yet another messenger bag/pack thread :P

[liksani]

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.

[betagirl]

I have 2 Timbuk2 messenger bags. A medium and a small. The medium can fit almost everything and the kitchen sink. I use that primarily for my commute to school/work. The small fits my laptop nicely with some papers and other odds and eds. In the medium I carry on a typical day:

A couple spiral notebooks, papers
U lock and cable
At least 1 or 2 textbooks
Frame pump
Tube
Tire levers
Deodorant
Mac iBook

They're great bags, highly waterproof. Durable. But not exactly cheap either. But I had to get the custom colors

[pooks]

If you want something fun, I love this smallish one. I could even fit my 12" PowerBook in it (barely) but it really was too heavy, I think. It started fraying a bit so I stopped using it for that.

But for a cute messenger bag -- something kind of different:

http://www.ebags.com/chums/sherpa_ba...?modelid=54645

[liksani]

That bag looks awesome. Too bad I thikn it's too small, the laptop in it's protective case makes for 15 X 11. :P Stupid T42s. :P sigh.

[mimitabby]

If you want something fun, I love this smallish one. I could even fit my 12" PowerBook in it (barely) but it really was too heavy, I think. It started fraying a bit so I stopped using it for that.

But for a cute messenger bag -- something kind of different:

http://www.ebags.com/chums/sherpa_ba...?modelid=54645

that is really really beautiful!!

[twin]

I have the smaller Chrome bag maybe the Citizan and it is nice. I have used Timbuck 2's the only reason I like the Chrome better is because of the seatbelt type fastner because it stays on my back better for me. It appears it will last forever.

[mj15]

I purchased the large Chrome bag, Metropolos, it was too big. I am 5' 4" and small framed and it hung off me. It is great for hauling groceries (It holds 3-4 bags full including a gallon of milk) but it is bulky and cumbersome when it isn't full. I had reload make me a Civilian and it is perfect. It is comfortable and I use it for work and back. I carry a change of clothes and as a teacher I have loads of papers to grade and books too. Somedays I fill it pretty tight. I think they have one size larger that falls between Chrome's Metro and Reload's Civilian. Reload was great to work with and I designed my own bag choosing colors, pockets, and my own artwork. It has been bomb proof, I toss it around and after a year it looks brand new. I have more people ask me where I got it. Check them out at www.reloadbags.com also www.fixedgeargallery.com just reviewed ten bags and www.messengers.org is a bike messenger website and on the second page under other resources they list links and comments on all the mfg. it was a help for me when I was looking.

[WrensMom]

mj15--oh great, my credit card is practically bursting out of my wallet now that I have seen those Reload bags ! Too cool! I love the artwork. Well, I guess that's one more item to save my pocket change for

[liksani]

Wow... the bagaboo ones look gorgeous. :O

[Jenerator]

I'll second the recommendation on the Fixedgeargallery.com reviews. The review starts with an overview of each of the bags, then click on the picture for more in-depth testing. Messenger bag review

[pooks]

Because I love green and wear a lot of it (redhead w/green eyes) and I loved the idea of having a Harry Potter item that was a little on the "stealth" side -- nobody has ever looked at it and noticed that it's HP though I do get compliments on the bag -- I have a Durmstrang messenger bag:

http://www.wbshop.com/cat/Harry-Pott...enger-Bag.html

(As you can probably tell, my bags are just for wearing -- I have yet to wear one when biking.)

I notice that Warner Brothers is also selling a Superman messenger bag:

http://www.wbshop.com/cat/Superman/C...enger-Bag.html

Click on the different movies -- they also have Batman and Corpse Bride, maybe others!

[twin]

I agree with the Fixed Gear article's and I think they had some pretty interesting bags to consider. I also teach and use my Chrome for carrying art stuff home when I need to. I also have a bike that I can use panniers and that works fine also. The Rivendell Baggins bags are a good choice when you do not want to carry a messenger bag. I go between the various bags.