Choosing The Right Messenger Bag
So you've decided to get a nice messenger bag, but you're not sure which one is best for your needs. The team at JJ Benson has compiled the ultimate guide to help you choose the right messenger!
1. You probably take the exact same things you always do when you carry a bag, select a bag that fits those items properly. The problem with choosing a bag that is too large for your needs is that you will almost inevitably begin to carry extra items that you don't really need. A smaller bag may help you reduce the amount of items you carry - but only if you are honest with yourself about your ability to reduce clutter; otherwise, you may quickly regret the choice.
2. If you carry a lot of items, choose a bag with enough organizational pockets. If you carry a laptop everywhere you go, make sure you have a place to put the power pack. If you carry a tablet or other mobile device, you need to ensure there is a pocket for these devices as well.
3. A messenger bag will work perfectly well in a more formal work environment, if the style and color of the bag pair well with your attire. Colors should complement your shoes; the dressier your outfit, the simpler and more refined the bag design should be.
4. A leather bag adds quality, durability, and sophistication to the appearance and image that it portrays about the person carrying it. The advantage of fabric bags with leather trim is that you will save weight without sacrificing style, but if you require longevity, get a full-leather bag.
5. Consider selecting a bag that can be zipped beneath the flap if you're looking for extra security. In addition to being particularly helpful for commuters on public transportation, this is also very useful if you throw your bag around and don't want things slipping out as you are on a bus, train, or plane.
Trying to find the best messenger bag? Wondering what factors to consider when choosing one? During our testing, our testers used our tested models on daily commutes, international excursions, as well as miscellaneous adventures. There were a few things they learned about which styles work best in specific scenarios and the most useful features. This article gives an overview of the many uses for messengers bags. Our favorite features are also discussed so you can find the best bag for your needs.
There are two styles: messenger and briefcase.
A messenger bag is essentially a large purse with a single, cross-body strap. There are two general types in this product category: messenger bags and briefcases. Messenger bags are the best bags for biking because they sit higher on the back; they have relatively large capacity, fewer pockets, and quick-release buckles. The majority of briefcase-style bags feature semi-rigid back panels, a large number of pockets for small items, laptop sleeves built into the back, and top grab handles. It is most comfortable to wear their straps lower on the hip or lower back, and they are designed for walking. Despite all of this, bags in this category become more and more innovative and creative each year, blurring the lines considerably. Although all messenger bags can be worn while biking or walking, not all are best suited to either activity.
To determine if a bag is suited for walking or biking, look at the design of its straps. Walking straps with vertical orientation are best, although some are removable, while biking straps with angled orientation are more appropriate. In the former, the bag will be positioned more like a purse near your waist, while in the latter, it will sit vertically and high on your back. Those who commute to and from work in a car or train will probably prefer the briefcase-style since they're better for walking and organizing office essentials while also being more versatile and comfortable than standard briefcases. Whenever you're riding a bike, you'll want to prioritize something that is made for riding high up at an angle, free and clear of your bum.
Five Use Scenarios
What are you planning to put in your bag should be the next question you ask yourself. The following outlines how we use these bags and what we recommend considering for each. We also highlight which models stand out for certain applications due to their unique features.
The Mobile Desk
A messenger is an excellent choice if you frequently visit libraries and coffee shops while working remotely. It is critical to select a bag with organizational capabilities to fit all your belongings. There's more to it than just carrying your stuff from point A to point B; your belongings should also be accessible when the bag is on the ground beside you. I highly recommend getting a bag that comes with a laptop sleeve. If not, you'll need an aftermarket laptop sleeve, which tends to take up less space than an integrated one. Additionally, we like bags with pockets large enough for power supplies. Many people need places to keep pens and pencils. It is also important to look for a mobile office bag with features like separate document pockets that prevent papers from wrinkling.
The Bike Commuter
Do you bike fourteen miles to work? No problem; you'll need a bag that facilitates comfort and security while traveling. A cross-body stabilization strap is essential regardless of whether you need organizational features or a laptop sleeve. Something ergonomic that supports weight well is also required. Additionally, if you live in a rainy climate, choose a bag that is waterproof or weather-resistant. Last but not least, choose a bag with an easily adjustable shoulder strap. It should be easy to adjust with one hand and well padded to prevent your shoulders from getting sore. In addition, you'll need to be able to tighten the strap quickly, and also lengthen or unclip it efficiently to remove the bag. If you commute by bicycle, you should look for a bag with shoulder straps and stabilizing straps that keep it high and tight on your back. Straps that are asymmetrical and allow the bag to ride a few degrees off vertical are the best for biking.
