Haul Foreman Messenger Bag - any good?

[hewey]

Has anyone got any feedback (good or bad) on the Haul Foreman Messenger Bag (http://www.haul.com.au/_product_38997/Foreman_Messenger_Bag)?

http://www.haul.com.au/Images/ProductImages/Rubber%20Inner%20Tube%20Products/foreman_PL.jpg

Im after a man bag which I can use for work (both in the office and at conferences and the like), yet is still something thats fine for wearing while riding a bike. I've looked at crumpler and while their stuff looks good, I'm after something a little more corporate in style. Now Brooks have some amazing leather messenger bags, but Im not about to stump $600 for one! I love the look of the Haul unit, plus love that its made out of recycled truck inner tubes, and that it will get a nice patina with age. I just wanted to hear from someone whos actually used one about how comfortable it is. ;)

[Lorday]

Tomas has a Brooks bag. It's porn.

[evil]

problem with bag like that is where the straps are connected... means it doesnt sit flat on your back as there are perpendicular to it...
http://a1472.g.akamaitech.net/f/1472/124/4h/img.ebags.com/is/image/im9/93199_8_1?op_sharpen=1&qlt=80&hei=600&wid=600
see how the straps are based of the back of the bag, not the top.

also needs a cross strap so it doesnt fall under your arm when riding as you will be constantly playing with it to ensure its not under your arm...

[hewey]

I gave Haul a call and found out the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) (the big historic building to the west of Circular Quay) stock Haul stuff in their gift shop. I was in the city on Sunday so decided to check out their gear. I found the Foreman Messenger bag to be a bit big and didn?t like the way it sat on my back. In the end I got their Labourer Satchel Bag:

http://www.haul.com.au/_product_39074/Labourer_Satchel

http://www.haul.com.au/Images/ProductImages/Rubber%20Inner%20Tube%20Products/LABOURER_Poplets/haul_recycled_rubber_truck_inner_tube_satchel_bag_ P1.jpg
http://www.haul.com.au/Images/ProductImages/Rubber%20Inner%20Tube%20Products/LABOURER_Poplets/RSBL001_PD7.jpg

Appearance wise the bags is great, the rubber looks classy and semi-industrial at the same time, and all the black look is great. The rubber is nice and supple and doesn?t blacken your hands, but if you handle the bag a lot your hands do smell like rubber, but I don?t mind that. I?ve just used it for walking around so far, and it works well over the shoulder (like woman carries a handbag), or on the back like a messenger style bag. Comfort is pretty good, I don?t imagine it would be good wearing it on your back in summer but in that case I can wear it on my shoulder or use the handle. In terms of using it while riding I agree I reckon it might move around a bit, and see above comment about rubber on your back in summer.

If you?re after a cool man bag that?s a bit different, is eco friendly, classy enough for the corporate world, and is semi-pushie friendly (for an occasional short ride) it?s a good bag. If you?re after a bag that?s going to see regular bike duty look elsewhere.