#2 Stupid Design Decision
Posted by Unknown on Monday, March 02, 2015 with 2 comments
I wrote about my #1 SDD (Stupid Design Decision) here. Now I want to continue to add to this list with the #2 SDD: Velcro.
I understand why manufacturers use Velcro on bags. It is a cheap, quick, and an easy way to secure a flap. It is also a good way to allow for customization as shown in the divided camera insert below:
The latter use I get - it makes sense. Once you move those dividers into place, you don't have to move them to get access to your gear. When you use Velcro to secure a flap on a messenger bag, however, you have no choice but to pull apart the hooks from the loops dozens of times a day to get to your gear.
Sure it is fast, but does the benefit outweighs the cost? Frankly, I am not sure why securing a flap with a plastic buckle (Fastex or otherwise) has somehow become equated with slow and inconvenient. I get that a plastic buckle is slower than Velcro, but it is certainly not slow by any means. I suppose it is a matter of perspective, but I have leather messenger bags that are secured by a buckle like the one holding up my pants. Now that is truly slow.
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| What's with the coffee beans? |
Do we really need the extra 1.63 cm of speed (as measured on my screen)? Particularly given this:
As I have said in numerous reviews, Velcro is loud - particularly in quiet places like board rooms and libraries. You can't help but hear the sound of someone ripping open their bag when it is covered in Velcro. God help the poor soul if his pen and computer are behind another wall of Velcro. There is no way to make opening Velcro unobtrusive. I have tried. Going slow sounds like AM radio static rather than the normal speed equivalent to the Cool Aid Jug breaking through a brick wall. Sometimes I will just rip fast to get it over with thinking it is similar pulling out an eyebrow hair. It's not (in both cases).
Velcro does do one thing very well: It makes everyone notice that you came late to the meeting.
So, please, bag manufacturers, leave off the Velcro. Particularly if you have the Fastex buckles as well. As to those few bags that use Velcro exclusively to secure the flap...get ready to earn low scores on my reviews if I even bother to review your bag in the first place.
Categories: Article
To be fair...
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons why flap + velcro + buckles are desirable for messengers who are using their bag to delivery stuff:
1. Flap provides basic waterproofing.
2. Ease of access - messengers can arrive at a location, open the flap, pull our parcels and then close it really quickly. If the bag is mostly empty, then the buckles can be left alone and the velcro can do the work of sealing the bag shut. Speed is more important than a noisy velcro rippling sound...
3. A buckle allows for oversize carry. A messenger's worth is bound to his/her ability to carry a lot whilst riding a bike. Observe: http://iconosquare.com/p/941535712128830359_1619324641
4. Velcro + buckle = more secure closure. If you're riding a bike with a messenger bag, the bag will probably be sitting on your back at a strange angle. Buckles by themselves might not do a good enough job.
Of course, times have changed, and so messenger bags are no longer being purchased by messengers. And other bag companies have just decided to make 'messenger-like' bags which use ideas from the true messenger bag, but with less than desirable functional results. Perhaps some bags out there are using a flap + velcro + buckles for looks more than function...
But I think it's a bit unfair to call it a stupid design. Especially if what you're reviewing is in fact a messenger bag, designed for messengers, or perhaps bike commuters who have similar needs. It's a perfectly good design for many circumstances. As you've noted elsewhere - I think you're not really looking for a messenger bag anyway.
(Also, you can buy 'Bag Silencers' from Timbuk2 for $3 - http://www.timbuk2.com/bag-silencer-strips/9520.html)
You make good points, A. I would say that 99.9% of the consumers out there, however, do not fully understand that Velcro will be more of an hindrance than a help in their daily lives. I created this post for them rather than the 0.1% of people out there who are bike messengers. As you acknowledge, there are very few bike messengers who currently buy messenger bags.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am glad that you have offered a counterpoint to this since this can only help to educate those in the market of for a commuter bag! Thank you.