Bag recommendations (especially from academics)?

Kathleen M

Hi all, another post asking for advice! I'm in the market for a new bag or briefcase. Time to ditch the backpack (even though it's ostensibly better for my back) in favor of something more professional for when I start teaching college courses in the fall.
I'm looking for something with a laptop compartment (and ideally extra "stuff" compartments with easy access), maybe with a dual strap (top and crossbody), a versatile color, durability, and room for a few thickish books at a time.
If it helps, my style is closest to Modern Classic, I wear a lot of dark and/ or saturated colors, and I walk to work so comfort is important.
Aaaand I'm looking to spend less than $200... ideally less than that.
Is this possible? DOES THIS EXIST? Any profs on here with recommendations that have worked for them?

7 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Meredith

Anonymous

Hi, Kathleen! I also teach at a college. Several years ago, I received a Fossil messenger bag as a gift (I believe it cost under $200) and found that it was able to accommodate quite a bit of work-related stuff. It's black, in a very simple style, and still looks good after quite a bit of use. You might try searching Amazon and/ or Ebay for Fossil messenger bags or briefcases just to see if there's anything that catches your eye and that's at the right price point. Good luck!

7 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

I like the Sherpani brand and have been eyeing the Tempest tote/backpack: http://www.sherpani.com/Tempes.....p_185.html (sorry, I cannot seem to add a photo). I'd look for nylon (lighter and washable). I like the tote/backpack combo personally better than crossbody (with the weight of a backpack). The fringey things could be replaced with plain ties if those are too much for you. As Angie says, "Read the rave reviews!"

7 years ago

rebekahphoto

Veteran

HI Kathleen,
I have both messengers & totes for my teaching materials. I tend to favor a crossbody messenger to be hands free when I have a laptop. In the NW, many use Timbuk 2 bags, for their flexibility and durability, but they also are pretty casual.

I think a good question is do you want leather? a flap or zip top? shoulder or Tote? that will help narrow it down. I prefer a zip for security and an outside pocket for quick access

I have several I use, one is a Hulme Bag that is great, but was more that $200. It is leather/canvas so a bit heavy when full. I second Sarah's suggestion for ebay, if you can find a bag you want, you can often find a new version of it there for less. I also have a Tenba Messenger laptop bag, (that is designed with removable camera inserts) lots of pockets & comfortable, but casual

https://www.amazon.com/Tenba-6.....0GARU?th=1

Jack Georges has some nice totes, pretty classic
https://www.jackgeorges.com/collections/totes

Waterfield has a vertical zip messenger w/laptop sleeve, dual strap:
https://www.sfbags.com/collect.....laptop-bag

Skagen: Black Leather messenger bag on sale $187
http://www.skagen.com/us/en/pr.....0101p.html

7 years ago

Beck

Active Member

Do you have an office or access to a lockable space? I tried moving from a backpack to a messenger bag in the first year of my PhD program, also with "looking professional" in mind, and as a bike/foot commuter, I found I experienced back pain within about six months. It started on a "hauling the blue books home" day and didn't get all the way better 'til I switched back to a backpack for daily use. In the later years of my program, I had a lockable study cube and kept most of my stuff there. I'll be starting a faculty job in the fall and I plan to keep using a backpack most days, but own a nylon briefcase which I used for interviews and will probably use on fancy days. Both are by Crumpler (an Australian brand that's kinda akin to Timbuk2 -- started out as a cycling business and have pedestrian ergonomics in mind. I think I bought the backpack in Australia, but the briefcase here in the US).

7 years ago

Kathleen M

Active Member

Thanks for the great suggestions all -- I may have to start stalking eBay!
@Sarah: I LOVE Fossil
@Clara: Never heard of Sherpani! Will have to check that out.
@Rebekah: Anything durable really, so either leather or canvas/ nylon. I've had bad luck with fake or vegan leather. I prefer a messenger strap as totes tend to slide off my shoulder, and outside pockets.
I just looked at Hulme... boy, those are gorgeous.
@Beck: unfortunately, no. Gotta be a mobile office for me. I have friends who use rolling backpacks actually. Which, again, seems healthier, but less convenient for public transit, mobility, etc.

7 years ago

rebekahphoto

Veteran

yes, the quality of Hulme bags is gorgeous! I have had mine for 9 years or so, it was before their prices went up and up! I have this bag in all black: http://www.ebay.com/itm/J-W-Hu.....SwgQ9V2NE6
Filson and Orvis also have similar country-ish bags, Hulme used to make the battenkill bags for Orvis.

I just saw this fossil on ebay. leather at a crazy $10 price! Needs a strap. There are quite a few others, from casual to simple
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fossil.....76a902:g:N

7 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

My hands down favorite bag for toting stuff back and forth was my Fjallraven Totepack. It comes in several colors--mine was a sober navy, but my colleague bought a red one after seeing mine. The bag can be carried by hand, as a shoulder tote, and as a backpack--very handy if I was walking for some distance. My laptop slid in easily and there was lots of room for books, papers, and other stuff. The canvas is super tough so it can be placed on floors and works in rain/snow. Plus, it looks good enough to garner compliments from students and colleagues.

Beck is right that messenger bags and totes can really do a number on your back. Laptops, books, and papers = serious weight.

ETA: It's hard to see in the Finds picture, but the cool thing about this tote is the shoulder strap easily converts into backpack straps. Keeps everything sleek with no dangling parts and no need to stuff away extra bits. The size and shape of the tote also makes the backpack variation comfortable if I'm on my bike. The tote also works well as a travel bag and as a diaper bag--the latter from a much younger colleague!

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Hudson's Bay

FJALLRAVEN Sturdy Totepack Number 1

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7 years ago

Mel

Active Member

I'd vote for that Fjallraven Totepack!

My university bag is a tan Lands End canvas tote with cognac leather detailing. It cost me a mere $30 on sale. The canvas

is lightweight and strong, and expands like a Mary Poppins carpet bag! The leather detailing (handles, pockets, zipper tabs, etc) add strength and polish. It has enough pockets so the small things don't get lost. No structure, but it wasn't necessary because I have a good laptop cover that protects my laptop and structures my bag when I stick it in.

I had originally bought myself a solid leather Kenneth Covey professional laptop/book bag, but only lasted one day with it. It had so much structure that I couldn't fit my odd shaped things into it, and it weighed a ton. A small person like me can only haul so much weight around!

7 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I have a couple of bags for hauling stuff around the university where I teach. One is from Eddie Bauer. It is canvas with leather trim. It has several compartments and is over 20 years old. Another is leather. I got it from a craft show.
I am now looking at a small carry on suitcase that rolls because my neck and shoulders are bothering me. I can't use a back pack.

7 years ago

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I teach at a college and my favourite solution is a solid laptop case in a lightweight canvas tote. My current carry is a long-handled schoolbag I bought in Japan, from Inujirushi.
http://viole.sakura.ne.jp/onion/img/inu-toto.jpg

Unfortunately, their website seems to have died, but here's some more info:
http://japanmadegoods.blogspot.....a-bag.html

Sadly this is very hard to buy, but a Longchamps Pliage would do the trick. I like the look of Gaylene's suggestion.

7 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Wow, I love that tote Approprio posted.

I have this bag (see below) and it has held up well over the last two years. It easily holds my MacBook, a thick textbook or two, wallet an other essentials. I like that I can carry it by the strap or handle. Not sure how comfy it would be if you need to walk longer than 20 minutes because the strap is thin (but it is sturdy).

I found my bag at TJ Maxx, so you could also stalk their options this summer if there's a store near you.

https://www.dsw.com/en/us/prod.....cadevice=m

7 years ago

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