I’ve been using Eagle Creek gear since my first backpacking trip, but the company makes practical luggage for those who have moved on to real jobs as well. Take this Global Commuter laptop bag, which will speed you through the airport but last you through several career changes.
Consider this to be the versatile traveler’s laptop briefcase. Sure, you can carry it into a meeting wearing a business suit, but you can also sling it over your shoulder as a messenger bag or strap it onto your back with shoulder straps if you’ve left the laptop in the hotel room and are sightseeing. With the kind of clever but unobtrusive design work Eagle Creek is known for, the flap that hides those backpack straps also has a wide fabric loop that lets you slide the bag over your wheelie suitcase handle.
Of course that’s just the beginning. The Global Commuter is checkpoint friendly, meaning you can just unzip it and lay it flat while going through security instead of having to remove your laptop from its bag. It’s got pockets and more pockets for all your papers and gadgets: one on the outside, four on the inside, and specific pouches and pockets for a phone, music player (with audio portal for the cord), and pens. There’s a removable key fob and a file organizer. Two-way zippers have handy pulls and there’s Velcro in all the right places.
This bag holds up to a 17-inch laptop and will only add an additional 2.5 pounds to your load. It’s made of heavy-duty ripstop nylon though that is water-resistant.
It comes in three colors and lists for $135. There are certainly cheaper laptop bags out there, but consider this one an investment. Like all of Eagle Creek’s gear, it’s built to last: the bag is guaranteed for life. See the full specs and more photos at the Eagle Creek site and check street prices at the online retailers below.
Eagle Creek Global Commuter Carry On Bag from Backcountry.com
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#1 by Michael G - April 28th, 2010 at 10:06
How does this compare to that Targus backpack one you reviewed a while back? It’s about $50 cheaper.
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=TSB110US
#2 by Tim - April 28th, 2010 at 12:12
That Targus Grove Convertible bag is smaller. Fine for netbooks and small laptops, but not larger ones. I like the vertical design and the feel of it, but you can’t fit as much in it and with a flap over the top it’s obviously more of a hassle at airport security. They’re both well-made, but the Eagle Creek one seems to be put together with better materials and their warranty backs that up. I’ve had good luck with their stuff over an 18-year period of travel.