Drive By :: QWSTION Overnighter (Special Edition)

When QWSTION announced their first foray into leather with their Black Leather Special Edition Overnighter and Shopper (each produced in 50 pieces only), the Interwebs got its ‘Like’ on, and crew clamored to get their fingers on the limited units dished up.

Such was the new-leather-related hysteria, QWSTION sold out the edition in under one sleep. Well…nearly.

Thanks to our blog-y influence (and a polite email fired off at exactly the right time) we managed to wrangle a sample of the Overnighter, the more compact little bro of the Weekender, for Carryology HQ.

A sleek piece of luggage first, and an every-bag second, the Overnighter does more than its name suggests – it’s a hybrid through and through.

In the months since its arrival, it’s been my attractive black compadre, riding with me to jaunts by the sea, boozy weekend get-togethers, and it even doubled as a hospital bag on the recent birth of my baby boy – all whilst looking sleek and classic and drawing the occasional passing acclaim: ‘Hey, nice bag!’.

Who It Suits

Modern business-types (think architects and digital designers) and clean-cut urban cats who rock that smart casual vibe will dig this, and the fact that it can slide from gym, to carry-on, to work without a hiccup is a huge plus.

Ladies are drawn to the Overnighter too, its slimmed-down profile looking more at home than the Weekender on petite frames.

Who It Doesn’t

Rugged crew with beards and old navy tattoos who peddle ‘fixies’. Or crew just looking for ‘simple’ – there’s a bit going on here; the zippers, for instance, glimmer like rhinestones in the right light.

The Good

Aesthetically, this Overnighter ticks a string of boxes. Its silhouette has that timeless, classic feel – sure to skip over those nasty fashion cycles with aplomb.

“…the fact that it can slide from gym, to carry-on, to work without a hiccup is a huge plus.“

The organic cotton that wraps around the midriff has a nice density and feel.

The interior 100% cotton lining is pimped, flaunting a champagne-colored Deco vibe that would look at home draped down a wall of Studio 54 in its heyday. Not for everyone, granted; it’s a little flamboyant, but fun nonetheless.

The hardware is solid; an area where QWSTION excels. Big #10 YKK zippers, rad G-hooks and custom twist closures on the exterior – all in spruced chromed metal – really pop, giving that luxe feel.

The signature versatility is always a plus and QWSTION’s MO. The Overnighter can flip from shoulder bag, to brief, to backpack, in only a few steps. 

The pocketing is well thought out. Three exterior pockets for small things like keys, cables and a phone on the fly are handy and the right size for the average paw. 

Inside you’ve got more options…

“The Overnighter can flip from shoulder bag, to brief, to backpack, in only a few steps.”

An integrated laptop pocket that can swallow a 15″ MacBook. Mind you, it is a little light in the padding though, so for piece of mind we’d recommend slipping your precious lappy into its own Neoprene sleeve beforehand – it’s better to be safe than sorry (and with a busted up laptop).

Laying snug beside that is a Neoprene iPad sleeve because if you’re a modern business-type you’re going to be lugging your tech in deuces, right?

And three inner zip pockets of varying sizes to take those smaller things needed for overnighters like toothbrushes and roll-on deodorant and sip-sized whiskey for a cheeky nightcap.

The Not So Good

This was QWSTION’s first step into leather, and, hey, we were excited to hear it. But when crew venture out into uncharted territory, things can take a while to get nailed. And in this case, the vegetable-tanned leather swathed around the upper torso of the Overnighter looks and feels good, but not great.

Friends, when kneading the leather between their fingers, even asked “Is that real?” Motioning to the leather with a chin-flick, “It’s kinda spongy.” And that’s not what you want when flaunting a sweet piece of leather-kissed carry. It is quality vegetable-tanned leather and full grain, QWSTION assures us. So the ‘spongy’ feel may have something to do with the tanning process…

“…the vegetable-tanned leather swathed around the upper torso of the Overnighter looks and feels good, but not great.”

Mind you, I’m not sure how it’ll age, it may age like Farrah Fawcett and I’ll eat my words, but right now, it’s not rocking my world (but I’m kinda picky, ha!). In saying that, QWSTION are top-notch operators. They’ll get a hold of really great leather soon, I’ve got no doubt about that.

I dig that QWSTION geek out on extending a bag’s carrying capability – it’s a great story. Three bags in one, what’s not to like? But for me, the backpack carry option comes in at #3, every time. It’s nice to have, but brief and shoulder will be the carry style you’ll be donning, trust me. And if the bag is jam packed (or poorly packed), the lack of padding/protection on the back-side panel will make sure you feel every toothbrush and Denis Johnson novel pricking against your spinal column. Not the most pleasant feeling.

Verdict

This Overnighter is good-looking, versatile, and has been designed and built with care and thought. Realistically, this is the kind of bag that goes from VW to holiday house back to VW. And for that, it’s nailed – you’ll rock up to your overnighter of choice and have your stuff organized and encased in some sweet-looking luggage. If you’ve got the modern look to match, this is a great option for adding to your carry arsenal. And if you’re unsure about the leather option, the straight organic cotton is a reliable replacement.