Like any man-on-the-go these days, I’m finding myself with increasing amounts of- well- stuff that I need to transport with me whenever I leave the house. Gone are the days when all I needed was my repeated mantra of, “Keys, wallet, phone… Keys, wallet, phone.” which was always said while patting myself down, like some sort of self-policing action. No, these days, with so many gadgets and so much gear, I need a backpack to carry it all.
As an adult student, for many years I had been carrying a backpack to school, loaded with books during the day. Then, if I were going to be DJ’ing somewhere at night, or staying out overnight, I’d use a big, bulky, old school nylon record bag to carry records, laptop, a change of clothes, perhaps, etc. Then, there was another tote, a courier bag, which I’d use for my day job that I ride a bike to…
The problem I had was that I was using a different bag, for different situations, ON TOP of my daily-use backpack. I needed one that looks classy, one that has multiple pockets and compartments; a tote that is as tough as it is functional. I wanted it to be constructed well and made in America, and I also didn’t want to ever have to buy another messenger bag, or have to switch bags.
Enter the Tucker & Bloom North To South.
I must admit, even though I’m pretty hip on quality, American-made companies, I had never heard of Tucker & Bloom. They’re a family-run company, based out of Nashville, who has over 30 years in the bag business, and they design and make mostly high-end, messenger bags. Lately, Tucker & Bloom have been working closely with a few different jet-setting DJ’s, designing record and messenger bags that cater to the modern, fashion- and function-conscious person, who does more than just DJ.
This is how I discovered the North To South, by Tucker & Bloom. I was searching the ‘net for DJ-friendly totes when I found Tucker & Bloom’s site, and lo and behold there are two familiar DJ’s on the front page: Philly’s own Big Rich Medina & Brooklyn’s Cosmo Baker. Both are holding awesomely stylish messenger bags, too!
Some Useful Features of the North To South Messenger Bag.
- It’s big! Dimensions are 12.5” Long X 13.5” High X 4.5” Deep.
- It’s Made in the USA by expert craftspeople who really know their products!
- It’s tough! Shell material is 1680 back ballistic nylon, with 4-ply Taslan Nylon as shell material. Polished aluminum buckles, leather trim, and double-ring sliders make it almost indestructible.
- Tons of pockets! Many more than most. Padded side pocket for cell phone, front pockets, back slip-pocket for books or newspapers, huge inner pocket for laptop & records!
- Removable shoulder strap, optional shearling strap, and optional cross-strap for biking, make this convertible for all needs!
I love that this is designed with today’s on the go person in mind. It has plenty of room enough for a big stack of vinyl, a laptop and books, along with all the rest of my stuff. It’s a great choice for today’s renaissance man; one who DJ’s, studies, and works, all in one day.
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New Customer Review
Breakdown of the Canvas Simple Messenger Bag
Because I have been using the same one for almost 15 years now, I hadn’t really given any consideration to what I would look for in a brand-new bag. The thought had never occurred to me that my tried, tested, and true would end up giving out on me – but that’s exactly what happened.
This left me in a bit of a sticky situation. I use mine on a daily basis – literally, every single day of my life I use my tote – and I needed to find a quality replacement as soon as humanly possible. I searched high and low, asked friends for recommendations, and combed the web until I finally ended up stumbling upon the Canvas Simple Messenger bag.
Boy was I hooked from the minute that I laid eyes on it.
Ridiculously simple, but amazingly flexible
The one thing that I will say about my old tote – which I thought I would miss terribly, but ended up missing not all that much – was that it was ridiculously flexible for just about any application I could imagine. Not only was it able to hold my laptop and everything else I need for work,but it could also be quickly converted to a simple “backpack” that I could use on weekend getaways or even longer trips.
This specific Canvas Simple line is exactly the same kind of super flexible powerhouse I was looking for, it is even more simple and straightforward than the bag I used to own.
