Civilian courier bags

Just because a messenger bag is a cool device in theory, unfortunately, doesn't mean that all bags are good. I've tried many, and most of them had some flaws. Here are a few selected bags – maybe you'll find something you like.

ORTLIEB SLING-IT

The ORTLIEB SLING-IT (22 L capacity, approx. €100, e.g., on bike-components.de) was my first "real" messenger bag. I bought it many years ago in Amsterdam and was incredibly proud of its professional appearance. Indeed, it looked great, especially in the Cordura and PVC combination. What I disliked most was that the flap's stiffener made it difficult to close properly when the bag was lightly loaded. The flap also quickly began to fray at the corners of the stiffener. On one of my bags (I think I had three), I ripped out the underwire, which improved the situation, but only slightly. However, I really liked the ability to attach the strap to the body of the bag rather than to the main shoulder strap. On hot days, I wore the bag over one shoulder rather than across my chest. This allowed me to arrive at clients' appointments with a relatively wrinkle-free shirt. The bag could also be worn on either the right or left shoulder by re-fastening the straps. But the best feature of all was the shoulder pad on the main strap. I was impressed by how well-designed and crafted it was, keeping it from sliding around on either the belt or the shoulder. I took it off my last Ortllieb and used it on other bags for a long time. It's a shame it finally ripped. I don't regret the bag itself.

FREITAG F12 DRAGNET

FREITAG F12 DRAGNET, 14 L capacity plus a hood (€180.00 at freitag.ch). The use of recycled materials, a car tarpaulin, and seat belts, along with the unique design of each bag, available for selection on the manufacturer's website, were compelling selling points for me. The bag, in my case silver, turned out to be unexpectedly heavy and, moreover, only had two pockets (one outside, one inside for a laptop). The pluses, however, included super-sturdy construction, a simple yet incredibly functional hood (approx. 5 L), and a wide hip belt, which greatly helped stabilize the bag when carrying it with the main strap on the shoulder rather than across the chest. Overall, I found this bag user-friendly and reliable. I only had one recurring issue: the teeth on the hip buckle kept breaking off, and due to its wide width, it was easy to get it a little crooked. Freitag patiently sent me new buckles, quickly and free of charge. I was so impressed with the customer service that I bought another Freitag bag – their top-of-the-line "professional" model, the 21-liter REX. However, it was too heavy and too long for its height. I never warmed to it.

BAICYCLON MESSENGER S 01

While searching for a lighter bag, I came across the German BAICYCLON MESSENGER S 01 (medium size, nominal capacity 16L plus a hood, starting at €50 on the manufacturer's website, baicyclonshop.com; also sold at agito.pl). A distinctive feature of this bag is its removable interior made of thin PVC. This provides additional waterproofness and can be removed and wiped clean if spills occur. Unfortunately, the Velcro fastening system isn't the easiest to use. The bag's exterior is made of Cordura in attractive, bright colors, which is easy to stain and impossible to wash. The Baicyclon is very carefully sewn and has additional corner protection. After a year of heavy use, I haven't seen any wear and tear. The sturdy main strap buckles allow for one-handed release and removal – they're the best I've ever used. There are convenient belt loops on the sides. I'm much less impressed with the slippery and thin shoulder straps and the design, which forces the bag to be worn in one position, with the strap across the chest and on the right side. The bag is lightweight, but at the cost of a lack of stiffening or padding on the back. As a result, carrying anything heavier isn't particularly comfortable. Perhaps, then, it's a good thing that the Baicyclon isn't particularly spacious – the shallow lid makes it difficult to pack a limp, unstable neck warmer above the bag's edge. Its manufacturer-provided capacity (6L) seems purely theoretical.

TIMBUK2 CLASSIC MESSENGER

I'm currently using the TIMBUK2 CLASSIC MESSENGER (medium size, 24L, €80 at wiggle.co.uk) and am quite happy with it. The bag is very sturdy and has an exceptionally rich set of smaller and larger pockets (6 outside, 9 inside, including a reinforced laptop pocket). The bag's distinctive shape – the bottom is much wider than the top – makes loading and transporting the load easier and safer. Well-placed Velcro straps under the flap allow for a relatively secure closure even without fastening the buckles. The outer material (Cordura) is easy to clean. The loop below the flap is a good place to attach a light and a clasp. Reflectors are located on the ends of the drawstrings – a small thing, but a welcome addition. I was a little less impressed with the main strap. It can't be reversed and features a professional-looking, but in practice, not very ergonomic, buckle system that requires at least two hands to operate. The shoulder strap on the strap shifts slightly and needs to be readjusted almost every time it's put on. However, the excellent cut and stability on the back when fully loaded offset these shortcomings. On the manufacturer's American website, www.timbuk2.com, you can order the bag in your own color combination with shipping to Poland ($160 including shipping). Text: Krzysztof Najder