Backpack or the Messanger Bag?

Backpacks for heavier 17" desktop replacement, messenger bag for light weights. Actually a mere sleeve will do for lighter notebooks.

 

Ya know I have been a backpack kinda guy forever but after reading some of the opinions and observations about the messenger style bag, I am considing trying one.

I have RA and any more cannot hold things in my hands from more then a few minutes and my shoulders are always cranky. I can certainly see the ergonomic advantage of the messenger bag as it's I might be more likely to wear it properly then I am likely to wear my backpack style case correctly.

I think most of us wear the backpack more as a shoulder bag anyway. Not many wear it as a pack...cuz well that looks sorta dorkie...hehehehe...but as body parts are begining to fall off I am begining to look for comfort over appearence.

Though I still think is I had a longer distance to walk a pack style bag worn properly of course would be better then a messenger bag. But until I actually try one out I won't know. So, it's time to visit Ross & TJ Maxx to see if they have any sleepers.

So THANKS for the thread!

 

Carrying a messenger bag will make one trapezius look bigger than the other. I got the Swiss Gear Synergy and its great! Highly Recommended.

 

I have the backpack that I reviewed in my signature. I love it. So far I have been able to fit all my textbooks into it but it is still small enough to be manageable.
Tim

 

Agreed. This is a very durable, quality backpack.

 

Backpacks all the way! I have hip/lower back problems and I can barely walk after 15 minutes with a messenger bag.

 

I bought this nGear carrying case on sale @ 15$ CND.

http://search.ncix.com/productdetail2.php?noheader=1&sku=17690

It's PERFECT and the quality is pretty good, fits my 15.4'' perfectly.

 

A mix for me. I have one of each. I got a backpack when I had my 9lb. Dell I8000 a long time ago. Now that I have an XPS m1210, I use an Ogio City Messanger. I can fit the Laptop and the adapter in the laptop space (which is not against my body, and I like it that way). So right now, I vote messanger for small, backpack for large.

 

I've got the Swiss Gear Synergy as well and it's awesome. I tried a messenger-style bag first and it was just killer on the shoulder if I had anything else in it but the backpack. Forget about having 1-2 textbooks + laptop in there, it would just be horrible shoulder pain for the entire day.

 

Backpack best for big loads and longer distances. For medium loads and shorter distances my current favourite is the attached shoulder bag. I find the flaps on the normal messenger bag design impede accessibility and just add bulk.

John

 

I carry way too many books to use a messenger bag plus pulling a strap over my head all the time will mess up my sexy hair.

So, Backpacks all the way!

 

Just a quick question:
Is it possible to have a 17'' backpack if you have a 15.4'' laptop ? Will the laptop be agitated when traveling ?

 

I bought the best backpack money will buy. It is huge, has wheels and its laptop compartment has thick padding.

 

So, the options are:

* The old backpack style
* The cool and urban messanger (sic) style bag

A bit of a leading question, isn't it?

---

Since I go everywhere on my motorcycle, the cool and urban backpack style is most useful and secure.

 

looks to me like the messenger is not as cool as the poll creator thinks coz backpacks are leading as of now....to me backpacks are a better choice coz of the comfort unlike a messenger hitting you from the side when you walk

 

and the messenger always hurts ya shoulders after a long time.

 

i choose the backpack when i go around trips
as it makes me feel way more secure of my laptop and equal weight distribution on the straps help to keep the strain on my back down to a minimum as opposed to the one strap messnger pack
but then again thats just me or my opinion what others feel maybe different
while i travel abroad i carry it in a travel bag equipped with small wheels though its convinient it does add to the professional look it does add a considerable amount of weight

 

Messengers hurt...alot, but i have horrible back problems.

 

TomBihn Brain Backpack is a nice one. However, please be aware that it does not protect by default your laptop.You will need to add either the Tom Bihn Monolith or the Tom Bihn Brain Cell to protect your laptop.

 

After using a messenger-style for several months, I finally switched to a backpack. I found the Victornix Bond: lots of pockets, removable laptop protector, very roomy, easy to adjust, and much more comfortable and a lot lighter than the messenger bag. The only downside to this has been the zippers: feel kind of cheap and don't zip open/closed very easily.

