seeing as you're skinny, don't NEED a messenger bag, and say that you don't really carry large/bulky loads, i'm going to suggest you buy a small "pro" version of a seagull/mission/baileyworks/wig/etc. bag just so you can get the image without carrying a giant sack on you all the time. people don't think about it very often, but if you don't fill it with enough bulk, even the best designed courier bags can become annoying to wear. it feels like you're wearing a cape, in a bad way. in fact, i'm about to go and buy a small baileyworks superpro b/c the medium i have now is just too big for what i need to do; without the need to carry textbooks, food, and my netbook everyday, the bag itself becomes the object i'm carrying.

even though you don't want to hear it, backpacks with a well packed load are more comfortable. walking with a courier bag with twenty pounds in it is painful. even with just a six pack, it sits awkwardly, and can be straining on your shoulder. i frankly think a roll-top or a nicer simple cordura backpack would better suit your needs.

source: i grew up (age ten onwards) wearing a baileyworks. don't ask why a kid in the nineties wanted a courier bag so badly.

tl;dr: Function Over Form. if you're not hauling loads of crap, get something smaller/more appropriate.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=311496

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=311497

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=311498

http://trashmessengerbags.com

Andy Larson is professional, courteous, and extra sauce special!

Get some!

ive had a chrome bag for about 6-8 years now and love it...super good quality, thick stitches etc. i use it to sling around front if i ever need to get something out quick (usually ill stash my water bottle in there). as for comfort I never had a problem, except on longer rides where it can be sweaty. the one i have (the laptop carrying version) has a side strap which makes it feel almost like a standard 2 strap backpack. go with chrome man, dont let these people tell you different :D.

My vote's for Seagull. My large Black Bag has held up incredibly well, with zero wear and tear. I've lugged around everything from groceries to 30-racks of beer to bike wheels to rebar. You can also get them in seasonal colors, if that's yr thing. Their custom/larger size options look really awesome, but I have no experience with them.

I will say that mess bags aren't great for trekking/traveling off a bicycle, so I might go for a backpack if you need a true hybrid. But you mentioned you have a bunch so....

Last minute advice on messenger bag before purchase....
 

Okay guys. Based on your advice and suggestions, i have narrowed it down even more now, and I plan on buying it today.
So, its between these only:
Chrome................seems very comfortable
Bailey................looks a bit bulky but could be wrong..
Seagull................seems very nice, but lacking on pockets from what i read
RELoad............looks nice, seems in the pics like it hugs the back nice and soft hanging.
PAC designs pro................expensive, but could it be the best bag out there?
MW rummy............looks very nice, but like the Bailey, i fear it won't hang from and hug my . back, i don't want a bag that is too rigid.


Any last minute advice on which bag will be best with large OR SMALL loads, and be of course comfortable on my back and shoulders, and not restrict the airflow in my neck like my T2 does. Also like i mentioned, I want a bag that feels more "softer crushable fabric", as opposed to a "stiff, rigid, structured bulky shape."

I hope I explained this right. Thanks again for your patience. These things are expensive, and i don't want to be unhappy with my purchase. This bag will be my commute, laptop, and edc bag, that I would like to last a very long time. Thanks again.

dave

if you want something that will hug your back i have a few numbers you can call

Another cool thing about Trash Bags (i just got a "waste bin" hip pack a few wks ago) is that they sent me the bag.... in a STITCHED BAG of scrap material. I guess when you have an industrial sewing machine(s) around, why screw with Fedex tyvek envelopes? I saved the bag for the bag!

I don't think Chrome are comfortable unless they're empty. MW & BW definitely do hug your back. BW is a little boxier in shape, so it appears bulky, but rides really well. None of these bags will be soft- they are all made of cordura, or similar material on the outside. The larger the bag, the more it will hug your back. Last minute advice...
Chrome- No
BW- Yes
Seagull/RELoad- Either
PAC- Don't know, I hear they're really good
MW- Yes

Again, as others have said, from the way you list what you're looking for, you're looking for a backpack. It seems that your insistence on a single strap messenger is more of an image choice, which is fine, but when you load these things up they simply won't be as comfortable as a two strap backpack. The real advantage of a single strap bag is that you can access the bag by swinging it around your body without taking it off, which is valuable for couriers, who are constantly going in and out of their bags, while being on the go. I know you said you have several backpacks, but you may want to check out a proper messenger backpack- they perform very well, and also look cool.

