The ONLY Bag WORTH Buying In 2022 [0:00:00]
Now, gents, it’s safe to say that I own more bags than the average guy.
Seriously, I was going through my closet going through my storage room, went through my office,
I found almost 50 bags.
And we’re talking all types.
I’ve got briefcases, I’ve got messenger bags, I’ve got overnight bags, weekender
bags, duffel bags, I’ve got satchels, man bags.
Why so many man’s bags?
Well, you’ve been making man style videos coming in on a decade, you get quite a few
bags sent to you.
In addition, it’s something I’ve picked up some of these myself just because I wanted
examples to be able to show you in the videos.
Now, having all these bags, the question pops up, Antonio, if you got all these bags, which
is the best one to own?
What should a professional man have?
What should he grab?
Which one is the best?
[Music] Now, you’re a smart guy, so you probably
know there isn’t a right answer to this very general question because it really comes
down to what are your requirements.
Are you someone that needs a bag that’s relatively small, that’s just going to be
able to carry a few personal items?
Or do you need a larger bag because you’re going on a weekend trip?
Really, you’ve got to examine your needs.
And I do think that every man should have a variety of bags in his arsenal.
That being said, there was one bag in particular that I found I’m using more than any other,
so I am going to highlight that bag.
But, you know, this really comes down to the change in my schedule.
I’m now waking up a little bit earlier, I’m taking my son to school, taking my daughter
to school, it’s something I’m going to Starbucks a couple of times a week trying
to break up coming here to the office.
I’ve got quite a few people living in my house right now.
So, I find, yeah, it’s a little bit easier to go the gym in the morning and then, to
be able to be here at work.
But, I like to break up my day and there is one bag in particular that’s allowing me
to carry basically all the items I need to, to and from when I’m moving in and out of
the vehicle, going to a coffee shop and just simply so I’ve got what I need when I need
it.
Now, assuming you’ve chosen the right style, the right size for your particular needs,
there are three things I always look for to buy in a quality bag.
Number one is making sure the construction that it’s well built that it’s sewn together
properly that this thing is not going to fall apart.
Number two, I look at the material.
I want the material that’s going to have the functions that I need from the bag.
And, number three, I want it to look good.
I do pay attention to style.
First up, let’s talk about construction.
Very important to get this right, otherwise you’re going to buy a bag that’s going
to fall apart way too early.
Look at the stitching.
Is it straight?
And are there at least ten stitches per inch.
If you see twelve, if you see fourteen, that’s even better.
They’re going to use a thicker thread here and you want to make sure, again, that it’s
going in a straight line.
I like to open up the bag, look on the inside.
Are there any loose threads?
Then, look at the materials that they’re using, the zipper, the hardware.
These things are really important.
Do they have rivets actually put in on pull points?
So, it should be something that you can yank on the luggage especially those handles and
nothing should come apart.
Now, with the hardware, you want to make sure those zippers move smoothly and if it’s
claiming to be like water resistant, you want to make sure there’s a seal around the zippers.
Now, the most common synthetic material bags out there are made with polymer fibers and
these come in all different shapes with different properties.
But, basically they’re made to mimic natural fibers and then enhance upon them.
Now, I can feel the material right here is a fabric and by that, I mean it’s actually
been fibers that had been stitched together, so it’s got a tough durable type of surface.
This is going to be great for dealing with the abrasion or anything that would, you know,
cause a tear.
It’s not going to tear into this.
And then, right over here for stylistic purposes, they’ve actually got a solid material.
And that solid material is going to be like a faux leather.
And what’s nice about that, it gives it a really nice polished look.
And that takes me to the third detail I look for in every bag I purchase, it should look
good it should have a style.
And this is something a lot of manufacturers even if they use quality materials, some reason
drop the ball here.
It ends up looking like a Frankenstein, you can get a mixed mish-mash materials.
It just doesn’t always look good.
So, make sure that when you look at it, it just overall it paints a picture like a designer
actually went through thought through how pieces should go together, how the function
of bag would still mesh with the overall design and look.
Now, what about comfort?
Well, for me, this actually goes into good design because a bag that’s not comfortable,
well, why would you even want to use it?
Now, when it comes to backpacks, one of the things I look for is great padding on the
shoulders.
I also want some padding right here in the back of the bag.
I also want breathability because this is going to be something that, yeah, if you’re
going on a ten-mile hike around the city, you’re going to be in New York City for
a day and you’re going to be seeing the sites, you’re going to be in London, you
want something that is going to be able to breathe if you’re sweating if you’re wearing
this all day.
Now, when it comes to laptop and messenger bags, bags I’m going to be using a strap
that goes around the body, I find that actually making sure there’s enough surface area.
I don’t necessarily need the padding, but what I need is more surface area around the
straps.
So, if it’s got a think strap, those are the kind of bags I stay away from or I even
look to upgrade that strap because it makes a huge difference when you’ve got something
that fits you properly in and around the shoulders.
[0:04:54] Now, at this point you’re probably saying,
“Hey, you’ve been talking for a while, reveal the bag, your go-to bag, the one that
you think every professional should have in 2022.”
I’m going to say it is the EZRI travel backpack.
Now, gents, I received this bag about five months ago, back in November of 2021 and I
have to say that this has become my go-to bag.
I love that it can carry everything I need to and from the vehicle, to and from the house.
If I’m going to a coffee shop, I just simply want my laptop, I want a few books, my journal,
something to write with, maybe a few incidentals here or there, maybe a snack and all of it
fits right in my backpack here.
