EDC for the office

[Ropes4u]

I am being promoted and have decided to give myself the gift of a new bag(s) for work. I was wondering if anyone was using the ToPo Mountain Bag?

I am also considering a TNF Surge and a Bihn Synapse 19. The bags will be used to drag a laptop and work supplies back and forth from the house to the office. If I get a backpack it must be capable of carrying my Zojirushi Mr. Bento. I prefer something capable of going to the corporate office and as such prefer not to have a tacticool bag. Saddleback is to much $$ to commit to right now.

The Mountain Bag
http://topodesigns.com/products/mountain-bag

[ruthabagah]

Looks nice. I have 2 5.11 messenger bag an I love them. They are rugged and also have a concealed pocket in the back.

[Irving]

Definitely agree with staying away from a tacticool bag. As an aside, keep a small length of cord with a carabiner in the bag. If you ever have to carry in the field where you'll be moving around a lot, you can attach one side to the rear shoulder strap buckle, and the other side to your 6 o'clock belt loop to keep the bag from moving around on you.

[HoneyBadger]

That's an awfully expensive bag... What does it do that a $30-40 bag won't?

[hurley842002]

I think I'm about to pick up a new "EDC" it's a 5.11, but one of their more discreet non tacticool variations. I'll post pics after I get it.

[driver]

I had to google 'Zojirushi Mr. Bento' I thought that was some exotic EDC weapon you carried to the office. [Dunno]
It looks interesting.

I've got nothing on the bags, but congrats on the promotion.




That's an awfully expensive bag... What does it do that a $30-40 bag won't?

HA, look up the saddlebacks!

[HoneyBadger]

HA, look up the saddlebacks!
I know there are expensive products out there, but that doesn't answer my question... what is so unique or special about that bag that is worth an extra $100 of your hard-earned cash?

Not bashing, I'm just genuinely curious.

[BushMasterBoy]

I'd just buy a regular briefcase and install a ballistic shield in it. That way you have bulletproof shield in case you are attacked.

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Photos/Briefcase_and_Backpack_Shields_PHOTO.shtml

[Zundfolge]

I'm confused ... where does your gun go? Or are you just carrying it on your person?

[cmailliard]

I am using a Vertx Gamut. I love it, with one minor exception - it is front heavy (opposite the straps). When I set it down it always falls forward. I built some stays to help keep it up. It carries everything I need on a daily basis and then some. I like the backpack, I carried a shoulder bag for a long time and just stopped liking them.

[JohnnyEgo]

So in my work life, I am 'the man', by which I mean every morning I wake up, put on my corporate issued personality, and go forth and middle manage. In corporate speak, it's not that the bag is worth the extra $100. Most of them are probably sewn by the same Indonesian children who put out Kathy Gifford's fall line. What it is about is the signalling. Some will look at the bag and say 'that's an adventuresome guy who is ready to take on the world, and doesn't mind getting his white collar dirty in the field'. Some will look at it and go home and google it, and when they find out what you spent on it, they will decide whether to be jealous or concerned that you are making more than they are. Your underlings may look at it and decide whether you are professional and upwardly mobile, and then determine whether they should align themselves with you or not. Some will wonder where your velcro wallet is and think 'my god, I have kids older than this guy'. The bag dorks will give you a knowing nod that fills you with a warm glow of recognition and respect. And the front line mostly won't care.

So if you ask what separates the $40 bag from the $400 bag, the answer is usually a whole lot of signalling. I won't say that it is unimportant, because anything that affects your ability to provide for your family or be able to afford that extra brick of .22lr or fully fund your 401K is important. Signalling also goes on in every industry in one form or another. For my independent contractors, it tends to be all about who drives the biggest truck. As to how important it may be to the public at large, the truth is 'not very'.

[Sixgun]

Railroad guys like Red oxx. Life time warranty....

http://www.redoxx.com/Shop-by-Gear-Item/Metro-Briefcase/91095/13/Product

[Ropes4u]

I had to google 'Zojirushi Mr. Bento' I thought that was some exotic EDC weapon you carried to the office. [Dunno]
It looks interesting.

I've got nothing on the bags, but congrats on the promotion.





HA, look up the saddlebacks!

That is the best lunch box I have ever owned, add their travel coffee mug while you are at it.

[Ropes4u]

That's an awfully expensive bag... What does it do that a $30-40 bag won't?

