messenger bags?

[cycliste]

I really like my Chrome messenger bag - waterproof, good size, comfy, looks good, plus, made in San Francisco. Sometimes I wish I had the Chrome backpack though, for heavier loads. My commute is 10 miles each way.

[ehirsch83]

First thing I have to say, I love reading the Crumpler descriptions on their site in funny artistic dramaticy voices!! Ohhh hours of fun:-)

The other is I have a Timbuk2 messanger bag that also has backpack straps on it and I really like it(I think it is a Lex Pack. my old timbuk2 got destroyed after a few years of use and my mom's SO gave me one that he had and wasn't using)- I usually commute with it in backpack mode, and it has a laptop spot. The only thing is, if you have it in the wrong location it is hard to see over your shoulder, but if you make sure it is in the correct placement you are good to go!(I also use it for school off the bike, so I use shorter strap placement for school, longer strap placement for the bike)
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[elk]

i like the timbuk2 commute bag...for the simple reason that I just can't fathom a messenger bag that does not have pockets for my coffee and water bottles.....

and the commute is the only T2 bag that does....NONE of the crumplers have them....

and i know my bags...i'm a bag FREAK!

I have a backpack (its out in the car) that I use for when Maude and I go on therapy visits...it's by North Face it's called a BOREALIS...and it's really nicely engineered. http://www.ebags.com/the_north_face/...LAID=108281950
plus it comes in GOOD colors.......
(I'm with the dingster on ebags..... although I often find it there and then go check ebay...)

[bounceswoosh]

I called the local REI and Performance shops today to see if they had the backpacks I was interested in ... long story short, I was able to look at both of them in person. The Performance one was definitely bigger, possibly less comfortable. I bought the REI (Novara) one after testing it by stuffing all I had with me into it at the store -- a ski jacket (which is just a shell, no liner), a mini backpack, and an empty, large canvas tote. Tomorrow I'm going to stuff a test set of clothes into it to see if it can manage. Really I need to pack lunch in there as well. If it doesn't seem big enough to do the job, I'll return it and possibly pick up the Performance one.

Neither of them were made out of what seemed like incredibly durable material, I guess due to weight concerns. The Novara has a waterproof cover tucked into a zipper at the bottom; I'm surprised it wasn't just made waterproof to begin with. I guess maybe this also saves weight, or is cheaper, or something.

[madscot13]

I think waterproof material feels kind of funny and I bet they don't breathe so well. i have an REI backback, the discontinued vagabond, and it has seen the world with me and carried a lot of weight in the form of science textbooks and my laptop. I love my backpack!

[bounceswoosh]

So just to wrap this up, I bought the Novara Commuter Backpack for $70. It looks small, but I packed a heck of a lot into it -- lightweight dress, lightweight jacket, several tupperware containers for lunch, sandals, towel, toiletries, wallet and phone, various other bits and pieces. I think I'll be happy with it.

[sundial]

I think these are just darling. If I commuted to work, I'd use these bags and panniers.

[madscot13]

I agree! I am going to try and look at some first hand on my trip to Germany this summer. Also has anyone heard of zwei bags? I think they look cool too.