Help me find a go bag/man purse.

November 29, 2005 2:16 PM

Help me find a go bag/man purse.

I need a way to carry around all of what I consider to be my "must have with me at all times" items.

1. Sony PSP
2. Sidekick II
3. Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera
4. iPod Shuffle
5. Apple Earbuds
4. Wallet
5. Two keys on a simple chain
6. Trident gum

I have tried this bag, but found it to be too big. Then I tried this large micro mesh pouch, but again found it to be too big.

Thus, what I'm looking for is something that is big enough to fit all of the above items but significantly smaller than 14-1/4" by 10-1/2" (which are the dimensions of the above mesh pouch). I would like something that looks snazzy (I'm a real minimalist) and gives me easy access to all of my goodies. Also, I'd rather have something that doesn't come with a shoulder strap, as I find them annoying. Any ideas?

posted by JPowers to shopping (20 comments total)

Timbuk2 has a couple of sassy little murses.

The Euro, which comes in a few sizes, and the City Guide.

My husband's getting a Euro for Christmas. Don't tell him. Dude needs it, too, because I am tired of being his sherpa.
posted by padraigin at 2:32 PM on November 29, 2005

I don't get it - if you don't want a strap, how do you hold on to the bag? Do you hold it in your hands at all times?

A small waist pack?

MEC's Pod Sling Pack is the smallest pack they have, at 7L, but that's probably still too big for you. And it has a strap. There's a 4L shoulder bag too.

The Travel All has a shoulder strap. THough I think it's too small to get all that stuff into.

At the ultra-minimal end, the On Sight Universal Pouch comes as small as 12 x 19 cm, which is about 5" x 8".

Maybe go to a department store and look for a basic leather toiletry bag - those are small.
posted by GuyZero at 2:37 PM on November 29, 2005

How about Athos from Longchamp?

"It's not a purse, it's a European Wallet" : Jerry Seinfeld
posted by Neiltupper at 2:38 PM on November 29, 2005

How do you feel about sling bags?

A bit longer than you were asking, but my girlfriend loves this one.

If you are going for manly, the pink might be a bit much; perhaps the black or purple.

Or go up a size, if need be.
posted by weirdoactor at 2:38 PM on November 29, 2005

Oooo... googling for "man purse" brought up this delicious shopping list: A Buyer's Guide to Man-Bags.

And it brought back the fusion of cool and uncool that is the "e-Holster". Perfect when you have a flight you don't want to catch.
posted by GuyZero at 2:48 PM on November 29, 2005

I have a Tom Bihn Medium Cafe Bag that I love love love. They have both a smaller one and a bigger one if the medium doesn't fit your needs.
posted by bshort at 2:56 PM on November 29, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

Speaking of Tom Bihn, check their Buzz as well. Love their stuff.
posted by desuetude at 3:09 PM on November 29, 2005

The latest edition of Make Magazine sugests the Bail Out Bag for the ultimate bloke bag. Read the article here. Looks as though it can be worn with or sans shoulder strap depending on your preference.
posted by mule at 3:10 PM on November 29, 2005

If you're looking for something rugged try Maxpedition stuff.

They have plenty of flavors (with shoulder strap, without, with waist strap... etc).

The only problem with re-purposing tactical equipment for non tactical use is the items are rarely designed to be nice to the things they hold. Tactical nylon is not going to do good things to your PSP screen if you don't have a cover for it, but if it was designed for serious wear you probably wont have to worry about replacing it. It will most likely outlive you.
posted by ordu at 3:11 PM on November 29, 2005

how about a camera bag, with shoulder strap?
posted by amberglow at 4:27 PM on November 29, 2005

I'd like to second the recommendation to consider Maxpedition. Their line of "Versipacks" would likely suit you well. I use a Jumbo Versipack and am quite pleased with it. You won't notice the weight at all with the gear you list. You might be able to co-opt the gun compartment for carrying your CDs.

I use mine for its intended purpose. Good luck in your search.


posted by FredFeral at 4:28 PM on November 29, 2005

I agonized over this same dilemma for a long time.

This may be too big and/or too pricey for you, but I love this Saddlebag Sling from Levenger. It's roomy, sturdy, and looks good. I keep mine packed with scary amounts of gear:

• small umbrella • Coolpix S3 digital camera • cell phone • 2 notebooks • Zen Vision • Tapwave Zodiac (same size as a PSP) • folding headphones in case • sunglasses • iShuffle • small plastic box of stuff • car stereo faceplate • and other stuff, but I'm starting to be embarrassed by all the crap I carry around.

I hope this helps!
posted by mkhall at 4:29 PM on November 29, 2005

I third Tom Bihn. I have a medium cafe bag and adore it.
posted by jdl at 4:49 PM on November 29, 2005

I have one word for you: JustGetABloodyCrumplerBag,YouKnowYouWantTo.
posted by The Monkey at 5:38 PM on November 29, 2005

I carry the Gatemouth Jr. to work every day, it's held up for years without a problem.

This is a similar bag, but all leather. Maybe I'll get one for Xmas...
posted by Marky at 5:48 PM on November 29, 2005

Try ant industrial design. Looks like you can email them to find out where they're sold.
posted by atom128 at 6:02 PM on November 29, 2005

I've been carrying this Victorinox (a.k.a. Swiss Army) man-purse for about two years now. It's just big enough for a medium-sized paperback book and my assortment of digital devices (which is pretty much identical to your assortment but two years older/bigger). It has a ton of nifty features which are best appreciated in person–you can find retailers all over.
posted by danblaker at 8:01 PM on November 29, 2005

What about a backpack? Cheap, versatile, and doesn't bring your manhood into question.
posted by afroblanca at 9:06 PM on November 29, 2005

I like my Nomadic Wise-Walker. (Linking to an article on my blog rather than the manufacturer's site because, well, the manufacturer is in Japan and the site is in Japanese.)
posted by enrevanche at 9:07 PM on November 29, 2005

Let me restate my previous post.

I'm not giving you an option here.

Go to the Crumpler website, they have a huge selection of manbags designed specifically for your stated purpose. Their bags are awesome. (Though, yes, their site is... Odd.)

You can feel free to mark me best answer now.
posted by The Monkey at 5:17 PM on November 30, 2005