viper_04649

I am looking at the reload Civilian and the Seagull Pigeon. I do not know anyone that is getting a seagull bag until mid September. so i can't try these out, and the reload civilian is a tough one to find too.

But, I am creating a custom design and would like to get some input on which bag i should choose. what are the advantages and disadvantages of both (not thinking about price). and if there is another contender i should look at, let me know.

Me: I am not a messenger, but i am commuting to school and work everyday. I will sometimes have some heavy books and sometimes my laptop. so it needs to be comfortable when it is full, and not (too) bulky when empty.

deathhare

I just ordered one from http://www.bagaboo.hu/
I got a totally custom Medium with a lot of extra add-ons for $145. The same bag with as many extras would have cost me well over $200 at Reload.
Ive seen these in person and they look better built than the Reloads ive seen. I cant speak for Seagull at all...havent seen one close up.
Bagaboo def makes ordering 10x easier than Reload or Seagull, thats for sure.

ps: theyre in Europe so youll pay about 30 bucks for shipping, if that matters to you.

666pack

well i have a r.e.load and i'm super happy with it. the new features they added to the bag (inside organizer pocket, et cetera) will make it even better.

if i can give you one piece of advice about r.e.load, it's not to go too big. i figured i would get the biggest one possible so i only ever need one bag, so i got the deluxe and if it weren't for the compression straps it would be too gigantic for my needs.

beatifik

i have a civilian and it's awesome. i've had it for over 2 years now and it's holding up great. it's definitely big enough for me too. i'm 5'5".

i'd def get the outside pockets and the shoulder pad if you're doing custom.

sygyzy

Can you post dimensions and some (of you wearing it) up?

viper_04649

a big thing that i noticed when i checked out the R.E.Loads is that the bottom was like a double layer, that is nice for durability, but was kinda bulky when empty

deathhare

Its not here yet. When i get it i can post pics in this thread though.

fibergoldfish

I have the largest reload i used when messengering and i loved it it is comfortable and big enough to hold anything that was thrown at me, i also have a reload civilian i use for everyday use, i love it just as much big enough to hold my life but when its empty its not wrapped around me like a blanket. I love reload i love the customer service i love everything about them

eXCeSS

I want someone with a seagull bag to post. They seem promising but no one has them!

cc700

read the black bag review threads, that's where everyone with a seagull bag has posted.

paulwwalters

The only reason I would go with a RE-Load over a Seagull is because they offer a backpack that isn't so FRICKING HUGE!!! Gosh the Seagull is sweet too but it's way to big, if I wanted a drag chute I'd go to an Army/Navy store...

Plus with a bag that big I'd fill it and I wouldn't be able to carry it.

reinventingevan

Seagull. For real. really. He/they are awesome.

Mr. Samsa

Seagull bags are the best!
Dan the owner is the best at customer service and satisfaction and you can tell with the fast and extensive communication.
Buy from this company and guy!
You wont be let down
I have the big as$ one and I hauled 3 6packs and 5 tall boys and some food to a party and it was easy and comfy!!! Such a great bag.I use it as a carry on when I travel as well!!!
ITS AWESOME
I can post pics if you all want to see it
Size and style wise
~a

theetruscan

Haven't tried a Seagull bag, but I shoved my reload under a tire to get some traction when our car was stuck in a mud puddle on safari. It's slightly discolored, that's it.

Normally I just use it to lug my **** to and from work, school, and the grocery store every day. It's been used nonstop for bike commuting for about a year now. The edge of the padding for the shoulder strap is curled inwards, but intact, no other apparent problems with unstitching, tearing, or anything, and I have not babied this bag at all.. The buckle is awkward but indestructible.

sygyzy

Mr. Samsa - Would love to see some pictures, particularly from behind so I can see how it sits on your back.

willypilgrim

They have several different sizes, dude.

viper_04649

anyone tried the seagull and the re-load?

ryanday

Not in a backpack, they don't.

Mr. Samsa

Sorry for the late response
the bag is loose on my back but it fits snug!I loosen'ed it in this pic

seagull_bags

hopefully a smaller backpack will hit the streets in four weeks!

viper_04649

oo what are the proposed specs for that?

shants

hello viper --

i have both a seagull and a reload. here are my thoughts:

i bought the reload a few years ago having never used another "bona fide" messenger bag. i thought it was the ultra jam and swore by it for almost 2 years. The construction is stellar -- the years of experience really show -- and the finishing is quite clean. i would probably have never thought to try anything else had i not decided to get a slightly smaller bag for day-to-day use.

i'd been eying bags that friends had from brands like baileyworks, under the weather, pac, chrome, seagull, etc, and made it a point to try them on and get a feel for the strap system. the one thing that i had always heard about the reload bags was that the straps are stiff as **** and that the break-in period is pretty long. i tended to agree with this, but didn't know if anything else would really be better.

it turns out that almost all of the straps that i tried were significantly easier to use than the reload. i didn't necessarily like them more (i hate the goddamn chrome straps), but tightening and loosening was typically easier. i really liked seagull's strap setup, found the construction to be solid (it's gotten even better since i got mine), and most importantly, found the straps to be very pliable and easy to use when brand new. it was a bit of a toss-up between seagull and pac for me. i ended up going with seagull over pac because of price, the more interesting aesthetic/design, and the fact that i like supporting friends and local businesses. i am definitely happy with my choice and will more than likely choose seagull if i need another bag at some point.

that all said, i think you'll probably be happy if you go with either. aside from the strap, i think that the reload work is extremely high quality and have purchased other items (top tube pads, etc) from them since. and honestly, the strap isn't abysmal, i just don't like it in comparison to other options.

viper_04649

That is exactly the review i wanted!