ortlieb

just a quick question to see whether any other ladies use the ortlieb messenger or velocity bag? i'm looking into buying one but worried its going to swamp me/not fit my back?

i carry a lot of stuff on my bike daily so i think the capacity is right, its just the width! reviews are so varied - anyone got any first hand experience of them?

Hello! I am interested in the very same question as I am poised to purchase the Velocity, but I'm not very tall.

There was a review by quite a petite looking lady of the Ortleib Messenger bag (see link below) which is 10L bigger.... and she didn't seem to mind the size of that one, so I am hoping the Velocity is even better.

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/ortlieb-messenger-bag-review/

I am quite a small framed chap, and when at capacity the Messenger was fine.

The problem came when it was empty or with very little in it.

It was like cycling with an open parachute!

How much does it restrict visibility when full?

i'm pleased to see i'm not the only one wondering this!

i've read the london cyclist review too, shame theres no picture of her with it on!

i was toying with the idea of the velocity but i currently ride with a 24L timbuk2 bag and its just not enough!

i just bit the bullet and ordered it - i'll post again when i have it!

Yes please, would love to know your thoughts on it!

How much does it restrict visibility when full?

Not too much as it happens.
When full it fills out laterally a lot, so away from your back.
Actually more noticeable in your peripherals when it is under capacity, because the unfilled material is flatter and wider against your back.
If that makes sense.

I'm pretty short and I use a Chrome roll top bag that's got a 32L capacity when full and that's just about right for me.

Im not a lady, but I am a very slim man, and use an Ortleib messenger pro filled up to its full capacity and often with packages stacked up out the top of it and held in place with bungees. you can carry a huge amount of stuff in them. as WJprince said, they fill out backwards rather than sideways so don't restrict your vision too much. I ride in one all day with a lot of weight in and find it reasonably comfortable on my small frame.

However I also have a Seal Line Urban backpack, which costs about the same as the Ortleib, but carrys less stuff, and is more comfortable. It also acts as an air tight bag when closed so even if your only carrying small things it holds its shape doesn't flop about on your back like a parachute. In my opinion the seal line looks a bit nicer too. definitely worth considering.

Have you thought about using a normal bag?

Messenger bag are great, but it's a messenger bag, they're great for swinging it round to gain access to the component, but how often are you going to swing your bag round in one day to have that advantage?

I have a great Archie Grobag that's comfortable and useful, but it's a little unconventional when I don't take advantage of the messenger design and thus went for a Mission Workshop backpack instead that does just as well with more comfort.

Perhaps a normal backpack would work just as well, needn't be a cycling one as any decent lightweight hiking backpack can be gotten from next to nothing.

despite the Ortleib being called the 'Messenger', it is a backpack style bag.

Ah yeah, in that case it'll be fine, have a friend who's less than 5'4 and were fine with it.

so, as promised an update on the ortlieb...

messenger = HUGE, incredible in capacity but as feared it did make me look like a teenage ninja turtle.

sent back to wiggle and ordered the velocity - perfect. okay 6L smaller but perhaps i'll just have to learn to pack a back properly... great bag all round so far and reduced on wiggle further!

hope this helped!