Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - reload mid pack for messengering

hey does anyone use the relaod midpack for messengering if so is it big enough? im looking into getting a backpack and cant decide which is the right size the fullsize pack or the mid...thoughts are appreciated

later...

get the biggest bag possible...if yer interested in making money, that is...

As I told you in that PM, I just ordered the midpack, and I'll post an update about how it works for me (and I am a courier) after I use it for a few days. The backpacks that I've seen seem silly big, thats why I went for the midpack.

I've never heard a working mess say "I got too big of a bag, I can put too much stuff in it."

Here's me saying: My Bailey XL is too big. The L or even the M would have sufficed just fine. The XL slides around too much on my back when empty. It's really hard to carry a mail bin/box on my handlebars when my bag is < half full, it always slides under my armpit. This doesn't happen with the smaller bags (or backpacks, hence....).

I did my first 6 months with an old timbuk ocho (midsize). I now use a larger bag, but rarely did I wish for just a little more space. I'd say the reload mid is fine.

I opted for a size inbetween the 2 (midpack and the courier sized one) and told them to size it a tad bit smaller than a case of bottled beer. The size is better than the small one because I needed it for carrying everything from laundry/groceries to using it for travelling to India as I did last month. The straps help compress the backpack if you want it smaller but I prefer just leaving it as big as possible and have had no problems with it moving around. Even loaded up to the max the airlines allow (38lbs) it is really comfortable and with the sternum and waist straps it stays put and the weight is evenly placed in the middle.
The regular sized backpack is nice for daily stuff but when I saw it in person I realized that it isn't as big as I needed it and the shoulder straps aren't as comfortable as the ones on the bigger sized ones. The courier one was way to big for me who needed it to double as a school bookbag also. The midpack would be perfect for a schoolbag plus a change of clothes from what I saw but I doubt it would work for boxes and such while messengering.
I can post some pictures if you want.

I can post some pictures if you want.

please do.

http://reloadbags.com/bags/models/midpackworn2.jpg

Dude, that's the midpack. It's huge.

http://reloadbags.com/bags/models/midpackworn2.jpg

Dude, that's the midpack. It's huge.

I've been pretty happy with the almost-full-on backpack. (I picked one up that had an inch chopped off the width, used.)

http://entirely-adequate.com/baggage/reload/backpack/wheelbag.jpg

I've got two bags, and I use the bigger one when I'm going around doing my buying (which is when I make my money), so far I've been thankful for every cubic inch.

I am curious how things are working out for you. My Bailey seems a little big for me as well - and bothering my back a little.



As I told you in that PM, I just ordered the midpack, and I'll post an update about how it works for me (and I am a courier) after I use it for a few days. The backpacks that I've seen seem silly big, thats why I went for the midpack.

Bejay,
I don't know if we ever got the chance to discuss this in detail before I left town. But I would highly recommend going with the larger size. Some reasons:
1. Since its a backpack, you won't have to really worry about the bag sliding around your back when its minimally loaded (as compared to a "single-strap" bag).
2. The more packages (and remember, these can be anything, such as a 8"x8"x8" box AND 3 blueprint rolls AND 2 garment bags) you can carry, the more money you'll make, as well as get on the good side of your dispatcher when you tell him that you'll take the large pickups without hesitation.
3. That box that someone is riding with on their handlebars only slows them down. If you could fit it in a larger bag, which you can then carry on your back, then you'll be faster (and indirectly make more money).

Sure, the large backpack is a bit cumbersome when you're getting a beer after work, or anyplace where you need to squeeze between people. But if this is truly your work bag, you'll want the largest size possible.

Lastly, when you order whichever bag, request an extra "External Side Pocket". Trust me, it'll be worth the extra $10 (or whatever).

http://reloadbags.com/bags/models/midpackworn2.jpg

Dude, that's the midpack. It's huge.


my roommate swore that was me on that bike. i had to take a double look. same profile.
i love that bag. i wish i owned one

I've said that. Hell I even warn people not to tell their dispatchers they're using an HG because they'll fix you a route of death.

Hg?

I am curious how things are working out for you. My Bailey seems a little big for me as well - and bothering my back a little.

It wasn't big enough. At all. I'm getting a custom Push The Envelope backpack made for me, which should be here next week, and then this midpack is moving on to greener pastures.

Also, a note, that picture of the girl with the Midpack on.....she must be about 4' tall for the bag to look that big. Quite deceiving IMO.

http://reloadbags.com/bags/models/midpackworn2.jpg

Dude, that's the midpack. It's huge.
hot

im going with the chrome backbone. cant wait for it to come

my roommate swore that was me on that bike. i had to take a double look. same profile.
i love that bag. i wish i owned one

erin - i totally thought that was you, too!

In an earlier post you said that you thought the L Bailey would work for you. Both the L and the midpack are around 1900 cu in. Am I missing something or was the drop from the XL to the mp just more than you had thought. Btw if you need help unloading the mp shoot me a pm.



