I've had my chrome messenger bag for about 4 years now, and want to get a bag that distributes the weight on both shoulders for longer rides now.

I was looking at Chrome's Yalta, but was a bit turned off by how they are now made in China instead of USA as my current bag is. I have nothing against making things overseas, but I don't want to pay 140 for an inferior product if the quality has gone downhill.

Any recommendations/suggestions for other bags?

Mission Workshop Rambler, Vandal, Fitzroy, and Sanction.
ILE Bags
Freight Baggage
Victor at Archive Bags has good ones

It really depends on your price range and your requirements. Roll top? Water proof? Outside pockets? etc

every backpack ever made.

Mission Workshop and ILE

I have both and they are made in the USA

Price range would be ~150 as a max, don't want to cheap out, but don't want to spend stupid amounts on it .

Roll top is nice, but not needed, water-proof is pretty much a must. Outside pockets I could take or leave.

thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out.

not everything is made to high standards and is waterproof!

The only requirement you said was you wanted something that "distributes the weight on both shoulders for longer rides now"

Every backpack ever made does that.

https://www.banjobrothers.com/product...ing-backpacks/

Tich bags is another choice

This+This. The bag is super comfy on the back and shoulders, even with really heavy loads of around 50 lbs. Plenty of room and has enough pockets for whatever you need to carry. Its tough and naturally water resistant, and the silicone spray just takes it another notch. Only like half your budget, and worth much more that what you're paying.

Edit: Realized that you can't actually purchase straight from the website, so you can get it here or here.

Ortlieb Messenger Classic

I have one, as well as a Chrome Metro. I tend to use my Ortlieb more.

The Bailey Works roadrunner looks pretty sweet, but I haven't tried it. Their messenger bag is quality though.

https://baileyworks.com/citizen/the-roadrunner/options/

one shoulder bags are way cooler. two shoulder bags are for lames.

I'm looking to replace my trusty, decidedly un-cool Northface pack with

Mission Workshop Fitzroy.

mission workshops always cool and worth every penny.

I ditched my one shoulder bag after my neck started to kink up. Switched to a SAG bag and my MB Air slides right in, keeps the krypto in a separate compartment. Keeps the bag off me too so I stay cooler.

TL;DR - One shoulder bags can mess up your neck.

Have you considered a rear rack and some panniers? Trek makes some quick release ones you can use as grocery bags. Weight is easier to manage. Can also carry a bag on top of the rack.

Osprey stratos

I have been using a Axio Swift Hardpack for almost four years now to carry my laptop and accessories for work. It has survived daily use, airports, and over 30 000 miles of commuting by motorcycle in all weather including heavy rain. No leaks. It's not for everyone, but it has worked well for me.

Drives me insane that a decent long term bag is $300. Feels like I'm going through the process of buying a bike all over again.

why do you feel that way? you're not buying a bike you're buying a bag. if you want a low quality bag you can pay next to nothing for it. if you want something good, there are some deals out there; you can get a great bag for around 100 or 150. but for my money, a MW is well worth it and i'd rather have it for the long period of time it will last than any other bag for any other amount of time, probably end up spending less too because i'm actually happy and will keep it.

I just get frustrated. That's a lot of money for sown fabric. Is that all it is? No, but it's just a lot of money to dwell over for something that carries goods. I am a person who likes to buy things for the long haul, but I am far from an impulse buyer.

Buying has always been difficult for me because I get anxiety in doubts that my purchase was poorly made due to me not thinking out the situation properly. Do I have $300 to spend on a bag right now? Sure in 2 seconds I could care free order that bag. If I get it and it doesn't work for me I will feel really ****ty like I let myself down.

Stupid I know.

I compare things for a really long time before I end up pulling the trigger.

I think the only bag I ever purchased on impulse was a Chrome Metro, but that was because of the 50% of sale they had, and I had wanted one for a while.

Just sit there and compare until you are absolutely sure that is what you want.

EDIT: ****, there's that one guy on here who purchased a PAC bag (I think it was) for 400$, like 5 years ago. IIRC, his bag is still going strong, holding up to every day abuse.

I was literally on the MW page to buy their Vandal. Problem is every 3 months they have a %20 off sale. Is it active now? No. So I'll just sit here until it is. RRRRR that gets under my skin when sites do that. Could have made a sale if it was just priced cheaper year around with out stupid discount codes. RAGE!

i bought mine full price at my local bike shop and i have no remorse. i'll keep my eye out for their 20% sales though, thanks for the tip. they just may get another sale out of me because of it.