Amazing (and Sophisticated) Bags You Need for Summer
Summer is almost here, which means that we’re about to hit peak travel season. Whether it’s a full blown European vacation, or just an escape to the beach for the weekend, summer is all about getting out and finding adventure. Of course, to have those adventures, you generally need to bring stuff with you. And since carrying a loose pile of clothes and gear is never an ideal option, it’s important to have the right bag for the occasion. But the right bag isn’t just a thing to put stuff in. The right bag should be one that is perfectly sized for what you need, that stands up to the harshest of traveling conditions, and that looks great while carrying it.
The key is to think about your selection of bags as if they were a battalion of soldiers going into battle. You wouldn’t send a foot soldier to fight a tank, after all. Nor would you use a dopp kit to carry a weekend’s worth of clothes. You need to have a nice lineup of bags that can perfectly serve each individual necessity, from carrying grooming essentials, to a laptop and a tablet, to clothes for an overnight trip, to clothes for a long weekend getaway. Here is a lineup of 6 amazing bags that will get you to wherever you’re going with a maximum of style, durability, and utility.
Kochmar Twain Weekender
A great weekender bag is an absolute must. Suitcases are too big and bulky for a long weekend, and a gym bag will make you look like you’re a kid coming home from college. You need something that is sleek and stylish, but that can also be tossed into the back of a car or an overhead bin without getting ripped and tattered. For that, the surefire pro move is to go with a leather bag. The Kochmar Twain is a beautiful aniline dyed cowhide weekender bag that will not only carry everything you need for a short trip, it will stand up to the most rigorous of travel conditions. Plus, it will look better and better as it develops a nice well-worn patina.
Carl Friedrik Ashby Tote
Next down the line in the bag necessity department is a high-quality tote. Not one of those canvas things you get in the supermarket, but an actual well-made, stylish, and highly versatile tote bag that you can use to carry an assortment of things for a long-ish day of adventure. Carl Friedrik is a London brand famous for making beautiful, sleek, and well-made travel bags. And their Ashby Tote is one of their hallmarks. Made from vegetable-tanned leather, it’s minimalist and modern, but with a classic style pedigree. Plus, with it’s array of well-placed inner pockets and it’s full top zip, it’s not only stylish and durable, it’s an absolute monster of organization.
Shinola Portfolia Briefcase
Obviously a great briefcase is more than a travel necessity. It’s a necessity necessity. Or at least it is if you want to look professional and, you know, grown up when carrying your various business accoutrement. But if you’re going to get a great briefcase for work, you’re going to want to make sure that it travels well too. And for that, the Shinola Portfolio Briefcase is an excellent option. Crafted from European natural grain leather, the Portfolio offers plenty of storage space and pocket options for laptops, tablets, pens, papers, books, etc. Plus it’s got an adjustable shoulder strap so you don’t have to carry it around like a spy passing off state secrets.
Filson Rugged Twill Travel Bag
Sure, you could just throw all of your grooming essentials into a plastic Zip-Loc bag. But if you’re committed to traveling with style, then you definitely need a proper toiletry bag, a.k.a. Dopp kit. Filson’s Rugged Twill Travel Bag is, surprisingly, made of rugged twill, so it scores high marks on the durability scale. But it also happens to look really cool. And, thanks to its waterproof lining and water resistant exterior, it’s perfect for keeping your toiletries from spilling all over your clothes. It's nothing fancy. But a Dopp kit doesn't need to be fancy. It just needs to get the job done and look good while doing it.
Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0
A briefcase is great for carrying your work essentials, but if you’re really doing a lot of traveling, especially if it’s on airplanes, then you’re going to want a backpack. And while that old Jansport may have gotten you through high school and college, it’s probably time for an upgrade. The Troubadour Apex is a super sleek, minimalist pack with an absolute laundry list of features and functions. Ergonomic design with a breathable back panel and padded shoulder straps, it has pockets for everything from pens, to phones, to water bottles, to headphones. Plus, it will fit up to a 17” laptop. It’s even got an instant access pocket for your keys and phone built into the shoulder strap. And with waterproof zippers and lining, it will keep your treasures dry should you find yourself caught in a summer shower.
Beckel Canvas Possibilities Duffel
When a weekender bag is too much, and a tote bag is too little, where do you turn? The Beckel Canvas Possibilities Duffel is the answer to that one. A simple all-around canvas duffle bag, it’s the ideal tool for an overnight getaway, or a family day at the lake. Made from a heavy duty 18-20 oz. cotton canvas, the Possibilities Duffel will pack 28 liters worth of goodies, and is carry-on compliant to fit under an airplane seat. Basically it’s the bag for when you need a bag that can just sort of carry what you need for a day or two of summer fun, and that can stand up to the rigors of what summer fun can throw at you.