Messenger / Courier Bags List

Looking at it - it looks like they do quite a lot of things right, but fall down on some points (which given the price they should be getting right)

There is no overlap to the front flap - so when folded over there is an entry point for water etc. You can see what I mean in the 3rd picture, there is a gap near the top where the flap folds down...

1680d cordura is less abrasion resistant than 1000d despite being heavier/thicker - this is down to the fact that it is not airspun/airjet textured like 1000d. Infact 1680d isnt
even listed by cordura as a qualifying fibre - so is likely not a Cordura licensed product.

The laptop pouch puts the laptop on the rear of the main compartment against your back, not a good idea, as it means that the bag can't form around your (non-flat) back, much better for it to be on the front of the main compartment, so you can put your softer items in-between. This also only really works if you have a padded back to the bag....

I would also suggest that a bag of that size would really require an X-strap, so as to not be unmanageable when you (inevitably :) ) fill it. The front straps however look very short, so I am not sure that you will be able to fill it completely and still secure the load...

I can't see any compression straps or suspension straps either, which given its size would give me cause for concern that it will be rather sail like when empty...

As for the skate straps, I am sure that many smaller manufacturers would be able to add something like that very easily :)

All said, it still looks a lot better than a lot of mass produced bags.

*Fair warning - I make and sell messenger bags... *

i see what you mean in teh 3rd picture thats annoying, but i never trust a bad thats sold as water proof so i put more things inside a 2nd waterproof liner, thats not so much a problem

as for cordura, that went right over my head, sorry. but surely they can't sell it as cordura if its not as its trademarked?

totally with you on the laptop part but it wont be carried to much anyway, as for x strap, you do you mean the stableiseing strap? as it has one of them, its optional clip on thing. and i didn't think about the compression straps, humm pause for thought then.

(are you suggesting i get you to make me a bag? ;) ;) (tbh if you can do similar for a similar price i'm there.)

His prices are better, and so would a tailor-made bag be also. His courier bag company is listed on page one of this thread. It's Levrier Bags.

as for cordura, that went right over my head, sorry. but surely they can't sell it as cordura if its not as its trademarked?

Yeah, that is a little naughty imo - I think they maybe could claim that they were using it i the same way as hoover is used to describe any vacuum cleaner... but still a bit cheeky.

More info here: TOM BIHN Forums: All About TOM BIHN Bags - View Single Post - What's the difference between Cordura and Ballistic Nylon?

totally with you on the laptop part but it wont be carried to much anyway, as for x strap, you do you mean the stableiseing strap? as it has one of them, its optional clip on thing. and i didn't think about the compression straps, humm pause for thought then.

No, I wouldn't consider ever using/recommending a bag without a stabilising strap. What I was referring to is an extra, 4th strap that acts as another should strap, thus spreading the load over both shoulders (referred to as an X-strap as when worn with the other straps they form an X shape when viewed from the front)

I can certainly make you a bag if you want, although that wasn't the aim of my post, just to make people think about bag construction and perhaps look at supporting smaller independent bag makers.

Cordura is almost always the preferred name for the fabric...it makes it easier for people to understand what it's made from than calling it 'texturised nylon'.
You refer to it as 'cordura' on your site too Dan...are you really using actual Invista brand Cordura? It's incredibly hard to find in the UK.
Most 1OOOd texturised nylon bought from good suppliers is made to the same spec as the name brand fabric anyway.

Yeah mate you raise a very good point there - the stuff I buy is certainly sold as Cordura and has all the attributes of it, as to whether it is LICENSED (Invista don't make it but license the tech/patent to various mills who do... http://www.cordura.com/en/trade/mills.html ) or made to the same spec... I should probably amend my site to say that I am using 1000d Air Textured Nylon (same as 1000d "Cordura")

My point really was that there is that if it is 1680d is ISNT "texturised nylon" but a form of (cheap) ballistic (woven) nylon instead - very different to cordura/air textured nylon in terms of spec/performance.

I wouldn't change it at all. I certainly won't be changing mine. People get confused by other names and explanations.
Pretty much everybody who uses any brand of texturised nylon with the same spec refers to it as cordura as people usually know what that is.
As far as i know nobody has been sued yet. :]

Yeah, that is a little naughty imo - I think they maybe could claim that they were using it i the same way as hoover is used to describe any vacuum cleaner... but still a bit cheeky.

More info here: TOM BIHN Forums: All About TOM BIHN Bags - View Single Post - What's the difference between Cordura and Ballistic Nylon?

