Crumpler Dinky Di messenger bag

I had to have a spare set of retinas on standby looking at this Crumpler Dinky Di messenger bag, the colours are so loud they almost burst my eye balls.

Crumpler have made a messenger bag that wants to be seen (6 other, less gaudy, colourways are available). This messenger is more than just snazzy colours to match your fancy pants though, it has a 30 year guarantee, so it is tough to boot. That means statistically it will last longer than 1/6 of you lot reading this (based on approximated made up results of figures that are near to what they would be but without actually referencing them, just don't worry about it though, you get the idea).

Made from 1000d Chicken Tex Supreme hyper performance nylon it will remain waterproof in all weather conditions that we have to endure in this country and it is tough and should resist being dragged about on tarmac without falling apart. Even the lining is rugged, built from ripstop nylon that does what it says it does; if you get a hole in it by snagging it on something sharp then the rip won't propagate further than the next 7mm square without force.

The large flap is held down with large velcro fasteners and for added security some plastic buckles help lock it down. The stripes on the flap don't just add to the aesthetic and offer a good amount of reflective material to keep you better seen on the road but they are sewn with a pleat between each of them allowing the flap to bellow out, enabling it to accommodate large and awkward loads, probably my favourite feature and you can't even see it!

Under the main flap is an external zip pocket which happily fits an iPad, keeping it safe and comfortably away from your back. Inside the main bag is enough space to consume 25 litres of stuff, which is the equivalent of a small back pack, enough to put a 15 inch laptop and a change of clothes and some sandwiches (a smaller, slightly cheaper version is available). Inside the large compartment are a few velcro closure pockets and some slip pockets to help you organize your junk.

The large strap is super long and gives the bag enough adjustment to be swung around the neck of a basketball player and still reach their hips. The big plastic quick flick buckle is simple to use and doesn't require ape strength hands to operate. For those of us of a more average height, the extra strappage can be tucked away into what Crumpler affectionately call love handles.

A long, removable shoulder pad keeps the strap from cutting off the supply to your head or making your arm feel like it belongs to someone else and a removable stabilizing strap is provided which stops the bag from migrating. This messenger can be slung over either shoulder, left or right, with neat little pouches for the strap buckles to be tucked into when not in use, a bit like a sumo wrestler's niknaks.

This size of messenger fits well across the back and distributes loads very well making it a comfortable bag to wear even fully packed and riding low in the drops. Some thin padding is sewn into the back of the back which still allows the back to bend and be supple, hugging you but stopping any pokey items from stabbing you in the back.

The large straps keep it sat in place quite happily. An advantage of a messenger bag is that it you can access the contents without taking it off which is pretty handy. The only real complaint would be that a big nylon bag does get a bit sweaty, but that's pretty much a given with all messenger bags. And while your back might get a bit sweaty when the skies decide to dump their load on you, this bag does give you the peace of mind that your laptop or other valuables will be safe from the elements. As for a 30 years guarantee, I think I will get bored of the colour long before that.

Verdict

Good quality, dependable, messenger bag, that's waterproof and built to last, guaranteed for 30 years.