And I have to say using this backpack daily, I’ve had no issues, no tears, incredibly
comfortable.
And I love all the hidden pockets.
I’ve just got pockets all over the place, so whenever, you know, I want to put a credit
card there, I’ve got some extra change.
I’ve actually just found some headphones in here the other day that I has stashed and
hidden away that I was looking for.
Now, gents, EZRI is the sponsor of today’s video and they reached out to me because they
love the promotion we did back in November and they wanted to raise awareness of their
EZRI Elite.
So, this is their professional backpack that can also double as a briefcase.
And like all their backpacks, it’s got tons of cool features.
You got a laptop compartment, tablet compartment, hidden strap pockets, hidden side pockets.
You got internal wiring, so you can carry a battery and easily charge your phone, protective
passport pocket, a luggage sleeve, so it fits there right on your luggage easily carry that
through the airport.
And the material that these bags are made from, durable lightweight and water resistant.
And if the EZRI Elite isn’t your cup of tea, check out the EZRI Executive.
I love how this one opens up fully.
You can actually put a full-on suit in this thing and it looks good.
That black color, just, yeah, I love the way the materials the way that they crafted this
thing.
The style on these bags is second to none.
Gents, if you’re looking for a backpack that’s using quality materials, looks good,
and incredibly functional, check out EZRI.
And to make this a no-brainer for you, gents, down in the description of today’s video,
I’ve got the best deal you’re going to find out there on the web.
When you grab an EZRI backpack, go check out EZRI.
Use that link the description of today’s video and grab yourself a great looking backpack.
Now, at this point some of you guys may be saying, “Well, Antonio, you’re talking
about backpacks, but you’ve always said never wear a backpack with a suit.
So, why would this be the go-to piece for most professionals?”
Well, I find a lot of guys even me included, we’re not wearing our suits as much, our
sports jackets as much.
I still have them and I could fold it up and, again, what I like about these backpacks it
they have ample room for my sports jacket.
But, when it comes down to it, I just found because of my needs right now, I’m just
gravitating towards backpacks.
I want something I dress a little bit more casual and, yes, I probably need to incorporate
and break out some more of those looks in my videos.
But, I do find, you know, I still don’t think if you’re wearing a suit, you should
wear a backpack over that.
No, take the jacket off, fold it, put it into the suit because you’ve got, you know, those
shoulders right there on that jacket, if it’s a structured jacket, sports jacket, blazer,
suit, you don’t want to damage that.
That being said, if it’s for a short distance, I know some people have written me and said,
“You know what, Antonio?
I have back issues.
I’ve got shoulder issues, so I can’t be just carrying a heavy briefcase.
I’ve got to go to a backpack because I got to be able to move through the city, get on
and off public transportation.”
I get it.
In that case, then, do what you need to do, but in general, be careful about it if you’ve
got a structured shoulder jacket wearing a backpack.
And what about synthetic materials, are they going to be more casual than let’s say a
dark black leather or dark brown leather?
In general, the answer is yes, but it’s about degrees.
And there’s also I know ethics involved, I have so many of you guys over the years
have written me saying, “Antonio, I don’t want anything to do with animal products.”
So, I get that a lot of guys would gravitate towards something that’s going to be using
a synthetic material.
That being said, you know, the backpacks I was just showing you and a lot of other options
out there, if it’s clean if the design is on point, then I think a synthetic material
is perfectly fine.
No one’s going to question this.
What you want to be careful of is the synthetic backpacks out there that look like, you know,
just simply, you know, a bug out bag or they’re way too, yeah, they’re just way too rough
looking or they used maybe a canvas material.
That all of a sudden, especially in lighter colors can make the backpack can make the
actual bag look a lot more casual.
So, try to avoid anything that just have too many, you know, pockets on it, too many straps.
You want to go for something clean in design, something that when you look at it, it’s
simple, it’s clean, it looks good, and then it really doesn’t matter what material it’s
made from.
And what about the future of messenger bags, satchels, briefcases?
Do I think the times when a man had a solid square briefcase – and by briefcase, I mean
a bag that actually has a structure on the outside of it, made to actually protect the
materials on the inside, do I think those days are gone?
Well, I think somewhat.
I mean, the attaché, the briefcase, I mean, they had their time and there are still a
very suitable places for those bags especially like I say when you want something that’s
structured.
There are metal briefcases out there that are going to provide protection.
That being said, I think for the average guy, the backpack is really where it’s going
to be.
We’re going to see more luxury backpacks come out made from different materials.
I do think leather has a lot of great properties, but everything I said, you know, about picking
up stains, about the fact that you’ve got to take care of it, you’ve got to condition
it, that over time, it can start to crack especially if you expose it to water damage.
I just found that I’ve been moving a lot more towards synthetic materials.
I do occasionally use my leather bags, though, because I just love the look of them.
I think it is a timeless look.
But, when it comes to practicality I’m moving a lot more towards synthetics.
All that being said, I would love to hear from you guys down in the description of today’s
video and I got some cool RMRS coins I’m going to be sending out, I want to hear what
has been your go-to bag this year?
What’s been the bag that you have been defaulting to?
Maybe it’s something new, maybe it’s something old, maybe it’s something classic.
Again, let me know in the comments below which bag you’re using.
And what video to watch next?
How about ten unconventional rules that every man should know?
Really seriously, if you don’t know these rules and these are unconventional, they’re
ones not really talked about and I think they’re important for every guy to know.
So, what are they?
Find out, gents, by clicking right here.
And, yes, you’ll be magically taken to another video.
[0:11:02] End of audio