can any chosters out there recommend a good brand/source for quality messenger/crossbody bags? i dont bike so i don't need to worry about the whole courier deal but i want to get something with lasting quality and also aesthetics; current contenders are above but pls comment/rechost if you know anyplace that has good bags (or is there like, bag forums?? bag reddit??)
This is from a month ago which I know is deep antiquity in internet terms. Don't mind me I'm just clicking on tags and I have bag feelings.
One big caveat is that I love messenger bags in principle, but they are kind of butt if you aren't using them on a bike. The reason for that is they just sit on your back like a ton of bricks. When you're on a bike where you're leaning forward a bit, that makes a reasonable-ish amount of ergonomic sense, (although if you can do a rack/basket bag it's way more pleasant). When you're off the bike, more of that weight just digs into your shoulder in a way that is typically unpleasant and the bag is less stable if you don't have it cinched tight because gravity isn't doing you any favors.
Anyway, some makers of cool messenger bags or other nice utilitarian shoulder bags:
- Mission Workshop: Expensive, fancy, technical, made in the USA
- Chrome: Lots of options both functionally and aesthetically, easy to get ahold of, well made
- Space Age: Made in SF, old-school barebones bags that look kind of like a Timbuk2 bag from 20-30 years ago
- Reload: Old-school messenger bag maker in Philadelphia
- Trakke: Scottish-made, extremely classy bags, mostly canvas but with some x-pac (technical fabric) options now. They have some options that are sporadically or seasonably available, such as high-end cobra buckles
- Tom Bihn: These have more of an airport aesthetic but are beloved by bag nerds. No messenger pre se but some shoulder bags with thoughtful layouts
- Chester Wallace: Oregon-based canvas totes
- Frost River: Minnesota-made canvas bags with a very rustic vibe
- Côte & Ciel: Weird experimental fashion bags that seem fun
- Rickshaw: SF-made with lots of color/design customization choices and different bag sizes
- Inside Line Equipment doesn't actually make any messenger bags as such but they do have some cool totes and duffles and I feel obligated to mention them because they're the most-local-to-me bag manufacturer I'm aware of
Of these, I have personally purchased and enjoyed bags from Mission Workshop, Chrome, Trakke, and ILE. (I like bags)