Durable messenger bag recommendations

21stCentury

Hi all. My bag of holding is fraying at the edges and in looking for a replacement.

I need two things:
Durability
A way to affix pins to the front flap.

I checked on amazon quick and it doesn’t look like most Messenger bags there have pockets on the front flaps.
Anyone got recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Straygatsby

I've had my Manhattan Portage bag for, jeez, 20 years now. It's still in great shape. Basic double compartment bag with a zip pocket under the flap in front.

Example: https://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/product/view/id/508/s/hanover-messenger-bag/

Thundyrkatz

I have had this Mobile Edge Messenger bag for a year now and it has held up very well. lots of room. It has a netted pocket under the front flap.

21stCentury

Straygatsby wrote: »

I've had my Manhattan Portage bag for, jeez, 20 years now. It's still in great shape. Basic double compartment bag with a zip pocket under the flap in front.

Example: https://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/product/view/id/508/s/hanover-messenger-bag/

But does the flap itself have a pocket? I need to be able to put pins there. Otherwise looks very good.

Thundyrkatz wrote: »

I have had this Mobile Edge Messenger bag for a year now and it has held up very well. lots of room. It has a netted pocket under the front flap.

Same question. It doesn’t look like I can reach into the flap from the pic.

Straygatsby

Looks like no extra pockets on mine. Of course, this was a long time ago, so who knows what the current model looks like. Good luck!

Thundyrkatz

I assume you are asking if you can pierce the front flap with a pin and have the back of that pin be concealed inside of a pocket? The back of the flap has a large zippered, netted pocket that you could put an A size sheet of paper inside of. You absolutely could put pins through the flap. However, the pocket is thin netting and not another sheet of canvas. I admit that I have never tried to put a pin on a messenger bag, so not sure the exact protocol. You can always return the bag if you don't like it.

schuss

Timbuk2s generally hold up to a decade or so of abuse per bag, so I can throw a reco for that.

21stCentury

Thundyrkatz wrote: »

I assume you are asking if you can pierce the front flap with a pin and have the back of that pin be concealed inside of a pocket? The back of the flap has a large zippered, netted pocket that you could put an A size sheet of paper inside of. You absolutely could put pins through the flap. However, the pocket is thin netting and not another sheet of canvas. I admit that I have never tried to put a pin on a messenger bag, so not sure the exact protocol. You can always return the bag if you don't like it.

That sounds promising. Thanks.

tinwhiskers

Also a big fan of Timbuk2 stuff. Bunch of different models and most models come in 2 or more sizes, which is nice. They are a bit pricier, but I know last year their black Friday sale was like 50% off so, if you can wait.

21stCentury

tinwhiskers wrote: »

Also a big fan of Timbuk2 stuff. Bunch of different models and most models come in 2 or more sizes, which is nice. They are a bit pricier, but I know last year their black Friday sale was like 50% off so, if you can wait.

They look nice but the main ones i saw did not appear to have a pin-friendly front flap.

schuss

My front flap definitely has a pocket in it, but not sure what model it is

21stCentury

I gone and went with the Mobile Edge Messenger bag.

It seemed good, large enough and the price isn't too high.

I'll let you folks know if it's good!