Messenger bags

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Wearing a messenger bag all Freshman year of highschool instead of a backpack was one of the worst decisions of my entire life.
 
Stumpokapow said:
I find most of them look too much like bookbags or like things a literal courier would use.
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Same. This is why I can't use Timbuk2. I don't doubt the build quality but the design really is just a shoulder slung backpack.
 
Playstation bag lol

Anyone have any recommendations for something a little more stylish that won't fall apart after a couple months?
 
I've been using this for the last 6 months to haul my MacBook. It also has room for my iPad, my Kindle, and more in a super slim profile. I love it...and that price is fantastic.

newt_darkstatic__15.jpg

http://ogio.com/15-newt-slim-case
 
eosos said:
Hey GAF I started a new job recently and I'm looking for a bag to carry my stuff in. I'm kind of over backpacks so I was thinking a briefcase or messenger bag thing. I work in consulting so I'll be traveling a lot. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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http://www.saddlebackleather.com/business/messenger-bags

http://www.saddlebackleather.com/business/briefcases

Probably the highest quality you're gonna find online.

Commanche Raisin Toast said:
The PlayStation gear site has some nice stuff, and all of the apparel and bags on the Bethesda Software merch that I've gotten are REALLY nice quality.
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freenudemacusers said:
No
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I'm fucking dying LMAO
 
Fenderputty said:
My wife would shoot me. lol

Neither of us are capable of affording such money on an accessory item currently. Child on the way. Remodel sucked us dry.
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Try a discount store like Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, or Ross Dress for Less. They carry stylish bags, some of which are pretty high quality, and have reasonable prices.
 
Saddleback: substance over style. Very well made, will last for many years. But they look kind of awkward with the big buckles.

ONA: style over substance. Looks much nicer than Saddleback but really thin leather, weak stitching, etc.

Filson: The Harvey is pretty cool but it looks like something military surplus. But it's a good bag
 
Going to depend a lot on your own style and also what kind of clients do you deal with? 3 piece suit type of people or laid back casual?
 
Miles Quaritch said:
How extendable is the strap?

Looks like I can grab one with expediated delivery to the UK for £101. The red looks mighty impressive.

http://www.timbuk2.com/command-tsa-friendly-ipad-laptop-messenger-bag/174-6-6061.html
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Obviously there are nicer/more expensive bags than this one, but I own this bag (in black)and it was fantastic last year in my world-tour for work. I hit 12 plus airports in an 13 month period including 4 international stops and it worked like a champ.
 
People wear backbacks at my work all the time.

I can't see how anyone could justify $150+ for a bag when a <$75 one will do just fine, but that's just me. I got a nice Columbia backpack on clearance for about $30 and I've used it for years.
 
Kanik said:
PtHcJlP.jpg

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All of his co-workers will be jelly.
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Golly jeepers look at all these normal looking bags I found on those sites with branding so subtle that nobody is going to notice, nor give a flying family-friendly fuck about your bag.

http://imgur.com/a/g5d7K

or OP could specify in the original post that it needs to be strictly professional looking instead of people being dickheads about it. specifying his job == specifying style or materials or anything, you know, *specific*
 
At school, I always see business students going around in suits with big bulky backpacks on. I wish they would just get a bag that looks fine with a suit, like a messenger or a briefcase.
 
Commanche Raisin Toast said:
Golly jeepers look at all these normal looking bags I found on those sites with branding so subtle that nobody is going to notice, nor give a flying family-friendly fuck about your bag.

http://imgur.com/a/g5d7K

or OP could specify in the original post that it needs to be strictly professional looking instead of people being dickheads about it. specifying his job == specifying style or materials or anything, you know, *specific*
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but why get one of those when there are 100000000..000 other companies that produce work bags, and better? would you get uncharted running shoes? infamous bar stools?
 
Messenger bags are usually a thing young professional men do when they forget how it doesn't actually wear comfortably or look good. Don Draper and James Bond don't throw on their nice clothes and then a messenger bag. Either embrace some luxurious utility with a classic and simple backpack design or go with the always reliable briefcase.

