Are messenger bags that bad for your body?

Are you riding a bicycle? If so, let the bike carry your stuff. That is its job, not yours.

I have used a back rack and grocery panniers for almost thirty years. The grocery wire baskets are good, too. Milk crates work.

In that case, no. I didn’t have my bike on me (but in all honesty, college grocery runs will probably include my bike).Most of the time it’ll be a laptop, notebooks, a book, and miscellaneous little things.

During this passed school year, I used my Gryffindor messenger bag for almost the entire time I was at school. I carried one textbook, six folders, a notebook, a calculator, a crap ton of papers and stationary. It helps a lot to switch shoulders with every use and kind of make sure it’s not too heavy. If it is too heavy, try and get one of those reusable grocery bags to lighten the load on your shoulder when you’re shopping and hold the bag in your other hand. Your everyday school load probably won’t be too much, but if it is you can carry one of the heavier items in your other hand like with the groceries. Sometimes I had to take my APUSH textbook to school and instead of putting it in my bag, I just carried it in my right hand with my bag on the left. It really saved my shoulder on those long walks across campus :)

Considering that backpacks exist, I never understood the existence of messenger bags.
Why would you put the entire load on one shoulder when you can distribute it on 2?

Have you thought about using one with wheels and a collapsible handle? That way you can wheel,it behind you while walking and strap/clamp it on to your bike when needed.

Messenger bags aren’t designed for groceries. They’re casual briefcases.

Use the right tool for the right job.

I never understood the existence of messenger bags.

You can access the bag without taking it on and off. That’s why mail and newspaper carriers also use a sling bag. And you can hold it in front of you on a crowded elevator, or on your lap on the train. You can hold it safe in your hands instead of on your back where things may be falling out or people might pluck things out.

Good features for messengers.

But a messenger bag is not for heavy bulky stuff.

I have used one for twenty years and they will screw with your back/neck/shoulders if you carry heavy stuff. If I go grocery shopping I will grab my backpack instead. But I ride the bus a lot so it is nice to be able to just sling it around to the front and have it on my lap. But i mostly use it for my laptop and a newspaper and my phones.

In the city most people use fold up grocery carts for groceries. They’re inexpensive and take up very little room since they easily fold flat. It doubles as a way to transport laundry if you don’t have machines in your apartment. I linked a very cheap one. You might want to splurge another $20—$30 and get one with really good wheels and more durable depending on your sidewalks.

A lightweight messenger bag is better than a heavy purse on one shoulder, which is what a lot of women use. I cross my purse over my body like a messenger bag to relieve my shoulder and distribute the weight better. That’s a messenger bag compared to a purse, but a backpack for heavy things will be much better. Especially since what you are carrying is heavy, and you already feel the discomfort. If you feel it, try not to use that method.

Make sure whatever you buy isn’t heavy before you even put something it. Some of the prettiest bags, attaché cases, purses, backpacks, are made from very heavy material. Forget that.

Why were you unsuccessful finding a backpack that works? Why were they inadequate?

One thing to remember is a backpack can be accessed without you noticing so you would want to make sure your money and ID aren’t easily snatched from the backpack.

Someone suggest a bag/luggage with wheels. I think that’s a great idea. You can get backpacks with wheels, but I think just go for a more regular looking rectangular piece of luggage with wheels. You can get one with a strap and handle option.