This has been my most-requested post topic, so I'm thrilled to be able to help now that I own the Allyn in all three sizes! The contents included in each bag were by reader request and aren't what I normally carry. If you would find a different combination of items more helpful to see, please let me know and I'll try to make it happen!
- Small Allyn in Sienna / Small Allyn in Haze Camo, Medium Allyn in Oxblood, Large (Original) Allyn in Poppy
- Small: L 12" x H 10.5" x W 4.75" (snapped), L 16.5" x H 10.5" x W 4.75" (unsnapped)
- Medium: L 13.5" x H 12" x W 5.5" (snapped), L 17.75" x H 12" x W 5.5" (unsnapped)
- Large: L 14 ¼” x H 13” x W 7” (snapped), L 20” x H 13” x W 7” (unsnapped)
- All three bags have a dedicated sleeve for a tablet or laptop, a neoprene water bottle holder, a key leash, and an external cell phone slip pocket.
 |
| Bagception! Small nested in Medium nested in Large. |
 |
| Small nested in Large |
Small
The Small Allyn is first pictured with a 13" Macbook Pro (mine circa 2011) in the main body of the bag, then with a 12" Macbook in the laptop sleeve. The iPad Pro (mine circa 2017) does not fit inside the laptop sleeve. Unlike the other two Allyn sizes, there is no large sleeve pocket attached to the front of the zippered laptop sleeve. The Small also features a longer strap that can be made into a cross body strap with a few modifications. To read a more detailed review of this size and color in particular and to see how I personally pack it for a day out, please click here.
 |
| (Removed 13" MBP, replaced with 12" macbook) |
Medium
The Medium Allyn fits a 13" Macbook Pro (mine circa 2011, extremely tight fit with a case on) or smaller in the laptop sleeve. The iPad Pro (mine circa 2017) fits perfectly in the laptop sleeve and feels well-protected even without a case.
Large
 |
| Includes flats in small dust bag |
A heads up: it's difficult to see, but there are two laptops inside this bag for the photos (a 15" macbook pro in the laptop sleeve and a 12" macbook in the large slip pocket). Between the laptops and everything else pictured, the bag weighs a whopping 16.8 lbs!
Hunter REFERENCE PHOTOS
I thought the Hunter toiletry bags might provide a helpful visual reference, so here are a few additional shots that were taken with that in mind.
- Small Hunter in Sienna, Large Hunter in Heather Gray, XL Hunter in Dusk Camo
- Small Hunter: 7.5” L x 4” W x 4.5” H
- Large Hunter: 9” L x 4.75” W x 5.5” H
- XL Hunter: 11.5” L x 5.5” W x 6” H
 |
| (I'll retake this photo and shoot the missing photo below soon!) |
Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds.
If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items such as the Allyn tote, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. Your support is greatly appreciated!
LOVE the poppy tote! Wish I could find one myself! Literally the perfect bag!
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous color—I hope you find one!!
DeleteDo you think the medium will fit a 14 inch laptop? I have the Charlie tote but it’s just too big/heavy for everyday use.
ReplyDeleteI don't think a 14" laptop would fit in the Medium Allyn's laptop sleeve, but it should fit in the main compartment of the bag! (My 15" laptop fits in the main compartment with no problem.)
DeleteThank you so much for this review!! I'm in between the medium and the large, but am worried about the size of the bag in comparison with my height. I'm 5'2" - do you think the large will look ridiculous on my frame?
ReplyDeleteIn order to fit my 13-14" work laptop, I might have to go with the large regardless...but I'm unsure if I can make it work. Thanks for any help!
I'm 5'10 and feel like the large is quite a big bag even on me! (Then again, I tend to gravitate toward smaller bags in general.) While I don't think the large would look ridiculous on you, I would recommend the medium over the large if you have a very streamlined set of items you plan to carry in it—the medium seems to maintain its shape well, so having a slightly oversized laptop in the main compartment shouldn't hurt it. That said, the large is great if you need to be able to fit a TON of stuff in it some days!
DeleteWhich would you recommend more for everyday gym/ work bag? I’m about 161 cm..
ReplyDeleteThe medium is a great size, but if you think you'd like the ability to pack LOTS of stuff in your bag (especially if gym shoes will be involved)!, I'd say go for the large!
DeleteI desperately want a Dagne Dover - I’ve been eying the Legend and large Allyn. I have a huge work laptop though. It’s just over 15” in length. Can I fit this in any bag even if not in the laptop sleeve? Is the laptop sleeve removable? I am struggling to find a nice work bag it’ll fit in!!
ReplyDeleteThe laptop sleeve is not removable (though the water bottle sleeve is).
DeleteThank you so much for this post!! Are you able to zip the laptop sleeve closed with the 13" laptop in the medium tote? I have a 13" Macbook air and I'd really prefer to get the medium size, if I can. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the extremely late reply! I was able to shove my old 13" MacBook Pro from 2011 (with a case on it) into the laptop sleeve, but I couldn't zip it. You'd have to check the length/height dimensions for your specific model, but the dimensions for the sleeve on DD's site are 12.5” x 9.5” (and the Medium Allyn's description says it fits most 13" laptops); a 2017 13" MBA is 12.8" × 8.94". The sleeve has a bit of give/stretch to it, so that .3 difference would likely be OK!
DeleteThank you for this post! I am a soon to be new teacher and I have been looking for a bag that will meet all my needs. I currently have a Kate Spade tote and it seems to be too stiff for my liking. I have been debating between the Allyn and Signature tote. I currently have quite a few things I have to bring with me for class, such as a binder, textbook, tablet, planner, etc. what bag do you suggest?
ReplyDeleteThe Signature Totes are a bit stiff and boxy (in my opinion)—although either the Large Allyn or the Legend could work for what you've described, I'm inclined to recommend the Large Allyn since it's not so stiff! Depending on the size of your tablet (and if you tend to pack minimally), the Medium Allyn might work as well, and I've found it retains its shape better than the Large.
DeleteLarge Allyn Pros: Spacious, structured without being too stiff, external phone slip pocket
Large Allyn Cons: Corners tend to slouch/buckle, no way to zip main compartment
Classic/Legend Pros: Main compartment zips, spacious
Classic/Legend Cons: No external cell phone slip pocket, fairly rigid, prone to slouching on one side; also, Legend handles can't be folded down
If you're on Facebook, the "Dagne Dover Handbag Appreciation Society" and "Dagne Dover Lovers" groups are great—some of the ladies there are also teachers and would be able to advise from personal experience!
Thanks for this comparison! Do you think the medium or large Allyn would be better for carrying a lunch dish and some snacks on a regular basis? I don't want to buy the large if I don't need to - just looking for a compact work bag!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay in getting back to you! I think the ladies in the Dagne Dover Handbag Appreciation Society Facebook group would be better able to answer this one (and/or the Dagne Dover Lovers group). If you don't need to bring too much else with you (no bulky folders/binders/planners/etc), I think the Medium could work!
Delete