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JanSport Elefunk Messenger Bag (Deep Navy)
By: JanSport       Average Rating: 4.5     Total Reviews: 30
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The perfect bag...for college students.     On: 2008-06-06

After reading quite a few negative reviews for this bag, I thought I would write a review to clarify something. This is a messenger bag, not a backpack. A messenger bag was and is never meant to hold all the items a backpack can. So basically, if youre using this bag for school purposes, keep this in mind. This bag can hold items for possibly up to 3 classes. So while its perfect for a college student who might have a class, then another class right after it. This bag would be horrible for a high school student, who might have to drag home texts for six classes.

Of most messenger bags, the Elefunk bag is probably going to be your best choice, cause of its size and number of compartments. We have 3 of these bags, 2 of which are used for education, and the third is used as a utility/diaper family bag. For education, as I stated before, its best for college students. The main compartment is spans out and can hold 2 college texts, binders, and study guides snug. Keyword there is snug, cause its not big enough to carry more. Inside the main compartment is a little sleeve held tight by a velcro patch. I use this to keep my study guides from my texts. Okay, next comes the the front pocket attached to the main compartment. This compartment is big enough to fit my 12 inch iBook in a neopreen cover, or a 13 inch MacBook bare. Warning, if you place your MacBook in this pouch, careful how you toss this bag around, cause it offers no padding and is very unforgiving. Inside this front pouch is a zippered sleeve fine for putting loose change or maybe id cards or what not. Next to the zippered sleeve are two pouches for pens and pencils, even a TI calculator, that is if youre not planning on putting your notebook in that pouch. Dont worry though, cause attached to that pouch on the outside are two zippered compartments opposite one another to the front pouch. On one side I put my black leather data file, and on the other side, I put my TI-89 calculator. Then that leaves the flap, which is secured to the bag using strong plastic clips. On the front of the pouch is a zippered compartment. Which I pretty much can only use it to pack up a couple magazines to read, if Im waiting between classes. You can also use it to pack up headphones or earbuds, to listen to you iPod or whatever. As for the shoulder strap, its about as comfy as its going to get. Keep in mind, youre lugging 20 to 30 pounds of books and supplies, its not suppose to feel like a Chinese massage. But I cant complain.

As for a family bag. Eh, I wouldnt suggest this to a newly mother who wants to go down to a mall. Cause stores will not let your take this bag in there. But if youre on a trip, or going on a flight, this bag is excellent. You can pack away all your babies needs, and other essentials.

Anyway, I just didnt like seeing a product I use, and like, getting knocked, cause a couple people misjudged how to use it properly. Again, if youre taking more than 2 or 3 classes at a time, this bag isnt for you. But if youre a run of the mill college student, who takes a class or two at a time, then goes home. This bag is a must.
Pretty Good - Except for handle     On: 2008-05-20

The picture doesnt do this bag justice. The colors are way cooler than this picture. I really like this bag. I pack it with about 40 lbs of books with no problem. My only complaint is the rinky-dink handle on the top of the bag. There are times when I just want to carry my bag without putting it over my shoulder but the handle hurts my hand because its so tiny and cheap.
Backpack or laptop case?     On: 2008-04-23

I purchased this bag for my husband. Hes put it thru some pretty rough days. It doubles as a laptop case some days and still stays strong. Great as always - Jansport lives up to its rep!
Awsome bag     On: 2008-03-29

Basically just bought the bag to carry a sketch book and some pencils in but it would be great for other stuff. The color is cool and its well made with lots of pockets for all your stuff.
knd of plain     On: 2008-02-24

I had an older messenger bag from Jansport that i unfortunaltey lost along the way. This seemed to be a suitable replacement. It is a little large for my tastes. I guess they make adequate space for a laptop, but I dont need it for that, for the most part. Pockets are certainly big, the grab handge is a little narrow, and thin. A little more color would be nice, because it is all black, with the exception of the logo being outlined in red. other than those minor complaints, i do like it.
where's the handle?     On: 2008-02-18

