I need your help. I bought this Samsonite laptop bag (17 inch) sometime last year. It's beginning to fall apart now. It gets daily use and has been to other continents and back, and for something that I paid less than fifty bucks for, it's not a bad value.
However, the stitching on the main strap is beginning to fall apart at the seams, which makes taking this bag to Europe and the like a little risky. Anyone have a suggestion for a great laptop bag? Needs to be able to hold a ridiculously large laptop (14 inch screen) and a raft of paper that never gets looked at, and also a couple of larg-ish notebooks.
Readers, what do you use? (I'm pretty set on a laptop bag, as opposed to a laptop backpack.) I'd like to not buy one for a while, so my wallet is a little more open than normal.
However, the stitching on the main strap is beginning to fall apart at the seams, which makes taking this bag to Europe and the like a little risky. Anyone have a suggestion for a great laptop bag? Needs to be able to hold a ridiculously large laptop (14 inch screen) and a raft of paper that never gets looked at, and also a couple of larg-ish notebooks.
Readers, what do you use? (I'm pretty set on a laptop bag, as opposed to a laptop backpack.) I'd like to not buy one for a while, so my wallet is a little more open than normal.
Patagonia makes the most durable computer bags that I've found, so you may want to check their Website for the currently-available models.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you just repair the existing one? A few passes with a sewing machine (slowly so you don't break the needle) should take care of any fraying seams. Plus you keep an object out of a landfill and save a chunk of change.
ReplyDeleteIt's worth it to buy the Coach bag, a little more expensive maybe but will last decades.
ReplyDeleteI've had good luck with Timbuk2 bags. I use mine for daily commuting plus international travel and it's still in good shape after two years. They sell bags in various sizes so you could get one to fit your large laptop. I've thrown it in the washing machine when it gets dirty and it's fine.
ReplyDeleteLike Anonymous, I really like my Timbuk2 messenger bag. I got a medium and it's a bit bigger than I thought. It's fine because I lug around lunch and various other things. It's been very durable and reliable through year 1.
ReplyDeletehttps://thewirecutter.com/reviews/our-favorite-laptop-backpacks/
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love the Wirecutter. (still, I want a laptop bag, not a backpack.)
DeleteAre you set on a messenger bag? Or are you willing to use a backpack? If you want to transition to a backpack, I recently bought a GR1 from GORUCK (American made, https://www.goruck.com/gr1/) for my every day carry as well as for traveling (I bought the 26 L, but that may be too big for an every day carry). The GR1 used to be ~$300, but they decided to up the price to ~$400 due to the "economy." They also have a smaller sized backpack called the "Echo" if you have a small laptop. Admittedly, it does look a bit too tactical, but it is built to last. And, if your backpack starts to fall apart due to heavy usage, they have a lifetime guarantee in which you can send your backpack back to the company and they'll either stitch it up or send you a new one.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm pretty set on a messenger-type bag - it's what I've been carrying for quite a while.
DeleteCheck out the Osprey messenger bags. I use the backpack equivalent and it's pretty much indestructible. My first one was fine after 4 years but was just a bit too big for me. The second one is in perfect condition at the 4 year mark.
ReplyDeleteI've had good luck with my Solo laptop bag, and it was relatively inexpensive: Solo 17.3" Laptop Ultra Multicase, Black, UBN300
ReplyDeleteI have several varieties of Timbuk2 bags for varying purposes (three laptop, small shoulder bag, tote), and they've all stood up very well over time.
ReplyDeleteI also recently got a Tom Bihn tote that I love, so I might look there also.
Maxpedition. Expensive but if it doesn't hold up, your problem is not with the bag. Mine looks fairly new after several years including two pet dogs that thought it was their toy.
ReplyDeleteFilson laptop bag. Lifetime warranty and they absolutely will restitch/repair at minimal or no cost. A little spendy upfront, but amortize over a career and it's practically free. Easily fits a 14" laptop, exam booklets for 80 students, and a pint glass (current contents of my Filson bag). Good luck!
ReplyDelete5.11 Tactical RUSH Delivery Lima: https://www.511tactical.com/rush-delivery-lima.html Designed to hold more than a laptop, if you get my drift.
ReplyDeleteI love my Chrome messenger bags, and being waterproof has been exceptionally useful more than once.
ReplyDeleteI strongly recommend garish colors for any bag you plan to carry through airports - suitcases, backpacks, laptop bags, etc. Black bags all look alike, and it's way too easy for someone to accidentally (or deliberately) walk off with yours, or for you to accidentally walk off with someone else's black bag.
ReplyDeleteTo second Old Biddy's comment, I also really like my Osprey travel backpack.
Osprey courier/messenger bas - I have a stupidly large laptop, and they are very durable (mine has survived several years of field work and a lot of travel plus daily use).
ReplyDelete