Bag me, episode 3,000,000
May 4, 2019 11:41 AM Subscribe
I hate switching all my stuff between bags. Sometimes I carry a cotton tote bag, because it's easy to pick up, easy to reach into, and subway-friendly. Sometimes I carry a backpack, because it's spacious, bike-friendly, and can protect my laptop. Help me find my One True Bag!
My ideal bag does a lot of work. Sometimes it goes to the office with me. Sometimes it holds a laptop, or groceries, or just my wallet and phone. Sometimes it rides on my bike; sometimes it goes over my shoulder on the subway. Sometimes it rides alongside a child in a front carrier, or other heavy things in additional bags.
Here's what I DO want:
- Convertible backpack/tote. But it has to truly work as both of those things—so, the backpack straps have to be comfortable, and the tote handle has to be long enough to put over my shoulder.
- Sturdy fabric: canvas (waxed or not), heavy nylon, that kind of thing.
- Padded laptop sleeve that can hold a 15" Macbook. Or at least, big enough for a 15" laptop (I'll buy a separate sleeve if I really have to).
- A bit of grownup, urban style. I'm kind of minimalist, but I also like bright colors sometimes. For reference, my current backpack is a color-blocked Sandqvist. It should play nicely in both casual and (laid-back) professional contexts.
- Zipper closure. I don't like drawstrings (or, as mentioned above, Velcro :barfing face:). Rolltops are okay for security, but harder to use, I find.
- Appropriately sized for someone who is 5'4". (So probably max 25 L.)
- Under $200. Under $100 would be even better (but hey, I live in a city; this thing is basically my car).
Here's what I DON'T want:
- A messenger bag. I think they're ugly and I find them uncomfortable.
- Velcro, anywhere on the bag. Velcro is the worst. It catches on my hair, messes up my sweaters, gets all full of lint and fuzz, and wears out. Plus noisy. If there has to be Velcro, it should be really minimal and not mission-critical.
- Leather body (heavy, uncomfortable, unnecessarily expensive). Things like leather zipper pulls or handles are fine.
- Anything shiny.
- Lightweight fabric (think windbreaker-type stuff). So no "packable" bags.
- Loud prints.
- Anything overly briefcase-y or sporty.
Nice-to-haves:
- Waterproof or -resistant.
- Integrated tote straps (not clip-on)
- Left-handed friendly. Quick-reach pockets should be accessible with the bag on my left shoulder.
- Water bottle pocket, either internal or external. Can be tiny.
- Easy-to-reach phone pocket that zips shut, or a place I can clip one on.
- Colorful lining, to make it easy to find stuff.
- Flexible capacity—like, a way to expand for groceries.
- Can be carried open-top.
- Laptop pocket zips or snaps.
- Somewhere to put shoes.
What I don't care about:
- A million little pockets for organization. They don't offend me, but I won't use 'em.
- High tech-ness. Like, the fabric doesn't have to be some sophisticated wonder fabric that took millions in R&D funds to develop. Or whatever.
- The product's official gender.
If all else fails, I'll accept a Really Good Tote Bag. It's pretty easy to find laptop-friendly, stylish backpacks, but I'm having trouble finding a good laptop-friendly zippered tote.
To give you a sense of what I like, here are some bags I'm considering. Some are backpack totes, some are just totes. (Product reviews are welcome if you happen to own one of these):
Backpack totes:
Peak Design Everyday Tote
Topo Commuter Briefcase
Qwstion Office Tote
Timbuk2 Forge Backpack Tote
Chrome MXD Pace Tote Bag
Lo & Sons Edgemont
Totes:
Tom Bihn Pop Tote
State Bags Fenimore Tote
Baggu Duck Bag (honestly, this one is less practical; I just like it)
Patagonia Iron Forge Tote
L.L.Bean Waxed-Canvas Tote Bag
Bellroy Classic Tote
Thank you!
