Messenger Bags
 

A few questions for everyone in regards to messenger bags:

What are your preferences for messenger bags? What brands do you like? What features do you look for?

How much weight do you carry? How far have you found you can ride without your bag getting uncomfortable?

If you haul a laptop, do you like to use a separate sleeve or do you like a bag with a laptop sleeve built in? (Or do you just toss it in there with no protection cause you could care less?)

Waterproof, easy on-off, durable, good pockets, reflector strips, easy closure system...

I like Chrome bags. Not cheap but not the most expensive. Good value.

Pac Designs is the best.

Bailey Works, Chicago Wig, Zugster, ReLoad and Chrome also all make excellent bags.

Chrome is the best bang for your buck.

I've done 60 miles with my Pac minimally loaded. It gets heavy, not uncomfortable. I've also done 60 with a ReLoad Civilian, that did get uncomfortable.

I haul my laptop in a Tom Bihn Brain Cell so it's very well protected.

Beyond that, search these forums. There are many, many many threads on mess bags here and in SS/FG.

I have a deMartini messenger bag, extra large.
Compared to some of the newer styles it is a large bag without the pockets and other doo-dads.
It can hold more than I can carry, have used it as a weekend bag. I put my laptop in a canvas sleeve
made to fit it, it is not padded. Any clothes or other items may help cushion it.
I'm a large moosey person, the extra large bag fits nicely across my back- the bag stays in place well.
Don't think i've ridden more than 20 km at one time with it, plenty comfortable. Have the strap adjusted so the bottom of the bag hangs nicely about my waistline. On a real warm humid day, feel some perspiration between the bag and my back. The bag taken a lot of abuse and keeps on going, it was
pouring rain this eve on the way home- bag was covered with road grime, just wiped the muck off when
i got home and hung it up to dry. everything on the inside was dry. It is a very nice bag for my needs and a great value.

I just found the search feature. Before I posted this thread (as I assumed similar things must have been posted before), I looked for the familiar search box I usually see on forums. Didn't see it.

I only have experience with one brand of bag (Bontrager), but I can't help but notice the number of non-cyclists walking around with messenger bags or messenger-bag-wannabees. There's a ton of 'em out there. Whatever you end up buying, make sure you buy something that isn't just a knockoff designed for people who are interested primarily in the look.

Edit: sorry, earlier I'd said "...the number of cyclists".

To add to that, all of the good messenger bag companies are small ones. 1 - 10 employees, operating out of someone's basement or garage, and when you call them you'll end up talking to the person who started, owns and operates the company.

Almost everything made by bigger companies like Timbuk2 or Novara (REI's brand) isn't very good.

Anything made by a really big company is probably going to be a shoulder bag that's called a "messenger bag" for marketing reasons in addition to being crap.

Expect to spend $100, bare minimum, for a good messenger bag. Realistically they're more like $200 or more.

Cocotte Alfredo FTW.

I only have had one as well. Timbuk2 commuter bag. Good bag, huge reflective area and lots of pockets on the inside. I don't use it anymore though. I'd rather use panniers.

Not to start a fire, but YMMV here as anywhere else. My wife has a Timbuk2 messenger bag-nice piece of work. She found it at Goodwill for $7. Too small for my needs, or I'd covet it! I scored a large bag made by L.L. Bean off a "free"pile after a yard sale, and pretty much lived out of it from fall until spring. You do need to shop around and be patient until you find what suits you best, just like with anything else. One essential, though, is a good cinch strap for around the waist, so the bag sits right and stays comfortable.

I'm a huge fan of "Courierware" handmade bags from Vermont. I've owned three now, a large
messenger bag that was my constant companion when I worked and has been passed to
#2 son, a medium messenger bag that I bought to use for a brief period during my early
retirement years, and lastly a "mini" walking bag to haul my stuff in now that I can't have
anything touching/bouncing on my legs ( a pants pocket full of 'guy stuff' is a no-no for me).

These bags are little known to most but every single one is handmade of ballistic Cordura that
is almost bulletprorf so they wear like iron. THESE bags take a back seat to no one!
My son washed the big bag up to look like new and is using to travel in pursuit of his job after
I used it for 6 days a week for 20 yrs!

If you are short on funds call the makers phone # listed on the site to inquire about seconds
or tradein's (yes, they take their bags back intrade for a new "Courierware" bag which is
where I bought two of my bags! (couldn't find a thing wrong with either one))

So if you want to own a messenger ,or other Courierware bag, and spend the money just once, buy
a Courierware bag and move on. It will last you longer than you could ever believe. Just throw it
in the wash machine once in a while and your good. :thumb:

http://courierbags.com/index.itml

I had a Timbuk2 Commute bag, and after carrying my laptop in it for four years through torrential Miami spring downpours, I couldn't be happier with it. I sold it and got a large messenger bag from them, and it's treated me well so far. If you're looking for a sturdy bag with a lot of room inside that's waterproof- that's what you want.

