I got one at Target for $15 bucks. It probably wouldn't hold up for actual messenger use, but I'm not a messenger so it should last me a while.

This thread is making me want a Seagull bag. I also really like Chrome's Berlin bag, but it's really pricey.

i've had two chrome bags (bought the citizen, realized it was too small, sold it, bought a metropolis, hated the "envelope" design people are talking about, sold it) and finally went with the large seagull about 2 years ago. especially with how jacked up chrome's prices are these days, it's waaaay worth it. one of the male ends of one of the buckles slid off the bag about a month ago, emailed them and they had a replacement shipped across the country for free in less than a week. nicest people ever and a killer bag. i've tried to beat the **** out of it, but it's still looking good and working out strong. nothing but great things to say about seagull.

Get a zo bag.

I bought a Transient messenger bag from Orange 20 here in Los Angeles and so far it has been pretty awesome. Lightweight, great strap, handmade, lots of pockets (one hidden) and there is no temptation for anyone to push a big red button in the center of my chest to release my bag. It was $125...so it's a little pricier than the OP hoped for, but I think the extra is worth it.

ahhh good call on the fold over. i donno why i didn't think of that.

While we're on the topic of messenger bags, how do you guys keep the bags from sliding around to the front of you while you're riding?

I've been having this problem with both messengers and one strap sling over backpacks. When I ride occasionally the bag will slide over sometimes far enough to be banging against my leg until I sling it back over. Is there a way to keep this from happening? Or is it just something that happens with the type of bag that I'm using?

there is usually a sway strap the come under your arm and stabilizes the bag

Get a bag that's designed properly or get used to knocking that **** back with your elbow all the time.

My friend has a Chrome Sultan roll top large that I'm super jealous of, its so comfortable even with 50+lbs of crap in it, the warsaw looks nice too, but damn they're expensive, if I dig the chrome shoes I get from the turds for gold I might get one of the sultans, I need a comfortable bag real bad.

Just out of curiosity, would an American made bag that was really durable be of interest to anyone? I may have an opportunity to work with someone to produce bags to my own spec.

Are there messenger bags out there that aren't really durable (and honestly, all the ones i've owned have been north-american-made as well..)? You'd need more than that to get my attention.

to you guys with the seagull black bags. Do you use the u-lock holster on the strap, and is there a hidden pocket similar to the chrome bags?

Dunno. I guess what I'll need to do is speak with the fabricator to see if there are any design limitations, then solicit input for a prototype. From there, I'll attempt to design a bag, and we'll see what the cost will be. Reading threads like this can really help determine which features are most valuable, besides a place for an iPhone and pack of American Spirits...

Looking for a messenger bag to commute to class, like notebooks/books/laptop/maybe some gym clothes. I'm torn between the Timbuk2 2010 Classic Messenger or the Seagull Black Bag and just buying a laptop case to put it in inside the bag (medium in both brands).

...theres a holster for ulocks? the black bags are pretty straight forward. large main pocket, inner concealed velcro pocket, and an outer velcro flap pocket.

I would get a better bag, but I can't justify spending $100+ on a bag. I just got a one arm sling pack for $25 at Tj Maxx and its big enough to fit everything without being all bulky, but it slides so damn much.

Anyway to make one? Or can you show me a picture of one that you are talking about so that I can try to make it, I don't know what you mean exactly.

Well, yes. I'll tell you what I want. I'm not a messenger so raw cargo space is less valuable than a bag that has a lot of organizational stuff... pockets, dividers, etc. Better yet, how about something that's custom made within a general framework so I can pick exactly what I need?

In England it's called T.K. Maxx.

I wonder why it's different...

I have a Timbuk2 Classic Messenger and I use it part-time for school stuff. It works out great and is actually really comfortable if you arrange the contents correctly. On the other hand... that Seagull Black Bag is looking very appealing. They definitely look like they have much better straps than Timbuk2.

Honestly, I would have gone for a Seagull had it not been for the killer sale that Timbuk2 was having (I got a medium for $40) at the time that I was shopping around for a bag.

haha i noticed that too when i lived there

It's probably some sort of branding issue, or a legal one. Australia has Burger King and Hungry jacks, but they're the same thing. They also have Dick Smith, which is Tandy/Radio Shack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w_zppylMIg its the bag i have with the extra shoulder strap but ut shows the use of the sway strap... easy mod to almost any bag, just some webbing a buckles...

I've been looking for a small bag and I want that South Africa bag so bad.
Any idea where I could order one shipped to USA?

can anyone attest to comfort on seagull-vs-timbuk2?