With just a large compartment in the middle, I can fit almost anything and everything I need to in the messenger bag without sacrificing any utility whatsoever. I’d love it if there were a couple of “insider pockets” or even some dividers, but it’s not really that big of a deal – and certainly not a dealbreaker in any way, shape, or form.
I also love how the straps just buckling to one another, providing for a simple fastening system. My old bag used buckles that you would find on a belt, and it could really become a headache and hassle to try and fasten and then unfasten it when you needed to put something in or take something out.
Amazing construction throughout
The next real thing that impressed me about the Canvas Simple line was how amazingly durable the construction felt throughout the entire bag.
Granted, I haven’t had this bad for all that long quite yet – but it seems to be built to last at least the 15 years I got out of my old bag. I’m sure that time will tell, but the 100% duck cotton canvas (the same kind of material used in Carhart pants and other quality durable work clothing) seems to be more than up for the task at hand.
I also appreciated how the attention to detail seem to shine through throughout the bag, as there are picture-perfect stitches throughout the messenger bag, including on the waterproof lining that encircles the entire interior.
The metal features that are on the outside of the bag are also nice touches, and the shoulder strap is secure but at the same time comfortable. I feel absolutely no worries whatsoever when I am wearing the bag around town, even when I’m on my bicycle. I just know that the whole thing is built to stay put together – something that I truly appreciate.
If you are in the market for a courier tote today – or find yourself in the market for one in the future – I would definitely recommend the Canvas Simple.
Record Bags
Record bags made for DJs or record buying folks. DJ Backpacks and messenger bags meant for holding 7” records, 45's, LPs, 12" singles, and virtually any other vinyl record format you can think of.
DJs require a specific type of bag, and that’s why we make our bags to the specifications and needs of working class DJs. Large enough to hold all types of vinyl, and padded enough to provide peace of mind that your precious LPs will make it from one gig to the next, without a scratch. From our larger 45 bag, made to hold a large assortment of records, to our dj backpacks and dj messenger bags, that are able to hold records and other necessary items, like cables, and laptops, we’ve got all the needs of a working class DJ covered.
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The Backcue: Tucker & Bloom North to South Bag Review
August 13, 2015
Traveling can be a pain. When you’ve got to lug a set’s worth of vinyl and a laptop and drives, it doesn’t get any easier. For a while now, I’ve been able to survive carrying all that with the UDG creator bag. In the past couple years I’ve booked more gigs that require me to get on a plane and traveling with such a large backpack has grown to be a pain. Although it fits the airline’s sizes for carry-ons, I still had trouble getting through crowds at the airport plus a few zippers had worn out. I started looking for a new bag a little over a two years ago and came across the Tucker & Bloom North to South Bag. I decided to give it a shot.
Tucker & Bloom is a bag company that has operated out of Nashville for the past thirty year under the watch of father and son team, David and Case Bloom. The latter is also a working DJ. For the record, I’ve never been given anything from Tucker & Bloom and outside of a few FB messages with Case, I couldn’t say I know him very well. I say all this just to insure that this review is unbiased.
First of all, the North to South bears little in common with a lot of other DJ bags that seem to be going for a look that Marty McFly Jr. would love; Lots of mesh, 3M reflective bits, and neon yellow. It seems to be modeled after classic English bespoke game bags more so than contemporary messengers. Simple black ballistic nylon shell, leather trim, sturdy metal buckles. It’s something you wouldn’t be embarrassed to have on your shoulder if you ever find yourself in a job interview or a fox hunt at an English estate, which is great since we know that either of those things are equally likely to happen for a plenty of DJs.
This eye towards classic fashion runs across most of Tucker and Bloom’s bags. Everything has a clean, understated design. Any eyes it catches are earned honestly from good craftsmanship, not obnoxious colors or gimmicks. Their bags are a pair of Allen Edmonds in a sea of Ed Hardy sneakers.
