Well since there is not alot of info or reviews on a Pac (compared to other bags) I figured it could be concentrated here.

1. How is this bag as a whole?
2. Is it comfortable on foot just as it is on bike?
3. What is the best thing about it?
4. Is the price really justifiable?
5. How long has it been used and what is its condition?
6. Is the plastic main buckle strong enough to last? (I have a thing about plastic and over time it does crack or break)
* 7. Is the Ultimate series waterproof, seems from what i've heard the other series are not 100%?

Could you list the size bag you have too. Any pics would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks

P.s. - If you have the time to place your own personal review that would be nice too

1. Overall I like the bag very much, I'd probably give it 4 out of 5. My only complaint is the strap. The padded part doesn't really sit where I need it.

2. No, if you want something to walk with buy a backpack. Messenger bags only have one strap, which is fine when you're leaned over on a bike, but is never going to be comfortable when you're walking long distances with any sort of weight.

3. I've gone on 50+ mile rides with it, and it always sits just right on my back. While I'm watching my friends move and adjust their chromes and timbuk2s the pac is comfortable and stable under any sort of riding condition. Plus I've never not been able to fit everything I need in/on it, including entire bicycles, which stay put while I'm riding.

4. If you use it every day, and you never need another bag, then sure.

5. I've had mine about 4 years, the velcro that holds the flap down is sort of coming off the flap, but it isn't really needed to keep stuff in the bag, and if I'm carrying a lot I just use the straps.

6. The main buckle is holding up fine.

I have the street scene large.

thank you very much

I'll post when I have the time to do a decent write-up on my PAC Ultimate, the short story is "if your going to ride a bike and carry stuff for the foreseeable future its totally worth it" details to come.

1. One word: AWESOME
2. see above... if you want a bag for walking (any considerable distance) get two straps. That said I've had mine lightly filled and carried it around for hours. It's only when you have it crazy full that you wish you had a backpack (or x-straps)
3. The fact it doubles as a tardis? The amazing customer service? It's shapeshifting ability to hold small and large loads? The fact I know that it is 'built to last' and will do so? The fact that I've crashed and slid on the a few times and it refuses to admit that?
4. Yes... ask your self, are you worth it?
5. 2yrs... almost daily and it looks great.
6. Yes, i think it is, and I've seen more than a few of them that have been given hell on the streets and they still look good. But even if it did break you'd only have to call Pat and I'd bet she'd help you out. Seriously... their customer service is beyond amazing.

I have a street scene large. I added compression straps (2 luggage straps from the canadian equivalent of REI) because when it was really empty i found it slopped around a little. I have repeatedly git silly amounts of items in it.

I have yet to hear of anyone complain about the quality of the bags... and I'm not sure I have ever heard an owner complain about the price paid.

see below

i'm quite agree with all that has been said
it's really a good bag, super quality and the customer service is really efficient (thanks Pat )
i've the street scene medium, size really sufficient for non professional daily use
more than 12x really easy, so more than you can drink and come back safely on your pignon-fixe
but.. this model is not waterproof at the sewings.

1) Best bag I've used in 10+ years of being a messenger.
2) I think it's plenty comfy just standing around posing, or carrying covert beers while spectating.

3) The way the suspended straps work. No bag (except the ones that copied the design) can carry a big load better than the PAC. I've got the X strap, but hardly use it. I carry up to 60+lbs without using it rather comfortably over short hauls. The front buckle is nice for getting in/out of the bag when heavily laden.
4) Sure, if you consider I've used it almost every weekday for five years now. I found the non-suspended inner layer does pull moisture into the bag on really rainy days. I removed the inner cordura layer which reduced the effect greatly, but has increased the rate of wear on the liner.

5) The outter part of the bag has held up fine over 5+ years. I have broke a few small buckles, but they are replaceable at the local hardware store. I have worn out two main straps, and am working on my third. I removed all the Velcro because it's pointless after 6 months of courier work. It doesn't hold the flap down in high winds anymore, and just snags up your walker wear.
6) The big plastic buckle has been fine. The male piece (which is most likely to be the half that breaks) would be simple stupid to replace if it broke.
Deluxe bag

1. How is this bag as a whole?

Phenomenal. Most intelligent strap adjustment system out there, large bag that doesn't feel enormous all the time. Incredibly comfortable to ride with. The speed with which you can not only lengthen/shorten the strap (like a Chrome) is phenomenal, but the thing that does it for me is that you can also adjust the strap's tightness/suspension /to the bag itself/ with smaller top/bottom straps in order to perfectly align the load in the center of your back. Amazing design. The X-Strap is great for heavy loads as well.

2. Is it comfortable on foot just as it is on bike?

I'd say "not really" -- I've got a smaller Reload bag that's superior for walking than the PAC. The PAC's shoulder strap has an articulated seam in it that's a bit uncomfortable to me when walking, but unnoticeable when riding.

3. What is the best thing about it?

Strap design and the sandwich pocket.

4. Is the price really justifiable?

Probably. Mine's about a year old, has survived tons of wear and travel already and is holding up great. The after-sale support from Pat has been great as well -- I cracked one of the strap retainer clips, sent her an email and let her know, and she dropped me 5 replacements in the mail for free.

5. How long has it been used and what is its condition?

About a year, and other than being a bit stinky (needs washin'!) it's in great shape.

