17" Mid-grade messenger bag recommendations.

Greetings,

After finally deciding on a laptop, I'm now in the market for a mid grade messenger style bag. Basically what I am looking for is something with a quality similar to Louis Vuitton, but without the inflated price tag. I do not mind spending up to $300, and it does not have to be leather.

Main points:

Very high quality
Lasting Durability (I want this bag to last at least 5 years)
Business Casual - Business Professional preferred
The smaller the better, I like to only travel with my notebook, mouse, power brick, and maybe a notepad and a few pens. I'll still be open to larger suggestions though.
Excellent protection

All suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again ('cuz I love mine!) -

Check out Spire Bags.

Their messenger bags are awesome - extremely high-quality, and very roomy and comfortable. They look great, too!

 

How long have you had your bag, and how much use and abuse do you give it?

 

Try Zegari.

I haven't seen the Barcelona bag in the flesh but I am determined to own one. They are leather and from all reports are incredibly well made.

www.zegari.com/

 

That bag looks very nice, but it appears they don't have the 17" version available.

 

17" and mid-sized are oxymorons! ;D

Anyways I love my SuperEgo bag; so I'd suggest that. Look through there online catalog they got other designs that are smaller; like the ID I don't know if you'll fall in love with the designs like I did, but I assure you these bags are tough! I can carry my Superego by the shoulder strap or the handle and not feel anything stretch. You can even RMA it if you find the material frizzled at an spot; which shouldn't happen with their material.

I'm 5'9" (medium build) and the SuperEgo doesn't seem out-of-place, though I do have the red color; maybe you'd want some darker more elegant colors.

 

Actually it's mid-grade in reference to quality/price point, with the high end being similar to Louis Vuitton ($800+ bags).

I do like the ID bag, but it's also, as you mentioned, a mid sized bag intended for 15.4-16" laptops.

Currently my #1 contender is the Victorinox Swiss Army Empire 17
http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear...ckpacksmessengersmessengers&product=30322101&

I looked at this bag over the weekend and was impressed with the space vs slimline ability. Anything else I look at will be compared to this, also the pricepoint is $219.

 

That things definitely screams business and elegance.

 

I have a Ben Sherman and it looks clean and it's pretty good quality. Price range is about $60-$120.

 

Vaja Case (however only for the Macbook Pro 17"): IMO Pure Bling

http://www.vajacases.com/home/home_...apple-macbook-pro_17&ini=nap291i&c=5&it=1&s=2
http://www.vajacases.com/home/home_...apple-macbook-pro_17&ini=nap293i&c=5&it=1&s=2
http://www.vajacases.com/home/home_...apple-macbook-pro_17&ini=nva401c&c=5&it=1&s=2

However all are most likely outside your budget

Noreve (a company from Saint-Tropez) makes 17" cases:
http://www.noreveusa.com/category/Laptop_17".html (North American Ordering)
http://www.noreve.com/category/Ordinateur_17".html (elsewhere)

For both companies I do not order computer cases from them however from Vaja I have 3 i-Volution cases from them, and from Noreve 1 standard black leather case for my HTC Prophet

 

The Noreve cases are beautiful. I love the sandy line, looks like a bag you would see used in an expedition in egypt =). I'm going to strongly consider this line. Thank you very much for this recommendation!

 

Hey Falundir, I know this is a review of the 12" Noreve messenger but its the most full-featured article I could find. I discovered it a good while ago when I had Noreve on my short list. The only reason I haven't purchased one is that the sandy finish doesn't suit my style and the only other colour is black which for me means you can't see all the wonderful detailing they put into this bag. It makes it look just like any other. If they had very dark grey versions I would be all over it like a rash.

Google translation from French so the phrasing may be a bit off sometimes.

http://translate.google.com/transla...&safe=off&client=opera&rls=en&sa=N&as_qdr=all

 

That was a good read, even if via a transilator. Thank you very much for finding that for me. I'm starting to heavily lean in the direction of this bag. The only question that remains is their warranty. One of the things that usually stands out to me about the quality of a bag, is if they stand by it with a lifetime warranty.

I did email the company asking what their warranty is since it was not listed on the website, so when they get back to me I'll post it here.