The second crucial aspect of messenger bags designed for biking is how well they fit against your back. Imagine someone riding a bike while hunched over and notice how their back is curved. Next, imagine strapping a flat piece of plywood to their back. There are two possibilities: either the person's back straightens, or the board rests on the person's shoulder blades and a couple of unfortunate vertebrae. Either way, the commuter would be in quite a lot of discomfort. If you replace the board with a laptop, you can see why some models are unsuitable for biking. Ideally, biking backpacks have flexible back panels that conform to the rider's back or substantial padding (to protect your laptop and your back). This will be less of an issue if you don't carry rigid objects such as books or a computer.
The Traveler
Airports are filled with people with messenger bags as their "personal item." If you're planning to travel with your bag, make sure the bag is durable, well organized, and provides protection for your laptop or tablet. If you have wheeled luggage, you may want to purchase a bag that mounts to the trolley handle, so that you don't have to wear your bag while handling your luggage. Stabilizing straps make a bag more difficult to steal, and fewer external pockets lead to fewer pickpocket opportunities. Flaps that are difficult to open are also a plus. In some of the bags we designed, we have hidden pockets where money and passports could be kept.
The Student
Do you carry a lot of books to school every day? A bag with maximum storage space and comfort is what you need. Additionally, you'll benefit from a laptop compartment and a place to protect your documents from wrinkling. The best options for students (and professors) have well-designed pockets, thickly padded straps, and padded laptop pockets that can also be used as a storage compartment. We also love having a waterproof laptop pocket and tons of space for books, art supplies, or spare clothes in the main compartment.
The Professional
On your way to work, you will present your proposal to upper management at the end of the first quarter strategy meeting. On your way there, you get a flat tire and are now ten minutes late. The presenter makes a joke that has everyone laughing, and you sneak into the meeting without being noticed - success! Just as the room gets quiet, you open your bag with a loud rip of the Velcro flap; all eyes are on you. Such situations highlight the necessity of considering all bag features and use cases. A velcro silencer strip is a great addition to messenger bags used in professional business settings. If you want an even more straightforward solution, try a bag with buckles and zippers instead of Velcro.
In addition to a comfortable carry handle, you may want to look for a career-oriented bag that can double as a briefcase when you're walking around the office. You may also want to bring an extra change of clothes if you enjoy hitting the gym over lunch. Roominess is also crucial if you want to be able to pick up groceries on your way home from work. In addition to laptop protection, you'll also need somewhere to keep your documents. Last but not least, don't forget style. Bright colors are fun, but a more subtle look is preferred in professional settings.
Water Resistance
If you use waterproof materials, you can make a waterproof bag, right? Aside from the right fabric and lamination, a few other things need to be considered. In the case of a flap, look for wings that cover any folds at either edge where moisture might enter. Ensure that these wings funnel the water away from the flap. Almost all of the bags that we design have this design feature, and when the bag is cinched properly, the inner compartments are pretty resistant to rain. Next, look at the external pockets as these can be weak points, especially if the zippers themselves are not waterproof. Waterproof zippers will be coated, covered, and have smaller teeth that will be less exposed. Stitching and seams should also be considered. Taped seams are a good indication that the manufacturer took care to keep water from entering the product at every point. Manufacturers label messenger bags as water-resistant rather than waterproof since they are not dunk-proof dry bags.
Laptop Protection
If you plan to use your bag to carry a laptop, make sure it has a designated compartment or that there is enough room inside its own case for your computer. It is not recommended to go case-free or without padding. It is also highly recommended to use floating laptop compartments sewn to a rigid or semi-rigid back panel to keep your laptop completely off the ground. Additionally, thick padding around the compartment will protect it from accidental falls on the sides.
Shoulder Strap
If you plan to use your bag primarily for walking or biking, you'll want to consider the shoulder strap padding and design. Padded straps are usually more comfortable, but factors like adjustability are also important to consider. Some straps are hard to adjust on the fly since they are designed to be set once. While others are designed to be tightened or loosened by hand. Most bags with ultra adjustable straps favor one shoulder. Some of our designers love being able to switch the bag between the left and right shoulders, while others were creatures of habit. An ambidextrous strap might not be an option if you are left-handed, since most lefties prefer to carry their messenger bags on their right shoulder.