No, I wouldn't consider ever using/recommending a bag without a stabilising strap. What I was referring to is an extra, 4th strap that acts as another should strap, thus spreading the load over both shoulders (referred to as an X-strap as when worn with the other straps they form an X shape when viewed from the front)

I can certainly make you a bag if you want, although that wasn't the aim of my post, just to make people think about bag construction and perhaps look at supporting smaller independent bag makers.

ahh thats proberly ture, perhaps 'cordura style' is the best wording to use hah, i was jsut mainly thrown but the numbers etc, but as you work with it i'll take your word for it.

i get what you mean now about the 4th strap, again not something i'd have considered. at times i'll be carrying a fair whack of stuff with me, i'd have though the stableriser was enough.

i totally understand your point though you raised thigns i didn't think of and tbh i thought a custom bag whoudl be way more. i'll have to pm you/contact you though your site as a custom bag whould proberly be better suited then this if it means it will work better.

Archie's Grobags --------------- **danb **

1 Attachment

Liking my Belk Tech Backpack. Took a few days to soften the straps and fabric. That stuff is stiff as anything. Feels bomb proof. Highly recommended.

@graeme- get a levrier :)
i just got a custom greyhound which is so awesome he had to rename it the deerhound!
its just ridiculously good.

It's good to see the UK finally bending back the fingers of the U.S and Canadian stranglehold on the bag market. :]

its good to see a pretty awesome analagy such as that :)

I'm want to replace my x-PAC bag with a rucksack style cycle/walking bag. My first choice would be the Belk technical pack, but since i'm unemployed my budget is £80 approx. So my options are of the cavernous types, can anyone offer first/second hand yeah and neah arguments between these two;

http://uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/equipment/daypacks/base-camp-fuse-box-1.html
10L bigger and £10 cheaper then the;

http://www.ortlieb.co.uk/product_info.php?pName=velocity&cName=backpacks
20L, not sure if that's big enough as I used to fill my PAC (29.5L) for day trips and weekends away. However the construction is more tailored to cycling then the Northface.

Not sure if this is the correct thread to ask in, but rather that that to make a new one I figure. Need a "messenger backpack" (with two "backpack straps" that is)

The two alternatives I've considered so far is
Ortlieb, Messenger Bag Pro (£114 = free P&P)
&
Manhattan Portage, The Empire 1250 (£180)

I have a Manhattan Portage single strap bag. I'm very happy with it, the qulity seems very good, its comfortable and got good reviews. However its massive more expensive than the Ortlieb, witch also seems like a good alternative, and a lot more avaiable.

Anyone got any advise in what to choose or have another suggestion for me?

edit, found the Ortlibe for £97 at Wiggle, think that answers my own question, but I still appreciate opinions.

what's it for, do you need to be able to get stuff out of it quickly?

I really like the Ortlib, seen it a few peeps and really like it.... and for that price.

what's it for, do you need to be able to get stuff out of it quickly?

Massive rain resistant bag with backpack straps. Got any suggestions for one that I "get stuff out of quickly"?

Massive rain resistant bag with backpack straps. Got any suggestions for one that I "get stuff out of quickly"?

I have an Ortlieb Messenger Bag (not the pro version), and it is 100% waterproof, comfortable and massive. No compartments inside mine. The only real negative is when you look over your shoulder to check for cars etc, where you fold the bag over to close it, your view a little obstructed.

Massive rain resistant bag with backpack straps. Got any suggestions for one that I "get stuff out of quickly"?

If you want to get stuff out quick - go for a courier style bag and not a backpack.

Bagaboo? Levrier?

This man made my backpack. Super cool!

I have an Ortlieb Messenger Bag (not the pro version), and it is 100% waterproof, comfortable and massive. No compartments inside mine. The only real negative is when you look over your shoulder to check for cars etc, where you fold the bag over to close it, your view a little obstructed.

I read that in a review... The person who wrote it said he/she/it wasn't that tall thou... How tall are you, think it still be an issue for someone ca. 2meter (6.5 feet)?

If you want to get stuff out quick - go for a courier style bag and not a backpack.

Bagaboo? Levrier?

Not sure if this is the correct thread to ask in, but rather that that to make a new one I figure. Need a "messenger backpack" (with two "backpack straps" that is)

blah blah... Ortlieb... blah...

Massive rain resistant bag with backpack straps. Got any suggestions for one that I "get stuff out of quickly"?

Yeah, Belk.

http://belkbags.wordpress.com/bags/backpack/

alright Glenn, no need to be a prick

7: Cycle couriers are style conscious, is this fixed gear styling important in the design of a courier bag?

Spot on, I heard Maxcrowe won't leave the house until he's outfit is fully coordinated and his hair coiffured to perfection.

Go ask on movingtarget they love answering questionnaires like this on.

easy & quick access to locks.
a retaining strap so the bag doesn't slip while cycling, but allows you to swing it around to your front for easy access when stopped.
some sort of lights?
include a charger for phone etc... as couriers don't have access to a socket on the road (solar, kinetic, dynamo etc.)
reflective materials - the tweed run organisers had a small amount of relective thread woven into their gear so that even though it looks like tweed - it has subtle reflective qualities in the dark