Who makes good messenger bags?

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
I am looking for a high quality messenger bag that's trendy and durable but doesn't cost more than about $100. I would use it to carry stuff like a newspaper, umbrella, cell phone, iPod and lunch, but not a laptop.



Does anyone have any suggestions?



Thanks!

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    I really like PAC designs bags myself. The bags are a bit more expensive but extremely well constructed and have a nice range of design options. Will last even a professional courier for years. Other companies that I've seen good work by / heard good things about are Dank, ReLoad and Bailey.
  • Reply 2 of 15
    groveratgroverat Posts: 10,872member
    You should subscribe to Messenger Bag Magazine and get the $14,000 Shogayu messenger bag to start with. Maybe when you get really cool you will appreciate the $732,000 Faramitsu messenger bag.



    I saw a guy with a messenger bag from North Face so I shot his entire family and the judge threw the case out because someone that lame, cheap and pathetic obviously deserved it.



    Pardon me, I'm just lamenting the fact that, as a moderator, I have to read every thread even if it makes me want to vomit inside of my own brain.
  • Reply 3 of 15
    e1618978e1618978 Posts: 6,075member
    Quote:

    even if it makes me want to vomit inside of my own brain.



    Cool!



    High End Audio thread? check

    High End Watch thread? check

    High End Car thread? there must have been one

    High End Refrigerator thread? must post my Northland GS-72RFI pics...
  • Reply 4 of 15
    kneelbeforezodkneelbeforezod Posts: 1,120member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by groverat

    Pardon me, I'm just lamenting the fact that, as a moderator, I have to read every thread even if it makes me want to vomit inside of my own brain.



    Awww. Diddums.
  • Reply 5 of 15
    groveratgroverat Posts: 10,872member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by kneelbeforezod

    Awww. Diddums.



  • Reply 6 of 15
    My (by now standard multiple forum) reply



    Here is a list of messenger bags still actually made by bike messengers or ex-messengers personally. They're all tough as nails given that they're actually designed to be used on a day-to-day business by people who viciously abuse their bags.



    Additionally most of these will do custom work for you.

    I've heard good things about all of them. Zo is arguably the best since Globe Canvas went bye bye and Timbuk2 went commercial. But Zo is also impossible to get unless you live in San Fran.



    Anyway, they're all good, and here's the list:



    Bagaboo (http://www.bagaboo.hu)



    BaileyWorks (http://www.baileyworks.com/)



    Cocotte (http://wwww.cocotte-equip.com/english.htm)



    Dank Bags (http://www.dankbags.com/)



    PAC Designs (http://www.pacdesigns.com/firsts.htm)



    Push The Envelope (http://www.pushtheenvelope.com/)



    ReLoad Bags (http://www.reloadbags.com/)



    Under The Weather (http://www.under-the-weather.ca/)



    Zo Bags (http://www.zobags.com/)
  • Reply 7 of 15
    splinemodelsplinemodel Posts: 7,311member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by groverat

    Pardon me, I'm just lamenting the fact that, as a moderator, I have to read every thread even if it makes me want to vomit inside of my own brain.



    If it pisses you off so much, then don't be a moderator.
  • Reply 8 of 15
    kneelbeforezodkneelbeforezod Posts: 1,120member
    I suppose if I had to read every thread on here I'd probably end up being quite cranky myself. I still totally want to see the video footage of Groverat vomiting inside his own brain though. You could probably charge for that y'know.
  • Reply 9 of 15
    johnrpjohnrp Posts: 357member
    http://www.timbuk2.com/



    I got one of these in the states (applestore in florida) this summer.



    It is the Messenger with the special pocket for the powerbook (15)



    Not cheep but absolutely the BEST bag I have ever had.



    j.



    (ohh and "ED" had one also.. you know the bowling alley lawyer)
  • Reply 10 of 15
    midwintermidwinter Posts: 10,060member
    I got mine from here. I got the black messenger bag. It's great, and has held up to my use very nicely since Dec.
  • Reply 11 of 15
    andersanders Posts: 6,523member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Electric Monk

    ...and Timbuk2 went commercial.



    Is bags held up by idealistglu or something? I have a timbuk2 bag, probably seven years old, soon to be replaced. If they can deliver the same quality again I see no reason why not to buy from them.
  • Reply 12 of 15
    Problem is they don't have the same quality they used too. Mass producing and off shoring does that. On the other hand you get cheaper bags (or at least counting for inflation, rising shipping costs, etc - equivalently priced bags).



    The guys who founded the company (bike messengers, natch) have been replaced by a marketing guy. Same kinda thing that happened to Adobe if you want a software reference. It grows the company, but products suffer.
  • Reply 13 of 15
    hardeeharharhardeeharhar Posts: 4,841member
    Wouldn't it be better to ask who makes bad messenger bags?
  • Reply 14 of 15
    gongon Posts: 2,437member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by midwinter

    I got mine from here. I got the black messenger bag. It's great, and has held up to my use very nicely since Dec.



    Personally, to establish something is good quality or holds up nicely, I'd need to use it for a year or more.



    In a time as short as five months, the only thing I could say about a synthetic-material bag is that it displays no sign of wear (inconclusive) or that there is visible wear and/or problems (not good quality).



    I'm just interested what kind of quality standards various forumites have here.



    There's just one company that I am confident in saying delivers good quality across the line - North Face. Never had a single piece of clothing rip, tear, anything. Even wear is ridiculously minor. I have a fleece from them that is probably 5 (?) years old. The labels on the inside have completely faded to white and unreadable from the repeated washing. To the outside, or when I'm wearing it, it's indistinguishable from a new one.



    Also my backpack is pretty amazing. It's "Kipling" brand. I had to have broken plastic parts replaced once, I had to replace some cord, and tie some new knots. But that's all minor, and after the repairs the backpack is still fine. At times I have wanted to buy a new backpack for better ergonomics, better looks, etc., but I don't have the heart. There's something special about a ten year old thing that has been on me almost every day and is still intact. Just an hour ago I plunked some dumbbells in the backpack and did pullups.
  • Reply 15 of 15
    midwintermidwinter Posts: 10,060member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Gon

    Personally, to establish something is good quality or holds up nicely, I'd need to use it for a year or more.



    In a time as short as five months, the only thing I could say about a synthetic-material bag is that it displays no sign of wear (inconclusive) or that there is visible wear and/or problems (not good quality).



    Well, considering that I routinely carry around about 50 or so student essays, a few books, my laptop, an iPod, an iPaq, and a cell phone, and whatever work-related stuff I need, the bag has held up far, far better than any other bag I've ever had. The stitching is completely intact all over. The zippers have held up fine. There is no wear on the interior despite my constantly jamming things down in there. The leather has not faded or worn and remains supple.
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