LIFE BEHIND BARS ECHELON 32L (M) MESSENGER BAG: If only I was as clever as this bag!

[@rlbink2498]

Lifetime Timbuk2 user here. But just bought one of these for my EDC - price, thoughtfulness of design, carrying capacity, solid build. I pray the TPU liner waterproofing holds up Long term cos Timbuk2’s just chews up, tears and degrades after a couple of months , especially in areas where the bag folds back under load when slung crossbody.

[@thedanwatts9571]

Raoul Le Blond Well the liner has been holding up for a few months but I'll have to use it for a year or two reach a conclusion. Did you try the Timbuk2 Especial series? I heard those are nice.

[@rlbink2498]

@@thedanwatts9571 Hi there, yes I did try the Especial Messenger. Compact, good design and It was a good bag... but my EDC load increased at the time and I sold it. Agreed on the liner durability. I guess only time will tell, fingers crossed!

[@Mezaker67]

I am a bike messenger in La. I’ve used my LBB echelon bag for 6 years everyday. And it’s still holding up strong, I’m thinking about buying another when this one completely dies.

[@fandydiadline]

​@@Mezaker67daaaang~

[@marcusmitchell3474]

Outstanding review just what in need and I will be making a perches thank you.

[@mybassetlotte]

Glad I made the right choice. Bought it for riding on my Cowboy Bike to work

[@FK-yb1ml]

Your argument is exactly what I was thinking. It has slightly lower build quality than some others, but many more stock features (Greenroom136 Junkmonkey I was looking at with 1000D Cordura). Really looking forward to receiving mine in a size S. Too bad I had to pay 56 euros to customs tho... Thanks for one of the few extensive reviews

[@thedanwatts9571]

Ouch, those customs are killer. In my search, I don't think I found any USA makers of a two-strap messenger bags with external carry systems even as a custom add-on. I narrowed it down to LBB, Bagaboo, and a couple Canadian companies. Disappointing, but there is not much of a market for a two-strap messenger bags and Chrome/Timbuk2 just dominate the messenger bag market here, which I imagine makes it harder for smaller companies. Sure, I could just get a flap backpack but messenger bags carry packages better and are easier to access.

[@FK-yb1ml]

So I got the bag in today and functionality really is great, it has many cool and nifty features. However the quality of the liner inside is not what I was expecting or as it was described (3mm floating waterproof TPU tarp liner) this is far from 3 mm. Another big improvement point in my opinion is the quality and size of the laptop compartment, it is really quite small my 13" laptop does not fit and it's not very big, the quality is questionable as it has a single line of stitching along both sides I imagine these ripping easily if used five times a day, or just by accident. Also, where the belt is stitched to the bag there is only a stitched square not a cross and a square (don't know how to call this) seeing as this is the point all the weight depends on I worry about its' longevity. Just trying to help people considering to buy this bag, since there are not many reviews out there.

[@thedanwatts9571]

F K Keen observations. Yea, the liner description is somewhat ambiguous. I don't know what 3mm means, maybe 3mm double layered but certainly not single layered. Most companies use an ounce measurement, which typically means weight of the fabric in ounces per square yard. I'm not too worried about the stitching on the main strap because it is well reinforced even without the x-stitching and I have carried heavy packages or groceries without fail, but the laptop sleeve stitching is somewhat worrisome upon 2nd look (although mine is double stitched in the very top corners). I have the larger size, so it fits my Lenovo X270, can't comment on the smaller size or other laptops. Overall, I would call it commuter grade but not sure how it would hold up for a serious messenger. I think the company is open to feedback so maybe send them an email. Personally I'm still happy with it for the price I paid.

[@FaranJessani]

@@FK-yb1ml may I ask what you mean by "far from 3mm"? Do you mean that it is less and therefore worse? Or more and therefore better?

[@FK-yb1ml]

@@FaranJessani meaning it is less than 3mm thick. I wouldn’t recommend this bag, ever since I’ve had it it has been gathering dust in my closet. My experience (first paying crazy high customs and then receiving the product which was far from as good as I had hoped made the experience quite bad. I would go for something with less features and higher quality. Or a better known brand perhaps.

[@dennytan2543]

life behind bars means being behind the handlebars of a bike, so this company makes bike-centric products.

[@johnhauer9026]

Great review Daniel! A few questions if you don't mind answering them: 1 . Does the velcro in the front come in contact with any of the stitching for the buckles on the top flap? This is a major annoyance of mine on some messenger bags (timbuk2), over time the fabric frays and falls apart. 2 . What is your opinion of the bottom lining material durability, is there actually cordura fabric behind it as well? I feel like this type of material might start cracking over time. Thank you very much!

[@thedanwatts9571]

Thanks for watching. For #1, not sure if you mean the stitching or the straps/webbing, but I think that I know what you mean because I've had the same issue. Either way, I'm not noticing the straps sticking to the velcro. First of all, the front flap is long enough that the buckles/straps go lower than the velcro unless the bag is really full. Second, I think LBB cleverly selected a type of material for the straps that doesn't stick to velcro. For #2, I can't answer that because I don't know. I mean, it feels double layered but not sure. I would check with the company to see what they say about the bottom materials. I've had the bag for a few months and I haven't noticed any abnormal wear in that area.

[@johnhauer9026]

Thanks for the answers, appreciate it!

[@LateNightProductionsYT]

thanks, great review

[@rykercamden9155]

A trick: you can watch series on kaldrostream. I've been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

[@griffinnathan476]

@Ryker Camden Yup, have been watching on kaldroStream for since november myself =)

[@m.fajarrakhmadi9629]

Hi... Many thanks for the review. Just quick question. How does the comfort during the heavy load? Does the dual strap help a lot? Thanks

[@thedanwatts9571]

Comfort is okay with heavy loads. The dual strap does help a lot, at least for me. I would just make sure that the straps are nice and tight with a heavy load.

[@rap819]

Thanks man. It has 32 litres and the laptop at the front (so it doesn’t get crushed) is what is good. Are you able to tell me would it take a 17” laptop?

[@thedanwatts9571]

Thanks appreciate the comment. I can't really say for sure if it will fit a 17 inch laptop. But 17 inch laptops these days are about the same size as 15 inch laptops used to be, so it very well might.

[@johnny6148]

just a copy of Manhattan Portage

[@thedanwatts9571]

I'll call that and raise you one further: it's just a copy of a De Martini!

[@davidneil7064]

@@thedanwatts9571 I believe Pac Designs preceded both (I still have mine circa 2006, if I remember correctly). That being said, I do own this bag too. To make it easier on my 65 year old shoulders, I added a waist strap that I unhook when I need to (I just prefer messenger bags to backpacks for biking).

[@thedanwatts9571]

@@davidneil7064 yea, Pac Designs was an early adopter/innovator of the two-strap system from what I have heard. I like messenger bags as well, just wish more built them with some back ventilation in mind.