G1S Messenger bag recommendations

Hello all,

my current messenger bag (a Swiss Gear) is about to leave as the shoulder strap is tearing from the sides of the bag.

I was wondering if anyone would have any recommendations regarding a messenger bag for the G1S since this laptop has an odd shape (not quite widescreen format, not quite standard format)

I am really looking for a messenger bag with enough space to fit a few documents, or a messenger bag that would also work great without the laptop. Vertical messenger bags looks interesting too.

I saw a couple a Crumpler on sale but apparently the design suffers from the "triangle effect" or something like that, where the edge of the top of the bag shows the laptop.

Something like that sounds interesting to me :

http://www.mobileedge.com/mens-lapt...ags/me-notebook-messenger-black-charcoal.html

But I think this one tops it up for me :

http://www.mckleinusa.com/rseries/53103.html

 

You will probably need an expandable 15.4'' notebook messenger bag or even a 17'' bag. The G1 is indeed oddly shaped with a tall screen bazzle. It (friend's) just about cramped into my old Pakuma Choroka K2 messenger bag.

 

... well... i've been shopping around, and looking on this website for recommendations.

Indeed, the Pakuma is very tempting. I was also checking the timbuk2 Commute in medium size and the Mobile Edge Messenger (a vertical one).

Only in the ME my laptop would fit nicely. I'd be missing about an inch for the other two. Although, you have tested the Pakuma with a G1, so i am less worried about this one.

But I am trying to find a laptop bag that would also carry my NC2000. It's a long shot as I will not always carry this not-so-portable cooler. Dim. size for the cooler is 15.74 x 12.51 x 1.67 inches (40 x 31.8 x 4.25 cm). Exterior Dim for the K2 is 47 x 28 x 18 in cm. So I'd missing about 1.5 inches in height. I don't think it would be a problem either.

Did you by any chance try to carry a notebook cooler in your Pakuma? Or something with similar sizes?

I am also tempted by the K1 but it's too pricey plus I am not able to find it. (luggage.com does not ship it to Canada, only the K2) The K2 comes to 105$ CAD (87 USD) shipped, handled and "dutied".

 

I have a Notepal infinite which isnt as wide as the NC2000 but I believe its just as tall. havent actually tried to carry it with the bag though. Although height shouldnt be a problem. You note that Timbuk2 messenger bags are all designed for macs. Medium is for 15.4'' MBP and their insides are quite tight fitting. I now own a Timbuk2 Outtawhack (review on the front page of NBR, there are also a picture of the insides of the K2 somewhere in the review) which is designed for 17'' MBP. You will most probably need a 17'' version of any timbuk2 bags for the G1S.

 

Thanks again for your info. I just read your review. Great review btw. I also saw the Outtawhack... but wasn't sure about it!

But after reading your review, I am having a few concern about the K2 quality since you started to see holes at the bottom of the bag after only 7 months.

 

What's your budget?

 

i... don't... know....

ideally, I would like to spend less than 100$ CAD.

But my options in this price range are a bit limited. (given the fact that I can find something decent in Canada that isn't targus, kensington, case logic or whatever)

Basically, still looking for a messenger style laptop bag that would carry my G1S(n) (12.75 x 11.18 x 1.47 inches) a Zalman NC2000 (15.74 x 12.51 x 1.67 inches) and be able to pack a few other things : books, lunch, etc..

EDIT : I might splurge for a large timbuk2, so budget might "not" be a problem.

looked at :

Pakuma K1 (can't be shipped to Canada through luggage.com)
Pakuma K2 (nice, but having concerns about material)
Crumpler Luncheon (too small)
Mobile Edge ME Messenger (might work, nto sure about the space left after notebook cooler and laptop)
Ogio Hip Hop (thin padding)
Timbuk2 Messenger Ballistic (must get large one. expensive)
Timbuk2 Commute (must get large one. expensive)

If you can recommend any retailers for these brands that would ship to canada at a decent rate, let me know. (luggage.com offer free shipping and take cares of duties and taxes at a decent price, unlike UPS brokerage)

 

I know ebags.com offers a wide variety of laptop bags. They ship to Canada as well, but not sure on the shipping fees.

Timbuk2 makes great bags at reasonable prices, but if you said your budget might not be a problem, then I'd also suggest looking at the Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer as that bag has a separate removable compartment for the laptop and definitely enough space for a cooler + documents.

