dsandler needs a brand new bag.
So, I have this bag.
I can’t remember exactly when I got it; during my tenure at Be, I think. It replaced a much more traditional leather computer bag that I received as a gift (but that quickly became a chew toy for our furry roommates). It’s stylish black messenger-style laptop bag; it’s always had some niggling design flaws, but all in all it has served me well for years.
Those years have come, I think, to an end.
So I’m in the market for a new bag—in all likelihood another messenger-style shoulder bag. Here’s where you come in, dearest lazyweb: I’m looking for personal recommendations. “I’ve been using the Timbuk2 Laptop Messenger, and the small is too small.” “The Waterfield is worth the money.” “This simple JanSport is better than all those fancy messenger bags.” That kind of stuff. (Basically what Dan Benjamin did a couple of months ago.)
Suggestions are welcome in the comments below or tweeted to @dsandler.
17 responses
I’ve been using the Manhattan Portage Computer Messenger Bag for several years now, and I’m happy with it — it shows no obvious signs of wear, unlike my previous bag which was less sturdy.
I mainly got it for its (1) being waterproof and (2) having a laptop sleeve that fits my 14″ (15″? — I’m too lazy to look it up) Dell Latitude. I like to carry my laptop around with me, but I live in Portland, and I didn’t want to worry about rain damaging my stuff. It has enough pockets and zippers for me, but I’m not a student — mainly it carries my camera, some papers, some pens, whatever books I’m reading, and whatever I’m eating or drinking that day. I do like that the laptop pouch is elevated off the bag’s bottom, so that if what I’m eating or drinking should spill, my laptop won’t be soaking in it until I find out.
comment posted at 12:18 am on 21 Apr 2008
I have a SwissGear bag, and love it to death. Seems to hold just about everything.
I think Amazon might have the best price on it: http://tinyurl.com/3m369l
I paid MSRP ($80) a while back and it was still worth every penny. Best laptop bag I’ve owned ever - can hold my laptop (MB, MBP15, MBP17 have all lived in there once), along with my DSLR camera gear. Would buy again A+++
comment posted at 5:51 am on 21 Apr 2008
Crossposting recent Twitter replies:
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In response to @cbowns:
comment posted at 8:34 am on 21 Apr 2008
I have a SwissGear Carbon backpack, courtesy of The Big G, for holding the 17″ Macbook Pro they so graciously provided. It’s a very nice bag, built like a tank, but it’s overkill. The fit and comfort is excellent, but it’s a backpack, not a shoulder bag. Sometimes I don’t want a backpack. All that extra space and padding means it’s a lot bulkier than a messenger bag for the same laptop would be. I’ve only had it for three weeks, though, so obviously I haven’t had time to figure out what I’m doing with it.
It looks like the Synergy pack that Chris Liscio cited is smaller. That’d work better for me, I think; the Carbon is quite big (and then wastes a lot of that size by partitioning the interior into three and a half separate vertical (!) compartments).
The Carbon seems to be a custom product created specifically for Apple. Wheee! Captive market! Anyway, this is serious luggage, and probably the best available bag for airline travel with a 17″ Pro, but not necessarily what I’d like most for schlepping it around every day. YMMV.
comment posted at 8:46 am on 21 Apr 2008
Hmm. A MacBook, power adapter, video adapter, Moleskine, two notebooks, glasses and sunglasses, keys, and some cables? That should be fine in incase’s Sling Pack (I have a two year old one; they’ve redone them and added some more space). If you’re near an Apple Store, they sometimes have them on the floor: definitely worth a look, I love mine. http://goincase.com/products/detail/nylon-sling-pack-cl55026/2 is a good photo.
comment posted at 9:11 am on 21 Apr 2008
After looking at your pile o’ stuff, you really won’t find anything better than either SwissGear backpack.
Backpacks are way better for your back than an over-the-shoulder bag. Also, there’s a ton of compartments so you can keep things organized. The laptop would go in the laptop sleeve (closest to your back, a narrow space). The keys/charger/etc would go in the frontmost pouch (farthest from your back). The rest goes in the middle, and there’s a little divider/sleeve where you could keep your books/papers upright.
You’d still have tons of space to spare. Two side-zippers for miscellaneous, and two side-pouches for water bottles if you like keeping hydrated.
comment posted at 9:17 am on 21 Apr 2008
Yikes, you all and your backpacks. I guess they’re not considered dorky anymore?
comment posted at 9:19 am on 21 Apr 2008
If you are getting pushed back to backpacks, (”Search your feelings. You know it to be true.”) then I can give you some things to look for that I like about mine. It was made by American Identity for IBM, but I do not see the same model on their site anymore.
