Briefcases / Messenger Bags

Are we comparing here?

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Oh, can I play? (crappy cell phone picture for ease of uploading lazily)

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I've had my BBP Bag for years now. It's still in great shape and holds everything I ever need to carry. I have this one, http://bbpbags.com/hamptons.html. It has served me well. I like the ability to wear it as a messenger or a two-shoulder backpack style (evidenced by the video). Laptop pouch has waterproof seal over zipper and should you be traveling it has a way to hook to a rolling bag.

I forgot that I took a picture of mine awhile back to share!

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Quick! http://www.steepandcheap.com/ Chrome Anton bags for $47.

I'm looking for a new bag. I currently have a Targus 15" laptop bag. It works okay. It's rugged enough and fits most of what I need inside. The problem is winter coats. It falls off my shoulder unless I am actively holding on to it. If I have something in one hand and try to do anything in the other the bag falls off my shoulder half the time. Using it as a backpack doesn't work since the bulk of the winter coat makes it a pain to take off/put on. I think a messenger bag would serve me better.

So I'm looking for suggestions on size/bags. Timbuk2 seems to be a good brand without being Saddleback priced. I'd like to stay under $100. I work in a pretty casual environment so it doesn't have to look professional. Here is what I typically carry to/from work each day:

15" laptop (Dell E6530)
iPad or Kindle Fire HD
Gym clothes (shorts, shirt, socks, underwear)
Lunch (usually something in a decent sized tupperware bowl - 9" round and 3" tall) - I sometimes carry this separately.
A drink - 24 oz water bottle is the biggest drink. I usually carry it in a side pouch on the backpack.

Sometimes I carry a pair of size 14 shoes but not often. I have a locker at work that I keep a pair of shoes in.

One issue I have now is the ipad. Sometimes I put it in one of the external pockets and it gets banged around a bit. I have it in a hardshell case but recently noticed I broke the case on the corner and put a slight dent in the corner of the iPad. I have 2 ipads and both of them got dented corners most likely from being in my bag unprotected. So if a bag has a dedicated spot for a tablet that would be useful.

For the Timbuk2 bags would the medium work or should I step up to a large? Are the larges that much bigger? They seem to be 3" wider , 1.4" taller, and 1.2" deeper. They look big on the models on the web site. They have a classic messenger bag and a commute bag on sale. The commute doesn't look as big as the classic. The video for the commute looks promising.

So is there a specific bag that someone would recommend? Are there any bags that are made for carrying sweaty clothes, a laptop, and a tablet?

You'd want a large Timbuk2 for all that. A medium would just barely hold everything except the laptop.

clover wrote:

You'd want a large Timbuk2 for all that. A medium would just barely hold everything except the laptop.

+1. I got the medium, and it doesn't fit my work laptop in the designated slot. Other than that, it's fantastic. Timbuk2 is the sheeznet.

Doesn't Timbuk2 also make laptop specific messenger bags?

I've had one for like 6 years now (but I don't have a laptop) and it's still it perfect condition.

trichy wrote:
clover wrote:

You'd want a large Timbuk2 for all that. A medium would just barely hold everything except the laptop.

+1. I got the medium, and it doesn't fit my work laptop in the designated slot. Other than that, it's fantastic. Timbuk2 is the sheeznet.

Mine fits, but just barely. I worry I'm going to bust the zipper on the laptop slot so now I just store it in the main pocket and use the laptop pocket for my iPad and all my cables. The zipper gets stuck a lot too, but I imagine that's just an unavoidable zipper problem? Maybe I'm just making excuses for it. Otherwise I'm months into having my Timbuk2 and enjoying it. Should have gone with the large though.

After I wore my favority North Face Daypack to tatters over 5 years or so, my beloved wife gave me a Maxpedition Mongo for Christmas. Overall I am happy with it.

IMAGE(http://images.knifecenter.com/thumb/1500x1500/knifecenter/maxpedition/images/MX0439B.jpg)

Pros:

  • The shape is very ergonomic.
  • Enough pockets.
  • Accomodates 15" laptop easily, if needed.
  • The water bottle pocket fits my Zojirushi thermos bottle perfectly.
  • Outside MOLLE strips make customization simple. I can attach an umbrella puch on a rainy day, and keep it hanging outside of the bag.
  • Oversize drawstring mouth on the main compartment makes it easy to overstuff the bag if necessary. When expanded, it fits my Judo gi easily.
  • The overall look is utilitarian and kinda tacticool, but not outrageously so, if you remove all that velcro.

Cons:
[list]
[*]No handle.
[*]The nylon material is very dense and rigid. This is probably good for the longevity of the bag, but not the longevity of your garments which you wear it over.
[*]Ridiculous tacticool velcro panel on the flap. Easily taken off, though.
[*]Inside the pockets, there are no small compartments to aid the organization of small items. There are only velcro panels in there. You have to buy additional pouches.
[*]The big plastic buckle on the flap becomes really rigid in cold weather, and gets harder to open.

[list]

So the large it is. It was between the command and the d-lux. The command had an external water bottle pocket while the d-lux had more waterproofing and a stabilizing strap with a cam buckle for easy on/off. In the end I chose the d-lux because it was on sale for $84 (vs 120 for the command). Now I just hope it isn't too big. The medium d-lux is about the same size as the large command. Thanks for the suggestions/advice.