Where do I start with this great bag,
First of all it's huge, and can fit virtually as much gear as you can store in it. I travel often with my urban and am able to fit 2 day worth of clothes plus all my toiletries in the bag, as well as my laptop and 7 inch tablet. So if you're traveling it's an awesome bag as it is permissible as a carry-on bag.
Furthermore a lot of the little amenities really add to the bag. The front pocket on the huge flap, is bisected into two compartments allowing you to store items without all tumbling together, and the smaller pocket fits larger phones like a galaxy s2. The t-strap that comes standard really helps stabilize the bag wether you or running, walking, or bicycling making it easier to carry. The 4 pen slots also are helpful for those who use it as a work bag.
Of course the bag is waterproof, I've walked in a absolute downpour and all of my gear was easily protected and totally dry. It's also ridiculously rugged, it can withstand a beating and the bag conforms to the shape of the contents making it easy to store, and carry.
Speaking of carrying, even with massive weight the bag feels balanced and sits comfortably against your hip distributing its weight evenly, and the shoulder strap seatbelt is comfortable for hours.
I also love the choice of colors for the piping, and the ash interior provides a great contrast, making locating items very easy.
The Urban Is a bag i'll keep for years and will enjoy using everyday.
Also it's very eco conscious which means its not only a great bag, its great for the environment.
Alchemy Goods Urban Bag Rules
Just going to start out by saying this bag is fantastic! I had recently changed jobs and am now doing my commuting by either bike or walking. And living in Seattle our lovely waterlogged weather makes for a soggy commute. So I was on the hunt for a.)Something large enough to carry a laptop to and from work and b.)is waterproof.
I had driven by the Alchemy Goods shop in Seattle before and did some research and found their website and found that their bags met both of my criteria but with added bonuses! Not only is it large enough to hold my work computer comfortably as well as other things inside with the computer in there, it's waterproof and made of re-used (or upcycled) materials! And it's made by a local independent small business which I'm also an avid supporter of. It's a winning combination all around!
I primarily bought this bag for work, but I now use it for everything! Wether it's packing it for a weekend trip or filling it up with stacks of vinyl from the record store it's awesome. It's already proven it's worth every penny on the first walk home in the rain with the computer in tow.
Buy Alchemy Goods Urban Messenger Bag, Made from Recycled Bike Tubes Now
Last year, I was looking for a new messenger bag to hold my laptop, lunch, and other various things for work. I also needed something that would be durable and could stand up to the wear and tear that comes from being an early childhood teacher. The Urban bag has perfectly met my needs and then some. Since the bag is made from re-purposed bike tires and car seat belts it's able to withstand a lot.
I really like how the bag itself is completely waterproof from the outside. I never have to worry about anything getting wet with the rubber outer material. The bag is fully adjustable and very comfortable, even with a lot of things inside.
However, what really differentiates this product from others is the attention to detail. The designers at Alchemy goods have obviously put a lot of care and thought into their craftsmanship. The many pockets help separate and further protect my laptop, as well as provide a place for my water bottle, iPod, umbrella and other items. The best evidence of Alchemy's thoughtfulness is their key clip. Almost daily I think about how awesome this feature is. I never have to dig though the bag for my keys, which could be an issue in this somewhat larger bag.
If you're looking for an eco-friendly and head-turning product, this is a great choice. It's extremely durable and utilitarian. Best of all, Alchemy has a great warranty and will replace defective products if needed. Please support this great company. I look forward to seeing what other products they come up with!
Read Best Reviews of Alchemy Goods Urban Messenger Bag, Made from Recycled Bike Tubes Here
I have had my Ag urban messenger bag for a couple of days now, and I'm delighted with it.
I bought it because my leather satchel was taking a real beating, and after 4 years, I wanted an upgrade.
What did I want?
I wanted a bag that looked good, and that could hold a lot. I'm a teacher, so need to carry lots of marking etc. home with me.
