Bag question: Crumpler Sticky Date or Booq Folee?

[Foggy]

Ok, need a new bag for my MBP as my current bag wont fit a 17" laptop in very well (it takes a fair bit of 'persuasion' to get the vaio in there). Have looked at shedloads of bags and just cant quite decide between a Crumpler Sticky Date or a Booq Folee XL.

I tend to carry the following:

Laptop (duh)
Power cables (ditto)
iPod
Mini USB Hub
USB Serial port
Phone extension cable
Network cable
A4 notepad in a notepad holder thing (quite big)
Pens
Business cards
Change
Couple of CD's
Misc bits of paper (notes and stuff depending on client)
Book if going on the train
PDA
PDA Bluetooth Keyboard

Normally have a few other bits and bobs as well.

I dont tend to go to too many formal meetings, very rarely wear a suit etc, but it still needs to look relatively smart but at the same time I dont want a really obvious laptop bag.

So, Crumpler Sticky Date at around £65+vat
Pros: Cheaper
Really doesnt look like a laptop bag
Includes seperate sleeve for laptop
Cons: Looks less organised internally
Not as much storage as the booq?

or the Booq Folee XL at around £95+vat:

Pros: Looks more professional
Very well organised
Has a carry handle for when you dont want to have it over your shoulder
Rigid well protected laptop enclosure
Loads of pockets
Cons: Over £100 by the time I have added shipping
More obviously a laptop bag
over £100 quid! (ok, thats there twice, but over £100? for a laptop bag? even I wince at that)

Have attached images as well (I hope)

Anyways, anyone used either of these in particular and have any positive or negative feedback?

 

[Pressure]

Why not get a real bag that doesn't rip one of your shoulders off while trying to carry it?

I really like my Crumpler Base Toucher but it may not be big enough for all your gear.

 

[gavd]

Crumpler

I've got a Crumpler (albeit smaller as I've got a 12" PB) and I'm really chuffed with it. It's comfortable to carry around, really well made, nicely padded etc.

Saying that, I'm sure the Booq would be most / all of those things as well, but the Crumpler would be cheaper. I guess the only thing is whether it would be big enough for you, like Pressuresaid.

 

[timmillwood]

Why not get a real bag that doesn't rip one of your shoulders off while trying to carry it?

I really like my Crumpler Base Toucher but it may not be big enough for all your gear.

i was going to say the same this, i had an old one strap bag and it was killing my sholders with all my uni books in.

So.. i bought a base toucher and it is so comfy, by far the best bag ever made! They do a bigger one if base toucher not enough.

I have 2 big text books, 2 big notebooks, pens, laptop, iPod, earphones & cables in mine. + there is still room for more little bits in the smaller pockets.

 

[Foggy]

To be honest, I dont tend to have to carry my bag that far as most of the time I drive places, maybe a couple of times a month I go somewhere by train and have a reasonable walk. Also, no idea where this comes from, but if I carry a backpack I only ever use one of the straps - never both, it stems from schooldays where you never ever wore a backpack over both shoulders. Add to that the macbook pro is soooo much lighter than the vaio it is replacing and I never had problems carrying that over a single shoulder I am not too worried.

Cheers for the replies so far anyways

 

[tjcampbell]

Get a sleeve that has serious shock protection. The best ones have a tough sort of foam and a hard lining around the edges.
Can't think of any brands off hand, but at any computer shop you will see what I am talking about.
Then get a "backpack" and not a recognizable branded one that is associated with computers.
Laptop bags are both uncomfortable and a magnet for theives! If you have a backpack then odds are you just have books or could be on the way to the gym. If you have a laptop / messenger bag then have painted a target on your head. Theives go after those types of bags simply because they are a "sure thing".
By the way... I was once mugged for my laptop bag. Been doing the backpack thing since and have never had a problem. And yes, there's the comfort factor too!

 

[Lau]

The Crumpler looks much, much nicer. Although you say it doesn't have as much organisation, I think there's such a thing as too many pockets! Having sections to break your stuff up is good, but I've had bags in the past with loads of sections and pockets and clips and bits and pieces, and it can take you 20 minutes to find your pen, notepad and phone, having opened about 15 pockets in the process.

 

[Abstract]

The Crumpler looks much, much nicer. Although you say it doesn't have as much organisation, I think there's such a thing as too many pockets! Having sections to break your stuff up is good, but I've had bags in the past with loads of sections and pockets and clips and bits and pieces, and it can take you 20 minutes to find your pen, notepad and phone, having opened about 15 pockets in the process.

Yes.

Lots of pockets can mean lots of SMALL pockets. While that's fine sometimes, I'd rather have a bag with half the number of pockets if it'll mean each pocket is 2x bigger.

 

[ScottDrummer]

so what did you go for?
anyone else like to add to this, as im in a similar pickle

 

[sabee]

Booq Backpack just GREAT

Hello,
Just want to share with you that I bought the Python XL[system] from Booq for my new MacBook Pro 17". (http://booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.231/.f?sc=11&category=-111)
It's just an amazing bag. I LOVE it, loads of space and pockets to store everything. My Wacom A4 fits in the laptop compartment as well.

The quality of the finitions are very good and the whole bag feels very strong made. The Vyper is great to carry around, and th Ecto is a must when you just have to move aroud mobile, iPod, keys, wallet...

I can only recomand the bag to anyone who likes its design. I'm in Spain so for those like me in Europe just go to www.booq.de.

Ciao!
sabee

 

[ScottDrummer]

thanks for that, any chance you could take some pics of it, the ones on their site are very polished.
Are you able to take some, with it open and with you wearing it, jsut so i can judget the size

Thanks