I need a PC backpack that is respectable for business meetings
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: LHR GVA HKG TLV PVG JFK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,940
I need a PC backpack that is respectable for business meetings
I have a great Tumi computer briefcase but have stopped using it because I am now a backpack person. I am looking for a backpack that is relatively large and respectable enough to go into business meetings. The all black Tumi I see around is not large enough (I use this backpack extensively and throw in clothes if my Tumi suitcase is overflowing)
It does not really need a special PC storage as I have a very good sleeve for my notebook. Not to many pockets is a plus, never understood the need for dozens of pockets.
I'm guessing any all black or solid dark color is OK?
It does not really need a special PC storage as I have a very good sleeve for my notebook. Not to many pockets is a plus, never understood the need for dozens of pockets.
I'm guessing any all black or solid dark color is OK?
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Tumi makes a wheeled carryon backpack I've always had my eye on hoping would someday showup in the outlets.
ebags has their page for it here
http://www.ebags.com/tumi/wheeled_ca...modelid=116911
I like the wheeled backpack, you can use it on your shoulder when you need to, or carry it, or if you pack it full of brochures or something heavy you can use the handle and wheel it about.
ebags has their page for it here
http://www.ebags.com/tumi/wheeled_ca...modelid=116911
I like the wheeled backpack, you can use it on your shoulder when you need to, or carry it, or if you pack it full of brochures or something heavy you can use the handle and wheel it about.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Programs: Lifetime AA Gold-1MM
Posts: 4,909
The Swiss Army Knife people make a line of computer backpacks. I have one in all black that I love and that I take to business meetings. (It does have A LOT of pockets though.) I got mine at Best Buy.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,048
Although this bag does have a dedicated lap top sleeve, it can be flattened out of the way. Lots of room inside.
http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags_lugga...raveler-40506/
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
The big Tumi is 37 linear inches. That's not big enough?
http://www.ebags.com/tumi/total_solu...94653690091638
There is a slightly smaller 36 li version with specialized computer compartment.
Otherwise look at Briggs Riley, Victorinox and Boyt for plain nylon backpacks. Most other brands will most likely look too outdoorsy for business use.
Till
http://www.ebags.com/tumi/total_solu...94653690091638
There is a slightly smaller 36 li version with specialized computer compartment.
Otherwise look at Briggs Riley, Victorinox and Boyt for plain nylon backpacks. Most other brands will most likely look too outdoorsy for business use.
Till
#7
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA PLT AA 1MM
Posts: 727
Longchamp used to sell a really large, veal leather (Veau Foulonne line), unisex backpack that would hold a laptop. It's discontinued but there may still be a few left in Longchamp stores. It's great--weighs next to nothing but is sturdy as can be.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: LHR GVA HKG TLV PVG JFK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,940
Tumi makes a wheeled carryon backpack I've always had my eye on hoping would someday showup in the outlets.
ebags has their page for it here
http://www.ebags.com/tumi/wheeled_ca...modelid=116911
I like the wheeled backpack, you can use it on your shoulder when you need to, or carry it, or if you pack it full of brochures or something heavy you can use the handle and wheel it about.
ebags has their page for it here
http://www.ebags.com/tumi/wheeled_ca...modelid=116911
I like the wheeled backpack, you can use it on your shoulder when you need to, or carry it, or if you pack it full of brochures or something heavy you can use the handle and wheel it about.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: LHR GVA HKG TLV PVG JFK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,940
The big Tumi is 37 linear inches. That's not big enough?
http://www.ebags.com/tumi/total_solu...94653690091638
There is a slightly smaller 36 li version with specialized computer compartment.
Otherwise look at Briggs Riley, Victorinox and Boyt for plain nylon backpacks. Most other brands will most likely look too outdoorsy for business use.
Till
http://www.ebags.com/tumi/total_solu...94653690091638
There is a slightly smaller 36 li version with specialized computer compartment.
Otherwise look at Briggs Riley, Victorinox and Boyt for plain nylon backpacks. Most other brands will most likely look too outdoorsy for business use.
Till
Would the following victorinox be considered business like enough (I never wear ties etc I'm biz casual at best) , it's roomy and light http://www.ebags.com/victorinox_swis...modelid=132835
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
Actually it is too small for my needs. Also for some reason I dont like the look of it but that I can over come.
