BAGS & POUCHES

We don’t often brag about travel pouches, but this matching set of (3), in stylish black with red accents, is about the nicest set of travel pouches we’ve come across. You’ll get (1) at 10" x 7", (1) at 12" x 8", and (1) at 14" x 10", each with a durable poly exterior, waterproof silver lining and sturdy oversized red zipper. Each bag has a grommeted hole in one corner so you can store them on the included 2” dia ring. The uses are so obvious and endless it’s not even worth mentioning a few of them.

Both spellings are acceptable, it turns out, but duffle is a British corruption of our duffel, so pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and spell it “duffel” like an American. Our duffel is polyester with black handles and an adjustable and removable black shoulder strap. Measures 18” long x an 11” dia cylinder, and has black canvas strap handles on both ends for your hanging and toting convenience. Everybody needs a good duffel, even the Brits. Comes in Red (a favorite of the Brits), or Blue (a close second). We'll pick which you get because thats how surplus is.

Let’s say you don’t need a full-on, heavy-duty tool bag but you do need something to hold your smaller hobby tools. In that case, you’d need this super-nice, zippered tool-type bag. Measures 14" x 9-1/2" x 3", and has a triangular shape as it tapers from the 3" base to flat at the top zipper. Looks kind of like a small briefcase, or, more accurately, an attache. Has more than (15) elastic straps to hold things like pliers, tweezers, small screwdrivers and the like. In bad-to-the-bone black to let the world know you’re serious about tool storage and totage, even if they’re small tools.

Laundry stinks. It’s also a job we dislike. But back to that stench. This white mesh bag, approx 18" x 12", has a way of dispersing the stinkiness of our laundry, which makes the whole job less stinky in more ways than one. Has a drawstring with a ball stopper. Made of polyester, which means it’s strong enough to hold a big load of clothing or beach toys, shoes (which can also be stinky in our experience), or sports equipment.

These red satin-finish zipper bags have a vinyl interior and measure 20” long x 10” tall x 4” wide when you open the gusset on the bottom. Sort of the proportions of a giant pencil holder. Made for some specific purpose that nobody has shared with us, but think giant clutch bags, travel organizers, dressy briefcases or cash deposit bags to impress your bank. 

They may move your cheese, but the rest of your lunch should be safe when you tote it in this insulated white bag with “HUMAN ORGAN FOR TRANSPLANT” printed on the side. Measures approx 9-1/2" wide x 7” tall x 6" deep with a padded handle and a zipper around three sides on the top. Has a small mesh pocket and organ-donor information card inside. Our favorite part? The bottom says “Warning; not for transporting human organs” because you can't be too careful.

We walked to and from school, uphill in both directions, carrying our books and a brown paper bag of lunch that got wet when it rained and snowed, which was every day. You have it easy these days with collapsible nylon lunch bags like these. In purple or orange, the 9” x 6” x 6” bags have black trim, a zipper, a handle and a 4” x 7” pouch on the front.

This sturdy messenger bag from Wanderer Tech is made of durable black 1680 denier ballistic nylon with royal blue piping. Measures approx 15" x 12" x 3" when empty, but is eminently stuffable. Has an adjustable padded shoulder strap, front flap with hookenlooper closures, zipper compartment on the flap, (2) side mesh pockets, pen slots and a pocket inside, along with a 15” a 10-1/2” removable, padded laptop sleeve.

In soft poly-foam and a pretty powder blue color, we think this case was made for standard smart phones, although goodness knows you could keep any number of things in it. (Badness probably knows that, too.) Measuring 6” x 3-1/2” x approx 3/8”, it has a slot with black piping 1-1/2” from the top, and a small tab at the top corner with a removable, silver carabiner on it.

You might need this “LAUNDRY” hamper to get your duds off the floor. Measures approx 20” tall x 13” x 9-1/2” and it’s flexible and foldable, just like your clothes. We have black and silver, and we’ll pick a nice one that goes with your detergent. Has aluminum handles and that ever-reminding “LAUNDRY” on the side, just to help you get in the habit of putting dirty clothes in it instead of hanging them over the back of your chair. Because of its size, it’s not going to hold a ton of laundry, but it’s great for small loads, and also great for groceries and other reusable-bag situations.

