ZODIAC BAGGAGE is a handmade bag brand crafted by Trevor Beans, who formerly worked as a bike messenger in San Francisco. Incorporating creative ideas gleaned from his daily delivery work, the bags are built with a focus solely on transporting goods. With a tough construction that laughs at rain and snow while minimizing the risk of damage, these bags are sure to become inseparable companions that only grow more endearing the more you use them.
In this blog, we will walk you through the sizing of their Sling Messenger Bag. When choosing a size, the way it looks when worn and its storage capacity are key factors. To give you a clear sense of the fit, we had three people with heights of 160cm, 170cm, and 180cm try on each size, starting from the first photo (you can slide through them). Let's dive in!
X-Small Size
As the smallest in the lineup, this size is perfect for anyone, from children to adults, regardless of gender. Designed to withstand the rigors of messenger work, the tough construction of ZODIAC BAGGAGE means you don't have to worry even if it's used by an energetic kid who might drag it or throw it on the ground.
A 2L plastic bottle fits perfectly inside on its side. It's ideal for a weekend outing to carry essentials like a wallet, phone, and a drink. Don't let its minimal look fool you; thanks to its professional messenger bag-derived design, you can keep the flap secured with the Velcro even when you've packed it beyond its nominal capacity, allowing you to carry extra items home securely.
Small Size
The S size is perfect for commuting, fitting a change of clothes, a laptop, and a lunch box with ease. I personally use the S size for my work gear and for carrying my camera. Its design allows you to access items without taking the bag off your back, making it surprisingly excellent as a camera bag for quick lens changes or grabbing your camera on the go.
When putting six 2L plastic bottles into the S size, there is a small gap at the sides of the 38cm width, and at 30.5cm in height, the bottle caps stick out slightly from the bag.
Medium Size
The M size is 46cm wide, an 8cm increase over the S size, and you can see more space at the sides. I recommend the M size if you carry long items, but if you are smaller in stature, it might not fit as snugly on your back, so opting for one size down can help maintain better mobility.
Large Size
Compared to the M size, the width and depth have increased slightly by 2cm each. Because of the heavy-duty construction, the bag also gets heavier as it increases in size. This slight difference in dimensions is a carefully considered sizing that balances large capacity without sacrificing mobility.
X-Large Size
As expected of the largest size, it pretty much covers the entire back of the 160cm model in the first photo. Compared to the L size, it is 5.5cm wider, 6cm deeper, and 2cm taller. Simply put, it carries a ton of stuff—that's all there is to it.
On a side note, many of you might remember the discomfort of wearing a shoulder bag packed with heavy items, only to have the bag swing like a pendulum and pull your body around. However, the sling style sits snugly against your body, preventing the bag from pulling you off balance and allowing for comfortable transport. This is exactly where the sling type really shines, fulfilling the simple requirement of having a high capacity to carry a lot of items.