My ideal bag does a lot of work. Sometimes it goes to the office with me. Sometimes it holds a laptop, or groceries, or just my wallet and phone. Sometimes it rides on my bike; sometimes it goes over my shoulder on the subway. Sometimes it rides alongside a child in a front carrier, or other heavy things in additional bags.
Here's what I DO want:
- Convertible backpack/tote. But it has to truly work as both of those things—so, the backpack straps have to be comfortable, and the tote handle has to be long enough to put over my shoulder.
- Sturdy fabric: canvas (waxed or not), heavy nylon, that kind of thing.
- Padded laptop sleeve that can hold a 15" Macbook. Or at least, big enough for a 15" laptop (I'll buy a separate sleeve if I really have to).
- A bit of grownup, urban style. I'm kind of minimalist, but I also like bright colors sometimes. For reference, my current backpack is a color-blocked Sandqvist. It should play nicely in both casual and (laid-back) professional contexts.
- Zipper closure. I don't like drawstrings (or, as mentioned above, Velcro :barfing face:). Rolltops are okay for security, but harder to use, I find.
- Appropriately sized for someone who is 5'4". (So probably max 25 L.)
- Under $200. Under $100 would be even better (but hey, I live in a city; this thing is basically my car).
Here's what I DON'T want:
- A messenger bag. I think they're ugly and I find them uncomfortable.
- Velcro, anywhere on the bag. Velcro is the worst. It catches on my hair, messes up my sweaters, gets all full of lint and fuzz, and wears out. Plus noisy. If there has to be Velcro, it should be really minimal and not mission-critical.
- Leather body (heavy, uncomfortable, unnecessarily expensive). Things like leather zipper pulls or handles are fine.
- Anything shiny.
- Lightweight fabric (think windbreaker-type stuff). So no "packable" bags.
- Loud prints.
- Anything overly briefcase-y or sporty.
Nice-to-haves:
- Waterproof or -resistant.
- Integrated tote straps (not clip-on)
- Left-handed friendly. Quick-reach pockets should be accessible with the bag on my left shoulder.
- Water bottle pocket, either internal or external. Can be tiny.
- Easy-to-reach phone pocket that zips shut, or a place I can clip one on.
- Colorful lining, to make it easy to find stuff.
- Flexible capacity—like, a way to expand for groceries.
- Can be carried open-top.
- Laptop pocket zips or snaps.
- Somewhere to put shoes.
What I don't care about:
- A million little pockets for organization. They don't offend me, but I won't use 'em.
- High tech-ness. Like, the fabric doesn't have to be some sophisticated wonder fabric that took millions in R&D funds to develop. Or whatever.
- The product's official gender.
If all else fails, I'll accept a Really Good Tote Bag. It's pretty easy to find laptop-friendly, stylish backpacks, but I'm having trouble finding a good laptop-friendly zippered tote.
To give you a sense of what I like, here are some bags I'm considering. Some are backpack totes, some are just totes. (Product reviews are welcome if you happen to own one of these):
Backpack totes:
Peak Design Everyday Tote
Topo Commuter Briefcase
Qwstion Office Tote
Timbuk2 Forge Backpack Tote
Chrome MXD Pace Tote Bag
Lo & Sons Edgemont
Totes:
Tom Bihn Pop Tote
State Bags Fenimore Tote
Baggu Duck Bag (honestly, this one is less practical; I just like it)
Patagonia Iron Forge Tote
L.L.Bean Waxed-Canvas Tote Bag
Bellroy Classic Tote
Thank you!
Best answer: I’m a big fan of hybrid tote-backpacks and have purchased several over the last few years. A few tips:
(In case you bike in the rain) the top of the Lo & Sons Edgemont does have a zipper, but the zipper does not close the bag fully, leaving a half-inch or so gap on either side of the zipped top. The contents will likely get wet. I almost purchased this bag last year, but the fabric looked a bit scratchy to me.
