I am hoping to get a new bag around Christmas time. I am torn between the Ortlieb waterproof messenger bag (which I have not seen) and the Chrome Metropolis (which I have seen). I lean toward the Chrome because of the coolness factor and because one can take stuff out of it without taking the bag off and fussing with the roll-top closure. There are two features of the Chrome that make me wonder.

1. I see that the main flap has a little "sub flap" at each corner to cover up the ends of the main compartment, to keep out water. But because the bag is an open main compartment with a large flap covering it, it is not water "proof" but only "resistant." I am wondering how it would perform in a pouring rain. The bag hangs on the back at an angle, the main compartment is held shut only as tightly as the main flap is fastened down. It seems that on a day with wind and rain, some rain would get in.

2. The main compartment has nothing like a zipper to close it so that one can be absolutely sure nothing can fall out. It is just an open bag with a large flap over the top. It is sealed up only as tightly as that main flap is cranked down. When in use, it hangs over the back at an angle. Isn't there some remote possibility that something could fall out of it? Of course one can guard against that by carrying "sub bags," that is, putting small stuff in something larger so that the bag contains only large items.

Thank you for any insights.