I've been using my Tumi leather briefcase as one of my carry-ons, and don't really love it. Actually, I hate it. It's too heavy and outdated, and it's causing me back and shoulder pain. I want a bag that's a shoulder sling or has backpack straps. Something a bit more hi-tech, but still practical. I have my roller bag for clothes and overnight stuff... this is for my laptop, paperwork, briefcase items.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
posted by:
|
-
Re: The Best Laptop/Briefcase Carry On
Sat, November 17, 2007 - 11:08 AMDusty, it depends upon how much you're carrying.
I actually carry up to 5 bags when I'm in the field.
Laptop and attachments
Hi-res GPS, antenna, and attachments
Briefcase 1 - Office supplies and immediate attention
Briefcase 2 - Second tier paperwork
Regular luggae bag.
Moving in to a hotel can be a real adventure.
-
-
Re: The Best Laptop/Briefcase Carry On
Sat, November 17, 2007 - 11:27 AMI do 2 bags because I don't check... carry on only.
My roller bag is clothes, toiletries... all that overnight stuff.
My briefcase needs to carry my laptop & accessories, paperwork, wallet, cell phone, water bottle, all the stuff I'd normally put in a purse. A lot of the nicer laptop slings or backpacks I'm seeing are mainly for laptop/paperwork... so they're real slim lined and hi-tech looking. They don't allow for some of the more bulky things. The ones that do allow for some bulk tend to look like you're going backpacking... not very professional. I'm having a hard time finding something in the middle... roomy, but stylish. -
-
Re: The Best Laptop/Briefcase Carry On
Sun, November 18, 2007 - 9:58 AMLook at some bicycle messenger bags. They are designed with carrying comfort in mind, and can hold all shapes of things. Plenty tough too. -
-
Re: The Best Laptop/Briefcase Carry On
Mon, November 19, 2007 - 2:01 PMI have a bunch of bags that I mix and match depending on the length of trip, what I'm doing, etc. One is a rolling leather briefcase from Samsonite that holds my very heavy laptop, papers, water, reading material, etc. This I use when I know that I'm going to have to walk a lot through cities, etc. I check my other bag and then use this on the plane.
The other is a bag from Queen Bee, www.queenbee-creations.com/ based here in Portland. They're fantastic locally-made bags that are vinyl, with really strong straps. Actually the diaper bag is the one that works really well for work and travel- it's larger than the briefcase and has a bunch of great internal compartments. This I use in conjunction with a small rolling suitcase that I carry on.
-
-
Re: The Best Laptop/Briefcase Carry On
Wed, December 19, 2007 - 11:05 AMi faced this same dilemma forever...the trade off between 1. comfort 2. capacity 3. style what i have decided is that you can find hundreds of options that meet any given TWO, but i have yet to find the one that meets all three.
I also wanted a bag that could hold EVERYTHING critical to my day to day life except clothing and toiletry items in case i needed to zip out in less than an hour's notice. not that this happens much, but i wanted it pretty much self-contained and able to pass through security check in with NO EXTRA EFFORTS at all. for me, the list of "critical things" includes:
1. laptop, power cable, and extralong internet cable
2. a padlock for the zippers
3. ipod and charger and headphones
4. makeup (which in my case is really just lipstick, i'm too damn lazy for the rest of the show)
5. sample sizes of body lotion
6. a comb
7. scrunchie
8. stash of emergency food (larabars & nuts are my current faves)
9. notepad, stash of pens, and paperwork folder (i use a plastic indestructible folder so my shit doesn't get destroyed in day to day transit)
10. a biz card holder
11. phone charger
12. wallet
13. keys
14. mobile
15. various ID cards to gain entry to my office and clients' offices
16. my ubiquitous bottle of H20
i settled for comfort and capacity, and bought (actually was gifted) a kick ass backpack. it's columbia, and it's got a phone holster on the front of one "arm" and two side net pockets for water--easy access baby! it very comfortably holds all of the above items plus more if needed, and it's reasonable to fit under a plane seat and still have a bit of leg room.
no, it's not a glamourous briefcase, and i get a few strange looks, but i don't care. it really works for me.
then, if i'm business travel bound, i add my roller bag and i'm good to go for at least a week. the roller back has a sample size of every damn toiletry i use, so i just throw in clothes, shoes and accessories and bounce.
-
-
-
Re: The Best Laptop/Briefcase Carry On
Mon, December 17, 2007 - 11:29 AMWhen my mom was travelling a lot we found a store that sold leather goods all made in house and were able to find a purse that was close to what she wanted and have them customize the pocket sizes for her laptop, pda, etc... if you can find a place near you (or in your travels) that makes their own products you may be able to do something similar...
