The Best 5 Messenger Bags
From the pony express, to modern mail carriers to bike messengers, a fabric bag with a strap slung over one shoulder for easy access to the contents has been the design of choice. Once bike couriers in the big city began using old canvas utility linemen’s bags to carry their deliveries, it was only a matter of time before the trend caught on. Bags that once cost $20 now can cost many times that, and some (though not all) manufacturers have abandoned the rugged materials that were once a hallmark of the item. The variety is staggering.
Chrome Bags were first created in Boulder by some guys who just couldn’t find bags on the market that were tough enough for their needs. Made with weatherproof 1,000 denier Cordura, millitary-grade seam binding, and industrial strength hardware, the Chrome Citizen (like all of their bags) is guaranteed for life.
Bike couriers in New York City first got their bags from DeMartini canvas company in Little Italy. They’d been making canvas bags for linemen since the 1950s. In the early 80s, Manhattan Portage started producing a bit more stylish and fuller-featured bag, replacing the canvas with cordura in some cases, adding reflective material, lightening up the hardware. Their bags became an instant success, and spawned an entire industry of copies. They still make an excellent waxed canvas bag, and it’s our pick for old school NYC throwback. Of course, if you want to go really old school, DeMartini is still in business too.
High Sierra has been making serious gear for people who enjoy the outdoors since 1978. Casual day packs for people who trust the brand have been a big part of their business as well, so it only makes sense that they would start producing a laptop bag at some point. Since messenger bags are the predominant style for carrying notebooks, the almost too cutely named “Chip” was probably inevitable. Here’s where we get into pastel colors and a design that’s pretty far gone from the original lineman’s pouch, but this is a decent, serviceable bag at a good price, especially geared toward the ladies. As to the name, they also make messenger bags called “Rufus” and “Dwight,” so “Chip” really isn’t all that bad by comparison.
This is another bag at which a true New York bike messenger might sneer, but it’s got all of the essential elements. Lots of pockets and compartments to help with organization, a waterproof design, and you can actually clip your rear bike light in the bottom-center loop. Colors like “zinc” and “elderberry” look better than they sound. Overall, it’s hard to beat this one for the money if you’re looking for a basic bag and you don’t need it to last forever.
Assuming that you’re not in the market for a Louis Vuitton messenger that will set you back a grand, here are our picks for top 5 messenger bags. Some were chosen mostly for their durability and utility, some partly for their cool looks, and some because – hey – they get the job done and the price is right.
This was our top pick from among the laptop messenger bags on the market. Timbuk2 is one of the premiere bag makers in San Francisco, a town that takes it’s bicycling seriously. Since the 1980s, they've been producing bags that are true to the spirit of the original messenger bag’s utilitarianism and toughness, with just the right amount of refinement and style. They brought lots of user feedback to the design table when developing the D-Lux to create a bag that works well whether or not you’re carrying your machine. Lots of pockets and compartments to help keep you organized on the go, and it looks as cool as any bag you’ll see. Oh, and street cred? Sure. The bag can be bought directly from the site or you can buy it from Amazon.Chrome Bags were first created in Boulder by some guys who just couldn’t find bags on the market that were tough enough for their needs. Made with weatherproof 1,000 denier Cordura, millitary-grade seam binding, and industrial strength hardware, the Chrome Citizen (like all of their bags) is guaranteed for life.
Although they were conceived in Colorado and perfected in San Francisco, we found this bag bearing the proud emblem of the Windy City irresistible. To misquote the song, this is “one bag that won’t let you down.”
Bike couriers in New York City first got their bags from DeMartini canvas company in Little Italy. They’d been making canvas bags for linemen since the 1950s. In the early 80s, Manhattan Portage started producing a bit more stylish and fuller-featured bag, replacing the canvas with cordura in some cases, adding reflective material, lightening up the hardware. Their bags became an instant success, and spawned an entire industry of copies. They still make an excellent waxed canvas bag, and it’s our pick for old school NYC throwback. Of course, if you want to go really old school, DeMartini is still in business too.
High Sierra has been making serious gear for people who enjoy the outdoors since 1978. Casual day packs for people who trust the brand have been a big part of their business as well, so it only makes sense that they would start producing a laptop bag at some point. Since messenger bags are the predominant style for carrying notebooks, the almost too cutely named “Chip” was probably inevitable. Here’s where we get into pastel colors and a design that’s pretty far gone from the original lineman’s pouch, but this is a decent, serviceable bag at a good price, especially geared toward the ladies. As to the name, they also make messenger bags called “Rufus” and “Dwight,” so “Chip” really isn’t all that bad by comparison.
This is another bag at which a true New York bike messenger might sneer, but it’s got all of the essential elements. Lots of pockets and compartments to help with organization, a waterproof design, and you can actually clip your rear bike light in the bottom-center loop. Colors like “zinc” and “elderberry” look better than they sound. Overall, it’s hard to beat this one for the money if you’re looking for a basic bag and you don’t need it to last forever.