Pappa's Got a Brand-New Bag—Several, In Fact

Kyoto: Hiking from Kibune to Kurama

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Gregory Rambler
In the daypack arms race, Gregory provides some diplomatic détente with this svelte, low-profile number. Multi-use yet not overloaded, the Rambler will see you from that last meeting to the après activity of your choice with no fuss and plenty of options. The Rambler's 1,450 cubic inches allow you to pack your notebooks and business doodads along with water and your trail-running gear, for example, without looking like you just stepped into Meeting Room Aspen from the Mongolian Steppe. Our tester, on a recent business trip to Santa Fe, noted that the straps had a habit of twisting in on themselves as he hoisted the bag onto his back. But that's our only complaint. An included padded sleeve keeps your laptop ding free, while two padded side pockets do the same for your mobile phone and MP3 player. Water-resistant zippers and a hardy outer shell mean you can bike in a drizzle to a meeting and still have your business lifelines breathing at that 9 A.M. presentation. $139; www.gregorypacks.com

Timbuk2 Datadump Daypack
Take a trad messenger bag, merge it with an elementary-school backpack, and you get the Datadump Daypack. From bag wunderkinds Timbuk2, this voluminous pack opens wide like a courier bag to swallow a weekend's worth of sundries, then closes with a zip and two clips for secure travel. Well-padded shoulder straps, top handle, and a removable waist strap keep the load comfortable, whether you're hopping from subway to airport or zipping in and out of downtown traffic on your bike. And Timbuk2's famed design in a choice of four colors assures you'll stay fashion forward in any setting. Exterior pockets flank either side with organizing elements (such as MP3 player and mobile phone slots, a key clip, and mesh interior pockets), but their space can get compressed if the main compartment is packed tightly. Also, the top-loading composition means getting to that magazine or paperback requires going through the top. Your laptop, however, is ingeniously accessible via a separate padded compartment sandwiched between the back padding and the main compartment. Simply pull down the full-length zip, slide the computer from its corduroy-lined pocket, and you're ready to go wireless—or through airport security—in seconds. $100; www.timbuk2.com

L.L. Bean Celia Daypack
Designed specifically for the ladies, this bag features narrower and contoured shoulder straps, a streamlined back panel, and a slim pack design. But that doesn't mean the pack is short on space. You can choose from three sizes ranging from 1,700 to 2,300 cubic inches. That choice alone sets this daypack apart from most others, men's or women's. The Celia is a bit more outdoorsy than the other bags we looked at, but the ultra-feminine fabric colors—powder blue, citron, and wild iris—are just too stylish to keep solely on the trail. The pack has plenty of room for a laptop (though you'd want to get a padded sleeve for it) and all your sundries for an overnight trip. Light packers could even get away with a long weekend. The most impressive design element of this bag? You can easily access all of your stuff in the main compartment from either the top or the side panel. Two front pockets and a top lid keep essentials (boarding pass, mobile phone, keys) handy. Also, a long slender pocket runs most of the length of the pack and is the perfect place to stash magazines and books. Side mesh pockets hold water bottles, but the pack also has a hydration-bladder sleeve if Nalgenes aren't your favorite accessory. Are you men jealous yet? Don't worry, the Celia has a brother: the Bigelow Daypack. Best of all, both packs are refreshingly affordable. $59; www.llbean.com

WaterField Designs Cozmo
With airline restrictions so tight these days, many of you are checking bags that would previously have been carried on. That makes your carry-on choice even more important. WaterField Designs' Cozmo bag will easily house your laptop and whatever else you'll need during a flight. Choose between three sizes to best accommodate the amount of stuff you travel with. The bag sports a sleek design, built with durable ballistic nylon and optional leather details, so you can take it from the airport straight into the meeting room. The Cozmo stands up on its own, whether it's empty or full, making it a snap to load and unload. And forget about sore shoulders. The optional suspension shoulder strap and off-set D-rings made even a dinosaur of a laptop (four years old, gasp!) feel lighter. Your best bet is to get the Cozmo Mambo Combo, which includes a Cozmo, Sleeve Case (for extra laptop protection), and a Gear Pouch (for cables, an iPod, etc.). If you add D-rings to the Sleeve Case, you can use it as a stand-alone when you don't have much else to carry. All of these extra features are optional, and you can custom-construct the right combination for your needs on WaterField's website. This personalized experience is just one of the perks of dealing with a company that designs and makes every one of their bags in San Francisco. $144 (medium Cozmo), $174 (medium Cozmo Mambo Combo); www.sfbags.com