Messenger Bag reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 173 Reddit reviews across 19 subreddits and 53 posts to rank the best Messenger Bag brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/ManyBaggers, r/Calgary, r/HerOneBag, r/BuyItForLife, r/handbags. Top-rated brands include Timbuk2 (4.3/5), Tom Bihn (4.7/5), Chrome (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews173
Subreddits19
Posts53
Brands73
Products70
173 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Timbuk2
4.3
(35)
"My 17 year old Timbuk2 is still going strong - just sent it in for a free repair last year and it's still rocking!"
"Timbuk2."
"+1 Timbuk2"
"Timbuk2 is a classic"
"Timbuk2 biking messenger bags. Get the XL sizes."
"Love Timbuk2. Also can recommend Chrome Industries."
"I just wanted to second Timbuk2. I've had one for almost 20 years now and it's held up beautifully."
"You can't go wrong with Timbuk2."
"Timbuk2 messenger, medium or large size. discounted colors routinely under $100."
"Timbuk2 makes an exceptional messenger as well."
#2
Tom Bihn
4.7
(12)
"I also recommend the Tom Bihn Pilot or Cadet."
"I also recommend the Tom Bihn Pilot or Cadet."
"Tom Bihn and Rickshaw Bagworks."
"Tom Bign Pilot"
"A little over your budget but a great school bag (fits 13" laptop)"
"Tom Bihn Pilot is great bag."
"Tom Bihn pilot or copilot."
"I use it for work and love it. The organization is great."
"Tom Bihn Daylight briefcase fits the mbp plus a compact sleeve."
"Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase, Mountainsmith Adventure Office, several Manhattan Portage models."
#3
Chrome
4.3
(11)
"I love my Chrome Buran III. Most comfortable messenger I’ve ever worn."
"Chrome"
"I really like the chrome buran III."
"Chrome is really nice but lacks the outside pockets you are looking for."
"Timbuk2 and Chrome custom bags may still be USA made."
"Yeah I heard great things from a friend who had Chrome!"
"I'd check out Chrome bags as well."
"If Timbuk2 and Chrome don’t do it - I’m not sure your requirements are reasonable."
"Back when I was biking everywhere and anywhere: chrome."
"I'd look at Chrome too."
#4
tomtoc
4.3
(6)
"I like my tomtoc Compact EDC sling bag."
"I keep seeing Tom toc recommended everywhere."
"They're stuff is very well made and not all the expensive."
"Check the tomtoc. It's way higher quality and the zippers are solid."
"I went with the TomToc sling and it’s 95% perfect."
"I have the 7L Tomtoc bag."
#5
Waterfield
4.3
(6)
"Might take a look at the Waterfield Air Porter."
"The new messenger from waterfield looks really cool."
"Pricey, but I enjoy the two bags of theirs I own."
"I had the same wish list as you and after years of looking, have settled on the Waterfield Sutter Tech Sling."
"Check out Waterfield's bags. They have something you might like."
"Have you looked at any Waterfield or Nutsac bags?"
#6
Chrome Industries
4.2
(6)
"I've used them for years and they are bulletproof."
"Richsaw bags, chrome industries, of course timbuk2."
"More of a sling than messenger bag but it's more of a hybrid."
"Chrome Industries makes pretty durable bags."
"Chrome Industries makes good bags."
"Chrome Industries, Timbuk2 (look for older models)."
#7
Crumpler
4.2
(5)
"I've been a fan of Crumpler bags ever since."
"Crumpler bags are bomb proof as well."
"Have you seen the Crumpler Brace and other Brace models?"
"Try Crumpler, they have really nice bags quality and they can be repaired, though they are somewhat pricey."
"I bought a messenger from crumpler that would maybe work."
#8
Rickshaw
4.8
(4)
"Rickshaw messengers and Waterfield Vitesse line come to mind"
"Rickshaw."
"Rickshaw bags in San Francisco allows you to choose fabric/color for just about all their bags."
"Rickshaw has basic messenger bags."
