Our Favorite Gear

Timbuk2 Commute; $100; www.timbuk2.com

Rand Wacker, Group product manager, IronPort Systems

As much as I loved my messenger bag in college, it was basically a cavern for my junk and not anything I'd use as a professional. That's not the case with this Timbuk2, which looks sharp and has a ton of pockets to keep me organized. You won't believe how much I can fit into this bag: a power supply, a digital camera, an iPod, a card reader, snacks, and three sets of cables, all in separate pockets--and I still have one pocket left over. I keep my 15-inch laptop in a middle sleeve that's padded and, for added protection, doesn't reach the bottom of the bag.

Outside, I store my pens in one hidden pocket and a water bottle in the other. Not only is this Timbuk2 comfortable to carry on my shoulder or by hand, but it's hip enough for my business school classes and professional enough to take to customer meetings without looking like I'm still in college.