Switch

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Switch Messenger Bag

Switch is the result of a semester project aimed at creating improved products for urban bicycle messengers.

Through interviews with local bike messengers about their gear it became apparent that when it comes to their bags, quick access is a must. Being able to quickly reach for or stow away their deliveries saves valuable time and makes their job that much easier. Another important point is the choice of materials. Quite often their bags are subjected to so much wear and tear that a lot of existing products reach the point of failure far too quickly. The goal was therefore to come up with a design that strikes the right balance in features, usability, and robustness.

The result of the project is a 21 liter / 1,281 cu. in. messenger bag featuring a horizontal and vertical carrying system. This allows it to be used as a standard over-the-shoulder bag or as a backpack. The over-the-shoulder setup provides quick access to the bag’s contents while the backpack carrying option enables a better weight transfer and thus reduces muscle strain on the shoulders and back.

Durability was prioritized over a lightweight design to make this bag exceptionally abrasion-resistant, weatherproof, and long-lasting. Therefore, a mid-weight 500D PU coated Cordura fabric was chosen for the outer shell and a 210D TPU coated nylon fabric was used for the liner, combined with YKK AquaGuard 5C water-resistant zippers and 50mm AustriAlpin Cobra buckles.