What gear bag options are there in the small briefcase size?

[Daniel Koster]

I've been looking around the web and this forum for a bag in the 14" x 10" x 6" size - large enough for a 3-ring binder (or small laptop)..but not bigger. Outer pockets preferred. Not crazy about fold-over-flap messenger bags.


So far, I've come up with these:


Maxpedition lastresort
http://www.maxpedition.com/product/product_ta_lastresort.htm

Blackhawk Briefcase
http://www.blackhawk.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=4084&d

CountyComm Bail Out Bag
http://www.countycomm.com/DESERTBAILOUT.htm

So, what else is there?


(post links/pics if you can - thanks!)

 

[DEA]

the blackhawk bags are extremely durable, but very costly
does it come with the velcro attachments for you to expand on with their pouches and stuff?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I've got the County Comm. Maxpedition was making a supposedly beefed-up version of it, but then went on to make the Last Resort based on it.

They are both good bags but County Comm is definitely more bang for the buck, and it is tough. Mine goes shopping, walks in the woods, out in the rain. Looks practically new.

I really, really like the outside pockets with their quick velcro flaps. I can swap my sunglasses for reading glasses or grab my binoculars or get out my Altoids without missing a step. All that outside access makes it a great flight bag for the car, too.

The inside compartment carries a small looseleaf with a calendar and lined paper for notes, sometimes magazines or books for reading, lunch and drinks -- and there's two outside pockets for bottles, too.

The big zippered pocket on the back worked out perfectly for a small med kit & emergency items.

 

[Bob W]

My bag is from Duluth Trading. It's the older version (no longer available) of this: http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/briefcases_bags/briefcases/37002.aspx?feature=Product_4

There's also the Presentation Briefcase made from their Firehose material:
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/briefcases_bags/briefcases/74258.aspx?feature=Product_8


Happy shopping,
-Bob

 

[Mongo]

Of course, ya know I'm gonna chime in with the Filson recommendation...

I have the original briefcase, it is the smallest of the three they have. Sometimes I wish it were a little bigger for what I use it for, but it can and does hold a lot. There is three inner compartments, and it is durn near indestructable. I've had mine for close to 10 years now, and it still looks brand new. It's dimensions are 16"x12.5"x4" You can find more info at www.filson.com It is under "luggage" and is style/model # 256

 

[Daniel Koster]

Yes, Mongo......I almost put in "not interested in the Filson"...except I didn't want to exclude you from the discussion. :foot: (j/k)


Is there a better pic of that Duluth bag? Looks kinda like my wife's diaper bag...but, um...hopefully "manlier"....

 

[Ryan0619]

I have had two Bail Out Bags and am thouroughly happy with them. I have used the one Maxpedition produced for the past year and a half and it looks and works like new.It definitley has my vote.

Ryan

 

[gandolph]

I have had several bags in the last few years. My wife thanks I'm just collecting them for the fun of it. For me, the CountyComm Bail Out Bag works better than anything else I've tried. It's just setup about perfect. I can carry all my everyday gear, including my Dell M-700 laptop/power supply and it all fits. Because of the outside pockets, I can find what I need very quickly without opening the center part of the bag and foraging around for something.

 

[mycroftt]

I have the CountyComm bailout bag and I have to get another for carrying stuff. The one that I have rapidly turned into what the kids call my Bag Of Cool Stuff. I have the FRS radios, various flashlights, fire-starting kits both flint-based and solar, various tinders for fire starting, yoyos, a few knives, hand-held CB radios, pocket-sized binoculars, PryBaby, a couple of ZipZap RC cars (around HO scale), neodymium magnets, and who knows what else in there.

I'm starting to put together a good First Aid kit including CPR masks, nitrile gloves, bandages, tape, etc. too, so maybe I need to buy two more bailout bags.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I was surprised at how well Maxpedition's cocoon pouches worked out for small tools AND for compact med kits for the County Comm BOB. They even come in black, green, or khaki to color code contents.

Another great little organizer is County Comm's small white box. Pretty tough, see-through, just big enough for a variety of neat stuff. I must have about 10 of them by now.

 

[Matteo Escobar]

I have this Duluth Pack bag. The larger size has the dimensions you want, and it's extremely well made and durable. It's made out of canvas and leather, and will outlast those synthetic bags by a few decades.

http://www.duluthpack.com/product_detail.aspx?product=Portfolios


Note that www.duluthtrading.com and www.duluthpack.com are two separate and unaffiliated companies. They are in no way connected. Duluth Pack makes high quality canvas packs and bags.

 

[Mongo]

Yes, Mongo......I almost put in "not interested in the Filson"...except I didn't want to exclude you from the discussion.

So, whatcha got against Filson? I have seen most of the ones linked here, and can say the Filson surpasses them all. Yeah, I know they are expensive... but pay/cry once etc. I use mine on my once a year massive continuing education trip. I also drag it to the 3 or so knife shows I go to. It will hold a surprising amount of stuff.

Thanks for not excluding me from the discussion though...

 

[cardimon]

Note that www.duluthtrading.com and www.duluthpack.com are two separate and unaffiliated companies. They are in no way connected.

That I didn't know. Interesting.

 

[Daniel Koster]

Thanks for not excluding me from the discussion though...

Well...I do pay attention:

quote (sig line):

If you shoot Mongo, you'll just make him mad.

I actually do like the Filson bag and will probably pick one up eventually. :thumbup: I just need lots of pockets on the outside for this one.

 

[fruitbat]

I have Maxpedition's version of the Bail Out Bag. I've had it a 2-3 years and it's held up very well. Holds everything I need and more. The only down side is if you leave the pockets on the ends of the bag open and have to be out when it's raining hard they will hold water. I just found this out Tuesday morning.

 

[Matteo Escobar]

That I didn't know. Interesting.

Yeah, Duluth Trading has modeled themselves so closely after after Duluth Pack most people think that they are two divisions of the same company. Even their catalogs, logos and descriptions of items are similar.

If I owned Duluth Pack I'd sue them.

 

[cardimon]

Yeah, Duluth Trading has modeled themselves so closely after after Duluth Pack most people think that they are two divisions of the same company. Even their catalogs, logos and descriptions of items are similar.

If I owned Duluth Pack I'd sue them.

I would think that if you didn't sue them, you would be held legally liable by your board of directors, or owner, for not looking after their business interests.