Anyone have experience with both? I'd really like pictures of them loaded (and empty) on people. I'm looking to get a cheap-ish backpack for weekend trips with clothes and my laptop. Beer will be added on the way.

The Messenger is ****ing huge, but it holds a lot. Just got back from a 5 day trip to Portland with mine. I had it totally maxed out (could barely roll it shut) but it held everything I needed.

How is it with less of a load? Like, laptop and a few days worth of clothes?

And are you talking about the Classic or the Pro?

EDIT: Nevermind, they're the same size.

I love mine, it's the perfect size for pretty much everything I need. My only gripe is that there aren't smaller pockets to organize... everything gets dumped in the main pocket.. so it kind of sucks sorting thru all the tools and **** that I normally keep in there to find something I just put in.

You can buy the little organizer pockets, but that seems like it would be more for pens/papers/etc. I've been meaning to make something that snaps in and organizes more, but I haven't had a chance.

It's a rad bag though! A buddy of mine went swimming with one on and it kept everything dry!

I just bought the Messenger, so I'll report in a few days when it shows up

Which size do you have, piratelove?

Oops! I have just the standard messenger..

Definitely more comfortable than a mess bag when fully loaded. With less of a load it's plenty comfortable. The straps seem a little flimsy but they hold fine. I did have to reinforce the single bolt connections that hold the bottom of the straps on with some nylon washers but since then it's been ok.

My only complaint is it can be a little hard to see around when head checking in traffic. Also the huge capacity makes it tempting to bring or buy **** I don't really need.

Well, I just bought one. $122, free shipping. I'll have to look into the washer trick, I read about that on Fixed Gear Gallery.

I have the document holder for mine. I usually use it to keep my u-lock separated from all the other crap in my bag.

Yeah, I actually do too.. it's really handy. I recently starting putting all my tools/pump/etc behind it, to separate it from the main pocket and it seems to work pretty well.

Do you use the document compartment or the organizer?

Holy crap this thing is absolutely huge. I'm going to have to figure out whole new ways of riding with this beast.

Where is the Ortlieb stuff made, BTW?

Can't speak for anything else, but the bag clearly states Germany. I would guess that the rest is made there, as well.

Ortlieb bags are the best.

I rock the mess pro and the smaller one below the classic. Both have the organizer and doc.

Ive filled the pro with 3 cases of pbr and one outfit. No problem going across pdx drunk.

I have the mess pro and it is great for grocery shopping holds a ton of crap. It does have a blind spot when checking traffic. I use it when I need to hawl alot of stuff and use my bailey's for lighter stuff. It is really comfortable and last issue if you are use to going in and out of bag While riding you really can do it with the Orlieb.

The Messenger is ****ing huge, but in a good way. The strap system seems really good, weight distribution is awesome.

Do you guys have a problem with this bag knocking your helmet around?

If I really stretch my neck around I can knock into the top.

what is the likelihood that we can get some pics?

Whats a helmet?

Yeah. It can be a little annoying when in the drops.

I'll get some as soon as I have a chance. Loaded and not.

unless it happens only when the bag is overloaded this here eliminates a bag from consideration for me