Thoughts: Work Appropriate Laptop Bag with a Cycling Twist

[bikerboy337]

So I'm looking for a work appropriate laptop bag that can show off a little cycling flair. Anyone out there have any recommendations? Looking for under $250 on this. Ideally would function as both a messenger bag and laptop bag (ie. needs a handle to carry as such and needs a laptop sleeve in it). Just looking for something different than the typical nylon laptop bags and/or the leather Kenneth Coles that everyone has... needs to fit in decently in a corporate environment, can be kind of obnoxious but subtle, if you catch my drift... kinda like my 14k gold Campagnolo belt buckle... fits in fine with a nice leather belt, but is a little obnoxious at the same time.

Looking at Timbuk2's custom laptop bags, but not sure what else is out there...

Thanks in advance!

I created this one for fun, will be a little too much, but could be fun...

[Cicli]

I use that same Timbik2 bag you have above. It carrys my work laptop and other crap just fine. Mine is a burnt orange, cream and rootbeer brown colorway. Nice bag.

[echelon_john]

Check out SFBags.com; WaterField designs. Very well made, here in the U.S.

All the cool techboys use 'em.

[christian]

This is what my Belgian flag Timbuktu bag looks like after 19 years of steady service on and off the bike. (I am not sure how this company makes any money...)

http://christianedstrom.com/vsalon/iPhone/Camera_Roll/IMG_1917.JPG

[eippo1]

I've got this for a bit more understated flair.

http://ogio.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/n/e/newtslim15_static.jpg

[ORMojo]

^And what is that?^

Nevermind, found it. Some nice-looking options: http://ogio.com/work

[weisan]

^And what is that?^

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=164759

[FlashUNC]

Big fan of Chrome's stuff.

[bicycletricycle]

i think that the mission workshop bags are a nice combination of

technical and cyclist and professional

[ORMojo]

Not certain you'll get "bike" flair out of these, but I really like the Skagen line of bags right now. High quality, really nice leather if you go that route. http://www.skagen.com/us/en/men/products/bags.html The "Thrane" foldover is nice. On some of their bags (looks like mostly the "Eric" line (leather, twill, or nylon) right now), I've found that the way they attach the straps really does lend itself to the bag laying, and staying, against the body better, and I like how unobtrusive the handle is. Here is a photo of the "Pueblo" I have.
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv48/ORMojo1/PuebloSkagenBag_zpsrjio6nuj.jpg (http://s668.photobucket.com/user/ORMojo1/media/PuebloSkagenBag_zpsrjio6nuj.jpg.html)

The Brenthaven line I posted a sale PSA about is worth looking at, but again, maybe not enough bike flair for you. (weisan just posted that link)

Will Leather Goods (https://www.willleathergoods.com/) (here in Eugene!) has nice really high quality stuff, but most are above the $250 mark and not bike flair, more rugged leather flair.

You could go corporate with pinstripe! How could they complain about that?
http://www.bbpbags.com/index_html_files/180.jpg

I have a friend who really likes - and appreciates - his Reflective Tweed bag (http://www.rickshawbags.com/collections/reflective-tweed.html) from Rickshaw. They also have customization options (http://www.rickshawbags.com/customize/custom-bag/fabric_selection/medium-zero-messenger#!tweed-bobby/cordura-silver_dust/cordura-black/label-snow) on several of their other bags that could help with the flair.

Yep, have had both Mission Workshop and Chrome - both nice, but more common. (I have a brand new Chrome stashed somewhere that I've never (never will) used. Let me know if you are interested.)

[scrubadub]

I really like my Tom Bihn ID. It doesn't carry heavy loads as well as my Baileyworks but for a laptop and office stuff plus a jacket or sweater it works really well.

[makoti]

I have three Timbuk2 bags. A medium, small, and extra small for my camera. Great stuff.

[eippo1]

^And what is that?^

Nevermind, found it. Some nice-looking options: http://ogio.com/work
Woops. Ogio bag. The 15" newt.

[pitonpat]

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Messenger-Bag-Reviews

[velomonkey]

Yea, the timbuk2 stuff used to be good, but it's not what it once was.

Big fan of Chrome - their stuff is totally indestructible and they have a love for bikes.

I have four of their bags and sadly will get more soon.

[ORMojo]

Forgot about...

Crumpler http://www.crumpler.com/au/men-workwear-collection Linked to the "Work" collection, but there's lots more to look at.

Blicks http://www.blicksbags.com/catalog/ Small selection, but very, very well designed, super high quality, and each and every one is completely handmade by one person.

[Johnnyg]

Talk to Toni at Bailey Works. She will make you a custom bag just the way you wand it. They are in Newmarket, NH along with IF.

