best messenger bags 2022

To assess the comfort of each model in our review, we took each bag out for a variety of trips, focusing on all manner of activities. The burly 1000d fabric and weatherproof liner make this bag a great option for anyone who's tough on their gear and needs protection from inclement weather. For bike messengers, the volume, balance, and ease of access are critical. The Everyday Messenger has a plethora of pockets and features for dialing in the organization of your daily kit. Our only complaint is that the velcro strap minder is not ideal for stashing excess strap if you have to fully tighten everything down. Its roomy enough to hold a 17-inch laptop in the padded sleeve, plus a change of clothes, a bike lock, and more gear in its many zippered compartments and organizing pockets. No surprise, a bag's strap design factors heavily when considering comfort. The brightly-colored interior makes it easy to find what you need, and the pockets are well-designed without being excessive. The Especial Stash takes top marks here again. The winner is the Timbuk2 Classic, followed closely by the Granville and the Especial Stash. We love the minimal design and comfortable carry of the impressively durable Monty, and we're sure you will too. An ambidextrous strap and magnetic buckles, which can be operated one-handed, make the Stash user-friendly and efficient to carry. The Buran III is a tech-centered take on Chrome's classic weather-proof messenger bag. This iconic Timbuk2 bag is popular for a reason - it is affordable, durable, weather-resistant, and reasonably comfortable. Some are optimized for the body-positioning of being on a bike (as seen here), some can be worn around the waist, while still others are geared toward a one-shoulder carry while walking. Water just slides off the impervious Stash. Enthusiasts of sustainable style will dig this upcycled messenger bag, which is from Alchemy Goods. It also doesn't have any outside pockets, so you'll need to get under the main flap to access your gear. Today, however, things have changed dramatically, and most manufacturers have evolved with the times to fit people's needs. With improved backpack designs, however, bike commuters often opt for two shoulder straps instead of just one. A bag needs to keep up on a rigorous commute, whether by bike, foot, subway, skateboard, rollerblade, motorcycle, or Vespa. If you bike to work some days, walk others, and drive the rest of the time, the Timbuk2 Classic may be a brilliant choice. It all adds up to a very comfortable bag. We want to hear from you! This ratio is a simple calculation of volume (liters) divided by weight (pounds). Off for another day of work and play with the Granville 10. All Rights Reserved. The shoulder strap is removable, and a back pocket allows you to slip the bag onto most luggage handles. Even if youre a backpack type, youll undoubtedly find yourself in situations where a messenger bag is the better option. The majority of models in this review have kept true to the spirit of the original messenger that is, allow easy access to one's tools. The bag is made in San Francisco and designed to keep up with your commute for the long haul. Measuring 11 inches tall by 15.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches deep, this sleek bag has a padded, fleece-lined sleeve that fits a 16-inch laptop, plus a zippered rear pocket that converts into a luggage handle sleeve. However, if funds are tight, you may be looking for a better balance of performance and affordability. Bags, Fashion, RS Recommends, travel accessories. For the right person or photographer, this bag is an exceptional option. One reviewer used a similar model from Chrome as a daily commuter for well over a decade. Over-the-shoulder bags have been around for a long time, at first adapted from military map bags for the broader public. The shoulder strap is more conducive to a casual one-shoulder carry because it is not aggressively angled, and the padding can be centered on the strap for however you prefer to carry it. Got feedback? This model is essentially two bags a liner and a durable outer shell which ensures excellent weather resistance and stellar durability, though it does add some weight. These bags sit horizontally on your back and are more rectangular, with less tapering near the base of the bag. Aside from that, we dig that you have options on how you close the bag. These bags have an urban flair and a toughness that tends to mirror their hard-working owners. No matter what adventures we got into, this bag could weather it in style without showing a scratch. The storage and organization features are sufficient without being excessive. The way a bag rests on your back and how closely it sits to your body are also very important; the Chrome Buran III, Chrome Kadet Sling, and Arc'teryx Granville 10 are all excellent examples of this. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. If you prefer the comfort of a less bike-specific shape, then the Timbuk2 Classic or the Peak Design Everyday Messenger are both excellent options. A great messenger bag or sling will keep your kit well organized, and will wear comfortably, so you can get on with your daily commute. In the end, the spirit of the traditional messenger bag holds steady, a durable bag that allows freedom of movement in a variety of urban environments and easy access to your toolkit. Several large compartments, a fully waterproof zippered laptop sleeve, and a nice assortment of smaller pockets make the Stash an easy and fun bag to organize your life into. Its finished with reflective stitching that keeps you visible at night. The messenger, as we tend to think of it, has its roots firmly planted in powerline worker's bags from the 1950s. For some, this could be overkill, but for the right person this could be a storage dream come true. Sign up for our newsletter. The Stash is optimized for commuters that prefer a more traditional messenger design intended to hug the back snugly while zipping through town on a bike or a scooter. However, for the minimally-minded bike commuter who wants exceptional craftsmanship and a durable weatherproof messenger bag, this U.S.