I mean they run at least $120 (for the small ones). What makes these "backpacks" so expensive? Even chrome fanny packs are $40.

A quality bag will stand up to insane amounts of abuse for a really, really long time. They're extraordinarily durable. They are also low-volume specialty products.

because they're hot hot hot

You get what you pay for.

Same with everything else in the world.

huh, backtrack their veganoise? was gonna call you out.

What Fugazi Dave said, my waxxed canvas T2 Bolo is 10 years and many 1000's of miles old. I have gone through a dozen backpacks in that time, a good messing bag will last through all sorts of abuse

Hipster fashion is not for the faint of wallet.

Have you seen what white belts are going for these days?

umm, 1000d cordura cost $14.00-15.00 a yard, and affected by the cost of oil. takes 3-4 yards to make a bag. thats $60 right there, 2 inch webbing is cheap actually, about .50 cents a foot takes 6 feet. then 1/2 webbing is about the same price.

mil spec thread for the pockets and seams is about $5-6 a roll if there is more than one color. my last bag had. 4 rolls so we are at about $90 total

then velcro and buckles so we will say $100

that's assuming you own pins, needles, a decent machine, scissors, ruler, other odds and ends.
And have already decided on a design

plus time spent. a hand done custom flap can take 3-7+ hours

everything is cheaper if you buy it in bulk, but thats assuming you have the cash on hand to buy +500 yards

metal hardwear, nicer fabrics of course cost more waxed cotton and duck is hard to come by for cheap.

But you have to own a big white belt. No man is man without his big white belt to show off. It's always good to have several big white belts.

This.
It's not like the companies are banking (until they can move production off shore, and their company becomes "hip")
But still, the mark up is nothing huge. Especially for the couple man operations.

Hipster Tax. And what c0urt said.

pricing of cycling bags make me giggle.

LOL. I must disagree with the good natured cOurt. The cost of such raw materials plummets by 75+% (on a bad day) for anyone capable of purchasing in anything but personal levels of quantity. I, as a consumer never have and never will take into consideration the cost of manufacturing hardware such as industrial sewing machines. Why would I? The manufacturer certainly does not take me as the consumer into consideration once it's hardware costs are balanced by profit. Quality costs. Human beings cost. I will gladly and with a big smile on my face drop plenty on an item made in the USA by companies required by law to pay at least wages capable of feeding the individual making the wage. So, if your product is made in the USA, pony up or go home. People should make a wage capable of feeding them and companies should make reasonable profit margins. Reasonable is a pretty loose term. No one, not even couriers require messenger style bags to do their jobs. It might make life easier but it's not an absolute necessity compared to other, less fashionable means of portage. So, like some item? Pay for it. Easy. Can't afford an item? Improve your personal station in life through education and hard work and one day you will be able to purchase what you want. Simple. No excuses and no whining. Excuse me, I need to jump into my tailored mohair suit, strap on my Rolex, jump in a taxi and go to work so I can afford the custom fixed gear I'll be purchasing next month from the non-mass producing, custom US builder I've employed to produce such form of art. Take care all.

It reminds me of what Dolly Parton once said, 'it takes lot of money to look this cheap'. I converted my old DJ bag into my 'mess' bag. Can carry two twelve packs of beer, if I stack them right, and its uber strong since it was meant to carry heavy azz vinyl.
There's usually a substitute if you are creative enough.

you make me laugh. saying those things just shows that you have no idea how hard it is for an upper middle class white male to improve his life with the entire system stacked against him. also, you and i both know how impossible life is without the ergonomic genius of messenger bags made by the recently unemployed.

Equipment designed for professional use tends to be overpriced. My Chome bag, my BikesAtWork trailer, my Kart-A-Bag handtruck cost more than they should. My bike cost more than a fixie. I could make do with cheaper alternatives, but don't want to make my job any harder than it is.

I can't comment on the costs of the materials, but generally I'd agree with c0urt.

The (good) bags are well made from high quality materials and are mostly fairly low volume production.

I've got a 12 year old Crumpler that is functionally perfect (just a bit grubby). If I divide the (then) very expensive purchase price by the years, then I think I've had a damn good deal.

wtf

What did the english language do to you to merit such mistreatment?

You guys who are getting ten plus years out of your bags must be taking a lot of days off.

Well, higher volume companies like Chrome and Timbuk2 spend a lot more on advertising and are usually sold at retail, so they usually end up costing similar to something from a smaller studio like Seagull or R.E.Load (which are sold direct to customer). As such, I highly suggest supporting your local bagmaker.

what blick said



55 yards of cordura is 630 total, thats the minimum for a bulk order, usually takes it down to around $10-11 a yard. pray to god you only need one color. once you start buying cases, it gets cheaper. but a case is still 2 grand.


off brand cordura from off shore is cheaper, but it feels different

Now, that made me smile. Good work.

Guilty as charged. It was early. Pre-coffee early. Good call.