Slim laptop trolley bag

[JennyWren]

I'm hoping that you lovely people can help me!

I've got a slipped disc in my upper spine and as part of my precautions against future problems I want to find an alternative to my lovely leather satchel laptop bag. The weight of that over my shoulder is too much so I want a pull-along version so I don't have to carry it all day on work trips, but I can't find anything I like from the UK.

I want it to be small enough to take as a laptop bag as carry-on luggage (so I can still take a small suitcase as my main piece of carry-on luggage), and that rules out lots of the big trolley bags. It only needs to take my laptop, an A4 notebook and maybe the laptop cable and a few pens.

I like this one from Amazon www.amazon.co.uk/GKBMSP-Wheeled-Business-Fashion-Computer/dp/B07KQ5YWPP/ref=asc_df_B07KQ5MYDH/?hvlocphy&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&hvnetw=o&hvadid=%7Bcreative%7D&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos=%7Badposition%7D&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=%7Bdevicemodel%7D&hvqmt=e&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-4583451665649194&hvrand=%7Brandom%7D but it comes from China and I'm a bit uncertain about that. Does anyone know where I might find a slim trolley bag from a UK shop?

I'd be more concerned by the fact that it has now reviews and costs £90.63 - usually a sign that they don’t have any stock and are trying to put people off.

This is just as slim and not as feminine (we’ll only be truly equal when we don’t have to lug about fugly work bags designed for men ) but much more reasonable rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F391355299549

Or there’s this one rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F254369112231

Can you get a contribution from work?? This one is stunning but pricey:

https://www.carriedbyfarino.com/our-bags/farino-carrier-black-rose-gold?gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXE8BAPvTPJ27HkRTvTFp2bFGZuCmvSGWY6kBd9-xWwkBiNCiMNCBwaAtPHEALww_wcB

I know what you mean, @PalindromicUser - they are all so grim looking!

I don't mind spending a bit more (I'm self-employed so it will go through the company) for the right thing. The Farino ones are a bit big - I want to be able to take a small suitcase in the cabin as well, so although I'm willing to risk an inch or two over the BA 'handbag/laptop bag' size limit of up to 40x30x15cm/16x12x6in, I don't want to be too obviously pushing the boundaries. My work flights tend to be very full flights and they're usually looking out for people they can take bags from to put in the hold.

I quite like this style: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073RMJZFR?psc=1&pf_rd_p=969aa748-dadb-4816-b4b7-3909aa323836&pf_rd_r=5E6B24M34GSSN5RCH18M&pd_rd_wg=zdoom&pd_rd_i=B073RMJZFR&ref_=pd_luc_rh_crh_rh_sbs_sem_02_03_t_img_lh&pd_rd_w=A7uyj&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&pd_rd_r=6c57c5be-6a46-492a-8dce-a9c740d75afa if only I could get it in leather or at least a sturdier fabric.

I already have a wheelie suitcase case that is an overnight case with integrated laptop section, but that isn't really appropriate to take into client offices when I'm there for a couple of days and really just need the laptop bag - hence looking for something that is more just a laptop bag. They all seem so bulky, though!

I've found this as a small wheelie laptop bag: www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Rolling-Laptop-Case-Wheels/dp/B00VIM9VQ8/ref=pd_cp_198_3/259-3974038-9088812?psc=1&pf_rd_p=01704ebe-a86a-4b47-8c36-0f9f5bbc2882&_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_wg=Trhkb&pf_rd_r=M25WPPNDG1WAACKP4T9E&pd_rd_i=B00VIM9VQ8&pd_rd_w=KAzsZ&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&refRID=M25WPPNDG1WAACKP4T9E&pd_rd_r=41ca4c22-f362-4935-82b3-b8c210ed472a

I was just hoping for something a bit more feminine, as you say :(

How about this...

uk.knomo.com/collections/travel-bags-and-accessories-women/products/burlington-wheeled-travel-15-laptop-bag-119-801-blk

@FusionChefGeoff now I need that bloody bag. Why oh why did I look on this thread?

In my defence I've just gone across Europe today on multiple trains carrying a massive laptop back over one shoulder and I may now be permanently deformed.