-made beauty is hard to beat. Solo New York Re:New Briefcase sleeves for pens, thin items). In addition to being abrasion and water-resistant, this sturdy bag is lined with cotton canvas and padded on the sides and bottom for extra durability. The material is both weather-resistant and durable, while the interior laptop compartment is fully waterproof. To honor the history of the messenger, we decided it was appropriate to rank Comfort as well as Packing and Organization as our two most important performance metrics. Whether you're looking for a classy bag for the office or a gear-toting bike companion, we've tested each contender for quality, durability, and design to better help you choose the right bag for the job. A well-designed bag will enable straightforward organization without the user having to overthink anything. Another easy-to-use option is the Especial Stash. It has just enough pockets for easy organization without unnecessary extra storage features. The Buran features a zippered and padded laptop pocket on the back of the bag that can accommodate up to a 17" laptop. This extended testing period allows us to spend quality time with each product and fully evaluate its performance. The higher the number, the more space you get for each pound of weight on your back. We tested the top women's the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Spacious, savvy pocket configuration, easy on/off, comfortable, weatherproof, Waterproof laptop sleeve, weather-resistant, great features, ambidextrous, brightly colored interior, Rugged, weather-proof, stylish, comfortable, Affordable, durable, weather-resistant, simple but functional organization features, customizable, Comfortable, compact, intuitive design, easy on/off, reflective panel for higher visibility at night, Heavy, spendy, laptop zipper not waterproof, Exterior water bottle pocket is small, shoulder padding can get bunched up, tips over easily when set down, No padded laptop compartment, cargo pockets don't perfectly accommodate a U-lock, Left-shoulder carry only, minimal protection for laptop, shoulder strap is somewhat finicky, Heavy for the volume, not ideal for carrying a laptop, could use more storage slots in front pocket, This tech-savvy, spacious, weatherproof, and comfortable messenger bag features ample pockets and can accommodate up to a 17" laptop, This is a highly impressive ambidextrous bag with excellent features and bomber weatherproofing, A comfortable, weather-proof, and rugged messenger bag with an attractive aesthetic and just enough pockets to organize your gear, This durable, weather-resistant, and simple bag is thoughtfully designed with great pockets and reasonable comfort, all at an affordable price, A compact and comfortable bag for carrying your daily essentials, featuring a seatbelt buckle for easy on and off and a reflective panel for increased visibility, A weatherproof, rugged, and user-friendly messenger bag with tons of pockets, comfort, and space for up to a 17" laptop, This well-featured bag is feature-rich, fully ambidextrous, and highly weatherproof, A stylish, durable, and weather-proof messenger bag that's built to last, Short wonder this weather-resistant bag is so popular, it carries a ton for the weight and strikes the balance between affordability, simplicity, and durability, Great for carrying minimal gear while commuting, traveling, or going out on the town, with excellent features for bike commuting, With thoughtful features and burly weatherproofing, this bag is comfortable, lightweight, and ready to go, A well-designed weather-proof messenger for photographers and tech professionals with oodles of pockets and organizational features, A rugged and weather-resistant bag with three options for transporting up to a 15" laptop, and ample space and pockets for organizing your kit for the daily commute. Not only is the laptop area waterproof, but the entire bag is also highly impervious to water. Chrome's iconic seatbelt buckle makes it easy to put on and take off both the Buran and the Kadet. The Especial Stash offers an assortment of great features for easy and intuitive packing, including a brightly colored interior for added visibility. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. The only reason it didn't earn full marks in this category is that it doesn't have a waterproof zipper. Buy: If you like to carry your bag on one shoulder while walking (as opposed to cross-body), this may not be the best choice for you. Whether youre in the field or on a train, Filsons padded twill messenger bag was designed to hold up in both rugged and urban environments. Wondering if a messenger bag is right for you? There's a reason you still see these workhorses on the backs of many-a-cyclist. Initially, powerline workers needed a durable bag to keep their heavy, bulky, and awkward tools easily accessible while climbing utility poles. For starters, the Monty does not have a padded laptop compartment; you can use a laptop case, but then you will need to store your computer in the main compartment of the bag. The pockets and compartments are conveniently placed and straightforward. The padded laptop pocket is on the back of the bag, and there is a burly hood on the zipper, but the zipper is not waterproof. Most of our top-scoring bags include padded laptop sleeves and pockets that are useful for cords and tablets because, let's face it, electronics are the tools of this era. Among the many storage features in the Everyday Messenger, there is a zippered pocket with slots for camera batteries and memory cards. Some other great options include the Mission Workshop Monty, the Burley Transit, and the Peak Design Everyday Messenger. The Buran has the classic Chrome seat-belt-style buckle on the shoulder strap. This high-quality bag features excellent craftsmanship while managing to remain relatively lightweight. The tapered shape also isn't as conducive to sitting upright when set down on the ground. