I was looking around and didn't find any threads on the topic. I wish I had been able to find one, but here it goes. I have had a terrible problem with briefcases that just don't seem to last. I am a law student and have a fair amount of books that get carted around on a regular basis. As a result, I burned through three bags in a 2 year time span. I have finally found on that works for me, but what have you folks found that you like. What have you folks found that you like? And why do you like the briefcase that you use?
my Zero Halliburton attracts a lot of positive attention (too much, really), is waterproof, and has lasted forever for obvious reasons. I have one for traveling with my laptop and got some mud on it once. without thinking twice I hosed it off-- with the laptop inside! thanks to the built-in o-ring, not a drop penetrated. good briefcase.
Yep, the soft versions hold up WAY better than the hard ones do. I have a great leather bag, not sure who makes it, that I have been using for 5 + years. It looks beat but it still does it's job. The leather is VERY good quality on the one I have. I think it was ~ Two bills.
I have a leather bag that I had made by www.customhide.com. The prices are very reasonable, and they will customize any features that you wish (as an example, I had the rear organizer pocket in mine custom-sized to fit my camera, blackberry, and a bunch of pens, as well as having the height of the bag modified and a custom extra-wide carry strap added). The product is great, and has held up well. The caveat is that they are slow as molasses. The original 5-6 week turnaround time turned into 3 separate shipments and a total of 14 weeks of lead time. Still a nice bag, though. Gio P
The place I got mine is based out San Antonio. They don't do custom, but after getting my briefcase, it is taking a lot of self restraint not to buy a few other things as well. www.saddlebackleather.com The bag just looks incredible in person. They are an online only outfit, and I had a hard time ordering without seeing. However, I would highly recommend them. Although, the idea of a custom bag does intrigue me quite a bit...
Tumi Alpha, black leather.... yeah kinda boring and non descript, but mine has lasted for over 10 years (did the zero thing in the 80's and early 90's, then a doctor's bag style, then a wilson's leather) of pretty brutal travel. The Tumi was easily accessible in an airplane or cab, had pockets for everything, fit over the handle of a 22' roll along, had a shoulder strap and every couple of months a little leather treatment and it looked and smelled new. It could also expand for extra big paper loads. A perfect man purse! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I looked at the Saddleback bags too, and very much liked their web site. In the end, they were a little too "Indiana Jones" looking for me- since 80% of where I use my bag is just schlepping stuff back and forth to the office, I wanted something a little more refined. Not that there's anything wrong with the Saddleback bags- just not quite the look I was going for. Here's a picture of mine with some eye candy in the background Image Unavailable, Please Login
Saddleback does some great marketing. I admit I was a bit suspect so I did some research. I was able to discover that they don't make their bags, rather import them. If you search very carefully and look closely at the pictures posted you'll see there is another seller who has the exact same bags for quite a bit less. Now having said that Giovanni is correct this style of construction is far more "Polo" styled than "Hartman" styled. Think rough and rugged rather than rich and refined. Mine is tanned in an oiled hide. Tough, holds a 17" laptop, can be converted to a backpack, smells great, and is the perfect case to use when heading to, or comming from, our ranch. Crappy photo but you'll get the idea. . Image Unavailable, Please Login
For Christmas my wife gave me a Tumi Broadley Document Case. I love it! Tumi has a loyal following among road warriors/business travelers for its ruggedness and durability. Probably overkill for me since all the "warrioring" this bag will ever see is the schlep from my house-to-the-car-to-the-office and back. I added a Tumi laptop sleeve for my computer just for good measure. It's definitely luxe and more "grown-up"-looking than my previous messenger bag but I do like it a lot. It has a sturdy and well appointed feel to it -- when you operate the buckles, zippers and clasps they all work with a solid, positive action -- and am looking forward to using it for many years. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I went with a simple bag (see photo) for the daily commute to/from work. It's been great - it's slim, functional, and has worn well. (Slim mattered to me: I didn't want to drag a big clunky thing with me every day) Mine happens to be from Coach (bought on sale at an outlet for $100), but similar bags are pretty common from lots of manufacturers. It is definitely not a good laptop bag (though my laptop fits in it, it lacks padding) or a great travel bag (though it could travel) primarily due to limited capacity. But it is sleek, simple, and fairly elegant -- perfect for the daily movement of stuff to and from the office. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I have steered away from new Tumi as it looks a bit cheaper in quality than their older stuff and for the cost it seems unreasonable. Also I have heard that their warranty is no longer so hot. Not knocking Tumi, as I love their looks but am I wrong in my assumptions? In general-What do you all like for luggage? I travel a lot and even good stuff seems to fall apart on me. I use Swiss Army black nylon stuff a lot now as the cost is reasonable and they have a very good warranty. I had a zipper go bad on one piece and they just replaced the whole piece for me-no questions or issues. Don't like Hartman or Briggs and Riley or Samsonite.
I have had a Schlesinger leather brief case for many years, and it has aged gracefully and proven nearly indestructible. They have a fairly extensive product line in both leather and canvas, and I believe all of their pieces carry a 5 year warranty...worth a look!
Just checked their website, Tumi offers a 5-yr. warranty on their bags, so that's not so bad. Five years. Fifty years. Everything breaks AFTER the warranty expires anyway, right?
A few of you have PM'd me asking about where to buy the bags like mine and the ones that Saddleback sells. So I thought I'd post it here for all of you. http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=ancient.knight&&sspagename=VIP:feedback&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller
The "corporate line" might be five years, but my briefcase shoulder strap was getting worn/picked (about 7 - 8 years old at the time) on the side that rests on your shoulder (which I don't even use unless it's a day drip and I am not toting my T roll along). I called Tumi DC, talked to the manager and he sent a brand spankin' new strap to the house.....no charge.
Didn't Tumi use to be lifetime warranty? That's why i said the warranty is no longer so hot. Swiss Army stuff may not be quite as nice or "sexy" but they have a lifetime warranty. For me that is important. I destroyed my last Tumi in less than 8 months-twice. Fell apart-Got a new one under warranty-that one fell apart. So i am down on Tumi right now. Not exactly delirious over Swiss Army but stuff seems to last and good warranty (For now.) Is there anything esle good out there?
Wife bought this for me but I have never used it. I prefer my Tumi or Hartman. That said, it's brand new if anyone is interested in it. If my wife finds out I sold it, I'm a dead man. Image Unavailable, Please Login
