Many of those on Facebook have probably come across ads for Nordace bags… Sleek and stylish, these bags have already won over a large number of city dwellers—especially the bestseller, the Siena. But how does this bag hold up in daily life for a flutist? We tested it for you, and here are our thoughts.

Overview

Nordace, a Canadian company, was founded in 2018 and launched its first backpack, the Siena, in 2019. Designed to be both elegant and practical, the bag boasts multiple storage compartments (16 in total). Initially available only in black, it’s now offered in a wide range of colors, so everyone can find a match.

The company highlights its commitment to sustainability, with a product line made from recycled polyester, ethically engaged partners, and an emphasis on long-lasting quality. And it must be said—they really are high-quality and durable; after several months of use, our bag hasn’t changed a bit!

Testing the Bag for a Flutist

The design grabs your attention right away. It has to be said—the bag is truly a success: the black color is very attractive, and the light brown faux leather accents add a lot of character. We’re big fans.

When it comes to storage, it’s also very satisfying. The numerous compartments make staying organized easy and are super practical for everyday use.

The main compartment easily fits a flute with a B-footjoint in its case, plus a piccolo and a music stand! Perfect for carrying all your orchestra gear. However, there’s no lock to secure the zipper. It does seem possible to add a small padlock between the zipper pulls, but nothing on the bag is designed specifically for this purpose.

Inside the main compartment, there are several smaller sections to help keep your belongings organized. To be honest, aside from the top zippered pocket—which is great for pens and a flute stand—the other pockets aren’t very convenient. In fact, they can get in the way when putting your flute in and out, as the flute’s straps can snag on them. Nothing major, but a bit frustrating after a few tries…

A separate pocket is perfect for carrying sheet music or a digital tablet like an iPad. One very nice extra is a built-in USB port connected to a (not included) battery pack inside the bag. While it’s admittedly a bit of a gadget, it can be really handy for discreetly recharging your iPad during a rehearsal or just before a concert, backstage.

The front compartments of the bag are divided into sections, great for storing a Bluetooth pedal, chargers, glasses, or other accessories. Just be cautious when opening it while the bag is upright—some items may fall out if you’re not careful.

After several months of use, the bag has held up extremely well! The zippers remain in perfect condition—they’re clearly very sturdy. The color hasn’t faded, and all the stitching is still like new. In short, the high-quality build has stood the test of time!

We put the bag through some tough conditions—rain, sun… While it always protected the flute inside, you do need to be careful, especially in the rain, since unfortunately, the bag is not waterproof and doesn’t come with a rain cover.

Conclusion

With the Siena, Nordace offers a versatile, elegant, and very practical backpack. With enough space to carry a flute, piccolo, stand, and accessories, it meets the core needs of flutists. The addition of a locking system and a rain cover to protect our precious instrument would’ve made this a must-have for any flutist on the go!

Article proposé par Thomas MALLET

Né en 1981 en région parisienne, Thomas MALLET débute la flute traversière au CRR de Saint-Maur des Fossés dans la classe de Michel Moraguès, puis celle de Philippe Lesgourgues, où il obtient en 2000 le CFEM mention très bien à l’unanimité.
Afin de poursuivre ses études, Thomas quitte la région parisienne pour s’établir à Rouen ou il obtient en 2005 son diplôme d’ingénieur et exerce depuis chez Axens, filiale de l’IFPEN.
De retour en région parisienne, Thomas reprend alors ses études musicales et intègre la classe d’Oscar Catalan à Boulogne Billancourt.