I Need A Good Messenger Bag

[roninmedia]

I just graduated from my college after 7 long years and I am now a working professional pharmacist.

 

During my years in college, I managed my school belongings and carried them to class in a backpack that included a compartment for my laptop along with space for my books and reference materials for clerkships. A backpack was fine during that period because I was a student and students carrying a backpack was fine.

 

Fast forward a few months and I have transitioned into an office environment where I have to dress "dress casual" or better and get my own cubicle space. I'm looking to transition to something better and maybe more expensive. I would like it to hold a laptop or tablet (Still deciding if I really need a laptop these days when I have a quality desktop at home and I have the option of using a laptop or tablet when I'm mobile).

 

My only real requirement is it be neutral colors (nothing too wild or bright), usable in other environments and it be fit the things I need for work including a laptop or tablet, a few books or notebooks, pen and of course lunch. I really spend more if it is a solidly built bag that will last me a while but I'd like to keep it under $250 to $300. I also live in Florida, so unexpected showers can happen at any time, so water resistant is a big big plus.

Edited November 14, 2012 by roninmedia

[Letsdisinfect]

There are a ton out there that would fit the bill, but I'm quite partial to Saddleback bags (www.saddlebackleather.com). I just got one of their large satchels and it's fantastic. I also have a large classic briefcase. They're built solidly and have a 100 year warranty.

 

They're a bit more than 300, but you can sometimes find them on Ebay for less.

[roninmedia]

The brands I've considered that I've found thus far that fit into my criteria are from Timbuk2, Tom Bihn, and Chrome. But Chrome to me feels more like courier, bike bags.

[speculator]

Over my years as a bicycle commuter in rainy, hilly Portland Maine, the very best messenger bags (best designed, best looking, and most durable) are those made by Manhattan Portage.

Check out their web site.

I own two- one of them is waterproof, and is in this photo of me

I might add, it's also snowproof.

 

The other Manhattan Portage bag I have is a combination briefcase and messenger bag.

 

Both are ideal for carrying books, writing materials, camera, netbook, and all I need for a day's work. The waterproof bag is larger and I can fit my lunch bag in it!

[Jadie]

Hmm, you could try searching for them on Etsy. Lots of choices and variety, for well under $100 in some respects.

 

http://www.etsy.com/search?q=messenger%20bag&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US

[MadAmos]

You can't go wrong with a Tom Bihn .

 

I really like the Ristretto and highly reccomend it. Another favorite is the Wisewalker Toto available in the US through jetpens.com

 

Jet pens has free shipping over $25 as well.

 

Not affiliated with either just a satisfied user.

[FLJeepGuy]

I'll second the suggestion for a Tom Bihn bag. I've had one of their ID bags for about two years and have used it as my daily carry to and from work as well as on vacations and a pen show. The bag looks brand new; nothing has frayed, unraveled, nor torn. I even though my laptop doesn't travel with me daily, it does fit well in the inner pocket. I don't have a single complaint with this bag.

[Tdot]

I haven't looked at bags in a long time but I have three favorites. Two old Eagle Creek's, a large one that got me through college and many work years, plus a short trip travel bag (still have it), and a small shoulder manbag sort of thing that's just big enough for a 12" laptop and extras (still use this one a lot). The third is a more recent OGIO brief bag that has a lot of well thought out pockets and features, if I had to carry more junk around this would be my favorite.

[Letsdisinfect]

Vagabond Traveler just released a number of different canvas bags. They look pretty good in the pictures, but I haven't seen them close up. http://www.vagabondtraveler.com/shopping/index.php?route=product/category&path=43

[Brettman]

I LOVE my camel messenger bag. I got mine from Far Horizons Traders. I have had mine for 7 years and it is more beautiful now than when i bout it. They have a variety, available on ebay and here: http://farhorizontraders.gostorego.com/

 

-Brett

[roninmedia]

I'll second the suggestion for a Tom Bihn bag. I've had one of their ID bags for about two years and have used it as my daily carry to and from work as well as on vacations and a pen show. The bag looks brand new; nothing has frayed, unraveled, nor torn. I even though my laptop doesn't travel with me daily, it does fit well in the inner pocket. I don't have a single complaint with this bag.

