[Closed] Man Bags

I have been thinking the same, mainly spurred on by the iPad, but I find most are too thick.
[url= http://www.stmbags.com.au/catalog/ipad-bags/micro-extra-small-iPad-shoulder-bag/ ]This one[/url] is the closest in functionality that I have seen, but looks a bit like a mini laptop bag.

http://www.orangeaccessories.co.uk/broadband/pc_cases_and_covers/manhattan_portage.html?offset=12

They still seem to have some models left. Pretty good prices and plain looks. Those bags don't have a stabiliser strap so not perfect to cycle with but for general use should be good.

Yes they are camp

I used to carry my stuff in a plastic bag, people took the piss. I brought a satchel type back to carry my stuff, people said man bag and took the piss. Book, keys, wallet, toothbrush (see OCD thread) sketch pad and a few pencils just don't fit in pockets.

They are brilliant but you will get some stick as folks call them man bags.Being a cyclist you can use timbuk2,patagonia or similar but beware I now have 3 for some gay reason ? matching shoes next ? Oh dear me.....

Camp as a row of pink tents.

I've been using [s]shoulder bags[/s] 'man bags' since the 70s; they may be camp but they're bl00dy useful 8) Oldest one is a Jordanian Army issue one I picked up in Jordan. I also have a 'poacher's bag' pretty much exactly the same as the bag used by Michael Palin on his travels which used to pi55 me off when people would say "Oh, you got the idea from Michael Palin then" 👿

So when does a messenger bag become a manbag?

I have 6 of descending sizes from the XL Timbuk2 to the sub A4 one.

I reckon it's anything smaller than A4 in portrait. And that is exactly what I am looking for 🙂

I have matching bikes, clothing and even tools; does that make me gay? 😉

8)messenger/man bag/hand bag.....Its whats inside that defines gay or not gay.

I have a crumpler laptop messenger bag that I use for the above. Get one thats massive- much less girly

I have matching bikes, clothing and even tools; does that make me gay?

Nope, just in the eyes of those who envy you.

I love messenger bags or man bags...whatever they're called. If worn as a fashion accessory, then they're questionable. But if you actually have a shitload of stuff to carry, then they make sense. Rucksacks are too nerdy.

So when does a messenger bag become a manbag?

Here's your answer . . . 😉

I have matching bikes, clothing and even tools;

When it becomes a fashion accessory innit.

I have no idea what I'm doing on the manbag thread anyway - I don't even have a decent handbag 😕

are you good with colours ? a good listener perhaps ? do you like barbara streisand or bake a delicate quiche ?

if yes to more than two of the above then a man bag is the perfect accessory for you.

Manhattan Portage expandable messenger (large) containing:

Macbook, iPod, Lonely Planet book, The Times, magazine, banana, cereal bar, orange juice, diary, mobile, work ID card, swiss army knife and a Finisterre Etobicoke insulated jacket.

Pink Timbuk2 bag with olive central strip and matching mb phone case today i think ? the cycle ride to the pie shop later today should be interesting to say the least 😯

Wasn't it just metrosexuals longing for the practicality of what they saw cycle commuters wearing?

cant see why a rucksack is nerdy it's more practical than a shoulder bag and doesn't get in the way when worn

cant see why a rucksack is nerdy

Congratulations. You'll never be a metrosexual. 🙂

I've got pockets

Stuffed pockets.

Even nerdier 🙂

[i]I have matching bikes, clothing and even tools; does that make me gay? [/i]

No, liking cock if you're a fella and tits and fannies if you're a girl does though

HTH

Generally a messenger bag would sit across your back. Strap across chest with a stability strap too. Good for riding. Doesn't sit well on side of body.

