The Hunt: How I Found My Perfect Work Bag

Welcome to The Hunt. In this new, recurring series from GQ Recommends, one writer reveals the research-heavy, budget-straining, life-affirming journey they recently went on to fill a gap in their wardrobe. Expect to hear about every opened browser tab and covert store visit—and to see all of the not-quite-right options picked up and put down along the way.I’ve had the same work bag for the last six or seven years. It’s been a workhorse. A heavy duty black nylon tote bag that has carried my laptop and notebook everywhere they’ve needed to go, it’s been my carry-on for flights, and a vehicle for gym kit, food shops and pretty much everything in between.But this summer, something snapped. I don’t know what changed—maybe it was something to do with also getting married and moving into a new life stage at the time—but I suddenly became repulsed by the thought of carrying this same bag everyday, forever and ever. The bag hadn’t done anything wrong, it still did everything I needed it to do, but it was simply time for a change. That said, finding that bag originally hadn’t been an easy process. Deep down, I knew that an intense period of research was just beginning.At the start of my hunt, I only knew that I wanted something that would be an upgrade to my reliable and durable bag, something a little bit more luxury and, dare I say it, a little more fashion. My first decision was whether I should stick with a tote bag, or twist and try something new altogether.I briefly considered a messenger bag. A black Our Legacy Swing Bag was one option, but seemed too small, and a sling bag from ARCS was an early frontrunner, but ultimately didn’t suit me. Next, I turned my thoughts to backpacks. I’ve long admired Porter’s Tanker backpacks, and I love the technical Treck backpack from A.P.C.. But I'd also decided aged 14 that backpacks weren’t really for me, and ultimately, it wasn’t the time to go back on statement. The tote bag had won again.Having settled on the style, it then came down to colour, shape and material. As my tote research (outlined below) got going, I began to hone in on what I was actually looking for. After thirteen close calls, I found it: A “rock” colored tote bag in Nappa suede, made by the Copenhagen label Berner Kühl. By that time, untold stores had been searched, websites trawled, and bags picked up, tried out and, sheepishly, put back. Here's how it all went down.The Runners-UpDB Journey Entour Shell ToteDB JourneyEntour Shell Tote BagThe first thing I liked about this DB tote was its shape, but it also had some good functional elements: it was roomy, and it had a zip closure. I even liked the carabiner that comes with it. In the end though, it helped me realize that I wanted something less technical. It was time to move on.Adsum Zip Tote PurpleI love Adsum, and I’ve always liked the brand’s tote bags. Again, it scored well on functionality – hardwearing ripstop, zip closure, can be packed into another bag – and I thought it might be time to take a risk on color. Sadly, I just still didn't think I could get away with a bright purple bag in every environment.Filson All-Weather Tote BagFilsonAll-Weather Tote BagAlong the way, it's important to visit the experts. Filson’s history goes back nearly 130 years, and I liked the look of its all-weather tote. The things that let it down were the logo and the color of the straps. For some reason, those just didn’t sit right with me.LL Bean Boat and Tote, Zip-TopL.L. BeanBoat-and-Tote Zip TopI was still, at that point, open to going with a classic, and L.L. Bean was the next obvious choice. The Boat and Tote is an icon, and for good reason. I paused and sat with it for a while. But I don’t live in New England (I actually live in Old England—London, to be precise) and given that I won’t ever be using my bag to take a picnic out to the lake, it ultimately felt like a blind alley.Lemaire Leather-Trimmed Canvas Tote BagLemaireLeather-Trimmed Canvas Tote BagBy this point, I'd realized that what I really wanted was something more luxurious. Where better to look, then, than Lemaire? The Parisian label makes some of the best accessories in the world, and this tote bag was as close as I came to pulling the trigger before I did. After much consideration though, I decided it was too narrow. I can’t explain why, but I don’t like the thought of my laptop being vertical.Hender Scheme Azuma BagThe Azuma Bag from Hender Scheme was a bit more directional, and for a while I couldn’t really work it out. It definitely hit the brief of being more fashion, but I eventually decided it was too out there for my personal taste. You get why.MAN-TLE 'R20 B1 Multi Handle Tote' (Pacific Wax)MAN-TLER20 BAG-1 Multi-Handle Tote Pacific WaxI’ve always loved the way that MAN-TLE’s clothes feel, and I liked the idea of having a tote that was coated in paraffin wax. I also think the “Pacific” blue colour used is just really nice. This bag was a real contender, at a very reasonable price point, but the shorter handle length unfortunately put me off.Buck Mason Italian Leather Carry-All ToteBuck MasonItalian Leather Carry-All ToteBy this point, I was reaching the end of the line, and the limits of my curiosity. How many bags can one man look at? But Buck Mason revived me late with a classic offer, this black tote made from luxurious Italian leather. The bag was almost perfect, but again, the narrow shape meant that it just wasn’t quite right for me. Somehow, the search continued.Studio Nicholson The Reflection Suede ToteStudio NicholsonThe Reflection Suede ToteThis bag felt so close to what I’d imagined. There’s more than enough room for everything I carry day to day, and the suede was the perfect colour and texture to elevate the bag’s simple form. Sadly, I couldn't afford to spend the best part of $1,300 on a bag.The Ultimate WinnerBerner Kühl Carry AllBerner KuhlCarry All Nappa Suede 067 RockBerner KuhlCarry All Nappa Leather 009 BlackAfter spending far too much of my free time trying as many bags as possible, I finally knew exactly what I wanted. And once you have that, it turns out it doesn't take nearly as long to find it. Copenhagen label Berner Kühl's Carry All ticked every requirement I had. It comes in a soft, deadstock suede similar to the Studio Nicholson bag I'd loved, and has more than enough room for my work gear. Crucially, it also isn’t covered in logos. I ordered it quickly, and it’s been exactly what I was looking for: A leveled up version of an everyday bag, at a price point I could just about get to.After everything I’d been through, I wanted to know more about my new baby, so I got in touch with the label's founder, Frederik Berner Kühl. “The idea was to make something very simple and functional, but with enough character that it doesn’t feel like a conventional work bag,” he told me over email. “We wanted it to be generous enough to carry everything you need during the day, while still feeling soft and unstructured. The suede was important for that, as it gives the bag a more tactile quality, and allows it to change and develop with use, rather than always looking pristine. I like that it can carry a laptop and all the practical things you need, but doesn’t immediately read as a laptop or office bag.”That it doesn’t. Unfortunately, when it comes to the suede, others seemed to love it as much as I do, and it is currently sold out. But you can still have my bag in a handsome, arguably more versatile black leather instead. And if you're set on the suede, worry not: Frederik says my version will be back on shelves, and as soon as this coming Spring.