Bag Advice

prawny

I'm after a decent size, smart(ish) looking messenger style bag for the new short commute and walk the other end of the train.

Some days will need to hold a change of clothes, everyday will need lunch, tools, phone, wallet and things.

Also I want a fairly decent one for riding, if the train isn't running for whatever reason I'll ride all or part of th 20miles to work/home so can't get a way with a cheapo cruddy one.

Most of all needs to be cheapish. I remember Il Principe posting a link on here a year or so ago for custom ones that weren't that expensive if I remember correctly.

Any advice gratefully received. Ta.

bails87

A messenger bag for a 20 mile commute?
Or did you mean a different bag if you're doing the whole thing by bike?

If so, Alpkit's Gourdon is worth a look. Cheapish, tough, waterproof.

Clever Pun

I've been using a crumpler for 5 years at least now and it's still going strong, ridden 60+ miles with it and no complaints.

very good quality, check out the website and find what you need
http://www.crumpler.eu/index.cfm?seite=messenger&sprache=EN

Get one with a shoulder pad

gtvlusso

I have a "Chrome" bag - but it was very expensive - has done 5 years + in all weathers though and no bit of it has worn. I think it was £114.

prawny

@ Bails, Most of the time it will just be a mile or so each way so the odd occasion I do the full distance a courier bag will be fine, I want one that looks officey(ish) and I don't like backpacks with a jacket, feels weird.

@ GTV that's excactly the sort of thing I'm after but for about half the price!

SimonAH

Clever Pun wrote:

I've been using a crumpler for 5 years at least now and it's still going strong, ridden 60+ miles with it and no complaints.

very good quality, check out the website and find what you need
http://www.crumpler.eu/index.cfm?seite=messenger&sprache=EN

Get one with a shoulder pad

They look really good - is yours waterproof (at least ish)? Good prices too.

gtvlusso

prawny wrote:

@ Bails, Most of the time it will just be a mile or so each way so the odd occasion I do the full distance a courier bag will be fine, I want one that looks officey(ish) and I don't like backpacks with a jacket, feels weird.

@ GTV that's excactly the sort of thing I'm after but for about half the price!

yes, it was not cheap - but it is completely waterproof, like drop in a lawaterproof and big enough for my laptop + work clothes.

Also has a balancer strap that tucks under the arm so that it does not move no matter how "out of the saddle" you get.

On the whole, I would buy one again - even though it was expensive. The bag still looks like new as well! Even after 5 years of all sorts of crap!

asprilla

I swear by Cumpler; I've got two messenger bags and three camera bags from them. Not cheap, but worth every penny.

I've also got an Alpkit Gourdon, which is cheap, functional and 100% waterproof. Perfect for commuting.

greg66_tri_v2.0

prawny wrote:

I'm after a decent size, smart(ish) looking messenger style bag for the new short commute and walk the other end of the train.

Some days will need to hold a change of clothes, everyday will need lunch, tools, phone, wallet and things.

Also I want a fairly decent one for riding, if the train isn't running for whatever reason I'll ride all or part of th 20miles to work/home so can't get a way with a cheapo cruddy one.

Most of all needs to be cheapish. I remember Il Principe posting a link on here a year or so ago for custom ones that weren't that expensive if I remember correctly.

Any advice gratefully received. Ta.

Timbuk2. Can be spec'd internally and coloured externally to order. Or you can go off the shelf.

Obie

I use one of these. I've had it for almost 4 years and it is still as waterproof as ever.

http://www.over-board.co.uk/waterproof- ... 30ltr.html

Or if you really want a waterproof messenger bag they also do these.

http://www.over-board.co.uk/messenger-b ... -bags.html

Very good value and very well made in my opinion. (and they are a UK company, which is nice)

Obie

spasypaddy

have a look at the knog bags. i had one for a few years and it was fantastic

rjsterry

My Crumpler Wonder Weenie is still going strong as far as carrying capacity and comfort are concerned, but the waterproofness has dropped off somewhat. The back of it does get properly sweaty as well, as there is no air gap between you and the bag - it can start to ming a bit and washing it is a bit tricky.

veronese68

I got a Crumpler messenger bag as a school bag for my son. He's used it for most of this year and it looks fine.
He destroyed a cheap bag in a couple of weeks. He's a complete oaf* and is really hard on stuff and it still looks fine.
That's about the hardest test anything can have I reckon, it passed with flying colours. Even better was that I picked it up in TK Maxx for a bargain price.

*He's a wonderful kid, just huge and growing so fast he gets rather clumsy at times.

t4tomo

+1 for crumpler, i have a cheeesy disco and its excellant for commuting purposes and doubles up as "alternative" briefcase

asprilla

t4tomo wrote:

+1 for crumpler, i have a cheeesy disco

I've got a long schlong and my wife has a hairy lee.

Seriously.

MonkeyMonster

another +1 here for crumpler

the fux deluxe and its still going well after good 3+ years.

il_principe

Mine's from http://www.reloadbags.com/ Not particularly cheap, but very well made and very very tough.

warpcow

Bagaboo do pretty 'cheap' custom bags:

http://bagaboo.hu/

They're excellent quality; as good, if not better than the better known brands. Price depends a bit on exchange rates, but mine (medium with padded back, laptop sleeve and extra reflective bits) cost the equivalent of a basic small Timbuk2 when I bought it.