this might be a stupid question, but how do all of you keep the stuff in your messenger bag from poking you in the back? i've tried a few things along with a piece of cardboard, though that doesn't seem to work all that well.

1) totally not a stupid question, as i've had that happen to me numerous times

2) i think it comes down to more careful packing than i typically take the time to engage in.

3) mess bag manufacturers would do well to pad the back of their bags, though that might result in increased levels of back sweat, which is gross.

packing skills = answer.
but with some objects, just tought it out.

One of the "We buy Ugly Houses/ Need Morgage Help/ Vote for ..." corrugated plastic signs cut to fit your bad helps alot....

yeah i've tried careful packing but sometimes it just can't be helped

i just used to make sure that my manifest clipboard was vertical and centered in the back of the bag when i was riding, that did the trick. corrugated plastic sounds like it would work well too.

pad it yourself
blue camping foam between the bag and the liner.

Take a thick sweatshirt or something with you, they're great impromptu padding (weigh quite a bit though). Another good one is a frozen pizza or two. The boxes are flat so nice and comfy, and they keep you cool too.

If you've got a Chrome, or any other bag that you can get inbetween the cordura and the liner, you can slip a cutout piece of a yoga mat (good source of closed-cell foam) in there. I believe dolface did this with this.

I've got a back pad on my bag, and it's great, but it does indeed increase the sweaty back factor, 'cause it's a great insulator. And some things it just doesn't really help with -- when I carried a 30lb sewing machine in my bag, it tried to murder my kidneys. The pad did help with the sharp corners, but can't really do anything about a big dull, hard thing pressing relentlessly into your back.

Did you carry the new red one in a mess bag?! If so, you are both insane and totally awesome. If not, still, that's quite a feat.

1/4" thick piece of pink foam (used to pack PCMCIA cards in bulk), wedged between the liner and outer of my bag.

Hah, no, not the new one - it's TOO big! I don't think it fits in my bag, although it would in something like a PAC Ultimate OS. My previous machine, which is about 6" smaller and 10 lbs lighter, but I was still carrying about 40 lbs when you add clothes for work, tool kit, two U-locks, lunch, and miscellany. I'm glad I have good brakes.

I've noticed that certain bags have a worse shape for this. I can jam just about anthing into my timbuk2 and not worry about it. With my chrome, if i don't have something large and flat against my back, i'm in pain. On a side note, is the "secret" pocket in a chrome just the space between the liner and the shell?

you haven't found the stash pocket yet?

I noticed the same thing about Chrome vs. Timbuk2.
I swear my Citizen doesn't have the stash pocket, if it does, it's not in the same place as it is on my friends kremlin.

There's no stash pocket on the Citizen

i used to have this problem with my chrome. now my PAC comes with a built in foam back pad woohoo!
thanks PAC! A-#1!

i misread the front page as you being the author, so i was going to say "try glueing the campfire headphase cd to back for a flat spot, becuase thats all its good for"....but now i cant

but yeah, careful packing and a sweatshirt or raincoat in between the crap and you help a lot

HAR HAR HAR!

but seriously, yeah a bit underwhelming.

Apparently not. Where is it? Nevermind, don't tell me. I'll have to look.

drink lots of beer and eat lots of hot dogs and grow a nice thick layer of fat on your back

Panniers

I leave my padded laptop sleeve in mine even when I'm not carrying my laptop.

the yummiest solution yet.

i have a thick plastic-y covered planner that i try to keep horizontal and against my back. it seems to work, but if there's anything in there extremely large and pokey i'm ****ed.