I haven't found a bag I like for $40, shoot me some links

[Ropes4u]

So in my work life, I am 'the man', by which I mean every morning I wake up, put on my corporate issued personality, and go forth and middle manage. In corporate speak, it's not that the bag is worth the extra $100. Most of them are probably sewn by the same Indonesian children who put out Kathy Gifford's fall line. What it is about is the signalling. Some will look at the bag and say 'that's an adventuresome guy who is ready to take on the world, and doesn't mind getting his white collar dirty in the field'. Some will look at it and go home and google it, and when they find out what you spent on it, they will decide whether to be jealous or concerned that you are making more than they are. Your underlings may look at it and decide whether you are professional and upwardly mobile, and then determine whether they should align themselves with you or not. Some will wonder where your velcro wallet is and think 'my god, I have kids older than this guy'. The bag dorks will give you a knowing nod that fills you with a warm glow of recognition and respect. And the front line mostly won't care.

So if you ask what separates the $40 bag from the $400 bag, the answer is usually a whole lot of signalling. I won't say that it is unimportant, because anything that affects your ability to provide for your family or be able to afford that extra brick of .22lr or fully fund your 401K is important. Signalling also goes on in every industry in one form or another. For my independent contractors, it tends to be all about who drives the biggest truck. As to how important it may be to the public at large, the truth is 'not very'.

Spot on for the trips to the corporate office, I work remote now. I was once told to not wear a tie for a presentation because it was pretentious for my position, lol. There are definite rules for negotiating the corporate world and the higher up you move the harder they can be to survive.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Hmm ... I signal my corporate office with what I know and can do. My briefcase is one I got on sale at REI for about $30 that has room for my files and occasionally my thermos as well as pens and other tech accoutrements. A lot of the time I just carry an aluminum clipboard I got while in service, a notepad, and my calendar. I thank God I don't work in DC or for a company where people play these signalling games.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I haven't found a bag I like for $40, shoot me some links

http://www.rei.com/product/885918/coleman-messenger-bag-2013-closeout

http://www.rei.com/zoom/aa/b9e312c2-8ea1-4a10-8622-9dc911bb06c3.jpg/440

Not my color but for $29.73 I'll toss it in a bucket with some Rit ... [Coffee]

[KS63]

I am being promoted and have decided to give myself the gift of a new bag(s) for work. I was wondering if anyone was using the ToPo Mountain Bag?

I am also considering a TNF Surge and a Bihn Synapse 19. The bags will be used to drag a laptop and work supplies back and forth from the house to the office. If I get a backpack it must be capable of carrying my Zojirushi Mr. Bento. I prefer something capable of going to the corporate office and as such prefer not to have a tacticool bag. Saddleback is to much $$ to commit to right now.

The Mountain Bag
http://topodesigns.com/products/mountain-bag

Ah, a Man Bag. I've got one that's similar to that one and it's got a bunch of pockets and zippers. It even has a container on the front for wet wipes. I do not use it anymore as my kid is 4yrs old. Very similar. Mine is in Spec Ops Black.

[Zundfolge]

I had to google 'Zojirushi Mr. Bento' I thought that was some exotic EDC weapon you carried to the office. [Dunno]

HA! I too thought a 'Zojirushi Mr. Bento' was a knife (a "bento knife" is a smaller knife used in making sushi ... basically a Japanese paring knife). That's why I made the crack about "where's the gun go?" since I thought the OP was carrying a kitchen knife since he's not allowed to carry weapons at work. :p

[Grant H.]

I use one of these in khaki everyday.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/OPERATOR-TACTICAL-ATTACHE-Medium-28p70.htm

[JohnnyEgo]

Anything is possible.

On the other hand, my people seem to be doing quite well in exchange for having to deal with the hive mind of the Fortune 500 set.
401k's get matching every year, our front line guys have averaged 5% raises per year all the way through the great recession, and we haven't laid anyone off.
Good leadership is good leadership, even when cloaked in the mind-numbing jargon of corporate America.
The best managers in my experience are the ones who understand the game, shield their front line from all the nuance and subtlety, and give them the space and respect to get the job done.

[Ropes4u]

I work for a fortune 200 company with great benefits, pay and retirement. It isn't as bad as some of you make it sound, but if you want a shot at the golden ring you will play politics.

It is definitely not for everyone but I look forward to work almost everyday and don't see that changing. I typically get 75-100 applicants for an opening and work with some great people, and some not so great.

Lastly I have money to burn and want the right bag regardless of cost.

[HoneyBadger]

This was a thought-provoking thread. Thanks.

[JohnnyEgo]

Did the post I responded to disappear, or was that just the voices in my head?

[Aloha_Shooter]

Well, if you want to blow some serious money on a bag that is capacious with classic looks and lifetime durability, check out the leather bags from Kendall-Hyde:

http://kendalhyde.com/collections/briefs-leather-briefcases/products/four-pocket-brief (http://kendalhyde.com/collections/briefs-leather-briefcases/products/four-pocket-brief)

56831

http://kendalhyde.com/collections/briefs-leather-briefcases/products/leather-classic-satchel

56833

Seriously expensive even if you got in on their Kickstarter but they are at home in nearly any setting and you can carry just about anything.

