The Best Messenger Bag Review

Product Selection
We selected eight bags that represent an ideal cross section of the messenger bag market. From large companies like Osprey, Timbuk2 and Patagonia to tiny handmade outfits like Rickshaw and Mission Workshop, we attempted to offer an array of products from all types of manufacturers. This review aims to identify the best messenger bag for your everyday life: one that accompanies you on every adventure wherever you go. The difficulty with this review is that every person has a different lifestyle and therefore has different requirements for a bag. We addressed this problem by having eight testers, who have different lifestyles, occupations, and preferences. Each tester used each bag for one week.

Backpack vs. Messenger
Choosing between a backpack and messenger bag is a critical decision. In general, our testers found backpacks to be better for everything except getting quick access to the contents of the bag. The best bag for you will depend upon your lifestyle. Before settling on a messenger bag we encourage you to read our Laptop Bag Review and our Buying Advice article. These will provide more insight into the types of bags than individual reviews alone.

Criteria for Evaluation
We assessed each bag based on its comfort, storage, versatility, laptop security, professional look, water resistance and durability. All variables are weighted equally. We also ranked each bag based on its performance at various activities such as bicycling, walking, and hiking, and in various environments like subways, airports, offices, and going to the beach.

Comfort
This variable takes into account how comfortable the bag was at all stages of capacity and at various activities. Specifically, we looked at shoulder straps, back padding, the inclusion or omission of rigid stays and sternum straps. We found the most comfortable messenger bag to be the Mission Workshop Rummy, which has a ridiculously comfortable shoulder strap that’s very easy to adjust and can be worn over either the left or right shoulder. The Rummy, Chrome Buran, and Timbuk2 Classic Messenger all have shoulder straps that position the bag high up on your back and in a near vertical position (as opposed to hanging down by your waist like a purse). This is much more comfortable in general, and especially for biking. The Alchemy Goods Pike is the least comfortable messenger bag we reviewed.

Storage
Here we assessed each bag’s ability to serve as a vessel for our everyday necessities. Focusing on both quantity and quality, we ranked each bag based on how much it held and how well it held things. Could the bag fit what we wanted? Could we keep things organized? Could we access key items quickly and easily? Was opening and closing the bag loud and distracting to others? Could the bag store documents without crushing them? Our two top rated bags in this category are the Mission Workshop Rummy, which gracefully holds large, bulky items and the Rickshaw Commuter 2.0, which protects a laptop and documents like the Secret Service guards the President.

Versatility
Here we assessed how well each bag adapted to different environments and activities. Could the bag go the office, gym, and grocery store all in one day? Was the bag comfortable for cycling and walking? Could the bag successfully store fragile documents and bulky, sharp objects at the same time? The Osprey ReSource Elroy ranked highest in this category because it was comfortable for biking and walking and had good storage.

Laptop Security
This variable measures how well the backpack protected our expensive laptops from accidental drops, grungy subway floors, and spilled liquids. The winners in this category were the Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 and Osprey ReSource Elroy.

Professional Look
This variable attempts to quantify how well each bag performed in a professional office environment. While all of the bags tested here are far from a classy leather briefcase, we ranked them based on how well they would perform in an environment where professional appearance mattered. Some companies, such as Timbuk2 and Rickshaw offer custom bags built with your choice of over thirty colors and a variety of fabric types. The ability to customize colors contributed to our conclusion that the most professional looking messengers were the Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 and the Timbuk2 Command.

Water Resistance
With its bombproof, coated fabrics and a roll top closure, the Mission Workshop Rummy was the clear winner here. (The Chrome Buran placed a close second.) The least waterproof backpack was the Patagonia Half Mass.

Durability
We ranked each bag based on its ability to endure years of abuse. We looked at materials, buckles, straps, zippers, and velcro quality. Through our sixteen-week test period we found the Mission Workshop Rummy, Chrome Buran, and Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 to the most durable. None were particularly fragile, but the Patagonia Half Mass scored lowest.

BOTTOM LINE
Our Editor’s Choice Award goes to the Mission Workshop Rummy, a bombproof, stormproof, single strapped carrier that epitomizes the quick access that messenger bags are known for. The Rummy excels at carrying large loads comfortably and provides a snug fit that clings to your back when navigating the busiest of streets. The Timbuk2 Classic Messenger, the recipient of our Best Buy Award, provides the majority of the comfort, durability, and access that the Rummy does, but at half the price. Finally, on the opposite end of the spectrum lies the Rickshaw Commuter 2.0, a brilliantly designed single strap bag for those who commute directly to and from the office. With its waterproof, highly durable construction and a host of unique features the Commuter 2.0 takes laptop and document storage to the next level.