some people genuinely prefer it. just because you had a negative experience doesn't mean others have.

I just bought a bike with 16 inch wheels from K-mart and rode it to work. It was terrible, hard to peddle, hurt my back, hurt my legs, hurt my hands and took forever to get into work. I will never ride a bike again. Anything is better than riding a bike, walking, crawling, anything. You guys are all fools for riding bikes.

We have even more in common than great taste in bikes and women...

Used a Chrome Kremlin which is almost big enough for me to fit into... was nothing but comfortable and also ran a front rack as even though it would swallow a legal box riding with that on your back sucked.

Definitely panniers. Mine straps firmly to my side. Doesn't wiggle about much.. Being that I don't carry much, it's tolerable. When I carry much weight, I take the bike with panniers. Backpacks. I hate the hot spots on my back. The sweat gets enough to smudge the print .

I like my Timbuk2 bag w/ cross strap unless I am carrying heavy stuff...then the weight gets to my shoulder / collar bone.

Ya, like we've said... you are definitely doing it wrong and sounding foolish.

The bag should go across your back on a diagonal. When leaning slightly forward, with the bag high and snug, it should hug your UPPER & MID back.
If it's a proper mess bag and worn properly, you shouldn't even need the support strap. I wear a medium sized Chrome bag and it doesn't budge an inch, with just the main shoulder strap.

Here's how to do it correctly.








And here is a messenger back FAIL.

He doesn't care about the proper way to wear one.. he's trolling. But maybe the info can help someone else.

It's not a purse.

I wear mine more like a messenger fanny-pack. It's more aero that way and comfortable to load the hips instead of the upper torso, but it's definitely not a "style choice."

I find it peculiar that the OP while trashing messenger bags in general, hasn't stated what make/model he's basing his judgement on.

I prefer backpacks over panniers, but am getting ready to give mess bags a try. Won't be any of the major players like Chrome, but more affordable from companies that do make quality stuff- like Jandd or Banjo Brothers.

it's a no-name canvas brand, but I did my research.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

In terms of general form and straps it's the same as all other messenger bags out there.

Shortened the strap today...eh, wasn't great at all.

Nothing like mine in the strap layout and design, so that's an incorrect statement. You're comparing a $25 canvas purse to a real messenger bag. Epic fail.

In your behalf though, since messenger bags have become a "fashion statement" there's a lot of them out there that are no more than carry bags. Even the glowing reviews on Amazon for this one bear that out, with comments like "great for carrying my books around school"

One of our C-level execs came into a meeting the other day carrying a nice Ortleib bag. I commented on it only to hear "Oh, I liked the way it looked"

...but but, i did my research.

it is a BAG, how great do you want it to be... plenty of better messenger bags out there, i don even see a cam buckle.

How complicated could it be? One adjustable strap + a waist strap. This is the same basic form factor as a $100 timbuk2 bag.

I dunno, you seem to be vexed into a passive-aggressive state trying to figure out why people use such a bag! For one, i don't see a cam-buckle and the shape is all wrong. Have you at least tried to switch the "Waist belt" to the shoulder?

Agree that you're likely using it wrong, but having used both, including the high-quality Chrome bag, I definitely think that the backpack is overall easier and more comfortable, especially when carrying potentially lopsided heavy items. The backpack tends to ride ride into the center of your back even with funny loads, whereas the messenger back occasionally does prefer one side if you load it unevenly. Both can work great, but I've definitely preferred the backpack despite the less hipster look.

I like panniers as well, but I find that a small lo-profile backpack gives less aero resistance (for me) than the backpack - I can actually feel the wind resistance of the pannier slowing me down on fast straightaways at 20+mph, whereas I don't notice the difference with a Camelback.

I've never had a messenger bag before as I've always used a backpack. Just seeing the design has me to ask some questions.

Would the one sided shoulder strap not wear the fabric on the garment you're wearing more on that one side as all the pressure is there? Like I wear a bra so I'm a bit concerned about the rubbing over time wearing with that much pressure all the time. Also any girls out there that can chime in on this? Does is chaffe or feel uncormforable under a decent or heavy load on the boobs? Once again I would worry about wearing out the shirt in the middle rubbing against the bra. Perhaps some info from the girls would help me out on this.

Although I'd greatly like to follow any subject that contains the word 'boobs', methinks that poohbear may be unaware of the mystical women's forum here on BF. PM a mod or admin to gain access. Me being male prohibits me from helping you, uh, researching the subject.

There is a big difference between a bag with a shoulder strap (what you bought) and a real BIKE messenger bag.

In the past decade, I've gone through 2 timbuk2 bags, 2 chrome bags, a crumpler bag, and a marmot backpack over... 30-40000 miles of riding? I think one year I rode like 15k, more than my first car.

In my experience, the messenger bags are best if you have to open and close your bag frequently. The chrome bags fit better on the bike while the timbuk2 fits better off. The crumpler bag fit horribly but the back was some really tough material that tore up my jerseys like sandpaper but kept it from moving around too much. Like the others say, they have to be cinched real tight and ride pretty far up your back in order to fit well and be stable. Best bag I ever used was the marmot. It's basically a backpack with a suspension that lifted almost the entire pack off your bag. Once cinched up, it hugged my body and everything stayed tight while at the same time allowing my back to breathe.

Your mileage may vary...

You look familiar...

I'm sorry you're grumpy, but this is the internet, so you're in the right place.

I don't know how all the sewing and geometry and whatnot works, but I've worn crappy messenger bags that fit poorly and good messenger bags that fit well. I've also had the same experience with pants.

So I guess what I'm saying is that you should never wear pants again, and tell us about it on the internet.

Maybe you should try professional fitting.

Here's an idea: instead of not admitting that you got taken in by marketing hype, go ask real bike messengers/couriers- in person- what they think of your purchasing decision. Then get back to us.

That's just like comparing a 1970's Lada to 2010 Mercedes.