I got the manbag blues

Buffalohump said:
Thanks for the suggestion, but 390 quid? My wife would have me bollocks... :D
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Lol, I feel ya, its the reason I don't have one yet either! But spread out over 10 years its not that bad. I don't know the last time my wife used a purse everyday for even one year and she spends over half that cost at the drop of a hat on purses! Lol, I think I'm going to go for it this next year...


-X
 
Problem is I have already spent a small fortune on packs and bags. No kidding, at last count I have two large backpacks, three daypacks, three 3-day/duffel bags and four sling/shoulder bags... I think there's even a couple of fanny packs in there. Every time I open the cupboard door they all fall out and embarrass me. :o

fast14riot said:
Lol, I feel ya, its the reason I don't have one yet either! But spread out over 10 years its not that bad. I don't know the last time my wife used a purse everyday for even one year and she spends over half that cost at the drop of a hat on purses! Lol, I think I'm going to go for it this next year...


-X
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Buffalohump said:
Problem is I have already spent a small fortune on packs and bags. No kidding, at last count I have two large backpacks, three daypacks, three 3-day/duffel bags and four sling/shoulder bags... I think there's even a couple of fanny packs in there. Every time I open the cupboard door they all fall out and embarrass me. :o
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Umm, so sell the ones you don't like. Fund a new bag that way! On some of the photography forums I belong to, there are guys who will buy 5-10 bags a year, but are constantly selling off the ones they don't like until they get the one they do.


-Xander
 
I am a cop and have been carrying the Maxpedition 0605 Operator Tactical Attache for several years to carry guns,knives,and paperwork back and forth to work. The bag is great and has held up very well. The zippers, stitching and velcro are still all good. It is a little expensive but in my opinion worth it.
 
So are there any good satchel-type bags of acceptable levels of quality that can be had for $50 or less? Not all of us can afford to pay $100 or more for a bag.
 
Rothco 's stuff aren't bad. I have a Jack Bauer bag that I both several months ago and still going strong. Only $21.00.
 
Go to the Manhattan Portage website. Lots of choices. Simple, strong, plain construction. I have both a Med. & Lrg. Europa model. Side zip gives great expansion. I added a kit cross chest buckle strap to keep it in place on bikes and climbs. I also added a Timbuktu non- slip shoulder pad and threaded an aluminum Biner to the base of each side of the should strap. Allows easy attachment of water bottle rubber holder thingy or other hanging gadget. For a while, I also had a strap pocket on the shoulder strap. But, I took it off. It made it too tac looking. I'm in NY Metro area. That look generates the wrong kind of attention. The Europa itself is a fine bag, but lacks a carry handle ( you could have a shoe repair sew one on). It also lacks a top zip on the main. Works for me OK. But you must remember to cinch the top flap.
 
Only TimBuk2 bags made in SF are custom odered, mine is and I love it. But ones "in stock" at most all places are made overseas.


-Xander
 
Hey guys, just to come back and let you all know where I went with this hunt...

After much searching decided to opt for a more civilian type rig largely because, well, I'm a civilian! I did a fair bit of searching, checked out Manhattan Portage as someone here suggested, and was leaning towards one of their messenger bags, when I discovered a company called R.E.Load based out of Philadelphia. They appealed to me because a) they are a small, owner-managed company b) they make everything right there in their workshop c) they use top end materials d) you can custom order the colours and configuration of the bag you want e) they have a massive range of colours and styles f) I thought it would be fun to design my own bag.

I decided to go for a messenger style bag because I prefer a rig that leaves both hands free without wearing a backpack like a boy scout. Not that I dont have backpacks but for general every day use I prefer a shoulder style bag. In any event I ordered my bag and it will be ready in mid-Jan. They take about a month to make a custom bag. I chose a coyote with tan theme, orange thread and woodland camo for the pockets. Should be cool!

I thought I was done with bags for the season but lo and behold, I was browsing a forum and came across a guy selling a like new GoRuck GR1. My itchy trigger finger got the better of me and I went for it. Luckily I was able to move out one of my existing packs to a buddy to off-set the cost. So I await that with great anticipation. I am now officially done with bags! No mas.... :D
 
I've got to put my 2 cents in on this. I've owned many maxpedition bags (Sitka, monsoon, Pygmy, Pygmy falcon 2, jumbo versipack, devil dog). I like the Sitka, but the best man bag I've found is the Go Tech Mission Go Bag. Perfect size for carrying what I need. Couldn't carry a laptop well, but good for iPads or slr camera.
 
I absolutely LOVE this bag. Condor deployment bag. It's a ripoff of a Maxpedition design (IMO) but for the price I'm extremely impressed. I used to carry a 5.11 Tactical RUSH 24 with me to work, but I downsized to this and haven't looked back. It carries everything I need, but not everything I want. I'm ok with that compromise because it keeps the weight and size down to a manageable level that I can deal with every day in any situation vs a backpack that can become cumbersome to lug back and forth from the car to work and back.

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Okay we've seen duffel-type bags, we've seen off the shoulder satchels, and things people will call purses just to upset us. But what about belt mounting pouches? How come we haven't seen anything like those?
 
1. They don't hold enough.

2. In the winter, they bulge under parkas.
In the summer, they bulge under an untucked t-shirt.

3. Sitting down anytime, especially in a car, they poke into everything.
 
I had a similar problem a while back. I wanted a man-bag that did not look like a purse that could carry some of my small everyday stuff and could also carry a fullsize pistol if I didn't want to wear a holster. I was using the Maxpedition Fatboy, but I didn't like the width of it. It would knock into things at conventions. I tried the Maxpedition Neatfreak and it didn't work for what I wanted. I eventually picked up the Hazard 4 Tanto bag. That has become my absolute favorite!
 
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