Would the following victorinox be considered business like enough (I never wear ties etc I'm biz casual at best) , it's roomy and light http://www.ebags.com/victorinox_swis...modelid=132835
Would the following victorinox be considered business like enough (I never wear ties etc I'm biz casual at best) , it's roomy and light http://www.ebags.com/victorinox_swis...modelid=132835
In my experience the type of bag that is most likely to be allowed as a carry-on even though it is bigger than 45 is a classic duffel bag. These are so common and have such a "small bag" image/perception in the minds of people that they usually fly under the radar. Also a 24x12x12 duffel will have a smaller footprint than a 22x14x9 roller and still fit in the bin.
This just as a little FYI.
A backpack on the other hand has an image/perception of hiking and heavy and unwieldy. Not the kind of thing gate agents like.
This perception would also be negative in my eyes for business use. A backpack is just not appropriate for business unless you're a park ranger. The BR BB107 and Victorinoc Acropolis CS2 are about the only backpacks I find ok for business use. I'm a bit of an old-fashioned and demanding European in that regard. So the American response might be different.
The more square and stiff the bag and the simpler the outside the more formal it will be. The Vic you linked to does not fall in the formal category in my eyes. But it depends not also on the culture of the country but also on the individual people and the kind of business you are in. It seems engineers and people in the humanities and academia are rather relaxed dress code wise. Bankers, lawyers, doctors, managers less so.
Personally, I wouldn't respect you (general you) less in a factual business sense if you showed up with a backpack. Your opinion and position would be worth just as much in professional terms as if you had a custom made fine leather case but on a human level I might judge you for not having great style and no sense of decorum. This can also play in your favor if you are actually very high-standing but tone it down on purpose so you don't look like much, even if that is a form of sublimated coquetterie that might indicate more vanity than actually wearing the accepted standard attire for the role without overdoing it in either direction.
We once had James Cuno as a speaker. He is the Director of the Chicago Art Institute, one of the five most important museums in North America. I found him rather underdressed for this position and given that he was invited as the star speaker for a symposium. No jacket, no tie, very casual shirt and shoes, light colors. Looked more safari than conference. I was also disappointed with his opinion on encyclopedic museum and restitution of art works but that's another matter.
I have a question, though. Do you wear a sportcoat? If so, how do the shoulder straps effect the shoulder pads of the coat?
Till
Last edited by tfar; Sep 30, 2009 at 3:04 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: In a hotel somewhere trying to repack everything I brought (and bought) in to a carry-on smaller than my last one.
Programs: UA, Asia Miles, Southwest, IHG
Posts: 1,101
Do you mean respect in terms of how "professional" the item looks or how much you impress your clients with the brand of bag to carry? If the latter, which level are you aiming for?
If you are biz casual and are just looking for a "nice-looking" bag, try Hedgren. It's very popular in Hong Kong and Europe as a go-to brand that is very lightweight, practical yet has clean lines. It tends to be for the younger starter crowd or used as a backup bag for ultra-lightweight road warriors.
At the other end of the market, there is LV, Prada and of course Hermes and Longchamps (the leather collection mentioned earlier).
In the middle of the road, there's Coach, Victorinox, McKlein, Gold pfeil and a few others. Coach had a leather laptop backpack a few years earlier but I cannot find on their website.
If you are biz casual and are just looking for a "nice-looking" bag, try Hedgren. It's very popular in Hong Kong and Europe as a go-to brand that is very lightweight, practical yet has clean lines. It tends to be for the younger starter crowd or used as a backup bag for ultra-lightweight road warriors.
At the other end of the market, there is LV, Prada and of course Hermes and Longchamps (the leather collection mentioned earlier).
In the middle of the road, there's Coach, Victorinox, McKlein, Gold pfeil and a few others. Coach had a leather laptop backpack a few years earlier but I cannot find on their website.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: LHR GVA HKG TLV PVG JFK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,940
Well, that is a huge backpack. That's 48 linear inches which makes it a bit too big to pass as carry-on unless you either don't fill it completely or you get lucky.
In my experience the type of bag that is most likely to be allowed as a carry-on even though it is bigger than 45 is a classic duffel bag. These are so common and have such a "small bag" image/perception in the minds of people that they usually fly under the radar. Also a 24x12x12 duffel will have a smaller footprint than a 22x14x9 roller and still fit in the bin.
This just as a little FYI.
A backpack on the other hand has an image/perception of hiking and heavy and unwieldy. Not the kind of thing gate agents like.
This perception would also be negative in my eyes for business use. A backpack is just not appropriate for business unless you're a park ranger. The BR BB107 and Victorinoc Acropolis CS2 are about the only backpacks I find ok for business use. I'm a bit of an old-fashioned and demanding European in that regard. So the American response might be different.
The more square and stiff the bag and the simpler the outside the more formal it will be. The Vic you linked to does not fall in the formal category in my eyes. But it depends not also on the culture of the country but also on the individual people and the kind of business you are in. It seems engineers and people in the humanities and academia are rather relaxed dress code wise. Bankers, lawyers, doctors, managers less so.