Stabilizing Strap
Stabilizing straps are designed to keep a bag tight on your back for better balance, preventing it from swinging round to the front while you are biking. People rarely use stabilizer straps when walking. Straps either go across your hips or stomach like the hip belt on a backpack, or they connect to the shoulder strap and go under your arm like a "T". A horizontal strap takes some of the weight off your shoulders and is usually more comfortable. Most people do not like having anything around their waist when riding a bike, so a T-strap design is more comfortable.
Reflective Patches
It's important to do everything in your power to make sure cars can see you before dawn or after dusk. Many companies include reflective material on the back of their bags, but if you plan to ride often after dark, you should also consider using bike lights - many companies offer light attachment points for this purpose. When there are many reflective strips, style suffers the most, but if you bike every day, it is a small price to pay for safety.
Flap Closure
Bags with flaps usually have a two-part closure system that includes Velcro and a clip. Plastic buckles are the most common design, and they are simple, quick, and intuitive. Hooks are also sometimes used, and because they are frequently made from metal instead of plastic, they can be more durable. Depending on your profession, velcro may not be the best choice as it is loud to open and close. Bag companies are always experimenting with different designs and closure systems; ensure that both ease of use and security are taken into account. A number of companies are incorporating magnetic buckles and latches into their products. These options can be fantastic for reducing Velcro noise, but most require a steeper learning curve than their louder cousins.
Pockets
Messager bags can have simple main compartments or they can have various pockets. You'll need different pockets depending on how you use them and what you like to carry. Our favorite bags havea range of pocket sizes and shapes. For example, flap pockets are a nice place to store small items like keys. Back pouches make a great place to keep papers safe. If you don't carry your own separate pencil bag, then slots for writing utensils are highly useful as well.
Messenger Bag Alternatives
Messenger bags work well as part of your bag line-up since they provide quick access to your stuff, are ultra-portable, can take a beating, and are typically more water-resistant than other bags. A lot of messenger bags also look good. Unfortunately, they are not as comfortable nor can they hold as much stuff as most backpacks. On average, they cost more than laptop bags and are heavier than purses. Before deciding what type of bag or pack is best for you, think about what you carry on a daily basis, how you get to work, what role aesthetics and style play in your decisions, how quickly you need to access the contents of your bag, and the weight of your belongings.
For their bike commutes, many of our friends and colleagues have gone from a bag to a pannier to a simple backpack. Thus, a classic messenger bag now has to triangulate between more essential functions than it did in the past. You may need it as a casual briefcase for a reluctant business person or as a do-it-all mobile office for a student or remote worker. Depending on how the commute is made, it needs to be comfortable enough for cycling, walking, crowded subways or bumpy buses. Ideally, it should be able to carry more than just your electronics and work essentials. Messenger bags should also be able to fit the random essentials of your daily life, such as gym clothes, a rain jacket, climbing shoes, or a water bottle. Messenger bags should be able to carry all of your daily essentials and then some.
For many urban bike commuters, messenger bags are being replaced by backpacks, and in turn, the messenger bag is replacing the formal briefcase. The casual style and increased comfort they provide are likely reasons for their popularity - a softer-sided bag is more comfortable to carry. During flights we loved to take our bags with us as a carry-on or "personal item" since they are comfortable to carry and convenient for stashing essential items and pulling them out in a crowded airport. If a messenger bag doesn't fit your lifestyle, but you are still seeking optimal carrying power in some form of bag or sack, here are some alternatives that might suit you better.
Laptop Backpacks
The most popular alternative to messenger bags are laptop backpacks. They are typically more comfortable, especially on long trips, and they can hold a lot more stuff as well. The disadvantage is that a lot of them don't look as stylish, aren't as waterproof, or don't fit as easily into your purse. The disadvantage is that you cannot access your gear as easily or quickly as you can with a messenger bag. The messenger bag allows you to reach all your items without having to remove it from your shoulder because you can swing it around to the front. Because they cover less surface area on your back, they also help keep your back dry during hot summer commutes. Your personal preferences and priorities are probably the biggest factors in choosing one over the other. Are you more concerned with comfort and capacity or with quick access and style? If you commute long distances, you may prefer a backpack. You might be better off buying a messenger bag if you only use your bag for carrying your laptop around.