Don't Shoot the Messenger (Bag)
March 4, 2023 2:09 PM Subscribe
I'm in need of a 9-10 liter messenger bag and I can't find one that's quite what I want. AskMe seems to love this sort of question, though, so here goes!
I currently use a 6 liter messenger-style bag as an EDC. For size reference, think Small Cafe Bag from Tom Bihn, although my bag came from Eddie Bauer ages ago. I have a bunch of stuff in the bag now, but it's poorly organized and I'd like it to be a wee bit larger for when I have random additions. A Medium Cafe Bag might actually be enough volume, but it's not quite what I want for other reasons, and has too many strikes against.
Here's a list of preferences:
* 9 or 10 liter capacity, although 8 liters might work.
* Wider than it is tall, rather than the Cafe Bag aspect ratio (so no 8L Medium Cafe Bag for me).
* Messenger ergonomics and body fit, not just a boxy crossbody. One thing about this is a strap that comes off the bag at an angle so the bag really sits flat when I'm on a bike. A lot of "messenger" bags get the strap attachment wrong and the bag ends up riding at an angle.
* Messenger ergonomics part 2: a stabilizing strap, preferably the sternum kind that just clips onto the main strap (it's more stable than the kind that loops around your waist). Timbuk2 includes stabilizing straps on every size of Classic Messenger but the XS, which is the capacity I actually need. The bag I have now tends to wander and requires a lot of fussing on rides around town.
* A grab handle so I don't always have to strap it on if I'm not going far.
* Optional but best: outer pockets that would hold a travel umbrella and/or a half liter water bottle securely. My very old Timbuk2 laptop commuter bag had perfect external pockets. You can order a custom Timbuk2 Classic Messenger with internal water bottle pockets and that's better than nothing, but there's nowhere to stash a wet umbrella.
* For extra credit: I'm normally not a "lots of little pockets" person, but now I do kind of need a lot of little pockets. The bag I have now has a front compartment with drop-in pockets of various small sizes, but most of them are the wrong sizes and none of them are secure. I might be open to solving this problem with an insert if I can otherwise find a perfect bag in which to insert it.
The Medium Cafe Bag is almost right, but I don't like the tall aspect ratio or the stabilizing strap, there's no external pocket for a small water bottle or umbrella, and colors are limited (and maybe not garish enough for riding a bike on a dark city street). A Timbuk2 XS Classic Messenger gets the aspect ratio and colors right, but there's still no external pocket, I'd have to pay more for a custom bag to get internal water bottle pockets, and you can't get a stabilizing strap on the XS.
Stuff being carried includes: sunglasses and/or reading glasses in cases (always one, often both); ½ liter water bottle; e-reader (currently a 6" Kindle Paperwhite); a couple folding shopping bags; rechargeable battery pack [6000 mAh, about the size of a deck of cards] and a couple charging cables; Beats Fit Pro earphones in their charging case; snacks; earplugs; Ibuprofen; Epi-Pen. Sometimes I might have an actual book, an umbrella, or a larger snack pack.
I currently use a 6 liter messenger-style bag as an EDC. For size reference, think Small Cafe Bag from Tom Bihn, although my bag came from Eddie Bauer ages ago. I have a bunch of stuff in the bag now, but it's poorly organized and I'd like it to be a wee bit larger for when I have random additions. A Medium Cafe Bag might actually be enough volume, but it's not quite what I want for other reasons, and has too many strikes against.
Here's a list of preferences:
* 9 or 10 liter capacity, although 8 liters might work.
* Wider than it is tall, rather than the Cafe Bag aspect ratio (so no 8L Medium Cafe Bag for me).
* Messenger ergonomics and body fit, not just a boxy crossbody. One thing about this is a strap that comes off the bag at an angle so the bag really sits flat when I'm on a bike. A lot of "messenger" bags get the strap attachment wrong and the bag ends up riding at an angle.
* Messenger ergonomics part 2: a stabilizing strap, preferably the sternum kind that just clips onto the main strap (it's more stable than the kind that loops around your waist). Timbuk2 includes stabilizing straps on every size of Classic Messenger but the XS, which is the capacity I actually need. The bag I have now tends to wander and requires a lot of fussing on rides around town.
* A grab handle so I don't always have to strap it on if I'm not going far.
* Optional but best: outer pockets that would hold a travel umbrella and/or a half liter water bottle securely. My very old Timbuk2 laptop commuter bag had perfect external pockets. You can order a custom Timbuk2 Classic Messenger with internal water bottle pockets and that's better than nothing, but there's nowhere to stash a wet umbrella.
* For extra credit: I'm normally not a "lots of little pockets" person, but now I do kind of need a lot of little pockets. The bag I have now has a front compartment with drop-in pockets of various small sizes, but most of them are the wrong sizes and none of them are secure. I might be open to solving this problem with an insert if I can otherwise find a perfect bag in which to insert it.
