Lihit Lab Smart Fit ACTACT Bag in Bag A5 Horizontal Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

There are few things I love as much as pens and notebooks, but one of those things is bags. Especially bags that you can carry with other bags. Especially especially bags in bags that hold pens and notebooks. The Lihit Lab Smart Fit ACTACT Bag in Bag is the nesting doll of awesome. There are even pockets inside of pockets!

This A5 sized bag is made from nylon canvas and is available in a variety of colors. The main zipper compartment is water-resistant. The zipper has thin cord pulls with plastic tabs. The zipper is smooth, though it does struggle going around the corner when the bag is very full. It opens along the top edge and one side of the bag, to make it easy to fill.

Inside the main compartment is a fuzzy slip pocket that's perfect for a small tablet up to 8". It's perfect for my Kindle, even in its case. Outside of that slip pocket is the main compartment that easily holds an A5 notebook--even a chunky one, like my hardcover Hobonichi Cousin, also inside its cover.

On the outside of the bag are even more pockets! These don't close, so they're less secure, but still very useful. On the back side is one slip pocket that goes the full length of the bag. On the front, there is a low mesh pocket that goes all the way across the bag, and behind that mesh pocket is one slip pocket that's half the width the bag, another slip pocket that slightly more narrow, and a pen pocket. That's seven organizational compartments!

All those pockets are a great way to organize your gear inside a larger bag that might not have enough internal organization. It can also be carried solo. There are attachment points for a purse strap on this bag, so you can carry it without putting it inside any other bags. It's also perfect for carrying it around the office to meetings, or keeping in the car with a few essentials. It would make a perfect flight bag on a long airplane trip. Basically it's good for everything. I mean, when don't you need a zillion pockets?

This bag sells for $21.50 at JetPens, which is a very fair price. The strap does have to be purchased separately, and costs $13, though any strap that hooks onto an o-ring will work with this bag. An A4 size is also available for just a few dollars more, and that one could fit a 13" laptop.

Overall, this is well-priced, useful, practical, and a great way to maximize the number of pens and notebooks you carry every day. Pens in pockets in pockets in bags in bags! Living the dream.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Lihit Lab Flat Type Pen Case Giveaway

Lihit Lab has long made wonderful stationery accessories, and their latest, the Lihit Lab Flat Type Pen Case, is now in stock at JetPens. I have one in the Wide-Orange model to give away this week, so read the rules below and enter away!

Lihit Lab Flat Type Pen Case Giveaway

Lihit Lab Hinemo Stand Pen Pouch in Red: A Review

(Susan M. Pigott is a fountain pen collector, pen and paperholic, photographer, and professor. You can find more from Susan on her blog Scribalishess.)

The Lihit Lab Hinemo Stand Pen Pouch is made from canvas (Fuji Kinbai) woven in Japan and sourced from various places around the world. The pouch itself is made in Myanmar.

The pouch is shaped like a lower-case "n" when closed and an "m" when open. It is 7.9 inches in length, 5.1 inches in width, and 1.4 inches in depth (unfilled)--it expands to accommodate lots of supplies (see third picture below).

The name "Hinemo" is stitched on the front of the case; otherwise there is no branding. The canvas is thick and well sewn, and the metal zipper is sturdy. I think the red and cream colors make for a striking contrast.

Inside are two large canvas pockets and three smaller webbed pockets bordered in elastic. The large pockets can accommodate bigger supplies, such as large pens/markers, scissors, small rulers, pads of paper, craft knives, etc. The smaller pockets are useful for erasers, smaller pens and pencils, painting tools, sticky notes, and other supplies.

The pouch is reversible, so you can open it up, fold back the sides and zip it with the pockets facing outwards. This allows you to stand the case on your desk with easy access to your tools. You can also stand the case up like an open book, if you prefer.

The Hinemo Pouch is well made with quality stitching on the outside and inside. The pockets are capable of holding lots of writing instruments or other craft tools and the case closes easily when full.

I would not use this pouch with expensive fountain pens because there are no individual pen slots. Your pens will knock against one another resulting in scratches and dings. For EDC pens, plastic writing instruments, and other supplies, the Hinemo pouch will be perfect. You can slide it easily into a backpack or large purse.

You can purchase the Lihit Lab Hinemo Stand Pen Pouch in red from JetPens for $17.50. The pouch also comes in black, yellow, navy, and beige.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!