Review: Roundup: 3 Sharp Messenger Bags Tested and Rated

If you don't possess a fixie or an ironic moustache, that doesn't mean you can't rock an awesome messenger bag. For porting around light loads (like netbooks) these single-strap pouches are ideal. We took a look at three of our favorite makers to see what bags would be best for slinging our stuff around school.

Roundup: 3 Sharp Messenger Bags Tested and Rated

Learn How We Rate ##### Wired

Smaller size is great, as is the snug laptop sleeve. Lots of organization opportunities.

Roundup:

• 1/10A complete failure in every way
• 2/10Sad, really
• 3/10Serious flaws; proceed with caution
• 4/10Downsides outweigh upsides
• 5/10Recommended with reservations
• 6/10Solid with some issues
• 7/10Very good, but not quite great
• 8/10Excellent, with room to kvetch
• 9/10Nearly flawless
• 10/10Metaphysical perfection

GAMA-GO Go-Right Messenger Bag

Standing out in a crowd of eerily identical hipsters just got a bit easier.

GAMA-GO decks out its bags with colorful images of animals, music paraphernalia and the occasional firearm. The large main compartment is lined with handy organizational pockets — two of which are see-through and perfect for finding elusive small items. (Missing thumbdrive? Got it!) Two surprisingly roomy zippered pockets in front provide the quick, on-the-fly access students need for things like bus passes, keys and maybe a sweet new Palm Pre.

A laptop sleeve would've given this bag a home run, but alas, its lack keeps it to a solid base hit. Also, the seatbelt-style metal buckle on the strap is hip and handy but can also be a literal pain when it falls — on your foot.

As an awkward middle school kid dealing with new body odors and unexpected hair growth, what was the one thing you could always count on? Your sweet Jansport backpack, of course!

Now you can relive your most awkward days with a Jansport messenger bag. As a means of transporting a laptop or stack of papers, this bag does a darn good job. The main body has an integrated quilted laptop sleeve that holds a 15-inch MacBook Pro safe and snug. The zippered front pocket is generous on space and includes enough organizational features to make a geek salivate.

The downside? It's currently only available in one color — Cuban Brown — and even though it boasts the Jansport name, its ugliness is bound to get you teased in the hallway.

Is there anything more embarrassing than someone having the same trendy messenger bag as you? One could just die of humiliation.

Prevent such a disaster with a completely one-of-a-kind YakPak. These messenger bags are made from discarded vinyl billboard material, so no two are alike. Score! The bag features a basic assortment of pockets, and the repurposed vinyl ensures that it's durable and water-resistant. We wouldn't trust a laptop in here unless it was in a padded case — one absent-minded toss on a desk or not-so-gentle drop on the floor could mean serious damage for your computing pal.

The look and feel of the bag reminds us very much of those of-the-moment duct-tape wallets. But at the end of the day, this bag makes a better fashion statement than a carry-all.

WIRED Durable (we couldn't get it to tear). Waterproof (vinyl repels moisture). One of a kind (made from old billboards). Available as a backpack (we dig choices).

TIRED It smells like nasty old vinyl (and not in that good vintage-record–store way). Use with caution — lack of padding means gadgets are not safe from even minor thumps.

$40, yakpak.com