This is a roomy, well-made and sturdy bag - my big gripe with it is that there is no handle, just the shoulder strap. For some reason, there is a thin, flimsy strap at the top which looks like it could be used to hang the empty bag on a coat hook. I dont see the point. I like this bag, but assumed it would have a standard handle like all of the other messenger-type bags Ive owned. Makes it diffifult to carry at times.
Some design flaws, but overall good     On: 2008-02-09

I bought this bag for the Jansport name, which, as a student and a teacher, I trust. I intend to use this bag for a trip across Europe, then to use it as a laptop bag.

Good points:
-the Jansport name and guarantee.
-Water bottle holder on one side of the bag (great for me in Europe, and a key factor for me buying this bag)
-decent, if not great, laptop protection
-good size--can hold a lot of stuff or a little bit of stuff without losing shape or look
-comfortable to wear on shoulder or across body
-good length of strap (and its adjustable)

Bad points:
-the flap is held down by two small, unadjustable latches. Ive found them difficult to use one-handed, and they just seem flimsy. Id much rather have one heavy-duty latch.
-The shoulder padding is a bit awkward...but it can be removed, and I think it will improve as I break the bag in.
-The smaller pockets in the front are not that great in design. If you lift the flap, there are three pockets in the front of the bag. (Theres also a large zip pocket in the flap, which is good for easy access.) Anyway, the center pocket is OK...nothing too fancy, but a zip front and requisite card holders, key holder, etc. Above this, there are two narrow pockets that are a few inches wide and go down the whole front of the bag (thing a tall, thin rectangle behind the main front pocket on either side). These pockets are pretty much useless to me...theyre too thin for much stuff, and theyre awkward to get to for easy access.
-The material seems thin. However, since this is a Jansport bag, Im trusting it will hold up.
Great bag!     On: 2008-02-09

All I can say is the bag is exactly what I needed for school. I found I had plenty of room for my bulky textbooks.
Great school bag     On: 2008-01-21

I bought this for my husband for Christmas to use for school. Hell typically carry 1 to 2 large books, notebooks, juice/water bottle, etc. with him. Hes given this great reviews and said it has all kinds of extra features that he didnt notice when he looked at it online. It has several pockets in the front flap and a stretchy holder for bottles on the outside. And, of course, you cant go wrong with Jansports quality and repair policy. Great item; very happy with the purchase.
Big and floppy     On: 2007-12-05

I thought that this bag had more substance to it, and that the material would be thicker. It feels too flimsy for its size so that it ends up not holding its shape very well and tends to sag like a hammock. It is really much longer than you would need for books and notebooks. The flap is a bit long and makes access a little difficult. I prefer a bag that you can set down, and that provides more structure. I also think the lack of support causes the bag to pull on your shoulder quite a bit. In all it was too big and floppy for me.
Big and floppy     On: 2007-12-04

I thought that this bag had more substance to it, and that the material would be thicker. It feels too flimsy for its size so that it ends up not holding its shape very well and tends to sag like a hammock. It is really much longer than you would need for books and notebooks. The flap is a bit long and makes access a little difficult. I prefer a bag that you can set down, and that provides more structure. I also think the lack of support causes the bag to pull on your shoulder quite a bit. In all it was too big and floppy for me.
Great Buy!!     On: 2007-11-26

Ive priced this product at various other department and sporting good stores - Amazon came through again!!! Price/Quality is just was I had expected from Amazon LLC.

Ill be back again and again...
Great Buy!!     On: 2007-11-25

Ive priced this product at various other department and sporting good stores - Amazon came through again!!! Price/Quality is just was I had expected from Amazon LLC.