I was just about to say look at Knomo! I dug an ancient bag of theirs out of the loft today for my new work laptop, and it's great.

I'd get the cheap Amazon one, just to see how you get on, if it works well logistically then splash out on something more stylish/robust.

I know the problem, I had to pack bags in my luggage when I went to Oz for a month long work trip and would need different bags when there.

The other option of course is to pay for checked luggage so the hand luggage can be bigger.

I got the Knomo Sedley one (more handbag-like) for work about two years ago and it's great. I spent a lot of time trying to find something that looked a bit more feminine and not like a wheeled doctor's case and this was pretty much the only one that fit the bill. In the end I got mine well reduced as the colour (navy) was being discontinued, I've also managed to squeeze in enough stuff for a flight/overnight stay in it as well as the laptop.

Full price they're silly money but you could keep an eye on eBay for a secondhand one or sign up for emails. With Black Friday coming up you might be able to get money off.

@TheCraicDealer - I like the Sedley. A shame they don't still make it in other colours. Do you manage to get away with it as a handbag/laptop bag on flights, and take an overnight case as well?

I really try to avoid checked in luggage if I can - I have my work 'uniform' pared down to dresses that roll and one pair of smart shoes that go with everything. Add a couple of tops for off-duty evenings, a swimming costume if the hotel has a pool, and a washkit and make-up bag. Then I travel in comfy flats and smart-casual trousers, with a cashmere wrap I can use on top of anything if it is cold and a trench mac I can wear over anything if it is wet. Having (not for the first time) just spent a week away with a colleague who's checked-in luggage went missing and finally caught up with her at home after the trip was done and dusted, I have a recent reminder of why I try to only check I luggage if I really have to take extra work kit.

I think I'll go with @VanGoghsDog's suggestion - get the cheap version for now, see how I like it and upgrade later. I can always use the cheap one for carrying stuff for my voluntary role - I carry too many heavy bags for that as well! And as @TheCraicDealer says, I might get a good deal for Black Friday or January sales.

So I bought the tote bag. It is much sturdier than I thought it would be for that price. The straps aren’t really long enough to put over my shoulder, and I think it is a bit big to use as a laptop bag equivalent as it wouldn’t fit under a plane seat - the bag has a solid frame so it is protective but not squishy. But it will be perfect for lugging things around while I can’t carry heavy bags.

That's good! I've added it to my Christmas list :)

I did also wonder - can you buy the right size nice bag that you like and a separate set of wheels? I think you can buy just the wheely part but I'm not sure how you'd search for that.

Amazon has this:

I see what you mean. But I think I want something a bit more professional-looking - I'd like it to be something I feel happy taking into client meetings without feeling that I have to somehow apologise for being scruffy and explaining my bad back all the time. I won't have to fly anywhere for a few months, so I think I'll use the tote bag for now and see how I get on.

Yes, it's not very elegant, is it!

Probably too late but I love my Away carry on and they have just released this www.awaytravel.com/uk/en/suitcases/daily-carry-on-pocket smaller one.

Hi Jenny, I'm a bit late to the party, but thanks so much to FusionChefGeoff for the shout out! I just wanted to say that I created the Farino City Carrier for the very reason you need one and it is the only carrier on the market (and mentioned in this thread) which is on 360 spinner wheels, meaning that you can wheel it beside you, rather than pulling it behind which, although taking the weight off your shoulders, still won't really help with your back problems. A couple of things I would love to say: no other bag on the market has these rollerblade wheels (they are amazing and make everything feel completely weightless) www.instagram.com/p/B1uSa4_l-kp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link and, secondly, no other bag on spinner wheels loads from top like the Farino Carrier. Please do read the reviews (a couple of back people in there too) - they are from people just like you! www.carriedbyfarino.com/reviews.
Finally, I really appreciate everyone taking a look at the site - I have just launched this carrier and would be happy to offer a MUMSNET discount code of 25% off - I am so confident that this is just what you need Jenny! It is expensive, but worth every penny - I spent the same on a lovely suitcase a couple of years ago and use it about 5 times a year... unlike my City Carrier which I use pretty much every day, geuninely. First time on Mumsnet - really enjoyed reading this thread.