Cool and Stylish Laptop Bags for Men

Waterfield Designs just launched their new "man bag" - the Muzetto. They say ...

Refined style. Life can be complicated-phone, change, cards, keys, sunglasses, laptop-stay on top of it and look good whether you're in jeans and a tee or a blazer and slacks. The Laptop Size fits a 13" laptop inside a Vertical WaterField Designs SleeveCase and your necessities. The smaller Personal Size is ideal for your digital and non-digital basics-wallet, phone, iPod, and personal items. Dress it up or dress it down. The bulging pants pocket look is out; it's time for the Muzetto.



I think this is a really good-looking bag - to heck with the guys, I'd get one of these! The six accent colours they have chosen are all quite nice, nothing too flashy. Looks like there is just enough space inside to carry the essentials. And I like that you can include a sleeve.

You can purchase the Muzetto over at the Waterfield Designs site, starting at $179 for the personal size.

Certainly one of the biggest stories these days in laptop bag news is the new designs that meet the TSA (Transportation Security Authority - those guys at the US airports with the xray machines) guidelines for a "checkpoint friendly" bag. Ideally this means no more taking your laptop out of its bag when it goes through the xray. Faster security lines. Better for your bag.

I did a post on the TSA guidelines over at my FunChiCo blog, but didn't have any first hand experience with any of the bags. However, I stopped by the Tom Bihn factory in Seattle on my way home from BlogHer last month. Tom had an early prototype of the bag, but he wasn't quite ready for me to blog about it. Now, however, it's been released and is available for pre-order with shipping in late September 2008. So, here's the scoop on the Checkpoint Flyer from Tom Bihn.

First and foremost, Tom Bihn bags are some of the best made bags anywhere. Secondly, Tom is super-smart about bag design; he really thinks about how he and his customers use bags. So all the Tom Bihn bags are highly and elegantly functional. And the Checkpoint Flyer is no exception.

The Checkpoint Flyer is based on a tri-fold design. The laptop compartment is normally nestled between the main part of the bag and the front flap, secured with buckles. But when you get to the security line, you just unsnap the buckles, lift the flap, fold out the laptop compartment and lower the flap back down. Darcy over at Tom Bihn says "It's sort of like unwrapping a burrito to add some salsa to it, but only wrapping it half-way back up again. Reverse the procedure at the end of the conveyor belt."

The Checkpoint Flyer retails for $220 USD over at the Tom Bihn site and is available in three sizes. You can see more great product photos, get the full specs and even see an animation of how to unfold the bag at www.TomBihn.com.

Zen Buddhism brings to mind silent, contemplative meditation. Meditation that results in a startling insight about the nature of self and one's place in the universe. I think it must have been some very serious meditation on the part of the Aaron Irvin Design Group that netted some great insights about laptop users and the bags they need. Aaron Irvin has re-imagined the form of a bag, and then taken that re-imagination and fashioned it into something incredibly functional as well as incredibly beautiful. Witness the Aaron Irvin Computer Bag which brings the best of Japanese design to North America.

When the folks at Aaron Irvin let me know they were sending over a copy for testing and review, I was quite delighted because of (are you ready?) the end caps! That's right - the Computer Bag doesn't open like a traditional laptop bag, at the top, but via zippered end caps on each end of the bag. The interior of each end cap has a netted pocket for holding cords and power accessories. The interior is very generous in size (it should hold most 17" laptops - my MacBook Pro had QUITE a bit of room - extra files or a note book could have fit as well) and is very well padded. With the unusual design of the end caps, I found it important to a) pick an end that I regularly opened and closed - for ease of packing and remembering which end I put my accessories in as well as b) not open both ends at once (potentially dangerous).

My only issue about this end cap design was my Mac powerbrick. It didn't fit in the end caps (not surprising, really - those bricks are HUGE) so I ended up stashing it in the outside pocket on the back.

There are large zippered pockets on both the front and the back. Zippers are on three sides of each pocket so they open quite expansively. The front pocket contains compartments for the usual array of gadgets, business cards, a pen and travel documents. The back pocket has a generous pocket for additional accessories or files, plus a clever concealed compartment in the lining. Stealthy!