I mean, this guy was a tool on Mr. Robot regardless of his bag, but he is the only one carrying a messenger bag on the show...
481811688-v1ew-s0urce-flv-episode-107-pictured-michael-gettyimages.jpg


These are all just firm opinions of course.
 
Fenderputty said:
I want a nice leather one. They're all 300+ dollars though. Fuck that noise.
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Leather bags are also among the heaviest.

I carry around a Macbook Air and I wanted a nice and lightweight bag that could hold my laptop, kindle, charger, MIFI, some pens business cards and a few files.

The Brenthaven Collins met that criteria. I saw some nicer bags and one leather bag that was beautiful and light, but those bags were $500+. Mine cost me under a hundred and I still like it.
 
I got an ole' raggy backpack from an old friend and I'd fuckin' love to replace it with one of these badass custom bags. Red and white, Mirror's Edge style. For less than $45 too, looks like... damn... damn damn damn...
 
Find a shop local. Will be about $200+ but you pick colors, buckle, size .. extra pocket or whatever. It's the best route IMO.

I'm also in Portland so there's a messenger bag shop every 100'
 
Commanche Raisin Toast said:
Golly jeepers look at all these normal looking bags I found on those sites with branding so subtle that nobody is going to notice, nor give a flying family-friendly fuck about your bag.

http://imgur.com/a/g5d7K

or OP could specify in the original post that it needs to be strictly professional looking instead of people being dickheads about it. specifying his job == specifying style or materials or anything, you know, *specific*
Click to expand...

Uhl6pmi.png
 
bionic77 said:
Leather bags are also among the heaviest.

I carry around a Macbook Air and I wanted a nice and lightweight bag that could hold my laptop, kindle, charger, MIFI, some pens business cards and a few files.

The Brenthaven Collins met that criteria. I saw some nicer bags and one leather bag that was beautiful and light, but those bags were $500+. Mine cost me under a hundred and I still like it.
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It really depends on what the situations calls for. If I were the OP I'd probably get something like a leather briefcase for meeting clients and a backpack for day to day commuting. I have a compact messenger bag for camera gear when I'm doing stuff locally for an afternoon. If I'm traveling or if I know I'm gonna be walking several miles I'll probably take a backpack instead.

But backpacks do have another weakness in that they're easier to steal from. A skilled thief can slice a backpack open, drain the contents and you won't even feel it. Messenger bags are tougher to get at if you have them positioned under your arm. There are anti-theft backpacks like Pacsafe that use wire frames to resist cutting. But that adds more weight.

It's all a trade off.
 
For me, my main concern is weight, since I take transit. I've used a full size shoulder bag, a rolling briefcase, and now a Tom Bihn tote (specifically their medium cafe bag). The last one is by far the smallest, but it works for me as I don't have a laptop; at home and work I use desktops, and I carry an iPad in the bag. I'd actually like to find a bag that's just about the same size but has a few more external pockets and less weight wasted on a full-size flap cover. (Leather's weight is one of the reasons I don't go with leather.)

If you get a rolling briefcase, I guess go with one that has rollerblade-compatible wheels so you can swap out when you need to replace them.

More generally, I would suggest that you think about what you need to put in there... books or notebooks, papers, tablet or laptop, wallet, keys, phone, water bottle, umbrella, glasses, sunglasses, earphones, camera, camera equipment, transit pass, office keycard, etc... and which of those things would benefit from having dedicated or quick-access pockets for them. Also, think about which of those things you don't use and could just leave at home. Or in the car, if you drive.

Also, yes, something that can strap to a rolling carry-on suitcase is also a nice feature. Actually, if you fly a lot and have a laptop, it might also be worthwhile to consider a bag with a separate laptop compartment so you can get through security a few minutes faster? I don't know, that's not an issue for me; I don't travel nearly enough to bother.
 
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