Messenger Bags

I do not carry a purse or pocketbook and never have. I do carry my Macbook around with me all the time, though, so I need a bag to put that in. And to carry things like a notebook to sketch in, pens and pencils, my little Leatherman multitool, my Danger hiptop, and so on.

For the last six years I've been using a Timbuk2 Mogwai. (They don't make this exact model any more, but the Commute bag is close.) This is a fine bag. It works great on a bicycle or motorcycle, and does well in rain. However, its internal pockets are pretty crappy. They sag. And they don't seem to have been designed to hold any of the things I want to put in them, like pens.

Six years is more than enough time for a neophile like me to become restless and want to replace the bag. Timbuk2 has revised the bag since I purchased it, but I thought I'd check out the other options.

Feature wishlist

I was hoping for:

• messenger bag, for occasional use on 2-wheeled transport
• space for a 15" Macbook Pro
• smaller overall size, if possible
• water resistance
• comfy strap
• better internal organization for small objects
• better/more external pockets for airline convenience
• pleasing visual design

Possibilities

Here are some trendy laptop bags to consider:

• Booq
• Bumpakpaks
• Chrome Transport
• Crumpler
• Spire
• STM
• Timbuk2
• Tom Bihn
• WaterField Designs

My decision process

First I looked at leather bags, because I've always had a hankering for a cool leather courier bag. Leather bags are not feature-laden, and when they try to be the features are often clunky. What you get is a bag that looks neat and will probably last a lifetime with appropriate care. However, the strap might suck, and there's not going to be a lot of internal structure. I ended up not buying any, but the most attractive possibility to me was this leather mailbag by Schlesinger. Classic, simple, tasty.

The Crumpler site annoyed me and I thought the bags were ugly. Chrome is trendy, but if I need the waterproof messenger thing for my bike or motorcycle, I do still have the perfectly good Timbuk2 bag.

I nearly bought the WaterField Cargo bag before I remembered that Tom Bihn existed and I should check it out before making a final decision. I like the Cargo's features a bunch, but thought it was moderately ugly. The paraglide buckle is pretty cool; the prominent grab handles at the top aren't. The "Mambo" combination of bag + most popular options is a sensible package.

The bag I bought was the Tom Bihn ID messenger bag. I opted for the fancy shoulder strap, because I have learned the painful way that good shoulder straps are worth it. I did not buy the hard Brain Cell laptop case to snap inside it. Instead I chose the smaller Soft Cell sleeve.

Other factors I considered: Timbuk2 makes its custom bags and its classic messenger bags in its San Francisco facility. It offshores other bag manufacture. Tom Bihn makes all its bags in its Washington facility. WaterField makes all its bags in San Francisco.

Out of box experience

I ordered my bag online at around 10pm. I got a UPS notification that my ID bag had been shipped the very next morning. UPS delivered it two days later. This is darn close to instant gratification.

The bag arrived in a box with labels begging you not to use a knife on the paper tape. Okay. I used a key. Inside was the bag, a sticker, and an invoice slip. Minimal packaging! I like it. The laptop sleeve was tucked inside the bag. The bag itself has two Tom Bihn tags attached by the usual plastic thread that need to be removed, one for the bag and one for the shoulder strap option I chose.

First assessment is that it's a lot more compact than my Mogwai. A little taller, less broad, and definitely less deep. It has one main compartment which mostly holds the laptop. So the Mogwai wins if you regularly need to carry tons of stuff, but the ID bag is more than enough for my regular load.

The small-stuff pockets are definitely more luxurious than the Mogwai's. The ultrasuede-lined pockets are a huge win for me, since I always carry sunglasses and my Danger device.

Longer-term review

Short version: I love this bag. Would buy again. Will probably buy a larger bag as an alternative, but I feel no need to change bags any time soon. The Bihn is a winner.

Longer version: I've now gone overseas with the Bihn ID bag and carried it as my every day bag for a year. I'm still completely satisfied with it. There have been times when I wished it were larger and times when I wish it were smaller, but it's comfortable, durable, and quietly good-looking.

I use the lined gear pockets heavily. Sunglasses in one, iPod or hiptop in the other. The pen slots are perfect. My Leatherman hangs from the key clip. The laptop slot is perfectly sized for the sleeve, and my precious Macbook always feels secure in the bag. The fancy shoulder strap is fantastic.

Minor down sides: There isn't really a good place to keep my contact lens fluid or my emergency bottle of Advil. And my BPAL bottles tend to rattle around in the main compartment.

Another Bihn: I just bought a Macbook Air and I leapt on the excuse to buy a smaller bag just to carry. I'll be reviewing my Ristretto Messenger bag as soon as I've had some time to live with it.

Resources

• The Gadgeteer reviews a lot of laptop-friendly bags.
• This Web Worker Daily post has some excellent possibilities in the comments.
• The Squidoo "lens" on bags has lots of ugly, ugly bags pictured.
• The Fixed Gear Gallery compared ten bags.
• I appreciated this Gear Diary detailed review of the Bihn ID bag.