Help me find a new laptop bag, mefi
June 5, 2013 6:19 AM Subscribe
I have a much-loved camera bag. I love the fabric, the way it feels to wear it and the fact that even when full it doesn't feel terribly heavy. I'd love to find a laptop bag that isn't a camera bag that's of a similar design and material, and has just-as-good durability.
The camera bag is a Think Tank Retrospective 10. It is, without any shadow of a doubt, the best camera shoulder bag that I've ever owned. It carries a DSLR, several lenses and accessories, along with an iPad and a moleskine notebook. When I don't need the camera, I can take the inserts out and just carry the iPad, notebooks, etc. in it. The only problem is that I can't carry a laptop in it when I need to.
I need a bag that will take a 13" MBP with room left over for notebooks, cables and paraphernalia, and for a small camera like a Fuji x100. I'm looking for something that's the same kind of tough canvas, doesn't scream "I have bags of money! Rob me!" and has a really comfortable strap that I can sling across my body. Bonus points if the strap can be made extra-long - I have an enormous ribcage and it makes most messenger bags sit uncomfortably high on my hip.
Budget-wise I'd like to spend < £100 on such an item, though I could stretch to £150 for the right bag.
The camera bag is a Think Tank Retrospective 10. It is, without any shadow of a doubt, the best camera shoulder bag that I've ever owned. It carries a DSLR, several lenses and accessories, along with an iPad and a moleskine notebook. When I don't need the camera, I can take the inserts out and just carry the iPad, notebooks, etc. in it. The only problem is that I can't carry a laptop in it when I need to.
I need a bag that will take a 13" MBP with room left over for notebooks, cables and paraphernalia, and for a small camera like a Fuji x100. I'm looking for something that's the same kind of tough canvas, doesn't scream "I have bags of money! Rob me!" and has a really comfortable strap that I can sling across my body. Bonus points if the strap can be made extra-long - I have an enormous ribcage and it makes most messenger bags sit uncomfortably high on my hip.
Budget-wise I'd like to spend < £100 on such an item, though I could stretch to £150 for the right bag.
The Retrospect 40 from Think Tank is their proposed solution. I agree with you that the Think Tank bags are the bee's knees.
Otherwise, consider the recently redesigned Crumpler bags. They no longer have quite so much of a noticeable logo, and they hold a ton.
posted by blob at 7:13 AM on June 5, 2013
Otherwise, consider the recently redesigned Crumpler bags. They no longer have quite so much of a noticeable logo, and they hold a ton.
posted by blob at 7:13 AM on June 5, 2013
San Francisco has Rickshaw Bagworks; their laptop bags go for $160 US.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:42 AM on June 5, 2013
posted by madcaptenor at 9:42 AM on June 5, 2013
The STM Scout is what you need. It's sized for a 13" Macbook, made very well (at least my older model is. The pockets are well-placed and the whole bag is very thoughtfully designed. It's easily the best bag I've ever owned, and I've had it for about 3 years.
posted by 4th number at 10:54 AM on June 5, 2013
posted by 4th number at 10:54 AM on June 5, 2013
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You will need a laptop sleeve, tho... one isn't sewn into the bag. I've been using a $10 waterproof one I found at an overstock retailer for my MacBook Pro 15". It holds that and a Kindle and an iPad and a phone and chargers for everyone and a document folio and some magazines and a few tools and there's room left and it doesn't even look particularly full.
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:42 AM on June 5, 2013 [6 favorites]