Help me find a work tote Update

[1yeartogo]

I am overwhelmed. I now need to commute by train periodically for my job. I need a laptop bag that I can use as a purse when I need to travel/commute. It needs to fit a 15” laptop, my lunch/water bottle, and normal things like wallet/keys.

I don’t want super bulky/heavy since I have to walk a ways to get to the office so it needs to have straps that sit comfortably on the shoulder (don’t dig in) or have a crossbody option. Hopefully it would also have some type of accessible pocket for my transit card/Id without having to dig through the whole bag/wallet.

Anyone have recommendations?? Thanks so much!


Update: I bought the Samsonite mobile solution deluxe backpack and I love it. I haven’t worn it yet but am excited to try it on my next commute.

[Susie]

I haven't had good luck finding anything that is messenger style/cross body style that really works like this.  The 15" laptop (vs. 13") narrows your options considerably.  I've tried the Lo & Sons Brookline (which fits a 15" laptop), and a few others, but they all dig in weird if I wear them crossbody, they pull on my shoulders asymmetrically if I wear them on one shoulder, and generally fail to meet expectations.  It's just too much weight to wear that way.

I have done best with a backpack style work bag, and then a very small crossbody wallet that fits in the backpack.  My backpack is from Tumi, MH recently got one from Timbuk2.  I like my Tumi one except that I wish it had a pocket for a water bottle.  The crossbody wallet that I have is old/discontinued, but it holds wallet, phone, metro cards, and a lip balm, and not really anything else.  Keys stay in the backpack.

[midwestmama]

I was coming here to also recommend a backpack and small crossbody, like Susie. I have found over the years that a tote results in back or shoulder pain due to imbalance of weight. I would not want a heavy tote for a long walk. Even when I started going back into the office after COVID, I tried using a tote again (after a few years prior to COVID using a backpack), and I hated the tote and went back to a backpack. With a backpack, the weight is evenly distributed and your hands/arms are free. I like my small Vera Bradley crossbody sling bag - it's the perfect size for my wallet, phone, and keys. This crossbody has two zippered pockets - a larger one that fits my wallet and phone, and then a smaller one. The smaller one would be perfect for your transit/ID card as the only thing in that pocket as then you don't have to dig through anything else to access it.

I have my eye on the Nordace Siena backpack, but maybe that would be too large for your needs? What I like about it is all of the compartments (I hate having to dig to find small things).

[purplepenguin7]

I use the MZ Wallace Large Metro tote for similar purposes. it doesn't have a laptop sleeve but my laptop fits in it perfectly (15 in). There is a front pocket where I keep my work ID and would fit a metro card/train pass. It's pretty large but I carry a crap ton of stuff even on the weekends. It's very lightweight empty so I find it to not be heavy when its less full (ie weekeneds, non work days).

www.mzwallace.com/products/black-rec-large-metro-tote-deluxe

[dutchgirl678]

I use a black Samsonite backpack which is not only great for carrying a laptop and lunch/water bottle but I also use it for business travel.

[goldengirlz]

I’m a big fan of Knomo bags. I have the Beauchamp backpack (I work in tech and everyone wears a backpack) but they have some convertible options, like this one: knomo.com/products/reykjavik-laptop-tote-backpack-black-129-402-blk2

They also have regular tote bags as well.

I’ve had mine for at least four years (granted, two of those years were covid) but it still looks great and I get a lot of compliments. One of my younger coworkers even stopped me and wanted to get one for his girlfriend!

[Poppy]

I also use a backpack. I use a Sherpani Sojourn but that only fits 13" laptops. This similar one fits 15" and does convert to crossbody/tote:

www.rei.com/product/226953/sherpani-soleil-at-bag-womens

I think in your case I might look for a more traditional backpack, though, to make sure you have room for your lunch and to make sure it's as ergonomic as possible.

[1yeartogo]

Thanks for the suggestions…I have shifted my search to backpacks but still haven’t picked one hopefully I can decide before the weekend ends!