I have the Timbuk 2 Forge. It’s an excellent bag if you don’t mind the roll top. I personally find zippers easier to manage while commuting, but if you won’t need to frequently open and close the bag en route, the roll top won’t be an issue. I mostly use the backpack straps.
I also have the Timbuk 2 Convertible Tote, which has features similar to the Lo & Sons Edgemont but might be considered more “pretty” in style (e.g., gold hardware on some color options, no external water bottle holder, looks more like a tote than a backpack). I mostly use the backpack straps, and it is very comfortable to carry. Bonus: The tote straps are adjustable!
I highly recommend Timbuk 2 bags.
The Shepani Camden is also nice, but again, the top zipper on some models does not go all the way across the bag.
None of the bags I listed has a lining that makes it easy to see inside. The Forge bag in particular is a big black hole, but it does hold a lot!
posted by quixotictic at 1:21 PM on May 4, 2019
(In case you bike in the rain) the top of the Lo & Sons Edgemont does have a zipper, but the zipper does not close the bag fully, leaving a half-inch or so gap on either side of the zipped top. The contents will likely get wet. I almost purchased this bag last year, but the fabric looked a bit scratchy to me.
I have the Timbuk 2 Forge. It’s an excellent bag if you don’t mind the roll top. I personally find zippers easier to manage while commuting, but if you won’t need to frequently open and close the bag en route, the roll top won’t be an issue. I mostly use the backpack straps.
I also have the Timbuk 2 Convertible Tote, which has features similar to the Lo & Sons Edgemont but might be considered more “pretty” in style (e.g., gold hardware on some color options, no external water bottle holder, looks more like a tote than a backpack). I mostly use the backpack straps, and it is very comfortable to carry. Bonus: The tote straps are adjustable!
I highly recommend Timbuk 2 bags.
The Shepani Camden is also nice, but again, the top zipper on some models does not go all the way across the bag.
None of the bags I listed has a lining that makes it easy to see inside. The Forge bag in particular is a big black hole, but it does hold a lot!
posted by quixotictic at 1:21 PM on May 4, 2019
The Pop Tote is really good for swallowing a lot of stuff. I take it with me for Saturday shopping most times. Today it came back with: a bunch of lambs' quarters, a bunch of parsley, a jar of ramp kimchi, a Sephora bag with a relatively large "box set" in it, a value pack of dental floss, a travel shampoo, and my hoodie (it got warm). Still a decent amount of room. Stands up on its own, can easily be carried open (they have this clever snap system you can use to hold back the edges of the opening if you want to carry it open). I haven't generally schlepped my (15-inch) laptop in it, though; you'd have to check on the specs on fitting.
In itself, it's basically a no-organization bag (except for the exterior side pockets, which would hold a phone and a water bottle), but the nice thing about TB is that they take a modular approach, so if you find you do need an additional small pocket or two, you can buy one and clip it onto the interior o-rings. They also sell a separate laptop sleeve (the Cache), but the PT doesn't have the "rails" that some of their other bags do to keep the Cache in place.
I think the shape is cute, but on the more casual side. I don't think I'd use it as a main work bag (but I work on the East Coast in a more conservative industry/job and it's obvious I'm well on the more conservative side of Mefi sartorially for work). On the other hand, if I happen to need to bring some extra things with me to work because, e.g., I'm going out later, I'm not embarrassed to use it as a subsidiary bag.
posted by praemunire at 2:17 PM on May 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
In itself, it's basically a no-organization bag (except for the exterior side pockets, which would hold a phone and a water bottle), but the nice thing about TB is that they take a modular approach, so if you find you do need an additional small pocket or two, you can buy one and clip it onto the interior o-rings. They also sell a separate laptop sleeve (the Cache), but the PT doesn't have the "rails" that some of their other bags do to keep the Cache in place.
