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Men - Do you carry an 'Everyday Bag'? If so ...
- Thread starter entatlrg
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I don't see how rucksacks qualify for day-to-day use
I mean I only ever use rucksacks for carrying loads of heavy stuff from A to B. Messenger style bags are so much more comfortable because you don't have to take them off to put stuff in/take stuff out.
Backpacks are better I find than messenger bags because you can distrubute weight over two shoulders. I used this in 2009
Very stealthy and not too big. Really designed as a technical bag for outdoor sports but because of the size I used it for both. The gf got me a designer 'weekend bag' at Christmas however..
Which I felt admittedly self conscious in for the first few times I took it out (not really a trendy guy in real life), but am now appreciating the extra space. It has a nice shoulder strap that you can't see in the picture.
Very stealthy and not too big. Really designed as a technical bag for outdoor sports but because of the size I used it for both. The gf got me a designer 'weekend bag' at Christmas however..
Which I felt admittedly self conscious in for the first few times I took it out (not really a trendy guy in real life), but am now appreciating the extra space. It has a nice shoulder strap that you can't see in the picture.
Here's my bag from a previous thread.
I've had it for about 10 years, fits a 15" MBP in a hardcase.
If I'm traveling light, I'll use one of the following types:
Which are an old US GI map case and SE/Central Asian monk's bags, respectively. I have a couple of monk's bags in really bright colors with frills, which can throw people for a loop (esp in the American south.)
Just because it's not suited for you doesn't mean shoulder/messenger bags don't have utility that backpacks don't.
Shoulder/messenger/briefcase style bags have their advantages.
1.) You don't have a giant heat trap on your back. This is especially important when working in extremely hot environments.
2.) A messenger bag can be moved to the front side while still wearing it.
3.) You can access the bag while you are still wearing it.
4.) In urban areas, side or front carry is more secure.
5.) Much easier to ingress/egress vehicles while still having the bag secured to you. This applies to cars, trucks, etc.
6.) You can sit down against a seat back while still wearing the bag.
7.) You can still use safety belts while having the bag secured to you.
8.) While using public transportation, you're not that d-bag who keeps bumping people with his backpack.
9.) If you're rolling heavy, you can wear a full sized backpack/rucksack for gear you can stow while having the messenger bag on a side or front carry for immediate access items without having to do the gear shuffle.
10.) Any single strap bag with a long enough shoulder strap can be converted to a back carry by looping your arms correctly, then adjusting tension.
I'm sure there's more, but that's just 10 off the top of my head.
I've had it for about 10 years, fits a 15" MBP in a hardcase.
If I'm traveling light, I'll use one of the following types:
Which are an old US GI map case and SE/Central Asian monk's bags, respectively. I have a couple of monk's bags in really bright colors with frills, which can throw people for a loop (esp in the American south.)
Just because it's not suited for you doesn't mean shoulder/messenger bags don't have utility that backpacks don't.
Shoulder/messenger/briefcase style bags have their advantages.
1.) You don't have a giant heat trap on your back. This is especially important when working in extremely hot environments.
2.) A messenger bag can be moved to the front side while still wearing it.
3.) You can access the bag while you are still wearing it.
4.) In urban areas, side or front carry is more secure.
5.) Much easier to ingress/egress vehicles while still having the bag secured to you. This applies to cars, trucks, etc.
6.) You can sit down against a seat back while still wearing the bag.
7.) You can still use safety belts while having the bag secured to you.
8.) While using public transportation, you're not that d-bag who keeps bumping people with his backpack.
9.) If you're rolling heavy, you can wear a full sized backpack/rucksack for gear you can stow while having the messenger bag on a side or front carry for immediate access items without having to do the gear shuffle.
10.) Any single strap bag with a long enough shoulder strap can be converted to a back carry by looping your arms correctly, then adjusting tension.
I'm sure there's more, but that's just 10 off the top of my head.