The strategic combination of a microfibre body and leather trim/endcaps make this a luxurious and rich-looking bag, but one that weighs much less than you would expect (3.9 lbs). It is very comfortable to carry whether by the leather handles or the well-padded accompanying shoulder strap. The hardware on the bag is all top notch (imported from Switzerland!) and is an integral part of the design of this bag. The zipper pulls and strap holders are square, echoing the red leather square on the front - all speaking to the design harmony of the Computer Bag.

This may sound a little funny, but I really respect the Computer Bag from Aaron Irvin. It has a clean, simple aesthetic - stark, minimalist yet perfect in its simplicity. It is design forward, takes a couple of risks and makes it look easy. Ideal, in particular, for men who are looking for a high-end, sophisticated laptop bag. The end cap design is both unusual and functional, although it did take a bit of getting used to. So, if you're looking for something to raise the tone (or as a focus for your meditation), check out the Aaron Irvin Microfibre Computer Bag. It's available on the Aaron Irvin site for $350 USD.

Bonus for Squidoo Readers: If you enter "mynameiskate" on checkout, Aaron Irvin will give you free shipping on any product!

Every time (EVERY time) I go on a trip, I have this major discussion about what bag to take. Often the discussion is only in my head, but it's exhausting nevertheless. What am I taking on the plane? Am I checking luggage? It's just overnight - do I really need 2 bags?

Well, a bag has come into my life that has eliminated about 80% of that unnecessary chatter. The good people at Slappa sent over their new Ballistix AURA Laptop Shoulder Bags to try on one of my trips.

The first thing that really stuck out for me about the AURA was the really interesting shape of the front flap! Weird, I know .. but it looks so unusual, it really said to me that Slappa is thinking about the design of their bags. The AURA is a great looking bag!

The second thing that stuck out is how much ROOM there is in the AURA. This is one roomy bag! 1500 cubic inches of room to be precise. Which is why it is perfect for an overnight trip. One nice big padded pocket for my laptop as well as a notebook; another huge area for a change of clothes and those tiny toiletry bottles you're allowed to carry on the plane.

The AURA has six other pockets for assorted gadgets, wallets, keys and other smaller miscellany. My favourite pocket is an interior one under the handle (see the picture). I've never seen anyone put a pocket there - great use of space! The document pocket on the back of the bag doubles as a pass through if you're carrying the AURA with other rolling luggage. There are also easy-to-reach external pockets on each side for iPods, cell phones, etc.

Speaking of handles, you can carry the AURA by a single top handle (well padded and comfy) or via a traditional strap (that is also well padded and comfy). The hardware is sturdy and durable. The bottom has two strips that run the length of the bag acting as feet for protection.

A little bit about the laptop pocket - it is well padded, but if you have a smaller laptop (it holds up to a 17"), you might want a sleeve. Slappa sent over companion Ballistix AURA laptop sleeve. I felt more comfortable having my laptop in that. PLUS, the sleeve itself has a back document pocket as well as rings for a strap. So, once you get to your destination, you can leave the larger AURA in the hotel, take the strap from the shoulder bag and use it on the sleeve -- you're good to go!

My only quibble with the AURA shoulder bag is that it's heavy (4.26 lbs for the bag plus 1.19 lbs for the sleeve). And this isn't really a quibble but an FYI. So, I would say this isn't a great bag for people who like a minimal amount of case and want to float from home to office with a minimum of protection and weight. This bag IS for road warriors who are used to carrying their gear with them through the airport and are looking for a more stylish, organized way to do it!

The quality of the AURA is impeccable. All the best materials and construction techniques have gone into this bag. It is well-designed and clearly thought-through by folks who are gear heads themselves and want to protect their own stuff. The AURA comes in the orange/silver design that is pictured as well as a black version for the ninjas among us.

The AURA Laptop Shoulder Bag retails for $149.99 US; the AURA Laptop Sleeve retails for $39.99 US. Both are available on the Slappa website at www.slappa.com.

UPDATE: Exciting news from Slappa! For the month of April, there is a 10% discount code for my readers. Enter squidoo in the discount box at checkout, 10% will be deducted from anything you order at SLAPPA.com. PLUS, for the first 5 customers who buy an AURA shoulder bag, Slappa will give them a FREE laptop sleeve! Awesome! Thanks, Slappa!!

