Born and bred in San Francisco, we've been making bags that last forever since 1989. The U.S. Patent Office awards patent #139,121 for riveted work pants, and Levi's blue jeans are born. So begins the San Shoulder bags originally designed for telephone linemen by Globe Canvas (aka De Martini) of New York, are adopted by Zo Bags is founded in San Francisco. Rob Honeycutt, a San Francisco bicycle messenger, purchases a used Singer sewing machine and orders wholesaleHis total investment is $200, roughlyRob makes 50 black handlebar bags that look good, but only sell at one bicycle shop in SanStill working hard as a bike messenger, Rob notes how many non-messengers ask him where they can buy a messenger bag like the Zo he carries. seizes the opportunity and build his first messenger bag. first unit sells at The Freewheel and Rob's messenger bag company, Scumbags, is born. Rob decided "Scumbags" lacks the necessary credibility of

a real bag company. Inspired by the legendary African city, Timbuktu, and a popular indie band, Timbuk3, the name "Timbuk2" Timbuk2 receives its first wholesale order for messenger bags from The Bike Gallery in Portland, Oregon. Rob conceives his "one-at-a-time" build-to-orderAll materials required to make a bag are kept within arms' reach of the sewing machine. Doodling on a cocktail napkin with felt-tip marker, Robjulius k9 backpack pens the original Timbuk2 "swirl" logo.pelican u105 laptop backpack Timbuk2 moves out of Rob's basement and opens a shop atbackpack 200eg 217 Dore Street, in San Francisco's South of Market (SOMA)clc backpack ebay

Timbuk2 moves to Emeryville, across the Bay from San Francisco, and hires its first full-time sewer. Rob becomes a student of mass customization and the lean manufacturing philosophy of Toyota Motor Corp. three-panel bag design for production. Timbuk2 debuts its signature three-panel, tri-color messenger bag design, and encourages bike shops and customers to design custom bags with its "Build Your Own Bag" order form.iqon backpack Timbuk2 relocates to Treat Street in San Francisco'szoolet backpack Timbuk2 transports an entire production line to the Interbike tradeshow in Anaheim, California and produces custom messenger bags during the show. Located in the heart of 'multimedia gulch', ground zero for the San Francisco dot-com gold rush, Timbuk2 begins work on an Internet version of its custom bag order form.

Timbuk2 sets up production at the Winter Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. A freak tornado rips through the tented exhibit hall, destroying the equipment and killing one person Timbuk2 launches its award-winning Bag Builder Timbuk2 introduces its first computer carrying case and The swirl logo gets a makeover, and the "happy swirl" replaces the original "scratchy swirl". Timbuk2 launches a complete line of bags and accessories, adding the Yoga Bag, Artist Series messenger bag, Totes and Timbuk2 starts the Artist Originals Program, a collaborative effort in supporting emerging and known artists one-of-a-kind messenger bags and proceeds from sales of these eye-popping bags were donated to a charity of the artists' Timbuk2 opens its (first) flagship (and only) store in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. Timbuk2 moves from Treat Street to 16th Street; Timbuk2 completes the San Francisco factory remodel at 16th

& Alabama to create a work environment like no other. Plants are planted in/around the production lines to bring the outdoors inside, lighting is updated and expanded, open space remains sacred, and the lines are re-configured to improve ergonomics and production capacity by more than 20%. improved efficiency and room for expansion is a huge positive for the Timbuk2 team and our customers. See images of our factory. The Timbuk2 Custom Cargo Tote is born. manufactured in our San Francisco factory. Timbuk2 introduces luggage, including the wheelie kind. Timbuk2 celebrates its 20th anniversary and launches the Lived In Messenger Bag to toast 2 decades of abuse. Inspired by a desire to unify the office and production teams under one roof, Timbuk2 relocates in February of 2010. Manufacturing and office digs are located at 583 Shotwell St. in the same Mission neighborhood that moved Rob to create theThe new facilities are clean and modern and home to

a staff of nearly 60, multiple dogs and a disco ball. Timbuk2 trademarks the iconic three panel design. fans to share images and stories from their Timbuk2 lives. The Timbuk2 retail store in San Francisco gets a makeover. If you need a reliable messenger bag that that you can count on to earn a living or just to protect your valuables, then you may need a professional messenger bag. Many bag makers will brag about the quality and originality of their bags. They may claim they are tough, durable and “bomb proof.” Many will claim that their bags are actually used by messengers but in reality most are not because they will quickly fall apart under professional conditions. If you want a bag that will last and you want a bag that you can trust. Then buy a bag from a reputable manufacturer. Buy a bag that is respected by professionals for its quality. In almost all cases the best messenger bags are made by small manufacturers who design, produce and market the bags themselves.