The Medium Cafe Bag is almost right, but I don't like the tall aspect ratio or the stabilizing strap, there's no external pocket for a small water bottle or umbrella, and colors are limited (and maybe not garish enough for riding a bike on a dark city street). A Timbuk2 XS Classic Messenger gets the aspect ratio and colors right, but there's still no external pocket, I'd have to pay more for a custom bag to get internal water bottle pockets, and you can't get a stabilizing strap on the XS.
Stuff being carried includes: sunglasses and/or reading glasses in cases (always one, often both); ½ liter water bottle; e-reader (currently a 6" Kindle Paperwhite); a couple folding shopping bags; rechargeable battery pack [6000 mAh, about the size of a deck of cards] and a couple charging cables; Beats Fit Pro earphones in their charging case; snacks; earplugs; Ibuprofen; Epi-Pen. Sometimes I might have an actual book, an umbrella, or a larger snack pack.
Best answer: I carry (and bike with!) the larger version of this Waterfield Vitesse Musette Plus (11 L). My bag (the 24 L Vitesse) has the angled main strap, and an add-on chest stabilizer strap for cycling. It may not have as many pockets as you want.
The Freitag F14 Dexter might also be worth looking into.
While researching, though, I also found that CourierWare will let you design a custom bag. Is there some combination there that will work for you?
posted by invokeuse at 3:35 PM on March 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
The Freitag F14 Dexter might also be worth looking into.
While researching, though, I also found that CourierWare will let you design a custom bag. Is there some combination there that will work for you?
posted by invokeuse at 3:35 PM on March 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: A couple options from Crumpler that almost-but-not-quite tick all your boxes for your consideration:
Comfort Zone: 9L, lots of colors, angled strap+stabilizer, few pockets, no grab handle or external pocket
Brace: 12L, a few colors, angled strap+stabilizer, more pockets, yes grab handle, no external pocket
posted by btfreek at 4:55 PM on March 4, 2023
Comfort Zone: 9L, lots of colors, angled strap+stabilizer, few pockets, no grab handle or external pocket
Brace: 12L, a few colors, angled strap+stabilizer, more pockets, yes grab handle, no external pocket
posted by btfreek at 4:55 PM on March 4, 2023
Best answer: Yeah, Courier Ware (https://courierbags.com/) is what I have been carrying since I was a courier dispatcher in 1994. So awesome, and I believe they are still good about special orders.
(Maybe drop jessamyn's name: I think they moved up to Vermont like 15 years ago!)
posted by wenestvedt at 5:04 PM on March 4, 2023 [3 favorites]
(Maybe drop jessamyn's name: I think they moved up to Vermont like 15 years ago!)
posted by wenestvedt at 5:04 PM on March 4, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I also have a small Timbuk2 small messenger bag from the 1990s that I could measure if you care: it has a few more pockets (including a zip one and a key strap) than CourierWare. It also has a waist strap, I believe.
If that really did it for you I would be happy to make a deal much to your advantage.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:07 PM on March 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
If that really did it for you I would be happy to make a deal much to your advantage.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:07 PM on March 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The bag you are specifically describing is the Defy Bags Recon Mashup.
posted by mhoye at 5:49 PM on March 4, 2023
posted by mhoye at 5:49 PM on March 4, 2023
Best answer: Crumpler Cumulus
Patagonia Stealth Hip Pack
posted by oceano at 7:11 PM on March 4, 2023
Patagonia Stealth Hip Pack
posted by oceano at 7:11 PM on March 4, 2023
Best answer: One more option with lots of pockets (and mixed reviews): Samsonite Quadrion Messenger Bag
posted by invokeuse at 7:19 PM on March 4, 2023
posted by invokeuse at 7:19 PM on March 4, 2023
Best answer: Reload bags have a bunch of models and can also do a ton of customization. They're made in Philadelphia to order.
posted by sepviva at 8:10 PM on March 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sepviva at 8:10 PM on March 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I probably should have added "* Doesn't cost $300," although those Freitag and Defy bags do look awesome.
Here's a conversation I just had with my wife, though:
posted by fedward at 1:33 PM on March 6, 2023
Here's a conversation I just had with my wife, though:
Me: You care if I order a messenger bag (larger than the [current] bag but not as large as the laptop bag)?At her prompting I did at least find that Zappos has a nice price on this XS bag from Timbuk2 which checks most of the boxes and now I'm curious how hard it would be to add a sternum strap after the fact. Hmm.
Her: Why?
Me: The [current] bag is sometimes too small for the stuff I’m carrying, and it’s missing a third leg strap that keeps it in place when I’m on a bike
Her: How much?
Me: Great question! The prices on the web site are only in Australian dollars.
Her: Ed.
posted by fedward at 1:33 PM on March 6, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by entropone at 3:20 PM on March 4, 2023