[JohnnyEgo]

That is a very nice looking bag.

[Chad4000]

I know there are expensive products out there, but that doesn't answer my question... what is so unique or special about that bag that is worth an extra $100 of your hard-earned cash?

Not bashing, I'm just genuinely curious.

agreed here..

[HoneyBadger]

Maybe not quite as trendy, but if you're going to spend the money, these will last you forever:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/507318?nav=ln-596&page=briefcases-bags


I've been using these for all my travel for more than 10 years and they both just look a little dirty, but have no visible signs of wear:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63917?feat=904-GN1&page=adventure-rolling-duffle-extra-large
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63913?feat=904-GN1&page=adventure-duffle-large

I understand spending extra money for a quality product, but I guess I'm just not into an expensive or fancy briefcase because I don't/can't use one in my current job.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Maybe not quite as trendy, but if you're going to spend the money, these will last you forever:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/507318?nav=ln-596&page=briefcases-bags

Those look less expensive than the Kendal-Hyde briefcases/bags but also less durable. The leather on the Kendal-Hyde cases is about as thick and stiff as a good gunbelt (actually, about twice as thick as the gunbelts I bought at one of the gunshows a few years ago). We're talking leather goods that would have been right at home 100 years ago or traveling with Indiana Jones.



I've been using these for all my travel for more than 10 years and they both just look a little dirty, but have no visible signs of wear:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63917?feat=904-GN1&page=adventure-rolling-duffle-extra-large
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63913?feat=904-GN1&page=adventure-duffle-large

I understand spending extra money for a quality product, but I guess I'm just not into an expensive or fancy briefcase because I don't/can't use one in my current job.

I use similar bags (albeit less expensive) for my adventure travels. I have one rolling duffle I bought at Costco 25 years ago that has been to every continent with me. It's been repaired a couple times but it's just kind of cool to realize I've used that bag EVERYWHERE. On the other hand, while these are good for adventure travel, they would be inappropriate for a corporate office environment, particularly one that is prone to "signalling" as JohnnyEgo related.

[sellersm]

There's also Filson! Here's their "Original Briefcase": http://www.filson.com/products/original-briefcase.70256.html

[Ropes4u]

Maybe not quite as trendy, but if you're going to spend the money, these will last you forever:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/507318?nav=ln-596&page=briefcases-bags


I've been using these for all my travel for more than 10 years and they both just look a little dirty, but have no visible signs of wear:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63917?feat=904-GN1&page=adventure-rolling-duffle-extra-large
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63913?feat=904-GN1&page=adventure-duffle-large

I understand spending extra money for a quality product, but I guess I'm just not into an expensive or fancy briefcase because I don't/can't use one in my current job.

That LL bean briefcase is pretty nice, I don't want to spend any money but I will to get the right bag, one I will use and carry for a few years.

[Ropes4u]

Those look less expensive than the Kendal-Hyde briefcases/bags but also less durable. The leather on the Kendal-Hyde cases is about as thick and stiff as a good gunbelt (actually, about twice as thick as the gunbelts I bought at one of the gunshows a few years ago). We're talking leather goods that would have been right at home 100 years ago or traveling with Indiana Jones.
.

Do you have the Kendal Hyde?


There's also Filson! Here's their "Original Briefcase": http://www.filson.com/products/original-briefcase.70256.html

A nice bag too, I have a long list now I get to start narrowing down the choices.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Do you have the Kendal Hyde?

As a matter of fact, I bought the 4-pocket briefcase during their Kickstarter; I liked the messenger and satchel back then too but even one of these was stretching things. Received delivery back in October but took me a while to get around to oiling and conditioning it. They ship it as blonde vegetable-cured leather so you can finish it to the color you want and they give you tips on what to use and how to condition it to your desire. I haven't decided when I'll use it ... the REI bag does most of what I need or want so this was a bit of a vanity purchase.

[Ropes4u]

In hindsight was it worth $500 bones?

[JohnnyEgo]

I've been looking hard at the four pocket briefcase as well since you posted the links. How rigid are the sides? Think I'd have any problem carrying two 14" laptops in it? It is a really striking briefcase.

[Aloha_Shooter]

As I said, I got it during their Kickstarter so I paid significantly less. It could easily handle two 15" laptops the size of a Mac Book Pro, albeit only one in the special floating side pocket inside the case and one in the main chamber. The sides are rigid enough for the case to stand up on its own with the top open. There are loads of pictures of the inside if you dig around for their Kickstarter page .... ah, here it is: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/997949183/hyde-classic-leather-bags-wallets-and-such

https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/001/842/688/0413582f185dea59e49bbdd8db24324c_large.png
The other thing I like about the briefcases and messenger bag is that they don't look like man-purses.