[11.4]

If you want a messenger bag that really works well, there are three that stand out above the rest:

1. Bailey (the big ones)
2. Mission Workshop (again, the big ones are better)

and for pure cycling class, check out

3. www.bedouinfoundry.com. Specifically, the Barbary.

[CaliFly]

Check out the Mountain Bag or Mountain Briefcase by Topo Designs (http://topodesigns.com/collections/bags) in Colorado. "Work appropriate" is so subjective...I work in a corporate environment and have taken to work bags from Saddleback Leather, Timbuk2, Belstaff and even a Jansport backpack. The man makes the bag, not the other way around.

:cool:

[ORMojo]

Those Bedouin bags are nice, but . . . the Barbary doesn't qualify as the "laptop bag" that the OP is looking for (or that I would want) since it doesn't have an interior laptop sleeve. And while the Genghis model does have the laptop sleeve, neither model has the handle that the OP (and, again, I) would prefer.

I'm admittedly pretty particular when searching for a laptop bag:

Handle
Padded interior laptop sleeve
Other internal organization (keys, pens, etc.)
Ideally a small external (side) pocket for dropping in glasses, keys, water bottle, whatever


And, of course, rugged, good-looking, comfortable, etc. And somewhat unique, with flair. Very few actually meet all of these criteria IMO.

[schwa86]

I bought the Chrome Soma when it was on sale at Backcountry. Its pretty great for cycling (eg quite stable on my back, pretty waterproof), holds a lot of stuff, has laptop sleeve etc., and all the cool kids at the hospital where I work (there are a few anyway) think I'm hipper than I look because my bag has an integrated beer bottle opener.

http://www.chromeindustries.com/us/en/bags/messenger-bags/soma

[JAllen]

I have to throw my locals out to you. Black star bags, north street, and blaq are all excellent. My wife has custom panniers from black star. I can attest to the craftsmanship!

[11.4]

Those Bedouin bags are nice, but . . . the Barbary doesn't qualify as the "laptop bag" that the OP is looking for (or that I would want) since it doesn't have an interior laptop sleeve. And while the Genghis model does have the laptop sleeve, neither model has the handle that the OP (and, again, I) would prefer.

I'm admittedly pretty particular when searching for a laptop bag:

Handle
Padded interior laptop sleeve
Other internal organization (keys, pens, etc.)
Ideally a small external (side) pocket for dropping in glasses, keys, water bottle, whatever


And, of course, rugged, good-looking, comfortable, etc. And somewhat unique, with flair. Very few actually meet all of these criteria IMO.

Try www.mysteryranch.com. Awkward website but look at their Outsider messenger bag and also their slightly smaller variant.

[jackattack]

I have to throw my locals out to you. Black star bags, north street, and blaq are all excellent. My wife has custom panniers from black star. I can attest to the craftsmanship!

How's the waterproofness of the Black star bags?

[JAllen]

How's the waterproofness of the Black star bags?
Not a problem at all. If you properly close what ever bag, you'll have zero wetness of contents.

[bluesea]

Laptop bag with cycling flair? Look no further than the reflectorized Chrome Bravo Night. The Bravo carries a laptop in a pouch behind the main compartment, protected by another layer-and-a-half on the outside. It also avoids my pet peeve, by stopping the bottom of the laptop pocket well above the bottom of the backpack itself.


http://www.chromeindustries.com/us/en/bags/laptop-bags/bravo-night

[stephenmarklay]

Yea, the timbuk2 stuff used to be good, but it's not what it once was.

Big fan of Chrome - their stuff is totally indestructible and they have a love for bikes.

I have four of their bags and sadly will get more soon.

Not sure why you say Timbuk2 is not what it used to be. I used my first one though college and road it in the rain nearly every day and beat it down with more 50 pounds of books and crap everyday.

Fast forward to the last couple of years (I sold my first one). I have been using a new one riding my motorcycle daily, using it during the winter with chemical spray on the road, me falling a dozen times and after a throwing it in the wash it looks great. I got a new job and now I use it with my dress slacks and it still looks and performs great.

[bikerboy337]

lots of good options here, going to search a bit and figure it out, but there are some here that will definitely work...

Thanks again!

[Road Fan]

So I'm looking for a work appropriate laptop bag that can show off a little cycling flair. Anyone out there have any recommendations? Looking for under $250 on this. Ideally would function as both a messenger bag and laptop bag (ie. needs a handle to carry as such and needs a laptop sleeve in it). Just looking for something different than the typical nylon laptop bags and/or the leather Kenneth Coles that everyone has... needs to fit in decently in a corporate environment, can be kind of obnoxious but subtle, if you catch my drift... kinda like my 14k gold Campagnolo belt buckle... fits in fine with a nice leather belt, but is a little obnoxious at the same time.

Looking at Timbuk2's custom laptop bags, but not sure what else is out there...

Thanks in advance!

I created this one for fun, will be a little too much, but could be fun...

That's my choice!