Casual Messenger style (or otherwise) laptop bags?

[RichTheRoadie]

Who's using what?

Need a new - and fairly roomy - laptop bag for work. Needs to be able to carry Macbook, bluetooth keyboard & mouse, charger, Pantone books, Kurz foil samples, stats, notebooks, and have room for other bits.

Most bags don't seem roomy enough, although I'll admit I haven't been looking all that hard...

Keen on less 'business' style - want something more messenger-esque in appearance (albeit not actually to be used in anything approaching 'messenger' chic), and/or more stylish. Happy to spend for something really good. Doesn't really need to be bike-friendly.

Ideas?

[Bewheels]

Bailey Works bags.

https://www.baileyworks.com/

Not only do they work awesome-ly, come in all kinds of styles, handmade in the US, ...they are made where IFs are made. This means there is some type of spillover karma.


I have owned a couple over the last 20 years. While I am certainly no bike messenger, I used them every day for years on and off the bike. They only thing they did not survive was cat piss...I could not get the smell of that out. Yes, that cat is gone.

[Matthew Strongin]

Bewheels beat me to it. My Baileyworks super pro size M has been going strong for years. Great bag with a super comfortable strap system.

[TTX1]

Check out the Cote & Ciel rucksack. Fits a 15" MBP, plus lots of other stuff. Not a conventional bag.

[MarkC]

Waxed canvas messenger bags from Mission Workshop appeal to my eye.

[myers]

I'm quite pleased with my Timbuk2. If it ever wears out, Baileyworks is next on my list.

[dashDustin]

All over waxed canvas or leather (Brooks). If leaning more on the really relaxed side of things - Patagonia has some cool stuff. And there's always US-based RELoad

[SpeedyChix]

I used a Waterfield Racer-X to carry around similar stash of bits. It sits unused now as I'm no longer working away from home.
Good review of it:
Review: Racer-X laptop bag by WaterField Designs

edit, looks like it's no longer made. They do have a couple other options.

[Jonathan]

I've used a Baileyworks for maybe 5 years, the last 18 months commuting by motorcycle. The condition of the fabric, sewing and hardware looks unused. The price of the bag wasn't cheap, top materials and labor never are, but I still got 3x what I paid for. It's a great value. I'd like to get another branded to my frame co.

[Mr B]

Does anybody still manufacture a full 3M Scotchlite bag?
I have this old one from Catherine Newell (London, UK) who closed her business years ago. Would buy another.
The bag below it is an enormous old Timbuk2 Bolo.

[RichTheRoadie]

Thanks all - checking out Baileyworks, Mission and the more local (Aussie) BoGear stuff right now...

[Bewheels]

Forgot about the down under aspect...

[ABiCi]

Georges Camera on George St in the CBD stocks Mission, I have the Rummy and I'm very happy with it.

[dhoff]

If you are interested in investing in something that will be with you for life, on the less casual side, Saddleback Leather is wrth looking at. Their bags are beautiful and guaranteed for 100 years.
Shop Messenger Bag | Saddleback Leather Co.

[scrubadub]

I'm a big fan of my Baileyworks but when I want something a little more structured I go with my Tom Bihn bags. I like their Cache system for carrying laptops. I'm currently using the Synapse 25 backpack but also have a messenger bag which works well too.

[RichTheRoadie]

...when I want something a little more structured I go with my Tom Bihn bags.

These look good. Perhaps not quite as stylish, but the structure / compartment setup is very good.

[j44ke]

After years of messenger bags on and off the bike, my lower spine bought me a backpack and laid down the law. This one:



I pile everything in it for weekend trips, laptop, cycling shoes, toothpaste, loaf of bread, pens, measuring tape, bear trap. The disadvantage is: no real interior pockets.

But Patagonia, Timbuk2, and Bailey all have courier-style backpacks now. I am sure there are more. Plenty of old couriers with curvy spines out there.