Fans of 24 will recall the messenger bag / shoulder tote that Jack Bauer used to carry. It held various Secret Agent tools – nuclear bomb deactivation tools, that ubiquitous “handheld” to which CTI could send building schematics.

Never saw him pull out lunch or a pair of car keys, though.

Jack Bauer & the Jack Sack

Jack Bauer & the Jack Sack

Still, I wanted a bag dripping in such utility. Functional, not too girlish. Effective enough to carry all my stuff, but still macho enough so as not to bring my manhood into question (no, it’s neither a manpurse NOR a European shoulder bag). Apparently, you can find one here.

Any home office worker, teleworker or other mobile tech / road warrior likely could appreciate this lament.

Is there a bag that fits all the stuff the modern tech-laden exec or home-working mom / dad must shuttle?

In other words, what makes a great laptop travel bag? It’s a question I’ve asked for years.

It has to be functional enough to carry all your stuff – laptop and power cords, pads and folders, and the growing number of tech-sessories that consume space belying their otherwise small size. But it can’t be one of those “catch alls” that has vast empty spaces that designers might say “fit all your stuff” but really just create a nasty rat’s nest where nothing is organized.

I came across a new product – the Mamba Catch. This new laptop bag is designed to suit a male or female and is packed with features that will support any busy urbanite or business traveler.

It’s equipped with three outer quick-access zipper pockets, two external pockets for mobile phones, MP3 players or wallet. The large back pocket is perfect for paper documents and doubles as a pass-through for a luggage trolley handle. The laptop bag’s interior has six medium-size accessory pockets, two elastic mesh pockets perfect for laptop accessories, a large mesh zipper pocket, three pen slots and a flat document pocket. All internal pockets are designed around the densely padded laptop compartment, which has a soft plush lining.

Mamba catch comes with a removable accessory zipper pouch for cables, pens, a portable hard drive, or small personal items. While this sturdy yet lightweight laptop bag can be carried using the removable shoulder strap and shoulder pad or like a briefcase with its sturdy top handle, a super tough rubberized bottom material lends the bag a rugged element.

But make no mistake: I’ve yet to find a bag that would suit Jack Bauer.