The ONLY issue I've had is accidentally hitting the quick-adjusting strap thingie and having my bag drop while walking around. But while riding I've never had any issues whatsoever.

I have a Chrome Metropolis. I prefer backpacks now. It is much easier to get in a messenger bag (especially while riding). A backpack is just much more comfortable though. Pac Designs Bags are supposedly the cat's pajamas.

I use a laptop sleeve from Waterfield Designs. I've also read a lot of positive things about the Tom Bihn Brain Cell. You can get sleeves for much cheaper, but they probably won't offer as much protection and quality.

I'm using a Chrome Citizen for my commuting. Very happy with it! Built to last and stays in place. I carry my work clothes, bike accesories (tubes, co2, lights, tools, etc.),and maybe a rain jacket. Have plenty of room left over, but I don't carry a laptop, though I'm sure I could fit one as long as I keep a pair of shoes at work. My commute is 17 miles round-trip.

I have a Novara bag and really like it, but I haven't used any other so YMMV. I rarely carry my laptop with me but I do have a separate sleeve for it. I usually have clothes and a lunch and maybe some files and book. I have a couple of pairs of shoes I leave at work so I don't have to pack them back and forth.

I have a touring bike with a rack and panniers that I like more than using a messenger bag for anything longer than my normal commute.

Timbuk2 is a fine brand, don't listen to that guy. I ride with mine to work everyday,carrying a laptop, my Sony Reader, a notebook, pens, and other gadgets. It's got a water-sealed liner, is made of a durable fabric, has good reflector strips, and is hand made in San Francisco.

Not saying anything bad about the other ones, but I think most people are happy with their TimBuk2s, even though it's a bigger company.

My Timbuk2 bag has stood up to abuse very well. Waterproof too.

I recently started a thread here asking for bag advice (you can read it here)

That thread tipped me off to Seagull Bags based out of Columbus, OH. Their bags get great reviews over on the SS/FG forum, and are very customizable. I've ordered a medium Deluxe bag and have been having a good experience with them so far... they've been very friendly and responsive to my emails. I'll post a review when I get the bag itself.

I will be using mine for a 10-mile round trip commute with a laptop. I don't have a separate laptop sleeve, but have a neoprene case I picked up for the computer a long time ago.

My current bag is comfortable for light loads, but can get uncomfortable with full loads over more than a few miles.

I have a Courierware bag that I went and bought where the guy makes them. I even took a day off to drive there (including crossing the US border). I really like the shop owner, don't remember his name, but I think he's a musician.

I still prefer the Cocotte bags though. The design is better IMO and the materials/craftmanship is as good or better than Courierware's. One thing I miss that the Courierware bag had and that the Cocotte doesn't is the double pocket.

TimBuk2 and Chrome are both excellent. Novara Buzz is good too...but seems to have a harder time handling larger/heavier loads that my TimBuk2 handles with no problem.

LOL don't listen to this guy. Timbuk2 started out as a small company and they made excellent bags in San Francisco. In recent years they have grown by leaps and bounds, some of their manufacturing has shifted overseas, but I think they do make custom ones in the US still. They still have great bags, and their line has expanded.

That said, there are a lot of other excellent bag makers out there.

Thanks for all the responses. I think, from what I've guaged here, I'm going to go with two bags: a medium Timbuk2 Laptop Messenger, and then a larger bag from either Courier, Pac, or Chrome... not sure on the latter yet. I'll have to do more research.

hey, Check out Steepandcheep NOW!

http://www.steepandcheap.com/?cmp_id...mp_sku=TBK0001

Jay

I'm lookin at the Pac Street Large or the Chrome XL now... they both seem fairly nice. The Courierware XL is smaller than both of those, but cheaper...

I'm really liking the Pac Deluxe... but that's upwards of $300.

Oh hell I dunno. I'm just talking out my ass right now anyways. I'll decide eventually.

If you can afford it,get a Baileyworks. Tough,lots of pockets,and the best strap out there. If you're on a budget,get a Timbuk2. If you check around outlet sites and eBay,you should be able to find a large for $50-60 shipped.

I have a small(now they call it medium) Courierware Deluxe. It's ok,but for the price you can do better. They only have one strap,which allows them to move around on you. I wound up having to rig a second strap from a T2. I see that now they offer a second strap as a $10 option;it should be stock. The other thing I don't like is it leaks in hard rain. The colored flap meets the back of the bag in a seam that runs right across the top. It isn't taped,and will leak in a downpour. I love all the pockets,and it's proved durable(it's my commuting bag),but for half the price you can get a T2 with proper strap that's weatherproof.