I've been trying to think of a fun vignette to start this review off with. Something from Field of Dreams or from A League of Their Own - my two favourite baseball movies. But the reality is, I just want to squeal "OMG .. a laptop bag made from baseball leather!!!!!!!". So, let's begin like that.

Ellen from CareerBags.com introduced me to this bag; her sister company, SportsAccessories.com sells officially licensed Rawlings gear. I've been looking for some cool and chic laptop bags for men, so Ellen sent me over one of the Rawlings Leather Messenger laptop bags to review. Now, I love baseball. Love it. Love the pace, the scoring, the stats. Played softball in junior high (shortstop!). And have been sticking with the Toronto Blue Jays through their highs and their very very lows. So I was delighted when I opened the box and smelled baseball leather. Yum!

Now, the Rawlings Leather Messenger gives you the best of a lot of worlds:

First, it is a great-looking bag - sleek and inherently touchable; you will be the envy of everyone in the boardroom. Ladies - that grey haired ol' boy CEO will likely now let you in the club. Gents - expect the next promotion to go to you, not to Johnson down the hall. But seriously ... the leather is gorgeous, the brass hardware is very stylish, and the shape is classic and compact.

Second, it is a tough bag. Think how you kicked around your baseball glove. This bag will stand up to knocks, kicks and scratches and really only look better with age. It also protects your laptop. I actually happened to push this bag off a desk while it contained my laptop. And it lived to tell the tale. Also, I yanked this bag in and out of the overhead on an airplane as well as from under the seat - the strap seams are holding strong.

Third, it holds enough, but not too much. I comfortably fit my laptop, basic accessories (power cord and mouse), couple of other gadgets, small notebook and a couple of magazines in it. There is a zippered outside pocket along the back for boarding passes or other documents. Inside, there is the snug sleeve for your laptop, the main section for your other gear (including requisite pen and business card slots. There is also another zippered pocket on the front of the bag that is protected by the flap for additional documents or small items you don't want loose in the main bag.

This is a Messenger style bag so it has only the strap for carrying. The strap itself is sturdy and generous, so even big men will be able to sling it across the body. The strap seems to be made of a dimpled woven canvas which is nice to touch, but I can see getting a little dirty after a lot of wear. It does come with a leather shoulder pad that mainly serves to keep the bag in place, i.e there isn't a lot of padding. But then again, there isn't in baseball either.

I do have two small quibbles with the Rawlings messenger. The first is that the shared wall between the inside of the exterior pocket and the interior sleeve is not reinforced - it is only constructed of two layers of the lining. So, say if you pull your laptop out for a security check, anything that is in the exterior pocket kind of schlumps into the space for the laptop (I had a cellphone, wallet and keys in there). This can make it difficult to slide your laptop back in without taking out everything in the back pocket. I worked around this by only keeping documents in the back outside pocket.

My second quibble concerns the fastener. It is beautiful from an aesthetic perspective; however, from a functional perspective, it drove me crazy. Personally, I feel it is actually put on the bag upside down as gravity is working against you when you try to fasten it. And the push-button release is VERY sensitive so it was constantly unlatching anytime I brushed a door or wall or other person (clearly, I'm not very coordinated). However, even if your latch pops open, you bag doesn't because Rawlings did what most smart messenger bag designers and put the strap attachment points on the sides of the bag. A friend of mine showed me a bag he bought recently and the strap attachment points on the TOP of the bag - so anytime his latch popped, his whole bag fell open. The Rawlings does not have this problem! So, the fastener issue is a minor nuisance.

So, that all being said, I really like this bag a lot! It rates super-high on the cool factor (hello, a bag made of baseball leather!!) - it is compact, easy to carry and keeps my laptop secure. I also feel uber-cool anytime I open the bag because there is both a bright red Rawlings logo on the inside of the flap as well as a stamped serial number. Tres chic!

The Rawlings messenger is a perfect bag for any baseball lover, especially for guys who are looking for something cool yet not over-the-top. You can get the Rawlings messenger from SportsAccessories.com. It comes in tan or black leather and retails for $235 USD. They are having a Valentine's special on right now; enter the code VAL2008 and receive 15% off your order.