Got mine from Edwards Luggage. Ebags has them, too, but only in blue.

 

i was actually thinking about buying that bag...you should write a review of it.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I will do one this weekend when I can get some pics of it and post them.

Have been using it for a week. Kind of pricey ($108 - $120). So far, so good.

 

just a Q. i plan on getting the G1s and i'm wondering how the backpack that comes with that is. should i get myself a better backpack before going off to college or do you think that one would be good? i'll be an engineering major at RU, so a bit of traveling is likely.

 

My opinion would be try your backpack first, test it for about a week & then you should decide if you need a better backpack.

or​

Try different backpack in a store but make sure they put the amount of weight of your laptop, so it should give you a better idea how it will feel when you carry it around.

I got a Dell XPS backpack for my M1710, it works great!
Especially for school, it has alot of padding to protect my notebook from books & others stuff in it.

 

thanks that seems like a very good idea.

 

Im looking to buy the king single from crumpler..

Its the only stylish laptop back I like.

It will go nice with my T61 (whenever it ships)

 

I actually have the same dilema I don't know I feel walking around with a backpack looks to school childish I also cringe when I wear a suit and a backpack. I am getting a Vaio SZ it weighs only 4 pounds so I feel I can do with a messenger bag problem is I don't know what I will have to carry I mean If I just need my lappy and a notebook I would rather have a messenger bag but If I am going to lug around text books I would stick with my backpack

 

I have a north face recon 2 back pack. it is an EXCELLENT backpack and it has a built in laptop sleeve. cost about 70 bucks, very stylish and functional.

 

I know that ultimately.. I would use both a messenger and backpack if I had both. So the question for me is which I one I want to nab before the other

I love the Zephyr briefcase from Tom Bihn, but I know a briefcase would be useless lugging around a laptop on a college campus.
If I had to get one, I'd probably get the ID messenger bag(Tom Bihn again), although I'd like to get the Brain Bag and Imago messenger bag if I buy two

 

I believe this is a thing of style. I always used messenger style bags, but then kind of got bored. Then i chose backpack, and it is more comfortable. Then I found this great backpack, that you can also roll because it has wheels. I am very happy with it.

my 2cents

 

I currently use a Chrome messenger bag. It stores a lot, rides well and looks pretty slick (though the seatbelt buckle annoys me). Recently I started feeling a lot of shoulder pain on the side the strap sits on and my doctor, a sports medicine specialist, recommended switching to a backpack or reducing the load I carry significantly. I just ordered a High Sierra Swerve that was $25.99 shipped from Amazon when I placed my order. Haven't received it yet but it got great reviews, especially for that price.

 

I actually have both. The backpack is more comfortable for long walks or on a bike but the messenger back looks more professional for business situations. In both cases I opted against notebook-specific bags because they advertise what's inside and offered fewer options in terms of style, size, and price. Both bags do have decent padding but neither is sufficient so I also have a neoprene notebook sleeve. I'm very happy with the combination of cost and protection this system provides.

My current 14.1 inch 4:3 screen Inspiron fits snuggly in a Body Glove sleeve. For my Latitude D830 on order, I've purchased a Mobile Edge SlipSuit notebook sleeve. The D830 should fit comfortably in both my backpack and messenger bag.

Long-story short: if I were in college I'd go with a backpack but out in the real world the messenger bag is an accessory worth having.

 

Does anyone have a Crumpler Messenger Bag? I am pretty sure I am going to get the "Considerable Embarrassment" bag for my laptop, but I am wondering about the apparently large amount of velcro on the bag (this was mentioned in some reviews I read). Has anyone had a problem or found the noise of the velcro a problem?

 

Can anyone point me in the right direction to a yellow backpack that doesn't look like it was made for a woman? I ordered the E1520 in yellow, and would like my bag to match, but can't find any decent ones, still looking, but if you guys know of one would be great!

