GeekDad: Reaping the Rewards: The Rollacrit Messenger Bag of Holding

Almost a year ago, our good friends at Rollacrit launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new and improved Bag of Holding, a much sought after product from the gone but not forgotten ThinkGeek. I reviewed a prototype of the bag, and was much impressed. 

This Spring, Rollacrit delivered their new Messenger Bag of Holding to backers around the world. Once backers received their products, Rollacrit made sales available to the public on their website. Rollacrit recently shipped me one of their production bags, along with a few goodies, to see how the final product turned out.

The Rollacrit Messenger Bag of Holding – Production Model

The Messenger Bag of Holding is a 16 oz washed canvas bag lined with an extra sturdy 210D polyester lining, 8mm EPE foam padding inserts, double-stitched heavy-duty metal zippers, N420D Hypalon reinforced corners, and industrial-strength latches that can hold up to 50 pounds. Here are all the details:

• 16 oz washed canvas bag
• More than 21 pockets
• Seven sections:
  • 1 zippered front flap
  • 1 snap-shut quick-access pouch
  • 1 zippered accessory pocket
  • 1 zippered main compartment
  • 1 laptop/tablet pocket (measures 16″ x 14″ inches)
  • 1 backpack strap pocket
  • 1 zippered Pouch of Rain Protection (for protection when it rains)
• Hefty metal D-rings
• Double-stitched heavy-duty metal zippers
• Fully padded laptop storage area
• N420D Hypalon reinforced corners
• Meets all current TSA and FAA requirements for carry-on luggage.
• Measurements: 16” wide x 14” tall x 9.5” thick
• Spot-clean only
• Weight capacity: 50 pounds
• Bag weight: 3.25 pounds (including straps)

It can be worn over the shoulder or as a backpack, thanks to the adjustable backpack straps that can be concealed in a strap pocket when not in use.

The Rollacrit Messenger Bag of Holding retails for $150, and can be purchased directly from Rollacrit.

The Rollacrit Messenger Bag of Holding – Prototype VS Production

At a surface glance, the retail version of the Rollacrit Messenger Bag of Holding looks strikingly similar to the prototype I reviewed last year. There are minor tweaks here and there to improve quality and functionality, which I will cover below. But if you’re interested in an in-depth look at the features of the bag, I suggest you read my review of the Kickstarter prototype.

One of the first things I immediately noticed on the production model is that the magnetic snaps on the prototype had been replaced with traditional snaps. 

While I don’t know the reason for this change, I suspect it was to ensure more security for the bag, as the magnetic snaps were fairly easy to separate. I appreciated that the snaps for the front flap have two sockets on each side instead of just one. This allows for more flexibility in closure, depending on how much you’re stuffing into the Bag of Holding. Additionally, those sockets are on canvas loops, so that you can slide a finger into them when you’re snapping. It’s a smart little piece of industrial design.

Covering the snap of the quick-access pouch is a metal d20 emblem. This is purely decorative, but ties in with the d20 design of the bag’s lining.

Inside of one of the compartments is a zippered pocket that contains the strap for the bag. In the prototype, this pocket was made of the lining material, but now it is made of the much stronger 16 oz canvas.

Speaking of straps, the Messenger Bag of Holding comes with a strap bearing the same design as the lining. Rollacrit also makes several alternately designed straps available separately for purchase at $20 each. They sent me the Bog Witch’s Apothecary 55-inch Tabletop Gaming Bag Strap along with the Bag of Holding. 

It should be noted that the optional straps don’t include shoulder pads, but it’s easy enough to slide the pad off of one strap and put it onto the other. Rollacrit also makes a $20 Deluxe Shoulder Pad Strap Accessory, if you need a bit more comfort and support. 

A notable change from the prototype straps to the production ones is the addition of a d-ring on a canvas strap. You can easily snap a carabiner onto the ring.

In addition to the straps and shoulder pad, there are several other accessories that Rollacrit has on offer for the Bag of Holding. There’s a Tech Pouch Strap Accessory, a Badge Wallet Strap Accessory, and several varieties of Zipper Charm Sets. I received a Sword Zipper Charm Set, which retails for $10 and comes with 5 identical charms.

Why You Should Get the Rollacrit Messenger Bag of Holding

As it was with the prototype, the Rollacrit Messenger Bag of Holding is a sturdily-constructed, versatile bag that allows you to carry a large amount of gaming supplies. It can safely hold up to 50 lbs of books, dice, a laptop, poster tube, and more. You have the versatility of choosing whether you want to carry it over your shoulder, or strap it to your back (the latter choice being the wisest when you fill the Bag of Holding to capacity).

It was gratifying to see the changes from the earlier prototype. Yes, they’re small tweaks, but they’re nice quality of life changes to make the bag even more sturdy and functional. All in all, Rollacrit took a bag that was at a ten, and like Spinal Tap, they turned it up to eleven.

For more information or to make a purchase, visit the Rollacrit Messenger Bag of Holding page.

Rollacrit sent a Bag of Holding for evaluation, but had no input into this review.

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Disclosure: GeekDad received a copy of this game for review purposes.

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