Born on the streets of cities like New York and San Francisco, messenger bags have been around for decades. Constructed of a durable canvas material, they began as a large, single-compartment “sack” oriented horizontally with a flap to keep out the rain.
They were used by bicycle couriers who made deliveries at the speed of light without regard for cars, pedestrians, traffic laws and themselves. The single compartment made it easy to make pickups and deliveries. This was key because most couriers were paid by the number of “drops” they made in a day.
Their appeal grew from the fact that they were simple, durable, and could be used comfortably when riding a bike while carrying large, bulky items like drawing boxes and tubes. Urbanites who didn’t ride bikes took notice, and bagmakers quickly began making messenger bags for an expanding customer base.
As the market moved further and further away from the original group of manic cyclists and heavy smokers, features and complexity were introduced to meet the needs of new users. One of the main needs of the new customer base was the need to store, protect and transport the devices of our digital age: laptops, tablets and cell phones.
So this brings us to today and if you are shopping for new laptop messenger bags, here are some tips for choosing a good one. First of all, make sure the exterior materials are waterproof. This seems like a simple question, but it’s better to check and be sure than to find yourself with a puddle in your bag after the first downpour.
With digital devices becoming lighter, many people are looking for bags that are also lighter. New materials and foams allow manufacturers to create products that are extremely lightweight for the features and protection they provide. Also, a lightweight bag will be easier to use and transport once it’s filled with all your stuff. So if minimizing the weight you carry is important to you, check the specs and compare the weights of the models you’re interested in.
While the original messenger bags didn’t have a zipper closure for the main compartment, customers have been demanding more protection from the rain and more protection for their computers inside. Having a main compartment with a zip closure can be a huge benefit if your list includes protection from bad weather, dust, and prying eyes, so go for it.
Inside, look for a well-padded main compartment (not just a padded computer pocket) along with a dedicated, padded computer area. Think about all the things you might want to carry besides your laptop, and choose a bag size that gives you room to carry those things. Another feature to look for is an interior lining that is not black or a dark color. Look for a bright colored fabric lining inside the messenger. This is a great feature if you’re ever looking for your keys in a dimly lit parking lot or hallway. The shiny fabric will reflect any available ambient light inside the bag, making what you’re looking for easier to find.
Newer messenger bags will have a place to store a tablet and laptop. If tablet and laptop storage is important to you, make sure the bags you’re looking for have a place for both. At the rear, make sure the back panel has some sort of padding. This is important if you plan on doing a lot of walking and the bag will be sitting on your hip. Having a back panel that isn’t padded with a laptop bouncing on your hip gets old really fast.
Other key features to look for are lots of smaller pockets and places you can use for all the items you want to carry. A sturdy, padded, adjustable shoulder strap is also a key feature, as is a top handle. The top handle will make getting the bag out of an overhead bin or car seat much easier.
Finally, and this is purely subjective, buy a design that you like. Are you on trend and want something in bright colors or patterns? Or would you be interested in something more classic and timeless? The good thing is that with so many options you can find a design that meets your needs for both functionality and aesthetics.
Like many things we have today, the humble messenger bag has evolved from its beginnings as a carry-on bag for speedy delivery cyclists, to today’s carriers of all things tech. Today’s best vintage designs offer maximum versatility and protection while staying true to the functional simplicity of the original messenger bags.