 

Gald that hepled but I'm also a bit of an idiot for forgetting that the 17" version has actually been reviewed already here on NBR

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsid=2870

Gave up smoking last week so my brain is a bit squishie. Thanks for the rep. Actually starting to consider the sandy one now after seeing some better prices in Europe than Noveve's websie price. May have to alter the wardrobe but what the hell.

 

Looks heavy.

 

try looking at Jansport or Chrome bags.

 

Saw that review, but something about the french one really changed my perspective.

2.4kg / 5.3lbs

So in the world of bags, it is a tad heavy, about double the other bag I'm looking for. Luckily the weight isn't too much of a concern for me, not to mention I don't mind the extra protection.

 

Jansport would be considered low grade personally, but I am interested in the Chrome suggestion. I did find a local dealer here (Chicago), and am going to take a look this week.

If I haven't mentioned, this is the laptop that will be going in the bag, so I'm always eyeing measurements.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8892825&type=product&id=1211587727985

 

Glad you like it; I have to admit had this case been around (and I knew about the company and had the money back in 2003) i would be all over this like white on rice. As I said i have a noreve case, standard black, for my cellphone/ppc and man its great. I am sure you will enjoy the case (if/when you purchase it)

 

The sad thing is I decided on a bag, but the laptop I'm getting is maybe a quarter inch too large for it =/. I thought I would share in case anyone else is in the same situation and would like to see all available options.

Highly recommended -> http://www.sfbags.com/products/mambocombos/cargosuite.htm

What I like about it is the fact the sleeve is a fully functional bag, so you could take it with you in a minimalist fashion and leave the large bag behind if you choose. It's also one of the most well made bags that I have seen to date, and their CS is amazing.

I ended up ordering a fully configured sleeve from them (shoulder strap, ballistic flap, piggyback) that ended up coming out at $104 + shipping while I decide on one of the bags we have mentioned already. Still leaning towards the Noreve, I'm just curious how it would stand up to consistent travel.

 

Looks like you found what you want but..

Tumi is really nice, if you're going for the business approach:

http://www.tumi.com/business-and-laptop/messenger-bags/fits-17inch-screens/

I personally love Crumpler, but that might be a bit too sporty for you:

http://www.crumplerbags.com/lite/english/products.html

 

Still not set on a bag, which is why I ordered the full featured sleeve from WF. Tumi makes excellent bags and I've actually considered their Alpha ( http://www.tumi.com/alpha/medium-capacity-expandable-flap-brief/). I could probably use some words with people who use Tumi on a day to day basis, but the quality between Tumi and Victronox seem to be near identical, but for a higher price tag on the Tumi. Still need to do some comparison on them.

Really one of the things I was planning was poping by Macy's with the laptop once I have it next week and seeing how things really work out with the laptop in the bag. Sometimes it's just hard to decide w/o exploring all of the details.

 

Actually the Alpha won't work, just checked and the laptop is too large for their 17" bags.

 

Too large due to thickness or cause of a bigger battery?

 

Tumi is 11.5d x 16.5w x 1.5h
Laptop 11.75d x 15.75w x 1.75h

 

what is the laptop? xD

 

The replacement for your P-6860FX, so they are identical in size.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8892825&type=product&id=1211587727985

 

Aah...icic, so you could always breakdown and use the same bag as me then. hehe (in my sig)

 

Just as a conclusion to the topic, I ended up going with the wonderful people over at Waterfield. They make some of the best quality products that I have seen with the functionality that I really enjoy. For instance they have a very high quality sleeve that can function as a minamlistic bag, or put the sleeve into their bag for extra storage and protection. I ordered just the sleeve initially, but when I found out that I could remove the battery and reduce the depth of the laptop to fit into their bags. It was just a shoe-in to get the bag and a smaller size sleeve after seeing first hand the quality of their items.

Their site is www.sfbags.com and I will be getting the Cargo Mambo Combo.
http://www.sfbags.com/products/mambocombos/cargosuite.htm

Unfortunately the pictures will never do the product justice, if you like the concept and design, it's money WELL spent.

Edit: I also wanted to add that I have been in emails with this company for nearly two weeks now working out sizes and details. Their customer service is absolute top notch, and the fact that they physically sign their receipts is just a wonderful touch.

A+++