Post by tacosforlife on Apr 14, 2015 10:59:01 GMT -5
My life is hard, y'all.
I have to take my laptop to and from work. (I have been cheating and sometimes leaving it at home on office days, but they are about to take away our office desktops and the laptop will be my only computer.) Currently, I use the basic work-issued laptop bag similar to this. The laptop is freaking heavy. No Macbook Airs for us.
I have been using a bag similar to this as a purse because it can hold a book or iPad mini, wallet, travel coffee mug, makeup, and other random things. If I am really good about putting on makeup at home, I could cut that out and probably get by with a smaller purse. (I can't seem to get the link to work. I attempted to link to the Timbuk2 Hyde tote.)
This might be OK if I drove and parked in my office garage, but on public transit, it's just too much. If I'm going to be in the office multiple days in a row, I can leave my gym bag there. But if, on a day like today, I am working from home but want to go to the city pool later, I have to bring the gym bag home because it has my suit, shower shoes, travel sized shampoo, etc.
I have put my lunch in my purse-ish bag before, but that starts to get REALLY heavy.
When we move, this will temporarily be alleviated because I will have to start in the office full-time. But once I have been there a while, I will be back to WFH 3 days per week. And then I'll be right back where I am now.
ETA: ALSO, to complicate matters, whatever bag my laptop goes in needs to be lockable (I have a lock). Dumb requirement because someone could just, you know, you a knife to cut open the bag. But that's what I'm supposed to do.
I keep coming up short on a good solution.
We put a man on the moon, FFS. Surely we can come up with a way for me to transport all my crap without feeling like a beast of burden.
If you go to the bag section and filter for weekender bags, you'll see lots of colors and patterns.
It's nice. It could easily hold everything you describe. Get a laptop sleeve and just throw that in there with everything else.
If this solution works for you, it may be worth upgrading to a fancier, more durable weekender style bag to carry everything in the future. But $28 seems like a cheap way to test it out.
If you go to the bag section and filter for weekender bags, you'll see lots of colors and patterns.
It's nice. It could easily hold everything you describe. Get a laptop sleeve and just throw that in there with everything else.
If this solution works for you, it may be worth upgrading to a fancier, more durable weekender style bag to carry everything in the future. But $28 seems like a cheap way to test it out.
Does this zip? Could I put a lock through the zipper? I forgot to mention that. I need to be able to lock the bag while in transit. (Yes, this is dumb because someone could just cut through the bag. But technically that is what I am supposed to do.)
ETA: I also worry it will just be so damn heavy if I throw everything but the gym bag in there. But I guess that's the only option, short of carrying less stuff. And I haven't figured out how to do that. I really wish they'd issue us laptops and let us just keep them at home.
What about a backpack? Would that be super unprofessional in your office? Not sure how casual it is there.
I have a cross body purse, which feels like I'm not wearing anything at all. I have a lunch bag like yours, and I've brought in a backpack a few times in the last couple of weeks as I slowly transport my personal items to my office (I'm using public transport now too so I feel your pain of having too many things to carry). I can throw my lunch in the backpack if it's not overpacked, but I'm thinking for you you could put your gym stuff and your laptop in the backpack, use a cross body purse, and then carry your lunch. Maybe?
If you go to the bag section and filter for weekender bags, you'll see lots of colors and patterns.
It's nice. It could easily hold everything you describe. Get a laptop sleeve and just throw that in there with everything else.
If this solution works for you, it may be worth upgrading to a fancier, more durable weekender style bag to carry everything in the future. But $28 seems like a cheap way to test it out.
Does this zip? Could I put a lock through the zipper? I forgot to mention that. I need to be able to lock the bag while in transit. (Yes, this is dumb because someone could just cut through the bag. But technically that is what I am supposed to do.)
ETA: I also worry it will just be so damn heavy if I throw everything but the gym bag in there. But I guess that's the only option, short of carrying less stuff. And I haven't figured out how to do that. I really wish they'd issue us laptops and let us just keep them at home.
What about a backpack? Would that be super unprofessional in your office? Not sure how casual it is there.
