Best Bike Messenger Bag Reviews 2023 & Buying Guide

Cycling offers numerous benefits, from promoting an active and healthy lifestyle to reducing your carbon footprint. However, cyclists often struggle with limited storage for essentials, as bike compartments and pockets can only hold so much. Enter the bike messenger bag—a versatile and cyclist-friendly solution to this common issue.

Bike messenger bags offer the convenience of additional storage without compromising your cycling experience. These compact bags feature multiple compartments to accommodate all your essentials for a ride, eliminating the need to stuff your pockets. For many urban cyclists, messenger bags represent a stylish and practical accessory, making them a must-have piece of cycling gear.

With countless models available, finding the perfect bike messenger bag can be daunting. Each offers varying features, colors, capacities, and quality. Our comprehensive guide will help you navigate the options and select the ideal bag for your needs.

7 Best Bike Messenger Bags

Though there are many messenger bags on the market, we will review some of the best messenger bag models sold and used by cyclists. All of the bike messenger bags reviewed here are designed to fit well and utilize weight distribution most efficiently for your body.

Currier Bag vs Messenger Bag

Before we start shopping, let’s get one thing out of the way.

You may wonder what is the difference between a messenger bag and a courier bag.

The answer is simple – bike courier bag and messenger bag is the same thing.

Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag (Water-Resistant)

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This is a craftsmanship with over 30 years of experience in the field of bags. Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag is a close-fitting shoulder bag is simple yet classy and does precisely what it advertises. And it has a whopping variation of sizes and custom colors options. Depending on which size you will use, there’s plenty of storage for all your essentials (plus a change of clothes).

Bag Features

• Pockets: 6 slip, 1 zip
• Water-resistant
• Water bottle pocket
• Vista loop for attaching blinking lights
• TPU liner for easy wipe
• Grab handle for lifting

Pros

• Comfortable and adjustable shoulder strap
• Durable, weather-resistant materials
• A fair amount of organization
• Can fit up to 16-inch laptops
• Affordable

Cons

• Bag gets floppy (especially without a laptop)
• Not comfortable for heavier stuff or loads
• Liner pockets can cause the front of the bag to deflate when fully packed

Chrome Citizen Bike Messenger Satchel Bag with Seat Belt Buckle

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The Chrome bike messenger bags are considered one of the best messenger bags in the business, and it’s the industry standard of messenger bags. Chrome has mastered the art of making durable and high-quality messenger bags with its awesome design over the years.

Although Chrome Citizen Bike Messenger Satchel bag fits in a higher price range, you’ll know it’s worth it whenever you look at the build and feature. That’s why so many urban cyclists consider this one of the best bike messenger bags for commuting. Though it comes in only one size, fits all your daily essentials, including a 17-inch laptop. Overall, the bag is an all-rounder with just the right amount of features for a city life cyclist.

Feature

• Military-grade materials
• 24 Liters of capacity.
• Quick-release seat belt buckle strap
• Daisy-chain loop included attaching a bike light
• Lifetime guarantee on the bag
• Reflective logo & strap

Pros

• Nine colors to choose from
• EVA padded shoulder strap
• Cross chest buckle helps stabilize the load
• Durable nylon and waterproof liner
• Industrial strength hooks and loops
• Able to carry a 17-inch laptop
• Industrial strength Velcro holds the flap down
• Lifetime warranty on the bag

Cons

• Only comes in one size
• Tablet sleeves are sold separately
• No handle

Timbuk2 Especial Stash Weatherproof Messenger Bag

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Timbuk2 Especial Stash Weatherproof Messenger Bag comes in two different variations in sizes (medium and large)  that suit you the most. This cycling messenger bag is made of quality materials and has 17L of volume capacity, which is sufficient for most cyclists. This hard rider messenger bag has all the glory, like abrasion-resistant, highly reflective, customizable fit that both left-handed and right-handed people can use. The Napoleon side entry gives the user ease of access.

