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Most Ergonomic / Least Wierd-Looking Way to Carry Laptop?

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jon44

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Because people seemed to think it was a bad idea for the longevity of a cashmere overcoat to wear it with any type of strap , I stopped wearing my cashmere coat when I knew I wanted the ergonomic benefits of a backpack (I've got a bad hip / lumbar spine).

So, today I'm visiting NYC, doing a lot of walking (so chose to use a backpack), and wish I had my (warmer) cashmere coat (suprisingly cold here!).

The only ergonomic solution I can think of to avoid wear on the coat would be to carry two briefcases in each hand (so that weight is balanced). I'm wondering how silly this looks? (Another solution that comes to mind is a rolling briefcase, but this seems like a huge hassle in dealing with subway stairs, etc. )

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Jon
 
#3 ·
I agree with Cary Grant. Alternatives: get a cheaper overcoat for times when you want to carry your backpack and save the cashmere one for special occasions, or get a tweed jacket with leather shoulder patches.

With a rolling briefcase, maybe you could use the elevators in the subway (surely, they have elevators for people in wheelchairs?).
 
#4 ·
PocketTriangle said:
With a rolling briefcase, maybe you could use the elevators in the subway (surely, they have elevators for people in wheelchairs?).
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People can, and do, but when an elevator is out of service (which they frequently are), the officially recommended workaround is to use the working elevator on the other side, take the train in the wrong direction to a station with two working elevators, and switch over there.

Rattling a rolling briefcase down a flight of stairs is very hard on the laptop. I wouldn't recommend it.

My laptop case has two handles and a shoulder strap. I would think that placing the shoulder strap over the neck (resting on one shoulder while the bag sits on the opposite hip) would allow not only balance but additional security. Is there one side that would be more comfortable than the other?
 
#5 ·
I think the new rolling briefcases are fine for picking up even with the handle extended and if you pack them with a reasonable amount of stuff and a relatively light laptop you should have your problem solved. The alternative is to bend down and quickly close the extended handle and carry it for a short time as a briefcase.

Some of the new ones are even quite handsome.

Perry
 
#6 ·
Consider a messenger bag - still not compatible with a long cashmere coat but looks a bit better in a city than a backpack and the rolling cart idea wouldn't work with stairs and curbs etc. as your laptop would be pounded.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
pkincy said:
I think the new rolling briefcases are fine for picking up even with the handle extended and if you pack them with a reasonable amount of stuff and a relatively light laptop you should have your problem solved.
Some of the new ones are even quite handsome.

Perry
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Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have any specific models to suggest?
 
#9 ·
jon44:

Here's some ergonomic tips from the Briefcase Chapter of The Encyclopedia of Men's Clothes (have you downloaded yours yet?):
When lifting a briefcase, hold it as close to your body as possible. Reaching out looses lift power and strains the body.​
​
​


When carrying briefcases or luggage you'll put less strain on your shoulders and upper back by carrying them right! Instead of clenching all of your fingers on the handle, hook the handle with only the last three fingers (little, fourth and middle). You'll feel support come from the back and triceps, which will help keep the shoulders from curling forward.
​
 
#12 ·
The sleeve is of paramount importance

The bag itself is whatever you find to be sharp. IMO, the Filson bags are pricey but swell. Patagonia's Half-Mass in a brown or grey has been my personal choice over the years.

The necessary purchase aside from any bag is a laptop sleeve. The section for laptops in any bag is not padded enough to protect your computer...unless you don't care about the computer.

My favorite sleeves are the ones made by Timbuk2---they are water resistant on the outside, lined with thick velvet cord. fabric. You can get them on Zappos.com. They have adequately protected my Mac laptops.
 
#13 ·
jon44 said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have any specific models to suggest?
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I've used an Empire Builder from Tom Bihn every workday for a couple years now. The only sign of wear is on the zipper pulls. Otherwise it still looks new. Obviously, they're not leather in a classic style, but Cordura in multiple conventional styles.

If you're looking for a leather laptop bag, this company has been well-reviewed here on AAAC: Custom Hide. I might have to order from there myself in the future...
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Don'tPanic said:
I've used an Empire Builder from Tom Bihn every workday for a couple years now.

