<p>S has indicated he’d be interested in a messenger bag of some sort for graduation. I think he’s come to realize that his 6 yo LL Bean backpack isn’t going to cut it in the work force! I don’t know what kind of job he will have at this point, but I highly doubt it will be in a business-suit environment where a “formal” structured briefcase is necessary. </p>
<p>So I’m thinking maybe a nice leather messenger bag, but I know nothing about them, and H is no help.
Any features I should look for or avoid? What styles do “the young guys these days” tend to like? What styles would be best that can work “up or down” from a formality standpoint? </p>
<p>My S received a non-leather messenger bag for graduation from the teacher he student taught with. It’s more of a durable (not canvas) waterproof bag. Can’t remember the brand! But I will say he seems to love it - he is a teacher and is a little roughhouse with his stuff - so this non-leather/waterproof is better for him. </p>
<p>My S bought himself a really nice leather messenger bag last year. I’ll ask him where he got it.</p>
<p>His is dark brown leather, clean lines, “refined” looking, if you know what I mean. He can carry his laptop, some paper files, anything he would need for reporting, but it isn’t bulky-looking. He wanted something that would give him credibility in Manhattan, but not be as stuffy as a briefcase.</p>
<p>He’s a bit of a fashionista, so I think you’re on the right track. :)</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean, Consolation, except S doesn’t have a fashionista bone in his body :-). Dark brown leather, or possibly a darker camel, something that could be worn with jeans and sneakers if that’s the environment he finds himself in, but would give him credibility and look sufficiently grown-up in his version of Manhattan, which would be DC. (May he just get a job ANYWHERE, lol) </p>
<p>Leather is much heavier than and not as water resistant as some tech fabrics out there. If he ends up on the west coast, then definitely no leather. :)</p>
<p>Unless the loads he’s carrying aren’t heavy for him and he has a healthy back, it’s best to get a backpack style bag to ensure even distribution of loads.</p>
<p>I ended up going back to a backpack rather than a large non-backpack style messenger bag given to me by a past employer after finding the amount of computer/other work related equipment was such it was too much and would pose a strain on the right side of my body over time. </p>
<p>It’s one thing if we’re talking some papers and a paperback book. It’s another when we’re talking 10-20 pounds worth of old-school laptop and other computer equipment. </p>
<p>Timbuk2 is great, I have a “plain one” which I use for work, but just bought a “lap top” one.</p>
<p>The first one I’ve used for several years with no wear and tear. And the padded one also had a smaller padded part for a tablet. I bought the largest laptop bag and it fits a 17" laptop with no issues.</p>
<p>It is not an issue for professionalism at all. It looks fine with the heavy-duty fabric Timbuk2 uses, but there are some color choices.</p>
<p>“Leather is much heavier than and not as water resistant as some tech fabrics out there. If he ends up on the west coast, then definitely no leather.”</p>
<p>You folks don’t wear leather shoes out there? :-)</p>
<p>Not on my back, Pizzagirl! Leather adds at the very least 3 lbs to an average sized messenger bag, and quality leather could add even more. It might be ok while he is young. Mr B switched to Tumi Tech long time ago because of the weight issues. </p>
<p>He says he got it at Wilsons Leather, which was going out of business in Freeport. His advice is to make sure your laptop will fit in it, preferably by taking it to the store. And not over-stuff it, for the sake of the fastenings. (I gather he abused his by stuffing too much in it, at first.) He isn’t convinced that Wilsons is the greatest quality, although his bag is very attractive.</p>
<p>I like the looks of the Cole Haan bags, but they have the brand on them in gold, which I find annoying and shy away from.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, it sounds like your son is looking at employment closer to the East Coast - a leather bag would be perfectly fine for him then.</p>
<p>The reason I say fabric instead of leather is because I speak for this coast. Leather bag concept is just not something the West Coast crowd embraces. Here are some anecdotal examples. My old boss, a lawyer, ditched his very nice briefcase and switched to a timbuk2 like messenger when he moved to Seattle. My SIL, an assistant prof, would not want a leather bag. I commute with plenty of “suits” on my bus route, and I hardly ever see guys with leather messengers or briefcases. It is mostly backpacks or tech bags. I have seen similar trends in SF or further down in the Valley, too. </p>
Leather adds at the very least 3 lbs to an average sized messenger bag, and quality leather could add even more. It might be ok while he is young.