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, We put the best messenger bags from Chrome, Timbuk2, Peak Design, and others to the test. A higher number is indicative of a bag that offers more functional capacity for its weight how many liters of capacity you have per pound carried. in Environmental Politics at Colorado State University, so she is no stranger to riding her bicycle in inclement weather while commuting to class. Ready to go backpacking? A high-quality messenger bag should improve and support daily commuting with a broad array of attributes: comfort, of course, but also an ability to hold, secure, and facilitate easy access to the items inside. The fabric is weatherproof with a tarpaulin-lined 1050d fabric on the exterior and a second layer of tarpaulin inside of that. The laptop pocket is fully waterproof accommodating up to a 15" laptop and the flap-down closure provides an extra layer of security. Some of the features of the Everyday Messenger seem over-designed, and there is a learning curve to figuring out how to sort all your gear in the bag. Though the shape and design of messenger bags have evolved and expanded dramatically over the years, the original concept remains the same. The shoulder strap is not also ambidextrous, which is a bummer for left-handed folks. The Monty is made with a durable 1000d nylon fabric that is coupled with a weather-proof liner. We assessed how logical, intuitive, and easy each bag is to pack, as well as how quickly we could access the contents. There are a couple of drawbacks to this otherwise well-designed bag. We focused on ensuring that our testing process and subsequent review retained the spirit of the original messenger bag design while keeping a modern context in mind. The strap on the Stash is simple to tighten and loosen. Not a deal-breaker, but a little clunky for an otherwise flawless bag. As a bonus, it comes in lots of fun colors, and for a little extra cash, it is fully customizable. Additionally, you'll find slots for travel mugs and water bottles, electronic cord storage, and zippered pockets to secure your wallet and phone. The patented MagLatch closure system is a bit tricky to use, and while it is silent compared to velcro, it does take some time to get used to it. It features an adjustable strap with a zippered pocket underneath the flap to make this bag a perfect commuting companion. And most importantly, how does it handle a variety of load types and weights? The Chrome Buran is a savvy, comfortable, and stylish messenger bag with space for up to a 17" laptop - great for cycling around town and commuting to work. The back compartment has enough space for a 15" laptop. Alchemy Goods Haversack Messenger Bag She lives in Tahoe, where she rock climbs, hikes, bikes, practices yoga, and cooks a whole lot. The San Francisco-based brands medium Lightweight Flight bag is a versatile, everyday option thats also available in extra small and small sizes, and it features reflective hits to keep you visible in low light settings. The Classic sits slightly more horizontally on the back than the bike-commuting specific bag. The Transit has enough compartments, slots, and pockets to organize all your daily gear. This Seeking the best laptop backpack? Since we always want to lighten the loads on our backs and shoulders, a bag with excessive features might lose points in our overall ranking if those features start to add unnecessary weight. Then, the Everyday Messenger has two sleeves for storing a tablet and your laptop, as well as countless features for safely storing and organizing your other electronics or camera equipment. If youre looking for a slim leather bag that only looks better with age (and will last you a lifetime to boot), consider this stylish one by Detroit-based company Shinola. No sponsored content. Even after all our rounds of rigorous testing, the Stash looked practically unused. Mary is a lifelong bike commuter who lived without a car for over a decade. While there is a laptop compartment, the padding is extremely minimal, so some mindfulness is required when handling it. Shinola Leather Messenger Bag The Buran III has one of the best cargo pockets for stashing a mini-u-lock, which makes it easy to lock up your bicycle after your ride. Chance the Rapper, Joey Bada$$ Deliver Artsy Performance of 'The Highs and the Lows' on 'Fallon', Better Call Saul Recap: Its Breaking Bad Time, Georgias Gun Laws Are Forcing Atlantas Midtown Music Festival to Cancel This Year, Better Call Saul Writer on Finally Entering the World of Breaking Bad, I Meant No Disrespect: Diane Warrens Shady Beyonc Tweet Sparks Debate About the Art of Collaboration, Trump Sides with Russia Over Brittney Griner. Made in the U.S. from industrial-grade cotton twill and bridle leather, this outdoor-friendly bag has a padded laptop sleeve that fits devices up to 15 inches, a large interior compartment with three dividers, and plenty of storage pockets outside and inside. Just watch out for your prankster friends who might try to push the button while you aren't paying attention. The messenger is a bag for many traveler types, from the urban athlete to the reluctant business person. Add to that a sensible design without any flimsy components or materials, and you have a bag that is not only affordable but will last a long time. This is why these bags did not fare as well in this metric. If you want the most overall volume out of your bag, our measured volume of the Classic is 18 liters (the advertised volume is 21 liters), and the measured volume of the Stash is 15 liters (the advertised volume is 17 liters). We sprayed every bag with a garden hose, and the Stash stayed bone-dry inside. