Where can I find an ergonomic bag that's appropriate for a grown-up?

July 2, 2009 10:43 AM

Where can I find a reasonably-stylish, professional-looking, ergonomic laptop bag/ briefcase type thing for a woman?

After years of ignoring it and hoping it would go away, I'm finally trying to get a handle on my chronic upper back, neck, and arm pain. I've got a diagnosis (a couple of herniated cervical discs), have seen an orthopedist and a neurosurgeon, and I'm going for physical therapy. I've been toting my stuff around in a regular shoulder bag, and according to my physical therapist I need to get something more ergonomic. I'm starting my first full-time office job in a few weeks, and the dress is "professional." It's not a terribly formal office, but I don't want to show up with anything that's shocking pink or has reflective tape. What are some good options for ergonomic bags that will carry a reasonable amount of stuff and that will allow me to look like a grown-up?

Other info: I'm a shortish (5'3") woman, and I'm petite. (I don't mean that in the sense of "thin." I have narrow shoulders and a tiny rib cage. My weight is pretty average.) I would like something in which I can put my laptop, a book, my lunch and some papers. I'll be taking the bus to work.

posted by craichead to health & fitness (10 comments total)

My wife has the Kensington Contour Balance case, and she's about your size. They also have a roller variant.
posted by Fleebnork at 10:58 AM on July 2 [1 favorite has favorites]

Waterfield's Cozmopolitan bag is designed for laptop toting and uses what they refer to as a "Suspension Shoulder Strap". You can get it in pink leather (kidding!) or another more subdued color scheme.

I own the medium version and lug around a 14.1" laptop in a sleevecase. The strap has a certain amount of "give" and won't dig deeply into your shoulder. Waterfield's customer service is great and very prompt via email.
posted by llin at 12:54 PM on July 2

If money is no object, some of the Tumi women's bags are very nice. Or if money is more of an issue REI has nice laptop bags. I think you'll find "ergonomic" and "stylish" don't usually go together.
posted by fiercekitten at 4:04 PM on July 2

This Murval Faux Croco Tote On Wheels is stylish, professional and has a retractable handle that hides when not in use. Since it rolls, you can still have the bag w/o it looking too big against your frame.
Please don't ever go the back-pack route, maybe it's a man thing, but I cringe when I see men in suits comuting with a back-pack to work.
posted by MuckWeh at 6:16 PM on July 2

Believe it or not, Best Buy actually has some really good looking women's lab top cases, at very reasonable prices.
posted by nax at 6:24 PM on July 2

lap top. yes.
posted by nax at 6:25 PM on July 2

I have the Trixy from Acmemade and love the style and the size. After trying out a bunch of different bags over the years, I can happily say this one's a keeper. Don't know if it'll also fit lunch in it though. Plus, do you really want to put your lunch in the same bag as your laptop?
posted by choochoo at 6:55 PM on July 2

Any bag that's on one shoulder will be bad for your back in the long run (if it contains more than papers and a bike lock). I love the Tom Bihn bags, which are cavernous and relatively stylish (cf. the Empire Builder and its smaller variant), but strapping one to your waist will undercut any 'professional' vibe, and throwing it over one shoulder gets you to square one. Your best compromise might be to carry a briefcase in one hand and switch periodically - in which case the Tom Bihn bags with their most expensive strap will feel quite nice, and you can fit a whole family of alpacas in 'em without visible stretch or strain.

(I have one of their courier bags and it's some of the best money I've ever spent, modulo the obvious problem of carrying a 15" laptop on one shoulder for two years.)

Rolltop bags are aesthetically grotesque but it seems they're your best bet weight-bearing-wise.
posted by waxbanks at 8:05 AM on July 3

(Smaller Empire Builder bag = the Zephyr.)
posted by waxbanks at 8:06 AM on July 3

If you want your back to improve, get a rolling briefcase.

I've become a really big fan of eBags.com and even their house brand of bags, which I've found to be fantastic. Their staff is very helpful and people actually post review of the bags.

If you don't want a rolling bag, get a backpack, so that the load is distributed evenly.
posted by reddot at 5:34 PM on July 5