[Closed] Messenger bags - what does everyone carry and how far?

You'll be fine, I carry that plus a laptop 15 miles each way

A crumpler (or similar) would be great. Mine is 4-5 years old but still looks great if a bit faded. Its seen 2 years of commuting and various other day to day stuff. I keep a first aid kit and other 'emergency' items in it for whatever the occasion.

But then if you have paniers already, lots of peeps say its better to keep the weight on the bike. Plus you dont get a sweaty back.

Sweaty back isn't an issue as I have a quick shower at work anyway. Panniers are on a different bike and the bag would be useful as it could be used on a number of them. Cheers.

sounds fine for what you carry. used to do similar commute with my timbuk 2 myself, but recently changed to panniers for the weight/shopping/booze/bike parcels from crc etc

I used to do that daily with everything including a laptop in a Howies courier bag. No problem at all

Blimey I need panniers for my 5-miler, it is uphill tho and I CBA showering at work.

You can really fill up courier bags IMO, they're not uncomfortable to carry but it's tiring if they are heavy.

I commute 8.5 miles with a Crumpler Donny Frank. Usually just carry clothes minus shoes (which I keep at work as well as a towel, shower gel and bike lock). Find it absolutely fine even when I've carried more/heavier stuff!

Would definatley recommend a Crumpler - pricey but I've had mine for 4-5 years, gets used daily whether I ride to work or not and also if I go away for a weekend etc, and it's still as good as new.

+1 recommendation for a crumpler - I've had mine (a seedy three) for over 10 years and it's going brilliantly. It can carry small and large loads - there's not many things you couldn't fit in them. And they are stable and comfortable to wear.

Thanks all.

I did a long commute a few times - it only a got a nuisance after about 20 miles. Probably use a small sac next time.

I recently switched from a messenger bag to a rucksack. The rucksack is much more comfortable with a heavier load (laptop + towel + shoes + clothes). A lighter load, e.g. towel + clothes only, there's nothing in it and I marginally prefer the messenger bag.
7 mile each way london commute, sometimes by road bike sometimes by SS rigid MTB

Timbuk here, 7 years old and still going strong, 8.5 miles each way

Stuey01 +1

Courier bags are in the same class as Fixies on the appearance>function front.

Look at the Vaude Splash 20 Air

My commute is 10 hilly miles each way, used camelbak until now to carry tools, waterproof, work clothes , washkit, lunch etc. Today is my first day with courier pack (Dakine Dispatch) it is a rucksack style (much more stable and evenly placed on your back when loaded than over the shoulder design). The pack is waterproof and has a huge 25 litres of stowage, it can hold a laptop and cos of it's bike courier leanings could take small boxes etc (I use an A4 box folder for ironed shirts which it took easily). It is bright red for visibility, other colours are available..it was £52 from cycle surgery.

Thanks jamest, more my price range!

I've had my Howies one for years - similar stuff in it - and will commute or even go the long way home i.e. 30 miles without problems. I sit it low around the lumbar.

I'd switched off the rucksack for various reasons, but mostly because it was causing tension in my upper back.

Been using a Timbuk 2 courier bag since about 1995 - still looks and functions exactly as it did the day I bought it.

I use a messenger bag and I don't like using it heavy and/or bulky as most of the weight seems to be on one shoulder and i get a bad neck after a while. Shirt/trousers/towel should be fine, but for me it'd depend how heavy that lock is.

Cable lock is pretty light as the main D-lock is left locked at work.

My doc suggested i switch from a courier bag to a rucksack due to a back injury. What would rucksack user recommend? It'll need to carry a laptop and clothes, and ideally have a camelbak compartment.

Switched to a messenger bag when I needed to start carrying drawings and a 17" laptop to and from work.

Much preferred my old rucksack tbh and still choose it when I can travel light.

When I can't I get lazy and take the car.

CaptJon - you selling the courier bag 🙂

Probably not. It's a Howies one btw, and very very good - it has survived a rather big crash which put me in casualty, but there was no damage to the bag, not even a scuff after it was dragged along the road! The whole flat is reflective too.

Been using a Timbuk 2 courier bag since about 1995 - still looks and functions exactly as it did the day I bought it.

been using my timbuk2 bag now virtually every day since 96.. the abuse this thing has suffered and its still going strong - years left in it...

Wouldnt recomend anything else...

I have a brown seedy three you can have if you like? I have got the shoulder protector somewhere of you give me a bit of time to find it?

What would rucksack user recommend?

I recently bought an Osprey Escapist 25L jobby. It's nice. Obviously can't comment on durability as I haven't had it long. Osprey seem to have a good rep though.

Mine is a blue North Face one- it's very comfy, almost completely watertight, has reflective bits , a laptop compartment and very comfy strap. It was a gift, but I don't think it cost the earth. I commute 10 miles or so

Ancient Timbuk2 bag, mostly used for ~ 1/2 a weeks shopping these days, but has been used extensively for commuting historically, on a 15 mile round-trip (used to leave my shoes at work). FOr shopping, I need to be careful where the edge of tins go, to save me getting a bruised back, but otherwise it's fine.

I have got a Maxpedition 2" strap pad on mine, which does help to spread the load. Once it's in place, I find it very comfortable. I'm perfectly happy using mine as a daybag too, instead of a rucksack.

As I've got older tho' - I've started to prefer to have the load on the bike, and not on me ... (so I do use panniers / rack too for some things).

I can't stand riding with a courier bag, ditched the 2 i had and use a decent Osprey rucsac now, way more stable and comfortable.

Another vote for the big square North Face bag here. I can get a huge laptop in there, clothes, shoes, and all my bits and pieces no problem and it feels great. The rucksack I'd need to use to accomplish that would be huge and the centre of gravity on that would be way higher. Courier bags bring the weigh down ariound your lower back and arse which when you're up on the pedals racing someone with 10 kilos on your back is a godsend.

I've had mine for about 4 years now, it's been fantastic, waterproof, comfortable, big, sturdy and still looks like new despite commuting in all weathers, a long way, most of the time. Highly recommended.

I have a medium North Face, just got it. (I ordered a large, but it was HUGE so I sent it back)

I carry shoes, trousers, shirt, lunch and locks each day and it's perfect. Have to say I only do 4 miles each way (all downhill there, all uphill back 🙁 )

Howies bag with laptop, D-lock, and about a year's worth of crap that never gets emptied. I prefer it to a backpack because you I can make an unplanned shopping trip and squeeze a surprising amount into it.

Agree with previous posters re back pack being optimal load carrying, there's a reason most real bike couriers don't use shoulder style messenger bags! We had a moving and handling lecture at work as part of elf and safety, we were lugging around laptops and assorted rammel at the time from office to office using all kinds of bags, wheeled cases etc- the main suggested method by the back expert? A rucksack - of course all the urban office dwellers didn't want to sip latte with a backpack on but that was the advice..
I rode home on first day with Dakine Dispatch very comfy, obviously unclear how durable but good so far.

If on a mountain bike, I use a rucksack. But on my main commuter (road bike) the messenger bag is much better. It's less sweaty than a rucksack. I don't carry very much, though. If I need to take loads I use panniers.

Mine's another Timbuk2 that's about 100 years old and still performing and looking great.

Stuey01 - Member
What would rucksack user recommend?
I recently bought an Osprey Escapist 25L jobby. It's nice. Obviously can't comment on durability as I haven't had it long. Osprey seem to have a good rep though.

How big is the main pocket?