Personally, I wouldn't respect you (general you) less in a factual business sense if you showed up with a backpack. Your opinion and position would be worth just as much in professional terms as if you had a custom made fine leather case but on a human level I might judge you for not having great style and no sense of decorum. This can also play in your favor if you are actually very high-standing but tone it down on purpose so you don't look like much, even if that is a form of sublimated coquetterie that might indicate more vanity than actually wearing the accepted standard attire for the role without overdoing it in either direction.
We once had James Cuno as a speaker. He is the Director of the Chicago Art Institute, one of the five most important museums in North America. I found him rather underdressed for this position and given that he was invited as the star speaker for a symposium. No jacket, no tie, very casual shirt and shoes, light colors. Looked more safari than conference. I was also disappointed with his opinion on encyclopedic museum and restitution of art works but that's another matter.
I have a question, though. Do you wear a sportcoat? If so, how do the shoulder straps effect the shoulder pads of the coat?
Till
In my experience the type of bag that is most likely to be allowed as a carry-on even though it is bigger than 45 is a classic duffel bag. These are so common and have such a "small bag" image/perception in the minds of people that they usually fly under the radar. Also a 24x12x12 duffel will have a smaller footprint than a 22x14x9 roller and still fit in the bin.
This just as a little FYI.
A backpack on the other hand has an image/perception of hiking and heavy and unwieldy. Not the kind of thing gate agents like.
This perception would also be negative in my eyes for business use. A backpack is just not appropriate for business unless you're a park ranger. The BR BB107 and Victorinoc Acropolis CS2 are about the only backpacks I find ok for business use. I'm a bit of an old-fashioned and demanding European in that regard. So the American response might be different.
The more square and stiff the bag and the simpler the outside the more formal it will be. The Vic you linked to does not fall in the formal category in my eyes. But it depends not also on the culture of the country but also on the individual people and the kind of business you are in. It seems engineers and people in the humanities and academia are rather relaxed dress code wise. Bankers, lawyers, doctors, managers less so.
Personally, I wouldn't respect you (general you) less in a factual business sense if you showed up with a backpack. Your opinion and position would be worth just as much in professional terms as if you had a custom made fine leather case but on a human level I might judge you for not having great style and no sense of decorum. This can also play in your favor if you are actually very high-standing but tone it down on purpose so you don't look like much, even if that is a form of sublimated coquetterie that might indicate more vanity than actually wearing the accepted standard attire for the role without overdoing it in either direction.
We once had James Cuno as a speaker. He is the Director of the Chicago Art Institute, one of the five most important museums in North America. I found him rather underdressed for this position and given that he was invited as the star speaker for a symposium. No jacket, no tie, very casual shirt and shoes, light colors. Looked more safari than conference. I was also disappointed with his opinion on encyclopedic museum and restitution of art works but that's another matter.
I have a question, though. Do you wear a sportcoat? If so, how do the shoulder straps effect the shoulder pads of the coat?
Till
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: LHR GVA HKG TLV PVG JFK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,940
Do you mean respect in terms of how "professional" the item looks or how much you impress your clients with the brand of bag to carry? If the latter, which level are you aiming for?
If you are biz casual and are just looking for a "nice-looking" bag, try Hedgren. It's very popular in Hong Kong and Europe as a go-to brand that is very lightweight, practical yet has clean lines. It tends to be for the younger starter crowd or used as a backup bag for ultra-lightweight road warriors.
At the other end of the market, there is LV, Prada and of course Hermes and Longchamps (the leather collection mentioned earlier).
In the middle of the road, there's Coach, Victorinox, McKlein, Gold pfeil and a few others. Coach had a leather laptop backpack a few years earlier but I cannot find on their website.
If you are biz casual and are just looking for a "nice-looking" bag, try Hedgren. It's very popular in Hong Kong and Europe as a go-to brand that is very lightweight, practical yet has clean lines. It tends to be for the younger starter crowd or used as a backup bag for ultra-lightweight road warriors.
At the other end of the market, there is LV, Prada and of course Hermes and Longchamps (the leather collection mentioned earlier).
In the middle of the road, there's Coach, Victorinox, McKlein, Gold pfeil and a few others. Coach had a leather laptop backpack a few years earlier but I cannot find on their website.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: LHR GVA HKG TLV PVG JFK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,940
comments on this Tumi, is it big enough? Look reasonable for business meetings?
http://www.ebags.com/products/index....&CartLink=View
http://www.ebags.com/products/index....&CartLink=View