Here’s a good-looking 24” x 12” duffle bag that you’ll won’t have to search hard for on the baggage carousel. Yes, it’s black, in resilient unwashed cotton canvas, but the stiches are orange, and so is the military-esque printing on one side. Has a nice 5” x 1” bright yellow-gold nylon-webbing zipper-pull on top, too. Shoulder strap is adjustable and detachable, and there’s a grab/carry strap on one end. Twin carry handles are stitched around the circumference of the bag, which has (2) zippered pockets on the sides and (1) on the end. Main compartment has double zippers. It’s a sturdy bag that stands out.

Le Rouge et le Noir, a French novel by Stendhal, and Al Gore’s favorite. Sadly, we never see surplus copies, but we do have these insulated red and blue insulated cooler totes. Measure 14” x 12” with handles long enough to slip over your shoulder, so you'll look like the French do when they’re toting a vin, fromage & baguette lunch. We’ll pick a red or blue one to go with your wardrobe; you add le déjeuner. 

Surplus! These (former) promo items are 5" tall golf bags, mostly clear with primary color accents. Best of all? No logos! Golfers use them to store (3) balls. There’s also an outside pocket for pencils, tees and ball makers, and that pocket is zippered just like the main compartment is. Each bag has a plastic snap clip so you can hang it from something—like an actual golf bag. But you don’t have to use it for golf. In assorted primary colors. Ours samples were blue and green, but there may be others and we'll pick the best color to match your golf cart.

They call this the Palm Beach Tote Bag, but it’d be right at home on any beach, palmed or not. Made of blended cotton, in assorted colors (we've seen blue and red, so far...), and measures approx 18-1/4” x 11-1/2” x 5-1/2". Laminated interior lining gives structure, and protects your stuff. Bag has a side gusset with cotton cinch cords to help the hook-and-loop closure keep the top securely tight when it’s overstuffed. Cotton webbing handles feel like some of the softest ropes you’ve ever touched. We will send you one in blue, or red, or any other shade we may come across. We're sure it'll match something you already have on hand.

This gusseted, white plastic tote bag measures 17" x 16" x 4” with handles approx 12” long and has, for reasons unclear, a front that mimics a doctor's jacket with a stethoscope hanging around the neck of the bag. Ignore the faux medical-ness and just treat it like any other handy, waterproof plastic tote at a ridiculously low price. Or, go around telling people you’re in med school.

Call it the bag of a lesser messenger. This dark olive Extreme Pak™ tote looks like a mini-backpack but has a shoulder strap plus a pair of handles. Measures approx 11-1/2" tall x 8-1/2" wide x 6" deep front to back, it's got a big inside zippered compartment, a smaller zippered pouch on the bottom, a pair of hook-and-loop closed pockets on the top, plus a plethora (that'd be 10) of band loops to hang stuff off. Mfg suggested retail is over $30. Just saying.

Even though this bright orange fabric tote would be right at home in a construction zone, save it for shopping, picnicking and tailgating at Syracuse, Clemson, Florida, Oklahoma State, Boise State and Oregon State games (and yes, we know there are more). Measures 15-1/2” x 14-1/2” with a 3” gusset, and zippered pockets inside and out. Has a snap closure on main compartment and a carry handle. Fabric is soft and lightweight, with an almost rubbery feel, and it’s lined on the inside. Pat ran it under the sink and water beaded up on the surface without being absorbed. Just sayin’. Go Orange, Tigers, Gators, Cowboys, Broncos, Beavers, etc.

Not even Todd Rundgren fans will want to bang on this drum, but it’ll keep your food and drinks cool, though, because it’s a foam-insulated soft bag cooler with a double-zippered main compartment approx 11-1/2” dia, (2) deep, double-zippered side pockets with netting-sleeves, and (1) tighter zippered compartment on the front. Stands about 12” tall and 16” wide overall, and comes with a padded, adjustable shoulder strap. We tested it for leakage and it held water, unlike most of our arguments. In festive red with black accents.