File this post under Tech. It’s tangential since you need a bag to carry mobile computing gear (plus more) on the go. We haul phone-computers in our pockets everyday. They’re phablets now, almost un-pocketable. And good-luck trying to shove a Nintendo Switch into your pocket.
A guy’s pockets are also stuffed with the usual suspects: keys, wallet, knife, earbuds, etc. I don’t know about you, but I’m running out of clothing cargo space. Yet I don’t have enough gear to warrant strapping on a hulking backpack every day.
Pockets: not enough. Backpack: too much. There must be a better option.
Not A Murse
First, let’s target the stigma of a guy carrying a bag smaller than a backpack. What is the deal?
If pockets are too small and a backpack is too big, then why can’t a dude just use a small to medium sized shoulder or cross-body bag?
Back when I carried all my keys on a single key-ring, the wad of metal clutter crammed into my pocket was super annoying. So I would often toss them into my wife’s purse. Why can’t I carry my own…man-bag without feeling akward?
This quote from the Art of Manliness speaks to this:
“Ridicule around “murses” is a bit much though, in my opinion. We’re in a cultural place where a man can carry a medium to large bag, or whatever fits in his pockets, but nothing in-between. Which is a little odd when you think about it.”
Yeah, it’s odd.
A Man Bag
Okay, so it’s totally practical for a guy, anyone for that matter, to daily carry a small-ish bag when the amount of gear calls for it. Cool. Makes sense to me. The advantages are worth it. Your stuff is always with you, it’s well organized, and thus makes you better prepared.
Then the next question is, what’s the best man-bag for the job? Now that is a tough one.
My ongoing hunt for the perfect ideal EDC bag has been a challenge. But I’ve been enjoying it and have also learned a thing or two.
Along this journey, my previous post about the quest for the best bag mentioned two great sites on the niche topic of EDC and bags. I’ve added others; here’s the updated list:
If you search on Amazon for top-sellers in men’s bags or just look up bags in general, you’ll be inundated with a plethora of packs. Here’s a few lists you might want to check out:
- Best Sellers in Men’s Shoulder Bags
- Best Sellers in Men’s Cross-Body Sling Bags
- Best Sellers in Messenger Bags
- Best Sellers in Tablet Bags
Amazon sells bags in some brands you may have heard of before, but there seems to be an endless supply of unknown brands.
Outside of Amazon, you can find many established and reputable companies and aspirational brands who either sell bags or specialize in the bag business. Here’s a list:
- Alpakagear
- Bellroy
- Buffalo Jackson Trading Co
- Cargoworks
- Case Logic
- Herschel
- NutSac
- PacSafe
- Peak Design
- Samsonite
- Swiss Gear
- Targus
- TimBuk2
- Tom Bihn
- Waterfield Designs
As I’ve unearthed many potential man-bags across the web, I keep coming back to one site in particular, NutSac. Man, their bags look great! The company does too.
So far my personal top pick is the Mag-Satch 11.
At first, I had wanted a sling bag. But then I decided on a mini-messenger bag or cross-body shoulder bag. And up until now, I’ve had my sights set on a bag just big enough to carry a 10 or 11 inch iPad.
But I’m at cross-roads. I don’t have an iPad (at the moment), so I’m thinking I should try a smaller EDC bag, one that’s big enough for an iPad mini or eReader.
The quest continues…
If you can recommend a good EDC man-bag or another website, sound off in the comments below. Thanks!
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Thank you for sharing.