I had my eye on it for a while, then a couple yeara ago I copped it while it was on sale for a day at the Tucker & Bloom site. A couple weeks later (each bag is made to order), I received it, and the next day I got on a plane for a nine day trip to California. First stop was San Francisco, which turned out to be the perfect testing ground. Every day I was there, I spent a good twelve hours on the MUNI or walking around town so I needed to carry everything I might possibly need while away from the hostel. In SF that included:
It held up well and never felt felt any discomfort even when it was weighed down by the aforementioned burrito. The leather and shearling shoulder strap broke in quickly to the shape of my shoulder, within a couple of days at most.
It’s become my go to bag for when I’m biking around town. Toss my u-lock in, my handytrax and I’m out for a quick record dig. The included bike cross-strap keeps the bag out of your way and it can be stowed against the side of the bag or removed when your off your bike.
I’ve had to put leftovers in it after biking around a couple times and as you might expect, there have been accidents. Turning it inside out and wiping down with a wet cloth was all it took to clean out all remnants of whatever juice comes out of a container of Mongolian beef. I’d still not recommend carrying food in your bag, I’m just letting you know it’s possible.
There’s one large compartment that is not padded for your laptop, records or larger items. This may be a concern for some but I keep my laptop in a separated padded sleeve regardless so it hasn’t been an issue for me. This is a bag small enough to be kept close to you at all times so I feel padding would be a little overkill anyway. For a larger bag that might get stowed away or handled by others, I can see the need for padding but not in this case.
Within the main compartment there is also a smaller, mesh zippered pocket. Good for pens, a phone, 45 adapters, small tools for fixing your electronics, business cards, etc.
If you’re someone that needs a thousand dedicated pockets for every single tool, this isn’t the perfect bag for you. You get about three pockets that are a pretty tight fit to hold your smaller items and a metal snap on the inside. I’m always afraid of something falling out or getting out of place if my bag tips or turns over but so far, that fear is unfounded. It gets tossed around a lot but things stay in place.
There is an unintended advantage to having the pockets be such a tight fit. Not having the dedicated pockets does require you to take a couple extra minutes and think about where you want things to go but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Being forced to think about your loadout really helps to pare down your gear by eliminating the things you never use. Once you find a packing strategy you’re happy with, you have little to worry about.
Everything is always in easy reach. This is huge when I’m traveling through the airport. It can just hang on my shoulder when I have to quickly unload getting through security. There’s also several places to put your documents that you can get to without ever opening the bag.
The Cosmo Baker edition, which is the one I went with, features two added inches of depth and about a half inch length. It also has a leather badge with Cosmo’s logo and a wolf. If you have qualms about another DJ’s name on your bag, I personally think it’s worth it for a little more room, especially if you’re the type that prefers at least a few extra 12″ records outside of your control vinyl and laptop. Also, a fuckin’ wolf bro. Honestly, you’d have to be quite the narcissist for a stamp sized logo to be enough to bruise your ego. I’ve found the leather badge to be very useful with the addition of a carabiner. Day to day, I attach my keys to it and for events, I attach my headphone case.
For a typical DJ gig, this is what I pack:
Since I’ve purchased it a couple years ago, I’ve used it for numerous gigs, both local and around the country plus nearly every time I leave the house. Other than some natural fading on the leather, it looks as good as the day I bought it. It’s held up perfectly and better than any other DJ bag I’ve had. I don’t plan on getting another DJ bag anytime soon and if I do, it will probably be another Tucker and Bloom.
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What I look for when choosing laptop bags
December 20, 2013
What I Look For When Choosing Laptop Bags
Deciding upon which to choose, from a group of laptop bags can be quite a challenge, especially if one is picky about certain technical features. Choosing the wrong one will ensure a real pain, in more ways than one, when it is truly time to use it.
For me, there are only a few qualities that I look for when I look at totes. I chose a Tucker & Bloom, for these reasons. They may be few but these things are still very important to me and, if my backpacks are not just exactly perfect, I am very liable not to ever use them again.
