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If you need a reliable messenger bag that that you can count on to earn
a living or just to protect your valuables, then you may need a
professional messenger bag.
Many bag makers will brag about the quality and originality of their
bags. They may claim they are tough, durable and “bomb proof.” Many
will claim that their bags are actually used by messengers but in
reality most are not because they will quickly fall apart under
professional conditions.
If you want a bag that will last and you want a bag that you can trust.
Then buy a bag from a reputable manufacturer. Buy a bag that is
respected by professionals for its quality.
In almost all cases the best messenger bags are made by small
manufacturers who design, produce and market the bags themselves. They
are generally made by current or former bike messengers and will often
custom make a bag just for you.
Ignore
bag reviews by non-pro’s that whine about the cost or size of
professional bags. When it comes to messenger bags you generally get
you pay for.
Below is an evolving list of the best quality bag makers (in no specific order)
Check out
a brief history of the messenger bag at the International Federation of
Bike Messengers Association (IFBMA)
De
Martini
http://www.demartinibags.com/
373 Lexington
Ave
New Haven, Ct USA
ph: 800 735 8877
De Martini is the original messenger bag. It was started as Globe
Canvas by sailmaker Frank DeMartini in the 1950’s. For many years
DeMartini was the only messenger bag maker in the world and he supplied
most messenger companies in New
York. He passed away in 2000 but the bags live
on.
Article: One Man's Art:
Bags for Messengers - New York Times, August 4, 1985
Manhattan Portage
http://www.manhattanportage.com/
Portage Worldwide Inc.
301 West Broadway
New York,
NY 10013
212-226-4557 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.)
fax: 212-226-1341
email: sales@manhattanportage.com
One of the oldest bag makers, Manhattan Portage started in 1980 in New York. Their
slogan is “Why is
everyone copying us? Is it something we've done?" Their bags are based
on DeMartini’s Globe Canvas original bags.
Zo Bags
http://www.zobags.com/
PO Box 170218
SF CA 94117-0218 USA
(415) 550 6363
Zo Bags started in 1984 and are probably the first international bags.
After the first Cycle Messenger World Championships in 1993 Zo Bags
were used by messengers all over the world. The orginal Zo Bags retain
value as a collectible. According to the IFBMA Zo Bags can, “securely
claim the introduction of one-piece construction (of the outer
covering; previously, makers like DeMartini and Manhattan Portage
constructed the flap as a separate piece, which necessitated a seam
across the top of the bag), as well as the 3-panel bag design and the
waist strap.”
Article: It's in the bag –
San
Francisco Chronicle, January 27, 2002
Courierware
http://www.courierbags.com/
24 Pleasant Street
Randolph, VT 05060-0156
1-800-678 BAGS
info@courierwareusa.com
Courierware started in 1986 and originated in Boston and later
relocated to Vermont. At one time they were very popular in Boston.
Article: He
Figured That Business Is So Good, Who Needs a Store? – New
York Times, November 16, 2005
PAC Designs
http://www.pacdesigns.com/
P.O. Box 127
Mindemoya, Ontario, P0P 1S0
Canada
Toll free: 1 866 722 2247 ( 866 PAC BAGS)
fax: (705) 377 6160 or (705) 368 0006
email: pat@pacdesigns.com
PAC started in 1989 in Toronto (relocated to British Columbia and then
back to Ontario). PAC is very well-respected by couriers worldwide.
They were probably the first to build fully customized bags with many
options and add-ons, such as pockets dividers, radio holders, hip
pouches and u-lock holsters.
“Pac Designs original innovations such as the "D" ring adjusting,
"anti-sway" straps, padded backs, and Ballistic bottoms are now seen on
other messenger bags. Other innovations such as the "X" strap (A
removable 2nd shoulder strap), 3 layers Construction, and Deluxe
suspension strapping remain exclusively on Pac bags.
Push
http://www.pushtheenvelope.com/
216 Adelaide
St. W
Toronto, ON Canada
M5H 1W7
416-367-5944
email: seamster@pushtheenvelope.com
Started in 1995 in Toronto
at the former downtown courier bike shop – The Bike Ranch. This is the
same place that PAC bags were made prior to PAC’s move to British Columbia.
Together
with PAC, Push is one of the two top
quality messenger bag manufacturers in Ontario.
Article: Messenger
bags that deliver - Toronto
Star, May 29, 2003
Cocotte
Equipement
http://www.cocotte-equip.com/
2174 Mt. Royal East
Montreal, Quebec, H2H 1K3 Canada
(514) 527 7582
fax: (514) 527 1608
info@cocotteequipement.com
Started in 1993 in Montreal, hand made
and they are well respected by Montreal
messengers.
Bailey Works
http://www.baileyworks.com/
146 Congress
St.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
USA
(603) 430 9577
fax: (603) 433 0026
email: blyworks@aol.com
Started in 1995. “Most of what we build and sell are bicycle messenger
bags in two styles and we sell them mostly to non-messengers.”
Article: Ten years
on, company's bags dangle from broader market of shoulders - Portsmouth Herald, July 19, 2005
R.E.Load
http://www.reloadbags.com/
142 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, Pa 19106
215-922-2018
email: info@reloadbags.com
Started in 1998 in Philadelphia and
expanded to Seattle
in 2003. They are very popular and respected by Philadelphia and
Seattle messengers.
Chrome Bags
http://www.chromebags.com/
1086 Folsom Street,
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-503-1221
e-mail: Chrome@Chromebags.com
Started
in 1994, Chrome Bags are very popular with commuters and
non-messengers. Their bags are famous for the quick release seat-belt
buckle.
Mission Workshop
http://missionworkshop.com/
40 Rondel Place, San Francisco, Ca 94103
email: Info@MissionWorkshop.com
415-864-7225
New but
not newcomers. The guys behind Mission Workshop were the once the guys
behind Chrome so they have a lot experience and definitely know what
they are doing. They' re known for the Vandal, a waterproof two-strap
messenger bag among others.
Seagull
Bags
80 Parsons Ave
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 223-0272
info.seagullbags@gmail.com
Started
in 2003 in Columbus, Ohio, Seagull Bags have done some nice custom work
for various messenger championships.
European Manufacturers
Bagjack
http://www.bagjack.com
bagjack-Store :
"10-20- Berlin"
Torstraße 39
10117 Berlin-Mitte, Germany
tel.: ++49 30 61287733
fax.: ++49 30 61287734
email: bagjack@t-online.de
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