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Anyone that can recommend a truely huge messenger bag?
Evil_Muffin
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
After ordering two bags on Amazon only to find they were dishonest about the dimensions, I thought I would come here. I want a messenger bag large enough to hold my obnoxiously large gaming laptop and a few accessories. I tried to order this one, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00383USBC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 only to later see the review that they lied about the size, when I went to leave my own posting it. If the dimenisions were honest, it would be perfect. Any advice or recommendations would be awesome.
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Though, I'm not sure if it will be quite big enough for you as their stated specs says:
Specs:
- Capacity: 20.5L max, 13.5L min
- Size: 17 in (45cm) x 11 in (29cm) x 5 in (14cm) (the bag can expand and contract greatly - the specs represent an average load)
- Weight: 3.5 oz (1100g) [empty]
- Strap Length: Adjustable from 31 in (78cm) to 56 in (142cm)
Which is slightly smaller than the stated specs from the one you linked, but who knows with that stuff.
Otherwise, you just need to take your laptop and things out shopping with you and ask to be allowed to try cramming it all in each bag the store has. I say ask for permission because that'll look slightly suspicious :eh:
Here's the thing.
I have a really large messenger bag, it's called the Bag of Holding, from Think Geek.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/aaa5/
I really, really like it. Plus, it's nerdy, so you've got that part covered. It has 3 compartments, and can hold a 17 inch laptop.
The problem is. It has SO much capacity, once you stuff it full of stuff, it becomes very, very heavy. Unfortunately, it's false advertising. This bag of holding does NOT utilise a pocket dimension to distribute weight.
Now, imagine lugging several kilos (or pounds) of weight for your obnoxiously large gaming laptop and accessories, and then hefting it onto a single shoulder. I don't know if you want it for study, or to just attend LAN parties, but the amount of hefting and walking you do with it is going to add up.
I have back difficulties. I've experienced what doing that feels like, it sucks. Messenger bags look cool but their weight distribution is awful. Now I carry heavy stuff like my own large laptop in a camping backpack that distributes weight throughout my back, and not localised onto my shoulder.
You may be interested in Think Geeks Backpack of Holding: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/1e69/
Here are the specs:
Main compartment: 17 1/2" tall x 11" wide x 5" deep
Padded tablet sleeve with hook and loop closure (inside main compartment): 12" tall x 10 1/2" wide x 1" deep (if you choose not to use the closure, this compartment could hold an object up to 17" tall in standard backpack formation or 23" tall with top of bag unfolded)
Four pockets (inside main compartment) to hold pens, phone, lipbalm, etc. (no closure, for use only when top of bag is unfolded)
1 zippered front compartment: 9" wide x 6 1/2" tall x 1 1/2" deep
2 zippered side pockets: 4 1/2" wide x 7 3/4" high x 1 1/2" deep
Reinforced bottom
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In general, you're going to have a hard time finding anything that will fit something larger than 17 inches. And I'd echo the idea of a backpack. Take it from personal experience - anything that large and heavy will be a huge PITA to carry via messenger bag. I've had this Case Logic backpack (https://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-RBP-117-17-3-Inch-Backpack/dp/B0055YB5IC/ref=sr_1_10?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1437899665&sr=1-10) for several years. It has survived two different 17" gaming laptops, a bunch of smaller work laptops, ~2 years of daily commute, and a ton of travel (it's perfect for airport security). It works just as well now as the day I got it, and it has tons of little pockets and sections for the random stuff you'll want to organize.
If you actually need something larger than this, I'd recommend looking into travel bags from a place like REI.
I actually have 3 of their bags, one I inherited from my brother, one I bought, and one I recieved as swag (damn nice swag!). They are water proof and I imagine they are practically bullet proof. Two of them are over 12 years old and are just still as much tanks as they were when I got them even after living through being my daily bag during art school (Painting, welding, sculpture, blades of various sizes, other sharp metals, mysterious chemicals spilled all over them).
I dont really use em that much anymore - I prefer something a little more classic leather but they are still amazing bags that I highly recommend.
*edit
It says on their website that the classic messenger in L can fit up to 19.7w 12.6h so thats right on target for your giant machine
Yeah I was going to say Timbuk2 or similar brands, if you absolutely must have a messenger bag. Seriously, it sounds weird if you have never been, but go to a store like REI or AnyMountain, and they will invariably have a section with messenger bags and the like that you can check out. Since you've been having sizing issues, you can even bring in your stuff and test out whether or not everything fits.
Nevermind, just found it, their dashboard bag looks like its just barely big enough.
Bailey Works
Chrome
Courierware
Timbuk2
I have owned 5 messenger bags from 3 of the above (my preferences have changed a lot over the years), and my current one is the Bailey Works. Mainly because they are based just an hour away, so I could walk in, ask for customizations (like an exterior water bottle pocket), and walk out with my perfect bag in about an hour.
If you go to customize, then 'Classic Messenger' you can then choose between four different sizes
The problem with that one is that the bottom width is only 15, so I assume the laptop wont fit. Unless I am misunderstanding.
I can figure out which specific size I have if you want. With a laptop your size I suggest getting a fitted padded sleeve and just finding a bag with a big enough pocket.
Actually its still buried in my amazon purchases. This is my exact bag: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V92YWK?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=navm_ftr_fullsite
It fit a dell xps m1710 which is a hulking monster of a laptop, but not in the padded sleeve, I would use the other part for the rest of my stuff. I would just shove it in there and go, but if you want padding get something form fitting to your laptop, way easier.
That is pretty much my goal, my issue is finding that big enough pocket.
http://baileyworks.com/professional/super-pro/options/
I highly recommend Timbuk2 if you can find a bag that fits, I have 2 custom bags and they are fantastic.