Need a new messenger bag......suggestions?
 

Hey guys. I posted this in another forum, but since I have been directed to you guys by more than one person, I figured I would try and post this here, and see what you guys think.
I ride a mountain bike some days, ride my motorcycle some days, and sometimes walk, either around town or longer trips about 2 hours commuting to work and school.
I have read countless threads about picking the right bag, including the fixedgeargallery reviews, and I have learned a lot. But for the heck of it, I would love to hear some of your recent updated opinions on a few points for my next bag.
So, if you don't mind helping with some advise...
I am looking again for a bag, must be

messenger bag (already have tons of backpacks)
medium/large , could be an every day bag probably
Need for walking and riding! Top priority is comfort!!
I have a timbuk2 medium, and even light loads dig in pretty bad. I know a backpack is better, but this thread is more about finding the most comfortable mess bag.

I have looked at all the major ones, chrome, seagull, reload, bailey, etc. etc. etc.

So, as far as bring a skinny guy, I don't ever really need to carry huge bulky loads, more of a sweatshirt, sometimes laptop, books, type of stuff with the occasional odds and ends. Pockets are a plus, as is compression straps so I can flatten her down when only carrying a laptop or books on some days.

Money isn't really an issue, but comfort is, and aesthetics doesn't hurt either.
So, thanks for any advice that you guys have, that I probably haven't read in older threads. I do like the look of bailey works, reload, seagull, and chrome. So, thanks again, any help before I pull the plug on one of these is much appreciated.

I have narrowed it down to a small list. I like how some bags seem to conform to your back better than other ones, and like i said, comfort, ability to wear filled or not so filled and still be comfortable and hang nice, and of course pockets and the ability to use also as and EDC bag without being to bulky or stiff.

So, my list:
Chrome
RELoad
Pac Designs
Bailey Works
Crumpler
Seagull
Mission Workshop


Thanks for any and all suggestions about these on the list. I really want one of these, just really can't decide which one is best.

Dave

look here,

http://www.bag-collector.com/

"Need for walking and riding! Top priority is comfort!!"

Hmm. I feel like comfort and mess bags don't go hand in hand. At least as time goes by.

You sure you NEED a mess bag? Not just want one?

Chrome is a good standard.

Id sag dont get a messenger bag because they arent very comfortable but since you have your heart set on it. Chrome or I've been seeing this company blaq in shops lately.

I've owned 2 Chrome bags and 2 Timbuk2 bags...and I still have the Chrome bags. Much more comfortable, IMO.

Other great brands to look into are Seagull, Archive, and Mission Workshop.

This.

You've mentioned comfort a few times. Two-strap bags are more comfortable.

Whatever your reason, I have a Bailey Works & Mission Workshop, they're both great- reasonably comfortable with lots of pockets. BW has more places to put specific things (pens, water bottle), but MW offers a little more versatility in how things are carried. BW, you can add a laptop sleeve, which doubles as back padding, MW doesn't have this. I think MW has a better appearance.

My friend has Seagull. She loves it. Reasonably comfortable, option to add back padding, custom colors. Light on pockets though. (She has commented how she likes how Bailey Works "hugs" the back more, fwiw.)

Other friend has PAC. He's a courier/mechanic & said it's the best bag he's ever owned.

Other friend has R.E.Load. Same league as Seagull. Good construction, simple bag, reasonably comfortable, not a ton of pockets.

I used to own a Chrome. I don't happen to think their single strap bags are very comfortable by comparison, and I think their pocket arrangement sucks.

There's a ton of information on here if you search a little.

