Impluse messenger bag purchase
 

Okay so there I was already decided I'd be getting a messenger bag as I found it fits better than my B&R 231X in the regional jets tiny overhead bins so was strolling though some mega shopping complex in HKG recently and spotted what I though wsa a decent value on a Samsonite Outlab messenger bag exactly like this one.

I used it coming home and it worked well and helped spread the load better than the much smaller Eddie Bauer day/sightseeing bag I used and love. There are some quirks to the Samsonite though: no top handle to carry it by, just the shoulder strap and no exterior mesh pockets for water bottle or an umbrella. These two drawbacks has me thinking of checking out the Eddie Bauer Expedition messenger bag bag when I'm in store as their version, which is here seems to have these two handy features plus a few more.

The good news is the Samsonite was around $47 (depending on the exact currency conversion rate HKD to CAD) so didn't set me back a bundle even if I opt to go with the Eddie Bauer version. Anyone else have this Samsonite messenger bag and have input on whether they like or dislike it? Or messenger bags in general?

Happy travels. :)

Every single messenger bag I've owned has been a total impulse purchase. I think that's the best way to buy them, if it looks and feels right on you, go for it. You can't figure that out in a long amount of research.

Messnger bag addict
 

I have bought over 12 msg bags in the last four year, each one to correct the needs and wants not in the previous one.

I pick the bag for the day/trip as what my needs and wants are for that day/trip. ie: water bottle pocket is handy but make the bag less business like (for me) or how much computer and gadget accessories I need to bring.

I've always avoided messenger style bags. The large flap has always seemed like a hassle to me. I don't do a lot of day-to-day open-air urban travel (walking long distances on open streets, subways, etc) so the weather resistance isn't a major concern for me.

I prefer a double-dowel portfolio design, usually with two outer pockets that are completely open and a middle compartment closed by a zipper (where my laptop and gadgets usually go). These usually come with a small flapped front compartment for pens, business cards, and smaller items. Double handles make it easy to grab and close off the open flaps from most mild weather.

I've had this inexpensive SOLO bag (found it at Ross for only $15) and it's served me well for about 4 years. Its leather looks and feels much nicer than the price would indicate and is much more professional looking than most cheap leather bags that still look almost like vinyl. I replaced the shoulder strap with one from a TravelPro tote, but other wise it's done a great job and held up well, seeing 5 continents and nearly every type of weather and aircraft . The bottom is starting to get a bit floppy so it doesn't like to stand upright with a full load, so I'm considering replacing it. I'm torn between something nicer or just grabbing another identical one from eBags.

Good to know I'm not alone in my luggage impulse purchasing decision. :D

I'm not flying again until end January so I might take more of a longer look at the Eddie Bauer bag as I'm quite partial to that brand. We'll see as spending another $80 to satisfy a few needs seems overkill in some ways.