Hi all. I'm looking to get started making the messenger style backpacks (with the large buckling flap fold over) for personal use. I'm looking for the two-strap syles of Chrome, Timbuk2, Rickshaw and many others. I'd like your thoughts, recommendations and hopefully some leads to patterns or designs. I'm new at this, but inspired. Thanks, Ryan.

I carry a computer in my Patagonia Critical Mass bag (2007, I think) a bunch, and their design leaves a few things to be desired.

-a good amount of stiff foam in the backpad
-a floating laptop compartment (ie only attached on the top)

These would combine to make the computer a less likely pressure point when the bag is stuffed full. Other essentials:

-2" wide strap with high quality foam
-zippered internal organizing compartments
-bomber, waterproof fabric ( I like the ballistics, but light urethene wouldn't be bad)
-full hanging liner fabric (to ensure waterproofness)
-clip on the back for a blinky light the makes the light actually visible with a fully stuffed bag
-potential to fully extent the lid straps to carry big boxes in addition to a normal load

Good luck.

I've made one of these myself loosely based on Chrome and Timbuk2 bag designs. It was pretty straightforward to sew up. If I get some free time this weekend I'll make a basic pattern for it.

Here's a basic pattern for the body of the pack above. A real slapdash effort to be sure, but it may be of some help. Units are in centimeters.

I appreciate the pattern--thank you for posting it. Ryan