.
Drawbacks
Like any product, there are a few minor drawbacks to the Luggage Gauntlet case.
First, the afore-mentioned internal nylon straps will sometimes catch on the also-mentioned tough zipper. You simply have to fold them inside the case on top of or below your computer and the case will close just fine. But for some this may be annoyance.
Secondly, the case is a bit bulky. It fits into my backpack just fine, but on smaller backpacks (such as light Marmot or REI daypacks) it can be a tight fit.
And finally, the case is heavier than others. This is probably not a surprise because it is meant to protect your laptop against anything, but it is not a sleek and light case. If that bothers you, then the Luggage Gauntlet is probably not the right choice for you.
Luggage Gauntlet Photos
Here are some photos of the case:
Details
Coming in black, green, and purple the Luggage Gauntlet can suit any mood or branding.
The technical specs according to Thule are:
| Dimensions | 13.2 x 1.4 x 9.3 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.8 lb |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Polyurethane |
|---|---|
| Model name | TGSE-2253 |
| Model number | 3203098 |
Overall, this is a fantastic product that we highly recommend.