Say what you all will, but after a decade of commuting with first backpacks then messenger bags I realized THEY ALL SUCK. I was in a deep state of denial thinking they were the only way to go.
I realized that that day I put the rack and pannier (arkel) on my bike. I'm now completely liberated.
Once you go rack, you never go back. Yes it is totally Fred. Commuting on your bike is Totally Fred.