Bags – Page 22

The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 2)

Welcome to part two of an on-going series where we tell you about the gear that we use on a daily basis. Today we have the favorite gear bags for five of our writers here on the Gadgeteer team. Enjoy!

Also read:
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1)

Ryan Chapman

I am not someone who carries a bag around often; unless I am going to the dojo. Years ago my sister bought me an Ogio Gymbo duffel bag for Christmas. It is large enough to fit two karate uniforms, tonfas, sparring gear, purse, and a water bottle. For being about six years old and used multiple times a week, it is in immaculate shape.

The side pocket is used for odds and ends such as hair-ties and any important papers I may receive. It is thin, long, and not very wide. The back pocket is supposed to be used for shoes or dirty clothes, but I use it to store snacks and my purse to keep them away from my sparring gear and uniform.

You can read more about Ogio bags at ogio.com and although this particular bag doesn’t appear to be available any longer, you can buy similar Ogio bags from Amazon.

Joe Porletto

Here’s a pic of my trusty GoRuck GR1, 26L. I’ve been using this bag every day for the last two years and there’s barely any signs of wear. It’s the toughest, most durable piece of gear I own, which is important because it carries ALL of my other gear on a daily basis. It was a large investment for a backpack, but knowing that it will most likely be the last EDC bag I ever have to buy makes it all worth it. Can’t say enough good things about it.

You can read more about this bag at goruck.com.

David Ferreira

With all the hurricanes and prep and such, getting in and around Atlanta has been fun, in a totally not-fun kind of way. I was scheduled to return on Monday but weather delays, over-booking and general madness delayed me until Wednesday night. Finally made it back to Seattle, and will be here until after Irma visits Atlanta next week, so time to catch up. I managed to use the OVC earbuds under the most strenuous circumstances, so the review on those are coming early next week.

In the meantime, the zip has 4 pictures of my bag – use any of them you like. The next paragraph starts the bag post. More soon.

I travel a lot these days. I mean A LOT (sorry to shout). I leave on Sunday morning and get back home early Friday morning. It can be grueling so my bag has to be able to withstand anything the airlines, hotels, Uber and I can throw at it.

My gear bag is the Tumi Alpha Bravo Shaw Deluxe Brief Pack. I’m guessing they just couldn’t fit any more nouns in the name. Regardless, this bag is big – since when I am not at home my office is my bag, so it would have to be. I can carry pretty much anything I need – laptop(s), tablets, notebook, power and charging gear, cables, pens, ibuprofen, and Altoids.

One of the nice things (especially when I am in Seattle) is the waterproof side pocket that holds my umbrella when I am home or a bottle of Smart Water when I am not. And the luggage handle sleeve on the bag makes sure that no matter how much I overload it, I can just hook it on my luggage handle and not overload myself.

Plus it is an upscale-looking bag, which is never a bad thing when meeting with clients. This bag solves all my carry problems, and a few I didn’t know I had until I got the bag.

You can read more about this bag at tumi.com and you can order one from Amazon for $365.

Andy Chen

My gear bag is the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II Backpack.

Overall size: 9.5″(L) x 8″(W) x 17.5″(H)
Main compartment: 9″(L) x 4.5″(W) x 17″(H)
Volume: 1100 cu. in. / 18L
This is what I carry to my desk job. I don’t carry much, but I want it to be comfortable. It’s one of the smallest dual-strap backpacks in the Maxpedition lineup, which is what I wanted. I like that it has many loop attachment points on the outside for hanging things (trauma shears, flashlight), plus two “bottle” mesh pouches on the outside just in case I want to convert my work bag into a day pack.

You can read more about this bag at maxpedition.com and you can order one from Amazon for $100.

Available in Black, Khaki, Wolf Gray and Foliage Green.

Ryan Pagel

I recently bought my first piece of Filson outside of their clothing line. I decided to go with the 24 Hour Tin Briefcase. This has quickly become one of my favorite gear bags for many reasons. It is what I am currently carrying to the office to hold my computer, charging cables, notebook, etc. and has the style of a rugged waxed canvas bag with bridle leather accents that fit in a corporate setting but also says “I have my own style and march to my own beat”.

What I love about this bag is that although it is technically a computer bag, it is also a great gear bag for weekend excursions, a day hike or a day trip up to Estes Park, Colorado to see the sights and do some walking, shopping and maybe a picnic with the family. One main pocket with a padded area for a computer holds a lot more stuff than you would think. the two front pockets have some interior organization for pens and a zippered compartment for hiding cash, thumb drives, passports, etc. there is an open back pocket for quick access to papers, an iPad, plane tickets (I am assuming they still have paper tickets, I just use my phone now), and also has a strap across the back to put it over the top of the handle of your roller bag.

