Spec me a bag for the commute

NathanE · 11 Aug 2011 at 16:47

I has a Visconti. Works great, no issues. No "colour fast" issues either :confused:

What I would say though is that a leather Visconti is quite heavy all by itself. Problem is, if you get a bag made from modern materials you might as well just be buying some Nike piece of crap.

Somnambulist · 11 Aug 2011 at 18:01

I kinda like that Muzetto bag Waterfield Designs have, although it's quite pricey and they're out of stock for another month. It's more a vertical messenger bag, but the 15" one looks like it's got space for everything.

konicky · 11 Aug 2011 at 18:24

I have one of these which is pretty good,

http://www.pakuma.com/products/choroka_k3l.htm

Somnambulist · 11 Aug 2011 at 18:39

Very niiiiiice. [/borat]

The K1 (bigger) looks cool too.

derfderfley · 11 Aug 2011 at 19:03

How about one of the Chrome messenger bags http://www.chromebagsstore.com. I'm sure I've seen them available on UK on-line stores, but the one that springs to mind may be a classified as a competitor, so I'll not post a direct link.

Somnambulist · 11 Aug 2011 at 20:58

The buckle strap on those is NICE. I know some of the designs of Chrome split off and formed their own company too who make similar looking bags.

Raymond Lin · 11 Aug 2011 at 21:02

Somnambulist said:
Definitely under £200, or even £150. £70-100 is what I was guessing. It doesn't need to be ultra smart as I won't even be wearing a suit, I'd just like it to look tidy.

Waterproof is obviously a must as well. My friend showed me the Jansport Lapstation backpack which looks very roomy, which is a start, although I'm not sure if it's a little excessive.

Paul Smith

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/H...-MacBook-Pro?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MTM4NzA3MTI

Barbour

http://www.barbourbymail.co.uk/Barbour-Union-Jack-Dry-Fly-Bag.html

Both fit all the stuff you want in it.

Xire · 11 Aug 2011 at 21:05

Basher said:
I'd avoid messenger bags, unless you are homosexual.

+1

I really like these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adidas-Clas...FCSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313093104&sr=8-1

Cheap and cheerful

Evoss · 11 Aug 2011 at 21:11

I have a GoIncase Compact Backpack. Amazing quality. Has a Laptop and iPad area. Compartments are padded and lined in a fur.

http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/compact-backpack-cl55302

Google it for UK re seller.

Somnambulist · 11 Aug 2011 at 21:13

I'm actually digging the Chrome one most. My parents are in America for a few more days too so I might get them to buy it for me and pay them when they get back. It can be worn as a bag or backpack so best of both worlds.

Kappa · 11 Aug 2011 at 21:46

fini said:
People saying 'don't get a messenger bag' don't commute in to London. In short, get a nice looking messenger bag.

Lol! I do commute to London, and I sometimes carry not 1 but 2 laptops. No way would a messenger bag be comfortable with that.

And I'm not even in IT! God knows what this chap will be loaded up with!

SizEzE · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:02

Millican bags

Somnambulist · 11 Aug 2011 at 22:44

Heh. I don't actually think I'll need to be carrying that much. As said, apparently it seems that I'll only need to take a work laptop around if a) going to training at a different location b) if the weather is expected to be so abysmal I'll need to work from home (like when it snowed last time and the world ground to a halt). The main things are food/drink, space for an iPad and probably my 'brick' of portable audio goodness and the odd thing like a notepad and pens. I'm 90% certain the Chrome Metro-Mini + laptop sleeve they do (which can attach inside the bag) will suffice.

I'm being lame now and looking for something nice for the impending travel card (£2k a year, weep).

fini · 12 Aug 2011 at 07:17

Can you load the travel card on to an oyster card (it'll depend where you live)? I assume you'll be able to from the reasonably low cost you're listing for your yearly travelcard. If so, do that as putting a card through the barriers is a pain.

J-FRO · 12 Aug 2011 at 07:35

If i bought a yearly travel card it'd be about £1.5k, ner nicky ner ner!

But anyway, I just have my oyster in my wallet and scan that on the reader when I go through barriers.

As for the bag for lappy/ipad etc, I'd say something smart looking like a leather messenger bag. Just look for one with a comfy strap so the strain on your shoulder isn't too bad and make sure you have it set to the correct length. If you let it sit too low on your side it seems to weigh you down more for some reason, the shorter you can have it the better. Prob's because of something to do with body core strength or the like.

Although backpacks are more comfy, there's nothing worse than looking like the dork with backpack in the pub on a friday after work. Not to mention you have to take it of when getting on the tube at busy times because if you don't you're just an ass. It barges everyone and takes up the potential space for another commuter by being on your back.

icedbullet · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:42

Crumpler super boomer XL: http://www.laptopstuff.co.uk/p/Crumpler_Super_Boomer_Extra_Large_Laptop_Messenger_Bag.htm

This is an excellent bag. It has plenty of room, a very well protected laptop compartment and seperate areas for paperwork. I've been using this bag for nearly 3 years now and it is still in perfect condition. The strap is made from seatbelt material and can hold a lot of weight, I've put huge laptops in folders, books and the strap is still perfect.

Somnambulist · 15 Aug 2011 at 12:09

Right, turns out I will very rarely need to bring a laptop. I'm in love with this company:
www.seagullbags.com as they have the same buckle release system as the Chrome bags but less bling-looking and you can customise the hell out of them as they're all hand-made. I'll just get the smallest sized messenger bag they do, as well as the smallest laptop sleeve they do and throw the iPad in that.