Retem

In the last 5 1/2 some odd years I have had two wig messenger bags and one of their backpacks I gave the first wig messenger bag I ever owned to a friend and he still uses it to date the other messenger bag and the backpack I use periodically depends on how I feel that day I have also owned and ortleib and when it is poring supe rhard or I want something i could go to sea with i grab that
they are all cavernous and carry what I ned them to

wig has always been good to me as they always have just what I need when I need it but I wouldn't hesitate to do business with chrome I really appreciate their support of local alley cats and bike events as well as more naional events they also gave away some damn comfy shoes at naccc 07 and I just retired them earlier last year

all in all
I would say get a wig if you want something esoteric and custom
if you want somethig quick dirty and run of the mill go chrome or ortleib

ps I also used to make bags myself now I just stick to repairs and modifications

dsh

I have never once seen anyone wearing a Mission Workshop bag. I'm on the east coast, though.

Mostly Chrome and Timbuk2.

Lots of messenger bros in DC use these:



Which is just some local DC collabo version of the normal Ortlieb messenger pro.

fixedgear80

I have heard that they designed with bicycles/motorcycles in mind. I have never used one so I wouldn't know.

CamelDane

I've been riding with a seagull for almost a year which replaced my Chrome Citizen(which was to small). I love it

striknein

My medium-sized Timbuk2 Swig backpack is moderately compact yet expandable, it's got organizer pockets for pens/pencils, and several compartments so I can keep my crap sorted. It's also waterproof and comes with a lifetime warranty. I picked one up last week for $70USD shipped.

avner

like a blicksbag. Srsly.

CharneK

I've been using a Timbuk for about 2 years, but have my eyes on a custom Blaq

Clif

Anybody know of some good backpacks. I got a patagoina messenger bag for free and love how huge it is, but I have really bad shoulder problems and need to get surgery so i had to stop using it. I've been looking at the timbuk2 swig in medium and hemlock in small. Looking at the dimensions they are of comparable size.
Anybody know of any other fairly large backpacks for around 80max preferably less than that.

striknein

Banjo Bros. Commuter. That was my first choice until the Timbuk2 went on sale.

dsh

Dude lives in Florida. How is Cleveland "local"?

avner

don't be fooled into thinking im some sort of rational person.

seau grateau

I don't know how they could pass that notion off. It's designed to conform to the curve of your spine in an upright position, so as a result of that they feel great when you're walking around. But when you get hunched over on a bike, it's completely different. This is why I prefer messenger bags for riding.

Xgecko

For almost 15 years I used a Timbuk 2 waxxed canvas Bolo which is nicer and larger than the present day XL....it's not water proof anymore but I don't need it to be. I bought a Hemlock last year because it was a deal and I didn't need to carry as big a bag...If I have to do it again I will probably look for a custom roll top backpack because the Hemlock is nice but rather plain jane and I need a bag that I can transition from riding and walking more comfortably than a messing bag.

BuddingKubrick

Chrome is technically "local" (I am in the bay area.) So I have a metropolis bag, thinking about adding a bit more padding.

cc700

mission workshop is the best around. i love mine and may buy a messenger bag too.

bleedingapple

I like the design of their bag a lot but not the materials choice. its not a bag i feel like i would have 10 years later with hard use.

Retem

ortleib velocity

Retem

actually they are transplants from denver and still have shops in both locals

stryper

I use a chrome bag. They are local for me since they are made here, or were 2 years ago. Walked down to the factory and filled out an order form in person.

It was originally my buddies, but when his bike was stolen I pretty much took over his bag. It's their biggest size, and tbh unless I have it at least half full it's too big. It extends past my back and turns around my side a little at the bottom. I'm not small either, 5'8 160lbs, it's just a huge bag.

I've used it to carry everything from:
Bike lock, spare tube and flat kit, night cloths for when it gets colder.
Full power tool set, drill, skill saw, sawzall, hammer.
Groceries for a family of 4, about 60lbs worth.

So long as I tighten or loosen all the straps the right amount I've never had any problems. It's been great to me for 2 years straight.

Beta V6.0

Reload = Awesome
Chrome = Okay
Bailey Works = Okay
----
In my opinion, Reload bags are the only choice.

zoltani

I really wanted to like the MW bags, I mean online they seemed great. Luckily I looked at them locally instead of ordering online. Why is the opening on the backpacks so small? I couldn't even fit my laptop in the tiny top opening. The bag itself was a good size, and I couldn't figure out why they would make such a narrow opening. Maybe it was cinched down and I didn't realize it. The messenger bag stabilizing strap cut into my armpit, very poor location for the strap, at least for me. It was not comfortable at all.

KirbyThompson

I have been considering the Mission Workshop messenger. The MW Vandal looks great too, but it's a little pricey for a backpack in my opinion. And considering zoltani's comments above, I must look into this these bags more. Anyone that know some brands that haven't been mentioned yet, I would appreciate it if you reply.

Thanks for the great replies so far.

illdthedj

i have one of these.
well, not that color, straight black.

its great for what it is....a big ass comfortable backpack that is extremely waterproof.

But its super limited in storage possibilities....wheat i mean is its basically just one gigantic compartment. but you can seriously pack a bunch of crap in it, especially when you unroll the top. good if you are the type to just throw all your **** into one pocket and fish stuff out when needed. im not exactly (im loving my "small" backpack, the T-LEVEL, for its insane amount of pockets) but i will say this bag was a champ during the winter and definitely came in handy when needing to ride around with a ton of stuff.

zoltani

Stolen from another forum:

Anchor Bags: https://anchorbags.com/
Banjo Brothers: https://www.banjobrothers.com/
Bagaboo: https://bagaboo.hu/
Bailly Works: https://www.baileyworks.com/
Black Tag Bags: https://blacktagbags.com/
Blaq Design: https://www.blaqdesign.com/
Blick's Bags: https://blicksbags.wordpress.com/
Burro Bags: https://www.burrobags.com/
Chicago Wig: https://www.chicagowig.com/
Crank: https://www.crank-tokyo.com/
Chrome Bags: https://www.chromebagsstore.com/
Cocotte: https://www.cocotte-equip.com/english.htm
CourierWare: https://courierbags.com/
Crumpler Bags: https://www.crumplerbags.com/
Fredrik Packers: https://www.fredrikpackers.com/
Freight Baggage: https://freightbaggage.org/
Lemolo Bags: https://www.lemolobaggage.com/
Meta Bags: https://metabagsinc.bigcartel.com/
Mer Bags: https://www.merbags.com/
Norman Porter: https://www.normanporter.com/index.html
Ortlieb: https://www.ortliebusa.com/
Outlaw Earth: https://www.outlawearth.com/
Pac Designs: https://www.pacdesigns.com/
Push The Envelope: https://www.pushtheenvelope.com/index.html
Reload Bags: https://www.reloadbags.com/
Resistant Bags: https://www.resistant.jp/
Rickshaw Bagworks: https://www.rickshawbags.com/
Sag Life: https://www.gaudi-sag.com/
Seagull Bags: https://seagullbags.com/
Trash Bags: https://www.trashmessengerbags.com/
Transient Bags: https://www.transientbags.com/
Under The Weather: https://under-the-weather.ca/
Velo City Bags: https://velocitybags.com/
Zugster Bags: https://www.zugsterbags.com/
87 Bags: https://87bags.com/main.html

Disclaimer: I don't know how up-to-date all the links are.

KirbyThompson

Wow... Jesus Christ.... thanks zoltani