I think the shape is cute, but on the more casual side. I don't think I'd use it as a main work bag (but I work on the East Coast in a more conservative industry/job and it's obvious I'm well on the more conservative side of Mefi sartorially for work). On the other hand, if I happen to need to bring some extra things with me to work because, e.g., I'm going out later, I'm not embarrassed to use it as a subsidiary bag.
posted by praemunire at 2:17 PM on May 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Oh, the Tumi Voyageur Q-bags are zippered totes and, IIRC, the larger size has a laptop pocket. I think the Q-bags are beautifully designed (and you can often get them on sale); the one drawback is that the leather they use for the trimming (the main body of the bag is nylon) is pretty cheap and the last couple times I bought one, the straps started looking a little chewed-up maybe just a year in, which was not acceptable to me given the price.
posted by praemunire at 2:21 PM on May 4, 2019
posted by praemunire at 2:21 PM on May 4, 2019
I'm 5'1" and the SSCY Tack and Tack Day work well on my frame.
posted by evoque at 2:36 PM on May 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by evoque at 2:36 PM on May 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
My partner carries the convertible Topo bag and likes it. It’s pretty grown up and comes in handsome colors and fulfills lots of your conditions.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 2:39 PM on May 4, 2019
posted by Lawn Beaver at 2:39 PM on May 4, 2019
Stuff in my bag is in smaller mesh zipper bags that I've picked up here and there. I don't often change bags, but cleaning it out is easier because i can remove a few zipper bags and my wallet and clear it out.
posted by theora55 at 5:43 PM on May 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 5:43 PM on May 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Not quite a product- specific recommendation, sorry, but have you looked into the world of mom bags?
I am/was/am you, I, too, in a big city in a life that needs a stylish multitasking bag good for cycling, and the search for a convertible/tote had me also on those premium-design science fabric projects on Kickstarter for like $500. I think if I'd explicitly thought "this thing is basically my car," I might have expanded my budget to do that then and there, but instead I found what I'm assuming is meant to be a kept secret from non-breeders: mommy/diaper/changing bags (they also make bigger, boxier, often more office-discreet ones for dads); I went with an Amazon cheapo but that's not the point. The standard issue has built-in insulated food/drinks/bottles area, lots of functional separate pockets, at least one of them waterproof, and a laptop compartment that might be otherwise for the changing pad (extra padding if you keep it, a good hey-we-have-to-sit-somewhere-weird backup if you don't.) I was functionally super happy with a $35 windbreakery one, until it started to tear. I'm now looking for something in this vein but well-made enough to withstand being an everyday bag for longer than Stroller Phase. The annoyance you'll encounter is the obnoxious, loud patterns that many of them have and that women are apparently supposedly drawn to after they have a baby, because you know, a woman's sense of style must surely vanish at childbirth. Anyway, just piping up to say look into it if you haven't - something along these lines? I wouldn't have thought of this space/category as a non-breeder if I didn't have the need for a wet-swimsuit pocket in my day bag.
posted by redpajamas at 4:39 AM on May 5, 2019
I am/was/am you, I, too, in a big city in a life that needs a stylish multitasking bag good for cycling, and the search for a convertible/tote had me also on those premium-design science fabric projects on Kickstarter for like $500. I think if I'd explicitly thought "this thing is basically my car," I might have expanded my budget to do that then and there, but instead I found what I'm assuming is meant to be a kept secret from non-breeders: mommy/diaper/changing bags (they also make bigger, boxier, often more office-discreet ones for dads); I went with an Amazon cheapo but that's not the point. The standard issue has built-in insulated food/drinks/bottles area, lots of functional separate pockets, at least one of them waterproof, and a laptop compartment that might be otherwise for the changing pad (extra padding if you keep it, a good hey-we-have-to-sit-somewhere-weird backup if you don't.) I was functionally super happy with a $35 windbreakery one, until it started to tear. I'm now looking for something in this vein but well-made enough to withstand being an everyday bag for longer than Stroller Phase. The annoyance you'll encounter is the obnoxious, loud patterns that many of them have and that women are apparently supposedly drawn to after they have a baby, because you know, a woman's sense of style must surely vanish at childbirth. Anyway, just piping up to say look into it if you haven't - something along these lines? I wouldn't have thought of this space/category as a non-breeder if I didn't have the need for a wet-swimsuit pocket in my day bag.
