Good strong everyday bag?

[stiff upper lip]

Hi guys, question's in the title....looking for a large bag with handles but also with a shoulder strap.....I don't like run o the mill stuff, found this bag from Kleintools.com
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...6464?srccode=cii_79916502&cpncode=34-27722152

this is the right kind of size....any suggestions?

 

[Will015]

That Klein bag would be pretty tough. I've used a number of their smaller tool pouches on the job for 12 years doing hard construction and we got them used. They are some super hard wearing items. They may be slightly tougher/heavier than you'd want to carry, if you're carrying it far.

A slightly lighter though much more expensive option would be a Filson Sportsman Bag. It's still gonna be pretty damn heavy duty. I don't have that particular model, but I do have a few other Filson bags and their quality is pretty damn fantastic.

Another option would be a Mason Tool Bag by Heritage Leather Company. I have no direct experience with this company, though they seem reasonably nice in photographs. I seem to remember my father keeping his masonry tools in the front seat of his truck in a similar bag when I was a child.

I think the problem with a bag this large is that you don't really want to carry it all too far. If it's only gonna be going from a car to an office and you like to carry a lot of stuff, it might be appropriate. However, if you plan on walking all over/taking public transit it's gonna be pretty damn big and heavy. You might be better off with a Filson brief case or maybe even a medium field bag. I personally use one of their small field bags for just this purpose but, I also don't carry too much (a sandwich, gloves, knife, water bottle, watch cap).

 

[Shangas]

What will this bag be used for? You want leather or canvas? Stylish/classy/ic, or rugged?

 

[stiff upper lip]

Thanks will, I will check out the filson bag for sure!!

 

[stiff upper lip]

Hi Shangas, I want to use the bag everyday for all sorts, from chucking in a bit of shopping, spare sweater/raincoat and all the accompanying gear I carry round...e.g. phone wallet, laptop occasionally. I also have to fit my kids' lunchbags in it in the mornings when I take them to school, I have a Belstaff colonial bag but it's too small for everyday use...also I am not the gentle type of user, I expect my bag to withstand real abuse....material wise not fussed, so could be leather but not shiny leather (would look like a pimp) I quite like canvas and style wise I'm quite open to military vintage, rugged work type or old fashioned....i'll know when I see it!!!

 

[Shangas]

Bloody hell!

It sounds like what you want might be one of those old canvas or strong cloth duffel-bags. Something like this:

This is the biggest bag produced by Saddleback Leather. I've had no dealings with the company, but their stuff seems to be very good quality.

I've never had to carry around as much as you do. When I have the odd occasion when I know I'm going somewhere for the day, and I'll need to bring everything that I'll need during that day (like if I'm going to an all-day event and will be there...all day), I carry this with me:

Otherwise, I just use a regular leather messenger-style bag.

 

[tonypaj]

Bought this for my son for the Uni and one night trips. He seems to like it (so far).

http://www.chapmanbags.com/men/shop-by-products/carry-on-bags/huntsman.html#

Might not be big enough for you. I have a smaller version for the office, as all I need is a laptop and some papers.

 

[stiff upper lip]

Nice one guys, there's some great bags there from manufacturers I'd never heard of... chap mans have some lovely stuff and saddlebacks stuff looks top notch....looks like i'm gonna be spending too much again....already driven the wife insane with my jacket collection!!

 

[Dinerman]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?8402-The-Elephant-in-the-Room-Man-Purse

 

[gear-guy]

Filson bags are great, also look at the North face base camp duffel. I have been using one for several years for travel and they are close to bomb proof.

 

[stiff upper lip]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?8402-The-Elephant-in-the-Room-Man-Purse

Man Purse....genius!! interesting thread, I'm afraid I do carry a lot of stuff around with me....second only to my wife who pretty much carries a smaller version of our house around with her (and yet seems to never have enough)
I just can't go out without a bag......I could go out butt nekkid as long as I had a bag!!!!

 

[Seb Lucas]

Bloody hell!

It sounds like what you want might be one of those old canvas or strong cloth duffel-bags. Something like this:

This is the biggest bag produced by Saddleback Leather. I've had no dealings with the company, but their stuff seems to be very good quality.

I have a large Saddleback satchel - as I've written here elsewhere, they are amazing quality but so stiff, heavy and unyielding carrying the bag feels like you're carting a brick over your shoulder even when empty.

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

I see that Akubra has moved into such accessories. Look about 4 pages down for some new products:

http://www.akubra.com.au/Akubra_2014_Retail_Brochure.pdf

Fed

 

[tropicalbob]

I really like the line in the brochure that says, "There's nothing more Australian than the notion of travel."

 

[Seb Lucas]

I really like the line in the brochure that says, "There's nothing more Australian than the notion of travel."

Hmmm, sounds like advertising spin to me. Curiously most Australians that do travel go overseas not in their own country.

 

[gwold]

I can vouch for Saddleback. I've had their Thin Briefcase for going on 3 years now. It's seen daily use, in commutes, business trips (stuffed into overheads & under seats), and on vacations; carries my laptop, note pads, pens, wires, cables, packages, etc.; and hardly shows the wear. I've also one of their belts (too tough for anything but my jeans!), and gave my lady a large Leather Tote. She's a teacher, hauling lots of papers, books, lunches, and packages in it every day. All good stuff, and I've no doubt that these things will, as they say on their site, be around for my grandkids to fight over.

Disclaimer: I've no association with SL, beyond being a happy customer. Although if they wanted to throw a Waterbag my way … ;-)

 

[Shangas]

Hmmm, sounds like advertising spin to me. Curiously most Australians that do travel go overseas not in their own country.

I dunno about you, but it's my opinion that there isn't much to see in Australia. That's probably why. I've done a lot of traveling in my time, and I've gone to more places overseas than I can probably count. But I've never been to anywhere in Australia outside my state, apart from Hobart and Sydney.

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

The only time that I spent in Australia was on the way to New Zealand. My wife loves bizarre geological structures and always wanted to see New Zealand. We had a great time.

As to the whole man bag thing, just stick a Harley Davidson patch on it and nobody will say a thing.

As for me, I use a Land's End back pack with well fitted water bottle pouches or a ballistic nylon bag - particularly the PUSH Pack by 511. Looks like a camera bag and holds all that I need.

Fed

 

[sal]

I ended up with a custom Timbuktu bag for everyday use.
They are amazing. I have a medium messenger and I can fit more than I would want to carry.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I dunno about you, but it's my opinion that there isn't much to see in Australia. That's probably why. I've done a lot of traveling in my time, and I've gone to more places overseas than I can probably count. But I've never been to anywhere in Australia outside my state, apart from Hobart and Sydney.

I guess that depends on what one considers worth seeing. I don't travel here or overseas since travel doesn't do it for me.