Messenger Bags, no slip
 

Here's a great aggregation of links to "Best" Messenger bags. [URL="http://www.messmedia.org/messenger-bags.html"]http://www.messmedia.org/messenger-bags.html[/
URL] <I've no idea why the url repeats>

I actually have my 1970s Globe Canvas DeMartini. It's the first listing at the referenced url. Martini passed away and maybe 2 years someone must have taken the trademark. But the url dead ends.

The problem with the DeMartini is it rolls off my back, on to left shoulder. It's not safe if I'm carrying some grocery items. (the DeMartini must be 17" wide by 12" high and it's a single compartment so there's no way to balance load.)

Tom Binh shows bags with an optional front strap, but I don't quite get the physics of this fitment. And more tricked out than I'd like: iPod pocket, iPhone pocket, impact resistant netbook section, & c.

What bags are you'all (commuters) using? can recommend. Or in the alternative, would you recommend a rear rack and bungee cords and/or soft constructed trunk (like a motorcycle top bag).

Many thanks, Richard Moss

I've got a Seal Line (lg) bag. It has a single divider (think front/back compartment). It has a stabilizer strap that helps prevent the sliding around business, although if I get out of the saddle, I do have to re-adjust from time to time. I don't know if a bag is made that's totally stationary. It's water proof or at least very water resistant. So far no complaints.

http://cascadedesigns.com/sealline/u...er-bag/product

OP, i'll probably never use anything other than a Chrome bag. I have two (the largest ones), but they come in a few different sizes. It's really just a big waterproof bag with a couple small pockets and a comfortable strap. I've found them to actually be waterproof (i'll trust my Mac in it), and made of fairly indestructible material. The warranty and (at least for me) the comfort made the price a bit easier to swallow.

oh, and stabilizer straps work. i don't know how something so simple works so well, but they do.

one more thing, search the forums and you'll probably find this thread duplicated about 50 times. All the reviews and advice you could ever want.

The seal line bags are loved by many of my commuting friends, in particular this series, http://cascadedesigns.com/SealLine/U...ckpack/product

I have been using an Osprey brand pack, has nice back panel that helps a lot with alleviating heat build up, is comfortable and has built in pack cover if it happens to be raining. also has tons of space for lunch, clothes, and whatever else. http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/Kes...ble/Kestrel32/

Messenger bags just don't do it for me. If its going to be on my back I prefer backpacks, and I like having my camelback while riding. However, for messenger bags, Chrome has a stellar reputation, http://www.chromebagsstore.com and if I were to use a messenger bag I would use theirs.

A real messenger bag has a stabilizer strap. Without the stabilizer strap, it really won't work. Unless Tom Binh is reinventing the wheel (and I wouldn't put it past him), the arrangement is a very simple one:

1. Shoulder strap over the head. Let's say the bag will hang on your right side (well, actually it's behind you, but you get the idea), so the strap crosses diagonally from your left shoulder to your right hip.
2. Stabilizer strap has one attachment point at the bag's lower right corner (if you were looking at it facing the back side of the bag with the bag upright). The other end of the strap has a connector that connects to a gizmo located on the shoulder strap. Usually this gizmo has some ability to float around, but it ends up more or less in the middle of your chest.
3. Stabilizer strap goes from the lower corner of the bag, which in this example rides by your left hip (plus or minus, some wear it way high, doesn't matter) around your left side, and clips onto the shoulder strap more or less at mid-chest.

Or look at a picture.

What's wrong with a regular backpack?

Sweaty back.

There's nothing wrong with any kind of bag. Everyone's got their preferences. One reason I prefer a messenger bag to a backpack is that I find it more convenient once I'm off the bike -- I just unclip the stabilizer strap and swing the bag around to the front if I need to get something inside.

In summer I often use a backpack. In winter I use a mes bag. The reason being that I have to haul my stuff around with me on campus, and in the cold mornings I wear a bulky jacket, extra pair of track pants, gloves, cap, etc. and it's all much too bulky to fit in my backpack.

In winter I also bring a big thermos of hot coffee and about 3000 Kcal of food (the rubbish they sell at the cafeteria is unfit for human consumption at extortionate prices).

My previous mes bag was a no-name cheapie that died last winter, this year I designed & made my own mes bag, cost me about $50 in materials. It's big, super-comfy, and completely stable. It's more comfortable than a backpack on a road bike.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...sbag/mbag4.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...sbag/mbag5.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...sbag/mbag3.jpg

Seagull bags. Pretty much the best messenger bag I've ever used (including Chrome). In my large black bag I was able to ride 10 miles easily with;

Gallon of OJ
12 pack of beer
2 bags of chips
small carton of strawberries
2 bottles of champagne

Pretty comfortable. I eventually ditched it for a decent saddle bag as I prefer riding without anything on my back.

Picture I took before I sold it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/DSC03181.jpg

My back gets just as sweaty with my messenger bag (Bailey Works Super Pro).. but I still prefer the mes. bag for the comfort and ability to swing around to access it without taking it off.

I send waves of envy in your direction.

Do they make any messenger bags that have a full length zipper on the top instead of a huge flap closure? That would make putting large or oddly shaped items into the bag less awkward while wearing it.

That Tom Bihn Super Ego looks vuhry niice.

I personally haven't heard of any, but then, I don't know all that much about the different brands out there, but I imagine that would kill the weatherproof-ness of any bag since the zipper would most likely be leaky.

My Baileyworks Super Pros don't shift at all,and the strap is super easy to use. richardmoss,does your bag only have one strap? My commuting bag(Courierwear) only came with one and used to move all over the place. Rigged up a Timbuk2 sternum strap and now it stays put pretty good.

Ortlieb makes one:
http://www.ortliebusa.com/CartGenie/prod-60.htm

Apparently you need to lubricate the zipper periodically to keep it functioning properly. Personally I prefer a flap,it lets you overstuff the bag or even put things under the flap.