Help Me Choose a Work/laptop Bag (First World Problems)

Updated on September 25, 2015
J.B. asks from Boston, MA
5 answers

A fun question! My old work bag, a leather tote which I've had for years, is literally falling apart. I commute to work on the train and need a bag that will carry my laptop, wallet, phones, lunch bag, etc. My budget for a replacement is $100-$150. For that price, I can get a new Franklin Covey bag (which my last one was - supposedly they are leather but the "leather" is peeling off of my current bag), a used designer bag from e-Bay, or I can take advantage of a designer clearance (Kate Spade) and get a nylon tote that's new.

I do have a very nice leather tote (Coach) that I reserve for client meetings and other important events and don't use for every day, so this will be an "every day" kind of bag but has to be on the nicer side (I work for an investment firm - not stuffy, no suits, but you have to wear and carry quality pieces).

Would you stick with used or lower-quality leather or go for something a bit more fun (nylon)? This is the bag I'm considering, and there is also one in black.

http://surprise.katespade.com/WKRU2375.html?cgid=handbags...

Thoughts? Thanks!

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Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

Personally, no. There is no way I would consider the bag you refered to. Just to compare, this is the bag I purchased a couple of months ago, and it is perfect for me:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000087LAZ?psc=1&red...

I'm sure you are looking for something a bit more fashionable (Is that a word?) That's not really on my radar. I was looking for a bag that was designed to hold a laptop (extra slot, with padding, just for the laptop). My bag has a shoulder strap that is padded and designed to carry weight. It is sleek, and it will hold up over time. I bought this bag after my previous Targus bag began to fall apart. I had had that one for 6 years, and it was perfect. I can already tell that this one is better made.

Most of the bags I looked at were black and boring. The one I picked has a splash of blue, so that was part of the reason I picked it. Personally, I would not look at designer bags at all. You are talking about carrying a laptop on a train. I would be looking at office products.

The shoulder strap on your bag, alone, was enough for me to say no.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

The only thing about the nylon is that it might wear out faster than the leather. However, you already have something that can be used for more formal meetings, etc so if you are looking for change and fun, I see nothing wrong with nylon.

It is hard to find a good bag. I bought a nice Michael Kors and I've used it for 2 seasons and I just don't care for it as much as I thought I would. I am seriously considering selling it on the online garage sale. I also hate having something that so many people have one like as well. It was a purchase gone wrong but the quality of the bag is nice. I paid about $250 for it and regret it.

It is not easy finding something just right!!

Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I use a backpack on my commute back and forth. And I keep a smaller, nicer shoulderbag in my office that I use to take my laptop to an from meetings. I prefer this because the nice bag only had to be big enough to hold the computer, not my lunch, wallet, other random stuff. The backpack is big enough for all of that, and doesn't yank my back crooked when I carry it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/07/fashion/07ouch.html?pag...

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

The bag we prefer most is a backpack....it's a laptop backpack, but it's the best and easiest when we travel. Our kids all have LL Bean backpacks too, and they are laptop bags. They are awesome.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Las Vegas on

I like my leather totes, but when traveling on public transportation, I like something I can wipe down after being on planes, subways, or trains. If you can easily wipe down the nylon one, I'd go with that for your everyday bag. While the dots are super cute for fun and your personal life, for work, I'd choose the sold black.

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