Recently, one of my Sunday morning guilty pleasures has been watching reruns of Eco-Challenge. You know that crazy, "like Survivor only it's real" expedition race that Mark Burnett hosted for a few years. These Eco-Challengers raced across British Columbia, Borneo, New Zealand and Fiji. And every time I see an episode, all I can think is, "Man, are they wet!". These crazy racers are in and out of the water, whether paddling a kayak, a white-water raft or a homemade bamboo Fijian bili-bili. I squirm and protectively reach over to my precious laptop and other electronic accoutrements, "Don't worry little MacBook, I won't take you into the Fijian jungle."

My MacBook remained unconvinced: our Sunday morning quality time had been usurped by Eco-Challenge and I had that crazy adventure racing look in my eye.

Fortunately, the folks over at Spire must have heard my MBP's uneasy rumblings. They sent over an Endo courier bag to review. Once I opened the box, I knew my MBP's sanity would be restored. Why? Three things immediately made me feel that the Endo is Eco-Challenge worthy:

1. The big-ass buckle closure on the front of the bag.
On any Eco-challenge, you need confidence. This buckle closure (and its sister closure on the shoulder straps) exudes confidence. "I am a big buckle, a strong buckle, a serious buckle. Not a shrinking violet buckle. I will keep your laptop secure." Word.

2. The well zippered pockets on the outside and inside.
Zippered pockets on laptop bags are your best friends. When your bag is rolling around inside a canoe, the back seat of your car or in an airplane overhead compartment, you don't want your stuff falling out and rolling around with it. These zippered pockets (complete with glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls!!) ensure that your stuff does not escape.

3. A drawstring cinch around the interior sleeve.
One of my beefs with laptop bags is that they might be constructed from water-resistent fabric, but their design still lets water leak in through the corners of the flap. Spire has created a design triumph! They have placed a drawstring cinch above the sleeve and interior pocket (you can see it in the photo below). So when your laptop is inside the sleeve, you cinch the extra material at the top of the sleeve (this extra material even has its own clever gussetting). And then you can fold the flap of the bag down. But this extra cinch protects your laptop against rain or snow that can sneak in at the corners of the flap in most messenger bags. BRILLIANT!! Whether you are an expedition racer or a bike courier, you will love this feature!



The shoulder strap for the Endo is super comfortable. It also has a removable waist strap with four attachment points, depending on your preference. On the back of the bag, there is an additional pocket which doubles as a pass-through for a rolling luggage handle.

I really like the Endo and am very comfortable keeping my laptop in it - whether in the wilds of Borneo or the rain-drenched streets of Vancouver - I'm confident it will stay dry and secure. Spire has done an amazing job thinking through the design of this bag, and their roots in Boulder, Colorado and the great outdoors really shows.

The Endo retails for $90 USD and comes in three colours. For smaller or larger laptops, they have the Viro and the Mojo, respectively. For those of you who are look for a great bag for your 17" laptops, the Mojo is definitely one to check out!

See all of Spire's bags at their website: www.spireusa.com.

I travel quite a bit and most of my flying takes place in coach. So it was quite a thrill when, on a recent flight, I got the nod and moved up to the wide-seated splendor of first class. Giddy, I wondered how I managed to score the upgrade. As I safely stowed my laptop under the seat in front of me, I realized that being upgraded to first class had nothing to do with my frequent flyer status. I had clearly been deemed too good for economy class due to my Racer-X sent over by the good folks at Waterfield Designs.

The boardroom chic Racer-X is a little bit corporate and a little bit rock and roll. The sturdy black ballistic nylon exterior says "business", but the green piping and leather accents say "bizNASS" (Waterfield offers 5 other colour options for the piping if green is not your thing). There are two separate zippered compartments, one for your laptop and another for your cords, keys and gadgets. Both compartments have heavy duty zippers with handy nylon pulls. The bag is very well-made and the black metal hardware is high quality.

The laptop pocket is a well-structured, snug padded compartment. My MacBook Pro slid comfortably into the Racer-X's soft fuzzy nylon over neoprene over corrugated plastic. I think I heard it purring - talk about a first class ride! The front compartment boasts several padded holsters for my PDA, phone, iPod, etc., and its gold interior adds another sassy splash of colour.

