# Suggestions for a "man-bag **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 6, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504 "2003-07-06T03:46:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/21 "2003-07-07T17:18:59Z")
I use my camera bag. It’s large enough for my 'blad and a paperback or two, plus for an overnighter I can toss in a clean pair of underwear and my toothbrush/razor/floss/gel and I’m set. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/22 "2003-07-07T18:52:51Z")
Here are [two](http://www.jackspade.com/greenest/messenger02/index.html) [bags](http://www.jackspade.com/greenest/messenger05/index.html) that seem to fit your needs. You can wear them across your body like a messenger bag. dan, here’s [the bag](http://www.jackspade.com/warrenst/messenger01/index.html) I bought for Mr. Tech for Fathers Day. He likes it. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/23 "2003-07-07T19:26:53Z")
Holy frijoles! $275! ---
**Author:** ![oceans\_11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b2d939/32.png) [@oceans\_11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oceans_11)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/24 "2003-07-07T21:29:29Z")
I used to carry something like [this](http://www.ebags.com/Ogio/Sweet_Sour/product_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=15467&bb_id=c10699&ProductList_21_Link=Details&sub_site_id=21) for my camera, pda, cellphone, etc. Mine was from Eddie Bauer, but I don’t think they make them anymore. The previous link actually has a pretty decent selection of bags and packs. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/25 "2003-07-07T23:39:58Z")
Go poke around a big Army Surplus store. That stuff is cheap and it’ll last forever, plus it’s good and manly: no one will call it a “purse” if you take it out in the country and put a few strategically placed bulletholes in it. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/26 "2003-07-07T23:47:57Z")
Have a look in a camera store and get a small foam-lined hard case - I saw one the other day that was about the size of an A4 sheet and two inches thick. I think they even have eyelets that you can attach a webbing shoulder strap to. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/27 "2003-07-08T02:40:38Z")
I’m going to check out a few places tomorrow. The first bag **JuanitaTech** linked to is appealing, though. I’m tempted, but $75 is too much to drop without looking around first. Thanks for your suggestions! And **Mockingbird** , > [@](#): > > They still make Newtons? Wow. Apple doesn’t, but eBay does. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/28 "2003-07-08T04:40:43Z")
Speaking of eBay, I would think that would be a good place to look for something leather that has been roughed up a little. ---
**Author:** ![Emperor\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@Emperor\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emperor_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/29 "2003-07-08T05:10:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cleophus \* > \*\* > > Right now, I use an American Tourister shoulder bag that’s large enough for a laptop. > > \*\* A slight hijack, but how well do you like your American Tourister bag? I was looking at one today, and I fell in love with it. I’ll probably get it tommorow as a birthday prezzie (I’ll be 22. Whoo!). Unless of course you have stories about it randomly spontaniously combusting. Sponatiously combusting at regular intervals is alright though. I can plan to be out of the room then. ---
**Author:** ![FyreFiend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@FyreFiend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FyreFiend)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/30 "2003-07-08T06:53:55Z")
Other then a laptop I carry all my needed tech-toys (Palm, Nomad, headphones. The phone stays in my pocket), a few large books, cables, and what ever else I need in a basic backpack. I have a Jan Sport that I’ve been using for years and years and it’s still kicking. Your back will break before the leather reinforced bottom will ---
**Author:** ![sycorob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@sycorob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sycorob)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/31 "2003-07-08T15:05:55Z")
I second FyreFiend with the backpack idea. I usually have a book, an umbrella, a notebook, pens, my work badge and some other miscellaneous crap. I still keep my walet, keys and cell phone in my pockets, though. And I never take my bag with me when I go out to a bar or something, so it’s not quite the same as a woman’s purse. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/32 "2003-07-08T15:27:08Z")
A backpack, however, is just not as…polished, I guess. I get the feeling the OP is looking for something a little more professional and mature. Of course, I could be way off base here. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/33 "2003-07-08T16:13:05Z")
Why not just carry a briefcase? ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/34 "2003-07-08T16:25:58Z")
From the OP: > [@](#): > > Right now, I use an American Tourister shoulder bag that’s large enough for a laptop (one of the reasons I like it is it doesn’t scream “I’m a laptop, steal me”), but I don’t always carry my laptop, so most of the space is unused, and the bag tends to get in the way. **I’m thinking something that’s about half as large will do nicely.** ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/35 "2003-07-08T19:44:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 3waygeek \* > \*\*[This bag](http://www.disturbingauctions.com/view.php?item=11) is about as masculine as you’re likely to get. \*\* That’s cool. I have already been considering faking a limp so I could get one of those Bull prick canes. ---
**Author:** ![BadBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@BadBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBaby)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/36 "2003-07-09T00:12:34Z")
I remember seeing a bunch of different sorts of bags at LL Bean and some at Land’s End. They’re mostly casual-professional style for the most part. Prices aren’t super cheap but they last forever-- I’m wicked mean to my luggage from Land’s End and it still looks new after nearly ten years now. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/37 "2003-07-09T01:55:02Z")
While at a local bike shop looking into the Timbuk2 bags, the clerk recommended the x-small version of a [courier bag](https://www.baileyworks.com/products/C253.php) by Bailey Works. It’s very nice, and I’m leaning toward that one or one of the smaller Greene Street bags **JuanitaTech** posted. I’ll probably decide after this week, when I get paid. I appreciate all of your input. Thanks again! **JuanitaTech** : I didn’t really think about professionalism when I wrote the OP, but now that I think about it, it was in the back of my mind. Kudos for picking up on it. **FyreFiend** , **sycorob** : I have a Jansport backpack, but most of the time it’s overkill. It’s got way more space than I usually require, and the added attention I get when I go into a store is annoying. Recently, I had to make a rush for my bike (locked up across the street at a mall) when I ran late for a train. Quickly dropping my bag to remove my bike seat, anyone watching (like the nearby employee) probably thought I was going to swipe some books from the Barnes and Noble vestibule. **Emperor** : My American Tourister bag is very well-constructed. I “inherited” it from my father when he bought a larger bag, and have found it to be very versitaile. One feature I like is an expandable main compartment. A zipper runs around the middle of the bag. Unzipping it enlarges the main compartment and allows access to a “hidden” compartment. I’ve used it as a laptop bag, a weekend bag (where the expanding compartment allowed me to carry extra socks and a few other items), a school bag, and a few other things that escape me. Alas, it’s badly worn (clips are broken, the lining and some pockets are torn, etc.), which is another reason why I need a new bag. ---
**Author:** ![Riboflavin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Riboflavin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riboflavin)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/38 "2003-07-09T11:18:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ParentalAdvisory \* > What men require when out of the house: > Wallet, Keys, Cell phone \*\* Wus-Men, maybe. Real Men ditch the ‘Cell phone’ and add in the all-important pocketknife. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/39 "2003-07-09T11:33:19Z")
And don’t forget to grunt a like. Real Men grunt all the time, I hear. Although maybe they’re just constipated. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504/40 "2003-07-09T11:34:20Z")
A lot, that is. Besides, when out of the house I need to bring stuff to and fro work! How’m I gonna do that in my pockets, eh? My lunch won’t fit there! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-man-bag/186504.md?page=3)