this backpack will ease my pain

March 26, 2012 11:14 AM

looking for a backpack/briefcase combination (handle on side when carrying horizontally/shoulder strap, or wear on back vertically). Any ideas? Thanks! The important thing is that there should be 3 ways to carry it (handle on horizontal side; shoulder strap on vertical or horizontal side, and backpacking straps to wear vertically on your back). After extensive online browsing i've seen backpacks that come close (usually shoulder strap/backpack straps but no side handle).
posted by jak68 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (12 answers total)

I used to have a great Eagle Creek bag that did exactly that. Haven't looked at what they offer today, but I'd start with them.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 11:17 AM on March 26, 2012

Timbuk2 has several backpacks that fit that description, including H.A.L. and Q.
posted by andythebean at 11:19 AM on March 26, 2012

Like this one? I search ebags for "convertible" and then just looked at the backpacks category, but there might be others in there.
posted by brainmouse at 11:20 AM on March 26, 2012

Here's another, and a third, and a fourth. Here's the search -- I stopped looking after the first page of results.
posted by brainmouse at 11:24 AM on March 26, 2012

I lied -- here's one that rotates vertically/horizontally, but is more casual.
posted by brainmouse at 11:26 AM on March 26, 2012

Here's another one that rotates (sold out on NB website)
posted by brainmouse at 11:36 AM on March 26, 2012

You could also consider getting one of those shoulder strap/backpack strap style bags and having a simple side handle affixed. I imagine a luggage or shoe repair shop could easily do it, or maybe there are is someone or a shop in your area that fabricates bags or leather goods, or you could look into etsy sellers in your area who have the skills/tools.
posted by dahliachewswell at 11:39 AM on March 26, 2012

Here's another one (it doesn't show the shoulder strap but you can see the hooks on the front left and then on the top right (from the back) corners for it to clip onto)
posted by brainmouse at 11:40 AM on March 26, 2012

That last one comes in slightly smaller too
posted by brainmouse at 11:42 AM on March 26, 2012

Here's one that stays east-west even as backpack
posted by brainmouse at 11:47 AM on March 26, 2012

Response by poster: you guys ROCK.
posted by jak68 at 12:05 PM on March 26, 2012

Response by poster: I guess "convertible" is the keyword. Thanks brainmouse.
posted by jak68 at 12:07 PM on March 26, 2012