Inside Line Equipment:
http://ilequipment.com/

Mission Workshop:
http://missionworkshop.com/products/bags/backpacks/

Dammit you guys, I just ordered a MW Monty mess bag thanks to this thread. (Grey with red buckles, in case you were wondering.)

MW is the ****. I ****ing love my Sanction. I picked it up on CL for $65 (right? ****ing awesome), but now having had it for a while, I would EASILY pay retail for it.

Oh for sure, I have a Rambler but it's too big for shorter trips to shows/bars/friends' houses so I decided I had to go with a mess bag.

i carry my mw fitzroy every ****ing day....backpacks ftw
the lack of a full right collarbone makes carrying mess bags tough.

I have an old Pac Deluxe messenger from like 6 years ago, and it's still going strong. It's actually one of the smaller sizes in their "ultimate" line which comes with their x-strap. I've carried 30-40lbs worth of grocery with this bag and have only found the need for strap extenders when the bag is over flowing. The x-strap works really well for when you need 2 straps for those heavy loads. The bag is very well thought out with little things like a velcro tip on the anti-sway strap so you can tuck it down and it's not flapping in the wind as well as other little strap inventions to keep the bag neat. There's a nice suspension system on the main strap too that keeps the bag snug on your back when the bag is not full and opens up when the cargo gets bigger. I've also had email correspondences with the owner Pat, who seems very nice and accommodating.
I've had a Timbuk2 mess bag and a Seagull Black Bag, and the Pac is by far the best. I don't have any experience with the other bags but i've always wanted to try one of the small Mission Workshop mess bags.

Derp, I should have read the post instead of just chiming in on Pac mess bags. smoothness speaks the truth +1

Like others have said, Backpacks are legit.

I like my MW Vandal...but this is my second one that has a faulty zipper.
Needless to say im looking for a different bag now.

I use a Large REload bag. I bought it about a year and a half ago, I think it's comfortable but I haven't used a regular 2 strap bag in a while. The bag I bought has an extra divider and pen slots and all that good stuff with 2 big front pockets. I would def buy another reload messenger bag if something ever happen'd to this one. I don't see it falling apart though only thing I could think of me needing a new one is if I lost it somehow they're built very strong. What bag did you end up getting? Post a picture have you have some time.

I like my ILE Default backpack for the summer time but for the winter I need something just a bit bigger. I ride the Chrome Ivan and like it a lot.
From time to time I switch to my MW Vandale and that too is a great bag. I also have a Chrome Berlin that thing is huge but having the third strap definately
helps with large loads.
After having messenger bags for a while, backpacks are the way to go especially for longer commutes.
Good Luck.

i wasn't wondering







but yea cewl

Nearly one week after the OP "narrowed it down" to six choices, he still hasn't decided on a bag. I'm surprised we're not talking about brakes vs brakeless or gear ratios by now.

hey at least were still on topic!

on a note, zugster, is having a clearence sale at the moment. someone who hand makes bags and i have a lot of respect for

http://www.zugsterbags.com/

I've had a few different sling bags over the years, a couple of Timbuk2 bags, a a Chrome. Recently I picked up an ILE Flaptop pack and its changed my mind on what a good bag should have. This is by far the most functional, comfortable and well made bag I've had the luxury of using. Eric is super friendly to work with and their turn-around is really fast.

Highly recommend ILE.

I would say try out the MW messenger bags, I love mine because of how clean and simple they look but they are also waterproof and have a nice amount of pockets/room not to mention the under the shoulder clip so it stays in place!

Okay guys. Sorry for the delay..So, i finally decided one day to give Pat from PacDesigns a call, and she told me that if i didn't order one in the next 24 hours, I wouldn't be able to, as they are closing down operations for the next 6-9 months. So, being the weird guy that i am, i figured perhaps this was a sign, and just went and ordered a Pac Ultimate in army green. Oh boy, i new i wanted a quality bag, but it was definitely more cash than i figured on spending. but, i plan on keeping it for a LONG time and being somewhat rough with it, so screw it, i went for the "best." So, when i get it(2 weeks) i will post pics, if anyone wants to see it. Thanks for all the suggestions though, without them i would have probably stayed with my T2 which i f***ing hate.. Thanks again

dave

shoulda went freight baggage.