I require a new containment device.

Drez

So, right now I have this dinky green messenger bag. It gets the job done, but it's not very high quality, nor does it look very professional.

I'm now looking for a more professional-looking, male-appropriate carrying bag that I won't be embarassed to take with me to my new job and that would look fine slung over either a black coat or no coat.

Any recommendations of styles or specific products are welcome. I'm in NYC, so aside from online I have a lot of vendors available to me. Too many.

Oh and I *do* like the messenger bag style, so recommendations along that line are welcome - I just want to make sure I get something with an adult and professional look.

Drez

Oh, I forgot to mention: I need to be able to carry, at minimum: my iPad, a Kindle, some important-looking documents, and a wasteland survival kit (aka potentially a Nintendo DS and a PS Vita). If it could also (safely) fit a DSLR camera, that would be tops, but I won't hold my breath on that one and it's not really necessary. I shouldn't be carrying my camera Ike that anyway, but sometimes I do event shooting right after work and I'd prefer not to blatantly carry a camera to work.

wonderpug

Check out the Muzetto and some of the other bags at WaterField Designs / SFBags.com - http://www.sfbags.com/products/muzetto/muzetto.php

I've been really happy with the things I've bought from them, and they have nice looking bags that are clearly designed for holding gadgets.

For including your SLR, check out the shoulder bags from Kata Bags:
http://www.kata-bags.com/product_list/8374.85655.35011.0.0/Shoulder_Bags

Some of them specifically list being capable of holding an iPad, and it'll be perfect for holding your camera. It's probably not going to be as professional looking, but black and plain isn't bad, and it doesn't scream "steal my SLR!" as much as Lowepro and other mainstream camera bags do. I have a Kata backpack, rather than a shoulder bag, but I've been exceedingly happy with it.

Straygatsby

Since you're local anyway:

http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/

Proud purveyor to every asshole bike messenger, neckbeardy brooklynite, and one percenter in the 5 boroughs.

But seriously, I've sworn by these bags ever since I was in school in Manhattan and still order them online where I live now. They're fantastico.

Deebaser

Century 21. In the basement over by luggage.

Wassermelone

Straygatsby wrote:

http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/

Those look cool, but I don't know if would call them professional looking.

I was looking for a messenger bag for a long time before I got one by providence and from what I researched, these might fit your bill and have a good rep:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74475481/large-camera-messenger-bag-with-leather

Drez

Deebaser wrote:

Century 21. In the basement over by luggage.

Ah, the downtown labyrinth of Century 21. I should check there. Too bad I'm in a rush now and headed to Midtown but I guess I could head there afterward.

wonderpug wrote:

Check out the Muzetto and some of the other bags at WaterField Designs / SFBags.com - http://www.sfbags.com/products/muzetto/muzetto.php

I've been really happy with the things I've bought from them, and they have nice looking bags that are clearly designed for holding gadgets.

For including your SLR, check out the shoulder bags from Kata Bags:
http://www.kata-bags.com/product_list/8374.85655.35011.0.0/Shoulder_Bags

Some of them specifically list being capable of holding an iPad, and it'll be perfect for holding your camera. It's probably not going to be as professional looking, but black and plain isn't bad, and it doesn't scream "steal my SLR!" as much as Lowepro and other mainstream camera bags do. I have a Kata backpack, rather than a shoulder bag, but I've been exceedingly happy with it.

I actually really like the Racer-X style from Muzetto (laptop bag). I think that's the style I want, even if it isn't Muzetto. Thanks

Straygatsby wrote:

Since you're local anyway:

http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/

Proud purveyor to every asshole bike messenger, neckbeardy brooklynite, and one percenter in the 5 boroughs.

But seriously, I've sworn by these bags ever since I was in school in Manhattan and still order them online where I live now. They're fantastico.

Those are pretty cool and I actually looked at their site last time I was looking for a messenger bag. Not sure they have the style I want, but I need to check them out more thoroughly. Thanks

Wassermelone wrote:

Straygatsby wrote:

http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/

Those look cool, but I don't know if would call them professional looking.