Paul Smith Leather Satchel/man bag for days when not much is needed (13" MB fits perfectly). Really old North Face rucksack when shopping/gym kit is required or cycling will be done. Kata 465 camera bag when camera is required.
Wenger Maxxum and Victorinox's Swissbags Leman
It depends on how much do I need to carry (laptop, clothes, papers-articles, some books-booklets, tennis shoes, surgical uniform, etc.), how I'm going to dress and where I'm going to go. I don`t return home every night, and sometimes I pack for 2-3 days at a time.
Most days I just take the Swissbags Leman. When I need to pack more stuff, or heavier stuff and the dress code is more relaxed, I take the maxxum, it's more confortable. I ride my bike with any of these two without a problem. The maxxum is much more comfortable when carrying more weight.
It depends on how much do I need to carry (laptop, clothes, papers-articles, some books-booklets, tennis shoes, surgical uniform, etc.), how I'm going to dress and where I'm going to go. I don`t return home every night, and sometimes I pack for 2-3 days at a time.
Most days I just take the Swissbags Leman. When I need to pack more stuff, or heavier stuff and the dress code is more relaxed, I take the maxxum, it's more confortable. I ride my bike with any of these two without a problem. The maxxum is much more comfortable when carrying more weight.
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Anything Brenthaven! I have the trek, which was posted earlier, and I will second its amazingness. I really want one of their sling bag (OMG 
I can't find it on their site!! Maybe they've discontinued it! It's here though: http://www.amazon.com/Brenthaven-Sling-15-4-Inch-MacBook-Pro/dp/B001C4THEI)
I can't find it on their site!! Maybe they've discontinued it! It's here though: http://www.amazon.com/Brenthaven-Sling-15-4-Inch-MacBook-Pro/dp/B001C4THEI)
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
This my murse. It's not the most trendy or chic. But it's tough as nails and holds a 15 inch laptop. I like the single strap as I can ride the bus without taking it off, I just swing it around front. I can access everything inside with the pack either vertical or horizontal. It's a Maxpedition Kodiak gearslinger
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Maxpedition makes some pretty good kit. I've been using their Rollypoly collapsible dump pouches for years but here's my favorite "WTF is that and where can I get one?" thing from them:
Tactical Travel Tray
Honestly though, that Kodiak is pretty big for a one-strap. How much gear do you carry in it?
Here's my bag from a previous thread.
I've had it for about 10 years, fits a 15" MBP in a hardcase.
If I'm traveling light, I'll use one of the following types:
Which are an old US GI map case and SE/Central Asian monk's bags, respectively. I have a couple of monk's bags in really bright colors with frills, which can throw people for a loop (esp in the American south.)
Just because it's not suited for you doesn't mean shoulder/messenger bags don't have utility that backpacks don't.
Shoulder/messenger/briefcase style bags have their advantages.
1.) You don't have a giant heat trap on your back. This is especially important when working in extremely hot environments.
2.) A messenger bag can be moved to the front side while still wearing it.
3.) You can access the bag while you are still wearing it.
4.) In urban areas, side or front carry is more secure.
5.) Much easier to ingress/egress vehicles while still having the bag secured to you. This applies to cars, trucks, etc.
6.) You can sit down against a seat back while still wearing the bag.
7.) You can still use safety belts while having the bag secured to you.
8.) While using public transportation, you're not that d-bag who keeps bumping people with his backpack.
9.) If you're rolling heavy, you can wear a full sized backpack/rucksack for gear you can stow while having the messenger bag on a side or front carry for immediate access items without having to do the gear shuffle.
10.) Any single strap bag with a long enough shoulder strap can be converted to a back carry by looping your arms correctly, then adjusting tension.
I'm sure there's more, but that's just 10 off the top of my head.
Weak arguments, imo ...
I've wasted a lot of money on messenger bags only to find our backpacks work far better. A messenger bag banging off your hip as you walk all day long, feeling lopsided just isn't fun.
