I retired from personal blogging in July 2008.
But you can find me over at http://blog.xero.com.
In the technology industry, one the things that define you, is your bag.
For travel I have big boy, mid sized and overnight Samsonite wheeled suitcases. I wheelie suit carrier, and a one night away, fits in overhead locker, wheelie case. (Never travel with what you can’t wheel.)
My laptop bag is an issue.
My #1 bag expired a few months ago. It was a Line7, canvas bag with rubber handles. It had a big, but dated, Xero logo embroidered on it which was great for starting conversations and flashing 120 people at a time on the plane.
I was saddened when the clasps went as it it took me a long time to locate last #1 bag. But our logo had changed so I knew it was time.
I saw some OK bags in Sydney a few months ago and splashed out on 2 that we could brand up. After a 3 hour flight I had bag buyers remorse. They weren’t quite right.
My current squeeze is a WAS bag generously sent to last years Small Biz Expo exhibiters that was lying in my conference bag collection. WAS bags are made up from the billboard skins of the their ads. I needed to find a bag quickly and as I was heading into this years expo season so I thought I’d get points with SarahT. (It worked). It’s safety orange so is off brand.
The time has come to find a new #1 bag.
I need your help.
Rowan brought a nice bag from NY but his taste is german cars is at the opposite end of the spectrum to mine so is not suitable The bag is such a personal thing we need a model to assist with selecting.
I’ve plotted my bag related personality on the model below.
So I need a dark coloured, mid+ sized, primarily canvas with leather trimmed, brandable, executive laptop bag.
Probably a great opportunity for some rails guys to turn this in a web 2.0 start up.
So please help, send me links to your best bags.
blog
Sacre bleu Rod - A NZ listed company using anything but a NZ made bag would be sacrilegious. Luckily old colleague Brenda owns WAS bags and they’re still made here so you don’t lose all cred.
We do laptop bags (http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz) and can sort you out some Xero goodness on them to boot.
Come to think of it, nice Xmas pressies for the staff?
b
These guys make some awesome bags, and just what you’re after by the sound of things: http://www.stmbags.com.au/
You can buy them at Magnum Mac.
@Ben Good point. What was I thinking. ‘The Reporter’ looks viable.
Can you intro me to Brenda and maybe we can design the ultimate WAS bag. I can picture it. We can call it ‘The Rod’ or ‘The Xero’. Now that’s exciting.
Any other local bag designers out there? Lets light the bag industry up.
(Hmmmmm bags with lights. Interesting. A flashing Xero on the bags. Nah too much. Something there though.)
http://www.gravisfootwear.com/Products/default.aspx#/bags/mens/49309
lasted ages! good for a MBP and lots of paperwork…
Rod
I’d agree with Ben’s suggestion of a Cactus bag as bulletproof for travel. You might also want to touch base with Last Footwear in Nelson. They hand make leather bags and might be able to do a custom Xero model. The photos online dont do justice to the quality of the heavy leather.
http://www.lastfootwear.co.nz
Cheers
Peter
You surprise me, as a seasoned IT executive you must eventually come to terms with the fact that the perfect bag just doesn’t exist. You can come close, but never expect full satisfaction!
The future is probably in custom bag design.
The perfect bag will be designed for the individual and will be something that will be reconfigurable as carry (and wheel) on for a one, two, or three night trip. The americans are already charging for checked bagage on domestic flights, so your carry on bag becomes more and more critical.
What has worked in the past won’t work in the future.
So Rod, that Line 7 bag that I saw you with at the Small Business Expo has broken. Obviously the Air Book is heavier than Apple make out! Although I thought all Air Book users carried theirs in a yellow envelope which of course you can recycle.
I have a fetish for bags, every trip brings a new one much to the anguish of my wife.
I hate to admit this but the best bag display for notebooks I have seen is the Apple store in Regent St in London. Lots of choices that you won’t see in other stores (or to be correct that I haven’t seen). Last trip I bought 3, all for PC’s. I use a Tucano for a HP 8510P and also bought a small incase brand for my HP 2510P.
Great selection.
I thought I heard Apple are opening a store in Customs St in Auckland.
crumpler
RS4 ftw - good choice ;)
PS: Nood at 20 Beaumont St (you should be familiar with where that is) had some good laptop bags the other week…not sure if they are suitable for branding tho. They’re currently in sale, 20-70% off so may be worth checking out.
I’m interested in the fate of the orange bag …
Ok - these guys make the best bags bar none… http://www.piquadro.com/ this little puppy rocks… http://www.piquadro.com/en/us/collezioni/funzioni/?g=m&f=CARTEL%20PC
Timbuk2 make some good little number - especially given the wind and rain in Wellington. http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/home?gclid=CJmS-sqtgZQCFQqFGgodGg_FWQ
These guys are doing some interesting stuff… http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/home?gclid=CJmS-sqtgZQCFQqFGgodGg_FWQ
My personal faves are Jack Spade bags - mainly off eBay.
I’ve got a Timbuk2 bag - it’s taken office and travel abuse, along with cycle commuting and still looks brand new. I got to choose the colours and it arrived from the States in no time at all - there’s loads of options and they do laptop specific versions too. Not sure it meets your ‘executive’ brief, unless your last name is Zuckerburg. Or something.
