Leather Messenger Bag

A Bear

For Christmas I'm trying to find a new bag which I could use at my upcoming job. I'm working as an intern at a law firm, so I figure I'll need something to carry my laptop in, as well as the occasional file or book. I think I want a leather messenger bag or satchel, but all the top messenger bag brands I've looked at only really seem to have textile. Does anyone have a professional-looking bag they can vouch for?

kaliyama

I know nothing of bag brands beyond that Tumi is in right now, but consider something like this - from your OP it makes it sound like you want something brown-leather and man-pursey, but let me steer you down the route of black and briefcase-y.

e.g.
http://www.kennethcole.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3846208&cp=3075281

relevant tumi line

http://www.tumi.com/family/index.jsp?size=74&sort=&categoryId=4110890

If you want to go brown this isn't a bad bet
http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/Product.asp?Params=category=11-994-997|level=2-3-4|pageid=7300

Aioua

So, they're not leather, but I really like Malcom Frontier. High quality bags, and really good customer service, it's actually a pretty small company right now. Their bags look pretty classy and professional IMO.

Also, bonus, they have a pay what its worth site where they stick their overstock/errors/etc. There aren't any messengers on there right now, but the stock rotates. I got an old model for like $40 after shipping.

Casually Hardcore

You want a messenger bag that'll turn heads and give you a compliment a day?

You want a bag with no breakable parts with a 100 year warranty?

You want a bag that'll wont ever go out of style?

Then you'll want one of these:

http://www.saddlebackleather.com/categories/81-Leather-Messenger%20Bags-SaddleBack-Bags

The price is steep, yes, but if you look at the 'dave deal' section often enough, you'll find a perfectly good bag for $20-$80 off with minor imperfections that nobody will ever notice.

bsjezz

check out etsy - i bought an absurdly reasonably priced brown leather messenger bag from this guy - really simple, good looking and hardy. it's not brand name but the premium you pay for that, particularly with leather, is rarely worth it

BoomShake

Also consider one of Saddleback Leather's Briefcases (as recommended on ArtOfManliness today, actually)

http://www.saddlebackleather.com/categories/79-Briefcases/products/1655-Leather-Briefcase-Chestnut

Rather expensive though

MegaMan001

BoomShake wrote: »

Also consider one of Saddleback Leather's Briefcases (as recommended on ArtOfManliness today, actually)

http://www.saddlebackleather.com/categories/79-Briefcases/products/1655-Leather-Briefcase-Chestnut

Rather expensive though

God damn that is a sexy piece of bag right there. Well, that's what I'm getting when I graduate.

Lord Yod

edit sonofa... wrong thread

Lindsay Lohan

If you're in a slightly lower price range to get you by there's always:
http://www.wilsonsleather.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2019569&cp=2446815

They aren't as swanky as the $500 deals, but I had one last me about 8 years and I replaced it out of boredom rather than necessity.

mully

http://canada.roots.com/RaidersBagInVintageTribeLeather/leatherBags//18050164,default,pd.html?cgid=menleatherLaptopBags&selectedColor=2400

I don't have that one, I have this one: http://canada.roots.com/VenetianVillageBagInVintageTribeLeather/RootsOriginalFlatBags//18018850,default,pd.html?cgid=leatherViewAllMensBags&selectedColor=2400

but I can vouch for overall quality, for sure.

A Bear

Wow--so, there are a wealth of good options out there.

I think I'll have to try to find a brick and mortar store to test out what kind of size bag I'll actually need. I'm leaning towards some of the bigger options, I think, but I'm also not a huge guy.

That Saddleback Leather briefcase looks very nice. My only hangup is that I don't know if I can justify spending/getting someone to spend $500 right out of the gate for an 8-week summer job. (It looks like I'll already be spending a good deal of money on upgrading my wardrobe to fit a more professional environment).

Also, something like that is probably way too nice to bring to law school daily. Actually, everything in here looks like its too nice for school. Guess I do still have my backpack for that...

Improvolone

You can always swing by a Ross/TJ Max/Marshalls and see what they have. I got a nylon Kenneth Cole bag for about $20. Its not leather, but its professional and fits my current needs.

Lindsay Lohan

If you're thinking of something good for both purposes this is my current bag for work (and I work in our company's corporate building):

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/40308?from=SR&feat=sr

The only thing I don't like is I wish it had more small compartments - it has a front section, main section, back section and a zippered pocket within the main section. It's pretty nice looking though - and I love that the largest main section is zippered too - my last bag wasn't and had a tendancy to spill.

oldsak

I have this one and it serves me pretty well.

You can't tell from the photos there but it does have a shoulder strap.

Orestus

I got this about 2 years ago for Christmas, have used it as a laptop bag and a carry on for travel, and I've had no complaints. $90 on sale.

http://www.kennethcole.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3072509&cp=3075198.3075278.3075281

japan

Brooks make a leather courier bag called the Barbican, but it is hellish expensive for what it is.

Casually Hardcore

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=469&Product_Id=1390080&Parent_Id=228&default_color=DARK-BROWN&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

This is actually a fine looking bag. A little bit too 'bling' for me, and I'm not sure who makes this bag and what the quality is.

Though, if you looking for more 'bling' and less 'rustic' then why not?


*edit*

Hmph, pvc with leather trim? At that price? Yeah, you're defiantly paying for the label....