Man bag choice help please

[imagineez]

Reviving this thread with a question @tpnl about the cross-body attachment on the SK.

Will the 1" single gatekeeper clips work for this cross-body attachment to the SK? I have an Op-tech USA mini SOS strap that is a 1" wide strap. Doesn't look like there are any 1.5" single gatekeeper clips (to try with my Absolute Strap) in the TB parts section.

I had a SK in deep blue/dawn sitting in my closet (with tags still), but I never had the courage to wear it and pull it off (as a guy) - until NOW. This totally works with the cross-body, but IMO it looks better with the gatekeeper clip attachment that you showed rather than using the metal swivel clip hooks from a strap.

Thanks so much!

ETA: Or maybe the double gatekeeper clips would work better??

Bryan

If it helps, here are a few picture of the Side Kick being used Cross-Body. It was quite comfortable. I tried a 1", 1.5" and 2" strap. The wider the strap, the more comfortable it was. All straps were connected to the loops at the side of the SK using gatekeeper clips except for the last one (2" strap) - you could use either the loops or the standard clip shoulder strap. I just like using the gatekeeper clips:

1" strap (Field Journal Shoulder Strap):
Attachment 17013

1.5" strap (TB Absolute Shoulder Strap):
Attachment 17012

2" strap (Mission Workshop Messenger Bag Strap)
Attachment 17014

Hope this helps
Cheers!

[imagineez]

In case anyone else follows this thread for the future, I will add what I ended up doing with my SK (deep blue). I am comfortable pulling it off now as I really love this bag for its organizational greatness.

I ordered both the 1" single gate keeper and 1" double gatekeeper pairs from the TB Parts section. I just experimented what might work, how to best position the straps on the bag. I chose the single gate keeper. I'm using a 1" strap I had gotten from another company - it works well. YMMV what strap works for you. I did try the Mini SOS Op-Tech strap (1") that is the Absolute Strap's little brother. But I didn't need the Op-tech's wider shoulder padding.

I wanted to keep the swivels attachment as part of the strap attachment so things wouldn't get all twisty on me.

Here are the pics:

[Generic Industries]

LOL. Enjoy the Side Kick. This morning, I saw the new page and thought "Looks awesome. Just what I need sometimes. But I wouldn't carry it." I want updates about successful man-carrying so I can talk myself into it when my bag-buying ban lapses.

Hey, finding this thread a few years late. Recently picked up a Side Kick and dig it. I carry it with the standard issued strap, which I wear pretty short, cross-body style.

I don't understand the hesitation of carrying a small bag expressed by other guys in the thread. It's a bag. It holds your stuff. It goes over your shoulder.

[KathyH]

I’m not using a SK very often but often use my SCB. I’m amazed at bow much it holds. I was traveling this week and stuffed my SCB with a 9.7” ipad, Bose Qc35 headphones (case about 8”x6”x1.5” - ish), 20 oz plastic water bottle, and a bunch of snacks. Instead of snacks, I coukd have substituted a thick eyeglasses case. It surprised me!

In addition to the SK and SCB, it might also be worth considering an L12. It would be a little bigger than you might need every day, but would also give you some extra room when needed. On weekends, my carry is pretty simple — minimalist wallet, car fob, large sunglasses case, iPad, and water bottle. It will all fit in my SCB, but I prefer how my L12 feels. Even when I one-shoulder it, the L12 feels more comfortable.

[Auntie Em]

@imagineez, Tom Bihn sells an item called the Messenger Stabilizer, https://www.tombihn.com/collections/...nt=16942566663, that I’ve used with Cafe Bags to hold the bag on my back. I hadn’t thought to try it with the Sidekick until I saw your picture, but it works fine. You use the male half of a waist strap attached to the left or right side of the bag, depending on which side you want to carry it on, and that strap with the stabilizer attached goes behind you and loops around the neck strap. The product page has better pictures of this than I could take. When I want to access the bag, I just undo the stabilizer, maybe attaching it to the strap in front of my body to keep it from dangling.