Best Active Messenger Finalists:
Fourth Annual Carry Awards

Built tough to go the distance – be it on foot or by bike – these shoulder bags and messengers are ready for action. Versatile in form and function, our Best Active Messenger finalists are designed for comfort on the move and quick, easy access to your gear. Outdoor hikes, the daily commute, globetrotting and more…these bags are always up for the journey.

Log your vote at the bottom of the page!

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Peak Design Everyday Messenger

Here’s a messenger that is innovating on several fronts, without losing sight of usability. The Everyday Messenger received nominations in both Specialist and Active messenger categories, speaking volumes to its versatility. With its fast and configurable low-volume padding, excellent hardware, well-thought-out pocketing and countless considered details, it’s a very accomplished bag that takes care of your EDC and camera gear equally well.

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Blue Ridge Overland Gear Got to Go Bag

As tactical brands fill out their messenger offerings, we’re starting to see the benefits of MOLLE systems bedded into the single strap format. With the Got to Go bag forming your foundation zone, you get to choose how you tack on or in your additional carry needs through a combination of Velcro and webbing that maximizes the bag’s useful surface area. Versatile enough for EDC needs and outdoor adventures, this messenger can haul a laptop and daily essentials, lug your gear for an overnight trip, and keep important outdoor tools within easy reach on your next hike or fishing trip.

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Life Behind Bars Echelon

With the Echelon, you get a cavernous main compartment, clever strapping, comfort when loaded, and genuine weatherproof construction. Oh, and being based in Jakarta, you also get a price that is half to a third of comparable US-based brands. The Echelon is packed full of features including a light-colored interior for enhanced visibility, magnetic sliding buckles, a padded laptop compartment situated to the front of the bag, thoughtful pocketing, reversible straps in an X-harness configuration and the ability to carry oversized loads. We’re loving the growth in Asian carry brands, as they find their rhythm and start pushing designs forward, and the Echelon is a great example of this.

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Mixed Works Hawk M Cobra

We’re being clichés of ourselves here, but we think it’s justified. Mixed Works make solid bike bags, without the credit they deserve. They recently took their Hawk M messenger, and whacked some Cobras on the front. Knowing how important good buckles are on a messenger, we thought this was a worthy inclusion. But there’s more to this bag than just awesome hardware. A weatherproof construction, padded laptop sleeve, removable stabilizer strap and the flexibility to alternate between left and right-handed use makes this a commendable addition to our finalist group.

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And Wander 20L Messenger

And Wander is one of those cult brands that you either get, or you don’t. They’re Japanese, they often use UHMWPE fabrics, and they run with a fun 80’s tech vibe that brings modern performance in on the act. Their 20L has all of that brand charm housed in a well-proportioned and very useful messenger bag, giving you capacity without weight. The strap accommodates both left and right shoulder setups, while the detachable stabilizer strap keeps the load in check on the go.

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Klättermusen Fenja

Klättermusen continue to develop their unique aesthetic, driven in part by function and in part by their Swedish perspective. The Fenja combines versatile carry configurations with strong environmental stewardship. There are tech pockets, good weatherproofing, and their recycled Nylon fabrics that stand up to years of abuse.

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Descente Allterrain x Porter Messenger

If you haven’t yet read our gush about the Descente Allterrain x Porter collaboration, you should go and read that in the Work Backpack nominations. Not wanting to repeat ourselves, we’ll say that this messenger is sportier in feel, just as soft in fabric and form, and brings a clean Euro sport tech vibe to the world of messengers. Water-resistant construction, a sleek silhouette, space for a laptop and a stabilizer strap for comfort on the go make this an attractive and versatile bag.

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Arc’teryx Blanca Tote

Most brands treat a tote as a basic two-strap hauler to showcase fabric. Arc’teryx have never taken the conventional road, and so their tote re-patterns the classic format to have a more technical and dynamic vibe. Whether you want it for yoga, shopping or as a daily work hauler, you’ll be able to quickly access and carry your essentials without fear of rain or wear. The handles are long enough to sling over a shoulder and the weatherproof construction can take a beating and keep going strong.

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Kriega Urban Messenger

Kriega has brought the same innovative thinking it employs in their moto packs to an urban messenger bag. Understated, badass, and reasonably priced. There’s a full roll-top closure for the main contents, innovative hardware (like their counter-facing G hooks), and plenty of bike-specific optimizations such as a removable waist strap and adjustable shoulder strap for left or right-handed use. Great stuff.

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Millican Nick Messenger

Over the last season or two Millican have started to supplement their heritage-inspired carry goods with lighter and more modern options, which the Nick beautifully represents. Available in 13 and 17-liter sizes, the Nick combines a nice-feeling cotton polyester with sensible pocketing and well resolved hardware. Weatherproof construction helps protect the contents, and the aesthetics suit a range of settings, making it a handy option for bike commutes, traveling or simply strolling about town on the weekend. We’re digging this move.

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Vote now!

(closes April 1st)