Bag Features

• Napoleon side-entry pocket for easy access on the inside without undoing the flap
• Ambidextrous shoulder strap with quick-release buckle
• Removable crossbody strap to ensure cross-body stabilization
• Ventilated panel in the back of the bag for airflow on your back.
• Magnetic buckles on the flap
• Reflective hits

Pros

• This bag fits most 15-17 inch laptops
• Magnetic buckle
• Next level design
• Vista loop to attach a blinking bike light
• Weatherproof
• Good strap length
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• The bag is a little short of compartments
• The bag can wear the color off quickly

Osprey Men’s FlapJack Courier Day Pack Bag

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Suppose you are looking for a perfectly organized bag for carrying your electronics gadgets and other cargo with ease without breaking the bank. In that case, the Osprey Men’s FlapJack Courier bag is an excellent choice for you. The Osprey FlapJack Courier Bag is a messenger bag for daily commute around the town. Headed to work or wandering around the outskirts, this 20L bag will help carry the essentials with you. Store items like a laptop, tablet, a bunch of snacks, even a rain jacket, plus a bit of reflective material to increase visibility to others in low-light situations. Unless you’re an avid bike commuter, you can go by with this bag at ease.

The pack consists of a hybrid internal/external water bottle pocket — the pocket closes up when you weigh the shoulder strap, closing the water bottle inside so it stays securely inside and doesn’t get scratched or damaged in bike transit. There are brilliant accessory organization pockets that keep the cables of your electronic gadgets organized and out of your way, with different options for usability ease.

Feature

• Seven interior slip pockets, two internal zip pockets, three slots for cards
• A zippered pocket gives some extra storage for smaller items that need quick access.
• Padded grab handle.
• Padded laptop sleeve (tablets too).
• Water bottle pocket for different shapes and sizes.

Pros

• Excellent laptop pouch
• Water bottles carrier
• Ample pockets and organization options
• Easy to adjust the shoulder strap
• Inexpensive
• Weather and water-resistant

Cons

• Not the best for avid bikers
• Not waterproof

Manhattan Portage Professional Bike Messenger Bag

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The Manhattan Portage Messenger bag is built with a robust and long-lasting material that can tolerate heavy use in busy and fast-paced city life and makes it easy. This bag has a vast storage capacity for your everyday needs. Large reflective stripes will make sure that you are seen from behind. Also, there are three color options to choose from Navy, Black & Orange.

Bag Feature

• Made of quality Cardura Plus nylon
• 1,600 cubic inches of volume inside the bag
• Spacious main pocket, an interior zippered room for small items, and a large zip pocket below the flap to store accessories.
• Vinyl lining to protect the items inside the bag from sudden rain showers or beverage spills.
• Velcro closures

Pros

• The bag pockets have zippers.
• Waterproof material of the bag.
• Metal strap buckle.
• Big reflective neon stripes.

Cons

• Some buyers thought it should be bigger.
• A little bit stiff.

Banjo Brothers Messenger Bag

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The Banjo Brothers Messenger Bag is an excellent option for any average everyday rider for his/her necessary stuff. The messenger bag is made of best in class ballistic nylon fabric and high-quality materials. Inside we have a removable padded laptop divider and cell holster. For such a sturdy, featured-packed messenger bag, Banjo Brothers have got this in at an exceptionally reasonable price.

Bag Features

• Ballistic fabric construction
• 14.5-inches long, 11-inches high, and 7-inches wide
• Internal padded laptop divider
• Six pockets – slip pockets
• Velcro-secured and zipped – plus slots for pens.
• Backside reflective piping and a tab for a safety light
• 19-liter capacity

Pros

• Ballistic fabric
• Dedicated laptop sleeve
• Removable Divider
• Shoulder Pad moveable strap for Right or Left Shoulder
• Loads of side pockets for small items
• Cell phone holster
• Water-resistant
• Compact size

Cons

• Can only fit up to a 14-inch laptop
• “Water-resistant,” not fully water-proof
• Could have more reflective panels

Kemy’s Messenger Bag

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Don’t let the look deceive you cause Kemy’s messenger bag looks much better in person than in the photos. Add the budget-friendly feature on top, which makes this bag more appealing. It has a spacious room in the main compartment that lets you store a 17-inch laptop with ease, and it’s a waterproof bag. You won’t go wrong in choosing the Kemy s Messenger bag for your cycling experience.

