Ben Metcalfe

Looking for a ‘man bag’

I’m currently looking for what I guess one should describe as a “man bag”.

When I’m travelling to and from the office, I keep my mobile office (2 x laptops, papers, PSP, digital camera, usb and power cables for them, MAKE magazine, shades, etc) in my trademark “Bolblbee ‘Darth’ executive hardshell backpack” – Bolblbee’s description, not mine.

However it’s big, full and weighs a ton. What I am looking for is a smaller bag I can take with me when I’m out and about at the weekend or evening, maybe just carrying my Sony Vaio PDA-sized laptop or PSP.

Obviously I don’t want anything girly or camp. I just want a small bag I can put stuff in – should be simple huh?

JKOnTheRun seems to have similar kit to me (same mini-laptop), and has the solution of a Victorinox Mini Rucksack, but it’s not my taste… Dare I say ‘too geeky’? I know I am a geek but I don’t want to look like a geek.

So I’m probably looking for something over the shoulder but not handbaggy (purse, as you Yanks would say).

ManBag.com (bloody hell) seem to do something close to what I am looking for – but I’m not sure whether I could face walking around with a bag that actually says “Man Bag” on it.

If you spot anything let me know!