Messenger bag help

[VeloVT]

Hmmm... backpack vs messenger bag... when I first decided to commute via bike I ordered a big, beautiful custom Timbuk2 messenger bag (a lefty -- and this does make it easier for us southpaws). Although I wore it the correct way (tight and pretty high on the back, with the cross strap buckled), to my great disappoinment, I found the weight distribution fairly uncomfortable and shifty while on the bike, and when walking with the bag worn as described above, if I had anything heavy like books or a laptop, I'd get a bruise on my last vertabra or two from the bag bouncing against them.

So I got this backpack (in orange):
http://www.fogdog.com/product/index....ductId=2051274

And it's been great, so much easier and more comfortable to ride with than the messenger bag. The back is very comfortably padded/molded, the load is very stable (esp with hip belt/sternum strap buckled, which I always use when on the bike), and three panels means I can store laptop/books in a separately zipped compartment from my clothes, and still have a panel for organizing pens/pencils/wallet/keys/bike light etc. It even has an integrated, stowaway rain fly. And the back compartment is hydration bladder compatible, though I haven't had reason to put a bladder in this pack yet. And the sweaty back thing -- it's a tossup between the two, I think this backpack may actually be better than the messenger in that regard since the back has molded aeration channels. Oh -- and my pack has an exterior expandable mesh panel that's perfect for carrying my helmet and lock. And water bottle pockets so I can take mine with me when I lock up my bike ...

So I'm a backpack convert -- more comfortable and more convenient for me. But I still think messenger bags look cooler .