I read a lot of threads on here and people seem to like messenger bags over backpacks.

So I have my mind set on the Timbuk2 which a lot of people recommend on here.

Only question is, what size? I'm 6'1" 195lbs

https://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Classi...3366078&sr=8-1


I just noticed that they have a sizing chart. So it's either L or XL for me. How big are the bags and is XL too big, etc.?

sizing is determined by how much you want to carry. i had a medium timbuk2, and it wasn't big enough for me. it would fit about 2 college books, a notebook and one binder, or one liter and a 12 pack. the large will fit a 12 pack of beer and a handle of liquor, and the extra large is suppossed to fit a case of beer and 2 liters of alcohol (i haven't verified this myself).

i have a bagaboo (XL) and i can fit a case and 2 liters of alcohol. also, a regular notebook will fit flat on the bottom, allowing a HUGE amount of stuff to fit in.

(alcohol sizes are pretty standard). the timbuk2 sizes are from friends experiences, and the large is a good general purpose bag, unless you NEED to carry a crapton of stuff on a regular basis. im 6", 190 lbs, and prefer the bagaboo over any timbuk2 i have ever used. i have the one-handed adjustment model.

I don't know if this is a good frame of reference for you, but my wife and I have a small Timbuk2 bag that we use as a diaper bag. (I'm all about being a Daddy, but I drew the line at pink flowered or Winnie the Pooh bags). It's no larger than, and in many cases smaller, than most diaper bags. Before the baby was born I used it for commuting and it carried the essentials (hand pump, tools, spare tube, lunch, etc). But if you need to carry more than the bare basics it's probably too small.

If you live close to an REI store they usually have a variety of Timbuk2 bags. Even if you don't buy one there you can at least compare sizes.

I concur with Droptop above, you need to decide what you want/need to carry. Go to the Timbuk2 web site and get the bag's dimensions and then play with the site below for capacity.

I use a small Timbuk2 as a "man bag" to walk around with a book, a few magazines, my camera and my iPod. For carrying more stuff, and particularly on the bike I much prefer my Chrome Citizen and my Metropolis.

https://velospace.org/6pc

Depends on what/how much you want to carry. I can carry a lot of stuff (and some fairly large stuff) in my large bag. The XL would probably be a bit overkill for my day-to-day use, which typically includes a change of clothes, lunch, a medium-sized laptop, and a few other odd-and-ends ... and there is still room for more stuff if necessary.

Man, I wish I could use a messenger bag... But I can't.

I looked at several bags about a year ago, then went for a Chrome Metropolis. That turned out to be a bit of overkill, but I really liked the features and durability of the Chrome bag, and so I downsized a bit to the Mini-Metro. Have been very happy with that one for daily use. I still drag out the big orange Metro depending on just how much stuff I have to wag around from time to time.

Chrome has some bags on sale here.

If your not in a rush, I'd watch ^^^^ that Chrome sale. They cycle (ha ha) things through there every few weeks. It's mostly their huge stuff though, but at crazypants prices. I got my Backbone that way for $100. It's amazing in spring/fall when I carry a ton of extra clothes and rain gear.

I have a small timbuk2. It cost me about $50, and I like it for papers, keys, wallet, small amounts of groceries, the odd can of soda, and so on. It's more of a briefcase than a large carrier (I prefer panniers for heavy stuff).

You gotta love a post that explains just how much booze you can get into your messenger bag. This would have been useful information in college.


The other comment that's often made on messenger bag threads, strongly consider getting a model with a stabilizer strap.

FYI,if you're not super picky about color,eBay is usually the best place to find T2 bags cheap. If you're going to be hauling groceries,you'll want a large,and don't forget a strap pad.

Why? Bad shoulder? Some bags come right or left shoulder and Baileyworks Pros can be swapped.

Aaagh, I'm in lust for a Baileyworks bag ever since I got a good look at my coworker's. Total serious bag lust going on here. I'm surprised they have distribution as far as DC, or are you buying mailorder?

I've got a medium sized Bailey Works Super Pro. Their site says it holds 68 beer cans.

FWIW ... If you are sure that's what you want, you can watch Chainlove.com, Bonktown.com and Steepandcheap.com for great priced Timbuk2 classic messenger bags. I recently got a XL bag and it's freaking huge. It's large enough to wrap half way around me and I'm 5'10" 235.

medium for daily commuting and stuff, I'm 6'5". I carry a fair amount of stuff in it, note books for school + light sweatshirt + lock + pump. A large could be better though.

they suck. get panniers.

I have panniers already. Looking for a messenger bag that's why I made this thread.

I recommend eBags. They've got a great selection of all sorts of bags. Bought my last backpack from there, and have been using it daily for over a year.

Yeah, the Pannier Police just can't stay out of these threads, telling us all what we ought to be using.

FWIW I have a large Timbuk2 that I used for 10 or so years for commuting. It's definitely a nice bag and holds a lot of stuff. However last year I got a Chrome Kremlin and I have to say it is a much better bag and far more comfortable to wear. Granted it is much more expensive.

I'm 5' 8" BTW.

Edit: I'm pretty sure the Timbuk2 is a large not an x-large. It was the biggest they sold then and I don't think they had x-larges back then. I could be wrong though.

I saw a Metropolis in person at Bike to Work Day and after some hemming and hawing ordered the gray/red one from this sale. Should be here Friday and I am stoked!

One of the local shops carries them.

I've put two twelve packs in mine. Would not want to carry 68 full cans.

Check out Marshalls. The merchandise is random but I picked up Timbuk2 medium for $50.