Large-capacity Messenger/Bike Messenger Bag

Submitted by izuzashi t3_yhz6id in BuyItForLife

i've gotten really tired of searching for a new bag every 6 months, i'm in the middle of my senior year and i want to start investing in some stuff that'll hopefully last me all through college, a bag being one of them! i like messenger bag styles and especially ones made for bikers that have a short strap so they rest on your back instead of on your side, tugging on your shoulder. i'm not picky about look, i just want something with great utility!

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aarkwilde t1_iuggq2v wrote

I like Timbuk2. My oldest is a good 25 years old and holding up well. I fully expect to have it another 20 years.

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izuzashi OP t1_iuggtic wrote

i've seen that recommended a few places, thank you so much!

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javaavril t1_iugstjb wrote

Timbuk2 has a stability strap, that you mentioned, to keep it placed correctly on your back. I bicycle commute about 15-20 miles daily, all year, in all weather, and it's very comfortable. Mine's like 5 years old.

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kakowarai t1_iuhdzxu wrote

i love my timbuk2, but after a decade, the inner lining is cracked and peeling terribly. i tried contacting timbuk2 to get it repaired, but apparently me being in japan meant that the closest place i could send it was singapore i think, and i was never able to get in contact with them :( does anyone know what i can do in this situation?

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PeppyJeppy t1_iuhfk2o wrote

Confirmed! Had mine forever and still feels (and looks ) brand new!

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SherlockOhmsUK t1_iuif9cc wrote

Seconded - I’ve had my Timbuk2 messenger bag for around 14 or so years I think? It’s pretty much bombproof

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Dfiori3 t1_iugkugr wrote

You’re looking for a Chrome bag. They’re made in American and guaranteed for life. I just bought the Buran III (my third chrome bag), and it fits everything I can throw at it and then some, and even when it’s really weighed down, it’s still extremely comfortable. Almost all their bags also have a stabilizer strap to stop the bag from falling to your side when you’re cycling. A lot of their bags also have a carry handle which I like because I can treat them like briefcase if I need to. The only negative thing I have to say about Chrome is that I had a problem with a bag that they discontinued, and they tried to offer me the original retail price of the bag in store credit to satisfy the “guaranteed for life” promise. That wasn’t cool because I had bought the bag 5 or so years prior and their prices had gone up, so I couldn’t really get anything comparable for that price. I fought them on it and eventually they did give me enough to get a comparable bag. Osprey does bag replacements by volume not by price, which is how it should be, but osprey doesn’t make messenger bags like chrome.

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BunnyTheCow t1_iugtcrf wrote

I've had numerous messenger bags over the years. Timbuk2 and Chrome bags are both solid; however, most messenger bags have one very big compartment with a few very small pockets. Courierware bags are a better fit for my needs with better pockets. More like one big compartment and several medium sized pockets.

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BitWallah t1_iugtslq wrote

I’m glad someone else is mentioning Courierware. I got mine in the mid 90s and it’s still my daily carry. It went around the world with me last month.

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ibarmy t1_iugw5yu wrote

Thanks for mentioning this! Really neat designs.

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cheesepage t1_iuhbowp wrote

Timbuk2 for the win. It's close to water proof, and comfortable. I use mine every day, sometimes all day. I've hauled small animals, bike frames, groceries, used it as a picnic mat, slept on it. After ten years or so some of the edging has started to wear.

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bLackbur5t t1_iugu3z3 wrote

Vanquest envoy

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zikol88 t1_iuhgwoe wrote

I’ve had my Vanquest (envoy gen 1) for 9 years now as my primary everyday bag, and couldn’t be happier with it.

  • It’s got tons of organization and pockets.
  • It’s sized right
  • it’s comfortable
  • mine has virtually no wear & tear
  • goes through airports so easily since it slips over the luggage handle
  • it came with the waist strap like OP wanted, but I don’t use it.
  • materials are heavy duty but not stiff or awkward
  • I’ve done no repairs or had any issues with stitching.
  • it’s not made in China also. I think mine was USA, but now they’re Vietnam or Taiwan of some USA materials.

Really. I couldn’t be happier with it as a messenger.

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random1888wagred t1_iuh5agu wrote

Ortlieb messenger. It's the largest single compartment bag I could find. Very comfy too. Just a big space to throw things in. I find it way more useful than multiple compartments. Ortlieb make a few similar smaller ones, and the 'messenger' can be harder to find, but worth it.

Edit: despite being called messenger, this is a back pack, so may not be ideal for you, but one to consider for the future

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itrinethran t1_iuiqcw3 wrote

Patagonia and osprey make great bags that last forever

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itrinethran t1_iuiqon5 wrote

I've had my osprey astro almost 20 years, still works great.

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jan1of1 t1_iujrm52 wrote

Try:

  1. Ortlieb Messenger Bag
  2. Showers Pass Messenger Bag
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BoonLight t1_iuk5orx wrote

Bailey Works. If you know, you know.

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