Messenger, Shoulder Bags

A messenger bag (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made out of some kind of cloth (natural or synthetic), that is worn over one shoulder with a strap that winds around the chest resting the bag on the lower back. more...

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Messenger bags are often used by bicycle messengers, though they have increasingly become an urban fashion icon.

History

This type of bag has been used in the transportation of mail and goods by numerous types of messengers, including Pony Express riders, postal workers, messengers on foot (especially in ancient times), and bicycle couriers.

The design of the modern messenger bag traces its origin to the utility lineman's bag of the 1950s. It allowed lineman to carry necessary tools within easy reach while climbing utility poles. Later adapted by New York City bicycle messengers, each company would typically use a different color which also served to identify the messenger's company.

Use

Similar in function to backpacks, messenger bags, ensure comfort to people carrying heavy and/or bulky items, while allowing easy access to the contents.

Messenger bags commonly incorporate certain technical features that make them particularly suitable for cycling such as specialized fittings for loosening and tightening the main strap, reflective materials, a loop to fit a small flashing LED light, and waterproof lining. A chest or waist strap (sometimes called the stabilizing strap) designed to prevent the bag from swinging around to the front when the rider stands out of the saddle is included on many bags.

Messenger bags are often used as a fashion accessory. While they can be found in the possession of either gender, they are often commonly employed by men in a function analogous to a woman's purse (that is, to carry bulky items that do not fit into pockets, or a large number of items, while doubling as a fashion accessory). Messenger bags have also become fashionable in urban environments, among cyclists and commuters.

Read more at Wikipedia.org