Apidura City Series is what you get when bikepackers decide to strap a pack over the shoulder for the bike commuter to work. We know Apidura well for their broad & ever-expanding bikepacking bag line-up, but when they aren’t off on a big (or even just a weekend) adventure they are still getting around by bike. So building on their experience making adventure bags for your bike, come the first in a new City Series – two bike commuter messenger bags for on your body…
Apidura City Series bike commuter messenger bags
The classic messenger bag is a good place to start for carrying gear around town or to-and-from the office. So Apidura has taken their detail-oriented experience with waterproofing, easy access, secure fit, and a “less-is-more design” style to create a new city bike commuter over the shoulder bags. Effectively a single commuter messenger bag in two sizes, Apidura suggests that several more bags are in the works to expand the new City Series over the coming months.
These aren’t their first “on body” bags, which go to the great little Packables, so we’ll be curious to see where they go next.
City Messenger – Tech details
The 11″ & 13″ City Messenger bags get named & sized based on fitting your standard laptop/tablet in the internal padded sleeve as is pretty standard fare for messenger bags. But while the sizes are conventional, the actual design & construction is anything but. Instead, both City Messengers use shaped panels of a new marle-finish, custom abrasion-resistant coated fabric, welded together in a design that looks like it would fit right into the Racing bikepacking bag family.
These bags use an overlapping fold, top-flap design with velcro closure to make the bags more securely waterproof when closed, yet still easy to access with one hand. Under that flap, a large waterproof zip protects a secure pocket. And inside you get the velcro closure padded sleeve, plus simple mesh pockets & loops for internal organization.
On the outside, low-key reflective details add visibility, as do loops to attach a blinkie tail light.
Both sizes of bag get a padded back panel and use the same ambidextrous shoulder strap that can be worn over either shoulder, with a separate stabilizing strap for a comfortably secure fit while riding. The larger bag adds a carry handle.
Apidura messenger bags – Pricing & availability
The City Messenger comes in two sizes. The £129 / $165 / 145€ City Messenger 11 is 28cm wide, 24.5cm tall & 8.5cm deep, weighing 450g. The £144 / $185 / 162€ City Messenger 13 measures 32cm wide, 27.5cm tall & 10cm deep, weighing 550g.
Both new City Series shoulder bags are available now direct from Apidura.