Ill be back again and again...
Disappointed     On: 2007-11-21

I think that I was misled by the picture that was posted on the website because I dont think the bag that I received looked like the picture.
great bag     On: 2007-10-28

I have had this bag for a week, and it is great, I love how big it is, it fits my binders and a few books. Great for a college student.
The PERFECT fit!     On: 2007-10-19

This bag is absolutely perfect! I keep my 14.1" laptop, usb mouse, battery charger, palm pilot, palm pilot keyboard and random paperwork in this bag, and it is NOT overstuffed! Everything important for my daily travels fits in this bag, and still looks stylish with the slim fit pockets!

There is a wide foam pad that I lay my laptop against, and I have nothing to worry about as I carry it along while shooting pictures.

The construction is the best, but then again, it is a Jansport, so you should already know that you have nothing to worry about in that department.

I would highly recommend this bag for laptop and business paperwork carrying.
functional     On: 2007-10-19

The bag is functional with all of the pockets. It works great for a college student but if you need to walk far with any amount of books (more than one) the bag is very painful on your back. Items are at your fingertips.
The PERFECT fit!     On: 2007-10-18

This bag is absolutely perfect! I keep my 14.1" laptop, usb mouse, battery charger, palm pilot, palm pilot keyboard and random paperwork in this bag, and it is NOT overstuffed! Everything important for my daily travels fits in this bag, and still looks stylish with the slim fit pockets!

There is a wide foam pad that I lay my laptop against, and I have nothing to worry about as I carry it along while shooting pictures.

The construction is the best, but then again, it is a Jansport, so you should already know that you have nothing to worry about in that department.

I would highly recommend this bag for laptop and business paperwork carrying.
Sturdy backpack     On: 2007-10-03

This product is an excellent option for carrying textbooks. I typically carry about 20lbs of books, with no apparent strain on the bag. Moreover, there are plenty of separate compartments for organizational purposes. Overall, for the price this is a solid product.
Sturdy backpack     On: 2007-10-02

This product is an excellent option for carrying textbooks. I typically carry about 20lbs of books, with no apparent strain on the bag. Moreover, there are plenty of separate compartments for organizational purposes. Overall, for the price this is a solid product.
Great bag     On: 2007-09-23

This is a very stylish bag with lots of room. I am a teacher and use it everyday to carry books and papers back and forth to school. After reading other reviews, I was a little worried that it would be too small. I took a gamble anyway and ordered it. It has lots of compartments and its roomy enough to fit everything, including my lunch. I can also put my large thermos in there on days when I have only two or three books. I love the color. The fabric is very durable and it seems waterproof.
Great bag     On: 2007-09-22

This is a very stylish bag with lots of room. I am a teacher and use it everyday to carry books and papers back and forth to school. After reading other reviews, I was a little worried that it would be too small. I took a gamble anyway and ordered it. It has lots of compartments and its roomy enough to fit everything, including my lunch. I can also put my large thermos in there on days when I have only two or three books. I love the color. The fabric is very durable and it seems waterproof.
Nice bag.     On: 2007-09-18

Nice bag for work or school. Many pockets for storage and easy to carry.
Jansport Elefunk Messanger Bag     On: 2007-09-11

This bag is awesom! Was exactly what we were hoping it would be. Would definately recommend this product.
Too Big     On: 2007-07-27

Be careful when buying this bag. It is much larger than it appears. I was looking for a bag to use for college for carrying around my books, and when I got this I was very disappointed. It is extremely wide, and Im not sure what kind of textbook or laptop would be that wide. It would not be suitable for easy, on the go, carrying or biking. Be forewarned.
A Great Laptop Bag     On: 2007-06-26

I bought this to carry around my laptop, mostly when I travel. I really, really love the bag. It has lots of pockets, which can be used for power cords, other computer accessories, or whatever else needed. I can usually pack my computer, everything I need with it, several books, cell phone, mp3 player, and everything I normally carry in my purse. Its very durable. I used JanSport bags all through school, and I never wore one out before I got tired of it.
Interesting product     On: 2007-03-08

Bought this bag for work and its real nice. Made from good material and the bag is spacious. Has a suitable number of compartments. Its good for students to carry books and also good to carry a laptop around. Bag has a real nice design. Great buy
Versatile messenger bag     On: 2007-01-19

