Cool bags for guys!

Where are all the cool bags for guys? I freely admit I love a good bag. I have so many bags I don’t use that even my wife looks at me funny – and she loves bags too! I want a bag that looks cool and functions the way I need it to. We seem to be stuck with either book bags or laptop bags, most of which have no style and they layout is not only boring, but just doesn’t work like it needs to.

Backpacks tend to be on the extremely large side. I use a 12” iBook and I carry a handful of other items like books, papers, checkbook, wallet etc. I don’t need a huge bag for all that. I don’t want some monster bag hanging off my back while walking through the bookstore where it becomes a danger to shelves and people in equal measure.

Sling bags and messenger bags tend to fair worse than the backpacks. Sling bags tend to be odd shaped most of the time and the bands are thin and pretty flimsy. Many of them have a lot of style, just lack in the function department. Messenger bags are a great idea, except most of them get it wrong. Don’t use Velcro. Just say no to Velcro. Don’t put zippers on the pocket where the laptop will go. You’ll make me scratch my laptop and you don’t want me to send you a bill for that. A good messenger bag should have a small pocket on the outside flap for quick access stuff like wallet or keys. The flap should have one buckle/latch type fastener and be heavy enough to stay shut without it being “closed”. Underneath the flap should be easy pockets for other smaller items followed by a bigger pocket for papers, books and laptop widgets and then finally a spot for the laptop. Many bags come close, but usually fail in at least one of the areas that are deal breakers for me, like plastic rings to hold the strap on, or a thin strap, or a wide rigid cheap one.

I’ve spend a lot of money on bags over the years and, frankly, I’ve still not found the one I love. But I’ve found a couple that made my heart skip a beat and my stomach flutter a bit. Infatuation will have to do until I find “the one”.

The Breakfast Buffet from Crumpler has a good deal of style. My main gripe about the bag is the strap, the plastic buckles and Velcro flap. The layout is as near perfect as I could want though. It’s just not as comfortable to wear as I would like, and at this price I expected the straps to be a lot more comfortable. The bag itself is as well made as they come.

Almost every bag from Booqbags makes me a bit weak in the knees. Great looking bags and some of the best made, hands down. I own a couple of bags from Booq and it’s hard to find a bag that looks as good and is also this well made. My only reservation with the bags is they tend to be small (just room for the ibook) or on the bulky side. Still, I really like these bags!

Ogio makes some very nice looking bags. A bit of a cross between the Crumpler and Booq. Lots of style and very well made. They tend to run on the larger side, which would be my main complaint about them, though they do have some of the best styles available.

The one that brought a tear to my eye is the Oakley SI Vertical Computer Bag - It’s just plain tuff ! This is my current squeeze at the moment and if I can get enough money I want to get some slick Oakly shades to go with it. They also have a tech style vest with some pockets and such, but if I bought it and wore it even Trekkies would try to beat me up. You’d have to be extremely cool to pull it off and you only see that kind of cool in movies.

If you’ve found a bag that you like I’d love to hear about it. I’m still on my quest to find the perfect bag. Something small enough that it won’t be a burden in stores and walking around but still have enough room for my things. I don’t want to have to buy a purse! Let me know what your favorite bag is!