Man bag sits on side/hip. Only has a shoulder strap. More casual less functional (if doing activity. Still works to carry stuff)

I've had an A4 sized bag with single shoulder strap (so useless on bike but...) for 12 years or so. It has a three pen slots and a mobile phone pocket which fits a 90's mobile phone in 8)

I suppose it's a man bag (size large) but it's more of a 'dad bag' these days: generally has just my sunglasses in it, and drinks/snacks/spare pants/trousers/hats/mittens etc etc etc for the children in it.

nickc - an authoritative defintion there! 😆

Get one thats massive- much less girly

Apart from the current handbag trend amongst women.

Might be exposing some meterosexual tendancies but if you have to carry a bad, make it a decent leather satchel.

I have a selection of man bags. I'm not proud of it. But then I spent my recent years working in and area of Manchester that refers to itself, without irony, as the 'Northern Quarter'. It has a bike shop that deals specifically in fixie's. Need we say more.

Since I no longer work there its one of the many affectations I have dropped. Its a good job I'm bald. I'd have ended up with an asymetric haircut. Jesus. I don't miss it

You can have my man bags if you like. I've got a really nice French Connection leather one I have used, I think, once.

Howies courier bag all the way nowadays. Get one of those instead. They're ace! Seriously - the best bag in the world!!!

..... leather FC one you say...

IGM(matching)C

Leather ****, nice. What colour? I'm after a nice tan one to match my shoes and belt.

Northface small messenger back doesn't look camp

[url= http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=2057 ]HERE[/url]

Its a black one I'm afraid. To match my soul

Ooh! Can I have it please Binners?

In fact I need it, for when going down to Brick Lane to check out a new art installation and stuff. Will need something to bung my iPhone in while I hold my frappamoccachino (need the other hand to gesticulate in a poncy manner).

Thanks.

I have no idea what I'm doing on the manbag thread anyway - I don't even have a decent handbag

It's true. She only has 2 pairs of shoes, the poor love. 🙁

If you need to carry a laptop/tablet/netbook to and from work or whatever, then you need an appropriate bag, but carrying a bag of any kind each and every time you go out is totally gay!

cant see why a rucksack is nerdy it's more practical than a shoulder bag and doesn't get in the way when worn

No, a shoulder bag is much more practical when you just want to quickly grab your mirror & lippy. You'd have to take a rucksack off, too much faff darling!

I definitely need a manbag, house keys, car keys (with stupid, huge garage opener), phone, wallet, change.

That is waaay too much for my ankle length skinny jeans.

…think I might get one of the sewing shops in town to make me one.

I've got a tesco carrier bag. You can fit loads of stuff in that.

what's wrong with a small rucksack? Like a hydration system without the bladder.

for ultimate man-bag-chic you can get one made out of recycled pinsripe suits off a stall in Covent Garden Market 😉

I got a poachers bag for a mate for his work and he says it's been brilliant for him.

I use one of these (clicky piccy linky)

[url= http://www.courierwareusa.com/images/cbblack7.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.courierwareusa.com/images/cbblack7.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

bit of inspiration from Jack Bauer <swoon>

[img] [/img]

I use one of these (clicky piccy linky)

Why Stoner, you trendy metrosexual devil you. Giviss a kiss wonchya? 😉

I actually divested myself of all manbags a few months ago. But mrs deadly's got herself a North Face jobbie since she went all cyclecommutery and now I want one again.

last time i showed a photo of my man-bag on a forum i got told off by the internet police... they should stay in your boxers/y-fronts chaps, trust me, its not worth having your home pc taken away for inspection

IGMC

Freitag - hours of fun designing it online; then even longer explaining to aghast mates exactly how much you paid for a bit of old lorry tarpaulin, a seat belt and some inner tube.

I've a Howies one that's enormous. Has decent reflective stripes on it too. It's so big I can use for overnight trips. I don't have the same "issues" about bags that you boys have either LOL

Oi Binners where's my manbag??

What about satchels? Are satchels ok?