Bag Features

• Nylon Material
• Water-proof zippers
• Big enough main laptop compartment for even a 17-inch laptop
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Check your bag through security without taking away devices.

Pros

• Great value for the price
• Waterproof
• Spacious main compartment
• Reflective logo for safety.

Cons

• Side compartments are not that spacious

Bicycle Messenger Bag Buying Guide

Do you daily commute to school, college, or work? In any case, a bicycle messenger bag will satisfy all of your carrying needs. If the bag you have like is comfortable, waterproof, and comes with ample additional perks, you’re making the proper choice. Brands such as Banjo Brothers, Leaper retro, Timbuk2, Chrome has a wide array of messenger bags. With that said, all the products listed here are excellent choices. The simplest option for somebody else won’t be the simplest one for you. Make sure to check the feature packs of each bike messenger bag that suit your needs the most and the best cycling messenger bag for you.

Comfort

All the cycling messenger bags above are more or less comfortable for everyday use. Though there is no single winner here. The Timbuk2 Especial and Timbuk2 Classic bags with long shoulder straps and curved air mesh straps with cotton canvas design ensure comfort level and ease of use, unlike others.

Ventilation

Ventilation is vital as these bags are cross-body and wraps around your back. Luckily all of the manufacturers above have made the bicycle messenger bags as ventilated as possible. Make sure to look for a well-ventilated design.

Waterproof Features

Waterproofing and water resistance are not equal things. All of the bags here are water-resistant, but only some of them are fully waterproof messenger bags, meaning they won’t let any liquid get inside the bag even when drowned in a little bit of water. Some people don’t face such environments where they don’t need a fully waterproof messenger bag. TPU liner on flaps can keep the rain and shower out, which is adequate for most people. And the non-waterproof ones are less costly.

Size

There are different sizes of cycling messenger bags on the market for different types of people. Some of the products featured here have different sizes for the same model, which means more options. Especially, the Timbuk2 has many different sizes for a single model and a ton of color selections for your preference.

Materials

Nylon is among the popular options but you can find a stylish leather messenger bag if you are looking for something displaying higher status.

Additional Features

Additional features can be a unique bag feature in a strap, like the Chrome Citizen messenger bag, which has a bottle opener in the belt. Handlebars and quick eject buttons on the bag are two added features that some cyclist messenger bags may have. These are not obligatory but will assuredly make your life easier and the product more appropriate. If the bag has reflective materials, you won’t be needing to worry about riding a bike at night. And there are so many designs out there to choose from. Pick yours!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are messenger bags in style?

Some of the bags reviewed here are the epitome of style when it comes to design. They can be sleek and compact, which will revamp your style if compared to bike commuter backpacks.

Why are messenger bags fit for biking?

Messenger bags are made as a complementary product for biking because you can’t stuff all your cargo in your pocket when biking, be it bicycle or motorcycle. These shoulder bags reviewed above are mostly ergonomic and feature-packed so that it doesn’t get in your way of driving. If you need to take anything out of it, all you have to do is pull the bag to the front and take what you want.

How to put on a messenger bag on a bike?

Wearing a messenger bag on the bike is as simple as wearing a seatbelt in a car. The bag wraps diagonally over your shoulder and has a crossbody strap, and whenever you need to reach for the bag, you articulate your belt back to bring the messenger bag in front.

How to ride a bike wearing a messenger bag?

The messenger bags shown above are perfect for riding a bike. It’s just a different take on the sling bags you see every day. They won’t make you compromise on your bike riding.

Can I carry groceries in my messenger bag?

Yes, you can carry groceries in your messenger bag. If you regularly go shopping on your bicycle, I suggest to consider getting an insulated bag, like these, I have reviewed in my review of backpacks for groceries.

Conclusion

Whether you are a student or a job holder, or a dedicated cyclist, you must have seen or heard about messenger bags. It’s a useful tool for any regular biker and a good alternative to a cycling backpack.

You should always opt for a messenger bag if you need to carry many multiple small items in one go, including a laptop. There are many brands around like Chrome, Timbuk2, and Osprey.

And here, we presented the best in-the-line cycling messenger bags in 2023 for cyclists worldwide. Check the features of all of them to decide which one is the best choice for you.

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