Way back on May 19 I wrote about my search for a new laptop bag to replace my somewhat tattered Targus bag. I had a few good comments on the blog, even some comments on LinkedIn, and was interesting to have people ask about it when they saw me in person. My favorite suggestion was Saddleback Leather, has the whole Indiana Jones look to it but wasn’t sure I wanted to spend $500 on a bag. Actually I did want to spend the $500, but common sense held me back! Terrific marketing stuff on the site, including “they’ll fight over it when you’re dead!’.

As I looked at my original options and some new ones, it was interesting to compare it to my existing bag. Nothing wrong with the bag design, didn’t like the strap and the fabric wasn’t holding up too well, but it had a good useable assortment of pockets. Some of the ones I looked at I hated to buy because I couldn’t tell much from the web site. For example, Duluth Trading has the Rough Rider and the Fully Evolved Briefcase, both looked interesting, but I was really wanting to see more.

I read one post where a guy tried eight bags before settling on one, seems overkill but I can see it happening. This is one of the times when online shopping was a poor second to visiting a store, but the local stores have limited selection (Officemax was best, followed by Compusa).

The winner, for now anyway? Bought the Maxpedition bag in black in no small part due to an endorsement of the company from Grant Fritchey. I’ve had it about a week now. Solidly built, smaller than the one I had before (old was sized for 17” laptop, this one for 15.4”). Shoulder strap is good, like that it has water bottle holder. Would rather have snaps or zippers on the small front pockets instead of velcro, but we’ll see. Didn’t see dedicated pen slots, seems like something they should have, but there are pockets inside to clip them to. Has a 2 part handle, and I wish it was a single handle. Not heavy at all. Still room for a couple books in the middle pocket with the laptop on the other side of the pocket divider (which has one side lined with velcro). Doesn’t have one of the straps on the bag for making it ride on a handled luggage bag.

I like it because it’s unusual, serves the purpose ok. They make two other bags, one smaller and one larger, if you carry a lot of stuff you might get that one even if you have a 15” laptop. Runs about $130 online from various sellers. I’ll use it for a while and it will either become annoying  or fade into the background as good tools should!