Need "man-purse" recommendations...

A serious question about Man-purses. I really would like to buy one, BUT I need to know which looks the least..... well...... gay.
The Fatboy looks like it would fit the bill, but are there other recommendations or thoughts concerning the masculinity of the items. BTW, I am serious.
 
Did somebody mention "man purse"?
josh_purse_medium.jpg

I guess i kind of carry a man purse. . . some call it a backpack. is there any reason that a backpack wouldnt be a feasible solution for a man-bag? one thing that the backpack has going for it is variety- there are a million styles and sizes and brands to chose from.
 
Walking Man said:
A serious question about Man-purses. I really would like to buy one, BUT I need to know which looks the least..... well...... gay.
The Fatboy looks like it would fit the bill, but are there other recommendations or thoughts concerning the masculinity of the items. BTW, I am serious.
Click to expand...

These new bags from Europe are fabulous. FABULOUS!

:) Seriously, I find many of the squarish bags make you look like a European fancy boy -- almost any bag can look that way. Another way to go is towards a more military looking style, so instead of a European fancy-boy, you look like Mr Tactical Poseur. The Fatboy is mostly in that latter category. A third option is a sportier courrier-type over-the-shoulder bag. I'm afraid that in the eyes of some folks, this might get you back to European fancy boy, but courrier type bags are in, I tend to think they look cool:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...90&parent_category_rn=4501698&vcat=REI_SEARCH

Click on the black version. The only downside is no pocket for a water bottle. There are lots of interesting versions of this style of pack.

I also have a Fatboy, but got so annoyed with its tendency to constantly swing around, and also having to go through a fastex buckle to get to the interior compartments, that I moved on to the Mini, which stays put perfectly and uses only zippers. Still looking for a pack similar to the Mini but has a water bottle pouch on the exterior.

Joe
 
Well, I've come to a temporary solution.... cargo pants. ( :barf: ) Today is day one with them, and so far not too bad. I had to empty my wallet of some less essential stuff just so I wouldn't have this pendulum swinging on the side of my leg. Otherwise, I got a new hiding place for my CUDA Maxx 5.5! :D

I am leaning towards the Maxpedition H-1 though. Still waiting to see if anybody has one and will give me a mini review.
 
Ok, I'll admit to it. I own quite a few man bags. I recommend any of the following:
-Timbuk2- any size
-Chrome messenger- any size
-Ghurka Gear Bag
-Tumi- any messenger made out of their signature ballistic nylon
-Filson- small or medium field bag, duffels are also great--VERY tough
-Ellington- almost anything, high class leather
-Jack Spade day bag, Greene street or Warren Street (pricier- ~200-450)
-Maxpedition Fatboy

There you have it..now don't get me talking about wallets. I think that my current wallet addiction has gotten me at about 35!
Matt
 
I am partial to lumbar packs. Mine is a discontinued model that looks a lot like this.

Mine has a front pocket with organizer sleeves. A central pocket and a large rear compartment with two thin separator panels. Also a elastic/mesh water bottle holder on either side. It has handles on top like a briefcase and two d-rings where the should strap can be attached. I usually use either the shoulder strap or handles. I keep the lumbar waist straps tucked in and hidden behind the rear panel and only use them if climbing ladders at work sites or actually cycling.

They are low key enough to not incite searchs for a handgun and "manly" enough to not generate lots o' manpurse comments.

Lots of space to fit wallet, pda, keys, cr123 light, SAK, (front compartment) mesh bag with firstaid/altoids tin kit, extra cell battery, extra security cards/credentials, small mic case tool kit, lighter, usb flash drives, leatherman (middle compartment) Swamp Rat Howling Rat in kydex sheath, Atwood prybar, couple of envelopes with some emergency [work] instructions, and assorted junk.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47697409&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&color=BLACK&img=/media/706515_321Lrg.jpg&view=large&vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC

And another

A search on REI
 
Maxpedition Fatboy for me. Tactical black, of course. ;)
Before that it was the good old GI Buttpack with a canvas shoulder strap.
Used that for years, the Fatboy for a little over a year now.
I usually carry a 1 litre bottle of seltzer to work, it sticks out the top a little, no biggie. Also have trashbag, thin disposable poncho, note book, paracord, dustmask, headlamp, gerber honesteel (prybar), shrade buzzsaw trapper, 2 bandanas and some other crap in it.
Organization is much better with the FB.

