Review: Mission Workshop Rummy VX Messenger Bag

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

I’ve been using a Timbuk2 Custom Classic Messenger Bag with the laptop insert for the past two years. After looking around online at the usual suspects (bailey works, chrome, seagull, or even a bigger recently updated Timbuk2 bag) I settled on the Mission Workshop VX Rummy.

The Rummy is the medium sized bag from the San Francisco based company and the VX edition comes in black or slate like the one I bought. When I was researching which bag to get I couldn't find too many in depth reviews of the bag or even pictures of the capacity. Even Mission Workshop’s photos were limited to mostly lifestyle photos that didn't help much with how the bag was setup. So, get settled in for a fairly long review (or if your the visual type check the photos and I'll be posting a video review soon.)

Material

I went for the VX edition because of the more durable material relative to their standard rummy. My custom Timbuk2 bag was fitted with the denim and faux leather both of which show a little more wear than a vinyl would with the same use. The Rummy is also waterproof regardless of how you like to seal up the bag. Water beads off the material and the outer zipper is under a rubber strip.

While I don’t doubt the material’s strength it’s light. Which is good and bad. The fabric has virtually no ability to hold a shape. This is in stark contrast to the Timbuk2 bag which feels substantial and keeps its flat base which means it’s easy to set down and stays put. A small thing but a thing none-the-less. 

The material feels nice and durable and the exterior diamond pattern lends it an added layer of visual interest the standard material lacks. The slate color is a nice medium gray that reflects the color around it in a nice way.

Roll or Fold

One of the unique aspects of Mission Workshop’s messenger bags is the option to go rolltop or fold the top like a traditional messenger bag. If you need quick access to the front pockets or the middle compartment than rolling the top will leave those portions of the bag available without having to unclip or velcro anything. A very cool feature. 

Pockets/Storage/Organization

The first thing to say is that I miss the Timbuk2’s napoleon pocket. With one hand I could stash or grab my keys without swinging the bag over or unclipping anything. Now my keys live in one of the two front pockets of the Mission Workshop bag. Standing in front of my door with my bike fiddling with, some seriously heavy-duty, velcro and the fancy Arkiv things is a step back. No two ways about it. Also, though Timbuk2 may have gone a little bit overboard with the little pockets the Rummy could use a couple. 

The Rummy has a total of seven compartments. I lost count of the Timbuk2 compartments after I counted past my age. Do you need a thousand little pockets? I hope not. But I think padded pocket for something like a laptop or even a phone would go a long way. Also, heads up; there’s no padding anywhere so laptop folks will need a case or a shirt in there to pad their pricey stuff.

The front pockets fit an iPad mini perfectly with plenty of depth left for things like your phone or wallet. One plus of storing electronics in these pockets is that they are about an inch above the ground so setting your bag down doesn't require a committee of surveyors estimating potential damage. These are also the easiest compartments to get into quickly.

Just behind the front two pockets is the space accessible by the waterproof robust zipper. This middle space is about as big as the main compartment of the Timbuk2 bag.

On each wall of this space are zippers to more pockets. One that’s as big as the main one for something like a laptop. The other side splits the difference and gives you two half sized pockets. Already this is giving you a ton of space for things as big as a 15 inch laptop, journals, cameras, all the way down to thumb drives without them clanging into your valuables. 

The main storage compartment is enormous. It’s huge. Folks this thing is massive. If you take advantage of all of the other sections and have your laptop, camera, journals, pens, ipad, books, and bits and bobs you haven't even used the biggest main compartment. Go ahead and take another laptop, some clothes, some shoes, and a package. Trust me there’s room.

“Sure, you can fill it with stuff but who’d want to carry that on their shoulder?” Well thanks for the segue because the strap on this thing is one of its best features.

Strapped In

You know the strap on the Timbuk2 bag. It’s vinyl or something and its about two inches wide. It’s a strap. The Rummy has a major amount of padding on the portion of the strap that makes contact with your shoulder. It’s wide. It’s squishy. It’s perfect. I’ve loaded the Rummy up well passed the point my Timbuk2 bag could handle and the bag never felt heavy nor did it dig in and feel uncomfortable. On the bike the bag stays put and doesn't wiggle around making you fear for the safety of whatever you have in it. 

Also, you can switch the strap from your right shoulder to the left in a minute or so.

Buckle Up

I’m sure I’m not unique in this but I’m no fan of plastic buckles. The strap buckle on the Timbuk2 bag is plastic and to be fair has lasted and never slipped or broke. It’s still plastic. 

As for adjusting the strap length with the Timbuk2 bag I just found a good fit and kept it there. Undoing the buckle and adjusting on the fly was a two hand operation and was more trouble than it was worth.

The rummy comes with machined metal buckles to adjust the strap length. Takes one hand. Grab the end of the strap and pull down to make it tighter. It’s super fast. To loosen you just pull up on the buckle and the bag drops a few inches. Done. One hand. Super quick. Sounds like a small thing but if you do this over and over it adds up.

Only bummer with the Rummy VX edition is that you can't choose the buckle color like you can with the standard Rummy. Seems like something you should be able to do when you're paying the $100 premium over the standard.

Arkiv System

This only applies to the VX or AP edition of the bag. The arkiv system is Mission Workshop’s solution to plastic clasps/buckles. What you get instead is a canvas anchor that a metal piece slides onto.

Pretty snazzy. It’s a nice touch that is significantly more durable and easier to grab and undo. Also, if you're the kind of person to stretch the limits of your bag than these may be even more useful to you. Nothing to break off or snap under stress. 

In Summary Your Honor

I’m going to miss the napoleon pocket, the padded laptop insert, and having a few little organized pockets. What I’m gaining with the Rummy is a flexible very comfortable bag that fits pretentious 1,200 page hardcover books, a change of clothes, and funky sized things. I cannot emphasize enough that even when its fully loaded it isn't fatiguing to wear. It’s a bag that holds what it needs to comfortably and versatilely all while looking good. Cut to the chase: this is one great bag.

Pros

• Solid construction
• Flexibility (rolltop/un-obstructive storage design
• Metal buckle/clasps
• Buckle design provides quick adjustability
• Amazingly comfortable shoulder pad lets you load it up without regretting it later. 
• Huge capacity for it's size
• Waterproof
• Lightweight
• Looks cool

Cons

• No napoleon pocket
• No padding in any compartment/pocket
• Limited color options (you better like the utilitarian vibe)
• Can't customize the buckle color