They are generally made by current or former bike messengers and will often custom make a bag just for you. Ignore bag reviews by non-pro’s that whine about the cost or size of professional bags. When it comes to messenger bags you generally get you pay for. Below is an evolving list of the best quality bag makers (in no specific order) Check out a brief history of the messenger bag at the International Federation of Bike Messengers Association (IFBMA) New Haven, Ct USA ph: 800 735 8877 De Martini is the original messenger bag. It was started as Globe Canvas by sailmaker Frank DeMartini in the 1950’s. For many years DeMartini was the only messenger bag maker in the world and he supplied most messenger companies in New York. He passed away in 2000 but the bags live on. Article: One Man’s Art: Bags for Messengers – New York Times, August 4, 1985 New York, NY 10013 212-226-4557 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) One of the oldest bag makers, Manhattan Portage started in 1980 in New York.

Their slogan is “Why is everyone copying us? Is it something we’ve done?” Their bags are based on DeMartini’s Globe Canvas original bags. SF CA 94117-0218 USA Zo Bags started in 1984 and are probably the first international bags. After the first Cycle Messenger World Championships in 1993 Zo Bags were used by messengers all over the world. The orginal Zo Bags retain value as a collectible. According to the IFBMA Zo Bags can, “securely claim the introduction of one-piece construction (of the outer covering; previously, makers like DeMartini and Manhattan Portage constructed the flap as a separate piece, which necessitated a seam across the top of the bag), as well as the 3-panel bag design and the waist strap.” Article: It’s in the bag – San Francisco Chronicle, January 27, 2002 Courierware started in 1986 and originated in Boston and later relocated to Vermont. At one time they were very popular in Boston. Article: He Figured That Business Is So Good, Who Needs a Store?

– New York Times, November 16, 2005 Mindemoya, Ontario, P0P 1S0 Toll free: 1 866 722 2247 ( 866 PAC BAGS) fax: (705) 377 6160 or (705) 368 0006 PAC started in 1989 in Toronto (relocated to British Columbia and then back to Ontario). PAC is very well-respected by couriers worldwide. They were probably the first to build fully customized bags with many options and add-ons, such as pockets dividers, radio holders, hip pouches and u-lock holsters. “Pac Designs original innovations such as the “D” ring adjusting, “anti-sway” straps, padded backs, and Ballistic bottoms are now seen on other messenger bags. Other innovations such as the “X” strap (A removable 2nd shoulder strap), 3 layers Construction, and Deluxe suspension strapping remain exclusively on Pac bags. 216 Adelaide St. W Toronto, ON Canada M5H 1W7 Started in 1995 in Toronto at the former downtown courier bike shop – The Bike Ranch. This is the same place that PAC bags were made prior to PAC’s move to British Columbia.

Together with PAC, Push is one of the two top quality messenger bag manufacturers in Ontario. Article: Messenger bags that deliver – Toronto Star, May 29, 2003 2174 Mt. Royal East Montreal, Quebec, H2H 1K3 Canada fax: (514) 527 1608 Started in 1993 in Montreal, hand made and they are well respected by Montreal messengers. fax: (603) 433 0026“Most of what we build and sell are bicycle messenger bags in two styles and we sell them mostly to non-messengers.” Article: Ten years on, company’s bags dangle from broader market of shoulders – Portsmouth Herald, July 19, 2005 142 N. 2nd St. Started in 1998 in Philadelphia and expanded to Seattle in 2003. They are very popular and respected by Philadelphia and Seattle messengers. San Francisco, CA 94103 Started in 1994, Chrome Bags are very popular with commuters and non-messengers. Their bags are famous for the quick release seat-belt buckle. 40 Rondel Place, San Francisco, Ca 94103