Bags what does yours have

[MY63]

I posted this question on fpn and got some interesting suggestions but thought it would be worth asking he as well.

I have been asked to take an old bag and make the outside presentable and create a new interior in leather and suede adapting it for modern life.
I will be creating pockets for Ipad and Mac, pen case and notebook.

So what I want to know is what does your bag have that is indispensable and should be included in this project.

Any help would be appreciated

Michael

[Lady Onogaro]

Pockets. Most bags are bucket bags with only one or two small pockets. I like a zip pocket in the center. And the bag must zip closed so things don't fall out and pickpockets don't stick their hands inside.

[ardgedee]

Either adequate padding for the electronics, or else pockets large enough that the computer and tablet can be put in padded sleeves and easily inserted/removed.

The latter strategy is better; it means the bag can be usable with different tablets and laptops, as long as the pockets are properly designed. If the bag is designed to last for decades, there's no point in shaping it to the dimensions of electronics that will only last a couple years.

[MY63]

Ok so far pockets appear important, the bag is old and is referred to as a Doctors bag in the Uk and it should arrive this week.
Thanks
Michael

[inkyletters]

I agree pockets so padded cases can fit. Personally I have a soft soft for hooks near the lip of the bag to attach my keys to so I don't have to go fishing when I need them. A stretchy mesh side pocket (interior or exterior) to put a water bottle in to keep it upright would be useful. And pockets. As many covered protected pockets you can squeeze in without it looking tacky.

[RuiFromUK]

Pockets, plenty of pockets that I use very successfully (so far) in stealthily bringing pens and related materials home without my wife noticing.

[LagNut]

One thing I appreciate in bags that might hold netbooks or laptops is a place to hold the power chord/transformer. Pen pockets are also much appreciated.

If this is the Dr bag I'm thinking of, it might not be a netbook home so then I'd be sizing a phone charger holder as well as a spot to hold a cellphone.

Good luck,
Mike

[MY63]

This is my first idea for cable storage

IMG_7937 by my0771, on Flickr

It still needs a little more work but I think it may work for power supplies as well

Thanks

Michael

[tandaina]

Zippered pockets!

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. I have lots of bags with pockets that do not secure. So if the bag gets turned upside down, falls over, etc everything that was in the pockets goes flying. Utter mess, drives me batty. I prefer zipped pockets but a velcro flap over them would work too, just something so that if the bag gets up ended stuff doesn't fall out. This is true for the whole bag as well. Having a big central pocket that doesn't zip closed, or have a flap that securely closes it is also a no-no. I can't tell you how many women's bags are just a big open center portion that *maybe* has one magnetic closure in the middle. Lots of pockets that don't close either. So things are forever falling out. I hate it.

(I never carry anything but my phone for electronics so I really don't like bags with laptop or ipad cases built in. One that can be removed, fine, but they tend to waste space imho. I so wish I could find a great old leather bag and have lots of zippered and flapped pockets added to it so I could carry all my bits and bobs without fearing something had gotten lost.

[snedwos]

My back pack has a couple of elastic pen loops that I've found useful. Especially before I bought a pen case.

[Nomdeplume]

A couple of hooks/loops to attach keys!

[KrazyIvan]

Agree on the pockets. My current EDC bag is a Maxpedition Sitka and it has tons of pockets. Love it. Some pockets have large elastic bands sewn in to hold odds and ends in place. I found that to be my perfect tool pocket.

[VertOlive]

Several of my every day carry items need to be assigned their own pockets which never change. [I hate rooting about]. Some can be open, some zippered. A tall, open one for a coffee travel cup, zippered ones for things like meds or other "fall-out-ables".

And a very sturdy loop for my Qlipter full of keys!

[MY63]

This is the bag that I will be starting when it arrives, This style of bag is what is referred to as a Doctors or Gladstone bag mainly because of the opening I think.

bag 3 by my0771, on Flickr

As you can see the inside is clean and dry it is my plan to remove all of this and recline the inside with suede and leather.


bag1 by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far

Michael

[Plume145]

I agree pockets so padded cases can fit. Personally I have a soft soft for hooks near the lip of the bag to attach my keys to so I don't have to go fishing when I need them. A stretchy mesh side pocket (interior or exterior) to put a water bottle in to keep it upright would be useful. And pockets. As many covered protected pockets you can squeeze in without it looking tacky.