I love this bag - it is sturdy and holds a lot in a compact space. There is a padded inner compartment for your laptop with plenty of extra room for files or books. The fabric is good quality. I dont know why they call the color purple mash as you can see from the picture it is really quite pink. I also dont know why they call it a backpack when it is clearly a messenger bag. Other than these quibbles with the copy writer, I highly recommend this bag.
Awesome     On: 2007-01-16

This backpack is extremely well made and has a compartment for everything that I need one for. It is spacious and easy to get in and out of. I love the way the straps can be shortened or lengthened to provide a comfortable fit. Excellent product.
Plenty-o-space!     On: 2007-01-07

Had a hard time finding a decent backpack that would accomodate all my sons books and five-star" binder. This one fits the bill. Plenty of space, great durability and four months later still looks great. All that you would expect from a JanSport product along with a great price! Son also prefers the messenger style bag now as it allows him to easily add or access things quickly when in a rush to the bus.
The Elefunk is Funky     On: 2007-01-04

I recently returned to school (College) and was out of touch with the offerings on the market, I know a bagpack was out of the question because I also work it will not fit my look. In searching online I came across the Elefunk and beleive you me its just what I was searching for. Bear in mind, it is not fit for a lot of school books, but college students with a light workload like me, the compartments are plentiful, and the padded strap is convenient. All in all a good purchase.
biggest we found!     On: 2006-11-19

For the price, this bag is great. Most bags in stores and online were 4" in width, and will not accomodate my daughters carry-home books each day. This bag is 6" plus.
biggest we found!     On: 2006-11-18

For the price, this bag is great. Most bags in stores and online were 4" in width, and will not accomodate my daughters carry-home books each day. This bag is 6" plus.
The perfect bag...for college students.
by: pookyandbaloo2    On: 2006-08-13

After reading quite a few negative reviews for this bag, I thought I would write a review to clarify something. This is a messenger bag, not a backpack. A messenger bag was and is never meant to hold all the items a backpack can. So basically, if youre using this bag for school purposes, keep this in mind. This bag can hold items for possibly up to 3 classes. So while its perfect for a college student who might have a class, then another class right after it. This bag would be horrible for a high school student, who might have to drag home texts for six classes.

Of most messenger bags, the Elefunk bag is probably going to be your best choice, cause of its size and number of compartments. We have 3 of these bags, 2 of which are used for education, and the third is used as a utility/diaper family bag. For education, as I stated before, its best for college students. The main compartment is spans out and can hold 2 college texts, binders, and study guides snug. Keyword there is snug, cause its not big enough to carry more. Inside the main compartment is a little sleeve held tight by a velcro patch. I use this to keep my study guides from my texts. Okay, next comes the the front pocket attached to the main compartment. This compartment is big enough to fit my 12 inch iBook in a neopreen cover, or a 13 inch MacBook bare. Warning, if you place your MacBook in this pouch, careful how you toss this bag around, cause it offers no padding and is very unforgiving. Inside this front pouch is a zippered sleeve fine for putting loose change or maybe id cards or what not. Next to the zippered sleeve are two pouches for pens and pencils, even a TI calculator, that is if youre not planning on putting your notebook in that pouch. Dont worry though, cause attached to that pouch on the outside are two zippered compartments opposite one another to the front pouch. On one side I put my black leather data file, and on the other side, I put my TI-89 calculator. Then that leaves the flap, which is secured to the bag using strong plastic clips. On the front of the pouch is a zippered compartment. Which I pretty much can only use it to pack up a couple magazines to read, if Im waiting between classes. You can also use it to pack up headphones or earbuds, to listen to you iPod or whatever. As for the shoulder strap, its about as comfy as its going to get. Keep in mind, youre lugging 20 to 30 pounds of books and supplies, its not suppose to feel like a Chinese massage. But I cant complain.

