Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

[Stella]

Ok, so my SO has been talking about wanting a messenger bag for a long time. While I was out doing my Xmas shopping I found a Kenneth Cole Reaction bag that I liked and thought was big enough and it was only $40. I also found a leather Perry Ellis bag that was a little smaller for $60. While I liked the look of the Perry Ellis bag more, the larger and sturdier Kenneth Cole would be more practical, so I bought it. Now... I'm worried that it looks too much like luggage. :huh: I don't know. Maybe it's fine. I just want it to look "nice" but it doesn't necessarily have to be fancy. And it can't be expensive. at all.

SO has given me a limit of $60 to spend on him. I guess that is good since I'm going to be really broke in January (starting the new job on 1/3 and won't get a paycheck until 2/1 ).

I'm going to take a picture of this one, but let me know if you have any ideas????

VERY APPRECIATIVE!!

Thanks!!

ETA: The bag has to fit his 15" laptop, large med school book, a notebook, and other junk. I want this to replace his backpack.

[Vishenka69]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

My main concern would be the weight of the bag on its own. Many lesser quality leather bags tend to be very heavy, once you load it up with a laptop and a few books, it'll weight a ton. Which bag weights less?

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

I wish you luck - I thought I had found the PERFECT bag for DH last year. Once he loaded it with all of his stuff it ripped out in less then six months. Luckily they had a really good return policy.

Lesson: Make sure the side seams where the strap attaches are SUPER reinforced if he's going to be overloading it.

[alison]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

My main concern would be the weight of the bag on its own. Many lesser quality leather bags tend to be very heavy, once you load it up with a laptop and a few books, it'll weight a ton. Which bag weights less?

Yes, I agree.

I have a Timbuktu laptop messenger bag that I love. I have use leather briefcases in between, but have always returned to it... I am holding out until I have enough for a Ghurka.

[Stella]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

They weigh about the same... I'm going to go look at TJ Maxx, etc. tomorrow and see if I can find more than just those two. Here's what my online searches have turned up... Let me know your opinions, please. (Please comment too on which one you think looks "nicer.")


$70
Overall dimensions: 13" H x 16" W x 5.5" D
Comes w/ Lifetime Warranty
http://www.briefcasesandmore.com/Manhat ... Q1040.html



$57
Overall Dimensions: 14.5" H x 11.5" W x 5" D
3.2 lbs
http://www.briefcasesandmore.com/GOODHO ... B1000.html


$67
Overall dimensions: 11.5" H x 16" W x 4" D
3 lbs
http://www.briefcasesandmore.com/David- ... B1019.html


$60
Overall Dimensions: 14" H x 11" W x 8" D
1.1 lbs
http://www.briefcasesandmore.com/Kelty- ... Y1137.html


$25
Overall Dimensions:12” H 15.5” W x 5” D
1.33 lbs
http://www.briefcasesandmore.com/GOODHO ... B1421.html


$46
Overall Dimensions: 13.5" H x 17" W x 5.25" D
2 lbs
Lifetime Warranty
http://www.briefcasesandmore.com/Targus ... R1328.html

[alison]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

I have this one (in silver and blue): http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/commute

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

I like the 3rd one the best. But honestly I think the backpacks designed to carry a laptop are the most functional when you're still hauling books around.

[alison]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

I like the vertical ones too. I saw some Timbuk2s at TJMaxx the other day - I know they may be a bit out of your price range.

Some other options: http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/

[Bittersweet]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

I agree that leather may not be the best choice right now. Of the ones that you posted I like the first one best. It may be a little bit more expensive (I'm not sure), but DH has a Tumi messenger bag that he loves. That thing has been abused beyond belief and is still in great shape. Just another option.

[poky]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

Timbuk2s are nice. Another great bag company is Tom Bihn:

http://www.tombihn.com/

I just got their *awesome* new knitting bag ("swift") for an early Xmas present a few days ago, and I am *so* stoked. It. is. awesome.

Now that I look at their messenger-type bags...they may be a little "PNW" for some of you east coast sophisticates. I like them, though.

[Stella]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

Ok, so avoiding the leather might be a good idea after all. That's good. I was worried that he'd abuse it too much right now and would be a better gift for graduation time.

The links you all sent me have nice bags but they are way too expensive. Like I said, I'm on the cheap this year.

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

When we returned DH's leather bag he got a Timbuk2, its pretty much indestructible.

TJMaxx should be a good resource for finding a good name brand for a reasonable price.

[Stella]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

I'm going to go to TJ Maxx tomorrow and see if I can find a Timbuk2 there. I can't afford them from the store. If all else fails, I might return the one I bought and just get him one of these:



They have lots of cool stuff there.

[madeintaiwan]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

They aren't cheap but not ober expensive either. I got DH this bag for graduation from J Crew but returned it because one of the seams came loose. He did love the bag itself.

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jh ... =cat270117

After lots of research, he chose this one from LL Bean and has been very happy with it and has received lots of compliments on it. The leather is nice and soft.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... ch&feat=sr

If you're going to go leather I would go nicer than not. Leather is just one of those things I wouldn't skimp too much on. We waited 3 months for our leather couch and it was oh so worth the wait. I hope that you'll be able find something that fits what you have in mind. Maybe get him something else for Xmas and get the bag later when you can get him exactly what you want.

[Stella]

Re: Messenger Bag for SO - Help!

Oooooh, that is really nice! I love that LL Bean one. I never would have thought to look there!

It may not be a bad idea to just hold out until I can afford the one I'd really like to buy him... He's just been talking about it for so long but feels it is one of those "luxuries" he'd never buy for himself even though he really wants one. :huh:

We'll see. I need to decide on something though - I'm stressing myself out way too much trying to figure this out.