For your arguments about banging into people etc., most backpacks have a top carrying handle, no problem there.
To work, on a plane, short car trips, etc, if I need my MBP I take this bag:
it replaced an aging jansport messenger bag. I started bringing my machine to the office and needed something more professional.
Link here with more pictures.
http://www.originalpenguin.com/BAGS...nb0012&bklist=icat,4,shop,opgshaa,opgaaprlbag
There is a padded sleeve that comes with it to put my laptop in.
-Lee
it replaced an aging jansport messenger bag. I started bringing my machine to the office and needed something more professional.
Link here with more pictures.
http://www.originalpenguin.com/BAGS...nb0012&bklist=icat,4,shop,opgshaa,opgaaprlbag
There is a padded sleeve that comes with it to put my laptop in.
-Lee
Maxpedition makes some pretty good kit. I've been using their Rollypoly collapsible dump pouches for years but here's my favorite "WTF is that and where can I get one?" thing from them:
Tactical Travel Tray
Honestly though, that Kodiak is pretty big for a one-strap. How much gear do you carry in it?
I keep my uMBP and it's power brick in there. Along with a few cables, my Maratac Manfolio with all my papers stored neatly in that, a book or two, power bars and water and a few edc items. The Kodiak has a wide comfy strap and is quite easy to carry. If I packed it to it's capacity, I could see it causing discomfort. There's room for an external drive, or two. A tool pouch, a poncho(not a Sears poncho) and more books.
Totally totally disagree. If you're a biker, which I am, messenger bags are the only way to go. Backpacks are top heavy and uncomfortable while riding. They also leave you with a nasty sweat mark from the top of your neck to the bottom of your back. Messenger bags lay all the weight comfortably on the bottom half of your back while riding. This is my everyday bag:
Backpacks have their place. For many other uses, backpacks are better. Just understand that there's a reason messenger bags are made the way they are. They aren't "garbage".
I carry a pretty basic olive drab green messenger bag every day (week day at least). It has my netbook, iPod, various chargers, a mouse, some basic tools/supplies (zipties, electrical tape, Swiss Army knife, etc), a notebook and pen, and anything else I think I might need that day in particular.
I'm going to switch, I think, to a slim single strap backpack after I get an iPad, though. I'd like something I can carry without getting in the way of my arm while walking and especially leaning over (like to pick up my son).
EDIT: Although I really like that "tactical travel tray" posted earlier. I guess if a messenger bag is a man purse, that's a man clutch?
EDIT X2: Take that back, looks to small to hold an iPad.
I'm going to switch, I think, to a slim single strap backpack after I get an iPad, though. I'd like something I can carry without getting in the way of my arm while walking and especially leaning over (like to pick up my son).
EDIT: Although I really like that "tactical travel tray" posted earlier. I guess if a messenger bag is a man purse, that's a man clutch?
EDIT X2: Take that back, looks to small to hold an iPad.
Again, weak only because they don't apply to you or you haven't really thought about the problem.
I need basic functionality out of my bags and my primary bag is meant to be a utility bag, not a large transport bag.
Then you just haven't been shown how to wear a messenger bag. I have several different ways of wearing a one strap bag, depending on load and function.
Not in it's carry form. If it's off your back, you lose the benefit of the two strap system. A messenger is supported on your shoulder, even if it's on the front.
So are you going to call all the arguments weak and try to address them or are you only going to fire back at a two targets with a buncha blanks?
Anyway, if you're carrying a lot of weight, then you should be using a backpack. But that's not we're talking about.
Yeah, that travel tray is basically a small, fold up travel tray. I use to hold my flashlight, phone, radio handset and other night time essentials on my bed/mattress, but under my mosquito net. You can't actually use it to hold anything while you're traveling though.
True but they've become very popular.
Backpacks are great but most are huge. Manufacturers need to realize more people carry a lighter load nowadays, thanks to iPad and MacBook Air, but still like a backpack and should offer more selection in smaller sizes.