Ego or SuperEgo?

[Rajan]

I've decided that it's time for me to buy a new bag, and of course Tom Bihn is my first choice. I've been looking at the Ego and SuperEgo, but I'm not sure which would be the right size.

I have a five year old ID bag, which I love, but sometimes it's a little small for what I want to take with me.

I'm planning on getting a new laptop in the near future - either a Macbook or Macbook Pro and so it would often house that laptop with its Brain Cell. I also would be carting around my ipod, my DS, pens, pads, cables, cords, a book or two and occasionally a change of clothes.

Any suggestions? I was originally thinking that the SuperEgo would be ideal, but reading some of the reviews led me to believe that it's huge. So then I was thinking the Ego, which is bigger than the ID, but I'm not sure by how much. I'm really bad with visualizing dimensions.

Any suggestions?

R.

[thax]

Rajan,

Looking at your list of things to carry, you should be safe with an Ego unless you go with a 17" Macbook Pro or carry a lot of clothes.

I have a Super Ego and I can safely carry: A Thinkpad T61 in sleeve, a Macbook in a Spire sleeve, all the power cables, my DS in a case with games, a Sony eReader (in acc. pocket), iPod 3G, AKG K26P headphones, 120GB USB drive (in cork pouch), my Lunch and a Canon S80 camera.
I still have room for a jacket and I pack a 1L Sigg bottle in one of the bottle holders. The Super Ego is a really big bag, packed to the gills I have taken it on 3-4 day trips as my only bag.

Both the Ego and Super Ego are bigger than the ID. They are more square meaning that they are taller. I put a snake charmer with cables on top of the brain cell in that compartment. That clears up a lot of space in the front compartment.

If you are still thinking, calling TB and talking to any of the folks there can clear up any space/size concerns.

[artbuild]

Using my Ego as an occasional replacement for my Buzz I have found that a full Ego is about all I want to tote for any distance or length of time.
It packs efficiently and holds more than its' size would indicate.

They are both great bags.

Art

[moriond]

I was originally thinking that the SuperEgo would be ideal, but reading some of the reviews led me to believe that it's huge. So then I was thinking the Ego, which is bigger than the ID, but I'm not sure by how much. I'm really bad with visualizing dimensions.

Hi Rajan,

Here's a flickr picture showing the SuperEgo,ID Bag, and Imago side by side so you can get an idea of their relative sizes. Be sure to look at Meryddian's post for a great set of pictures of the Ego.

[scholar]

well, I own a super ego(it's actually sitting next to me right now since I'm at school) and it is a heavy bag... but for the ammount of crap I carry in it...

it's insanely comfortable, even with the loads(I'm usually walking over two miles a day to and from school, and around town) and don't particularly mind it, however I'm about 6'3, over 200lbs, so I'm not small...

[judge]

Maybe this will help you visualize the size differences between the bags. You can add pretty much anything else you want to help give a better sense of things.

I also went through the same dilemma, Ego vs Super Ego. I ended up ordering both and returning the Ego. I think Darcy has recommended that before to people who can't decide between bags. For me, actually trying the bags on was very important, as you become aware of issues that would never occur to you. For example, the open pockets under the flap of the Ego were too small for my hands, which helped sway me towards keeping the Super Ego. I also love how much the Super Ego can carry when needed, while I found the Ego to be a bit restricting in that regard.

[Rajan]

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. They've been a help.

R.