What is your budget?

 

I'd like to keep it to £100 (#$150) max. Cheap but not skimping on quality

 

A duffle or nice "gym" bag would be perfectly fine. The bag itself doesn't make it "feminine," the way you carry it does.

 

I knew a woman who carried a shoulder bag . . . with a suspicious bulge at the bottom because she was a narc. No, it wasn't the least bit 'feminine'.

 

This would be my choice, in tan.....

 

Personally I've come to use those re-usable grocery tote since everyone keeps giving them to me.
The above Filson is great, as is the classic LL Bean canvas tote in dark colors.
Leather at this price will not be good and will age poorly. Canvas may not have the ultimate durability, but it will look okay until worn through where lesser leather will look awful quite soon.
I want to suggest some old military messenger bag or gas mask bag () but that's pushing it. Similar to the above, I suggest a simple dark canvas bag with some leather trim.
https://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/fire-hose-and-leather-messenger-bag-63751.aspx

 

Tempest, thanks for the tips! I need something I can carry a Macbook, a charger, and various other junk in. The one at Duluth Trading seems perfect.

 

I want to avoid the modern "feminine-man" look.

Then ignore any suggestion that includes the word "tote."

 

Here's one (though outside your budget),

https://killspencer.com/briefcase-2-0.html#

 

Tempest, thanks for the tips! I need something I can carry a Macbook, a charger, and various other junk in. The one at Duluth Trading seems perfect.

Duluth Trading rocks. They are my go-to source for polos and I have had excellent experiences with their other products as well.

 

Here's one (though outside your budget),

https://killspencer.com/briefcase-2-0.html#

Well at least it's only $300 over his budget. :confused2:

 

I own and love this bag; about $631 U.S. new:

 

Then ignore any suggestion that includes the word "tote."

That's funny, I've been carrying Filson/Chameau tote for a couple of years now. Oh well, nothing more feminine then oiled tin cloth and Chameau rubber. Perhaps it's it' the bridal leather straps.

 

Whatever it is called, a Filson bag in the size you want, from "tote" to their padded laptop briefcase, is not feminine-looking and will last a long time. My preference is for the tan color, which shows dirt but looks rugged rather than shabby. I've had the regular briefcase for about 10 or fifteen years. I travel with it stuffed wit laptop and all the things I won't let go of.

Gurdon

 

My grail bag would be a Saddleback.

 

I think a leather duffle bag is a good choice. I bought a leather duffle bag from Amazon for less than $200. It looks great and performs as expected. Go with a 22-inch length bag so that it fits within airline carry-on restrictions. Anything below 20 inches in length looks a bit small for a duffle bag.

 

I would suggest a canvas and leather fishing bag of the type made by Hardy and others. If this is a bit beyond the budget figure, look for one on ebay.

 

I know it's a bit over the OP's preferred price points, but my Col. Littleton #1 Grip Satchel is just about the finest overnight bag it's been my pleasure to experience. I'm normally considered to be a bit on the tight side by many who know me, but in this instance, the price is justified by the experience. i am absolutely the piece will outlast me and be passed on to the next generation! It can be found at www.colonellittleton.com. :thumbs-up:

 

Before looking to specifics of brand and material, you might think about how you will use the bag. Where and how will it be knocked around, rained on and soiled? Is security a factor? Will you want it to stand erect for retrieving and replacing contents, and will you want to do that with one hand? Other considerations may apply to your situation.

 

I have a Filson 257, which I picked up used on a forum somewhere. They go on sale occasionally at Brooks Brothers and a few other vendors. Ebay works, too.

I highly recommend it and other Filson products. Crazy durable and plenty "manly" yet still somehow classy enough to be ok with a suit. Worth saving up for, in my opinion.

 

Maybe a waxed canvas or leather messenger bag. Personally I love waxed canvas.

 

I feel bad breaking the trend, but here's a recommendation actually within your budget.

https://www.blueclawco.com/collections/duffel-bags

 

I have a Tusting and can attest to the quality and durability. I bought my bag from a store but see them used on ebay from time to time like the one DaveS linked to finish around your budget.

 

I have a Fossil messenger bag........."Wagner" is the model name I think. I bought it my second year in college (2010) and it's still going strong. I think it was around $80 and is made from a very heavy canvas that has stood up to quite a beating. I doubt the particular model is still made but Fossil bags all seem to be well made for the price.

 

So many excellent suggestions! I'll go to Regent or Oxford Street this week and use them to guide me.

I think I'll go for a duffel bag, a Filson padded bag or other bag like the Duluth Trading one. I'll stick to canvas or similar, since leather does not age well at low prices, as mentioned above.

It's amazing how hard it is to find quality products at low prices these days. I bought a bag a couple of years back from Zara for £50 (~$75) and it starting falling apart within a year. Compare this to a rucksack my parents bought me over 15 years ago for well below £20. That lasted for years before becoming damaged. And that got a lot of rough use, unlike the Zara bag.

Thanks for your help, all! I'll post when I've bought a bag