Filson has been a master of canvas bags for decades and they just seem to be getting better. I would highly recommend checking out this great bag whether you are looking for a new EDC to the office or something for the weekend getaways and especially if you are looking for both. If you need more storage or want to carry camera equipment or bulkier items, I would recommend looking into their Padded Computer Bag. It has many of the things I love about my 24 Hour bag but offers more padding and internal volume. You honestly can’t go wrong with Filson.

You can read more about Filson bags at filson.com and you can buy this back on Amazon for $389.

Also read:
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1)

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We’ll post another series of favorite gear bag blurbs next week for five more Gadgeteer team members, so stay tuned.

Filed in categories: Articles

Tagged: Bags

The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 2) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 25, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 review

If you are a frequent traveler like I am, you probably have a pretty high standard for your suitcases and travel gear. I am no different. I travel 25-50% of my time for my job and finding that perfect bag for those 2-4 day trips has been an ongoing quest. I have quite a collection of different duffels, suitcases, roller bags, etc. and each has had their benefits but also their drawbacks, leaving me searching for that ultimate bag for my work trips.

When I had the opportunity to review the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 travel bag, I was excited to have another option for my travel needs but managed my expectations because I have yet to find the perfect bag and there is always something that just isn’t quite right for my needs. I can say right now that I am more impressed with this bag and accessory system than I have been with ANY other product I have used since becoming such a frequent flyer.

The size of the Aeronaut 45 is designed to meet the maximum carry-on dimensions for your major airlines (22″ x 14″ x 9″) but maximizes the space and can be internally modified to fit your exact needs. “(T)he Aeronaut is at once soft luggage, a duffel bag, and a backpack” as described in the product description. the backpack straps can be completely hidden, allowing you to use the top handle or the optional shoulder strap should you want to carry it over the shoulder or cross body. The Aeronaut is not a roller bag and that is fine by me!

Many duffel bags are simply a sack with no compartmentalization or have a tiny pocket that serves little purpose for actually organizing your clothes/equipment. The Aeronaut 45 is smartly divided into three compartments, a main/center compartment where most of your clothing will go, which is flanked by two large end compartments on each side that will actually hold a lot. I wear a size 14 shoe and I was able to fit a pair of my bulky clodhoppers in one of the side compartments (the website says they can accommodate a size 12 running shoe so I am guessing nobody there had a size 14 to test but mine fit like a glove). This is the first time I have had a carry-on sized bag that I was able to keep a pair of my pontoon sized shoes in anything other than the main storage compartment. This was the first thing I tested when I received the bag and when I discovered that both shoes would fit in one pocket, I was ready to call it a victory and write this review, but there is so much more to the bag and the accessories, I might as well earn my keep and look into the rest of it.

The bag is offered in a myriad of external and internal color combinations with more on the way. Constructed ballistic ripstop nylon, this bag will have no issues being used regularly and being thrown in overhead bins or in the seat in front of you. The materials feel thick and sturdy yet lightweight and flexible at the same time. All zippers are YKK and any external zippers are also YKK Aquagaurd Coil Zippers. Everything on this bag looks and feels like it was designed with longevity in mind and to be a piece you will use for years.

The main compartment is the perfect size for folded pants or dress shirts and work perfectly with their optional packing cube accessories or with many of the packing accessories you might already own. I have a couple sets of organizing cubes from other manufacturers and they fit quite well but I really like the ones from Tom Bihn because of their clear intent to be used with this product. There are so many little conveniences that have been so thoughtfully designed into this bag it is difficult to list them all but everything on the bag is there for a reason and you will find that you will miss them if you go back to using another bag after this.

I am a bigger guy (6’1″, 230#) and the bag fit me perfectly in backpack mode but also adjusted to fit my wife who is much more petite than I am. I usually prefer a shoulder strap and was fortunate to receive one of those as well but I can see myself using the backpack mode as often or more often than the shoulder strap because of how comfortable it is and how well the straps and back are padded to make for a comfortable carry over long distances.