Construction
It’s very important what material they are made of! Construction and materials are the first things I look at when choosing the right one. Is it made of nylon? Or, maybe leather? Does it include foam, in its construction?
The material they are made of will give an idea of whether they will hold up to repeated use and abuse. Strength and durability are qualities that laptop bags get from how they are made and what they are made from. I prefer mine to be made of heavy ballistic nylon, because I treat all my gadgets as if they are weapons in my arsenal.
Capacity- What Can This Bad Boy Really Handle?
The next quality I think of when choosing the right tote is what can this thing hold? The capacity is immensely important to me! All of my totes and tools must serve more than one purpose. My case should have multiple pockets; one for my computer, one for a cell phone, and one for a notepad and pens, one for change and tickets, passport, etc. It’s the 21st century, folks, get with it.
Access and Ease of Use
This one is so very big- I need to have the ability to grab items from my tote quickly, while I’m on the go. What’s the use in having a cell phone pocket, if the phone isn’t easily reachable?
A lot of this has to do with good design of the laptop bags, in the first place. Placing that cell phone pocket on the strap with a little padding, at just the right location, can make all the difference upon whether the end customer just “likes” or genuinely “loves” their backpacks.
Where and who made them?
I know it may be a little strange, and it goes for tons of other items I purchase, not just laptop bags, but where these items are made- as well as who made and designed them- really makes a huge difference upon whether or not I will purchase them, as well. Does a company, or designer, that I’ve heard of, make the item in America? I want to ensure that the totes that I buy are well constructed, in places that are close to home. Tucker & Bloom makes laptop cases that fit all of these qualifications.
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Bicycle Bags play a huge roll in the bike messenger community
December 20, 2013
Bicycle Bags
Bicycle bags are very important to messengers in the city of Philadelphia and, without them, many crucial deliveries would not get made. They are typically well made of strong materials. Some bicycle totes can have different features that help the rider in their different daily tasks. The different colors and styles allow the user to express individuality.
The best are those that are hand-made of heavy ballistics-grade nylon. This material gives them high durability and strength, that helps the totes withstand heavy use and abuse. Many riders like bicycle backpacks that have leather trim and aluminum-alloy clips and buckles. Some kind of water resistance is also important, so that large rolls of drawings and plans do not get wet.
Another important feature of the best is multiple pockets, for holding all the essential items that a rider carries. A well-positioned cell phone pocket on the strap, or on the side, can make all the difference. More pocket space for an iPod, note pad, and headphones, as well as optional padded pockets, for laptops and such, are all very important choices to make when choosing a tote.
Some will look like classic messenger backpacks. Other styles are in different sizes, depending upon what the rider is going to use them for. Small, medium, and large size's even allow for different sized users. Different color choices for the internal and external fabrics offer the rider a chance to make own.
Hipsters love hand-made stuff, these days, and it is important to many of those people for the products that they buy to be made in America. Heavy nylon bicycle totes are in style, and many men carry them to work, to school, and then use them during recreation. Many people bike everywhere.
Tucker & Bloom are a company based in Nashville, TN. They make all sorts of different bags in various styles, including bicycle bags and messenger bags. They make and design all their bags in the USA, from quality materials, with old-European craftsmanship. Tucker & Bloom are a family business that makes high-end bicycle bags with style and great design.
One of the best things about Tucker & Bloom is that they make multi-use products. They make everything with cell phone pockets and built-in laptop cases. Laptop cases that also carry records. Theirs are totes that also carry laptops and cell phones. All products made by Tucker & Bloom are made from top-quality materials. All materials used must meet their high expectations for quality, durability, and aesthetics.
Lastly, all products should come with some kind of back up plan. What if you spend a bunch of money on it and it rips? Well, Tucker & Bloom have that all covered with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Tucker & Bloom will replace or repair your tote if it gets damaged or falls apart. That’s a real comfort, knowing that your belongings are safe from defects in materials and workmanship.
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