Belt for GPS tracking and my tiny laptop

November 19, 2007 5:23 PM

I'm currently waiting for my Eee PC and Mologogo phone (a motorola i415) to arrive. These are items I'd like to carry with me very frequently (essentially always), and I call upon the hivemind to help me figure out the best way to do so.

The Eee is too big to fit in my pockets comfortably, and for maximum comfort I'd rather not have the phone in my pants all the time either. I have a Timbuk2 bag, but it's too large for when I just want to carry the phone and laptop. The best idea I've come up so far is some sort of... utility belt. I'm envisioning the Eee hanging off my hip and the phone in some sort of holster. I have a hunch military surplus may be a fruitful avenue of inquiry, but I'm not having much luck googling.

Can anyone reccomend such a belt and holsters (bags) that would work with these items? Preferably something modular, in case I have to add some other device down the line.

I'm open to non-belt suggestions as well, but my priorities are fast access and secure stowage (I'm a college student that rides a bike very often). It shouldn't be a vest - this needs to be a general solution that will work in the summer as well.

posted by phrontist to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

I don't have a particular suggestion off the top, but I would not recommend hanging the laptop loose on any part of your body. Despite the fact that there is no moving hard drive, this is just asking for rapid destruction of your new toy. I'll try to come back with a more positive answer.
posted by shinynewnick at 5:57 PM on November 19, 2007

How about the Urban Utility Belt?
posted by hjo3 at 6:03 PM on November 19, 2007

Response by poster: Hmm... does anyone know of a pouch that could be thigh-anchored like this, but with a single pocket that would fit the Eee?
posted by phrontist at 6:03 PM on November 19, 2007

Along the lines of what phrontist was aiming at, you could search for a gas mask pouch. They are not too big, easily accessible (or else you die!) and usually include both a belt and over the shoulder strap. I would probably also get a sleeve if you are going to go that route, or have the pouch lined. We used to keep tons of things other than the mask in those pouches while in the field and I still miss mine from time to time.
posted by furtive at 7:16 PM on November 19, 2007

It might be a tight fit, but take a look at the Timbuk2 Original Pork Chop
posted by shinynewnick at 8:00 PM on November 19, 2007

In French, but maybe this could figure into your plan somehow...
posted by sharkfu at 8:13 PM on November 19, 2007

The smallest version of the standard Timbuk2 messenger bag would probably work. Or really, what's so bad about carrying a slightly too large bag around? I think we have the same bag and I carry mine whenever I need to have more than just my ID/keys.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 8:24 PM on November 19, 2007

There's a leathercraft kit called a large belt bag kit - I'm not sure of the exact size, you may want to email them to see if it'll fit the unit. Leather is more durable and resistant to weather.

Furtive's gas mask pouch is a great idea but may get you some odd looks, as would an army surplus map bag.

You might want to concider going with the timbuk2 bag or picking up an accessory pouch or oversized waist pack.
posted by Kioki-Silver at 8:39 PM on November 19, 2007

My Eee fits in a very small bag indeed, less than a third of the width of my laptop bag. So just about any bag you like, really.

I really don't like the holster idea at all, I think it would look pretty ridiculous. (It might be small for a laptop, but it would still make for a ludicrously big holster.)

Maybe it'd suit you, who am I to judge.
posted by The Monkey at 2:32 AM on November 20, 2007