Hope any of that gives you some ideas.
comment posted at 9:43 am on 21 Apr 2008
More from twitter:
comment posted at 10:55 am on 21 Apr 2008
I have a timbuk2 cargo bag and it has lived through many a beating. It looks brand new still. A friend has a messenger bag from them, and the amount of stuff she can shoehorn in there is amazing. Both our bags are made of ballistic nylon, which I highly recommend.
comment posted at 12:41 pm on 21 Apr 2008
jparks has a Crumpler “The Considerable Embarrassment” (Would link to it, but Crumpler’s site doesn’t work like that) and he really loves it. It took him about four different bags/back packs before he settled on it. If that size isn’t right, they have one smaller and bigger.
comment posted at 2:06 pm on 21 Apr 2008
I recently got a Timbuk2 Hacker bag. I’ve only been using it for a couple of weeks, but so far it’s working out great. It’s not a messenger-style, rather it’s vertical with a shoulder strap (and has tuck away backpack straps for when I need that, i.e. biking).
I think I’m finally getting over just how much stuff I can fit in there: laptop + my normal crap + a change of clothes, plus a spare layer or two when I’m not wearing them. Though it doesn’t seem overly large.
Still, I don’t fell like I’ve had enough time to really decide if it’s the perfect bag for me or not, but so far, so good.
comment posted at 3:47 pm on 21 Apr 2008
I’m sure that backpacks are functional and comfortable for most, but I can’t stand them. My biggest problem is that, when properly adjusted, they lie flat against my back. That leads to serious sweat issues, which just doesn’t look cool in office clothing or casual clothing (not to mention fake doctor clothing).
I bought a Timbuk2 Commute in 2004, which served me well until it suffered from strap failure like yours. Actually, the “hook” part held up surprising well to my abuse, but the D-ring attached to the bag started to separate and eventually poked a hole through the woven strap that keeps it in place. I sent it to Timbuk2 and promptly received full credit; gotta hand it to them, they live up to their lifetime warranty. And except for that strap, the bag looked immaculate. I was really impressed.
I used the credit to buy a customized regular messenger bag (size medium). Unlike the Commute, it has a wide strap sewn directly to the bag itself; no d-rings or hooks to get in the way. Since I no longer carry my laptop every day, I decided not to get the model with the laptop sleeve built in; unfortunately, this means that my 15″ Powerbook gets minimal protection without some help. If you need to carry your computer, I recommend just buying the version with the sleeve. There’s plenty of room for books, power supplies, and whatever else you want.
The only disadvantage to the regular messenger bag is that it has fewer pockets than the Commute. In particular, it lacks side pockets, which used to hold small water bottles or my coffee thermos. But other than that, my new Timbuk2 is the perfect bag for me, and I expect to get years of use out of it.
The only downside? I can’t tell any more if Timbuk2 is still cool, or somewhat passe/poseur. We east coasters often pick up on trends just as they’re getting stale. But my bag is rugged and functional enough for me not to care. :-P
comment posted at 8:48 pm on 21 Apr 2008
Can’t believe you’re hating on backpacks. I remember your taxonomical Backpackus monostrappus and duostrappus drawings, even if you don’t.
I have the Crumpler King Single, and it’s okay, but not great. The outer pockets are impossible to get anything out of with my big honking hands, and the large inner pouch feels like a bottomless pit unless I unzip the whole thing all the way. Super comfortable when on, though. I take it when on foot, and the messenger when on my bike. (I can’t imagine that I spent $145 on it, either. Maybe it was retail therapy.)
There’s nothing like a broken-in Timbuk2. My el ocho is nine or so years old now and still going strong.
comment posted at 12:27 pm on 22 Apr 2008
Wow. Just…wow. *shakes head*
comment posted at 3:13 pm on 22 Apr 2008
Hi,
I’ve been carrying my Macs around with me for years on motorcycles, in cars, on planes etc. in a variety of hard case ruck’sacks’ (more aptly called ‘ruckbox’ I guess) made by Swedish designers and manufacturers Boblbee. Not only do they protect the contents of the ruckbox, but they are also formed to protect your back and spine (think motorcycle incident). Excellent, cool, versatile and available in any number of colours and designs. They saved my Macbook, camera equipment and also my lunch several times when ski-ing….
website: http://www.boblbee.com
regards,
Michiel Niessen, Netherlands
comment posted at 6:44 am on 13 May 2008
Thanks for this info!!
But do this bag contains a flap inside so that it can fit my lapi and do not allow it to move much more..nice bag anyways…
:)
comment posted at 1:25 am on 17 Mar 2009