I have a cross body purse, which feels like I'm not wearing anything at all. I have a lunch bag like yours, and I've brought in a backpack a few times in the last couple of weeks as I slowly transport my personal items to my office (I'm using public transport now too so I feel your pain of having too many things to carry). I can throw my lunch in the backpack if it's not overpacked, but I'm thinking for you you could put your gym stuff and your laptop in the backpack, use a cross body purse, and then carry your lunch. Maybe?
I have considered that. I am not ruling out a backpack. I'm not worried about looking too unprofessional. I could always put a purse, lunch, and laptop in the backpack for transport and then take the purse out for any walking around I might happen to do (like running errands at lunch).
I think I do not want to mess with the gym bag and was more pointing it out as one of the reasons why I feel so bogged down. I am not ruling anything out, but I think rather combine the other items and carry the gym bag separately. I have everything perfectly organized in the gym bag for maximum efficiency.
Does this zip? Could I put a lock through the zipper? I forgot to mention that. I need to be able to lock the bag while in transit. (Yes, this is dumb because someone could just cut through the bag. But technically that is what I am supposed to do.)
ETA: I also worry it will just be so damn heavy if I throw everything but the gym bag in there. But I guess that's the only option, short of carrying less stuff. And I haven't figured out how to do that. I really wish they'd issue us laptops and let us just keep them at home.
What about a backpack? Would that be super unprofessional in your office? Not sure how casual it is there.
I have a cross body purse, which feels like I'm not wearing anything at all. I have a lunch bag like yours, and I've brought in a backpack a few times in the last couple of weeks as I slowly transport my personal items to my office (I'm using public transport now too so I feel your pain of having too many things to carry). I can throw my lunch in the backpack if it's not overpacked, but I'm thinking for you you could put your gym stuff and your laptop in the backpack, use a cross body purse, and then carry your lunch. Maybe?
I have considered that. I am not ruling out a backpack. I'm not worried about looking too unprofessional. I could always put a purse, lunch, and laptop in the backpack for transport and then take the purse out for any walking around I might happen to do (like running errands at lunch).
I think I do not want to mess with the gym bag and was more pointing it out as one of the reasons why I feel so bogged down. I am not ruling anything out, but I think rather combine the other items and carry the gym bag separately. I have everything perfectly organized in the gym bag for maximum efficiency.
I think this is the right way to go about it. If you try to fit everything in one bag, that bag is going to be super big and cumbersome -- not ideal for getting through turnstiles or into a packed car or whatever. I think one bag is too few and three bags is too many.
I'd keep the gym bag (which I love, btw) and add something along the lines of a Lo & Sons Brookline (or an OMG, if you laptop is 13" or smaller). I just looked at mine and I'm pretty sure you could lock it with a cable luggage lock. The Brookline really is a pretty perfect laptop and a whole lot of other crap bag.
If you could find the right laptop backpack, I think that would be fine too. I wouldn't worry about looking unprofessional -- as long as it is a decently conservative backpack, it will be fine.
Rolling computer bag? I loop handles of other bags on mine (lunch kit) and my small purse goes inside.
Also, the locking bag requirement is way stupid. If I'm a thief and there's 2 bags I could steal, I'm stealing the locked one, right? I get that you can't change the policy, I just felt the need to point out corporate stupidity.
I have considered that. I am not ruling out a backpack. I'm not worried about looking too unprofessional. I could always put a purse, lunch, and laptop in the backpack for transport and then take the purse out for any walking around I might happen to do (like running errands at lunch).
I think I do not want to mess with the gym bag and was more pointing it out as one of the reasons why I feel so bogged down. I am not ruling anything out, but I think rather combine the other items and carry the gym bag separately. I have everything perfectly organized in the gym bag for maximum efficiency.
I think this is the right way to go about it. If you try to fit everything in one bag, that bag is going to be super big and cumbersome -- not ideal for getting through turnstiles or into a packed car or whatever. I think one bag is too few and three bags is too many.
I'd keep the gym bag (which I love, btw) and add something along the lines of a Lo & Sons Brookline (or an OMG, if you laptop is 13" or smaller). I just looked at mine and I'm pretty sure you could lock it with a cable luggage lock. The Brookline really is a pretty perfect laptop and a whole lot of other crap bag.
