I dug around searching for messenger bag threads, but I haven't quite found what I'm looking for. I was wondering if anyone who owns one could say how their messenger bag has been for them and how large it is. I've been looking around at different messenger bag companies website to try to get an estimate of what I would be able to carry, but it isn't really helping me.

Also, I'm pretty short, somewhere 5'0" - 5'1" with a short torso, so I dont want a bag that would say swallow up my back. But I do need it to be able to carry a laptop in a case, which is probably 14 X 10.5, a change of clothes, shoes, lunch. :P

I have been looking at the chrome citizen messenger bag, chrome ranchero backpack, crumpler fux deluxe, medium baileyworks bag. Though, I'll probably go drop by the chrome store in SF next week when I'm actually up there to see how their bags fit..

As a side note, I also have a rack+panniers, but sometimes I want to keep my stuff with me and not bring panniers.