design
We protect your digital accessories through specially crafted products and design. We take the utmost care in designing products that we feel will enhance your life and appeal to your sense of style.
Each STM bag has been designed with 5 core focuses:
- protection of your digital cargo (both physically and by disguise against theft)
- style
- comfort
- quality
- practicality
We started STM because we couldn’t find what we wanted in a laptop bag and the vision has grown to encompass iPod and camera cases and other specialty products.
exterior materials
All STM materials are water resistant* and coated with protective treatments for durability and endurance. We use high quality fabrics and accessories to make sure that your bag keeps up with your lifestyle.
For more detail have a look through the profiles for each style.
*All STM products are made from water resistant materials, but they are not water proof. Please exercise care when carrying your laptop in inclement weather.
care
We know you care about your digital cargo, or you wouldn't be reading this fine print. It doesn't take much, but if you look after your bag, it will look after you.
The coating and treatments used on most of our fabrics make them pretty durable, but if you do get your bag dirty try:
- dabbing the bag with a damp cloth or towel. A light soap* and a bit of water is okay, but don't use a strong detergent as this can break down the coating. Do not rub the stain, as this can cause damage to the fabric.
- don't throw your bag in the washing machine. The padding used to protect your laptop will act like a sponge, soaking up the water and if it doesn't dry properly, you risk damage to your digital equipment.
- the water resistant coating also helps prevent absorption of dirt, but lighter colours will mark more easily than darker colours. If you tend to be a bit of a grub, go for a darker colour.
* do not use any soap on the cotton canvas material of the cargo shoulder bag, only use water.
materials
600d polyester ripstop
This is a hard wearing fabric with a PU coating for durability and a water resistant finish. The squares within the fabric add to the durability. Ripstop means just that. If the fabric tears, it takes excessive force for the fabric to split past the edge of the square.
600d polyester micro ripstop
A fine, 2mm x 2mm ripstop fabric which is coated in PU for durability, and has a water resistant finish.
600d polyester jacquard
The jacquard weave gives the appearance of a finely woven canvas, with the durability of polyester. It has a water resistant coating and PVC backing, making it hard wearing and long-lasting.
600d pearl nylon
This is a hard wearing fabric with a smooth finish. It has PU coating for strength and water resistant finish.
530d cordura
A high performance fabric that is highly resistant to tears and abrasion. Our Cordura is coated with a water resistant layer to help against inclement weather.
500d cross hatch
This is a textured polyester fabric that has been coated with a water resistant layer. The cross hatch design provides ripstop protection and durability.
neoprene
This is a durable, synthetic rubber material that is flexible and shows strong resistance to stretching and twisting. Where another stretch material will loose elasticity after a period of time, neoprene continually bounces back, making it the perfect material for form fitting cases. Our neoprene is 3mm thick and fused on both sides with a hard wearing material.
PVC
A leather look fabric that adds strength and durability to hard wearing areas.
1200D textured polyester
This is a high density textured polyester, backed with PVC for strength and durability. It also has a water resistant coating.
24oz. cotton canvas
This is a durable, heavy weight canvas backed in PVC for water resistance. The natural texture of this fabric gives the cargo a stylish finish.
components
webbing
We use a combination of high density nylon and polyester webbing. All webbing above 30mm width has been tested for tension strength up to 50 kilos.
rubber handle
A rubber handle is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Our handles provide good grip, comfort and even weight distribution.
buckles and clips
All load bearing buckles clips and d-rings are Duraflex brand, and are of superior quality. They are tested to a tension strength of 35 kilos. These components are selected for their quality and durability, as well as their aesthetic synergy with the style of the bag.
zippers
All zippers on high use sections and pockets are YKK.
All zippers used in STM bags are self-repairing and selected for quality and durability. In the unlikely event that your zipper snags, just run the zip head back over the troubled area and it will correct itself.
adjustable shoulder strap
When carrying the weight of a laptop and other necessities, you need a strong, sturdy shoulder strap. Ours are made from high density nylon webbing and are adjustable and removable. They come with comfortable movable shoulder padding. All fittings on the shoulder strap are Duraflex brand.
mobile phone pouch
How many times have you missed a phone call, rummaging around inside your bag? This pouch is designed to strap to your shoulder strap. If you want to miss your calls, the phone pouch comes off totally and can be stored inside your bag. Pouches fit a wide variety of phones including blackberry, iPhone. They also double as an iPod/MP3 pocket.
inner sole
A uniquely designed protection system, exclusive to STM backpacks and wheel bags. The inner sole is made from compressed EVA (the same material that your summer flip flops are made from), and provides superior laptop protection in addition to the high density padding already in the bag. It is a canoe shaped lining that sits at the base of the laptop section, stuck in place with velcro. It cocoons the bottom edge of your laptop by physically covering the corners and absorbing shock.
compressed eva
This is a high density compressed padding that is moulded into our design. It provides a semi rigid cocoon that protects whatever is placed inside from bumps, scratches and shock.
stitching
Key load bearing areas, such as those around handles, ends of webbing and shoulder strap attachments are protected by high quality thread and attention to stitch detail. A bartack is a row of stitching that reinforces high stress areas. These areas are internally bar-tacked and then externally cross stitched for further strength.
suspension cell
A protective cell that completely encloses your laptop in high density padding. This cell is suspended off the floor of the bag, creating a gap between the bottom of the cell and the base of the bag further protecting it from.
removable laptop sleeve
All STM bags are multi purpose, but those with a removable sleeve are even more so. The protective laptop cell is completely removable. If you aren’t using your laptop, you have a secure pouch to store it in, and loads of space in the bag for other stuff.
sound port
This port appears on bags that are designed with a portable music pocket. Put your iPod/mini disc/MP3 player in the pocket, thread your headphones through the sound port (plug end threads from outside to inside) and close the pocket completely so your music player stays safe and dry.
back system
There are 2 main elements that make STM backpacks more comfortable to carry that your average bag:
- Your back is naturally curved, but a laptop is flat so they don’t fit that well together. We put the laptop section in the centre of the bag, away from your back so that the bag still contours to your shape
- We use high density padding and air mesh to construct a shoulder strap and back system designed to carry heavy loads. All backpacks come with either a removable or tuck away waist strap
stabiliser strap
This is the webbing strap that’s attached onto the back of the duplex courier bag. If you wear the bag across your left shoulder, undo the buckle on the right and redo it at the bottom. Vice versa if you wear the bag across your right shoulder. This strap keep the bag flat against your body so it doesn’t thump around when you are running about town.