Messenger Bag $100-$150 for 15.4 Wide

Just wondering if anybody can recommend a messenger style bag in the price range of 100-150 bucks for a 15.4 wide thinkpad (see signature).

I've been searching through the forums and there are great recommendations for Braincells, Waterfields, etc which great, but by the time you buy a bag and a sleeve they are well up over 200 bucks. If I didn't buy the 3 year thinkpad protection I might consider them, but I've spent enough money for my warranty that I can't justify it. Thanks

/chad

 

You can build up a bag in any color scheme and feature set you want here within your price range:

Also you can search around and find premade Timbuk2 Laptop Messenger bags in various colors for $40 less. I believe you need the large size.

 

www.pelican.com

look up the 1495 laptop case.

crush proof, water proof, comes with strap, and infinite warranty, if you can break any part of that case, they fix it. Pretty slimline. Costs about 150.00 online. Better than any other case out there that isn't injection molded plastic or titanium. Also light weight. Not a soft shell, a hard shell. We have one of these for our church media laptop, it has never failed.

You get your choice of black or desert tan. Guess who's armed forces use Pelican?

 

Those are not really a messenger bags though

 

Yea, I'm looking for a bag that can store my laptop and a few college books walking around campus... thanks though kebs.

 

Hum, it looks like the medium might be a squeeze... I wonder if it 's possible.

Thanks I really like the looks of them!

 

Okay, well take it from me, you don't want a messenger bag. The T61P's a heavy heavy laptop, I have issues wearing it just standing for 10 minutes and the top end bag I use is holding just the laptop.

May I suggest the North Face Recon2 backpack? Room for 2-3 textbooks, two water bottle side pockets, a padded sleeve in the back you can stick your 15.4" into granted you don't stick the 9 cell in there. I take my 9 cell out, and put it in the front, or better yet, just get a 6 cell and it will fit flush.

Plus two storage areas up front where you can hide an ipod, your charger, and supplies, and then another meshy outside large pocket the size of the backpack where you can hurriedly throw stuff into, like say your wallet or lil books or food or whatever.

I've taken my Recon2 backpacking, skiing, hiking, traveling, to school, around school,and back. Very comfortable, padding in all the right places with a whistle, I guess if you feel like you're getting assaulted. Pretty water resistant if not lightly waterproof. Another mini zipper pocket towards the top of the backpack lets you throw in wallet, cell phone keys, and that zipper is weather sealed for safety from water.

Also has two buckling mechanisms to bear the weight better, one that can go around your waist that's well padded, and another to go around your chest should you desire. Oh and since it's meant for cross country as well, it has an external mounting system in case you want to criss cross two poles/spears/javelins through the design in the padded back area. it's pretty neat.

I used to walk 15-20 minutes in between classes. I did that in a messenger, that sucked, my back and arms started hurting like crazy. I then switched to my Recon2. For grad school if I need books with me I'll use my recon, even though I can drive with less than 5 minute walk anywhere. I only really use my Louis Vuitton messenger if the only thing I need is my laptop, and no other books.

Btw I've had bad luck with samsonite messenger bags. The leather one we had for church died in about 6 months, the zippers break and dont' rezip like north face or jansport/eastpak , and the clasps for the strap broke and tore out of the leather.

 

Ah Kebs, you've convinced me I'm ordering a Recon2... I had a Chicago Style Targus bag, but it has taken it a beating the last 3 years. Thought I would go with a messenger, but I do carry a lot of stuff on flights or when I go to the library at night, so I'd better stick with a backpack... Reps buddy

 

hahah enjoy. I have yellow. My wife has powder blue =)

 

try ebags.com

 

I have had the same timbuk2 bag for many years now. For the dollar value, I'm not sure it's the best one out there anymore, but it certainly has lasted through a lot of abuse. The materials and hardware are all very heavy duty. The main reason I'm not inclined to replace anytime soon is because the inside is lined with a waterproof rubber/vinyl type coating. I have been caught in torrential downpours with water literally running down the outside of the bag and soaking completely through the outside fabric, yet everything inside has stayed perfectly dry.

 

Cool slick, thanks for the info! Maybe I'll order a timbuk2 later and just use that when I'm taking my thinkpad and no books.

I actually froogle.com for it (aka google product search) and http://www.ems.com had the bag for 30% off so I bought it there and overnighted it so it will arrive with my laptop (tomorrow!).

 

I recommend a Chrome bag. It's a bit awkward to sling over one shoulder, because it's meant for bicycles, but is very nice if it's worn crosswise and distributes the weight evenly. It's by far the most comfortable bag I've ever used - it has a nice, thick shoulder pad and the strap is made from that same material as seat belts. Build quality is much better than Timbuck2.

You can only order online and must specify which side shoulder you use.