Healthy Back Bags Anyone?

[Heirphoto]

I was looking for a more casual and more flexible carry than my leather briefcase and was wondering if anyone here has tried the single should sling "Healthy Back Bag" from Ameribag. They range from simpy cotton canvas, nylon, or micro-fiber all the way up to all leather and in multiple sizes. I am after an everything catch-all for notebook, pens, phone, camera, calculator, etc...

I wanted natural materials and something reasonably masculine looking.

 

I do have one of the M-51 Engineer's Bags but it is bulky for every day use, but fine for wekend trips with all my gear.

 

Tony

[Okami]

I was looking for a more casual and more flexible carry than my leather briefcase and was wondering if anyone here has tried the single should sling "Healthy Back Bag" from Ameribag. They range from simpy cotton canvas, nylon, or micro-fiber all the way up to all leather and in multiple sizes. I am after an everything catch-all for notebook, pens, phone, camera, calculator, etc...

I wanted natural materials and something reasonably masculine looking.

 

I do have one of the M-51 Engineer's Bags but it is bulky for every day use, but fine for wekend trips with all my gear.

 

Tony

 

 

I have one of these bags. It is my "travel" bag that I carry when I fly. It will hold a ton and I love it - the only reason I do not use it on a daily basis is that I carry my leather Coach bag during the week.

[Heirphoto]

How about the assortment of interior pockets ? I find them selling all over the web but none show the interior or describe to pockets other than to say there are some.

 

Tony

[Jersey Diabolo]

If the natural materials part isn't a deal breaker, as I said in an earlier thread, Tom Bihn makes bags with great materials that are beautifully designed and made in the U.S. – the last bit makes a difference for me.

 

They have ergonomics in mind with their straps and some of the messenger and back-pack style bags. These come in a variety of colors.

The Cafe Bags come in several sizes. With the items you mentioned, consider the medium Cafe Bag or, if the 'notebook' you mention is of the electronic variety, the Ristretto or Buzz.

 

I can’t imagine how I got by without my Bihn Super Ego bag at the office and on road trips. Oh wait. Yes, I do. Oh, the pain ...the pain.

 

[Okami]

How about the assortment of interior pockets ? I find them selling all over the web but none show the interior or describe to pockets other than to say there are some.

 

Tony

 

 

They have awesome interior pockets. One side has a zip pocket, plus space behind that pocket and a horizontal slip pocket. The other has a horizontal slip pocket, a regular slip pocket and two spaces for pens, inside in the center there is a vertical pocket that I usually use for my iPod.

 

The exterior has a vertical pocket that matches the vertical pocket noted above. A zippered pocket with a pocket behind it that has a velcro closure. The other side has a matched pocket with a vecro closed flat.

 

I am usually searching pockets trying to remember in which one I put what I'm looking for.

 

I hope these photos help.

 

 

[Heirphoto]

Thanks for the photos. Guess I "need" one now. I did find a local store, "Comfort Shoes" that sells these so I'l stop by and see one in person. I don't know why the Ameribag websites do not show anything except the exterior.

 

I'm sure the other bags are great but I was after a specific shape that would tuck against my body and was made from cotton canvas, probably a brown or linen color. I have had regular messenger style bags and the Gfeller Utility Tote but the compact, triangular shape would work better for this application.....a quick, compact, grab and go case that is not hanging low on my person or swinging wildly catching on bystanders (been there, done that with both messanger bags and a large Domke F1 camera bag)

 

Thanks again.

 

Tony

 

 

[AfterMyNap]

I have two, one leather and one nylon-based, both are the medium size which are pretty big. I find them very handy and easy to wear over my neck and shoulder. They both have held up very well for several years for me.

[penspouse]

I have a black nylon one that is an older style where the shoulder grip is separate. I'd be willing to sell it cheap if you are interested. PM sent.

[Deserter]

Thats what we in the UK tend to call a 'Man Bag' don't know why. I have carried a canvas or cotton one to work with me every day for the past 3 to 4 years, and frequently take one out when we go out for a day, they are perfect in my opinion, they are loaded with pockets, will take larger items (in my case my old SLR camera, or my lunch box)I can fit a full A4 pad in with ease, and because of the way they are worn over one shoulder they hang around you hip so in the very worst case scenario pads may end up slighlty curved but not creased or bent.

 

Its mans answer to the Handbag which women carry and to me its been a long time coming. Go on mate buy one they are fab.

[Heirphoto]

yep, we call it a "Man Purse" or "Man Bag" here too and therin lies the problem <g>. In my work circle a briefcase fly under the radar easily, a "Man Purse" well it may cause more problems than it's worth. My all leather Gfeller case goes to work, this will go everywhere except work.....my employees are a very unforgiving bunch <g>

 

Tony

[stevlight]

I have been thinking of getting the Gfeller leather bag. Heirphoto do you like it? Is it worth getting as an everyday bag?

[Titivillus]

I was looking for a more casual and more flexible carry than my leather briefcase and was wondering if anyone here has tried the single should sling "Healthy Back Bag" from Ameribag. They range from simpy cotton canvas, nylon, or micro-fiber all the way up to all leather and in multiple sizes. I am after an everything catch-all for notebook, pens, phone, camera, calculator, etc...

I wanted natural materials and something reasonably masculine looking.