Not particularily professional, but these are damn near bulletproof.
http://www.dmcworld.co.nz/udg-bags/courierbagblack.html
If it’s good enough for Jack Bauer, it’s good enough for you!
http://www.newyorkfirst.com/store/display.cgi?cart_id=&page=6112.html#
While you’re at it, wrap a http://www.vajacases.com/ round the Mac Book Air and have the XERO logo embossed into the hand stiched Argentinean leather. Hot.
@Dylan !ftw. You need to come visit and play. Better toys lurking.
http://www.tombihn.com/
I love my incase for my MacBook Pro http://www.goincase.com mmm
I went looking for a bag for my laptop that didn’t scream laptop bag.
2 years later, still very happy with this one.. The fact they are still making it is always a good sign.
A little pricey, I had a 50% off voucher at the time!
Sure it’s Australian designed, but meritocratic decisions always prevail.
http://www.oroton.com.au/pc-888-24-lax-ew-satchel.aspx
The search for the perfect bag - it’s a never-ending quest, which usually irritates the hell out of the spouse everytime there is an Overseas Trip (’you gotta see the bag I bought’ - ‘oh no, not another one…’ but you are probably the first person that I know that has mapped out his own attributes on a graph. That probably means there needs to be another attribute on your graph (maybe Anal vs Chuck everything in the bag).
I have two bags
1. a silver incase with green fur inside lining for my MBP. Looks great, but considering I have only used on less tnan 10 trips (including 2 x overseas) I have to say it is starting to look a little banged up considering I bought it 2 years ago. The one on their site is burnt orange - off brand for you http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/15-nylon-sleeve-cl57046
2. What I would consider my Number 1 laptop bag - Its a Victorinox standard brief http://www.victorinox-travelgear.com/index.php?p=115&i=5248. Fits everythying I need for a local day trip + slips over the top of a cabin bag if I am doing anything longer. Have had it for about 4 years. Has coped with pretty much a trip a week to Auckland since then and show no sign of failing. Its leather trimmed in the right spots, has a great water bottle pocket and comes with an internal suspension system to protect your MBA. If you’re a bag queen (pardon the expression) its as good as a Tumi but without the price tag.
BTW worst bag ever purchased was an over the shoulder record bag from Banana Republic - what was I thinking…
Rod, check out Mandarina Duck work bags. Good design and quality.
http://shop.mandarinaduck.com/us/work-bag-briefcase_53C17606.html
Rod, this is the one I purchased after a year of investigations … http://rushfaster.com.au/product.php?pProductID=BOQ-F2L-BLK … it’s lovely! I generally carry around two laptops in it.
There is a smaller variant of it too.
M.
@ Rod. Can I drive? :P
Finding the perfect laptop bag to quote the Great Southern Man is like finding the perfect woman . I have gone thro and checked out a lot of bags in my time so here is a list of some less known options
Criteria - you don’t want to look like a geek or too button down … ??
Hint- check out DJ Bags not just laptops bags . Almost all DJ bags are designed to hold a laptop.
The Burton DJ bag in the list is no longer made but can be bought online as a closeout item - $70
One of my bags is the Oakley computer bag ( yes the same Oakley …. easy guys )
The Oakley is the equivalent of the Hummer - this would be the bag Arnie would use .
So if you want the ” Fu*ck with me and prepare to die ” look - go no further . Also it has the best support system for a sling bag going anywhere without resorting to backpack ( and looking like a happy camper in the process ) .
Great for hoofing a lot of stuff around but overkill I suspect for just the Macbook Air or just jumping between cabs .
SR
AP™ COMPUTER BAG
http://oakley.com/women/pd/5045
AP SANDBAG 2.0
http://oakley.com/women/pd/5044
Burton DJ BAG
http://www.ebags.com/burton/dj_bag_closeout/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=95915
Burton Mess Pack
http://www.burton.com/Gear/Default.aspx#/other/urbanbags/productDetail/70125/B8U42301/
Boblbe-e Flatscreen 15
http://www.boblbee.com/rw/artiklar/Artikelfullpost.asp?ArtID=777&ID=200
Adobe Messenger Bag
http://adobe.mediumdesigngroup.com/low_index.htm
Mobile Edge : Alienware Ultimate Messenger Case
http://www.mobileedge.com//items_him.asp?cid=3&scid=3&fid=3&pid=99
Trager
http://www.tragerusa.com/catalog_main3.html
Hey Rod,
I believe Ogio bags would be look. They are an innovative bag design company that sport a lifetime warranty on all non-golfing products, so as you’d imagine they’re built from components to match that expectation. I personally use an Ogio Jack Pack, which has served me well for over 3years, without complaint. Its black, fairly low-key and is made of hard-wearing materials. It can easily hold a lever arch, files plus a laptop. Check it out!
http://www.ogio.com/product.php?product=583
Thanks,
Aidan
Excellent question Rod!
I’ve been pondering the same thing myself for some time now. I can’t find a bag that comes close. -It’s amazing how many people have an opinion though!!
Those Ogio bags mentioned by Aidan look like they could be the ticket (surprisingly good price too). Does anyone know if they’re sold anywhere in NZ? I’d prefer to see them in the flesh before making the leap!
Cheers!
Tim
http://www.crumpler.com.au
gets my vote. Whacky purchasing process, great range, and solid as.