I have the same thing with keys, and I use this. I think there's a few other brands that do the same thing (one has a big girly plastic gem at the top, lol) but unless some new product has popped up very recently that I haven't heard about, this is the only one small enough to realistically keep on your keys permanently, especially with average-sized keychains. The others are a lot bigger so unless your actual bunch of keys itself is really big, you will have to take them off when using a small bag (like a special occasion bag), or when you want to head out with just your keys in one pocket and your phone in the other, like to walk the dog or pop to the corner shop.

Several of my every day carry items need to be assigned their own pockets which never change. [I hate rooting about]. Some can be open, some zippered. A tall, open one for a coffee travel cup, zippered ones for things like meds or other "fall-out-ables".

And a very sturdy loop for my Qlipter full of keys!

have you tried any of those handbag organizer things? Like these? They're not for everyone, many people just can't get used to them at all (I'm one!) But I know others absolutely swear by them, either as a whole or just a specific one they really like. Even I have used one on occasion with a big bucket tote with nothing in it.

sorry for the hijack Michael! I thought about PM'ing inkyletters and VertOlive but there were others making remarks in the same vein who I thought might find it useful (since it's not like everyone could get a custom MY63 bag with the exact pockets they'd want, you know?) Hope that's ok, if not feel free to delete this mods :-)

[MY63]

Hi Plume145
No problem this is exactly the kind of discussion I was hoping for, I love the idea for the keys.
If you look at the picture of the bag above the plan is to make a new bag inside from leather and suede.
The outside pockets will be for a 13 inch mac and the other side for a tablet. On the other side of the dividers one will have a document wallet and the other I was thinking of an organiser type wall with rows of Sam Browne studs and various pockets that can lift off when required.
The key fob is just a piece of leather with the right type of hole, I am already working on a wallet to hold flash drives and I.d cards.
Thanks for the input there are some great ideas I can suggest to the owner.

[RayCornett]

My leather messenger bag from Wilsons Leather in 98. I still remember. It was way less than half price. Only $35.It has a zippered pocket on the back that is as wide as the bag itself, under the flap is another zippered pocket on front but the zipper is not as wide as the bag, behind THAT is another pocket which is as wide as the back but closes by a button clasp.Then there is the main pocket which is zippered and has pockets inside for a planner, slots for 3 writing instruments(make sure the slots are wide enough for bigger FPs), and two business card sized pockets which I am not sure of the actual purpose but I place smaller things in there. Sometimes actual business cards. THEN behind that pocket is a pocket as wide as the bag but very thin. Just wide and thick enough for my leather portfolio which cost more than the bag because it was NOT on sale,lol. Lets not forget the heavy duty strap with very heavy duty metal lanyard type clasps that attach to triangular shaped "D rings". It has served me well and will for many more years to come. It holds everything I need.2014-04-13 18.24.18.jpgCameraZOOM-20140316235335573.jpg2014-04-13 18.26.06.jpg2014-03-21 00.53.14.jpg







2014-04-13 18.24.18.jpg

[Adhizen]

Pockets a must.... some zippered pockets are really good... zippered closure is good... I like lined bags.... I like leather and canvas bags. They can run on the heavy side yet they tend to last the longest for the work I do. Pen slots are good for the pens in rotation for the day... I carry a smartphone and tablet sometimes so having space for them is important... space for a notepad and note book are a plus....

One last thing....the bag has to magically make everything I carry 30% lighter in some sort of anti-gravity kind of way

I'm drawn to these brands:
Filson
Duluth
Col. Littleton

[alc3261]

Pockets, plenty of pockets that I use very successfully (so far) in stealthily bringing pens and related materials home without my wife noticing.

That's why you have things sent to your work address!!

[alc3261]

This is the bag that I will be starting when it arrives, This style of bag is what is referred to as a Doctors or Gladstone bag mainly because of the opening I think.

bag 3 by my0771, on Flickr

As you can see the inside is clean and dry it is my plan to remove all of this and recline the inside with suede and leather.


bag1 by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far

Michael

I have one of these to use as a Doctor's Bag (for obvious reasons) but the lack of organisation is a pain.
My parents bought it for me when I qualified and it is now almost 30 years old.
It looks slightly better than this version!!