 

I do have one of the M-51 Engineer's Bags but it is bulky for every day use, but fine for wekend trips with all my gear.

 

Tony

Sounds interesting but with the laptop and other papers I need to carry around I wonder if it would be possible. I had one that I gave to my daughter because of the lack of room.

 

Kurt

Edited September 2, 2008 by Titivillus

[Heirphoto]

I'm guessing the Healthy Back Bag would not hold a laptop larger than the little, compact EEE PC. I was thinking writing notebooks, pens, etc....

 

As for the gfeller cases I love them I have two now, the Field Case which comes in maybe 5 variants with different pockets and sizes, the larger two of which will hold a 5x8 Moleskine, a 5x8 Ampad "steno" type book and two Cahiers snugly. There is still room for a fountian pen of two to the side and several pencils and two rulers in the pockets. I have a should strap on mine and use it daily.

 

Th new, big brother is the Utility Tote roughly 12" x 10" with pleats allowing 3 1/4" in thickness. Mine holds a composition book or two, a 7x10 Moleskine planner and lots of little things. The website says 10 x12 interior dimensions but sadly it is not. Somewhere it must have been measured wrong and is 9"+ x 11" inside, ruling out many normal sized notebooks.

 

I would still buy either again but they way they are built will never have to.

 

Tony

[stevlight]

Wow Thanks. I was thinking of getting one but if it can't hold my 9x 12 sketchbook it is not right for me sadly. I love gfellers products-I have a moleskine cover and love it--wanted to get more from them.

[lak611]

They have ergonomics in mind with their straps and some of the messenger and back-pack style bags. These come in a variety of colors.

The Cafe Bags come in several sizes. With the items you mentioned, consider the medium Cafe Bag or, if the 'notebook' you mention is of the electronic variety, the Ristretto or Buzz.

What size notebooks fit in them? I have a 15.4" notebook. Do they have decent padding to protect the notebook?

 

 

[lak611]

I was looking for a more casual and more flexible carry than my leather briefcase and was wondering if anyone here has tried the single should sling "Healthy Back Bag" from Ameribag. They range from simpy cotton canvas, nylon, or micro-fiber all the way up to all leather and in multiple sizes. I am after an everything catch-all for notebook, pens, phone, camera, calculator, etc...

I wanted natural materials and something reasonably masculine looking.

 

I do have one of the M-51 Engineer's Bags but it is bulky for every day use, but fine for wekend trips with all my gear.

 

Tony

Sounds interesting but with the laptop and other papers I need to carry around I wonder if it would be possible. I had one that I gave to my daughter because of the lack of room.

 

Kurt

So they aren't big enough for a 15.4" notebook?

 

[Anne-Sophie]

I bought the large Healthy Bag Pack in nylon some years ago thinking the ergonomics would help.

 

It didn't.

The strap slid if it was on one shoulder (purse style), so it had to be carried cross body (a tight fit unless one is a size 0 wearing skinny tees and jeans)

It was impossible to use on top of heavy/cold weather clothes.

 

In order to get the weight of the bag balanced, I had to use the waist strap, which was almost impossible to remove in a hurry, (bad design).

 

The bag sure had plenty of pockets but it could not hold anything larger than

a 5x3 notebook.

 

It meant that I had to carry two bags if I wanted to bring letter size documents with me.

 

After a while, the seams of smallest pocket on the top began to unravel, it carried my cell phone and I thought it was not safe so I stopped using the bag.

 

 

After a couple of years of settling for novelty or bargain bags, I discovered Tom Bihn bags and I have bought many of their products.

 

I use a Large Cafe Bag as an everyday bag, it holds everyday essentials and can also accommodate a hard plastic, letter size, 1" Capacity, Document File.

 

If I want to go to the library or the book store, I use a Swift shoulder bag, it can hold 3 big hardbacks, or a mix of paperbacks and textbooks.

 

When I travel, I use their Brain Bag a very big, very well made and comfortable backpack. It can handle two laptops and associated gears or a laptop and a couple of days worth of clothes. The best part is, the size is carry on compatible .

 

As you can see I am sold.

No matter what I carry, I have no back, legs, shoulders or arms pains.

The bags are stylish, they have a lifetime warranty and they are built like steel.

 

Disclaimer: I pay full price for their items and (unfortunately) do not work for them as a sale pitch lady.

 

 

Edited September 10, 2008 by Anne-Sophie

[misterh]

I bought the large Healthy Bag Pack in nylon some years ago thinking the ergonomics would help.

 

It didn't.

The strap slid if it was on one shoulder (purse style), so it had to be carried cross body (a tight fit unless one is a size 0 wearing skinny tees and jeans)

It was impossible to use on top of heavy/cold weather clothes.

 

That was why I got rid of mine - I found it impossible to wear cross body and I got fed up with it slipping when I wore it on one shoulder.

 

 

 

 

 

[Heirphoto]

From a quick glance at the local shop I can see the nylon would be an issue just as mentioned. They have a cotton/canvas that does not seem near as slippery.

 

Sixe does not seem to be an issue as depending on the model (material uused) there are four sizes from tiny to huge...maybe 23" long just for the bag part. Other were barely 11".

 

Tony

[aunt rebecca]

my physical therapist said the one shoulder bag is not healthy at all. better a backpack!