Murse

I went from briefcase to backpack. I have minor meds, etc... and a BUG in mine.....'cause 2 is 1.........
 
No matter how big the document is, I fold it up and put it in my wallet.

Lived in Italy a while. You have to carry the car "book" (registration / owner history / title all in one) with you, as you couldn't report a car stolen or reclaim a tow-away without it. And it is HUGE. I folded mine an extra time to get it down to wallet size, but got in trouble at an inspection stop because the print was worn off at the crease. Had to get a new one issued. That was a real mess.

And your wallet is a prime target for pickpockets all over Europe. You learn quickly. And the lesson is generally painful.
 
While I don't have one a messenger bag makes sense over a briefcase in big cities. For instance Philadelphia downtown, where all the business types are is a modern city but built on top of the original street grid from the 1600s. This means lots and lots of small one way streets, little alley like streets, lots of one way traffic. ....lot of traffic. Taking your car there sucks. Lots of people take the train and or bike. A messenger bag allows you to use both hands while having the bag over your shoulder. Or you can wake up every day at 3am, if your job starts at 9am, and try to beat the traffic and find parking!! Don't forget to leave extra early or extra late ....to beat traffic home.

Same for Europe. Lots of old cities that arnt exectly car friendly but bikes work great
 
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Everything I need for the day is carried on my person. No need for a man-purse.

I used to tell my wife there were only two things I wouldn't do for her.

1. Carry her purse.
2. Buy feminine hygiene products for her.

Now there's only the first thing. :D

John
 
After spending time in Europe in the '60s and '70s I started carrying a rucksack. In Germany and the Norse countries, even men wearing casual business suits carried them. They could be had in all kinds of colours and patterns, so finding one compatible with clothing was easy.

In the US, before the Internet, I bought small backpacks and modified them to serve as briefcase/backpacks. Sometime in the mid-90s, purpose-built ones from Wenger (Swiss Army Knife) and others started showing up, and I carried one until I retired.

I did have a hard aluminum case from Haliburton I used in the early '80s and the '90s for when I just had to use one, and it was great. I began to develop hand trouble in the late '90s and my doc said to stop carrying one - ever. So I did.

Still have a Wenger and use it when I travel.
 
Get a rabbit fur possibles bag. When someone asks you what it is, just tell them its a fanny pack for a Yeti.
 
I carry a tool bag, one of the $9.95 Cordura variety, although at work I refer to it as a "busman's satchel". On the bus I always carry a few simple tools, an extra knife, a bottle of water, a couple of Clif bars, the daily paper, a book, a pair of gloves, a bandana and a couple of cigars.

I have also been known to use Aerostich motorcycle bags in various sizes. These are modeled on bicycle messenger bags. When I was lawyering, I usually used one as a combination briefcase, laptop bag, particularly handy if i was commuting by motorcycle.
 
The only time I ever used a fanny pack was wading a river in Washington state fly fishing and didn't have anything else to use. Had to buy it at the campground I was staying in.
 
I never could afford a brief case. Actually, I was just too darned cheap to shell out the kind of money they wanted for one. So, I always carried students' homework assignments, term papers, and exams that needed to be graded in my saddlebags.

My daughter, who was fourteen at the time, said, "Dad, don't take those old saddlebags to work. People will think you're weird."

I told her it was too late for that. Anyway, I found out later that the students thought they were cool. Hmmm. Go figure.
71-Close_up-12476-bags2.jpg
 
When I'm riding motorcycles, I often carry a Maxpedition version of the courier bag that has a padded compartment for concealed carry. It's bigger than a fanny pack, so it works great for carrying a lunch, along with other necessities. A velcro strap system inside the padded concealed carry compartment safely positions my handgun when I'm off my bike. The MOLLE system allows me to carry OC spray, bear spray, and a small tactical flashlight in outer pouches. I like the fact that the bag keeps my hands free, yet all my gear is readily accessible without having to remove a pack from my back. Works well for me.
 
Of course what I'd really like to carry is this:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vycUFoQChqY[/ame]
 
The trouble with briefcases or anything similar is that you tie up one hand carrying it, and there is the possibility of leaving it behind somewhere accidentally (something you really don't want to do if it includes a concealed gun). So that leaves you with a few options: stuff your pockets, use a backpack, use a fanny pack, or use a murse.

Stuffed pockets are uncomfortable and make it a pain to get what you need when you need it. Backpacks are vulnerable to pick pockets since you can't your eye on things behind your back. And fanny packs, are, well..... just so 1980's and silly looking.

Many years ago I bought what you could call a murse from Coronado Leather and it was/is called a cross carry bag. It is a high quality smallish leather bag with an angled strap so that you carry it over your shoulder and across your body comfortably. This means you have both hands free and the bag is secure and can't be yanked off your shoulder. It is designed to carry what you need, and has a rear compartment specifically designed for carrying a handgun. When traveling on vacation or maybe just going out for the day I sometimes take this "murse" to hold my keys, sunglasses in a case, smartphone, maybe my wallet, and of course my concealed carry gun. Especially in the summer when I am wearing lightweight shorts and a light cotton shirt, where I don't want the weight of filled pockets this cross carry bag comes in mighty handy. Drawing my concealed gun is as easy, or easier than when I am using an IWB or OWB holster on my belt and an untucked shirt. Its about the same ease of draw as using a pocket pistol where you don't have to clear the bottom of your shirt to get to the pocket.

This murse that I own has to be over 10 years old and the high quality, thick leather looks as good as the day I got it. Also, the rear compartment, where the gun goes, has a lock on the zipper. Not much to stop a determined thief if you left the bag unattended, but enough to stop curious grandkids who might find the bag on the bedside table while you are sleeping, giving more security than just having a holstered gun lying out in the open.

If I recall, the cost of this bag was $145, but that was over 10 years ago. I always have my gun holstered as well, inside the bag, so that if I choose to tuck the gun into my belt as an IWB or put it into my pocket I still have that option using my Remora holster.
 
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