December 06, 2004

• I'm currently on the lookout for a good backpack for when I cycle to work. Usually just my lunch and maybe a book or two, but sometimes it has to expand to include a change of clothes, climbing shoes, squash racket or SLR camera - sometimes all at the same time! Got my eye on this one at the moment. it's only a 14litre bag, but it's monstrously confortable. That messenger bag you linked to looks HUUUUGE (maybe it's just the perspective in the photo). There's a Crumpler shop nearby that I'm meaning to look at, but I've heard that they're outrageously expensive. Links to other good bag sites appreciated.
• I've been pretty happy with my various Crumpler bags. I've had the "Crisp Suit" and "Wack-o-Phone" shoulder-style laptop bags, and am currently using the "Team Player" laptop backpack.
• This one would be perfect to take to meetups.
• ooh! on the subject of crumpler! don't buy them direct (at least in .au) Buy them via instant it - consistently about 2/3 or less the price of crumpler themselves!
• lamearse: yup, it's big. But that's what I need; my average textboox is between 500-1000pages, I also carry my iBook, several notebooks, lunch, pens, etc. Amazingly, that bag is only the midsize, they offer a backpack even larger than that one.
• I've got an Israeli Paratroopers bag the my mom got for me many years ago. It's about to become a gym bag.
• I have to admit I find it a bit surprising that you carrry a laptop and several large textbooks in a messanger bag, as single strap bags really hurt my shoulders and back if I have any weight in them (even just my laptop, which is only 4lb). That's the reason I stick with knapsacks, despite their awkwardness in tight places. Jansport has the best computer knapsack I have ever seen - serious padding. (I don't know if that bag is exactly like the really good one my roommate has - the earlier one that I have isn't very well padded - and the padding keeps slipping - but hers has the back compartment with an arch of foam about four inches high on the bottom.) Actually, I'm looking again at the one you say you have purchased, Zanshin, and I'm confused. Does it have one or two straps? It seems to be a very flat and wide knapsack, rather than what I commonly think of as a messanger bag. What is the definition of "messanger bag"?
• It is a two-strap backpack. I call it a messenger bag because it is made by bike messengers mostly with bike messengers in mind. Despite being a backpack, it very closely resembles a single-strap bag in spirit -- cordura material, velcro closures, strap clips. big roomy inside, etc.
• In that case, I might look into getting one. I am not happy with the way backpacks extend out so far behind you - that's good in the woods, but not on the subway. Do they make padded ones, suitable for computers? (iBooks are much stronger than my PC laptop - I wouldn't risk a non-padded bag. Though I do have a smaller slip.)
• I bought one of these a few years ago (only it was blue, had padding on the strap, and cost $70 more) , and despite everything I've put it through, it still looks great and there's not a single stich out of place. It's a great bag and I love it every bit as much now as I did when I bought it. Your new bag looks great Zanshin, but I dont think I could give up the luxury of getting at the contents of my bag without removing it from my back. I'm ever so lazy and every little bit helps.
• jb: you can contact them and discuss padding. They do amazing custom work and can construct just about anything you can dream-up. Check-out the custom-bag page. I have a laptop sleeve made by them. It is made out of heavy (camoflauge) cordura, is padded, and has an inside strap to hold the laptop securely. I find it too bulky to use inside the backpack if I am also carrying large textbooks, but it is great to tuck under my arm and use by itself. I can sympathize with your fear of subway-bulk. I ride public transit everyday. When my bag is full and the bus is crowded, I just take the bag off and hold it in front of me by the top-handle.
• I get my packs from mec.ca - been using the same back pack (for day to day stuff) from them for over 12 years.
• prismatic7: I am in .au and checked out instantit, but I couldn't see any crumpler stuff. I did however go into the crumpler store today and liked one of their smallish messenger bags.
• jb: I have one of these. It has padding and is designed to carry a laptop with a screen up to 15.5". Doesn't stick out too far either. Looks like you can get them in the US too.
• I have a Timbuk2 bag. When I bought it, it was far better than anything I could buy at my local shops. I have commuted every day with it for more than four years, including in pouring rain, and it has kept my gear dry. I am going to buy some more panniers soon, but I will still use my bag a lot, as I can carry quite a lot of stuff in my bag. I find it quite comfortable, even when very full.
• Anyone here who mentioned a bag, do you cycle with it? How comfy are messenger bags to cycle with when they are weighed down with books and crap?
• What is with this crumpler site? I appreciate the culture, or whatever, but they take it to the point where I can't understand what I'm ordering. I think this bag is perfect for me, but I really can't tell because they talk funny instead of describing the bag well and the three photos don't seem to be all of the same bag. Does anyone own a crumpler camera bag, and are they good, and can you provide a better description than the one on the site?
• I just tried PepsiBlue and love it! Have you tried it? Go out and get some PepsiBlue today! It's great! Best soft drink on Earth!
• I have one of these. I love it. And it expands, though mine is seldom in the un-expanded mode... I carry around a lot of junk.
• I love shoulder bags like those, but they kill the hell out of my neck if I have to lug anything heavy for any length of time. Is there such a thing as a professional-looking backpack?
• I like my Samsonite Rafter. I'm not sure if it's professional-looking, but it has a couple of things to carry your Pepsi Blue.
• Oh, son of a -- Just click on the Rafter link.
• I made the one I use now. It's all right; I can't carry everything I "need" (lunch, umbrella) but get by. The bags I had previously seemed way too gigantic. This is manageable, albeit a little awkward in the way the strap runs. ...oh, but it doesn't proclaim my social status to the world or make me hip. Maybe my next one will.
• It's not about being cool or your social status. It's about bag fetish and the sheer wonderfulness of interesting things to carry things in. I have a thing for cool bags, especially as I have been living most of my day out of a bag since I was eight years old (I am currently in a study room, with my bag beside me, erupting with pens, books, students' papers and a spare hat). I think I would own ten million different ones if I could afford to - and take all day switching all my crap between them.
• Where I live Timbuk2, Zo and Chrome are the favorites (original post) Really? It's not about being cool? ;) I don't own an iPod, so you don't have to listen to my opinion - just kidding with y'all, bandying about brand names as if we should know what they refer to.
• It's not about being cool or your social status. It's about bag fetish and the sheer wonderfulness of interesting things to carry things in. Thanks JB. That's my intent in posting...not Pepsi Blue (for those who like to prove how cool they are by using web-insider jokes)
• Those are manufacturers - I've never hear of them either, but links were provided. Manufacturer really matters with bags - like computers, it can make a huge difference in quality and how long it lasts. In Toronto, I generally go to MEC first - their "lifetime guarentee" which isn't a lifetime annoys me, but they do have the best quality. I've since found that Jansport is very good quality.