My venerable North Face messenger bag is now past it's best and needs retiring after 10 years sterling service. Not keen on the current equivalent (or its price).
Looking for something smart enough for work, reasonably weathertight and usable for 5 mile bike commute in winter and for general weekends away etc. Needs to be roomy too. Prefer fakenger style bags to a rucksack for work. Budget around £50.
Seen a Chrome Classic bag for a little over £50 - looks well made but at 17L may be a little small for what I need. Possibly a bit too Shoreditch hipster for a chap in my my advanced years and not sure about the lack of a padded strap.
Also looking at the Crumpler Freewheeler for a tad shy of £50 which seems pretty good value but not sure how water resistant it is:
http://road.cc/content/review/113994-crumpler-free-wheeler-messenger-bag
Any opinions out there?
Cheers
Timbuk2.
Knocks all others into a cocked hat, and fills non-buyers with remorse.
I've always been impressed with Crumpler stuff, so they certainly get the thumbs up. I also have a Timbuk2 which has been going strong since my brief courier days about 14 years ago. You can't go too far wrong with either of those but no idea about Chrome.
Cheers, Rich
Timbuk2 Classic was also on the list but stuggling to find the large size for less than around £70
I was looking at the Chrome as it has a lifetime guarantee and has a hanging tarp liner so is pretty waterproof.
I have an Osprey Flapjack which I am very impressed with
[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/osprey-flap-jack-mens-courier-bag/?utm_source=google&utm_term=osprey%20flap%20jack%20courier&utm_campaign=RTC_osprey&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=sp02IqHu0_dc|pcrid|44933732474|pkw|osprey%20flap%20jack%20courier|pmt|e|&dest=1&curr=GBP ]£45 from Wiggle[/url]
I've got bags of various sizes from Chrome, Crumpler and Timbuk 2
The Chrome is my main bag, used it day in and day out for about 8 years. It's way ahead of the others when it comes to quality and strength. It's 100% waterproof too which can't be said for the others
It's just a single big compartment, one smallish zip up pocket and another open pocket thing - so not for you if you want lots of compartments, laptop sleeves etc
Osprey Flapjack is pretty nice.
little bit more, but bigxtop mini messenger
I've got one of these:
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And I love it. Had it for a year and it still looks as new.