Hey everyone, It's my first time posting here. Thanks in advance for reading.

I have a question about messenger bags. I'm set to purchase a Mission Workshop Rummy Messenger bag but i'm undecided between the VX material (basically a really tightly nit 1000d ballistic nylon with some type of water resistant coating) or the 10 oz. Wax Canvas material (which looks really rustic, but i'm not sure how it will hold up against really heavy rains.)

I live in the South so it really pours down here. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Waxed canvas is quite waterproof, but is a tad heavy and requires periodic maintenance to retain its waterproofing.
If you don't mind a little extra weight and giving it a bit of care, the bag may very well outlast you.
Waxed canvas is rugged.

I use Carradice panniers, which are made of waxed cotton duck, for touring, and I couldn't be more pleased. Waterproof? Absolutely.

I reproof my Carradice panniers with Barbour jacket was and a hairdyer. I bought them in 1995 and used them almost every day for 15 years and now pull them out for bigger loads and tours. They do suffer from wear and tear, esp wear along crease lines but are far tougher than nylon. I have patched mine a couple of times.
PU-coated nylon is waterproof for as long as the coating remains intact. This is one of the first things to wear out and once worn, they loose all water proofness.

Even no longer appearing waxy, Mine , old 2nd hand, the dense woven Carradice cotton canvas ,
nature of the cotton, it swells when wet to be even tighter, so remains dry inside..


FWIW, for above post, Plastidip* paints on and makes an effective re coat on nylon, I've discovered.

* tool handle dip stuff, in the hardware stores .. I've also saturated the nylon webbing toe strap stuff
to make it stiff enough to be useful as toe straps ... and no longer absorb water.

The outer material has very little to do with water-proofness;those bags have waterproof linings. As long as the flaps are closed properly,it'll keep your stuff dry. Mission bags were started by guys who used to work at Chrome,so they build their stuff right.

thank you for all the helpful replies! I'm going to go for the waxed canvas

I have an old Carradice Nelson saddlebag that has survived almost daily use for the past 2 decades. It was originally black but has faded to gray with some frayed edges in the outer fabric, not bad for a 20 year old bike bag. I am going to take the advice listed earlier and re-waterproof it with some Barbour jacket wax (thanks for the tip). I have never had any issue with the Carradice bag leaking water after riding in a heavy rain storm. However, it's been awhile since I've pedaled in a real heavy rainstorm because it's only rained about 4 inches in the past year in my area.

I just bought a new Carradice Camper saddlebag, larger than the Nelson. It has about 50 percent more carrying space than the older saddlebag. This gives me some space to carry a few extra things when commuting or doing errands. The waxed canvas bags are good stuff and will serve you well.