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Commute Bag

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  • November 5, 2013 at 6:01 pm #20164
    MT63

    Now that my old Argos bag has finally bit the dust I’m looking at getting myself a new bag for my daily commute. Now that winter is coming I want it to be waterproof. I’m thinking about a messenger type bag as I’ve heard you get a little less back sweat with them; any suggestions? (don’t tell me to get panniers, it just won’t happen!)

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  • December 30, 2013 at 5:02 pm #762295
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    Cantab

    I use a The North Face Camp
    I use a The North Face Camp Messenger Bag. They come in various sizes, have laptop sleeves and just the right number of other pockets. The closure is a flap with strong velcro and plastic buckles for extra security. The strap is wide and comfortable and there is a waist belt which keeps it on your back even on a road bike. Never had a leak and I use it in all weathers. Not too much reflective on it but plenty of scope to add reflective stripes or lights as you see fit.
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/the-north-face-base-camp-messenger-bag-medium/

    December 30, 2013 at 3:46 pm #762293
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    philtregear

    i struggle with bags
    i struggle with bags generally. they hurt my back, move around, make me sweaty etc. having tried several, i now only use a small rucksack with a sort of webbed frame that holds it away from my back. it has a waist and chest strap. it came from a camping shop. i only use it if i have to, preferring my post bag. i cant see the point of messenger bags, although i have tried them. By design, they are bound to slip around more than a rucksack.

    December 29, 2013 at 1:00 am #762291
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    PhilRuss

    [[[[[[ Get little Stewie
    [[[[[[ Get little Stewie Griffin and his Time Machine to take you back 20 years, and visit Stratton’s Cycles, in SW London, and for £15 you get…wait for it…a “Bonk Bag”! Adjustable strap, ‘natch, and a dayglo rear panel, and two side-pockets. No, they don’t sell ’em anymore (plus ca change), but mine’s still going strong….
    P.R.

    December 28, 2013 at 11:16 pm #762289
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    Nat Jas Moe

    Try “overboard” they make
    Try “overboard” they make good waterproof bags of all types, the rucksack I have has not let me down and was very well priced. They say it’s so waterproof it will float, haven’t tried that but it sure keeps everything dry on my wet commutes into work.

    December 28, 2013 at 5:02 am #762287
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    MT63

    This thread seems to have
    This thread seems to have taken off again after my initial post. I ended up going for the Timbuk2 classic messenger bag and I have to say that so far I am very happy with it. Well made with lots of pockets to hold everything I want and although it’s winter it does seem to give a less sweaty back.

    December 26, 2013 at 8:50 am #762285
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    rojre

    Iv seen some of the Edinburgh
    Iv seen some of the Edinburgh Bike Coop own brand stuff “Revolution” and it looks pretty good, particularly the red panniers. In general from what iv seen it gets good write ups. I have infact bought stuff off them online and they’ve been a good firm to deal with. They must struggle a bit competing against a couple of the other big online sales players.

    December 25, 2013 at 6:48 pm #762283
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    mike the bike

    If, like me, you have an eye

    If, like me, you have an eye for a bargain, try Edinburgh Cycles rucksacks. Their Revolution brand, which is actually made by Vaude in Germany, offers different sizes to suit your needs.

    Some come with pack-away waterproof covers, a mesh frame to keep the pack off your back and a dozen other useful features. I’ve used my medium-size for at least eight years of all-weather commuting and it still scrubs up well. No broken zips, no scuffed corners, no frayed edges.

    I am a sceptical old sod but deeply impressed by this piece of kit and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another.

    December 24, 2013 at 10:28 pm #762281
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    Goldfever4

    Crumpler (see above comment
    Crumpler (see above comment re extra strap)

    December 24, 2013 at 7:20 pm #762279
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    rojre

    Have you got one yet ! “a
    Have you got one yet ! “a messenger bag”. If you haven’t don’t get one without a sternum strap/stabilising strap or the bag will drive you mad moving around with the potential to slip around to the front of your body when you stop at a junction at the bottom of a hill. Don’t get one that when the strap is pulled up tight, your left with a big loop of strap at about waist height that somehow has to be tucked away somewhere. If you can find one with a one pull strap, to secure the bag to your chest and one pull for release, in my opinion its the best move. If you think any decent sized “messenger bag” is going to cause less sweat at the areas where the bag and straps hug ones body, forget about it it aint going to happen. I sweat as much with my “messenger bag” as I do with any back pack. Its just a matter of surface area over body, iv even taken the padded sleeve out of mine in the summer and it don’t make a lot of difference unless the bag is empty, which sort of defeats the object. Mine is very good for commuting and shopping, iv used it extensively. If I had to go any distance for a good length of time I’d go for a back pack that sits square on, if not panniers but that’s another thing .

    November 11, 2013 at 7:57 pm #762277
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    tomski

    I have a Timbuk2 bag which I
    I have a Timbuk2 bag which I think i’ve had since about 1990.
    I’ve used it pretty much every day since then as well.
    Apart from a couple of minor marks and a tiny bit of fraying on the straps it still looks amazing.
    Highly recommend them!!

    November 11, 2013 at 2:55 pm #762275
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    jd_

    I just bought a chrome
    I just bought a chrome messenger bag. Not cheap but very well made indeed. Inside is lined and I have used in a few storms now and nothing got wet.

    November 11, 2013 at 1:52 pm #762273
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    Dr_Lex

    You don’t say what you intend
    You don’t say what you intend on taking with you – if it’s a fair amount of clobber, how about a drybag like this – http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/drybag-daypack.html
    ?
    There’s a hi-viz version if you prefer – http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/high-visibility-drybag-cycling.html

    (probably similar to that mentioned by MarcMyWords, above)

    Both will give you a sweaty back, I’m afraid; you’d need a pack that’s held off your back by a frame to avoid (most of) that experience.

    November 11, 2013 at 1:39 pm #762271
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    MarcMyWords

    I use a waterbrook rucksack
    I use a waterbrook rucksack from OverBoard, really good gear and generally a lot cheaper than something like Ortleib. I got my bag for about £30 in the sale 2 years ago and it’s still going strong and fully waterproof. Can’t recommend it enough.

    November 8, 2013 at 5:43 pm #762269
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    Swami Dave

    Has anybody used one of the
    Has anybody used one of the Henty Wingman suit carriers? I like the concept but they look a bit unstable. And enormous.

    November 8, 2013 at 2:39 pm #762267
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    corkadillo

    I used a Cannondale messenger
    I used a Cannondale messenger bag for over 10 years but have just moved over to a DHB one.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-luggit-blok-18l-messenger-bag/

    Padded back, nice wide strap and I haven’t had any water inside it yet and it comes with a waterproof cover.

    Very happy with it.

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