Coincidentally I have recently purchased a manbag myself. For years I maintained that these were the preserve of the ponce, however I travel internationally a lot and wanted something that I could use as a flight bag for essentials (incase of lost luggage) and also something I could take to the office that looks decent.
I bought a canvas one by Diesel which burst the first time I used it, so I returned it and then I bought a brown leather one in Heathrow [url= http://www.tedbaker.com/accessories_+_shoes/men%27s/bags/83668-casual_multi_stitch_despatch_bag/detail.aspx?pfm=browse ]here[/url] which does the job nicely and was quite a bargain I reckon. I don't commute by bike but if I did, I doubt I would use it since I used to deliver newspapers as a lad and I never did like the feeling of it walloping around.

Edit: Just realised it's pvc- hence the bargain price! Looks ok though

I thought a Man bag was anything smaller than a4 in a satchel style. However thinking about it how else would you carry all that stuff otherwise.

When I was at Uni everyone used to use 'Record Bags' which are basically the same thing.

I use a Crumpler bag, it doesn't have the 3rd strap to make it any use on the bag, but its a lot stronger and more comfortable to carry than a plastic bag.

Sorry Fred. I'll get it in the post now. It might have the odd latte froth stain on it I'm afraid. Well.... that's my story and I'm sticking with it.
It is actually quite satchel-esque in its appearance.

I remember spending a fortune (back in the days when I had money) on a lovely Pierre Cardin leather one. It literally fell apart in about a week. Utter rubbish. I know stick with an unbranded canvas one which was about a fiver off the market. I find it helps me mix with the common peasantry of an afternoon. I draw the line at rucksacks as these are the mark of the spod and gthere seems to be some arcane by-law about teaming them with a Star Trek T shirt 🙂

The men out here in Spain have been using man bags for years.
An English friend uses one but does imagine he is being looked at in a gay sort of way.

My brother recently got one.

I recently spent an afternoon relentlessly winding him up.

But seriously, if you need one, get one.

Timbuk2, had a Manhattan Portage one but it was too small and Cordurouy does bad things to t shirts.

Timbuk2 some useful i-pad gubbins on their website and you get loads of flashy colours to brighten your sole

Although I have one and my boss came over the other day and commented of my "united colors of benetton manbag"

It might have the odd latte froth stain on it I'm afraid.

I always thought Manbags were those tiny little pouch things with a strap you carried over your shoulder which were just big enough to carry a wallet, mobi, some cash and cards, so you didn't spoil the lines of your fancy jacket and slim fit trousers or jeans. A courier/messenger bag, record bag or poacher bag isn't a 'manbag', by the original definition of such. I used to use a green canvas paperboy bag when I was at college, perfect for carrying all my stuff on the train to Bristol, but it used to stain anything light coloured green. Now I always use a courier bag, a Karrimor one for work, which always has loads of junk in, multitools, food, drink, pens, iPod, bike lock, lights...
I'd like to see someone get that lot in their pockets. I've also got a really big Timbuktoo bag I picked up half price, a black one with the reflective strip round the middle. That gets used weekends, last Saturday it had three bags of birdseed, fat balls and fat filled coconut for the garden, which took up a lot of space, it often has my camera in it, sometimetimes a waterproof, loads of other stuff. Invaluable, couldn't manage without it.

I'm with CountZero on this one. There is a clear difference between the ManBag and the courier bag.

As joeegg said it's a cultural thing. We even use one of those granny trolly things here is Spain, everyone has one*. A mate who came to visit and do a bit of 'biking nearly pissed himself when I grabbed it to go to the shops.

*Of course, mine is totally pimped _wonders if you can get Ti frames for them_

Check out the Atom or the mini mass bag from patagonia, they are useful and not too big.

I have three over-the-shoulder bags:

1. Gravis satchel. Ideal for holidays.

2. Howies messenger. Not as big as it could be, but useful for shopping by bike, carrying larger items and a lightweight weekend away.

3. Tumi ballistic nylon work bag. 10 years old (so predates laptop pockets), robust as f--- and cost a fortune. Will definitely outlast me. My favourite.