I’m always on the lookout for a better bag to carry my daily things. I’ve bought quite a few messenger bags and backpacks in the past (it’s kind of my obsession), but my previous bag just wasn’t working out. The Manfrotto was too big and bulky, uncomfortable to carry, and the inner lining was starting to fray. I might use it again if I need to carry a lot of stuff in a second bag but it is definitely not a bag that I enjoyed using every day.
When in REI I like to check out the bags and I came across the new REI Transit Messenger Bag. As some of you might know, I used to have an older model Transit bag that I loved. However, my infatuation with the Manfrotto bag led me astray and I sold that to a friend. So when I saw the new Transit bag, I was happy. I even liked the colors! There was a black one with lime green interior, or the green one with light grey interior. I chose the green one since the black was a little boring.
There are many things I love about this bag, and only one that could use improvement (in my eyes) and it is not a big deal at all. So, I’ll start off with the con and get that out of the way. On the main flap, there are two straps that you can fasten, which function to strengthen the bag when you carry it by the handle. It would be cool if these straps worked as compression straps to cinch down and make the bag a little slimmer in width. But like I said, not a big deal.
The Transit bag fulfills pretty much everything I am looking for in a bag these days. It has ample space for my DSLR, an extra lens, battery charger, Kindle, laptop, and extra cables. For the camera stuff, I added the padded insert from my old canvas camera bag into the main compartment. Everything is snug and protected.
To access the main compartment, you can use either the outside zipper (which is next to your body when carrying the bag with the shoulder strap) or the inner zipper under the flap. The outside zipper is great for quickly getting to the camera, and also makes accessing the laptop easy and convenient. No need to lift up the flap (and hearing the velcro). I’ve kept this zipper open when I was taking photos for an event, and could quickly grab the lens I needed.
The inner zipper adds a little more security. With other messenger bags, the flap is the only cover for the main compartment, but in the new Transit bag you can keep the main compartment fully closed, even while accessing the pockets under the main flap. Having the main compartment zippered up also adds some structural strength while carrying with the handle. When the inner zipper is opened, you have wide access to the main compartment.
The flap itself is held down with two patches of velcro, and you can also secure it with two straps. The straps add strength when you are carring a heavy load and pick up the bag using the handle. Without the straps, the velcro is not strong enough. On the outside of the flap is a zippered pocket, and underneath the flap there is a long pocket filled with even more pockets! Perfect for pens, cellphone, mouse, etc.
On the sides of the bag are elastic pockets for water-bottles (I put my wallet in one of them) Above those are smaller hidden pockets (I put my keys here). This is very convenient!
Lastly, the shoulder strap and carrying handle are nicely padded. The strap has a grippy shoulder pad, and is attached to the bag by metal swivels. The back of the bag (the side that rests against your body) is padded as well, and is flexible enough to curve a bit against your body. All this makes for a very comfortable bag to carry around.
In conclusion, this is the best messenger-style bag I’ve owned. I think I’ll keep it for a while!
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