Bagness- geeking and search for the ultimate commuter bag

[mizarchivist]

I bought a Timbuktu courier/laptop sized bag over the weekend. It has many pockets, is waterproof and amazing... and it's just not right. At the time, purple_terror said he'd buy it off of me if I decided it just wasn't right. Well... it's just not right. Darling, the bag will soon be yours.Someday I will learn that I am just not a Courier Bag Person.  The good and bad:
+compartments
+lightweight
+straps big enough for 1 shoulder or sling over back
+waterproof
- squish factor, particularly with most of the lunches I ever pack.
- flap. Hate the flap. It makes everything a production that a simple zip top cuts out of the equasion
- too long to fit in my lap when sitting on the train. Really. I end up poking people with it, rather than have it fit within the parameters of me.

What I do want is a vessel that has a square or rectangular bottom, can easily fit a folder or manilla envelope without squishing, so a min. of 14" tall and at least that wide. It also needs to have a zipable top and some amount of organization or compartments within. Some on the ouside is not bad, but I cannot bear to have my phone, wallet and ipod so much in the public view. I have been living with straps that only do one shoulder, so could continue without the option of slinging over  bandellero- style. Water resistant/proof would be nice. Light weight, no leather.
So I ask you, bag geeks- what is your favorite commuting bag and why? I am willing to get one online if it's recommended by a friend and I'm willing to spend 100 bucks on it, although less than that is never a bad thing.

Comments

[missdimple.livejournal.com]

If you find one, let me know. I did this search about 1 year ago and decided that what I wanted did not exist.

[mizarchivist]

If I do, I will (or feel free to track this post). I hope I can find one. My previous bag's biggest sin was the outside pockets.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I heart LeSportSac. I don't need one as big as you do, but I do like having room, and pockets, and a zip-top, and wearing it with the strap across my body. My LeSportSac totally works for that. And they come in nifty prints. Macy's carries them, and I once found them at Filene's Basement (what a miraculous day!).

Possibility

[mizarchivist]

That looks pretty good on size. I'd have to paw at them to see if their inside pockets are capable :)
Thanks

[tikibar]

How about one of the zip-top bags that EMS had? There was at least one that was a possible "ooooh."

[mizarchivist]

mebbe? They didn't stick with me on "yes"-ness.

[penk.livejournal.com]

I use an Ogio Metro bag : http://www.ogio.com/product.php?product=126

It's all compartmented, but has 2 storage areas, accessed from big zippers on the back - one for small bits (pens, a book, business cards, etc etc), and the 'big area' for bulky stuff (notebooks, clothing, etc).

It also has a slot flat on the back for a laptop (which I use constantly - i actually ahdn't noticed it for about a month, then went 'wait, what's THIS zipper?")

It has 2 very-small zipper pouched on the top. ONe is specifically for an ipod (it has a little sort of airlock you can run the headphone jack out of), and a second one about the size of a jeans pocket. I use the second one for all my little cables and headphones.

The bottom pocket (in the picture, it's the sort of square waffle-patterned one) is -perfect- for the power supply to my laptop.

The big pouch on the side holds my water bottle, and though can't see it there, there are 2 pockets of a similar shape on the opposite side, one is great for cell phones or keys or whatever, the other is larger and i use it for Job Of The Moment.

I'm deleriously happy with the bag all around. I use it for travel, biking, hiking, going out to lunch, everything. It's my mobile environment.

The picture makes it look more 'puffed up' than it really is. It flattens out nicely if there's not a lot of gear in it.

Little design elements that rock:

* the top has a handle. A nice comfy padded handle. Great for hauling said bag out of apile of other bags, or out of the back of a car.

* the backpack straps are comfortable and adjustable. There's even a belly-strap which I mostly ignore, but it can be handy.

* the shape doesn't poke things in your back when wearing 'full on'. The part facing your back is well padded and reinforced to be 'flat'. If you're carrying around a couple bricks, you won't chip your spine in the process.

Anyway. I likes it.

[mizarchivist]

That is a mighty bag, you have there. I'm trying to move away from the backpack shape because I invariably stuff it too full. This doesn't mean I can't buy one that is inherently smaller.
The other aspect of backpackness that keeps me from just going there is that I think the tote shape looks more professional.
If I do go packpack ways, I'll take a closer look at that sort

[ceo]

I bought that same Timbuk2 bag (or at least I assume it's the same one) and like it. (I disliked the zipper top on my old bag because it was far from weatherproof, and zippers always break.) My biggest complaint is that the laptop sleeve isn't removable, as I almost never have occasion to carry a laptop in it. I suppose this comment is less than useful. :-/

[mizarchivist]

I concur that having the sleeve removeable would make the bag better.

[caulay.livejournal.com]

Talk to ahf, she got a couple of extra backpacks as swag at the conference she was at last month. I'm sure she'd have no problem letting you have one.

Courier Ware

[industrialblues.livejournal.com]

They used to be in Cambridge, they are now in VT.

Bags are indestructible.

I have 2, contemplating more.

Yes, I know, you don't like the big flap option, but if you call them up and talk to them, they may/probably can customize one of their standard bags for you.

http://www.courierwareusa.com/