The offer a comprehensive range of travel accessories, which can be ordered to match your Aeronaut bag. I received a couple of large packing cubes for organizing pants and shirts inside the Aeronaut; some of the travel stuff sacks, which can be used as compression sacks for lightweight jackets, socks/underwear, dirty clothes or just anything you want to keep separate and tuck into nooks and crannies in the bag; a 3D Clear Organizing Cube for holding my toiletries and can be easily taken out at airport security if it is holding liquid; and the shoulder strap, which gives me an additional option for how to carry the bag. The shoulder strap is the most comfortable strap I have ever had on any bag. It is constructed from soft neoprene with a stretch backing, which makes the bag feel 50% lighter on your shoulder and cuts down on the pressure point on your shoulder or collarbone. The all-metal hardware on the shoulder strap is another sign of quality and assures me that I won’t have to deal with a broken plastic buckle at an inopportune time. With a retail price of $295, I think this bag is a bargain.

Overall I think Tom Bihn hit a home run with this product. I have recommended it to people in my office when we talk about our travel and the gear we use. I highly recommend this bag and strongly encourage you to look into their accessories to help organize your packing. I have actually been using the pouches on their own to carry small items to my kid’s soccer games and also to keep things organized in my car. the versatility offered by all of these products is one of the reasons it is my new go-to for my short business trips.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tom Bihn. For more information please visit their website.

Product Information

Price:	$295.00
Manufacturer:	Tom Bihn
Pros:	Extremely well engineered and constructed bag that has the traveler in mind; very competitively priced for the quality, versatility, and functionality of this bag; best shoulder strap I have ever had on any bag; the backpack straps are completely hidden when not in use.
Cons:	I am actually at a loss here. I have no complaints, which is a first for me with bags and travel gear.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bags, Travel Gear

Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 20, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1)

Welcome to part one of an on-going series where we tell you about the gear the we use on a daily basis. Today we have the favorite gear bags for five of our writers here on the Gadgeteer team. Enjoy!

Larry Geisz

My current gear bag is the Solo Altitude backpack. I reviewed this backpack in April and love it for traveling, the reason I wanted to review it. This pack is small enough to carry as a personal item so I can bring my rolling carry on bag with me when I fly. With room for my iPad and all the other electronic gear I cannot seem to leave home without the Solo Altitude backpack has and is serving me well.

Read Larry’s review of the Solo Altitude backpack.

Dave Moore

Here’s my go-to gear bag, an Ogio TP-8. I use this bag for a number of reasons – pockets. There are more pockets on this bag than most others I’ve found. This allows me to compartmentalize my needs. Things I use on a flight (like tickets, USB cable & earphones), are in one pocket. Stuff I might need on arrival (umbrella, sunglasses, folding clothes hanger) are in another. Keeping things separated by activity means I don’t have to dig through layers to grab something buried at the bottom of the bag, spilling contents and potentially losing something important.

The bag is relatively inexpensive but has held up well on multiple international trips, often times, being my only luggage. Unfortunately, Ogio no longer makes this bag but has a similar replacement in their Renegade RSS.

It’s constructed of ballistic nylon with tough zippers. There is even a side-mounted panel permitting the bag to be carried briefcase-style, handy for boarding and leaving aircraft. Anyone who has flown and sits in an aisle seat has been pummeled by passengers who insist on wearing their backpacks, swinging back and forth looking for seat 37F.

The padded laptop compartment in the rear accommodates 15.6″ laptops, or a few shirts and pants . Internal pockets abound making keeping smaller items contained and in their places when needed.

I’ve carried a multitude of other bags in the past, but so far, I think the Ogio TP-8 has been one of the better ones.

It doesn’t appear that this bag is still available, but you can browse through other OGIO bags on Amazon.

Bill Henderson

Although I’ve been a fan of Waterfield bags for a few years, it was their Maverick Laptop Messenger Bag that truly made me appreciate how beautiful and practical a bag can be. The all-leather Maverick has a classic elegance in its simplicity. It won’t hold as much as a backpack and it’s size required me to edit some of the stuff I was carrying around, but I’m now much better for it. Since my review, the bag has weathered and the marks and scars on the leather from daily use just add to its beauty.

I’ve gone from carrying just a few items to over-stuffing it, but the Maverick’s interior shows no signs of wear and tear. My only regret is not getting the larger version, but I’ve learned to adjust. I’ve told people at my office that the more I use this bag, the more I like it.

Although the Maverick messenger bag is a bit pricey, the years of use it will deliver makes it a bargain. This may be the best bag Waterfield makes.

Bob Patterson

The Tom Bihn Stowaway is a multitasking marvel. The pocketing and organization are so good, you won’t believe how much stuff this tiny bag can swallow. It switches effortlessly from your mobile office to your ideal travel companion and converts to a backpack when you need both hands-free. Look for my full review coming soon!

You can read more about the Stowaway at tombihn.com.

