You all seem like a well-traveled bunch...need suggestions for a field bag

[Chronopolis]

for leather, Saddleback makes some tough stuff:
Saddleback Leather Co.

+1

I've had mine for 8 years now.
Everything Dave says is true - including the part about zippers: a useless thing on bags.
Cry once; spend the money. Never buy another bag again.
Their A/S is also incredible.

[Raza]

I like the J Crew. Didn't want to say anything before because it sounded like it wouldn't work out.

Jeannie

Jeannie, even as they put it in the mail, I got nervous, because they only guaranteed a 3-6 business day delivery schedule and told me that they couldn't expedite it. After a few phone calls, I got a call from J.Crew telling me that they have overnighted it. It'll be here today. I'm excited.

[T Bone]

If it's not too late, strongly suggest you look at the line of laptop messengers from Timbuk2. These things are nearly bulletproof, and the ultimate in convenience. I have one called the Mullet (discontinued), it is the best carry on ever. But since that model went away, they've come out with an even more airport travel friendly feature, a laptop pocket that completely unzips and folds open, so that you do not have to remove the computer from the bag (Note: This feature not on all bags, check first).

Ballistic nylon and quality zippers, lots of pockets and other features. My favorite feature is the pass through for the extended handle of your rolling bag, it simply slides over it and rests on top, so you don't have to carry it, merely roll it along with your larger roll bag (even if it is a small bag for the overhead). Even my Mullet as large as it is fits under the seat in front of me. If not taking dive gear (or weapons that need to be checked ;), I can take a small roller carry on and this and be good for a week, no checked bags! BTW, I found out about Timbuk2 from a thread here on the Cafe'.

ETA: Here you go, this one is the closest to my bag I could find there. The Commute 2.0 Messenger.

[Jamiesutto]

Yup just bought the briefcase from saddleback leather, my wife hates me

[Scottish Steve]

Speaking as a well seasoned, experienced traveler, buy the least expensive, less attention getting, most useful, simple backpack you can find and go enjoy yourself. As a male, I personally do not like looking like I'm carrying a purse while traveling. It makes you look vulnerable and an easy target.

Agreed
British Army Haversack in black cotton canvas cost me three pounds and it's practically indestructible.
Check out anything from Highlander or Webtex
I bought a beautiful leather briefcase last year and have used it about 10 times since then. It just looks too good and I get very self-conscious using it, like I'm part of the fashion set or something. Great quality, but making a bit of a statement. Better with a herringbone tweed than a dufflecoat

[Raza]

Yup just bought the briefcase from saddleback leather, my wife hates me

The full size or the Thin? I think the Briefcase Thin is in my future.

Anyway, the J.Crew Abingdon bag arrived today. It has a great vintage look and feel, and it feels very durable. If you put it side by side with my Samsonite messenger laptop bag that I use now, it looks quite a bit smaller, but actually holds more, since it's not padded. J.Crew calls it a laptop bag, but you wouldn't want to put a naked laptop in this--it would have to go in a neoprene sleeve. It's not rigid like Samsonite, but not as floppy as my old Banana Republic bag that I take hiking (decently durable for the $25 I spent on it). It has deceptive storage. I fit all my day-to-day items (computer glasses, cigarettes, emergency Red Bull, electronic cigarettes, medication, pen, backup watch, et al) in it and the shape was largely the same as empty. Still plenty of room.

I'm away most of the day tomorrow, but I might get a chance to post some pics of it. I completely feel that I made the right choice in my budget. The Filson may very well be higher quality, but the design just didn't light my fire. Plus, Jeannie likes the J.Crew, so I feel more than vindicated in my choice!

[Raza]

If it's not too late, strongly suggest you look at the line of laptop messengers from Timbuk2. These things are nearly bulletproof, and the ultimate in convenience. I have one called the Mullet (discontinued), it is the best carry on ever. But since that model went away, they've come out with an even more airport travel friendly feature, a laptop pocket that completely unzips and folds open, so that you do not have to remove the computer from the bag (Note: This feature not on all bags, check first).

Ballistic nylon and quality zippers, lots of pockets and other features. My favorite feature is the pass through for the extended handle of your rolling bag, it simply slides over it and rests on top, so you don't have to carry it, merely roll it along with your larger roll bag (even if it is a small bag for the overhead). Even my Mullet as large as it is fits under the seat in front of me. If not taking dive gear (or weapons that need to be checked ;), I can take a small roller carry on and this and be good for a week, no checked bags! BTW, I found out about Timbuk2 from a thread here on the Cafe'.

ETA: Here you go, this one is the closest to my bag I could find there. The Commute 2.0 Messenger.

Those look like some seriously durable bags and well priced too. Style isn't quite up my alley, but I do appreciate the suggestion! My friend has one like it, I'll send it his way should he ever look to replace it.

[Raza]

I really like the J-Crew one, too. Being from Canadia, I'll offer up Roots. I don't have one, and can't speak to their quality, but I've heard some good things.

View All Men's Leather bags, Briefcases, Messenger Bags, and Accessories, Made in Canada by Roots

Those are really cool; they have a lived-in, vintage look to them.

[Raza]

Here's another cool option....

Territory Ahead bag

Dan, while I don't love the bag, I do love lots of other stuff on that site! Thanks for the tip.

[Rusty_Shakleford]

Those look like some seriously durable bags and well priced too. Style isn't quite up my alley, but I do appreciate the suggestion! My friend has one like it, I'll send it his way should he ever look to replace it.

I've had an all black Timbuk2 messenger bag for about 16 or 17 years now. I got mine a REI sometime before the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. It was a basic model but it has held up unbelievably well. I know that you are looking for something a bit classier but they are a great suggestion for a more casual bag should you ever need one.

Regards,

RS