 

The ID was one of the bags that was at the top of my list before I came to ask this question (Considered a Timbuk2 custom laptop messenger). After looking at some of the suggestions of other brands, I realized somehow canvas and leather didn't appeal to me, and I think the ID comes off a little more professional vs Timbuk2.

[betsypreston]

I looooove my Duluth Pack bags.

 

http://duluthpack.com/

[Brian C]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/classifieds/item/13617-renaissance-art-recession-leather-messenger-bag/

Wink wink

[tmenyc]

I LOVE my camel messenger bag. I got mine from Far Horizons Traders. I have had mine for 7 years and it is more beautiful now than when i bout it. They have a variety, available on ebay and here: http://farhorizontraders.gostorego.com/

 

I also love my camel bag from FHT...it is featherlight, indestructible, and works for every use I've given it. And the prices are great!

Tim

[JefferyS]

Look at the Fully Evolved Briefcase from Duluth Trading. Lightweight, strong, and indispensable.

[chiaroscuro]

I swear by my Filson. It fits all your criteria, but might be a bit big for what you need (the brown looks way better than in the pictures):

http://www.filson.com/products/briefcase-computer-bag.70257.html

 

Here's a slimmer version:

http://www.filson.com/products/original-briefcase.70256.html

 

This bag gets tons of compliments and questions. It looks better with age.

[comfortableshoes]

+3 on the Tom Bihn bags. I'm very hard on my bags and I have one of their small cafe bags that I've used for the last 6 months and other than where a waiter drenched it with BBQ sauce, it looks brand new. It's the sturdiest small bag I've ever owned. i was impressed enough I told my partner I wanted the larger Imago for Christmas.

 

The Saddleback bags are awesome looking but VERY heavy. I bought my partner one for law school graduation and it rarely gets used due to it's weight.

[NateB]

Crumpler makes some nice bags.

[JefferyS]

I have [choke!] 9 Crumpler camera bags.

[Plume145]

I would really urge you to reconsider the prejudice (lol) against backpacks. There's no avoiding that a backpack is much kinder to your health (especially your back) than a messenger - don't listen to sales blurb that tries to convince you that if a messenger is properly designed, properly fitted to you (re: length of straps, positioning on the body, etc) and/or carefully packed, etc then it will be as good as or better than a backpack, because there's not really basis in fact there. And that's comparing it to a simple, basic two-shoulder bag (like the average student pack - 2" wide straps, padded if possible, STRAIGHT not curved, no more than a couple of compartments so it doesn't stick out too far from the back, and should hit above your bum when worn). NOT comparing it to a quality hiking pack - just a simple backpack that is likely to have the sort of understated styling that would work for the sort of environment you describe.

 

I honestly can't see how something like a Jansport Superbreak in basic black** would look any LESS professional than almost all of the one-shoulder offerings from the three brands you mentioned. In fact, to me it gives off a distinct message of, 'I appreciate things that are simple and functional and let me get work done, which is what I am here for, not to show off my gadgetry and fiddle with the eleventy billion straps and compartments on my bag all day long'. A lot of these bags may look less student-y, but they do look like something a (wannabe) bike messenger would use, so they're still not that business-like. At least erring on the side of student-y gives off a message that you're unpretentious and focussed - not a bad thing at all. And I don't think a Superbreak-type bag is erring on the side of student-y anyway

 

One extra advantage of something in the Superbreak category: price is usually around the $50 mark. That's about 1/6th of what you were ready to plonk on this purchase! Even if unlike what seems to be most Americans currently entring the workplace, you have no student loans to pay off, I am sure you have better things to do with your first paychecks!

 

 

** You could also try grey, or even dark green...heck you could even get it in the company colors if it's not something loud like pink or lime, where people would notice how loud it is before they would realize it's the company colors.

Edited November 18, 2012 by Plume145