posted by redpajamas at 4:39 AM on May 5, 2019
Best answer: Your perfect bag is very close to my perfect bag (except I lean backpack-only rather than tote-only), so I'm watching this closely! Here's what I've learned in my own search that might help yours. For reference I am only an inch or so taller than you, but I'm also fat and curvy, so my fit issues may not be quite the same as your fit issues:
I thought the Timbuk2 Forge was going to be the bag for me when it was first released, but no. I find the tote straps lacking--I personally can't carry the bag comfortably over my shoulder and still access the contents. I have friends for whom this is not a problem, though, so if it's possible, I'd strongly encourage you to try one on in person. It's also quite large and bulky when carried as a tote, so I was worried it wouldn't work well on a crowded train or bus. (I'm also not the world's biggest fan of rolltop bags because they're not easy to access quickly, but they are nicely waterproof and expandable when I go overboard with the groceries on the commute home, so it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make.)
I live in Denver (Topo's HQ) and see a lot of people with the commuter briefcase. They look very nice and unassuming--not overly office-y, not overly sport-y (unless you go for a mix of bright colors).
I was excited about the Sherpiani convertibles some folks here have mentioned, especially for traveling--they're sturdy, minimal, and look professional but not boring--but when I wear them as a backpack, the stiff tote straps stick straight up, which both looks silly and gets entangled in my hair. The backpack straps are also very minimal and not designed for comfortable long-term wear.
Thar Chrome bag looks awesome! If it had side bottle pockets (a higher priority for me) I'd probably snap it up. Chrome in general is an excellent brand with great durability and stellar service/support, and they're super popular in the tech world I work in, so they're not at all out of place in laid-back office environments.
One of my coworkers who bikes most days has this lovely Tathata bag and I admire it whenever I see it. It does have a padded laptop section. It's a wee bit small for me, though, and lacking the side pockets. But maybe it meets your needs?
I can't go tote-only, but if I could, I'd definitely look into one of the Tom Bihns like the one you've linked to. I have quite a few of their bags and they're surprisingly well-designed, and pretty well bombproof. Many of my friends also swear by their Peak Designs backpacks, so I'd imagine their tote bags are of similar high quality and usefulness--and they certainly look sophisticated.
Good hunting!
posted by rhiannonstone at 6:42 PM on May 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
I thought the Timbuk2 Forge was going to be the bag for me when it was first released, but no. I find the tote straps lacking--I personally can't carry the bag comfortably over my shoulder and still access the contents. I have friends for whom this is not a problem, though, so if it's possible, I'd strongly encourage you to try one on in person. It's also quite large and bulky when carried as a tote, so I was worried it wouldn't work well on a crowded train or bus. (I'm also not the world's biggest fan of rolltop bags because they're not easy to access quickly, but they are nicely waterproof and expandable when I go overboard with the groceries on the commute home, so it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make.)
I live in Denver (Topo's HQ) and see a lot of people with the commuter briefcase. They look very nice and unassuming--not overly office-y, not overly sport-y (unless you go for a mix of bright colors).
I was excited about the Sherpiani convertibles some folks here have mentioned, especially for traveling--they're sturdy, minimal, and look professional but not boring--but when I wear them as a backpack, the stiff tote straps stick straight up, which both looks silly and gets entangled in my hair. The backpack straps are also very minimal and not designed for comfortable long-term wear.