I was looking for a messenger bag for a long time before I got one by providence and from what I researched, these might fit your bill and have a good rep:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74475481/large-camera-messenger-bag-with-leather

That is pretty good looking. A little ulp! on price but I guess I shouldn't expect a decent bag to be cheap. Thanks

Artereis

Timbuk2 bags are great and will last forever.

mts

yea, so long as you stick to all black the timbuk2 bags are pretty professional looking. bonus that most of them are waterproof since you carry so many gadgets.

i have been rocking a small one (i think) as my work bag for a while now. it will easily hold all you wanted plus a macbook. if you don't have a laptop it should easily hold your DSLR, unless you plan on carrying huge glass

i just bought a backpack version since i am finding messenger style bags hurt my back too much

Drez

WRT Timbuk2: I kind of like the look of this one. It's not the material I wanted, but it is decently-priced and looks decent I guess? Thoughts?

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/cubicle-laptop-messenger

Grid System

When I finished law school my folks got me this Johnston & Murphy briefcase in black. I've been very happy with it. The shoulder strap is wide and well-padded, and the case itself is very spacious. I won't say that it can definitely fit a DSLR, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility either.

Of course, there's a reason I got it as a gift.

Wassermelone

Yeah if you are down with Timbuk 2, I highly recommend it. I hesitated from mentioning them because of the 'professional' caveat.

I have three of them... one is new, but two are 12 and 10 years old respectively. They are grubby as they went through art school, but they are absolutely no worse for wear structurally.

Drez

What about this?

http://www.jr.com/timbuk2/pe/TBK_25822018/

Wassermelone

Also, if that camera bag's price surprised you, check out this bag I would get instantaneously if money were no object. Good lord they are so fucking awesome.
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/Classic-Messenger-Bag.html?sc=8&category=83

taliosfalcon

I have an all black timbuk2 classic messenger that is awesome, I also work as an IT consultant so i'm going in and out of various law and government offices all day and have neve gotten any unprofessional comments on it. I wouldn't go with anything smaller than a medium though, you can definitely fit stuff in a small but you start to run into a it looks like a purse at that size kinda situation.

zepherin

For work it depends on your work culture. If your wearing a suit, messenger bags aren't going to cut it you'll need a brief case, if your work is a bit less casual then maybe a messenger bag.

mts

taliosfalcon wrote:

I have an all black timbuk2 classic messenger that is awesome, I also work as an IT consultant so i'm going in and out of various law and government offices all day and have neve gotten any unprofessional comments on it. I wouldn't go with anything smaller than a medium though, you can definitely sit stuff in a small but you start to run into a it looks like a purse at that size kinda situation.

i thought i had a small, but dimensions make me think its a medium. i would get teh medium. the next sizes up will be overkill

see317

Wassermelone wrote:

Also, if that camera bag's price surprised you, check out this bag I would get instantaneously if money were no object. Good lord they are so fucking awesome.
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/Classic-Messenger-Bag.html?sc=8&category=83

If I had the cash I would get that just because of the enjoyment I got from reading the FAQ.

Are the animals tortured before they are slaughtered?
Absolutely not ! With some pigs we do use waterboarding and sensory deprivation techniques previous to slaughtering them, but the cows do not require any special handling.

And of course the 100 year warranty is a nice touch as well.

MichaelLC

mts wrote:

taliosfalcon wrote:

I have an all black timbuk2 classic messenger that is awesome, I also work as an IT consultant so i'm going in and out of various law and government offices all day and have neve gotten any unprofessional comments on it. I wouldn't go with anything smaller than a medium though, you can definitely sit stuff in a small but you start to run into a it looks like a purse at that size kinda situation.

i thought i had a small, but dimensions make me think its a medium. i would get teh medium. the next sizes up will be overkill

Medium is a good size - the large can hold multiple 15" laptops, and is a little big for casual use.

I sort of think all-black looks less-professional than some color, at least when dealing with synthetic fabrics - looks like a SWAT bag. Here's my daily bag:

Qliphoth

http://www.rugby.com/shop/item.aspx?productId=11835482&categoryId=3896857&cp=11521485

Professional looking and on special as well.

schuss

Timbuk2's are great, especially with the fold out laptop thing, as it means you never have to pull your laptop from your bag at the airport. They're also bombproof.
EDIT: Though apparently Chrome is the hotness these days.
http://www.chromebagsstore.com/bags/laptop-bags/anton.html

Eat it You Nasty Pig.

It seems to be pretty okay to wear 'unprofessional' looking laptop/carrier bags to work, just because people have the idea that's what a laptop bag looks like anyway, so it's doesn't seem out of place. As long as you stick to dark colors you are fine.

I actually think that leather/cotton ralph lauren one looks less 'professional' than the matte black timbuk bag.