Advice on Messenger Bags?

uzapuca

Hi guys,
I would like to buy an all purpose shoulder messenger bag for laptop, office and light travel. I do some commuting as well as regular walks in the city. I would like it to be strong, discrete and very functional. I heard really good things of

Rickshaw Bagworks bags
Zero Commuter model
http://www.rickshawbags.com/laptop-mess ... -bags.html
PRICE: basic U$S 110 and around U$S 200 full accesories

Timbuk2
Classic Messenger
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/custom#/features/9
PRICE: basic U$S 110 and around U$S 150 full accesories

ABUS ST 8600 L Messenger Bag
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;n ... duct=19909
80 euros

Lezyne Messenger Caddy Shoulder Bag
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;n ... duct=26775

The North Face Base Camp Messenger Bag - M
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;n ... duct=30748
85 euros

Rush Delivery Messenger Bag
http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products ... r-Bag.html
110 euros

Any other brand i might be missing?

which do you thinks is the more versatile and tougher bag? Somehow with Timbuk2 and Rickshaw Bags i feel i am paying the "brand" and style like when you buy Nike or Sonywith others are less brand style and maybe a even better value for the money spent.

Thanks for any ideas
S.-

lc1981

A friend of mine has a R.E.Load messenger bag and it seems very good. I'm not sure if they have a distributor in the UK at the moment, but you can buy direct. The bag in question was bought from Urban Hunter. They don't seem to sell them any more, but they have others that might be worth a look.

Extralight

I have a Timbuk2, but no experience of any other messenger-style bags. Yes, it was expensive, but it's 15 years old now, been ridden for thousands of miles in every kind of weather, and aside from being filthy on the outside, is still functionally great. What I like about it is (a) it's weatherproofing (nothing has ever got wet inside, even in snow, hail and rainstorms); (b) the way it expands to accommodate the load (so with only a few things in, it doesn't feel massive and bulky, unlike a rucksack); and (c) with the chest/cross strap it's very secure, even when carrying a load of heavy stuff. Used to ride home with my weekly supermarket shop in it!

Compared to a rucksack, I found my back got less sweaty, but where a rucksack is better (and I now tend to use these for this reason) is that the load is more evenly supported across both shoulders, and there's padding between me and the bag contents making it more comfortable. Now that I'm an old man, I prefer a rucksack- the T2 bag when full did make my shoulders and neck sore.

paulja

I've got a Crumpler "Private Surprise XL Laptop" messenger bag that I use for commuting.
It is huge and expensive but I completely love it. So far no water has gotten in, it has a stabilizer strap to stop it wondering across your back, and the main strap has a huge foam pad that stops your shoulder hurting.

I use it to carry a large and heavy tank like Lenovo 15.6" laptop.

-P

passout

Fanatic bags at Planet X - £4 or therabouts. They aren't bad either.

Al Downie

uzapuca wrote:

which do you thinks is the more versatile and tougher bag?

I have an old North Face courier bag which is totally bombproof, extremely versatile (because it has no padded pockets or extra frills - just a big empty bag!), and it's a discreet grey colour. I love it, because it's dead simple. My laptop (if carried) has its own neoprene padded sleeve. If the laptop isn't in the bag, there's no huge padded thing to get in the way of 'my stuff'. I've used it as a work bag, a weekend bag, a bouldering bag, a cycling bag - it's even carried a brace of pheasant on a rough shooting day. It must be 15yrs old now, but still as tough as when it was new. Brilliant bit of kit.

However! As a general comment, I'd say that large courier bags aren't ideal for cycling, unless you use some additional waist strap to prevent the bag from slipping around to your side/front. That's a bit of a faff. For commuting, I reckon I'd still prefer to use a pannier or a backpack.

one_bad_mofo

I've been through a range of courier bags over the past 20 years. I began with an original US-made Timbuk 2 (which I've still got but don't use anymore), then moved on to a Fisher one (the same Fisher that distributes SRAM in the UK). This was followed by a Soma Fabrication hemp bag and now I'm using a custom Bagaboo.
If I had to choose one it would be either the Timbuk 2 or the Bagaboo. Having said that a third choice would be an Ortlieb.

http://bagaboo.hu

http://www.ortlieb.co.uk

uzapuca

Thanks for the good info guys! I still keep looking and reading diferent reviews in Internet. I am not decided so far.
Many people in this thread like the Timbuk2, they are a bit pricey...but seems to be quite nice. By the way, are the Timbuk2 models quite different from each other? their website is a bit confussing...

redhanded

Check out www.chromebags.com as well

redvee

Chuffed to bits with my £30 Timbuk2 Messenger bag, the shop was going to send it back as one of the velcro pads was missing on the flap. The only downside to a messenger bag is remembering to put the bag on before your helmet, I still get caught out after 4 years :oops:

symo

Given the choice I'd have a bagaboo.

North Face Camp bag is good but the zip limits what can get in.

t4tomo

Crumpler every time, one with a stabiliser strap

uzapuca

Thanks again, guys. It is interesting to read all the options and opinions.

Certainly bagaboo looks like a good option too. They seem to be a good brand from Hungary (?) but i could not find many reviews online, just this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtRV1IAIUcM

t4tomo, do you have Crumpler? which model do you recommend?