#9
Aer
4.0
(4)
"Aer slim pack? Matador x carryology edx messenger?"
"Aer slim pack or pro pack slim are both very minimalistic."
"Aer travel sling 2 holds my 14" MBP fine."
"Aer has a messenger bag now I believe."
#10
Gucci
5.0
(3)
"The Gucci looks more formal or preppy."
"If as a commuter bag for work then go with the Gucci - feels sleek and more formal"
"I'd go with the Gucci - I like the sleek and elevated design."
#11
Bailey Works
5.0
(3)
"They also last forever."
"Big fan of bailey works bags. They also last forever."
"Baileyworks may have smaller sizes, I’ve had one almost 20 years that still looks brand new."
#12
Frank Clegg
5.0
(3)
"If you have the bucks, can't beat an American made Frank Clegg bag."
"+1 on Frank Clegg zip top briefcase."
"Go fancier with a Frank Clegg zip-top briefcase."
#13
Waterfield Designs
4.7
(3)
"Waterfield Designs, Frost River, Filson, Nutsac"
"Check out Waterfield Designs, designed and made in SF."
"I like Waterfield designs."
#14
Inside Line Equipment
4.3
(3)
"Also Inside Line Equipment Utility Tote Mini."
"Inside Line Equipment Utility Tote Mini."
"Inside Line Equipment Utility Tote Mini."
#15
Filson
4.0
(3)
"Not local but Filson or Mission Workshop."
"I've got a filson duffle I use daily and pretty happy with it."
"In that price range I'd check Filson, Peak Design."
#16
Mission Workshop
4.0
(3)
"Check out mission workshop"
"Mission Workshop messenger bags are more overbuilt."
"Mission workshop."
#17
Saddleback Leather
5.0
(2)
"They are 3x your listed price, but Saddleback Leather has amazing bags that are very much bifl."
"Not local, but I have lusted over Saddlebackleather.com briefcases and duffels for years."
#18
Tumi
4.5
(2)
"Tumi. There is one in Chinook Mall."
"Tumi. There is one in Chinook Mall."
#19
LBB
4.5
(2)
"LBB Echelon. The larger size even has a dual shoulder carry strap."
#20
Rickshaw Bagworks
4.5
(2)
"Tom Bihn and Rickshaw Bagworks. Rickshaw will customize infinitely ir seems."
"Rickshaw Bagworks is another option. They have well made totes and messengers."
#21
Prada
4.0
(2)
"The Prada leans edgy and casual, and I could see it working with a wide range of outfits."
"If it’s an everyday bag I’d go for the Prada - more versatile and casual looking."
#22
Mystery Ranch
4.0
(2)
"The Mystery Ranch 3 Way might work."
"Mystery Ranch Indie, or sometimes I prefer using a Crumpler."
#23
Portland Leather
5.0
(1)
"Wonderful quality, great sales."
#24
Shigetsu GOJO
5.0
(1)
"Matibay saka maganda, hindi rin nagbabakbak kahit leather siya"
#25
Mokobara
5.0
(1)
"Comfortably holds my 2 laptops and 1 tablet."
#26
Peak Designs
5.0
(1)
"Peak Designs makes an excellent bag, I’ve been around the world with mine since 2013."
#27
Emerson
5.0
(1)
"My wife just got me this one for an early Xmas gift. I like it a lot."
#28
Briggs and Riley
5.0
(1)
"If you want serious durability and a fantastic lifetime warranty, check out Briggs and Riley @ work collection briefcases."
#29
Roadrunner Bags
5.0
(1)
"Roadrunner Bags has a messenger/tote. US Made."
#30
Vaya
5.0
(1)
"Been very happy with it!"
#31
Wharton
5.0
(1)
"I've been using wharton leather bags."
#32
Adrian Klis
5.0
(1)
"Cannot recommend those products enough."
#33
TippyThai
5.0
(1)
"Does full custom bags quickly and for excellent prices."
#34
Yoshida
5.0
(1)
"Yoshida makes a variety of nice bags under the various Porter labels."
