Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Whether you’re hoofin’ it around town, riding your bike, or just need a bag for light traveling, it’s hard to beat a techwear messenger bag. They’re comfortable to wear for an extended period of time, are large enough for all the essentials you need, and will protect their contents from whatever the elements have in store for you that day. Messenger bags might not be for everyone, but if they’re your style, or you simply have a predilection for collecting far too many bags (e.g. me), you’ll find a lot to like on this list.
1) Mission Workshop: The Rummy VX
First up is a fan favorite: Mission Workshop. Known for their modular backpacks, Mission Workshop’s Rummy VX messenger bag is no slouch either. It’s made from Cordura’s 1000d VX Nylon with YKK zippers, aluminum hardware, and mil-spec webbing to ensure it’s up to whatever you throw at it. While it isn’t as modular as its backpack brother, this bag still features the ability to be used with a flapped or roll-top closure.
Available for $275 at Mission Workshop.
2) Aesthetic Homage: UBC-2 Messenger Bag
Aesthetic Homage produces some great techwear at ridiculously affordable prices. Their UBC-2 Messenger bag is constructed from waterproof nylon fabric to keep your possession nice and dry, and even features additional waterproof material on the bottom for further peace of mind. While this bag is nothing special in terms of design, most of us want something fairly lowkey if we intend to use it as a daily driver.
Available for $90 at Aesthetic Homage.
3) Porter: Things Messenger Bag
Porter’s Things Messenger Bag is a great choice of messenger bag if you want all the bells-and-whistles, and don’t mind standing out. Made in Japan from 100% nylon twill with ballistic nylon at the bottom with ribbed padding on the back and shoulder strap, this bag packs a serious punch when it comes to durability. It features a bungee cord at the bottom for cinching, Velcro for easy closure, and all the internal padding and pockets your heard could possibly desire.
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Available for $845CAD (~$650USD) at Haven.
4) Moleskine: Slim Nylon Messenger Bag
Moleskine’s Slim Nylon Messenger Bag is another great option if you want a new bag but don’t want to break the bank. The design is clean and professional, but the bag is still constructed out of synthetics: nylon canvas in this case. It features a heat-sealed zippers, a magnetic-closure flap, and a ton of interior pockets and organizers. This bag might not have all the flare that some of the other bags on this list do, but that shouldn’t keep you from giving it a serious look.
Available for $129 at Need Supply.
5) DSPTCH: Tech Messenger
DSPTCH’s Tech Messenger is a bit unlike many other messenger bags out there, and many would dispute it is a messenger at all given its lack of a flapped closure, but due to its over-the-shoulder style and the diagonal direction it hangs int when worn we are going to let that part slide. Constructed from a poly/nylon blend fabric that is coated with DWR for water resistance, this bag is seriously tough; it features mesh backing to help with breathability when worn for extended periods of time and foam padding at the shoulder, making this bag a great choice if you carry your bag around with you constantly.
Available for $230 at DSPTCH.
Plus One – Master-Piece: Wonder Messenger Bag
Master-Piece’s Wonder Messenger Bag is a true standout, especially if you go with the yellow colorway. Made in Japan from Cordura nylon, nothing was overlooked when designing and constructing this bag. It features looped webbing through to clip on whatever you need, a unique, folding flap closure, a myriad of pockets of every conceivable shape, and seriously heavy-duty hardware holding everything together. Seriously, this bag has way too much going on to fully describe — take a look at the photos and see for yourself.
Available for $315 at Blue Owl.
