What's the prevailing opinion on Messenger Bags? UPDATE: Bought a bag!

[02ranger]

I've recently gotten a new job and I now have more things to carry to work with me than I can fit in my pockets. So I started carrying these things in an old laptop bag I had lying around the house, but recently I've been thinking about getting a messenger bag. The only thing stopping me is that I get the overwhelming feeling I'm shopping for a purse everytime I go online to look. What's the opinion/consensus here on men carrying messenger bags?

See last post for the exciting updated information!! lol

 

[IronWing]

Get a cloth grocery bag, cheap and washable.

 

[Brainonska511]

Don't go too small, otherwise it's a murse. I have a leather messenger bag that can comfortably hold my 14" laptop and a few smaller things, like a books and pens. Looks less bulky than a briefcase and has no handles. Would I carry it everywhere? No. But is it useful for carrying stuff to work while looking semi-professional? Sure.

 

[02ranger]

Don't go too small, otherwise it's a murse. I have a leather messenger bag that can comfortably hold my 14" laptop and a few other things. Looks less bulky than a briefcase and has no handles. Would I carry it everywhere? No. But is it useful for carrying stuff to work while looking semi-professional? Sure.

All I really care to use it for is carrying things to work. Having lots of stuff for work is understandable. If I get to the point I need to carry it everywhere then, well, I really do just need a purse. lol

 

[master_shake_]

how bout a back pack?

 

[Imp]

Backpacks are unprofessional, messenger bags are girly, briefcases are for old people...

Use your hands like a real man. Or be a gym bag person -- you're either disgruntled or really into your body.

 

[02ranger]

how bout a back pack?

I hadn't really thought about that yet. I guess because I'm carrying a laptop bag right now, my mind just went to messenger bag. They each have pros and cons, but does a backpack look too juvenille/unprofessional?

 

[master_shake_]

depends on the job really.

 

[unokitty]

I've recently gotten a new job and I now have more things to carry to work with me than I can fit in my pockets. So I started carrying these things in an old laptop bag I had lying around the house, but recently I've been thinking about getting a messenger bag. The only thing stopping me is that I get the overwhelming feeling I'm shopping for a purse everytime I go online to look. What's the opinion/consensus here on men carrying messenger bags?

Life is short. Buy what you think you need.

I've always been partial to Eagle Creek. If you are looking for a conservative bag, I'd look at something like the Rush Hour Laptop Messenger. But that's me.

Buy what you want.

Uno

 

[Platypus]

I've recently gotten a new job and I now have more things to carry to work with me than I can fit in my pockets. So I started carrying these things in an old laptop bag I had lying around the house, but recently I've been thinking about getting a messenger bag. The only thing stopping me is that I get the overwhelming feeling I'm shopping for a purse everytime I go online to look. What's the opinion/consensus here on men carrying messenger bags?

The consensus is that only insecure people give a shit what others think of their bag choice. Buy what you like/need and stop caring so much about insignificant nonsense. The only 'unmanly' (cringe) thing about this situation is the fact that you care what other men think of it.

 

[Fayd]

i have a laptop messenger from timbuk2. if you have the money, you can get whatever you want, looking *really* good. professional, even. and waterproof.

mine was premade, and only $60 (versus 140~ for a custom bag), but it looks pretty good. in retrospect, i wish i got a medium bag (i got a small).

 

[02ranger]

The consensus is that only insecure people give a shit what others think of their bag choice. Buy what you like/need and stop caring so much about insignificant nonsense. The only 'unmanly' (cringe) thing about this situation is the fact that you care what other men think of it.

Wow, just tell me what you really think. Ultimately I will buy what I want, but anybody that says they don't care at all how they look is most likely lying. What others think shouldn't be what I make the final decision from, but if there are certain "preconceived notions" that go with a messenger bag, I'd like to know that.

 

[Platypus]

Wow, just tell me what you really think.

I already did.

 

[02ranger]

I already did.

That was just a joke. I figured you meant what you said....... lol

 

[rockyct]

If it can hold a laptop, people are going to assume you have a laptop in there and not really give a shit, unless they want to steal assumed laptop.

 

[lxskllr]

I use a cheap tool bag for my miscellaneous stuff, and a oil cloth bag for my laptop.

 

[Murloc]

I use a backpack because it's way more comfortable when walking with heavier stuff.
If that's not a issue, I guess a proper messenger bag looks more professional.
But there are more polished-looking backpacks as well.

 

[02ranger]

I think I'm gonna buy one. Gonna check on amazon tonight while I'm "working" and find something I like.

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[desura]

I got one.

It sucks for long hikes but for short trips it is easier to get stuff out of.

I mostly do short trips. It also has a wide mouth so it's easier to find stuff, unlike a backpack.

 

[Kadarin]

If it's too small to hold a laptop, you shouldn't have it unless you want to look heterosexually-challenged.

 

[02ranger]

I got one.

It sucks for long hikes but for short trips it is easier to get stuff out of.

I mostly do short trips. It also has a wide mouth so it's easier to find stuff, unlike a backpack.

Mine will be almost exclusively to carry to and from work.

If it's too small to hold a laptop, you shouldn't have it unless you want to look heterosexually-challenged.

haha, yeah I agree. Much smaller than that and I really should just buy a purse. I've considered the backpack thing that others have mentioned but I just think that would be a little too unprofessional looking for where I work now.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I don't have to carry that much stuff, but if I did I think I would go briefcase before messenger bag. I'd really take any excuse to carry a briefcase though; something slim and shiny that makes a loud "clack" sound when you release the catches. Tells people you mean business.

 

[phucheneh]

A laptop bag pretty much IS a messenger bag. If you are looking for a particularly small 'messenger bag,' yes, those are called 'purses.'

 

[desura]

practically, a messenger bag is also lighter than a briefcase and you can strap it to your body for semi-long trips. A briefcase would really really suck for a long trip.

Who cares about what other people think. get what works...

 

[mmntech]

I have an official Mirror's Edge (TM) messenger bag that I got free from GameStop when the game came out. I use it as a laptop bag.