As for a family bag. Eh, I wouldnt suggest this to a newly mother who wants to go down to a mall. Cause stores will not let your take this bag in there. But if youre on a trip, or going on a flight, this bag is excellent. You can pack away all your babies needs, and other essentials.

Anyway, I just didnt like seeing a product I use, and like, getting knocked, cause a couple people misjudged how to use it properly. Again, if youre taking more than 2 or 3 classes at a time, this bag isnt for you. But if youre a run of the mill college student, who takes a class or two at a time, then goes home. This bag is a must.
Extremely durable     On: 2006-06-27

Ive had this bag for a year now and it still impresses me with its durability! Im a student so I pack an incredible amount of books all over the city and any other bag would start to show wear from the load but this one is still good as new. Also the pockets are very handy. My only complaint is that the fabric tends to stain easily, but this could probably be avoided with some staingard.
He loves it!
by: winnipesaukeewoman    On: 2006-04-28

My poor son got deprived of backpacks and bookbags because of being homeschooled, but now that hes a college student, he can carry books! This means the 5 star rating might be biased by the sheer pleasure of simply having something to feel like fitting in with the crowd, but to be fair and honest about this product...I admit it does look like a quality item.

Its built practical, looks good, and (having to guess) Id say its probably better suited for college use rather than high school. For some odd reason being in college doesnt require as many books to be carried in one day as I see what high school students have to carry.

If this bag was a dual set with each bag on opposite sides, it would seem to resemble the old-fashioned saddle bags (except its not leather, is maybe a little bit larger in capacity, and has plenty of individual compartments and zippers).
Good bag for a college student     On: 2006-03-09

I use this bag for my books and supplies, and recently my laptop. Yes, there are problems with weight distribution, but its a messenger bag, and thats to be expected. Lots of space for all of my stuff. Jansport is a reputable brand, and the product has performed well for me.
Great capacity, Poor weight distribution     On: 2005-09-26

I can easily fit my laptop as well as several books in this bag, but if I carry more than one textbook along with my laptop, it is painful to carry the bag. Regardless if I position the bag across my body or on just one shoulder, it does not seem to distribute weight well or offer sufficient support. If you dont have a lot to carry I would recommend this bag. Easy to organize the supplies that I need to carry with me.
Cute and Painful
by: Anonymous    On: 2005-07-02

I could not wait to get this bag. When I did I found out that it was not all that it was in for. I have to walk home and it really hurts my back. Plus, it does not hold much. I had the problem of having to much books. This does not help. It was a waste of $40. Plus, how do you clean it?
Cute and Painful
by: Anonymous    On: 2005-07-01

I could not wait to get this bag. When I did I found out that it was not all that it was in for. I have to walk home and it really hurts my back. Plus, it does not hold much. I had the problem of having to much books. This does not help. It was a waste of $40. Plus, how do you clean it?
Law School Student
by: Anonymous    On: 2005-01-04

Ive found the Messenger Bag to be well suited for the trials of Law School as it has 1450 Cubic Inches of space, a lot more than that Banana Republic bag and much more durable than the American Eagle or the Abercrombie bags ive owned. May not be the most fashionable bag ever but certainly is more functional and much much more durable.

Although I wouldnt suggest it for high school age kids. It does tend to put a lot more stress on the back than a backpack and since high school age kids have to carry more books at once I would recommend a backpack for them (Jansport of course).

Pros-Lifetime Warranty
Cons-Uppity rich kids might frown on you
Great Bag....     On: 2004-08-13

For years Ive been buying JanSport bags for school and to use on trips. This bag I just got to help me through my Sophmore year of High School. I love JanSport because they have sturdy bags, that can last being packed to the brim with books, and shoved down bleachers, you know, typical high school stuff. It is also great for going up in the mountains, cause when you kick it down a cliff, it wont bust! YAY!!!!! This back rocks my socks, and you can decorate it with pins and patches and stuff to make it your own, I would recommend it everyone!

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