Messenger / Courier Bags List

A messenger bag won't stop you getting a sweaty back. You're best off taking at least a spare top with you to work.

Im going to invent back deodorant. Fucking hot here today, and my Nivea 24 hour for Men roll on / Norsca aerosol combo has kept my pitters bone dry. Back looks like a melting iced lolly.

roboto, the material of the bag will have a bearing on how much it makes you sweat. Plastic or vinyl bags would be the worst. Canvas would be the best at allowing moisture evaporation, whereas plastic and vinyl allow none, hence the sweaty back.

Either way, I think everyone would be relatively sweaty on their commute during the summer. A top thats good at wicking sweat, and a bag with moisture wicking abilities might be the best bet.

Cheers for the replies guys. My current back patches are where the straps and the bag is pressing against me. I was thinking that with a decent courier bag, I could avoid at least one shoulder sweat patch and some of the back panel as the backpack I have at the minute has a large surface area covering my whole back, I was thinking this would be a reduced with a one shoulder bag.

Yes, I do take a change of clothes for work and extra deodorant. Good info, but has anyone got any answers to my Rickshaw bags question? Import tax and costs etc.

Fuck it. Get some panniers, you sweaty bastard.

i suffer from sweaty back too and tbh a courier bag isn't going to solve your problems. Stop wearing cotton and just deal with your current bag if that's the only problem with it.

Fuck it. Get some panniers, you sweaty bastard.

Nice to meet you too mate!

I'll guess I'll stick with what I've got for now until I have the funds for a decent bag.

-Note to self. Don't mention sweat problems on here in the future!-

What about a backpack with the airflow section at the back?

those don't really work well.. unless you wear technical clothing and nothing absorbent

don't wear grey tops either, they make the sweat patches look worse.

looking at getting a Seagull bag.
anyone know what the import duty/ vat would be like?
the bag is gonna cost about $200 plus $50 shipping, so all in around £150-160.
trying to navigate the HMRC website is a clusterfuck of trouble.
thought i'd try here.
thanks

Based on my experience (UK), you will end up having to pay VAT on the invoice or declared value. If they send it using a non-postal carrier such as UPS, FedEx, DHL or similar, then the carrier will charge a customs clearance handling fee of 20-30 squids. If they send it by regular post, then sometimes it slips right through without being noticed even if the full value is declared on the little green customs declaration sticker.

or buy local, a little more money for the bag but no hidden charges or surprises down the line

http://belkbags.wordpress.com/

+1

^usually the sensible option, provided comparable products are available locally. The other consideration is that if you ever need after sales service, it will be much easier if you purchased it locally.

I got the black rainbow projects violet pouch the other day.

awesome for carrying the essentials and the expandable carryer for a jacket or bottle is a brilliant idea.

Received my Rickshaw Zero Messenger from Urban Hunter yesterday and I'm really impressed with the quality for the money. It costs extra for the add ons, but as a basic bag it is perfect so far.

Not had any wet weather to try it in yet, but the x-pac material is light and looks waterproof enough (It is used to make sails on boats).

It's not the biggest messenger bag, but it fits all I need it to with room to spare and I'm thinking of purchasing some of the pockets just to arrange some seperate spaces for multi tool and keys/wallet etc.

I got the black rainbow projects violet pouch the other day.

awesome for carrying the essentials and the expandable carryer for a jacket or bottle is a brilliant idea.

+1 Yep, enjoying mine at the moment as well, getting away with shoving my kryp. Fahgettaboudit in it as well. Good stuff!
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I got the black rainbow projects violet pouch the other day.

awesome for carrying the essentials and the expandable carryer for a jacket or bottle is a brilliant idea.

I have one too. had it for almost 2 weeks now and I'm finding it very handy for carrying phone/wallet/keys so far (everything feels much safer/secure in there than in my pockets). I originally bought it thinking it'd replace my saddle bag so I could carry tools/tubes etc and not be taking the saddlebag off everytime I park up. but for me it's turned out to be much more suited to carrying my non-bike essentials instead and that the repair/bike stuff is best left in the saddle bag. it can do both obviously but the real-life practicality of putting all that crap on your hip is not worth it and you're going to end up rummaging any time you want to get anything out of it.

I'm in two minds if I'd rather that it had been boxed out at the bottom of the main pocket to make it possible to hold a few more things or if I prefer the fact because it's a v-shape it folds down really flat when empty.

the expandable carrier flap though is genius, as prancer says it's perfect for sticking a jacket in and a lot grippier than I thought it would be, after the initial attempt where I was needlessly reaching back to make sure it hadn't fallen out every time I stopped I now trust it to stay put and it's no longer a worry.

the pump holder is very handy but my topeak master blaster mini is at the upper limit of being able to fit into the loops and is a bastard to get in and out because of the oversized grips on the ends, not a major issue though as I'd only take it out if i get a flat otherwise it stays put.

I also wasn't sure if it'd be a bit unwieldy with a mini fagh in the lock holder as you're putting even more weight in one place on your hip but I still forget it's there after a minute or two of putting it on. the locks held very snugly too so it doesnt move about at all, even riding over the many potholes of deptford. but it's still easy to put it in and pull it out when needed.

overall very happy with it, was a bit of an extravagance for me given the price tag but I don't regret buying it one bit.

Mini Fag is a lot of weight for my belt, so have asked BRP to make me a belt to go with the bag.

Should be awesome, as he is using the military grade buckles that are going on the bags for the belt.

Could someone please post photos of the BRP pouch? I am guessing that they might be available on facebook, but I don't do facebook...

Mini Fag is a lot of weight for my belt, so have asked BRP to make me a belt to go with the bag.

Should be awesome, as he is using the military grade buckles that are going on the bags for the belt.

it's funny, scott showed me his belt when I picked it up and I've been thinking about asking him to make me one, my current one is a cheapy £5 one from burtons and while it works it's not the strongest in the world and I have to really pull it in tight to get it comfortable when riding.

@ shredder: http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2011/01/black_rainbow_project_violet_h.php

Thanks for the link, HatBeard. Looks great. I just emailed Scott.

Does anyone have a Chrome Ivan backpack that they would care to share their opinions on? I'm looking for a backpack to commute with and also that I can use off the bike when travelling (I'm pretty sure it fulfils the requirements for hand luggage). Thanks

I have been hauling ever increasingly heavy loads around London on bike and by foot, so I wanted a cheap bag that would be more comfortable then my now sold Pac single strap messenger bag. So i wanted something with two straps, waterproof, good capacity, strength and all for £70-80, Here is what I went for;

http://uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/equipment/travel/base-camp-duffel.html (small)

http://uk.thenorthface.com/media/catalog/product/cache/7/small_image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/AT1D_002_0.jpg

It's large capacity, cheap, comfortable, compressible, waterproof and very robust.