Michael Strange

I don’t own a gear bag (I need to get on that), however, I do have a bag that I love to use when going to the gym. My Nike Vapor Training gym sack. I was sick of carrying a large oversized duffle bag to the gym and this bag is the perfect size. It’s water resistant and has a zipper pocket on the front, perfect for carrying my keys and lock. The drawstring closure gives me quick easy access to the main compartment and also allows me to wear the bag like a backpack. Inside there’s a divider that gives me 2 separate compartments for my stuff. I’m so glad I purchased this bag and when it wears out I won’t hesitate to buy another.

You can order one from Amazon for $26.99.

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We’ll post series of favorite gear bag blurbs next week for five more Gadgeteer team members, so stay tuned.

Filed in categories: Articles

Tagged: Bags

The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 19, 2017 at 9:33 am.

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Mr. Lentz leather briefcase review

When I opened the box, the smell immediately hit me. That smell of well-tanned leather. You know the smell. You hold it up to your nose and leave it there for awhile. Yeah, it was like that when I opened the box on the Mr. Lentz leather briefcase. I have had ‘genuine leather’ goods my whole life that turned out to be not so genuine. So I was very curious if Mr. Lentz could make a leather good that truly was of the highest quality. So let’s jump right in.

I’ll go ahead and let the cat out of the leather bag and tell you that this leather briefcase is just about as fine as they come. And for the price of $398 (plus more if you want it personalized or with the optional inside storage add-on that I got), it better be good, right? But before I go further, let me provide you what Mr. Lentz states about the size and details of this briefcase:

LARGE: The exterior of this size measures 15.5 inches wide x 11.25 inches tall x 3 inches deep. The interior space is: 14.75 inches wide x 11 inches tall x 2.75 inches deep. The large size will fit Macbook Pro 15″ laptops.
*Hardware change note: the shoulder strap now contains two steel clips on either end that clip onto the hardware on the sides of the bag.

INTERIOR POCKETS ADDON: These are 2 pockets total attached to the interior via 6 heavy duty military grade snaps. The pockets are both 6 inches wide x 5 inches tall, and one contains a flap closure, the other is open with a small key ring attachment.

PERSONALIZATION LOCATION: If you choose to get your Briefcase stamped or branded with initials or a name, the personalization will go on a small tag of leather that will be riveted to the main body of the bag. It will be located under the top flap, near the opening of the bag.

Additional details:

Included is a free tin of Mr. Lentz handmade leather conditioner
100-year warranty against defects
Handmade per order in the USA
Solid brass rivets
Full-grain vegetable-tanned leather

What I liked

This bag is top notch. There isn’t a stitch on the entire bag, as every piece of leather on the bag is attached using rivets. Just about every leather good I have ever owned has started to come apart at the stitched seams sooner or later with normal wear and tear. But with nary a stitch in sight and with a 100-year warranty on defects with this product, this bag is going to last me a very long time. And just as with all leather goods, I expect it to get softer and more supple over time.

The inside of the bag is natural and unlined and the buckles are stainless steel and very high quality. The handle on the top is soft and easy on the hand, and the straps that buckle and close the bag on the front actually wrap around the bottom and snap into place at the top of the back. What that enables you to do is unsnap the straps on the back and insert like a newspaper or something there, then snap it back to hold the item tight. There is also a pocket on the back of the bag that can hold a small stack of papers or folders, and it has one snap to hold it closed.

I got the bag with the optional inside storage add-on that is basically 2 pockets. One of the inside pockets is open with a key ring attachment, while the other has a closeable flap. Having the inside storage is definitely nice for your phone/keys/etc, but it does take up room inside the bag. The removable adjustable shoulder strap is wide and spreads the load on your shoulder, so that is nice.

Other things to consider

I didn’t really dislike anything about this briefcase, but there are some things to consider if you decide to purchase this. I was able to fit my 15″ laptop with power supply inside the bag, but it was tight. With my laptop inside (it is old and pretty thick) I wasn’t able to get much more inside the bag. So I had to utilize the outside pocket to hold folders and papers. Finally, it is expensive, no doubt. Dropping over $400 for a leather briefcase isn’t a small thing, but I truly believe that you have to pay for quality.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this briefcase and it has become my daily go-to bag for carrying to meetings. The quality is outstanding and I doubt anybody can outlive the warranty. I highly recommend this bag.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mr. Lentz. For more info visit his website to order and check out some of their smaller leather goods on Amazon.