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/TBP/TB1701

 

Budget is not a problem unless you show me a bag that costs more than 200$

ok... seriously, let's go with the cost of the bag only. at most 100$ USD.

I checked eBags, they do ship to Canada. Prices are similar to luggage.com but shipping is at least 10$ more. (26$ CAD to be exact). So a Timbuk2 Commute large would cost me 185$ CAD at eBags and 140$ CAD at luggage.com.

I would feel comfortable paying 140$ CAD for a good quality bag, if no one tells the gf how much I paid for.

oh... forgot to mention : this bag will be used every day, most of the time WITHOUT the laptop... but still I want this bag to be able to carry the laptop.

 

small update : got an email from Customer Service at luggage.com (they are FAST!) and the Pakuma Choroka K1 can be shipped to Canada.

(Recent item/sku, still updating their databases)

 

Ok then, just don't show your gf this forum and you should be fine

Try this website:
http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/TBK0054/Timbuk2-Commute-Messenger-Bag.html?CMP_ID=SH_FRO002&CMP_SKU=TBK0054&mv_pc=r126

It may be cheaper for you

 

The K2 's 1000D cordura is decent. But I did put it through very heavy use. Over stuffing it most of the time (20lbs is not healthy for you or the bag ), the bag pretty much stuck with me where ever I went for the 7 months.

Nice site David...

 

Ok... somehow, my subscription to this thread stopped working before I saw that post.

I just ordered from that site, but I didn't order that bag. Didn't really like the colors. But I found this one :

http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/TBK0002/Timbuk2-Laptop-Messenger-Bag.html#

Looks like a previous year's model. Price was fairly decent. The laptop pocket seems to be inside the bag and not in the back like this year's models. According to the website, my laptop should fit nicely. Shipping was 16$ USD with... UPS! So that means that they may kill my deal by extorting me... i mean charging outrageous duty fees...

aw well... we'll see about that in a few weeks...

Again, thanks you two for all the recommendations... i'll let you know how things go with the bag once i receive it.

 

The bag you linked is a small size.... I thought you were looking for a large/medium

 

DANG!

I thought it was a Medium one too.


No wonder the price was right!

And the laptop pocket size was ok...

trying to cancel it right now...

EDIT : cancelled. I really didn't see the size when I ordered it. I looked at the pocket size (13 x 10.75 x 2) and it seemed right for me as the G1S(n) is about 12.75 x 11.18 x 1.47.

I think i'll go back to luggage.com. They have a 10% discount until 1/02.

 

... so I pulled the trigger... once more.

Pakuma Choroka K2.

I hope I don't come to regret it.

I've been looking at the specs for the other bag (the Timbuk2), and things are weird.

Current model sizes are : Small has a capacity of 14 litres. Medium has a capacity of 24.2 litres and the Large has a capacity of 35 litres.

The one I was looking at was supposedly a small one and had a capacity of 21 litres. But on the websites, reviews date as soon as mid-2005... so it is an old model.

The capacities of the Pakuma K1 and K2 are 18 and 24 litres respectively.

on the other hand, based on a few reviews and opinions by Johnny T, my laptop will fit in it, and I love the Cocoon system and I think it will carry my NC2000 as well. Plus, it's about the same size as my old Swissgear that I used to carry my laptop with... until my travel mug spilled some French Vanilla coffee in it. I haven't been able to wash the smell out of it.

 

update for the people who cares....

after ordering the bag on Feb 1st, I just took delivery today (Friday the 6th) which is about two weeks sooner than expected. Impressive delivery by luggage.com to Kanada.

So, where to start...

the G1S is a very tight fit in the cocoon system. Tighter than I expected. But the cocoon is made of memory foam, so I guess in time, it will be easier to pull the laptop from inside the cocoon.

As for the Zalman NC2000, there is plenty of space for it, no doubt. And there is still alot of space left to carry a good load even when the laptop AND the cooler is in the bag.

A few pouches for peripherals and the PSU... and it's all good.

I think I would have gone for the K1 only for the bigger cocoon, but overall, there is plenty of space inside that bag to fit my everyday needs. Plus the K1 was 40$ USD more than the K2 (before taxes and duties)

Here are some pictures :

 

Congrats on the bag. Hope it works fine for you.