Looking for a laptop travel bag

G'day guys,

Spent a fair bit of time researching this. Not having much luck! I'm after a laptop travel bag, for, you guessed it, travelling. Domestic airlines over here in Australia have a 2 bag carry on limit, plus whatever goes in the hold.

I used to travel with my laptop bag, plus a backpack. No problems. Unfortunately, I do alot of travel for work now, and I have to take a work bag along with me. This means I need to combine the laptop bag with the backpack in order to still fit into the two bag carry on limit.

I am not after a backpack, I don't particularily like them, am after more of a messenger style bag. I need it to be fairly large to accomodate the laptop, along with all my other travel things (Nintendo DS, camera, books, magazines, water bottles, snacks spare jumper etc.) plus all the necessary chargers.

I will be downgrading the laptop size to a 12" - 13" pretty soon, so the laptop size will reduce. I like the look of the Mandarin Duck MD20 Shoulder bag.

Linky http://rushfaster.com.au/product.php?pProductID=MAN-MD16TI9839

Unfortunately it doesn't appear to have a laptop compartment. This isn't too bad, I could probably survive without one. But it is quite expensive, looking for something a little cheaper (bear in mind the price quoted on that website is in AU dollars!). Also might need something a little bigger.

So there's my problem, been searching for ages now. Don't seem to be too many bag shops down here in Adelaide, what I've seen hasn't been too crash hot, and im not keen on just buying online only to find its not what I need.

So does anyone have any suggestions? I'd like to know what you guys use for your travelling! Might see something I like.

Cheers!

 

Had a look at Crumpler? I just bought this one and carry my Vostro or work HP Elitebook and my Vaio TT (in a sleeve) and other stuffs in it (used to have a Knomo - went back to a more casual look for travelling)

http://www.crumpler.com.au/Lite/English/Products/Hee-goer---HG13A.html?image=0

This is another one, larger in size would definately fit two laptops in there:

http://www.crumpler.com.au/Lite/English/Products/Harry-Hoard---HH02B.html?image=5

What about?

http://www.crumpler.com.au/Lite/English/Products/Fux-Deluxe-FD06A.html?image=1

Pretty huge and you could use a sleeve on each laptop?

Timbuk2 also have a good range of messengers (and they ship over here - bought one from them last year)

What about?

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/travel/travel-bags/mullett

Looks big enough to fit a second laptop in it with one in the sleeve at the back.

Hmm...there is always a boring old Targus (they have a model that has 2 laptop compartments but it looks so..'accountant' like...lol)

 

Some great suggestions there Geekygirl, thanks heaps! I do quite like the look of the Crumpler Hee-Goer, unfortunately it doesn't have a carrier handle... Annoying.

Do you know of any stores that stock these bags? Would love to go check one out!

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HY2X4Y/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

McKlein CHICAGO Nylon 17" Laptop Overnight Case Wheeled Laptop Cases

I was in the same boat as you about 2 months ago. I recently bought an AW M17, but the targus messanger bag I bought was too small to fit all my items. So I researched and came up with this, and boy was it a good buy!

It has leather trim and the zippers are very strong and all the zippers can be pulled together and locked. It has a compartment for the laptop, extra folders and a spot for clothes. The laptop compartment is very roomy, although maybe a tighter fit for 17'+ but the padding is very solid, the padding is thicker around the bottem and has corner padding so the zipper doesn't scratch the laptop. The padding in the laptop is shock absorbant and can take the hits if you are wheeling it around.

The other compartments are also well built. The section for other devices/documents/whatever else you want to put in there is very big, and even bigger is the section for clothes. You can fit two days worth of clothes in it, although suits and large jackets probably will not fit. the last couple of sections are for pens, supplies cell phone mp3, cords, extentions, small portable router.

The greatest thing about this bag is the fact you can zip on a wheeled section so it becomes a wheeled bag, or if you don't want to, zip off the wheeled section and clip on the sturdy messanger strap (the strap is build of nylon and has free spinning connectors so it doesnt get all twisted up on you). The zippers used to zip on the wheeled base can be tucked away and hidden.

All in all very good buy, if you are traveling a lot, like me.

 

How about considering timbuk2 brand lapotp bags?
I heard great reviews about them.
More info on timbuk2.com

 

Are you in Sydney as seen under your avatar?

There is a Crumpler store in Sydney in Newtown, and Sydney city. They are also stocked by Myers

Have look at the Crumpler site for a listing of retailers:

https://www.crumpler.com.au/flash/flash.aspx#/english/store-finder.html

Cheers

 

Also check out the Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer. It may be a bit pricier than the rest, but it's one of the best quality and practical laptop travel bags I've used.

 

Good looking travel bag there, im more after a casual looking messenger bag though. The Crumpler actually looks really good, plus they have stores I can go check them out in Adelaide (thanks for the link Geekygirl!). Unfortunately the Hee-Goer looks to be great, but lacks carry handles.

The Checkpoint Flyer looks bloody great as well, need to see one in person though before putting down $220US...

Will have a look into Timbuk2 now, thanks for the suggestions guys. Been heaps of new stuff I haven't seen before.

 

One thing I should be more specific about is I will have a large bag with clothing that will be checked in. This bag doesn't need to accomodate clothing, toilet bag etc.

Just the travel essentials as listed above. Trying to find somewhere that stocks Timbuk2 out here, not having much luck...

 

You won't find them stocked locally over here in Aus - you have to import them directly from their San Fran store via their website.

I suggested to Rushfaster one time that they stock Timbuk2 bags I still haven't seen them stock them lol

 

Thats unfortunate. Rushfaster are a great store though. Bought a Booq 17" laptop bag off them for my Dell, great customer service. They had no problems with me coming down to their office in Sydney and spending 20 minutes trying to fit my laptop into different bags.

If I could find a Crumpler Hee-Goer with carry handles, I'd be laughing!

 

Ask at the local Crumpler store as they do have a custom, bag service - don't know it you don't try!

I say this because some of their camera bags come with handles...

 

Good idea, I'll be headed into the city today, so I'll try swinging past the Crumpler store on my way through. Would be good to have a look in person at what they have.