Redhanded, Chromebags, looks cool...but in one review i read it says they do not offer much configuration. Aren't they too much on the fashion side?

I wrote to Timbuk2 and they said
A great general bag is our medium D-Lux Laptop Racing Stripe bag:

https://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/d- ... cingstripe

The medium size has a lot of space inside for your stuff (but not too much space) and will accommodate most laptops. Check out the Laptop Fit Guide to see if yours fits.

It's one of our most popular bags.

I think is good to do a concious research if i am planning to spend more than 120 bucks. I am not close to any option at all, so keep comming with the good comments. By the way, i am 1.70 m tall so i guess the Small bag which fit just right. I going by an IKEA bag courier bag now so everything i could get will be definetly an upgrade.

Thanks again, I am learning a whole lot from this thread.

uzapuca

By the way, by searching and searching and reading forum reviews i found anohter serious contender. A bit pricey (149 US dollars) but it seems extremely durable and high quality as well. The Monty model, from Mission Workshop, San Francisco.

http://missionworkshop.com/products/bag ... _monty.php

Has anybody tried their bags?

Cheers,

redhanded

uzapuca wrote:

Redhanded, Chromebags, looks cool...but in one review i read it says they do not offer much configuration. Aren't they too much on the fashion side?

I wouldn't say so... the Timbuk2 bags with dozens of "lifestyle" configuration options, colours and fabrics seem more fashion to me!

I've had both Timbuk2 and Chrome bags and personally prefer the Chrome, mainly because of the quick release buckle. I didn't need a bag with interior laptop sleeve options and the like that the Timbuk2 has, but can see the point if you are going to be carrying that sort of gear.

Kal85

Sadly you'll need to import those configured Timbuk2 bags, customs can be quite expensive. But I'm loving the bag.

uzapuca

redhanded wrote:

uzapuca wrote:

Redhanded, Chromebags, looks cool...but in one review i read it says they do not offer much configuration. Aren't they too much on the fashion side?

I wouldn't say so... the Timbuk2 bags with dozens of "lifestyle" configuration options, colours and fabrics seem more fashion to me!

I've had both Timbuk2 and Chrome bags and personally prefer the Chrome, mainly because of the quick release buckle. I didn't need a bag with interior laptop sleeve options and the like that the Timbuk2 has, but can see the point if you are going to be carrying that sort of gear.

I guess i didn't express well, sorry about that as you know English is not my first language. I was i refering to Chromebags to have less configuration options. At least that was i heard on online reviews. I also like The Monty bag from Mission Workshop (founder by the same guy who created Chromebags by the way) the only concern if they are too much bike oriented messengers bags and not designed for walking use since they look to place very horizontally in your back rather than normal bags which swing vertically.

redhanded

I would say Chromebags are quite bike oriented. Timbuk2 are good general purpose bags. I have seen Mission Workshop bags when visiting the US, they seemed well made but I haven't used one and they aren't as widely available as Timbuk2 or Chrome.

symo

I would still go with the Bagaboo. Infinitely configurable, extremely well made from what I have seen; and no import tax.

Sharkyssurfers

I had a da kine messenger bag a while back fully waterproof and could hold a lot, I think it only cost £70

uzapuca

symo wrote:

I would still go with the Bagaboo. Infinitely configurable, extremely well made from what I have seen; and no import tax.

Bagaboo looks very nice. I wrote to their website asking for shipping time and some technical questions and after a week haven't got any news from them. Kind of don't like it when a company don't take their time to reply to potencial customers. However, their bags looks quite good.

nicklouse

Jack Wolfskin - Rough Rider

mroli

5 years on a Timbuk2. Carries everything, never had any problems.

redjeepǃ

nicklouse wrote:

Jack Wolfskin - Rough Rider

That a messenger bag or a reference to a gay porn star ?

uzapuca

Redjeep! wrote:

nicklouse wrote:

Jack Wolfskin - Rough Rider

That a messenger bag or a reference to a gay porn star ?

haha...good one. Unfortunately, the last time i checked Jack Wolfskin website this bag is not available anymore. Cheers.

t4tomo

uzapuca wrote:

Thanks again, guys.

t4tomo, do you have Crumpler? which model do you recommend]

They bring out new names all the time, a lot of which tend to be similar bags. Think mine is a cheesy disco. The 3 rd leg strap is the essential if you are cycling with it. They have a lifetime guarantee, full waterproof, really robust. Just choose the size / style you want.

nigglenoo

Alternative suggestion, particularly if you have a rear rack on your bike: use/buy a pair of good quality waterproof roll top rear pannier bags, such as Ortlieb. I have a pair that I also use for shopping, carrying clothes to and from work, touring, etc.

I have a good smart leather bag for work, which takes my lap top, just happens to be messenger stylee and has lasted for years. I drop the bag into one of my pannier bags when I am taking it on my bike anywhere and this seems preferable to me as no weight on my back shifting about etc. and its totally waterproof. It works so well I see no need to go out and buy something else specific for work.

I have used the work bag on my back for the odd short ride of maybe 1-2 miles and found it rather awkward, but admittedly it does not have the extra stabilising strap that the proper courier jobs do. Also before buying do check panniers are big enough for the job, I am lucky that my work lap top is a Fujitsu Lifebook which is relatively compact.