I'm a messenger and I don't use a messenger bag. I use a Freight rolltop.

if it has to be a mess bag, even though it wont be as comfortable as a backpack, id say chrome.

its only disadvantage imo is that you cant switch sides with it, you get either a left or right handed one. but the strap is nicely padded, it comes in multiple sizes and is waterproof (outside of submersion)

been using a citizen for 3 or so years now and ive just outgrown it, i need more space so im most likely going with TheRealFaux and getting a freight rolltop as well (just need dat $)

I have a Chrome bag and use it for bike riding to work, travel and also vacations. If I saw that Freight rolltop, I would have probably of bought that one, wow. For now, I'll use my Chrome until it wears out (good luck, right?). :D

I have Chrome Citizen and Metropolis messenger bags and an Ivan rolltop backpack. For any serious amount of weight the backpack is the most comfortable. For my regular commute I carry the Citizen mess bag, though. It's a good compromise on size, convenience (I can get into it without taking it off), and comfort. I'm 5'7" and I find the Metropolis to be too huge for my frame unless I have it really stuffed. (bulk, not weight) If the weather is really wet, though, I use the rolltop, it has yet to let anything get wet and I've worn it through some severe rain.

speaking of chrome, anyone use the niko for camera stuff?

I dont have specific experience with that bag, but i use a timbuk2 snoop camera insert in my chrome citizen and its fantastic, for cameras and anything else that needs organization

+1 for Chrome, I take my Citizen Night bag everywhere, walking, riding, even running. They are indestructible and hold a surprising amount of things.

I have a Citizen. Fits on my back great when there's nothing in it.

Chrome is great....if you like the feel of an envelope on your back. They're decent at best and you can snatch one up for a decent price if you search. For a really good quality bag I recommend Seagull bags. Just my opinion.....that is backed up by many.....

Based on how much I love my Mission Workshop backpack, I'd get the MW Monty. In fact, now I covet one badly. Damn you for making me look it up.

I have the medium sized one (the Rummy) and love it. It goes with me everywhere. As for OP's questions, I'm a big dude (size 40 waist) and the Rummy still seems kinda big sometimes, that said, it conforms to my back very well. I carry a ton of random stuff and it all fits in just the front pockets, leaving the main pocket free for whatever. I've never had issues with the strap digging in either and I have about 10 lbs of stuff in there. Also, fwiw I got the Rummy over the monty because I've got an oversized 17" laptop I wanted to be able to fit.

Wow guys, thanks for the suggestions. To clarify:
I guess i don't need a mess, but I have so many backpacks, and I truly really WANT a messenger bag!
the T2 bag i just bought sucks, very uncomfortable with hardly any weight.
I like how everyone says Chrome, but others say its like a big envelope? Like i said, a bag that conforms and hugs my back is better for me, and it would be nice to use it as a general edc bag sometimes when not commuting.
I do like Seagull, BW, Chrome, Mission Workshop, Reload, Pac.... wow, so many choices!
Again, comfort is biggest issue, as is back hugging, and good looking! Thanks for any other suggestions, and all so far!
Dave

The Chrome bags do that. They're like envelopes because there isn't much in the way of pockets and compartments.

get this if you want more organization

this is how mine looks when its packed out

the question is how does it sit over your shoulder, how big are you? i was looking at seagulls black bag in medium but i dont want a big mess bag myself. enough for work clothing, shoes, knives and a hat with the possiblity of a few beers after work while not being huge.

+1

I use this same setup - works great when I'm hauling camera gear, and it's still a regular bag when I'm not. Best of both worlds.

EDIT: forgot to mention that the Snoop insert fits PERFECTLY in a Citizen.

I have a kozmo.com Chrome Kremlin bag that is just gigantic and pretty comfortable, I also have an old med. Timbuk2 thats about 15 years old (i don't use it much) that is pretty uncomfortable, but if I need to carry serious weight I use my trusty old USMC A.L.I.C.E pack that was issued to me back when I was in the Corps. That pack has been with me all over the world and is the best bag I have ever owned.

May I suggest Manhattan Portage? I've recently purchased their straphanger bag for commuting to and from my college campus which is about 5 miles or so, I can carry (3) half inch binders, my 13inch laptop, my ulock, my ti-84, and a good assortment of pens and pencils which i rarely use except for 2 of them. I was in the situation of looking at bags and preffered the style that Manhattan Portage had which was low key and pretty basic which fits my style. its comfortable for me and it also has a stabilizer strap to prevent it from sliding to the front while I bike.

Plus they're pretty affordable too

I can try to post pictures tomorrow in between classes if anyones curious as to the size of the bag, it's not too big from the outside, but it holds quite a bit and at times im surprised by its capacity.