messenger bags?

[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.