If you could find the right laptop backpack, I think that would be fine too. I wouldn't worry about looking unprofessional -- as long as it is a decently conservative backpack, it will be fine.
Plus, there may be times I want to leave the laptop at work (like working in office 2 days in a row) but want the gym bag with me.
As for size, the spec sheet says the new laptop is 13.39x9.33x0.99(front)/1.14(back)
I am wondering if it would fit in one of those Alesya bags that y4m loves. I actually adore the hot pink that's available. even if I couldn't fit my lunch in there, maybe if I streamlined my purse contents more, I could at least cut down to purse/laptop bag, gym bag, and lunch bag.
I think this is the right way to go about it. If you try to fit everything in one bag, that bag is going to be super big and cumbersome -- not ideal for getting through turnstiles or into a packed car or whatever. I think one bag is too few and three bags is too many.
I'd keep the gym bag (which I love, btw) and add something along the lines of a Lo & Sons Brookline (or an OMG, if you laptop is 13" or smaller). I just looked at mine and I'm pretty sure you could lock it with a cable luggage lock. The Brookline really is a pretty perfect laptop and a whole lot of other crap bag.
If you could find the right laptop backpack, I think that would be fine too. I wouldn't worry about looking unprofessional -- as long as it is a decently conservative backpack, it will be fine.
Plus, there may be times I want to leave the laptop at work (like working in office 2 days in a row) but want the gym bag with me.
As for size, the spec sheet says the new laptop is 13.39x9.33x0.99(front)/1.14(back)
I am wondering if it would fit in one of those Alesya bags that y4m loves. I actually adore the hot pink that's available. even if I couldn't fit my lunch in there, maybe if I streamlined my purse contents more, I could at least cut down to purse/laptop bag, gym bag, and lunch bag.
I have that hot pink bag. I love it. Depending on what else you have in there, you might be able to get lunch items in there, but probably not a lunch bag.
Could you put your lunch bag in your gym bag? I'm assuming you work out during lunch? So it's not like the lunch would be in with your stinky clothes? At the end of the day, you could fold up the bag and put it in the Alesya bag.
Post by dr.girlfriend on Apr 14, 2015 11:42:38 GMT -5
I was also thinking I'd save my back and just take a small rolly bag to and from work. Have your purse and lunchbag inside it, so once you get to work you can ditch stuff there and just carry the purse on daytime outings.
Post by tacosforlife on Apr 14, 2015 11:51:32 GMT -5
OK, update, the laptop is 14.8 x 9.72 x 1.41 in. Will that fit inside the Alesya? ESFy4m
As for the lunch, I don't mind ditching the bag. Right now I just use it if I don't put my lunch box/baggies in my main purse. But if I could put lunch in the Alesya bag, that would be fine, too. I also think I am less averse to carrying purse/laptop all-in-one and then both gym and lunch bags because gym and lunch bags are light (I rarely have shoes in my gym bag since it's swim stuff).
I bought a Targus laptop backpack a few years ago. It's still going strong and I can get a LOT of stuff in there. I've taken it on overnight work trips and filled it with my laptop plus my clothes. I don't use it much nowadays since I drive to work, so currently it's our Bug Out Bag and it's crammed with stuff and still has room to spare. targus.com/us/backpacks
I like hands-free bags, like backpacks or big cross-body bags, for commuting. Trying to keep a purse on my shoulder on the crowded PATH train was a huge pain in the ass. I bought a big cross-body bag on Etsy that was great when I worked in NYC - I could fit my usual items, a lunch, change of shoes, take off my jacket/sweater and stuff it in there if it got too hot, etc. You could probably find something more suited to your needs on Etsy or ask for a custom design, but here's what I had: www.etsy.com/transaction/47116262
Like v said, it's probably best to find a large tote or backpack for your computer, lunch, and regular stuff, and then carry a gym bag separately.
I don't have a Lo & Sons bag but those come highly recommended, right? I have some Herschel bags pinned but I don't own one.
