Barry Abernethy, Padster Bags’ founder, has been a laptop computer enthusiast and a fanatic for fine bags to carry his gear ever since getting his first PowerBook in 1992. The idea for Padster Bags was born soon after Steve Jobs unveiled Apple’s plans for the iPad in January 2010. His enthusiasm for the iPad was bordering on giddy, and he immediately recruited some of his equally passionate friends to join him in the lofty goal of creating the quintessential bags for this revolution in portable computing.
For Padster Bags’ first product, the aptly named Padster Original, the team had four clear goals to achieve.
Unimpeded access to the iPad. The iPad is an amazing product for getting some stuff done in those little windows of opportunity that come up each day. But if getting to your iPad is a production in itself, the chances you’re actually going to take advantage of those times goes down dramatically. When you want to use your iPad, you need to be able to just grab it. That’s why on the Padster, you won’t find any clasps, buckles, clips, or velcro getting between you and your iPad.
Not too small, but not too big. Padster needed to be small enough that you could carry it anywhere without feeling like it was getting in the way, but big enough to carry what you might need during the day. Whether it’s an external keyboard for working on longer documents, some notepads, a charger, phone — even the 13" MacBook Pro can come along for the ride — Padster will let you bring what you need to be productive.
Good looks make a difference. As Apple has shown with all of their products, function and beauty can be perfectly compatible with each other. We wanted Padster to look just as good as the iPad it carries. The simple, understated classic good look of black leather make Padster a bag you’ll feel comfortable carrying whether you’re in a business suit or jeans and a t-shirt.
No matter what else, if it’s not quality it’s a fail. It didn’t matter how good Padster looked — it had to be an outstanding bag. Cutting corners will always make a product less expensive to produce, but it will never make an outstanding product. Padster uses only the highest quality materials, including soft-milled full grain cowhide, 1680D ballistic nylon, cotton blend lining, neoprene, nylon stitching, and self-healing zippers. It’s the reason why we can offer a lifetime limited warranty and 30-day, no-questions-asked, return policy.