6. Is the plastic main buckle strong enough to last? (I have a thing about plastic and over time it does crack or break)

I don't take the bag off using that buckle -- I've probably opened/closed it twice -- so I'm not concerned about it.

Carried this beer home without a fuss...

wow great stuff thanks. this will be very useful for other pending buyers of the bag

1. How is this bag as a whole?
Unbelievable. Its the attention to detail that really blew me away. The fact it was designed by someone who had spent a lifetime in the saddle is obvious the first time you get on the bike with it. The strap system is amazing and build quality is unquestionable.
2. Is it comfortable on foot just as it is on bike?
No, as has been said all over this thread its a bike bag not a walking bag. If your not carrying a lot you can totally get away with it but with a full load its simply not comfortable IMO
3. What is the best thing about it?
The strap system without question. Its genius, comfortable and doesn't move around on you at all.
4. Is the price really justifiable?
Yes and no. Yes because your supporting a handmade high-end boutique product that is totally made in Canada on the world's largest freshwater island. No because it is a fair bit more then other offerings. My view is if your money is super tight look at the seagull black bag but if you have the money to spend and your going to be using your bike to haul stuff for awhile then go for the PAC you'll never look back.
5. How long has it been used and what is its condition?
I've only had mine for 6 weeks and had good riding conditions back for 4, so its still brand new.
6. Is the plastic main buckle strong enough to last? (I have a thing about plastic and over time it does crack or break) Can't really say but it certainly feels beefy enough to last forever.
* 7. Is the Ultimate series waterproof, seems from what i've heard the other series are not 100%?
I have only been in one downpour so far but my Ultimate was fine.

> 1. How is this bag as a whole?

awesome

> 2. Is it comfortable on foot just as it is on bike?

hmmm... i've walked a couple miles (catching the train) w/ it pretty loaded w/o any problems, but this isn't a regular thing.

> 3. What is the best thing about it?

huge, indestructible

> 4. Is the price really justifiable?

i think so, but then again, i bought one.

> 5. How long has it been used and what is its condition?

about two years. it is my second because someone stole my old one that i had for about 7 years in daily service.

> 6. Is the plastic main buckle strong enough to last?

i cracked one of the strap buckles by stepping on it, but that's it. everything else is holding up nicely.

* 7. Is the Ultimate series waterproof, seems from what i've heard the other series are not 100%?

you have to make sure that you're closing it well, but i'd say it is pretty tight. i almost never use the straps since the velcro is like glue (my girlfriend hates it because it attacks her and her clothing sometimes).

Three and a half years with the Ultimate (second largest bag) and it is amazing. I do some walking with it, traveled with it, carried heavy as law school textbooks in it as well as ackward loads of groceries, bagels, etc. The main strap is far superior to Baileyworks or the Timbuk2-like Trek bags I have had. The X strap is great with a heavy load but can sometimes annoying sit across my nipple. The compression straps make it a small bag when it needs to be and huge othertimes.

I bought mine on sale and before prices went up but they are well worth it. One friend had a bad customer service experience when the custom embrodiery on his bag started fraying immediately but he still swears by the bag. Two other friends have had the already mentioned experience in which the clip to hold the strap back snapped and Pat sent several new ones. Mine just snapped last weekend and I still need to email her about it.

I borrowed my neighbour's for a week, and will be ordering my own very, very soon.

The only complaint I have is that my Blackberry sits too close to my face when clipped onto the main strap.

Is the Ultimate OS overkill for messengering?

im not a messenger and i want the OS. im that type that commutes and likes to have the largest option available in those "whoa man that is a large object i need to get home without using a car" moments. the extra pocket space is always a nice thing to have available.

NO IT ISN'T - I NEED BIGGER.

BEST BAGS EVER DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED.

Those Canadians are great, eh?

I have a ton of messenger bags. Most of em are collectors bags from messenger Champs but I have used em all at one time or another. I have had my current Pac since 98 and it is still in great shape and is still waterproof in all but the most torrential rainstorms. Pat has honed the design over many years. Often imitated but never duplicated. I have known her personally for 15 yrs and can attest to her dedication to making sturdy and useful gear.

That's why I ride a porteur bike



I also wear a pretty damn big bag, but sometimes I put it on the rack:

i love that bike^!!!

Set that bad boy up fixed and hit the skid competition. 30lbs of box and you wouldnt even have to get that far out front.
Cargo bikes rock!
I had a buddy move my full size fridge on his Bilenky. Only time I have seen a cyclist take a whole lane in this city and not get mercilessly honked at.
Nice old Time's by the way.

Hehe. I was talking with onetwentyeight about skidding this thing just two days ago. Relying on skidding to stop a porteur would be a very bad idea, but yeah - I'll have to see how far I can go with something on the rack.

I've had all different type of bags. Arctery'x back packs, Dank backpack and even Reload and Chromes. Everyone says that this bag isn't really made for walking but it truly is the most comfortable bag whatever you're doing. It really shines though when you're riding. Large loads don't seem that large and it just sits perfect. I've had a bad AC seperation in my collarbone and the end protrudes up on the side the main strap sits on. Other back packs tend to irritate this area under heavy loads but the pac is something I hardly feel.

I'm amazed at Sasha's ability to both afford and carry such expensive brews.

the guy flips Keirin frames. he spends his money well (i.e. - tasty beverage)