 

I use a messenger bag. I don't see how anyone who leaves their house at least once a day to go out into public could possibly believe a messenger bag is feminine. There are quite a few distinct indications for the not-so-obtuse that a messenger bag and purse are nothing alike. But anyway.

Messenger bags are better for me because I don't have to swing a backpack around in a 180 degree arc every time I want to get something from it (jostling its contents in the process), let alone have to set it down on the ground very gently. That's really annoying.

I use a messenger bag with a well padded strap and I switch shoulders when one feels strained. One can also carry a messenger bag with one hand via the handle, or push it towards the front of me, for nimbly navigating crowded areas. I always love when some backpacker smacks everyone around him in the metro. Very graceful.

In terms of security (like for pickpocketers in Paris), you can swing the bag in front of you and to keep an eye on things.

Backpacks look silly in the professonal world, but when it comes down to it so do ties (who the hell invented an accessory that also serves as an easy way to choke someone?) and suits (why do we have to wear a jacket in the middle of the summer?), but what can you do?

And lastly, there is no way in hell you'd ever convince me of putting my laptop directly on my lap so I can fry my cahoonas. A messenger bag provides a safe and stable table (and you don't even have to take it off your shoulder) to place your laptop on while you use it. This is one of the best advantages.

 

I'll go with backpack any time, that's me

 

I prefer messenger bag for the laptop,because I feel the laptop's more safe...

I just bought a Dicota Pep Up Black and I really love it!!

 

I'd like to purchase a Messenger bag, with a handle so when your shoulder tires you can switch.

 

Either backpad or sleeve for me.

 

I used a messenger bag before and would always get that straining feeling on my shoulder, now I just used the Odyssey backpack. With the messenger bag I also had my backpack on me so for me goig with the Odyssey backpack was a better choice.

 

I actually have a Ogio Sector Z backpack, but I also recently purchased a sleeve case for my laptop, and it doesn't fit all that well with the sector Z, so I am probably going to be replacing mine this fall with the Ogio Metro, or something similar that is made more for 17" laptops and would hold my case and laptop combo much better then my current choice.

 

i use my alienware odyssey messenger bag and love it.

I have had no problem with the weight.

 

(no offence but..) if you live in a city you'll basically see three kinds of people wearing backpacks: school kids, tourists and nerds. Though I must admit that nerds have got alot better in the fashion and style department so backbacks aren't that common sights even around technological universities.

If you're getting pain in the back or shoulder from carrying a messenger bag you could alternate which side you're carrying it on. Chances are that you have a too big laptop and never go to the gym, which would qualify you as a nerd so you could go for a backpack anyway

 

I just recently ordered the Belkin 17" messenger bag with my 1720, saved me a lot of time from trying to find a good looking 17" case, It also comes in a sweet black and red or cream and lime, alot like the 360

 

Agreed, fhein. 6.5 pounds? Start working out and that becomes feather weight. You guys can call them man purses but it takes more of a man to actually carry them

 

I am not worried about weight as much as I am the ability to carry all my books, and keep my laptop protected, next comes style, finally weight distro. That is why I currently use a ogio sector z backpack because it is VERY comfortable, and protects my stuff. But I would like to find a messenger bag that does the same and looks good to boot with out leaving a gigantic whole in my wallet. A friend of mine has a Chrome Metropolis bag, and I really like that, but they are $$$.

 

How are the Mobile Edge Select V-Load's? I ordered one with my Vostro, because it was cheap, heh.

 

Im getting the Dell Vostro also.. Im kinda thinking of getting the alienware backpack for university cuz I hear that it has enough extra room for a binder and textbook.. but Im worried that it'll stand out too much

what do you guys think??

 

I have been using a IBM/Lenovo messenger style bag that was provided by work and it's been great! Granted I'm not carrying piles of folders or papers but it still fits the extra mouse, power adapters, network cables etc. Only problem I have had is one of the zipper handle fall off.

Before I started working I had a backpack for lugging my things to university. Now I'm a messenger bag convert as I'm not walking for miles at a time.

 

Man, if someone was trying to steal my laptop... Just running in a backpack vs messenger bag is easier.