Messenger Bag.... Fi! - Page 17

Just received the BBP Industries Messenger a couple of weeks ago. My 15.6" Acer fits perfectly (easy to pull out, doesn't wiggle when strap is closed) in the 17" sleeve, for everyone who doesn't use a Mac. Seems tough enough to survive commuting through crowded downtown areas; ran a few suburban blocks when I got it just to test it, and when the strap is properly set it won't bounce around, plus the angle of the strap and the padding on the back adds a bit more comfort. If anything is wrong with the design, the silent velcro on the main flap really is silent when I open it in, say, the library, but the velcro on the laptop sleeve is far from silent. Which means that if you whip out your laptop, or leave the main bag and use just the sleeve if you have a meeting in the same floor/building (their example, see the blurb), you'll still make that annoying sound if you come in late. Price considered though I don't really mind, jsut something to put out there in case other people see that and consider it an extremely important feature.

As posted before in this thread, I have a TAD Gear Dispatch bag:

Which is 17x12x4 inches (43.2x30.5x10.2cm) big. A great size for my daily commute, as it holds my 15.4" work laptop, a bunch of tools, some paperwork, my lunch and whatever other stuff I decide to lug into the office. 

I also have a Fjallraven Vintage Shoulderbag:

Which is 13x11x4.3inches (33x28x11cm) big. I used this to lug my stuff around in my free time, it usually contained my MSI Wind U100 netbook (in a sleeve), laptop PSU, mouse, my Canon Powershot G10, a small first aid kit, a can of deodorant and the flavour of the day in portable audio. (and occasionally clean socks, shirt & underwear, if staying overnight somewhere)

But my netbook died and was replaced with a Samsung Series 9 13.3", While the ultrabook is a LOT thinner, it is a bit bigger in the other directions. Especially when in its Case Logic Welded sleeve ( http://www.caselogic.com/en-US/US/Products/Laptop-Cases/MacBook-Cases/SSMA_-_313_-_BLACK_-__-_13MacBookAirWeldedSleeve ). It still fits the Fjallraven bag, but just barely and as the sides are pushed out a little, there's very little space for anything other than my laptop + PSU & mouse. But the TAD bag is way too big, not to mention that I don't want to be swapping contents all the time. I know myself a little, and I will probably end up missing business-critical items in less than a week time when I need to juggle the work and private stuff around all the time.

So, I'm looking for a replacement. A small-ish messenger bag with either a weatherproof padded 13.3" laptop compartment, or a non-weatherproof non-padded 14" laptop compartment (so it will fit my ultrabook + the caselogic sleeve). And enough space left fo the other stuff. I prefer function & durability over form, and like dark colours best. Oh and preferably something that doesn't scream 'Hey look at this bag! it's guaranteed to contain a high end laptop so please mug me!'.

I keep coming back to the small Timbuk2 laptop Messenger, but they're a bit more than I'd like to spend on a bag right now. So I'd like to see what else there is out there. 

Any suggestions?

I don't own a bag myself as of yet, but getting ready to order this shoulder bag from Incase in the coming weeks. 

destroysall.

I'm about to order this one

Rothco Pathfinder

Quote:

Originally Posted by concrete 

After a few years of bike commuting with Messenger bags I switched to waterproof backpacks instead. The Messenger bags were killing my shoulder and compressed my sternum when heavily loaded.

I use Orlieb bags and I see more and more couriers switching to backpacks as well.

I decided to forego the messenger bag route and got a Mission Workshop pack. Still haven't used it yet, but appreciate details like the rear light mount placement, designed  for a stretched out roadbike position.

I have a Mission Workshop Arkiv pack but I've not really used it as of late. Looks a bit busy with all the bits, and without looks a bit weird... It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Large loads cause me back issues as well with messengers, but for immediate stashability and general utility as long as I'm not carrying any boat anchors around, I still prefer messengers - like the Acronym 3A-5TS.

Mind you, after decking it out a bit in a similarly modular fashion to the Arkiv, I ended up ~€1200 lighter...

Good lord, what does Acronym make their stuff out of? Gold? That is something pricey items they've got for sale there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman 

Large loads cause me back issues as well with messengers, but for immediate stashability and general utility as long as I'm not carrying any boat anchors around, I still prefer messengers - like the Acronym 3A-5TS.

 

 

 

 

Mind you, after decking it out a bit in a similarly modular fashion to the Arkiv, I ended up ~€1200 lighter...

Eh, the usual... clever/cool design + limited numbers = more money. I have to admit to having quite a lot of their collections as I like what they do.

Whether I can actually pull off wearing it and looking like that is another matter entirely. Less ninja, more tactical potato.