My trusty Push the Envelope Metro messenger bag is getting a bit tired, and I'm thinking of a replacement. After years and many thousands of kms/miles of not-terribly-kind treatment, it's starting to wear through. That's a problem when I occasionally ride with my laptop in torrential rain.

I like the bag, but want something different for the following reasons:
- I want something bigger (this one is 1350 cu in — fine for typical commute, but can be limiting if I need to buy stuff on the way home)
- The plastic clips have a tendency to become brittle when riding in cold weather. These can be replaced, but it's annoying to have to do that.
- Sometimes I'd like a bit more padding on the strap

Of those, the biggest single annoyance is the brittle plastic clips. I wouldn't rule out getting another Push the Envelope, but I feel like trying something new.

I'm was thinking that a Chrome Metropolis might be a good choice. It seems to get good reviews and the big buckle would do away with the brittle clip problem (though I notice the stabilizing strap features a plastic clip).

But then I discovered R.E.Load bags, particularly the Deluxe. They seem to be getting even better reviews around here than the Chromes, but I hadn't heard of them before. Are there any RELoad owners here who specifically chose their bag over a Chrome? I'd like to know why. Or, if there are any Chrome owners who chose their bags over RELoads, I'd like to hear from you, too.

I'm not interested in a backpack (I prefer messenger bags) [EDIT: OK, maybe backpacks could work... anyone have thoughts about the Ortlieb Flight?] or panniers (my folding bike makes these impractical), but I would be interested in hearing about other good messenger bags. Price isn't really an issue, since I plan to get many years out of the bag.

Oh, and I'm not such a fan of Timbuk2s... I find they move around too much.

What do you all think?