What do you take as a briefcase to work? Would you rather have a briefcase that doubles as a lumbar pack or doubles as a backpack? I have been checking out the golite lynx at reioutlet.com.

Messenger bag style is what I use. Kind of hard to put work folders in a lumbar bag and I would rather have a couple of 20 oz bottles of water rather than a bladder tube sticking out. But then to each his own...a messenger bag will hold a lot more..IMHO, draw less attention and be generally more useful on a daily basis...but as a said, for my work I need to be able to carry folders. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ditto on the need to tote folders. I have a briefcase from Duluth Trading Company. The make gear and clothes for contractors. Looks like a standard nylon briefcase/laptop type bag but very heavy duty. Sturdy enough for tools, if needed, with lots of slots for preparedness gear.

I've been using Tenba's c416 Computer Traveler for about the past 12-15 years. Unfortunately, it looks like Tenba has discontinued this line. I was lucky enough to pick up my first one from Egghead Software for about $35 on clearance, and later picked up two more for $33/ea at the Trenton Computer Festival. One is still in reserve for when my second bag wears out. These bags sold for something like $160, so I feel really lucky to have gotten such great bags. The later versions can convert into a backpack with an additional harness.

Tenba is primarily a camera bag mfg, and made protective inserts to also carry camera gear in these bags. Their new D-Series bags look nice, but I still love my old c416's. They are very similar in style to the Danish School Bags I carried for years in HS and college (and after), but made of ballistic nylon instead of canvas.

I've been using the canvas Lands End Attache' case for 20 years or more and it is the one I always go back to when I get a desire to get something fancier or high tech. Got my maxpedition fatboy in it now with my other stuff and it has been a keeper.

I LOVE their Presentation Briefcase, but it's simply too expensive.

-- Craig

It is a thing of beauty. I have their Master Series briefcase. Normally $50-60 but $30 right now. After going through some "disposable" bags I finally got one that should last a good while.

I have a Dana Designs "Jefferson" lumbar pack; it doesn't look anything like a briefcase but I can easily put work folders and/or a midsized laptop computer into it. Lumbar packs are great, much easier on the shoulders than a backpack or messenger bag.

What's a lumbar pack ?
Do the Maxpedition Devildog or Proteus Versipacks qualify for that name ?

Well..IMHO, a lumbar bag is really just a glorified Fanny Pack. I use a small Fanny pack for hunting, but Lumbar bags are bigger, hold more gear and have larger flat section that rides against your lumbar section and provides more support. The extra support is needed because of the larger size and heavier weight.

I'm not familiar with the two bags you mentioned, but if they have a rather large flat part that is going to ride just above the waistline on your back..you my French friend have a lumbar bag. To each his own, I just never liked wearing anything like that...I much prefer the messenger bag style..but hey that's why there are so many manufacturers huh?