Famous for their overbuilt backpacks, San Francisco's Mission Workshop has spent the last decade using tech and design to make city dwellers the masters of their environment.
Hailing from California, the home of tech and innovative thinking, and built with military spec fabrics, tough buckles, straps and more, MW is so in confident in their product that they guarantee them for life.
The made-in-America brand was founded by Bart Kyzar and Mark Falvai, who was previously the genesis behind streetwear label, Chrome. Loved by nineties bicycle couriers from New York to London, Chrome kit and their messenger bags were tough, adjustable and the brand was revolutionary.
Mark went on to open a workshop in 2009 to expand on his luggage lines and, to this day, one of their first bags, the Vandal, is still one of our best sellers.
Made in America with lifetime warranty
Mission Workshop have garnered so many fans over the last twenty years thanks to their no-quibble guaranteed for life warranty policy.
The bags all carry a 'Made in America' label to highlight the extensive workmanship that goes into making each item.
Premium buckles and clips
Bags across the range all share the high quality hardware — the hardware that is likely to fail when it comes to other brands. The MW buckles are either supersized hardened plastic, which can withstand years of abuse and won't easily crack when you throw your bag down, or aluminium buckles — either traditional click closure or a magnetic quick snap system — for additional durability.
Mission Workshop use wide panels of high density loop Velcro, which is backstitched in position to ensure you get a quick, secure closure every time, and the Velcro won't tear lose when you pull at it in a hurry.
Military grade zips
Using a water-resistant material is great but liquid can trickle through the zips. Mission Workshop have added a rubberised, waterproof lip to keep out the heaviest of rain to all their exterior zips, as well as large format zip pulls so they are easy to grab with gloves on.
Fabrics
Mission Workshop uses four proprietary fabrics: 1000d Nylon, HT500, VX, and Polyant X-Pac®.
HT500
A signature material used exclusively by Mission Workshop; it utilises high-tenacity 500d nylon with a superior strength-to-weight ratio and a smooth, refined surface. HT500 incorporates a water- and stain-resistant coating that develops a beautiful natural patina over time.
VX
A number of Mission Workshop bag models are available in their signature fabric of VX. VX is made by technical fabric manufacturer Dimension Polyant. Lightweight layers of fabric are fused together to create a water, tear, abrasion, and UV resistant fabric without needing an additional coating or treatment.
1000d nylon
A softer, less industrial feeling fabric, it is woven with nylon to 1000 denier, creating a tight weave and making it tough and durable. As it is softer, it doesn’t hold it's structure compared to the HT500 and some riders may prefer their bag to mould around their body shape, which is why it's used for messenger bags.
X-Pac
A laminated fabric that is 100% waterproof. Manufactured by Dimension Polyant, a maker of marine sails, the fabric is lighter than VX and HT500, and extremely water repellent.
Bestselling Messenger Bags
Mission Workshop have three choices of classic messenger bag as well as the Khyte, a re-imagined version of a shoulder bag.
Monty
The Monty is one of the most popular bags for commuters. It can hold a 13" laptop in the weather-resistant flap or 15" laptop in the main compartment. The flap is designed to allow you to roll it into position should you have bulky cargo.
Capacity: 21L
Fabric: 1000d nylon with aluminium buckle
Rummy
A step up from the Monty, the Rummy can hold up to a 17" laptop. You’ll find two cargo side pockets and four internal pockets for knick-knacks, as well as military spec alloy buckles.
Capacity: 27L
Fabric: 1000d nylon with aluminium buckle
Shed
If you want to haul a lot of kit but prefer a messenger bag over MW’s big capacity backpacks, this is the bag for you. Giving you easy access on the go, there are six pockets and a detachable chest stabiliser. This bag is practically going to do the carrying for you.
Capacity: 32L
Fabric: 1000d nylon with aluminium buckle
Khyte
Built to be fully waterproof, the Khyte is designed for heavy use. The interior pockets are intuitive and expansive. The exterior closures are magnetic and snap securely and easily into place, and it supports Mission Workshop's Arkiv system, so if you don't have enough pockets and pouches, you can always add more. The Khyte is not the kind of bag you throw a tablet into and carry to a café; it's the kind you bring when biking to work in a rainstorm and taking in Christmas gifts for everyone in the office.
Capacity: 24L
Fabric: HT500 or VX
Backpack and Messenger Bag Quick Look
On-Bike Bags
There are three styles of on-bike storage bags available from Mission Workshop, all using the water repellent X-Pac fabric, highly durable YKK water-repellent zips, and available in a range of colours.
Saddle Pack — slots under the saddle, ideal for essentials like an inner tube.
Toro Handlebar — barrel style, fits to the handlebar using Velcro straps and available in two sizes, ideal for snacks and a lightweight jacket.
Slice Frame Bag — 1.5L capacity, ideal for longer gravel days, heavier kit and items like a pump.
Bestselling Backpacks
Vandal
The SUV of bags. The key to the Vandal is that it can double in size thanks to its roll-top or flat top closure. If you think you'll be finishing the day with more kit that you started with, the Vandal is the go to. The Vandal is perfect for sporadic change of plans, or if you need to carry a pair of shoes or drinks for a party. Oh, and the speakers!
Capacity: 49L-64L
Fabric: Available in HT500 or VX
Rambler
The little brother to the Vandal, the Rambler is the perfect backpack for tooling around the city, whether by pavement or bike lane. It features a cool Easter egg: if you carry a U-lock, you can secure it on the outside of the bag where it won't smoosh your sandwich.
Capacity: 22L-49L
Fabric: Available in HT500 or VX
Sanction
Designed for daily essentials, the Sanction is a classic backpack with military spec construction. There is a zipped interior pocket with waterproof liner for a 15" laptop.
Capacity: 20L
Fabric: 1000d Nylon
Speedwell
A fully weatherproof pack with hydration pouch for multi day adventures. The Speedwell is lighter than than MW’s equivalent capacity Sanction and uses a floating strap system to maximise airflow. There is a zipped compartment for 16" laptops, big easy reach cargo pockets for snacks and flasks, and magnetic metal Fidlock buckles for secure, quick closure in rugged conditions.
Capacity: 20L
Fabric: Polyant X-Pac® fabric and MultiCam® Cordura®
Hauser
Available in two sizes, the hydration-ready Hauser uses a lightweight fabric compared to MW’s staple HT500. It has a flat top and roll top closure to give you flexibility over the size of your cargo. The Hauser is an excellent pack for mountain biking or a few hours hiking. A removable tool roll is included.
Capacity: 10L or 14L
Fabric: Polyant X-Pac® fabric and MultiCam® Cordura®.
Fraction
Literally a fraction of the size of the Vandal, the Fraction is designed for riders who don’t need to carry more than a tablet, packable jacket and socks. It has lots of little pockets to stash things like headphones, hard drives and notebooks.
Capacity: 14L
Fabric: 1000d Nylon
Discover Mission Workshop
Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack
Mission Workshop Speedwell Backpack
Mission Workshop Monty Messenger Bag
Mission Workshop Sanction Rucksack
Mission Workshop Toro Bar Bag
Mission Workshop Fraction Rucksack
Mission Workshop Slice Frame Bag
Mission Workshop Rummy Messenger Bag