The Racer-X has an open topped pocket in front that is great for keeping my passport and boarding pass handy. There is one at the back of the bag with a bottom zip that allows you to slip the Racer-X over the handle of your rolling suitcase. If you're not traveling, it's an ideal place to keep documents neat.

The bag's leather handles look snazzy and are fairly comfortable - choose between them and the "mountain bike grip" handle when you order; if you carry by the handles a lot, I recommend going with the mountain bike grip. And when you need your hands free, there's always the padded Suspension Shoulder Strap - comfy!

The Racer-X may not entirely bring the funk, but its "chic and cool" qualities certainly helped me hold my own up in business class. It comes in 4 sizes (including one for the 17" MacBook Pro) and starts at $169 USD (first class upgrade not included). Check it out at Waterfield Designs.

I try to stay on-topic here at "Funky, Chic and Cool Laptop Bags" to make sure you're getting the laptop bag reviews you need. But sometimes, we all need to branch out and look at something different. Especially when those different things are brightly coloured. Alan over at Ice Red Designs sent over one of his super-cool messenger bags. So while not strictly laptop, I did want to show it off.

Imaginary Scene: Dark and stormy day in Vancouver on my bike, rushing to get my headshot to the casting director before 5! My head is down, my Drift Messenger Bag is strapped tightly to my body. I'm weaving in and out of traffic, my bag a beacon in the pounding rain - cars see me because of the bright green and blue. Needing a quick burst of steam to make it up the hill, I reach back and pull an energy drink from one of the deep outside pockets. Arriving at the movie shoot's production office, I burst in - shaking water everywhere - unstrap my messenger, unzip an interior pocket and pull out a perfectly dry folder of headshots. Mission accomplished.

More Likely Scene: Head into the office ... Drift Messenger slung over my shoulder. Get to desk. Pull out laptop (in a sleeve I already had), power cord, mouse, camera, Moleskine notebook, ipod, new book from David Verklin, Vanity Fair, muffin, juicebox, toothbrush and toothpaste. Wow - I carry a lot of stuff!

The Drift is a great bag in general. Like most of Ice Red's designs, it has a ton of pockets and a great, comfortable strap configuration. It is designed to be worn by cyclists and has easy outside access. I confess I did not actually test it on my bike in a rainstorm, but the side gusset design coupled with the interior pockets seem well designed to keep stuff dry.

If you carry your laptop in the Drift, you will need a sleeve. I tried a couple that I had on hand and they both worked fine, although the bigger the sleeve, the less likely the bag will be water-resistent. My MacBook Pro 15 *just* fit when it was in-sleeve, but the larger model holds a 17".

The Drift comes in several great colour combinations and is really well made. When I stuffed the bag, I had a lot of confidence in the strength of the material in the seams. If you don't carry a laptop with you all the time and would like a bag that can easily double as a gym bag, book bag or airplane carry on, check out the Drift! Small size retails for $55 USD; large size for $65 USD.

The VertiGo from Waterfield is understated chic. Simple black bag with two big features. A great swatch of colour. And a vertical orientation. Great new take on the messenger.

The VertiGo comes in four sizes to fit most laptops. The inside has several compartments. Outside, there is a cell phone pocket and a front pocket for easy access. Love it! Clearly designed for folks on the go.

The VertiGo itself isn't padded for your laptop, but, Waterfield does offer a SleeveCase. And there is even a special VertiGo Mambo Combo which offers a discount when you get them both together.

The VertiGo ranges in price from $79 to $89 (without the Sleeve); the Mambo Combo ranges from $115 to $119. And Waterfield has other models if this one doesn't strike your fancy, including Cargo and Cozmo bags in some fetching colours.

Not strictly a laptop bag, but I can't resist a good idea combined with some serious respect for our environment. Alchemy Goods turns inner tubes and seat belts into stylish, distinct bags. Their Messenger model is the most likely to keep your laptop safe and secure. The inside is nice and padded with pockets to keep small gadgets in place.

You can order on their website. The standard messenger runs about $148. For only a few dollars more, you can customise the lining, piping and "handedness" of the bag. Very cool!

Check 'em out at www.alchemygoods.com