Mellonc

Has anyone tried to convert a single shoulder briefcase strap to backpack style carry method? I'm aging and I am always thinking about a myriad of ways to ease the load...

Without a picture it goes something like this. I take two identical Tumi shoulder straps and simply hook up the attachments at both ends of the bag like a normal strap with the first one. Then, I do the exact same thing with the second one. Basically I have two strap attachments at each end of the bag. The only difference is that I adjust the location of the shoulder pad on each side so that when my arms go through each strap the pads sit at each shoulder. If you can imagine a sling style carrying method but at both shoulders, it essentially will be what I am going for.

I'm not planning to do this in front of client/vendors. Just when I am walking the streets or at long airport walks without my rolling bag.

What do you think? Stupid or Brilliant? Has anyone tried this before? Experience or/and comments?

dko3tgk

http://www.tumi.com/product/index.js...ndSrc=paramNav

Couldn't you just get this Tumi Alpha that has both shoulder strap and backpack straps?

It would probably be more comfortable to carry on your back.

Rusearch

I'll go with choice #3: Innovative, just really uncomfortable. I'd look at the convertible.

cordelli

I see people do it all the time. If it's comfortable for you and it works, go for it. I've also seen people use two straps, but hooking them up so it's one on each side. Each bag and person will be different.

Mellonc

I guess it's been tried before. Here, I was thinking I came up with something new. I ll try it for my NYC trip next week. My briefcase is pretty darn heavy right now.

Kagehitokiri

i seem to recall seeing it (in older movies/television?) with "old fashioned" briefcases

gobluetwo

I had thought of doing something like that a while back, so it's definitely a good idea, imo

Unfortunately, execution was my problem, so I just ended up getting a company-issued backpack (fortunately with no company logo or anything!).

carole_d

The Western Flyer from Tom Bihn is available in a backpack/messenger style.
http://www.tombihn.com/laptop_bags/TB0950.html

The backpack straps unclip and slip into the zippered pouch at the top:
http://www.tombihn.com/mm5/PRODIMG/T...TB0950_11b.jpg

I have one of these and I love it!

Mellonc

Thank you. I'll check it out.

Mellonc

Thank you for the suggestion. I've checked out other people's Tom Bihn stuff before including the TriStar and Western Flyer. As it is, the cost comes out to $345 before adding shipping. that's with the Op/tech shoulder strap, laptop padding, and an organizational panel. At that price point, I become partial to Tumi even with its badwarranty.

I'll report back after my trip on how it worked out. If it doesn't work, I'll have to buy something.

antichef

I have a Red Oxx Sky Train, which has an option of no straps, single strap, or two straps. All straps zip away out of sight when you want.

In dark colours it works fine for business use.

http://www.redoxx.com/sky-train/91019/product

carole_d

I know they're expensive; I was lucky enough to get the Western Flyer and laptop padding as a birthday present. (I bought the strap later.)

I will say that Tom Bihn products are very well-made.

Airport Runner

Or you can do this and appear brilliant and stupid at the same time.

http://lifehacker.com/5902785/turn-a...-in-an-instant

There was a product a few years ago that did the same thing. It did not appear to catch on. I must admit that I tried my disc golf bag harness on an carry on to relieve some back strain. It worked reasonably well but it made me very wide. I ended up with an eBags TLS convertible and use the backpack straps when walking middle or long distances.

Mellonc

Oh man..... That doesn't look good.

pittpanther

Does it look any worse than some of the bags with linked pics in this thread. None of the bags on this thread look particularly "professional," where "professional" is defined as a bag that's really sharp and stylish, perhaps leather.

The bags pictured on this thread don't look much better than just getting a dark colored backpack. They are all pretty casual.