The Man Bag: Part 1

A friend of mine recently bought the most amazing peacoat. However, when he's busy jetting from meeting to meeting (with laptop and books in tow), having an old skater brand backpack doesn't cut it. So, he solicited my help (as he did with the coat) and I was happy to oblige. Not being an obvious expert in the field of man bags, I asked for some recommendations from some male blogger friends, and boy did they pull through.

Criteria:
a) cross body OR backpack
b) not too fashion-y (he's straight, so handbags are out of the question)
c) doesn't deviate too much from his personal style

However, while at the KnowShow, I saw some pretty amazing bags. One brand in particular, recommended to me by at least a couple male blogger friends, was there, and let's just say, it was love.

Element

Best known for being a skate brand, Element showed some great pieces at the KnowShow, illustrating their evolution. The brand had some great men's bags at the KnowShow. These 2 were my favourite - I love the denim of the backpack and the collegiate feel of the duffle.

Penfield

Penfield has been known for their outerwear - specifically their down-filled coats. Their products are made for the harsh demands of the New England climate and have been around since 1975. With nearly 40 years of industry experience, I would bet that Penfield's bags stand the test. Perfect for Vancouver's wet weather.

Herschel Supply Co.

My personal preference (and also as recommended to me). Herschel Supply is...Surprise!...local! That's right folks, these fine bags and wallets are based out of Vancity. The aesthetic of the products is simple, yet detailed. By picking from a brand that specializes, the selection is much broader - there are varying patterns, colours, and styles - so your biggest problem would be deciding which bag to get.