I take my bag with me everywhere, so it had to be able to survive nights on the floors of pubs, music festivals, and anything else I chose to throw at it.
I'm having a baby in August, so also wanted something that could double up as a diaper/changing bag (and not look like one!)
I looked at a load of bags leather was ruled out pretty quickly as it doesn't wear as well, and wasn't enough of a departure from my satchel. There are some great messenger bags on the market, but I eventually chose the Urban.
Why the Ag Urban?
It looks very cool. I've only had it a couple of days, but already it has attracted some very positive comments from friends. You can still see the manufacturer details of some of the inner tubes that have been used, which is pretty cool.
It's a Tardis you really can fill it as much as you want. I can carry a laptop, A4 notebooks, files, lunch, kindle, keys, wallet, phone, and all the other bits and pieces needed for the day, and it doesn't come anywhere close to being full. The only limiting factor is how much you can carry!
The front zip pocket is really useful holds my phone and wallet so I can access them without opening the main compartment.
There is a compartment at the back designed for a laptop. It doesn't have any padding though, so you'll need a sleeve or cover. This will be very useful for storing a changing mat.
I really like the upcycling concept. 76% of the bag is made from recycled products, and supporting this very sustainable ethos is important to me. It's also nice to think that my bag has a whole history that is completely individual. The inner tubes and seatbelts used to make it will have travelled hundreds of miles in their lifetime, and now they have been reincarnated!
What's it like to live with?
Even when packed full, it's comfortable to carry. The T-strap is a great addition, and makes it very stable while spreading the weight evenly across your back.
Last night I was caught in a massive downpour, and everything inside was completely dry no need to worry about expensive electronics getting water-damaged.
It doesn't feel like a huge bag. You might expect something that can lug around 32 beer cans to flap about and be unwieldy, but the Urban doesn't. I'm happy just carrying my kindle and a notebook in it, using it as an everyday bag.
The only thing I might be tempted to add is a bit of padding to the strap, but I could just go out and buy one. In fact, I should probably get involved with the Alchemy Goods ethos and upcycle something of mine!
All in all, a fantastic purchase. If you need a big bag that looks great, this should be seriously considered.
Want Alchemy Goods Urban Messenger Bag, Made from Recycled Bike Tubes Discount?
I wrote up a great product review but I forgot to publish! So here it is to the best of my memory.
This bag is great. I abused it for 2.5 years and it finally broke because some dolt dropped a heavy object onto the plastic clip that controls the shoulder strap length. It is well made, but I think it hit at the right angle.
The positives:
-The bag is water repellant. It will withstand a light drizzle but don't go singing in the rain during Spring Texas showers.
-The bag is sleek and one of a kind.
-The shoulder strap is wide enough that it disperses the forces and makes it easier on the shoulder. This is a biggie. Too often have I had messenger bags dig into my shoulder and cause terrible pain.
-The bag is big. B I G big. It can fit a lot in it. It is deep, wide, and tall. I fit a 13" Macbook, books, and spirals in it. Oh, and I still had room. The limiting factor is the weight that you can carry.
-The interior does fine with coffee or other liquid spills. It drys out fine and you would have to worry about anything getting mucked up!
-There are interior pockets and pen holders along with a exterior pocket.
Negatives:
-The bag has a weight to it. Because of the material it isn't light like a feather, but because of the material it is very durable. The bag can withstand a beating.
I highly suggest this bag and thoroughly enjoyed the time I used it!
Purchased because it was recommended by Scott Kelby pro photog. Not sure why he likes it. The Velcro in the camera compartment is non adjustable. Their in not any Velcro on one of the four corners. Their is a 1/2 strip of Velcro on the bottom. Basically the compartment is divided in half and you cannot make one compartment bigger than another. My 5d iii with 24-105 attached does not fit. You would have to put the lens in one side and the body in another. Completely defeats the purpose of 'ease to get to'. A small DSLR with short zoom kit lens would fit just fine.