Thar Chrome bag looks awesome! If it had side bottle pockets (a higher priority for me) I'd probably snap it up. Chrome in general is an excellent brand with great durability and stellar service/support, and they're super popular in the tech world I work in, so they're not at all out of place in laid-back office environments.
One of my coworkers who bikes most days has this lovely Tathata bag and I admire it whenever I see it. It does have a padded laptop section. It's a wee bit small for me, though, and lacking the side pockets. But maybe it meets your needs?
I can't go tote-only, but if I could, I'd definitely look into one of the Tom Bihns like the one you've linked to. I have quite a few of their bags and they're surprisingly well-designed, and pretty well bombproof. Many of my friends also swear by their Peak Designs backpacks, so I'd imagine their tote bags are of similar high quality and usefulness--and they certainly look sophisticated.
Good hunting!
posted by rhiannonstone at 6:42 PM on May 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
The one true bag is an impossible goal. You must buy many bags that *seem* correct but the first time you use them you find their flaws. Then you just go back to your choose-the-right-bag-for-today thing because it's the only method that makes sense.
posted by bendy at 8:33 PM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by bendy at 8:33 PM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Thoughts, in no particular order, for anyone still looking at this thread:
- Those Sherpani bags are nice! I hadn't heard of them.
- Ditto the Tathata bag! So pretty! Totally my aesthetic.
- Mom bags: an interesting idea that sent me down a diaper bag rabbit hole (...ew?). I thought the Ergobaby Tote Diaper Bag had possibilities. (I do love the idea of a built-in wet pocket!)
And more bags, discovered after further research!
Turns out there are many briefcase/backpack combos out there (in addition to the Topo one). I'm more looking for tote bag, rather than briefcase, but I liked these:
- Chrome Vega Transit Brief
- Uniqlo 3-Way Bag (almost luggage...and a mere 30 smackers!)
- Herschel Sandford Messenger
And more tote packs!
- Manhattan Portage Armory Helmet Bag
- Manhattan Portage Chrystie Backpack
- Manhattan Portage Standard Bag
- Muji Double Usage A4 Backpack (tragically too small for my needs)
- Dakine Cyclone Tote Pack
- Fjallraven Totepack No. 4 Wide (also comes in Tall)—has those skinny straps I hate, but Fjallraven also sells strap pads for Kanken that I think might work here
- Hex Work Bag
- Hex Surf Tote (insulated lunch pocket and wet compartment!)
The Fjallraven is my front-runner...at least today.
posted by the_blizz at 6:34 AM on May 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
- Those Sherpani bags are nice! I hadn't heard of them.
- Ditto the Tathata bag! So pretty! Totally my aesthetic.
- Mom bags: an interesting idea that sent me down a diaper bag rabbit hole (...ew?). I thought the Ergobaby Tote Diaper Bag had possibilities. (I do love the idea of a built-in wet pocket!)
And more bags, discovered after further research!
Turns out there are many briefcase/backpack combos out there (in addition to the Topo one). I'm more looking for tote bag, rather than briefcase, but I liked these:
- Chrome Vega Transit Brief
- Uniqlo 3-Way Bag (almost luggage...and a mere 30 smackers!)
- Herschel Sandford Messenger
And more tote packs!
- Manhattan Portage Armory Helmet Bag
- Manhattan Portage Chrystie Backpack
- Manhattan Portage Standard Bag
- Muji Double Usage A4 Backpack (tragically too small for my needs)
- Dakine Cyclone Tote Pack
- Fjallraven Totepack No. 4 Wide (also comes in Tall)—has those skinny straps I hate, but Fjallraven also sells strap pads for Kanken that I think might work here
- Hex Work Bag
- Hex Surf Tote (insulated lunch pocket and wet compartment!)
The Fjallraven is my front-runner...at least today.
posted by the_blizz at 6:34 AM on May 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
« Older Where is a good place to watch Game of Thrones in... | Books that will help me explain gender theory to... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by belau at 12:21 PM on May 4, 2019 [1 favorite]