Product Information

Price:	$398 standard price
Manufacturer:	Mr. Lentz
Retailer:	Amazon
Pros:	Beautifully hand-crafted American-made product Removable shoulder strap Personalization options and addons available for extra
Cons:	Price

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bags, Leather

Mr. Lentz leather briefcase review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 10, 2017 at 9:31 am.

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Mr. Lentz Leather Work Bag review

Let me begin by saying hello, my name is Ryan and I an a leather addict. Admitting I have an obsession to leather products is about as far as I am willing to go in this 12 step program so with that out of the way, let’s talk about Mr. Lentz and his Work Bag.

Opening the box, the olfactory hue of quality vegetable tanned leather reminds me of all the reasons I love leather products, especially vegetable tanned leather. Upon first inspection of the bag, I can immediately see that these were designed and made by a true craftsman with an understanding of what is important in high quality leather bags that are meant to serve a utilitarian function. The leather as I mentioned is 100% veg tanned leather that is made in the USA and has a wonderfully finished and smooth exterior with an unlined natural interior. The rivets are nickel over solid copper and the buckles are stainless steel, no pot metal or plastic here, the hardware is as solid as it gets. Quality hardware is important for both the longevity of the product and rust/corrosion resistance and Mr. Lentz did not cut any corners when it came to selecting this aspect of the bag either.

As someone with an admitted leather problem, I look for signs that the designer wanted to make something that will last and also be appealing to the eye. There is no stitching on this bag whatsoever. All of the seams, straps, buckles, and handle are riveted, producing a sturdy product with a very clean and unique look. There is an optional shoulder strap for this bag for an additional cost but the one I am reviewing didn’t come with that. If your intent is to carry this bag for a long period of time, carry a bag full of steel tools or just want the freedom of having two free hands, the shoulder strap may be a good investment for you. For me, I don’t anticipate packing this with anything that I would need the strap for and with a bag this size it just seems at home in my hand. The hardware to attach the strap to the bag is not included if you do not add the strap at the time of purchase. You can request that the hardware be put on the bag if you think you want to buy the strap later but this would require contacting Mr. Lentz or making a customization request in the order, he even said you can send it back to have that option added, what a guy! If you are on the fence, I would lean towards buying the strap , you can always disconnect it and store it when not in use.

One of the first things I noticed about this bag is that the entire body (not including handles, straps and buckles) of the bag is made from only three pieces of leather. The flap extends all the way around the back of the bag and back up the front, creating a cylinder of continuous leather when closed. The two end caps are separate pieces of leather that are securely riveted in place. The continuous piece that makes up the body of the bag is a sign of quality in a leather bag. The fewer seams a bag has, the stronger it will be, having fewer places to fail.

The size of this little duffel/work bag is fairly unique, in a very good way. At 14.5″L x 7″D x 6″H, I was able to pack it with more tools than I would ever need for a project around the house with room to spare. Other uses for this bag could include an overnight bag, an emergency kit for your car or home or even the coolest lunch box if you carry your lunch to work.

With a retail price of $280 (+$50 if you want the shoulder strap), the Work Bag is not inexpensive but within the first minute in your hands, you will see where your money has gone. Straight into a quality leather bag that will outlast you, and if it doesn’t the 100 year warranty is there to have your back.

Proes: Made from the highest quality materials, rugged and sturdy design, simple yet handsome appearance, unique sized bag to meet your needs for short trips or around the house/shop/ranch/whatever, small business so you can expect a rapid response to questions and he will work with you on helping make your bag right for you, free shipping in the USA, HANDMADE IN THE USA, 100 year warranty.

Cons: The $280 (+$50 for optional shoulder strap) price tag may push the Work Bag into the luxury category for some, one color of leather is offered currently (but it is beautiful!), high quality leather products like these are very addictive…seriously, you’ve been warned so please don’t go writing angry letters to Julie demanding justice because you developed a leather problem because of me.

Overall I couldn’t be happier with this little duffel bag. I am looking forward to using it in all those situations where other leather bags are just too big and to just get another piece of leather into my daily life. He offers a number of wallets and accessories if you want to start with something small to check out first and also offers a larger duffel that is a sized up version of the Work Bag and also a briefcase. I highly recommend this bag to anyone interested in quality leather goods that are meant to be used.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mr. Lentz Leather Goods. Visit their site for more info.

Product Information

Price:	$280 (+$50 for optional shoulder strap)
Manufacturer:	Mr. Lentz Leather Goods
Pros:	100 yr warranty Quality materials
Cons:	Price could be considered expensive to some

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bags, Leather

Mr. Lentz Leather Work Bag review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 29, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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