Shoulder bags?

[RadioKen]

I'll throw in my two cents here. I've carried bags of one kind or another for probably 20 years, at least. The one I like the best and the one I carry the most is my courier bag from Courier Ware. Check them out at www.courierwareusa.com. I have their size small and I'm constantly amazed by the amount of stuff I'm able to carry in it. In fact, I've been able to put so much stuff in it that I could barely lift it! We have a diaper bag that we use for the kids, but it usually stays in the car. When we get out and walk around somewhere I usually stuff a couple of diapers - bulky cloth diapers - in there with the rest of my things and we're good to go.

As for Indy bags (the Mk VII gas mask bag), I've had a couple that I bought years ago at Colonel Bubbies in Galveston for about $12 each. (When I saw what originals are going for now my eyes bugged out of my head!) They're good for small day bags. I still use the one I have left for when I want to carry my wallet, my small day planner, a few pens and pencils, a steno pad, a small rangefinder camera, and my reading glasses. Probably wouldn't work very well as a diaper bag, though. At least not for me.

Leather bags look really cool. BUT...leather is heavy, and a large leather bag is going to be fairly hefty even empty. That's something to consider if you're going to be hauling it around on your shoulder all day. My wife bought a great leather purse from a custom bootmaker, hand crafted to her specifications. It's maybe a couple of inches bigger than an Indy bag. After carrying it for a year she hates it. It's too heavy for her, even with only a little bit of stuff in it.

~Ken

[Computergeek]

Not sure if any one is still reading this thread or not but if you don't mind the cost these are basically indestructible and are about as manly as you can get. http://www.saddlebackleather.com/backpack.asp

[cloves]

Computergeek....oh man, those leather bags are AWESOME. I bet they smell even better than they look. Thanks for that link.

[James MacMillan]

Super cool - I wonder if these guys have ever heard the word - sporran?

[Computergeek]

james, I have to say that I was wondering the same thing myself. they are awful pretty and from the looks of things should last basically forever.

[fluter]

This is a pretty sweet duffel style bag with comfortable handles and a nice shoulder strap. One end is a "shoe" compartment.

[Sciuropterus]

I never leave home without my Mountainsmith Small Messenger Bag.

I avoid bags that give off the "high-tech" or "paramilitary" vibe, my Mountainsmith bag is very generic but very well laid out.

Check out http://edcforums.com for lots of discussions about carry bags.

[TheBlueCow]

Computergeek, why'd you have to post that link to Saddleback?! Now I want three of their items that I can't afford!

Their satchel/pouches (the small 6''x8'' ones) look like the cousin of a sporran, worn around the torso instead of the belt... I'm not a big fan of sporrans, but those satchels could be my kind of thing. Thanks for the link, I'mma have to save up for these now :mrgreen: >_<

[Nighthawk]

Here's a thought:
http://www.ravenswoodleather.com/Pou...tesatchel.html

[Computergeek]

sorry to cause you so much angst thebluecow: I do have to say that I am thinking kind of the same thing. good luck in the savings