Laptop messenger bags

Laptop messenger bags have become ever more stylish in recent years and are increasingly making their way into offices and boardrooms by a younger generation that is bored with traditional briefcases and old-style conservative laptop bags. The new breed of laptop carriers are generally sturdy and practical with an easy-opening top cover and a wide strap that goes cross-wise over the shoulder to provide a more comfortable carrying position. They also come in a range of styles and colours from the more traditional leather laptop messenger bag to funky and colourful messenger-style bags with reflectors and a real New York or London courier cyclist look. They are also easily available online from major retailers such as Amazon and are often cheaper bought this way than in a store.

The main reasons that many people, myself included, choose to carry may laptop in a messenger bag are comfort and style. I find that a traditional laptop bag either sits uncomfortably in the hand or drags down heavily when slung over a single shoulder. Even worse, it often slips off, especially when I'm wearing a winter coat.In contrast, a messenger laptop bag slings right over the other shoulder and sits comfortably against the hip while walking. I generally cycle to work so it is really convenient for me to be able to swing the laptop case up a little and round onto my lower back. Pressing down in that way it sits comfortably and securely without putting any weight or strain on my neck and shoulders. I've also used it for motorcycling and then it sits on the seat behind me (because of the more upright position of my motorbike) but is still securely wrapped around me in such a way that it won't come off in the wind.
That's the comfort. I find that I can also pack in enough for short business trips so only carry one smallish bag with me through airline security and onto the plane. It also stows really neatly in the overhead locker.
The ultimate in comfort for many people is a backpack laptop bag but I find that they just don't look very businesslike. Fortunately mine (which is made by Jack Wolfskin in Germany) has straps that stow completely in the back so it looks like a perfectly respectable laptop bag in one configuration but can also be carried over both shoulders. I find this most useful when hanging about in airports on business travel. But this is unusual as few laptop messenger bags convert to backpacks.

Messenger bags for laptops come in such a range of styles that it is hard to argue that you can't find one that fits with your look. In general business fashions have changed enough in recent years that one can take most sorts of messenger bags into meetings. If you need something really smart and businesslike you might want to go for relatively plain black bag from a traditional laptop case maker such as Targus. Men's messenger bags have also become fairly accepted in the workplace in recent years. Look around next time you are walking around the business district of a big city at how many men in business attire are carrying messenger bags. Their bags aren't the most hip (although they have tried by producing a couple in different colors and styles) but they are certainly appropriately conservative, if that's what your office environment demands. If you can afford to be more stylish there is a great range of bags made from companies such as Timbuk2, Crumpler, Manhattan Portage or Frietag. Most will offer a range of colors and styles of bags with dedicated protective pockets for your laptop. These are usually padded and waterproof (though be warned, in many cases the outside of the bag is not so it will wet through in heavy rain).
Some of these manufacturers have achieved cult like status and sell bags that are decidedly classic and retro in their look and are designed to appear at home on the back of a cycle messenger. Many people also get a retro-looking canvas messenger bag. Although these aren't designed specifically with laptops in mind you can often carry one using a neoprene or padded laptop sleeve for added protection.

For a price some messenger bag manufacturers will let you design your own bag and they'll build it exactly to your specifications. Timbuk2, for instance, lets you decide right down to the level of detail such as what sort of reflector tabs you want and whether it should have a shoulder strap pad and what kind of gadget bag you want to attach to hold your phone. With a range of choices such as these you'd be hard pressed not to find a laptop messenger bag that meets your needs.