Posted: 9/6/2011 8:29:54 AM EDT
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Hey guys,
I need a EDC\computer bag\GHB\day pack. I work in a downtown type area and need a bag to carry my laptop, power supply and other assorted electronics as well as other daily use, emergency need, etc. get home type items. I would like the bag to be able to do double duty by pulling out the electronics and replacing them with a water bladder, backpacker stove and food items for use as a hiking or canoeing daypack or maybe even as an overnight bag? Key features I’m looking for… Backpack design. I considered some of the single strap and courier type designs but feel I would be better off with a dual strap backpack type bag. Sternum and waist straps would be a nice added bonus (assuming then can be stowed or tucked away when not in use) but are not mandatory Computer compartment that ideally can double as a hydration bladder compartment. External water bottle (naglene) compartment. Some external molle webbing and/or compression cords. I want to be able to strap things to the outside of the bag like a small umbrella, multi-tool pouch, maybe a small camera pouch, etc. At least one large opening main compartment and one smaller (but equally tall) admin compartment. Internal webbing would be nice. Reasonable price – Preferably under $100 but no more then $150 The stronger and more water resistant the design and construction are the better What I don’t need, don’t want or don’t care about… Nothing too big. I realize the bag I’m taking about won’t be small but I don’t want something so big it could almost be used as a 3-day pack either. Looks – I don’t really want something that looks like a full on assault pack but I’m not overly concerned with being completely covert either. I know a lot of people use standard backpacking type pack to remain low key but I like some of the added flexibility that some of the more “tactical” style bags offer. I won’t be buying anything in any form of camouflage, I but have no issue with some of the “tactical” solld colors like Coyote Brown, Tan, Khaki or Foliage green. Velcro – I’m not a huge fan of Velcro, especially on the outside of the bag and I have no need or desire for “moral” patches. The closest bag I’ve found so far would be TT’s Urban Operator Pack. Only downsides is I’m not sure how well the computer compartment would work with a Hydration bladder and I wish the admin compartment was the same height as the main compartment and had a rain guard over it like the main compartment. I may buy one to try it but I want to know what other options I should be considering like maybe the 511 Rush 12 or 24? Something by Maxpedition? |
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Check out the Targus Military laptop backpack. Comes in a couple different colors, laptop compartment is very padded, and it has a little bit of PALS webbing on the exterior so you can add a first aid or nalgene bottle pouch.
Im not sure if Kentucky has TJ Maxx stores but if they do check one or two of them out for the above bag. They are all over Arizona for 20 bucks which is a hell of a lot of bag for the money. Otherwise it runs $40-$50 online and $55 at Walmart. Link |
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I use a swissgear pegasus for my laptop. Has plenty of room and plenty of pockets. I don't know if you'd beable to fit a nalgene in the side pocket though. If you give me the diameter of the bottle I can measure it. Looks like Wenger has new style packs out since I've bought this one, but it's built like a tank.
Link Can find it cheaper than amazon, but it gives you a quick reference. |
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The TT Urban Operator pretty much fits your needs IMO. I was in the same boat, and didn't want the velcro, and it is super easy to remove with a razor blade to cut the stitches. I use it everyday in an urban setting around tons of people, and it never gets a second glance. The straps could benefit from a sternum strap IMO, but it's not a deal breaker. I just need to find one that will fit without cutting. The shoulder straps could use a tiny bit more padding, but then again I really overload mine with tons of weight for school, and work. It's definatly not a turn off, but it's not a gucci hiking pack.
The MOLLE (PALS) webbing on the one side is easily hidden with the TT lunar pouch in a matched color, and can be used as a utility pouch, or to hold a CCW/BUG SHTF gun, spare mags, etc. plus gives the option to remove the pouch and use it as a sort of discreetish hidden belt holster which could be a great option in the urban enviornment. You could also put any number of MOLLE pouches there, but I do like the lunar. I wouldn't get too wound up over a bladder. The urban operator could pull it off, but 99% of the time a nalgene bottle or even a 20 oz type bottle will work, and if you need extra capacity get a packable bladder like a platypus, and combine those with a filter such as the frontier pro (this screws onto most platypus bladders, and standard soda type bottles found all over) and some aquamira tablets or similar. That way you can carry what liquids you choose for everyday stuff, and adapt the containers later if needed, and have the option to add even more water later if needed. Just my thoughts. The nalgene bottle pocket on the side of the urban operator is nice, and holds a variety of items, not just a nalgene. It can even be used as a utility pocket. The laptop compartment is a great size, and padded. The front pockets are a very nice size, and can hold tons of stuff. Much more user friendly than alot of packs on the market. Hope that helps some. |
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Check out The North Face Solaris 40 daypack. It has two external mesh pockets and two external zippered pockets that will each hold a 32 ounce Nalgene bottle. It also has a zippered lower compartment that you could throw a spare pair of shoes or extra change of clothes in.
It has the sternum and hip straps. It is on my must have list and I will have one before the end of the year! It is in your price range and comes in several different colors. Link to Solaris 40 ETA: not sure about the sternum strap, so crossed it out for now. |
| I use a 5.11 Rush 24 for the exact purposes you have listed... I use the hydration compartment for my laptop, and it has plenty of room for any cables/tools/adapters I use, along with space for most of my BOB/GHB goodies (augmented by a LAPG 3 Day pack I keep in my car w/ clothes, etc) It has plenty of pockets and dividers that I don't have piles of gear that I have to dig through if I need to find something. |
| I doubt you will find a waist strap on a ~2000cid backpack. Only the Rush 72 has one in the 5.11 lineup. I used a Swiss Gear backpack in kolledge and it was comfortable toting around 20-25lbs worth of books and junk and has a laptop pouch. They have elastic pouches on the sides for water bottles, but I don't know if a nalgene will fit. It will easily take a 20oz on each side though. It's been bulletproof thus far and fit my gray man requirement. |
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Quoted: Check out the Targus Military laptop backpack. Comes in a couple different colors, laptop compartment is very padded, and it has a little bit of PALS webbing on the exterior so you can add a first aid or nalgene bottle pouch. Im not sure if Kentucky has TJ Maxx stores but if they do check one or two of them out for the above bag. They are all over Arizona for 20 bucks which is a hell of a lot of bag for the money. Otherwise it runs $40-$50 online and $55 at Walmart. Link The Targus Citygear and XL backpacks are really great. I have an XL and it is my EDC/Computer bag and I have a HUGE laptop. It's tough, has a waist strap, outside pockets, etc. The only problem I have with it is finding stuff, I have learned to just sigh, and check each pocket individually. I carried two MREs around for two weeks thinking I had one.  The bag can easily carry a change of clothes along with a laptop as long as you are not concerned about fancy office pants wrinkling.Make sure you find a laptop bag that fits your laptop. "16 inch" to one company is not "16 inch" to another.
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| Thanks for the input guys. Buying stuff like this online is always a PITA. If I had all these bags in front of me I could probably easily pick which one was right for me within 30 minutes but online, even with all the great you tube video's it's still really hard to tell. Looks like I will just have to pick the one that seem best and if that doesn't work out, return it quickly and then try something else? |
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