I need a new laptop bag

[DaveS]

I need some recommendations on a laptop rucksack for me.
I'm not after any old crappy bag that you can find for £10 and it's not really just for motorcycling either as I carry it around on trains.
I'm kind of hoping that when I describe my requirements someone will say yes I've got something that will do that and its this make and model. I live in hope.

So I need a bag that will take my 15" work laptop with power supply, mouse, LAN cable, 3G card, papers and a4 notebook that I carry around and various other bits and bobs, like sarnies, fruit and water bottle. This alone most bags can cope with, but.... I'd also like it to be an XL size to take a change of clothes and a wash bag.
And it's this last bit that I struggle with finding something big enough. My trusty Belkin bag I had gave up the ghost some time ago and I've never been able to find anything suitable since then.
I'm not after anything on wheels and it really needs to be a rucksack and not messenger style.
Can anyone recommend just the job here?

[Whealie]

I constantly walk round with the Vaude waterproof rucksak on my back.

http://www.readytoleave.com/Vaude-Arcanda-30-Waterproof-Hiking-Rucksack/details/Froogle

It may be just a fraction on the small size for your needs as it is a proper walker's pack so has a curved back and mesh so air can circulate. That curve east into space inside - specially when you then stick a flat laptop against the curve.

But I can carry my Macbook Pro (13 inch) in its own case, and a bag of cables etc, notebooks, waterproofs and at least one day' worth of spare clothes.

And if it pees down your stuff doesn't get wet.

I would not put fluids inside unless I had the laptop in its own waterproof bag (which I also have but rarely use). There is a side pocket on the outside for a bottle of water/lucozade etc.

[z-weiser]

just had a quick google and these look the kinda thing that may fit the bill!

I googled camera and laptop bags as I remember a friend had a bag for both camera and laptop which was very commodious!

http://www.naneubags.com/products.mdv?p=a-k4f

[Buggles]

I have a Crumpler messenger bag, which I'm really happy with.

Their bags are really durable, and well designed, with pouches & stuff everywhere.

They make backpacks too.

They're so confident about their bags, that should the bag ever rip and spill it's guts, they'll replace the gear that broke in the process...

Crumpler | Backpacks, Camera Bags, Messenger Bags & Laptop Bags

JB

[Boris]

I just use a regular backpack. Ok It doesn't have all the padding and stuff but on the upside I can get a weeks worth of shirts etc in it and still get it on the plane as hand luggage which saves me a couple of hours or so each week. It also doesn't look like a laptop bag which may well be a good safety issue.

[Whealie]

It also doesn't look like a laptop bag which may well be a good safety issue.

I think this is a good point and certainly a big factor for someone who carries it around London, leaving it by pub seats etc.

I should say I also find mine pretty accessible. I often leave the laptop running, whip it out on a short train ride into London, bang in the dongle (ooh er missus!) and send and receive emails, update documents or post to websites.

I simply close the laptop and slide it back in the rucksack as I arrive in London, sometimes just a ten minute journey (sometimes more than twice as long - bloody trains!).

[Rubberchicken]

Mine's the Ortlieb Packman Pro.

+ Waterproof with typical ortlieb roll closure
+ Big, can take 6 1.5l bottles
+ Can be tied down to a reasonably flat pack so your notebook doesn't flap around in there
+ Sturdy. Mine's survived a couple of bike spills, still waterproof

- Closure's a bit cumbersome (though this makes it harder for others to get in as well)
- Inside has no compartments, just a big bag

Bought mine mainly for generic use on the bike, so the waterproofness was the main concern. I find it works well enough with the notebook in a neoprene sleeve.

[Roy]

I use a krieger laptop bag, works on the bike but also is very neat while out and about (in the krieger 20L waterproof sack) not cheap but nice looking

saw a guy with one the other day, not sure he was even a biker (was in a suit!)


Roy

[angelo]

See if you can get one of the bags the original Dell XPS came in - I have one in work - talk about over kill - BUT superb for back of a bike stuff etc - they were designed for skater kids to play games on - so skate to your mate with the XPS in the rucksack. Very very robust.

[jasonbc]

I need some recommendations on a laptop rucksack for me.
I'm not after any old crappy bag that you can find for £10 and it's not really just for motorcycling either as I carry it around on trains.
I'm kind of hoping that when I describe my requirements someone will say yes I've got something that will do that and its this make and model. I live in hope.

So I need a bag that will take my 15" work laptop with power supply, mouse, LAN cable, 3G card, papers and a4 notebook that I carry around and various other bits and bobs, like sarnies, fruit and water bottle. This alone most bags can cope with, but.... I'd also like it to be an XL size to take a change of clothes and a wash bag.
And it's this last bit that I struggle with finding something big enough. My trusty Belkin bag I had gave up the ghost some time ago and I've never been able to find anything suitable since then.
I'm not after anything on wheels and it really needs to be a rucksack and not messenger style.
Can anyone recommend just the job here?

Would one of these be any good to you
The North Face Backpacks - The North Face Borealis Laptop Backpack - Tuolumne Brown