![aluminum lawn chair with webbing aluminum lawn chair with webbing](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5d/67/8d/5d678d2620016ab241bcb147472ce2f8.jpg)
My original plan was to recreate a basketweave seat out of cotton clothesline, but I found the weave to be too bulky to feel comfortable.
![aluminum lawn chair with webbing aluminum lawn chair with webbing](https://i.etsystatic.com/6251950/r/il/8e772b/3240927657/il_1588xN.3240927657_t3id.jpg)
I scoured sidewalks for a cast-off folding chair to spruce up all summer, and put out a call on our local Buy Nothing Group, but it wasn’t until we moved in September that I found what I’d been searching for: a lightweight aluminum folding chair with nylon webbing that had started to fray. We’d bring colored chalk and balls and send up small blessings for a nearby spot to get out late-day wiggles. We still lived in our old apartment, four flights up without a patch of outdoor space to call our own and so in the afternoons we’d walk the kids around the block to a stretch of wide sidewalk in front a shuttered school building. Style: A messenger bag should look good-whether its vibe is utilitarian, vintage, sporty, or professional-without sacrificing functionality.Last spring, when the weather warmed but the virus still raged out of control and playgrounds and parks were closed, I dreamed of a folding lawn chair.We tested bags in a range of sizes, but we thought that even the smaller options needed to comfortably accommodate the essentials.
![aluminum lawn chair with webbing aluminum lawn chair with webbing](https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/c24e9065-2a9b-4aad-b432-f7d32034511e_1.5997681b19b8fc7b53410776c389afcd.jpeg)
We gave bonus points to bags with a dedicated laptop sleeve, but we didn’t consider it a necessity.
![aluminum lawn chair with webbing aluminum lawn chair with webbing](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/c8/48/6f/c8486fa58cfa4ea64196242b962c5cd9.jpg)
Organization and capacity: Regardless of whether a bag’s interior has many pockets or is simple and spare, it should keep your belongings in the right place.And we considered only bags covered by warranties. We paid close attention to details like closures, zippers, and other hardware. We preferred bags that were either fully waterproof or water-resistant enough to safely transport tech gear. Quality: We wanted high-quality bags made from durable materials that would stand up to years of wear and tear.We looked for well-designed bags with ergonomic, adjustable straps that fit different body types. Comfort and fit: A messenger bag should be comfortable to wear and not cause shoulder pain, regardless of the length of a commute.Testers noted that the Velcro closures on this bag were construction-level loud. It has three internal pockets (including a zippered compartment with room for a 13-inch laptop), plus space for a 15-inch laptop in its main compartment. With a capacity of 21 liters, the 10-by-16-by-5-inch Monty is smaller than the Citizen, though it’s plenty roomy. It also has a stabilizer strap, though it doesn’t distribute weight as evenly as the Citizen’s strap. Its shoulder strap has a maximum length of 40 inches and is notably well padded, so it’s comfortable even for extended wear (one tester favorably compared it to a cloud). Like our Chrome Citizen Messenger pick, this bag is designed with cyclists in mind-it’s intended to be worn high and snug on the body. Both its exterior and interior are waterproof and weather-resistant. The Monty is available in five colors, including olive and red, and it comes with a choice of seven different buckle-color options. Unusually, this bag has two modes: It can be opened via its front flap, like a standard messenger bag, or it can be used as a roll-top. If you want a bike-friendly messenger bag that opens two ways: Mission Workshop’s The Monty, a former pick in this guide, is a sleek, utilitarian-style nylon messenger. Our picks include a well-priced and abundantly organized nylon classic, a compact waxed-canvas messenger with a vintage look, a stylishly structured canvas bag, a utilitarian nylon bag originally designed for bike messengers, and a splurge-worthy leather investment piece. We came away with five favorites that will suit a range of tastes, budgets, and lifestyles. We tested 20 bags, commuting with them for months via train, bike, car, and plane. Worn across the body or with a strap over one shoulder, a messenger bag is especially ideal for commuters because it has a slim silhouette and provides easy access to belongings while you’re on the go.Ī great messenger bag should be well organized, roomy enough to hold the essentials, attractive, and comfortable to carry. Casual yet still put-together, this type of bag is more practical and comfortable than a tote, more relaxed than a briefcase, and more professional than a backpack. The messenger bag has been successfully-and stylishly-helping people get stuff from A to B since the days of the Pony Express.