Travel Technology - Laptop/Messenger Bag

I have a nylon Tumi bag which has served me faithfully for the last 6 years, but is looking a little worse for wear lately.

I would appreciate any comments/suggestions on a new messenger type bag that would also accomodate a laptop. I will be using it for every day commuting (to NYC) as well as long-haul flights to Asia. I'd like to have something with enough pockets to accomodate cell phone, MP3 player, and also a place to stash my wallet, spare cash etc.

I think I've narrowed it down to two products:

Brenthaven MB Fusion (http://www.brenthaven.com/catalog-fusion-black.html)

and

Ogio City Corp (http://www.ogio.com/product.php?product=97)

I think I'm leaning towards the Brenthaven because it's a little more "corporate" looking, but I've had good experience with my Ogio gym bag too.

Many Thanks !

Very very personal items to look at and feel. Brenthaven is heavy, imho it's heavier than tumi.

If you want something that is superlight but extremely durable, consider a couple of models from crumpler - this model will hold up to 14-15" laptop and weighs only 1 lb (http://www.crumplerbags.com/Cart/index.php?catId=6)
and tumbuk2...both on sale at ems.com (20%).

But keep in mind even these brands can get up to 3-5 lbs as you ask for more pockets, etc. etc. AND they are not very 'corporate' looking.

I use the lightweight bag for commuting (also into Manhattan) and my trusty tumi for overseas flights.

For longer trips I have just started using the Briggs and Riley Expandable Overnighter Computer Brief (http://www.briggs-riley.com/businesscases/nonrolling/231_expandableovernightercomputerbrief.asp) . I like it a lot. Carries a lot and is very compact and it unzips to expand to take a lot more.

For a messenger bag for when I dont need to carry as much I have been using a medium cargo bag from Waterfield Designs. (http://www.sfbags.com/products/cargo/cargo.htm) . The build quality and design of this bag is spectacular.

Both of these suppliers have been mentioned on numerous threads here. If you search for the you will find out more about them.

My Tom Bihn (http://www.tombihn.com/) ID messenger-type bag with laptop insert for my 15" PowerBook has done me quite well over the past couple years. Enough protection with the well-fitted insert (they even have specific MacBook and MacBook Pro inserts now, and plenty of properly fit inserts for PC laptops) without being too bulky, and the build quality is great as they handmake them in the US. Commuted daily with it for a year (walking through the inclement weather of Boston+subway) and it's been shoved in tons of overhead bins and under plenty of seats without showing any wear.

A little less corporate-looking depending on the style you get; but obviously any messenger-style bag is in general. I have the black with silver inset exterior and haven't felt out of place carrying it when occasionally stuck in a suit (though with the messenger strap removed perhaps.)

Or split it up. Get a sleeve for the laptop and pair it with whichever bag works for you. SFBags (http://www.sfbags.com/index.htm) has a good selection of both sleeves and bags.

I'd suggest a quick trip to the Crumpler store on Spring St, or the other one in Lower Manhattan, if you're going into NYC already every day. The bags are really well made, and the "other" store will do customization of the messenger bags. The "kerrrazy, wacky" names are a bit annoying, but you know...when do you call a bag by its name?

Patagonia (http://www.patagonia.com) Critical Mass or Half Mass, depending on your size requirements.

Wirelessly posted (Nokia6600/1.0 (4.09.1) SymbianOS/7.0s Series60/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.0)

Or split it up. Get a sleeve for the laptop and pair it with whichever bag works for you. SFBags (http://www.sfbags.com/index.htm) has a good selection of both sleeves and bags.

The sleeve is a good suggestion. Also note that SFBags is the same as Waterfield Designs.

I got a leather messenger style from levenger. Not as cheap as others but the quality is really good and it looks really nice.

Also note that SFBags is the same as Waterfield Designs.
Yes of course. I forgot their actual name - Waterfield designs - at the time of posting. Just remembered the website. Sorry about that.

http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear/Product.htm?category=lingo&product=30451&

I was in the airport the other day and saw this bag above. Its better looking that the pics though still slight corporate. More important it is pretty light weight for a padded bag and very functional with pockets, zips etc and a great shoulder strap/pad, which is one thing that most bag makers fail to get right.

I just picked up this messenger bag from Oakley. Very good design and layout, IMHO.

Oakley Messenger Bag (http://oakley.com/o/o3110d)

Dosen't quite live up to the "Corporate Look" though.