I was musing about a briefcase that would look "low profile" enough for urban/office environments but that would also provide maximum utility in a bad situation. The image in my mind was the masses of office workers walking home last year in New York (or was it 2 years ago?). Such a bag would be for the kind of items you want to have but can't wear on your person (2nd-line vs. 1st-line gear).

I envisioned a practical, organized carrying bag that could fly under the radar as a reasonably appropriate business case, which kind of rules out the Maxpedition type packs. I think that a backpack mode would be really useful if you were spending some time on foot while evacuating. It would free up your hands without a shoulder strap being slung around your neck.

I found the following 2 bags that look like computer cases but have hide-able shoulder straps. I'm linking to ebags.com because they have good pics & info.

Patagonia One-Bag : I have one of these on order and will see how it works out. It seems to have a lot of room.

Camelbak Field Case : I would love to see more of this bag but I can't find any other pics on the web. It looks like it has more organizing options than the Patagonia bag.

Both units have carrying slots for a laptop which I think enhances their daily usefullness.

There are plenty of good backpack-style computer cases on the market but they still look like backpacks, which is too casual for some environments. The above bags may be an option for some.

One of my favorite sites. Lots of "hide in plain sight" type gear.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/briefcases_bags/briefcases_bags.aspx?navlocation=dept_left

call me odd - there are a LOT of folks on the NYC subways who wear backpacks/bookbags - of course, I take it to the extreme - an Eagle Becker Patrol Pack - stuffed - with the camelback in, it's ONLY about 60 lbs of EDC (NOT kidding)

Countycomm and Maxpedition both make "briefcases" and/or "laptop cases" that are designed to keep a low profile from the outside but provide a lot of functionality on the inside. Then again, the Duluth Trading bags might work just as well...

I have to second the Duluth Trading Company suggestion. Their briefcases are super sturdy, have lots of organizing pockets/slots, look professional and are priced reasonably, particularly if you catch a good sale. I've found DTC's stuff to be very good in general. I buy hats from them because they sell reasonably-priced ones for people with big heads like me.

That's the rub, but I think the key here is:
(1) Take note of what everyone else in your office carries (so you don't look TOO out of place), and
(2) Ensure that what you carry looks classy rather than tactical.

No one in my office carries anything, really. To avoid questions, I make sure my soft briefcase is on the classy side and has some goodies buried at the bottom.

My shoulder bag is also on the classy side, made of nylon with leather accents, and is reasonably packed with sensible goodies. Goodies I can easily explain should the need arise.

Someone actually did ask me what I had in my bag. I honestly answered, "Oh, you know, a few flashlights, first aid items, instant ice pack, bandana, digital camera, hand sanitizer, compass, folding mirror..."

The person who asked grinned, backed off, and hasn't said anything about the bag since. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Craig

I bought the Traveler's Portfolio from Duluth Pack. I choose the one in black. My wife likes it. It's a classy soft briefcase.

Craig

I have several of their canvas pieces -- very nice and well made.

I use the Volt XL from these guys (a backpack-style case that can turn into a briefcase and stow its own straps); they also make briefcase-style bags. Everything I've had from them has been high quality, backed up with great service:

http://www.spireusa.com

Yeah, I gotta give Duluth a recommendation, too. I got one of their "Fully Evolved" Briefcases a few months ago, and I really like it. Strong, has a padded laptop pocket, and it holds a ton of sh... er, stuff.

But, had I known about that Camelbak "Field Case", I would have had to take a look at it, too. Funny thing is, I can not ffind that item on Camelbak's website, or of it's parent company, Eagle Industries. Odd.

.....CLIFF
(like, who else?)