(Non-photo) bag questions

[jdepould]

My messenger bag is looking a little worse for the wear, and I'm trying to find something new to replace it. Ideally, I'd like something that'll fit my 15" MBP plus other stuff, notebooks, papers, folders, hard drives, etc. Right now I'm using a pretty basic waxed canvas bag.

I couldn't find anything I liked on Crumpler or Tumi.

I did like the build-your-own Timbuk2 stuff.

Anything else I should be considering? I don't mind paying a little bit for quality, but I'm not looking for a $500 bag either.

Carry-on size would be great, but isn't a requirement.

Thoughts?

[jli]

I've been considering getting a custom Timbuk2 bag for a few weeks. I don't have a lot of gear (and don't plan on needing to carry much more than a body, 2-3 lenses, and maybe a small light kit in the near future), so I wanted to use it as a photography bag.

People who use them seem to love them - they're very water resistant (great for cycling in the rain without worrying about ruining equipment!) and tough. I might stick a Tenba insert in it or try to fashion my own ghetto gear-padding with bubble wrap and duct tape .

I don't like the look of, really, any other bags I've looked at - Crumpler, Chrome, Thinktank, Lowepro...

Currently, I'm using a Red Guard messenger bag from the Chinese Cultural Revolution. I thought it was cool, but decided it might give the wrong impression, so Mao's covered in duct tape now. It's pretty small and there's no padding at all, so it's not ideal for anything too heavy. Thick fabric, but not exactly waterproof. But I love the convenience of being able to reach into it without taking it off or fumbling around much!

I'll probably go with the Timbuk2, after examining my friend's more closely. Let me know if you decide on something!

[inkista]

If you're into one-of-a-kinds and recycling, maybe Freitag bags are your style. They're made from recycled seatbelts, inner tubes, and truck tarps.

I've always been happy with my Timbuk2 bags, but they tend to be pricey. You can sometimes find them a little cheaper at sierratradingpost and ebags, but then, of course, you don't get to build your own.

[jli]

Originally Posted by inkista

I've always been happy with my Timbuk2 bags, but they tend to be pricey. You can sometimes find them a little cheaper at sierratradingpost and ebags, but then, of course, you don't get to build your own.

I'd like to build my own because I think black-black-orange would be cool looking , but more practically, because I wear messenger bags "goofy" (on my right shoulder, crossing to my left hip), which I believe isn't an option unless you build your own.

inkista, since you have a timbuk2, I was worried about one thing: is it really easy to tighten and loosen the strap, preferably with 1 hand? I like wearing them tight when walking or cycling, but then I need to loosen it to swing it around and grab stuff. Thanks!

[inkista]

Originally Posted by jli

I'd like to build my own because I think black-black-orange would be cool looking , but more practically, because I wear messenger bags "goofy" (on my right shoulder, crossing to my left hip), which I believe isn't an option unless you build your own.

Yup. That's why I ended up doing a build-your own, too. With my smaller Metro, though, I just flipped the strap and good to go goofy. I have no idea why I like the bag at my left side as I'm right-handed, but there ya go.

inkista, since you have a timbuk2, I was worried about one thing: is it really easy to tighten and loosen the strap, preferably with 1 hand? I like wearing them tight when walking or cycling, but then I need to loosen it to swing it around and grab stuff. Thanks!

I haven't tried it one-handed, and I've since moved to a Kata backpack, but from what I remember, it was very easy to loosen one-handed. I think I generally needed the second hand to anchor for tightening. Again, with the much-smaller Metro, there's a small cord on the buckle, so it's dead easy to do either one-handed. My messenger bag is about eight years old, though, so they may have modified the buckle design.

Timbuk2, iirc, started out doing bike messenger bags and were mainly famous because they were vinyl-lined and mostly water-proof and big enough for the bigger loads. Then they got fashionable.

---
Addendum: yeah, they changed the buckle design. Even simpler now. They added a snap-in connector. Cross-strap for stabilizing is now velcroed on, but pretty much the same.

[OsmosisStudios]

I've never personally liked BIG messenger bags. If all youre carrying is a laptop with the power cables, a small wireless mouse and maybe a HD, then I can get behind it. ANything more and the bag is just unwieldly

[inkista]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I've never personally liked BIG messenger bags. If all youre carrying is a laptop with the power cables, a small wireless mouse and maybe a HD, then I can get behind it. ANything more and the bag is just unwieldly

Yeah, well, Timbuk2 was actually making the bags for bike messengers who had to deliver packages. This was before it became trendy for everyone else to use one instead of a briefcase or backpack. It wasn't hard for them to start making the smaller ones with padded laptop pockets when they hit the big time.

BTW, a few weeks ago, I went out to shoot and since I wasn't carrying the 400L with me (very unusual), and I hate the poofy-big padded feeling of my Crumpler, I ripped the camera insert out of my old Lowepro CompuDayPack and stuffed it into my Timbuk2. Worked like a charm.

[sk66]

I have a Tenba. I know you said non-photo but....Their small photo/laptop messenger bag might be nice fit for you. Mine is a little older. It is expandable/collapsable for carrying more/less. What I really like is it includes a padded camera insert which allows a body and a couple lenses /flash etc for when you want to combine the stuff into one bag, or remove the insert and collapse the bag to just carry the laptop and papers etc. (or expanded and carry a BUNCH of papers). It's just nice to have the options...
I *think* the strap will adjust long enough for cross body carry.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I've never personally liked BIG messenger bags. If all youre carrying is a laptop with the power cables, a small wireless mouse and maybe a HD, then I can get behind it. ANything more and the bag is just unwieldly

The medium Timbuk2 looks pretty reasonable. A lot of it is just that my laptop doesn't really fit in the canvas bag, and my laptop bag doesn't work well for anything other than the laptop, so there are days I end up with three bags and a pelican case on a bus. In winter. In Syracuse. It isn't exactly fun.

Thanks for all the thoughts, I'll check that other stuff out tomorrow.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by jdepould

so there are days I end up with three bags and a pelican case on a bus. In winter. In Syracuse. It isn't exactly fun.

This is precisely why ive gone to a Lowepro bag as my everyday bag. Snowy salty winters in Ottawa are less than fun with several bags or uncomfortable bags that are simply too large for their own good.

Inkista: How's the quality on the Timbuk2 bags? The little Eula bag seems to fit the bill perfectly for something Ive been looking for, but at $50 a pop, im not gonna drop the money something that wont last.