Looking for a nice travelling laptop briefcase

[spence]

Been hunting a while for a nice work briefcase and was curious if anyone had any suggestions. Of course I've read all the old threads...

Needs to be able to carry a normal laptop stuff, folio and perhaps a few magazines or papers, pretty much the standard 17 x 12 x 4-6" size. I travel frequently by air so the ability to weather well is important. When in the airport it would be hung from the hook on my two wheeler so the handle needs to be friendly to that and this may omit most flaptops.

Current bag is lightweight nylon, which I'd consider again but am probably looking at leather.

Budget is a up to a grand or so, but I could spend more if I was inclined. Want something with some character that I can keep for a long time. I like the style of Dunhill but at retail am not sure they're a good value for a working bag.

Best candidate so far is one of the smaller Glaser Designs Deal Bags.

Any other ideas? thanks...

 

[bing]

I've been looking for the same but more of a messenger bag vs. brief case... but more brief casey than just a messenger bag...

 

[Tidybeard]

I've been around this loop myself. I alternate between Filson 257 in tan (http://www.filson.com/products/brief...ag.70257.html), Tumi 26141 in black (http://www.tumi.com/product/index.js...erSourceCode=0) and the Papworth 77 computer case in London Tan (http://www.papworthtravelgoods.co.uk...77/index.html). I really like them all, but for any sort of travelling the Tumi is by far the best. It's exceptionally well designed, holds and organises a ton of stuff and is very resilient to dirt, scrapes and scuffs. Plus, it's the only one of the three that has a slot to ride over the handle of a rolling case. It also expands so I can work away for 2-3 days with it as my only bag when necessary. Mine is ballistic nylon but it's also available in your preferred leather. I much prefer the aesthetics of the Filson (which I use when I can get away with casual and don't have too much stuff to carry) and the Papworth (which is a beautiful thing and works in a formal setting), but as you mention travel I think you'd have to go a long way to beat the Tumi 26141 (although Briggs and Riley is another excellent brand that's arguably as tough as Tumi and has a better warranty - I use several pieces of their luggage). Hope this helps, and happy hunting!

 

[Tez Mulan]

This is the one I would go for

http://www.extravaganzi.com/p2000-lu...orsche-design/

 

[NORE]

I can make you a nice tan leather one for $400. PM me if interested.

 

[Sazerac]

I'm in the same boat, except I'm looking for something pretty thin, in the 3-4 inch range.

A couple I've found...

http://www.lotuffclegg.com/products/...Briefcase.html

http://www.knomobags.com/usa/men/col.../warwick.html/

http://www.billamberg.com/shop/trave...mph-briefcase1

http://www.ebags.com/product/aaron-i...ductid=1300762

 

[countcount]

Originally Posted by spence

Best candidate so far is one of the smaller Glaser Designs Deal Bags.


+1 on Glaser
If you don't mind a used Glaser, watch eBay. They pop up everyone now and then for good prices. There were 2 last week.

 

[spence]

I think the Filson is probably an incredible value if you don't want much bling.

Have a love/hate relationship with Tumi. Quality is excellent, I've had a wheeled suiter for years and it still looks great. Of course just last week a woman grabbed it by mistake coming of a commuter aircraft down South...nothing in it of note (EZ jacket, C&J shoes, RLPL shirt etc...) and thank god they found her before she got too far from the airport.

I looked at the Papworths online a few weeks ago and could probably afford it but they're almost too nice. I'm sure they'd age beautifully I'm not sure I could stomach placing it in the compartment above my seat.

The Porsche Design stuff is always really cool. I'll bet that bag is insanely expensive for nylon...but may be an option worth considering.

I see them on ebay but are there any Internet retailers?

 

[spence]

Originally Posted by Sazerac

I'm in the same boat, except I'm looking for something pretty thin, in the 3-4 inch range.

A couple I've found...

http://www.lotuffclegg.com/products/...Briefcase.html

This is an interesting option I hadn't seen before. Nice that it's a local product made in my area...

thanks for all the ideas so far!

-spence

 

[spence]

Originally Posted by countcount

+1 on Glaser
If you don't mind a used Glaser, watch eBay. They pop up everyone now and then for good prices. There were 2 last week.

I'd buy a used one if it was like an off lease auto

What bugs me about the Glaser bags is the slight element of marketing fluff that detracts from an otherwise beautiful bag. The branding for the frame on the inside, the attachment of accessories via velcro...I'm sure this is just petty online stuff and in person I wouldn't really care.

I remember once being in the Columbia, SC airport and spotting a bag (from across the terminal) so nice I actually walked over to see what it was...you guessed it...

 

[spence]

Originally Posted by spence

This is an interesting option I hadn't seen before. Nice that it's a local product made in my area...

This is great...Lotuff & Clegg is located a few miles from my house!

I had no idea.

This might give them serious points. Thanks again for the link...

 

[Sazerac]

The leather L&C uses seems to be gorgeous. I like leather with texture and the stuff they use seems to have it in spades.

If I were you, I'd swing by and check out the wares. If you do, please report back to us.

 

[trader]

For those that haven't handled a Glaser briefcase, it's built like a buttery soft tank. It's very sturdy. And the hidden outside pockets allow for quick access to documents you might need while traveling. There are also some rivets on the bottom so you dont have to worry about getting your bag dirty or scuffed when setting it down. They really do make a great travel case. I'm really diggin these right now from the armory but they might be too small

 

[spence]

Originally Posted by trader

For those that haven't handled a Glaser briefcase, it's built like a buttery soft tank. It's very sturdy. And the hidden outside pockets allow for quick access to documents you might need while traveling. There are also some rivets on the bottom so you dont have to worry about getting your bag dirty or scuffed when setting it down. They really do make a great travel case.

I'm really diggin these right now from the armory but they might be too small

I've seen Glasers before but never had the opportunity to inspect them. Like most nice things, whatever you're touching at the moment is the best bag ever

Do you have a link to the company site for those bags you posted? I didn't see anything when I searched...

thanks.

 

[Patek]

I have an Andrew Marc that I bought on Bluefly. It is a dark brown buttery leather and a brown canvas. One of my best purchases or the year as I have gotten nothing but complements on it any people at work threatening to "steal" it.

The only downside is that it is a little heavy as they did not skimp on the leather or the brass hardware.

I think I paid a little over $200. I checked and it is no longer there, but Iwould watch what comes up there.

I think this Fendi is beautiful, but not at $1800:

http://www.bluefly.com/Fendi-brown-l...901/detail.fly

Here is a different Andrew Marc for $225:

http://www.bluefly.com/Andrew-Marc-s...701/detail.fly