Messenger Bags & Briefcases in Toronto

[spcl-k]

I work at a creative advertising agency in Toronto and I was recently looking to retire my Jack Spade Messenger bag for something else.

I was considering a leather briefcase/messenger bag that I can put a few things in, including a laptop and a few files. Nothing enormous.

I've looked at a few brands (mandarina duck, hartmann, the samsonite black label) but was kinda iffy on all of them. I really enjoyed my Jack Spade bag but I'm looking for a little more formal and of a quality leather. I'm willing to spend approximately $300 - $400 and my limitations are my location since I'd like to go to the store and look, feel, smell (haha) it before purchasing and Toronto's not always biggest resource for affordable man bags. =)

Anyhoo, if anybody has some suggestions or recommendation, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Mildly Consumptive]

Originally Posted by spcl-k

I work at a creative advertising agency in Toronto and I was recently looking to retire my Jack Spade Messenger bag for something else.

I was considering a leather briefcase/messenger bag that I can put a few things in, including a laptop and a few files. Nothing enormous.

I've looked at a few brands (mandarina duck, hartmann, the samsonite black label) but was kinda iffy on all of them. I really enjoyed my Jack Spade bag but I'm looking for a little more formal and of a quality leather. I'm willing to spend approximately $300 - $400 and my limitations are my location since I'd like to go to the store and look, feel, smell (haha) it before purchasing and Toronto's not always biggest resource for affordable man bags. =)

Anyhoo, if anybody has some suggestions or recommendation, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

I have a Tusting Clipper bag that I like. It goes perfectly with a tweed jacket, but is a bit too formal for jeans and a t-shirt. A Filson would be better for that. Betty Hemmings and Taschen in Yorkville carry Tusting. Wilson's fly-fishing place on Queen E. stocks Filson.

Tusting Clipper:

Filson 256:

 

[spcl-k]

Thanks very much! I was looking at Tusting. The Filson's very nice!

How is the quality from mandarina duck? Would anyone know?

 

[Recoil]

That exact Filson bag, along with many others, are also availabel at TnT in Hazelton lanes. There is a luggage shop in Yorkville across from One Hazelton hotel that is going out of business, I'd try there to find a deal.

 

[spcl-k]

I've recently found a TUMI bag at Taschen that is similar to the below link.

http://intl.tumi.com/sundance/encino-brief/

It is the same size but without the handle and messenger-style priced at $395 canadian. I have the options of brown and black

Anyone got an opinion? Quality, Style, etc?

Thanks!

 

[Mildly Consumptive]

Originally Posted by spcl-k

I've recently found a TUMI bag at Taschen that is similar to the below link.

http://intl.tumi.com/sundance/encino-brief/

It is the same size but without the handle and messenger-style priced at $395 canadian. I have the options of brown and black

Anyone got an opinion? Quality, Style, etc?

Thanks!


I dislike Tumi. For the price of the Tumi, I think you can do better, or get something just as good for less. If I wanted a more casual briefcase in brown pebble-grain leather, I'd get this Tusting bag on clearance from Sierra Trading Post, but it is not messenger style:

 

[Delimit]

The Mandarina Duck Work line is still great quality. The rest, though, are questionable. There's a luggage store here that has sold them for years. Was in there talking the other week and they said the File stuff just disintegrates. Apparently there was a shake-up at MD. The original designer left and the quality has apparently suffered as a result.

Oh, and the Alphaduck line is also supposed to still be up to the original high standards MD had.

I've got the Work stuff though, and it has held up incredibly well.