If you're looking for a leather laptop bag, this company has been well-reviewed here on AAAC: Custom Hide. I might have to order from there myself in the future...
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Thanks. The Custom Hide pieces are beautiful and would be a great ergo solution if I lived in Amsterdam. I don't think I've ever seen anyone in the states wear a backpack style leather briefcase (look awfully cute on French school children also.)

I realize I still had an open question--how "gentlemanly" would it look to carry a nice leather "Custom Hide" piece in one hand, and a second laptop specific case in the second. (I find balancing the load is much easier on my body, and then don't mind carrying the stuff as much.)
 
#15 ·
jon44 said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have any specific models to suggest?
Click to expand...
I use Samsonite Laptop Pillow 2 Toploader L for my laptop. It is equipped by two handles and shoulder strap that is much versatile then Messenger bag from the same line. I have had it for two month, so not much experience with the quality till now. Wheeled laptop suitcase with handle is fine if you go by car. Using it in public transport could be a pain.
 
#16 ·
Use a leather folio with just the computer in it and carry it under your arm.

I would 2nd the rolling attaché case also. You see them more and more. Lawyers seem to have some really nice ones that hold quite a bit.
 
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#17 ·
Miket61 said:
Rattling a rolling briefcase down a flight of stairs is very hard on the laptop. I wouldn't recommend it.
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Being an IT/computer science guy, I wouldn't recommend it either. I would personally stay away from carrying your laptop in any rolling briefcase/luggage case, even if you can provide a good amount of padding.
 
#18 ·
Joho said:
Being an IT/computer science guy, I wouldn't recommend it either. I would personally stay away from carrying your laptop in any rolling briefcase/luggage case, even if you can provide a good amount of padding.
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I am putting my laptop on the top of the trolley cabin luggage. Probably not a superb idea but easy and comfortable.
 
#19 ·
jon44 said:
Because people seemed to think it was a bad idea for the longevity of a cashmere overcoat to wear it with any type of strap , I stopped wearing my cashmere coat when I knew I wanted the ergonomic benefits of a backpack (I've got a bad hip / lumbar spine).

So, today I'm visiting NYC, doing a lot of walking (so chose to use a backpack), and wish I had my (warmer) cashmere coat (suprisingly cold here!).
Jon
Click to expand...
I guess this is probably late, but:

I don't think you'll have as much issue with a backpack as with most shoulder/messenger bags--as long as you use both straps (which it sounds like you're doing). The damage to the coat is *much* more from the strap sliding across the fabric than just from the weight. If you wear the backpack properly it won't rub nearly as much.

That said, I do have some recommendations that might help, but they might be a bit expensive.

One is to not carry a laptop at all most of the time. Have a "work" machine at the office, and a home machine. Get a copy of VMware Workstation (or one of hte competitors) and build a VM with all your stuff in it. (this is easier than it sounds), then carry a small 2.5 inch USB drive around with you. When you get to the office plug it in, start your VM up and go to work. At the end of the day shut it down, disconnect the drive and take it home. Much less weight, and fits in your coat pocket.

Or get something like the OQO (www.oqo.com) or the tiny litte Fujitsu. They also fit in a pocket, and have tiny screens for working whereever (and tiny keyboards), but you can have docking station at work and at home. etc.

Get a really light weight laptop, like the Macbook Air, or whatver Dell/HP/Lenovo is selling to compete against it. Have a couple or three extra pockets sewn into your overcoat for the power cord and any small things you cannot live without, then get one of those neoprene laptop cases and *just* carry the laptop and whatever papers you cannot reduce to electrons.

Heck, depending on why you need a laptop you might be able to get away with one of those cheap netbooks (around 2-3 pounds).
 
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Discussion starter · #20 ·
Thanks again for the ideas. Getting a ultra mobile pc is certainly something I've considered. But, problem is, for a day visiting the big city, I tend to carry around a bunch of other junk: energy bars, reading material, water, stuff I've bought in town, etc..

For this reason, a backpack if very handy (if not the most stylish). I'm not sure I agree that sliding of the straps is what causes wear, as I would think just heavy compression of any insulative material causes a breakdown in the fibers.

(And, not sure I want to sew special pockets at this point into my most expensive item of clothing.)

Jon
 
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