It wasn't big enough. At all. I'm getting a custom Push The Envelope backpack made for me, which should be here next week, and then this midpack is moving on to greener pastures.

crazyjohnson called that mp, but if anyone else has a bag they want to ditch for $$, lemme know.

Hg?

"Heavy Gear," I assume.

http://under-the-weather.ca/bagsHG.html

This is an old thread.
Just in case you people are still interested in the size of the Reload Midpack here is mine next to a 2 liter for comparison. It is a great bag and plenty big for me but I am not a messenger

^^ That looks real nice!

Here's me saying: My Bailey XL is too big. The L or even the M would have sufficed just fine. The XL slides around too much on my back when empty. It's really hard to carry a mail bin/box on my handlebars when my bag is < half full, it always slides under my armpit. This doesn't happen with the smaller bags (or backpacks, hence....).

A properly tightened X-strap (standard on Chrome bags) solves this quite easily...

the X-strap is a PAC feature, chrome has stabilizer straps though, that prevent slipping

My reload bag has a strap that can either clip across your chest and to the main strap, or across your waist and onto a clip on the other corner of the bag. Both ways are really useful for keeping it in place on my back either when its empty or overstuffed. (BTW.. when I got finally got it the other day, my first test was to see how much I could fit... and I fit my OLD mess bag filled with my usual supplies, PLUS my GF's bag, plus 3 winter coats, and a 6-pack of bottled beer)

My reload bag has a strap that can either clip across your chest and to the main strap, or across your waist and onto a clip on the other corner of the bag. Both ways are really useful for keeping it in place on my back either when its empty or overstuffed. (BTW.. when I got finally got it the other day, my first test was to see how much I could fit... and I fit my OLD mess bag filled with my usual supplies, PLUS my GF's bag, plus 3 winter coats, and a 6-pack of bottled beer)

wow. what size?

^civilian. THe coats were laid across the top of everything else and stuck out either side of the flap, but I was able to clip in the buckles and hold it all together. BTW... it actually wasnt even all that uncomfortable to wear once I got the main strap adjusted all the way out.

In an earlier post you said that you thought the L Bailey would work for you. Both the L and the midpack are around 1900 cu in. Am I missing something or was the drop from the XL to the mp just more than you had thought. Btw if you need help unloading the mp shoot me a pm.


This is sort of my question. All I ever hear is how gigantic the Bailey XL is, but I never hear anyone saying how gigantic the Reload Deluxe is. Are the numbers on their respective sites just deceptive, or is there some serious flaw in Bailey bags that makes them feel so much bigger?

Baileyworks XL 13"H x 19"W x 9"D
Baileyworks XXL (stoopid big) 15"H x 20"W x 10"D

Reload Deluxe 15"H x 19"W x 10"D

By my estimation, the Reload folks should really be off the wall about how oversized their bags are, as the XL is smaller than the Reload Deluxe, and the XXL ("stoopid big") is only slightly bigger than the Deluxe.

I was wondering the same thing as Lucky-Charms. What gives? I've been planning on a Bailey XL for a while here, but I'm just a commuter/grocery getter.

^ well to be precise I was talking about a midpack vs a traditional mess bag. There seems to be a greater likelihood regarding a perceived difference in vol if we are talking about two completely different bag types.

^ well to be precise I was talking about a midpack vs a traditional mess bag. There seems to be a greater likelihood regarding a perceived difference in vol if we are talking about two completely different bag types.


Right, right, and I wrote "This is sort of my question." to recognize that fact. ;) It just made me remember that I never could figure out why people are so hyped up on the Bailey XL and not the Reload Deluxe, so I thought I'd finally throw the question out.

2000 cu in a mess bag is a totally different beast from 2000 cu in a back pack, so it's less strange that they'd feel different, but 2000 cu in a well made mess bag ought to feel the same no matter who's doing the sewing. At least that's my dumb as dirt estimation.

i have been using the full back pack from reload for three years now. i can fit so many more jobs in it. I would say if you company does lots of copy boxes and stuff like go for the full one. If not do the mid pack..

In an earlier post you said that you thought the L Bailey would work for you. Both the L and the midpack are around 1900 cu in. Am I missing something or was the drop from the XL to the mp just more than you had thought. Btw if you need help unloading the mp shoot me a pm.

They may be able to hold the same amount of liquid or sand, but as far as envelopes/boxes/tubes are concerned, the Midpack doesn't cut it. I could easily fit twice as much stuff into/strapped onto my Bailey then I can in/on the Reload. Granted, they do say that it isn't big enough for messenger work right on the site, so it's nothing but my own damn fault. If you're going the backpack route, I'd say to stay away from the Midpack and just go for the bigger one, or an Ortlieb or something.

ive also wondered about the lack of press on the reload deluxe, and living in austin the only pictures ive ever seen are the ones on the Reload site, rather than starting a new thread id rather mention here ive been thinking of getting a reload deluxe and any pictures you have of yours(or your courier) would be much appreciated