#35
Killspencer
5.0
(1)
"What's worked well for me is the killspencer briefcase - it has a slim profile but a dedicated padded laptop compartment that securely holds my mbp."
#36
Bellroy
5.0
(1)
"Bellroy Tokyo Workpack?"
#37
Roots
5.0
(1)
"All of the made in Canada Roots leather goods are lifetime warranty."
#38
Cocotte Equip
5.0
(1)
"A Montréal staple: http://cocotte-equip.com/ I have one and love it."
#39
Will Leather Goods
5.0
(1)
"I am a huge fan of Will leather goods. They are hand made in Oregon."
#40
Osprey
5.0
(1)
"My go to is the Osprey Flap Jill Mini which is a women's bag but if you get it in blue or black they all look the same and have the same features."
#41
Mariclaro
4.0
(1)
"Upcycled and cool car / airplane bits"
#42
Hawk
4.0
(1)
"Merong mga good quality sling bag si hawk."
#43
Ace
4.0
(1)
"Ace. Gagetable CB. Various sizes to get just as you want."
#44
ITS
4.0
(1)
"ITS Discreet Messenger."
#45
CourierWare
4.0
(1)
"You might consider a custom made bag. CourierWare has both standard and custom-made options."
#46
Tomtoc
4.0
(1)
"Tomtoc compact EDC sling with an internal water bottle."
#47
Fossil
4.0
(1)
"I have a fossil, brown leather 4 years old and still like new."
#48
TB Maker
4.0
(1)
"TB Maker's bag?"
#49
Aldo
4.0
(1)
"Aldo has one on sale right now"
#50
Moleskine
4.0
(1)
"Moleskine has a variety of bags that are sleek, attractive and small."
#51
Wenger
4.0
(1)
"Gamit ko WENGER 2017 pa sakin no issues pa."
#52
Nutsac
4.0
(1)
"It should fit what you need it to."
#53
Vaude
4.0
(1)
"Has a 'tablet' sleeve that looks to me to be big enough for MacBook Pro 14."
#54
Alpha One Niner
4.0
(1)
"My fave crossbody bag is the Alpha One Niner Chio-X but it’s only 9L and has no laptop compartment."
#55
Alpaka
4.0
(1)
"[Alpaka metro backpack] (12L)"
#56
Manhattan Portage
4.0
(1)
"12x18.5 but if you loosen the strap it can hold the 13 no problem."
#57
Boconi
4.0
(1)
"I spotted a couple nice looking leather messenger bags on Nordstrom Rack's page."
#58
Vanquest
4.0
(1)
"Vanquest or grey ghost gear probably fit your bill."
#59
Rudsak
4.0
(1)
"Rudsak in Market mall."
#60
Arc'teryx
4.0
(1)
"Has a couple of options for those inclined toward tech-wear."
#61
Wood & Faulk
4.0
(1)
"Checkout Wood & Faulk or Billykirk."
#62
Billykirk
4.0
(1)
"Checkout Wood & Faulk or Billykirk."
#63
Shinola
4.0
(1)
#64
Go Forth Goods
4.0
(1)
"Their leather is really good and thick"
#65
Orbitgear
4.0
(1)
"Pick the orbitgear due to wider straps"
#66
Trakke
4.0
(1)
"Trakke makes a giant messenger bag."
#67
RELoad
4.0
(1)
"A small RELoad Flight Pack might be just the ticket."
#68
Matt&Nat
4.0
(1)
"I just bought a Matt&Nat briefcase style bag for my boyfriend that is really nice."
#69
Patagonia
4.0
(1)
"It does a nice job of being small but not too small."
#70
Copper Cherry
4.0
(1)
"Copper Cherry makes some very nice bags."
#71
Peak Design
4.0
(1)
"Peak Design without the inserts?"
#72
Space Age Bags
3.0
(1)
"Very small bag. Won’t be able to do any sort of messenger work but it makes for a great around town / day bag."
#73
Courierware
3.0
(1)
"Courierware bags will fit your gear. I have one of the messengers in the large size."
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