Post by jennybee1018 on Apr 14, 2015 11:57:04 GMT -5
I'm struggling with this as well!! I hate having a purse, gym bag, lunch bag, etc.
So I've given up on taking a purse, and now I just carry my gym bag and lunch bag. I have the LO and Sons OG tote, and I use it for this purpose. I throw a wristlet in there in case I need to run out for lunch or something else and want to have my phone/money with me. I put my wallet, cell phone, work keys and ID badge in the bag, and anything else that might be in my purse (gum, chapstick, etc). Then I carry my lunchbag (very similar to yours!) and nothing else. So then I just have a gym bag and lunch bag. I'm not taking public transport but I do have to walk quite a bit from the parking lot to my office in extreme temperatures.
If I needed to take my laptop home, I could squeeze it in my gym bag, or I'd throw it in a separate jute/laptop bag I keep at work.
It's not easy but I hope you can find a way to make it work!!!
Lo & Sons OG. It even has a compartment for your gym shoes/equipment to keep them separate.
Granted, I have gigantic feet, but that shoe compartment is useless for me. I think I could get my flip flops in there and that's about it.
I use wet bags (from my cloth diaper days) to keep sweaty clothing separate. That may be something to look into if you want to consider consolidating the gym bag with something else.
The more I think about it, the more I think it's vital I keep my gym bag and laptop bag separate. A wet swimsuit and a government-issued laptop seem like two things that should not be put into one bag.
Can your lunch bag fit in your gym bag? I've been doing that on the days I swim since my swimming stuff takes up so little room.
Definitely not. That gym bag is relatively small. It fits my suit, swim accessories, shower shoes, toiletry bags, and a jar of Cetaphil cream. Not much else.
Post by tacosforlife on Apr 14, 2015 12:16:41 GMT -5
So I am leaning toward the Alesya Hot Spot. I could use it as a laptop bag and purse, right? I won't hate myself for carrying a nearly-6-pound laptop in there along with purse stuff.
H thinks I should wait until we get the new laptops. I'm worried that she will finally put out the new design and I won't be able to get what I need for that price. I think I can get my TSA lock through the holes on the zipper pulls, but I can't tell if that's also true for the Lo & Sons Brookline. The OG is too small.
And while I'm sure those Tumi bags are nice, RockNVoll, 1) that is way out of my price range, and 2) the website freaking crashed my browser on my laptop so now I am mad at Tumi.
Enable me, ESF and y4m (who's going to get back from wherever she is and wonder why I tagged her a thousand times in this thread).
I got myself down to 2 bags. I bought a Timbuk2 tote and a laptop sleeve. That fits my behemoth work laptop, plus a wrestlet with wallet stuff, my yoga clothes, and enough folders for my work. I did a custom tote so I added a zipper.
LOL, the Alesya website says they hold up to a 15 inch laptop. My 13 inch Macbook Pro fits in mine with room to spare.
It's a really nice bag. The compartments are really well designed. I love the color - it's a really pretty raspberry pink.
I emailed her to ask about the specific dimensions of my laptop, which were confirmed by our IT guy. I also inquired about the ability to use a TSA lock on the zipper pulls. Cross your fingers. I think I will tell H that I agreed to upgrade our TV with the move (DON'T ASK) so I should get a bag, too. I'm not even asking to buy makeup!
This is the newer version of my government issued laptop backpack.
It fits a ton. I'd probably use something like this, then also carry a gym bag. If you still want to carry a purse for going around in the office, could you use a small one and then just carry it in your gym bag on the commute?
If you go Lo & Sons, definitely wait for a 20-25% off coupon. There should be one no later than Memorial Day.
I do find the Brookline nicely roomy. Mine currently has my laptop, a redweld, my laptop cord, iPad, kindle, wallet, sunglasses, a jar of hand cream, and a liter of water in it. If you're going to be traveling with the laptop ever, the over-the-suitcase-handle strap is super handy:
Ok, this is a suitcase but it would work great for all your needs plus a cross body as your purse. My DH just took this on a two day trip - holds laptop, ipad, chargers, - jammies, pants/shirt/undies, toiletries, small bag to take to the office with the laptop only.