I like lumbar bags, but they don't work well for me in the winter over a heavy coat. Always feel like they are sliding down.
Better in the summer than a daypack though, no big sweaty spot on your back. Smaller sweaty spot along your belt line ;)

The thing missing from the FB that is on the GI bag are the straps on the bottom of the bag. You could keep a (real) rain poncho there, easily accessible, wet or dry. Also worked well for sweaters, etc.
Without filling your main compartment.
You could also hang a canteen or ammo pouch on the sides of the GI bag, but that gets heavy quick.

Good luck!
 
Mongo said:
I am leaning towards the Maxpedition H-1 though. Still waiting to see if anybody has one and will give me a mini review.
Click to expand...

I have an M1 and it can hold a surprising amount of crap but I recently retired it for a Fatboy. The M1 was OK but I found it just a bit too bulky for comfort hanging off my belt. The Fatboy has the advantage of carrying more useless junk around but the shoulder carry is more convenient and it has a strap to loop through the belt if you want so it doesn't flop about if you're particularly active. Also with the Fatboy it has plenty of places where you can attach other stuff like bottle cariers and so on. Worth a look IMHO.
 
Walking Man said:
A serious question about Man-purses. I really would like to buy one, BUT I need to know which looks the least..... well...... gay.
The Fatboy looks like it would fit the bill, but are there other recommendations or thoughts concerning the masculinity of the items. BTW, I am serious.
Click to expand...

How about this one: Tactical Shoulder Bag
 
I said man-purse!!!! Those shoulder bags are too big.
I like the Bug-Out bag, it looks more like a tool-kit with a shoulder strap.
 
If you're looking at the M1 waistpack I would definitely recommend the Maxpedition Thermite versipack instead.

I just bought a khaki Thermite pack a couple months ago and I'm quite pleased with it. The drop leg configuration is really nice because it is easily accessed and doesn't get in the way of wearing a jacket or a seatbelt. Very durable and it looks nothing like a purse. It doesn't hold a ton of gear but I like that because it forces me to really think about what I need instead of packing around a bulky pack full of everything. The standard gear that I carry in it is a flashlight, SAK, leatherman, cell phone, wallet, 30' of paracord, first-aid, two large garbage bags, lighter, pen, Becker Necker and there is still room left over in the main compartment for anything else I may need to carry like snacks, GPS or water bottle. I've even carried my camcorder in there quite comfortably.
 
On some of the packs being posted, in order to get into the main compartment, it appears you have to get through not just one buckle, but two. Do you guys not go into your pack enough to get annoyed by this? Anything more than a zipper, and I start getting irritated -- even the single buckle on the Fatboy annoys me.

Joe
 
+1 for the Thermite. A versatile, low profile pack that's big enough, but still unobtrusive. A terrific EDC pack.

If I need to carry more, I'll typically choose a Camelbak or Eagle daypack. The Thermite also stays on you, so it's less likely to be misplaced.
 
I had a Thermite. I found it to be so small that getting things in/out was a hassle because of the tight accommodations. My biggest complaint was that it wouldn't "sit upright" but rather lay on it's back if I was looking for something or leaving it in the passenger seat while I drove.

I think it works great as it is designed (thigh carry) but not good for me as an EDC bag. No way I could pull off walking around work (comm. tower sites, construction sites, broadcast studios, etc) with it strapped to my thigh without constant jeers. :D

edit - if however, you are looking at the H1, this just might be perfect for you. Different situations call for different solutions.
 
Hey Joe,
On the Filson bags, after a week or so, you really get used to opening the straps and get pretty darn fast at it. Not a problem at all. If you want a Filson, buy it NOW! Their prices just went up this catalogue about 5-8% and they may go even higher. Their stuff is indestructable but they way they are heading, they are going to price themselves out.
Matt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top