A FULL MONTY
HAVE you got a baggage problem? And by that, we don’t mean the emotional kind. We may have found the perfect do-it-all messenger bag.
MISSION WORKSHOP VX MONTY MESSENGER BAG
P12,500 for the VX Monty, P7,800.00 for the non-VX Monty from www.tenkiebox.ph
Messenger bags in general have been something of an irony. It may look cool carrying around a bag that was meant for a NYC/SFO/favorite western city bicycle courier - but here’s the thing: we aren’t bicycle couriers, nor do we deal with odd-sized/oversized objects that require crosstown delivery in a jiffy. Our typical daily baggage would include: a laptop, a tablet (or both), a mobile phone (or all three), the requisite chargers for said gadgets, a notebook, several pens, a change of clothes (or gym wear, this is Fit Kit, after all), a water bottle, maybe even a sandwich. To pack such cargo into a real messenger bag will not do - most are just one big cavernous compartment that swallows anything you put in it - lunch included. Other messenger bags are too small to carry such, or aren’t comfy at all when packed full, slung over one shoulder. Some look too … sporty, and would be out of place in say, a business meeting, job interview or client call.
Meet the Monty - just one from a roster of bags and gear from Mission Workshop, based in San Francisco. The company’s err, mission, is to “design and develop…gear that out-performs, while maintaining a clean aesthetic appropriate for cycling, travel, and the daily routine.” Every bag is meticulously made in the US of A (with the appropriate price tag), and the quality is evident if you delve into the details.
The Monty’s exterior is made out of VX sailcloth that is lightweight, durable, and waterproof. The fabric also has a laminate coating to seal it from the elements. The shoulder strap is wide, thickly padded, with a man-sized quick-release buckle that works like an airliner’s - pull latch open to release, etc. A cross-strap goes under the other arm to stabilize the load when on a bike (this is, after all, a messenger’s bag right?). A hefty velcro strap let’s you swap the strap to your other shoulder, if you prefer.
As far as carrying capacity is concerned, the Monty has four compartments - two pockets which are covered by a flap. These pockets are handy for carrying your smart phone, pens, bicycle lock, etc. - basically anything you want quick access to. Aside from velcro, this flap is secured by Mission Workshop’s patented Arkiv buckles - neat metal pieces that slide over reinforced canvas rails. Above these two pockets is a zippered compartment that’s big enough for an iPad, or indeed a MacBook Air. The main compartment has a roll-top, which is handy for oversized or irregularly-shaped loads. You can also use the roll-top as a traditional strap, which the aforementioned Arkiv buckles slide over to keep in place.
We took the Monty along on bike commuting trips to meetings. Typical contents include the following: bicycle U-lock, keys, and pens in one pocket; water bottle in the other; iPad, iPhone and associated plugs and cables in the zippered compartment; large notebook, several magazines, a change of clothes, small towel, steel cable for the bike, pump, tools, lights in the main compartment. Packing revealed some caveats: To solve the issue of the cavernous main compartment, we resorted to putting our clothes in large zip-loc bags, and the bike tools and lights in another. We also managed to jam the second compartment’s liner in its zipper. After a few bouts of forceful tugging, it came free - with no damage to either liner or zipper, thankfully. We also wished the liner was made of a brighter, or whiter, material - to help find things inside the compartments. The Monty is also devoid of the usual reflective tabs and trimmings you’ll find in typical messenger bags. At least it has a loop for a blinky light. Niggles aside, however…
It was surprising how comfortable the Monty is. The wide shoulder strap does a good job of distributing the load, and keeping the weight pressed slightly on the small of your back. This is key not just when on the bike, zipping thru traffic, but also when walking around. The VX fabric (and to a lesser degree, the cordura used in the more affordable version of the Monty), does a good job in keeping our precious cargo nice and dry. Mud and dirt are easily cleaned off of it too. The quick-release buckle makes it a cinch - literally - to loosen the strap and swing the bag around to the front for security checks and easy access. The Monty’s comfort and capacity also make it the ideal travelling partner. Whether it’s for carry-on baggage on an aircraft, a day trip, or an overnighter, this bag fits the bill. If you scoff at the price premium on the VX model, you’ll be glad to know that the Monty is also available in a more affordable guise, sans the fancy fabric, (and in a lot more colors) for a lot less coin.
Suffice to say, whichever variant you choose, the Monty comes fully loaded, even when empty.
Specifications
- Measures: 16'' x 10'' x 5''
- Capacity: 1,300 cu. in. (21 L)
- Bag weight: 2.75 lbs (1.25 Kg)
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