[JohnnyEgo]

You sold me. My only problem now is picking between the Messenger or the four pocket brief. I kind of like the messenger better, but I think it would get tedious to undo two straps every time I needed something from my briefcase instead of one. I figure it will signal that beneath my suit-clad exterior, I am Indiana Jones.

[sellersm]

You sold me. My only problem now is picking between the Messenger or the four pocket brief. I kind of like the messenger better, but I think it would get tedious to undo two straps every time I needed something from my briefcase instead of one. I figure it will signal that beneath my suit-clad exterior, I am Indiana Jones.

That would happen when they see the whip in one of the pockets! [Coffee]

[Aloha_Shooter]

You sold me. My only problem now is picking between the Messenger or the four pocket brief. I kind of like the messenger better, but I think it would get tedious to undo two straps every time I needed something from my briefcase instead of one. I figure it will signal that beneath my suit-clad exterior, I am Indiana Jones.

Yeah, that's why I got the four pocket. And yes, I was thinking of Indy when I signed up for the Kickstarter even though the thought of paying that much for a briefcase made me cringe. If only hats didn't look stupid on me ...

[DeusExMachina]

I replaced my aging Chrome Citizen with a Vertx EDC Commuter Sling. I like sling bags and this is a good one, room for a 15" laptop, handgun in a fold-flat compartment and more.

I really like that Mr. Bento! I wonder if it will fit in my bag...

[Ropes4u]

I replaced my aging Chrome Citizen with a Vertx EDC Commuter Sling. I like sling bags and this is a good one, room for a 15" laptop, handgun in a fold-flat compartment and more.

I really like that Mr. Bento! I wonder if it will fit in my bag...

Mr Bento is awesome, I use that thing 4/5 times a week and couldn't be happier.

[DeusExMachina]

Mr Bento is awesome, I use that thing 4/5 times a week and couldn't be happier.

What do you put in it? I don't mean to turn this into "everyday lunch carry" but that thing fascinates me.

[Aloha_Shooter]

If you really want one of the Hyde bags, it turns out I have a code you can apply to get a $100 discount ...

[Ropes4u]

What do you put in it? I don't mean to turn this into "everyday lunch carry" but that thing fascinates me.

My wife usually cooks enough the night before so I can take left overs the next day. There are people who are crazier than I who have recipes designed specifically for bento means on line for them. I try to eat healthy - my wife forces me too - so it could be packed differently. I am up at 5am to make coffee - same company makes my thermos mug - and I drink coffee and maybe eat a banana before leaving the House.

Meals at work are usually some version of the below - packed top to bottom.

Raspberries or granola - breakfast
Yogurt - breakfast
Main course - stew, soup or meat - lunch
Rice or vegetables - lunch

I don't worry about it keeping my food hot as we have a microwave. I just like the organization.

I may take you up on the offer for the discount, I can't decide on a case - I suffer a bit of perfectionism (buyers remorse is common lol)

[Irving]

While we're talking about the Mr. Bento, there are TONS of thermos stuff out there now a days. We have stuff for our daughter that keeps food warm until she eats it at lunch. Love me some thermoses. I like that Mr. Bento too, since it would just ride around in the car with me.

[JohnnyEgo]

Irving reminded me of this thread. I ended up buying the Kendall & Hyde briefcase Aloha_Shooter recommended and graciously provided me a coupon for. It was pricey, but it did indeed allow me to crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentations of their women. Also, I get compliments on it from TSA screeners and random airport people all the time. So it was worth it.

http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/briefcase/KendalHyde07.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/briefcase/KendalHyde12.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/briefcase/KendalHyde11.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/briefcase/KendalHyde13.JPG
Because guns.

[Gman]

A Lenovo and an Asus in a $400 leather bag? That's all hat and no cattle.

[sroz]

A Lenovo and an Asus in a $400 leather bag? That's all hat and no cattle.

Ouch....someone pick that man up & dust him off.

[KS63]

Tough crowd....,

[Great-Kazoo]

Irving reminded me of this thread. I ended up buying the Kendall & Hyde briefcase Aloha_Shooter recommended and graciously provided me a coupon for. It was pricey, but it did indeed allow me to crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentations of their women. Also, I get compliments on it from TSA screeners and random airport people all the time. So it was worth it.

http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/briefcase/KendalHyde07.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/briefcase/KendalHyde12.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/briefcase/KendalHyde11.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/briefcase/KendalHyde13.JPG
Because guns.


A Lenovo and an Asus in a $400 leather bag? That's all hat and no cattle.


Ouch....someone pick that man up & dust him off.

Next thing you know. there's gonna be a tape measuring thread. AM NOT, ARE TOO.

[Aloha_Shooter]

A Lenovo and an Asus in a $400 leather bag? That's all hat and no cattle.

Just enough hat at about 1:29 ...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekNzqzFAby0?t=89