Real messenger bags

Read through all the more "fashion" oriented threads. I actually need to carry stuff - on my bicycle and on my motorcycle.

Baileyworks? Bagjack/Acronym? Seagull? Anyone got any suggestions... it can be fashion-y so long as it is still real.

This could have been a post in one of the millions of messenger bag threads

Originally Posted by KitAkira

Click to expand...

This could have been a post in one of the millions of messenger bag threads

And yet, there was nothing in my search except for a bunch of fashion-oriented suggestions - or limited edition stuff.

Certainly no discussion of which makes the better actual bag for carrying stuff.

i have a seagull black bag (the most basic) in a large. it holds a ton of stuff and is very durable. the only issue i have is the plastic strap holder that holds the excess slack when you put the bag on, it's not fully attached to the strap so i've had it fall off multiple times, and i've now finally lost it.

^^^exact same issue with my black bag, which pissed me off for all of five minutes until I realized I could tuck it somewhere else and it didn't matter. What's a real messenger? Someone like Squid, or someone who's a grizzled old man who's a messenger because he can't do anything else? Anyway: http://www.pacdesigns.com/firsts.htm are no joke and will last you forever. I have a seagull black bag, which I like a good deal and carries everything from groceries to frames. I also have a crumpler, which isn't really that good. It's not a bad bag, but I wouldn't recommend 'em. Chrome has a stigma attached to it, but on a whole are not bad. I don't know much about baileyworks first hand but they seem wholly inoffensive and perfectly capable. ReLoad bags are nice, if you're willing to spend the money. Don't bother with incase. Don't bother with timbuk2. Don't bother with manhattan portage. Freitag bags are pretty ******* cool and pretty niche; by all accounts they work well, but they've got a pretty hefty premium attached to them. Are you a hypebeast? Pick up a Sag bag, vertical or otherwise. As far as I know, they're the only bag company that does Sag x whatever. Check this out for some others that I might not have mentioned: http://www.messengers.org/resources/bags.html

I've had my timbuk2 commuter bag for going on 10 years now. It's been to almost every state in the union, used damn near daily, has carried everything from textbooks, to carry-on trip supplies, tropical fish and medicinal marijuana (and derived products).. works great on the bike, the motorcycle, or just schlepping around on hooves/busses. I paid $45 on eBay for it and I can't ask for anything more than what I've gotten out of it in return.

I would agree, timbuk2 bags are(were) well made, plus the custom colour option is great. Mine is 12 years old and is going strong. It has done a lot of miles on my bike and walking various streets hauling many different things.

I have a Timbuk2 Arnold, and the straps don't get nearly short enough. Not sure if their more classic messenger bags have a different strap system.

After 6 years with a Timbuk2 Messenger, I bought a Waterfield Cargo and haven't looked back. It's not a normal messenger, though. Think half messenger, half briefcase; the flap in the front covers three pouches, and the main compartment is accessed via zipper. Take a good look at the pictures to see what I'm talking about.
http://www.sfbags.com/products/cargo/cargo.htm

I actually bought the Mambo Combo (under laptop bags), which comes with a strap pad and one of their awesome laptop sleeves.

By real do you mean real ugly because that's what it sounds like you're looking for.

With that being said try filson.

I have an olive drab bag from the army surplus store that works great. I think I paid 10 bucks.

See if you can find a vintage Globe Canvas De Martini bag.

I used to make "real" messenger bags for about five years, so I've got a pretty healthy amount of experience.

Buy a BaileyWorks.

Pac Designs and Bailey Works are both supposed to be really nice, but for real messenger bags my favorite is ReLoad. That being said I still use an old Timbuk2 bag that I've had for many years and it's still going strong. They may be one of the more "sold out" brands but I'll be damned if I can wear this thing out. Also tried Chrome and hate them...the buckle is obnoxious and they are way too "trendy" in the cycling industry, in which I work, right now. My daily bag is a Filson briefcase though so what the hell do I know

I think Porter makes some pretty functional bags