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Finally, if you are a person who craves abundant pockets for organizing an array of gear, the Monty offers fewer pockets than other packs. Style is not a metric in this review because it's so subjective. $89. Buy: Because there's no velcro, you will have to commit to clipping the magnetic buckles every time to keep the front flap secure (though you won't have to make a loud ripping sound every time you want to get inside). However, it is minimally padded, so it works better to protect your computer in a padded case, before putting it in the Timbuk2 Classic. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. $89.99. Finally, a sling bag can be great for those that prefer a smaller, tighter package on their back. The Burley Transit is another solid option for packing and organization. A bag's storage design also needs to be efficient. Mounts easily onto luggage trolley handle. We categorized the most important messenger bag performance features into a series of rating metrics and developed a specific testing protocol for each one. Our attention to these details spanned humdrum daily errands, urban adventures, airport travel, and even a hike or two. If you are in search of the perfect travel backpack, then We spent hundreds of days testing 15 of the best Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2022. The cargo pockets are the perfect size for a mini U-lock, but the flap is too tight for a perfect seal over the lock (we used an old mini ABUS U-lock), causing the flap to close asymmetrically over the top. You can use it in the traditional flap down mode, or close the bag with the roll-top configuration for more space. at The eco-friendly nylon bag is made from repurposed bicycle inner tubes, giving it a unique textured look as well as durability for everyday use. Generally, the most complicated parts of a bag are the front closure system and the process of adjusting the shoulder strap, and each company likes to try something a little bit different and unique. A well-organized photographer's dream come true. The Timbuk2 Classic is another high performer in this category, as is the Arc'teryx Granville. The storage features are minimalistic, so you don't have to sweat over where you're going to store all your bits and bobs. We logged many hours of online research and made an initial cut down to 60 potential bags to tests. If you're a tech professional, student, or urban commuter of any persuasion, we think you'll appreciate this rugged and well-conceived bag for moving your gear around town. We bought 8 of the leading products available today for our comprehensive, side-by-side testing. This bag is not ideal for bike commuting and provides somewhat average comfort for regular use, but for someone who needs well-conceived features for carrying camera equipment or myriad electronic components, this beautiful bag is ideal. Finally, this bag is among the more expensive in the review, but it makes up for the steep price in terms of quality of design. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, OGL Volume/Weight Ratio (bigger is better), Number of Small Pockets (i.e. The classic messenger bag design is a close-fitting shoulder bag that easily swings around to the front of the body and has a stabilizing strap to keep it secure while you're moving. Adjusting the strap length is a breeze, and the features are intuitive, so you can load up and get on with your day. In the 80s, this style was updated, adjusted, and reappropriated for bicycle messengers, and the category has since exploded. The serious bike commuter will notice that the Classic isn't as ergonomic for cycling. The Monty has a fully waterproof pocket for up to a 15" laptop, though this pocket isn't padded. To keep up with the shifting needs of urban commuters, more and more bag companies offer backpacks, casual briefcases, or eclectic messenger-hybrids. If you don't need to use the waterproof sleeve, your laptop will also fit just in front of that in a second padded area, and there are useful pockets for cords and various accessories. Backpacks don't swing around to the front quite as quickly as messenger bags, but if you're just making one or two stops and you don't need to grab things from your bag super quickly, it is likely a more comfortable option. In the case of this bag, the inner dividers are optimized for camera equipment, though they can be creatively used for almost anything. For an average commuter rather than a photographer some of the storage features will be superfluous. All of that aside, if you value durability and weather resistance in a bike-friendly design that provides some of the best protection for your electronics, then this is the bag for you. Back in the 80s, when these bags started to take off among bicycle messengers, no one was toting around notebook-sized computers, small space-age touchscreen gadgets, or tiny cell phones. The top scores in this metric go to a solid group of bags that, in most respects, also excel in our other testing categories. The Kadet Sling has ample shoulder padding, and an ergonomic design, making for an impressively comfortable bag on or off the bike. The shoulder strap is ambidextrous for left or right shoulder carry, and the padding is generous, making the bag comfortable on and off the bike. If you're looking for an outstanding bag with a ton of features, perhaps you're okay paying more for it. The laptop pocket is also padded and lined with waterproof material. Arc'teryx Granville 10 Courier Bag The Stash is comfortable on the move, owing to the more vertical orientation of the bag, which is optimized for bike commuting.

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