OK, here’s where I ask you for help.
I am tired of carrying around my backpack. It’s a great backpack, mind you, and can hold a lot of stuff, but that’s really the main problem: I carry around too much stuff. Also, I think the backpack looks a little too College Student, and I’m going to be 40 in four months, and I am clearly not in college.
So I need a new bag.
I hate shopping, though, and this is where you might be able to help. I would like a messenger bag that is big enough to carry my laptop (when necessary), but not so big that I can carry my laptop, my notebook, my day planner, my iPod, three back issues of the New Yorker, four manuscript chapters, lunch, three highlighters, four pens, and a bottle of hand sanitizer. Oh, and a digital camera.
(You understand my problem now?)
If you have a bag you absolutely love, let me know what it is. A link to a Web page is even better. Black is always a good color for me, though my favorite color is red. Anything neon or pastel is so not going to happen.
And I work for a not-for-profit, so it can’t break the bank. (And I don’t buy leather.)
Needless to say, if you point me in the right direction, I’ll be extremely grateful, too.
10 Comments
June 6, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Tim and I have these Slingpacks (not quite a messenger back, but not a backpack either) that we like–good size, sturdy, lots of inner pockets. See what you think.
http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/cl55080
Ooh, I like it.
June 6, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Good news, I have two recommendations for you!
http://www.freitag.ch/
FREITAG bags are produced in Switzerland and derived from used bicycle tires & truck tarps. The bags are a bit pricey but they last forever. Buy now ’cos the Swiss Franc is valued lower than the dollar.
http://www.estylesense.com/Prada-Tessuto-Lap-Top-Bag-p/pv165.htm
Yes, PRADA. Before people start rolling their eyes or making jokes, this shit does not break or go out of style. I might add this site does not sell knockoffs, I bought my gym duffle bag from this site and you best believe them bitches are jealous.
Boo, them bitches be jealous of you even if you carried your shit in a grocery bag. Trust.
Alas, the Prada has leather trim and you know that’s a no-go for me, but we are so not having that argument. I bet it looks darling on your shoulder, though.
June 6, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Gurl,
Let’s talk bags and shoes.
You already know that for me it’s all about the cowboy boots…so no reason discussing that. But, how do you dress a fine pair of urban stomping shoes?
If it’s a bag you want, I love my OXIO shoulder bag (http://bit.ly/2PH5F). It’s compact, urban, chic. All you could ever want in a man bag—and more. It has more pockets than you’ll ever need. It might be a tight fit for your ‘puter, but if you’re a size queen, so if you may want to check it’s messenger sibling (http://bit.ly/cHOYz) with room to tote all your gadgets in style, this might be the way to go. Both, are animal part free, made of sturdy, resistant nylong, and either will surely to get you noticed with their retro, stripe style pizzazz. And isn’t that what’s it’s all about? Happy shopping!
Thank heavens we don’t live in the same city, otherwise it would be terribly embarrassing to bump into each other carrying the identical bag. Oh, the horror!
June 7, 2009 at 1:31 am
Charlie likes a canvas Engineer Field Bag (M-51) from Urban Outfitters. He has the olive drab, but they have it in black too. Might have “too much room” for your desire to pack light, but it’s pretty nice, not leather, and easy on the pocketbook.
If only Urban Outfitters and its CEO weren’t so relentlessly evil….
http://www.towleroad.com/2008/05/urban-outfitter.html
June 10, 2009 at 10:34 am
uh oh…um…I’m sorry.
Oh honey, don’t fret. If anything, I’m pissed off that they got you to part with your hard earned cash. You can imagine how I felt when I found out that the founders of Cold Stone Creamery were similarly inclined! (And you can imagine how relieved I was to find out they are no longer involved in the day-to-day of the company. To be parted from my cake batter ice cream would be a sad, sad day indeed.
But–but!–it turns out that bag is sold at other stores. Hmm, it enters the consideration again….
June 7, 2009 at 6:29 am
HEH! ::looking at Walt’s comment:: At least you got two votes for the ebags site.
June 7, 2009 at 11:26 am
Hey, I’ll be fifty in two years and I still carry a backpack.
Maybe I just need to stop filling mine to capacity….
June 9, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Or use one of your smaller backpacks.
June 8, 2009 at 7:31 am
I love my timbuk2 messenger bag. It’s convertible into a backpack if you have to carry a lot of heavy junk, is nearly indestructible, has great organizing pockets, has a vertical instead of horizontal padded laptop compartment which makes it easier to get around in crowded areas, has several accessories available (the extra padding for the shoulder strap, for example), has a rubberized bottom in case you need to set it down on wet pavement, has a rubberized interior in case you get caught in a downpour without your umbrella, has both a clip and a velcro to keep it closed, etc. etc. etc.
Clearly I wuv my bag.
I’m not sure they make the exact style anymore, since mine is about 6 years old, but it is similar to this one, though they have other vertical ones too:
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/laptop-messenger-style/blogger
June 18, 2009 at 6:30 pm
40 this year? Yay, now I don’t feel too old. “I hate shopping.” WT?!?
Lemme see… This one is pretty good I think. The price is decent and the reviews are good. Good luck Jeffrey.
http://goincase.com/products/detail/canvas-vertical-sling-cl55036/1