These guys are fantastic. I've been a big fan of their product since the launch and I'm always impressed with their innovations. The store carries more than just their bags and the staff is awesome. Always friendly read more

The Fitzroy backpack review: Pros - excellent waterproofing - large 40L capacity (there's a BUT here though) - nice sized laptop pocket - nice looking Cons - PRICE - aside from the one utility front pocket, the other zippered pockets are pretty useless. To sum it up, it's a good backpack that looks good and does it's job being waterproof BUT for the price I'd expect more. The pocket design isn't well thought out. The 40L capacity is a bit of a misnomer because the physical (front to back) depth of the bag limits what it can hold comfortably. The bag is deep but if you're not putting anything in there that's not symetrically friendly to the size of a rectangular prism, it's really awkward to fit. The front pockets underneath the big flap are pretty much useless for carrying anything other than flat paper and a few pens. For carrying a water bottle and lunch, on top of documents, clothes, laptop, etc., there's no really good place for the water bottle and lunch bag. read more

I thought it would be wise to share and update that 4+ years later of making MW a part of my daily life, jackets-and-bag wise; I still believe they make the best products available. When that is the case, price goes out the window. Just buy that Mission Workshop item that you've had your eye on, it will be worth it. Special recommendations + AP Series Rummy messenger bag + Rambler Backpack + The Remi jacket read more

These guys are awesome! I stopped by on a Thursday afternoon and had the opportunity to completely nerd out on bags with them. The staff was friendly and took the time to fit and accessorize a backpack with me. I ended up with the Rambler with the COBRA buckle which was the one I basically had settled on doing research beforehand. So far I'm really happy. The bag fits me really well and holds an amazing amount of stuff! I just keep finding ways to fit more stuff in this bag but it never turns into an abyss; I can always find what I'm looking for quickly and easily in this bag. I also really appreciate that all of their bags are built in the US out of quality materials. It seems like more and more brands are finding ways to cut corners on materials and build their stuff overseas. It's really cool to be able to walk into a store where your bag was built in a workshop "out back." Speaking of the store... I love the aesthetic! The lighting is awesome, the exposed truss work, the raw wood and steel... It really sets off their product. The leather couch makes me want to hang out for a while which is fitting with their sales model. I never felt like i was getting pushed into anything. They showed me all of the options and when I was ready, we finalized the sale. First class service! Definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in SF. I'm certainly happy I bought my bag in their store. Their website is great, but there's no replacement for being able to touch and feel in person. read more

A spade full of attitude. I went there to look at their bags. And I found a piece of vinyl stuck in their fan making noise. I picked it up and asked the staff if they had a trash can throw it away and the answer came back "no". Then I ask him if he can throw it away for me and he says "no". I told him I will leave it with him and he says "Thats not the trash bin". Taking offense I told him that it wasn't my trash and I was trying to help the store by my action. And in return I get a rude confrontation. I assume he thought it was my piece of trash. But I still cannot understand why the staff had chosen to escalate it and make snide remarks. The end result is that I am not going to buy their bag. I am spending the effort to log into Yelp and leave a description of my experience. And I will think twice about picking up a piece of trash at another store. read more

Sweet space they have here. The guys are super helpful and patient. We were here for probably at least 2 hours (someone is indecisive) and ended up walking out with two Monty messenger bags. The bags may be seem pricey, but look at it as something you can use for the rest of your life. Investment piece! ALSO: they have straps with different colored hardware in the store. Adds a little pop to your bag. ALSO 2: they have a super secret color in store that isn't on the site. Kind of a gunmetal grey. read more

I used to carry a Timbuk2 Swig for school, but lately it hasn't been able to carry my charger, books and binders, and my laptop and lunch. It was time for a new bag. I scrolled the Internet for a while, and narrowed down the search to three bags, one each from Chrome, Timbuk2, and Mission Workshop. If I was going to get another bag, I decided I needed to touch and examine them before buying, and since the city is easy to get to for me, I went to Mission Workshop first to check out the Vandal and Rambler backpacks. I've had my Vandal backpack for a week or two now, but it's absolutely wonderful. I'm in love, honestly; I told my mom that I loved it and she said, "Well, why don't you marry it!?" Well, Mom, MAYBE I WILL. But seriously. You're getting what you paid for: high quality, durable construction, and a big ass bag that carries everything you could need and the kitchen sink. It blew all the other choices I had considered out of the water, honestly. When we went in, I wasn't sure if I wanted it; the guy in front with curly black hair was hella chill and super nice. Like, wow, service: incredible. He let me take my time, shove everything in my current backpack into the Vandal, the Rambler AND the Arkiv and test the weights and support and capacity, as well as fully answering every question I had about each bag. An hour and some later, I settled on the Vandal, and it's quickly became my everything bag. My only qualm has been the lack of water bottle pocket, but whatever. I've survived. It's fine. Seriously. If the bag is for you, get it. It's absolutely worth every penny and more. Mission Workshop foreverrrr!!! read more

I came across this company while searching online for waterproof bags. I needed a bag able to transport my laptop and whatever else I need to carry through the many random rain showers of Hawaii and this bag doesn't disappoint. I picked up the Rambler backpack and my only regret is I didn't get the Vandal (a bigger version of the Rambler). I have only dealt with the company through their website and via phone and both were excellent experiences. Next time I am in San Francisco I will definitely be stopping by their storefront. read more

Super friendly and helpful staff! I came in a few times before finally deciding to commit and buy, and the staff remembered me each time. I got the Vx sanction bag - the quality is great and it's the perfect size for all my work and gym gear. Highly recommend checking this place out if you're looking for a new pack. read more

I went here with my environmentalist boyfriend who is now a proud owner of a fixed gear bicycle. The first time we went here was for a messenger bag. We walked in and the place was crowded but the employees didn't ignore us. They welcomed us and made sure we were taken care of. After looking for awhile my man finally decided on a navy blue bag. He tried it on and was in love. The bag had many compartments, was durable and was comfortable to wear. Everything he needed in order to ride comfortable on the streets of San Francisco. We soon returned a couple weeks later since he insisted on getting these new shoes, strause. They are green high tops that are "SPD compatable." We got there again early Sunday afternoon and were greeted by a friendly employee. He was really nice and asked us a bunch of questions. He was patient and was very approachable. Whenever I get a bike, I am definitely coming here to support an awesome local company! =] read more

I have finally found my bag for my local commute! Med messenger olive w/ gold clips. Located right off the 16th and mission BART exit its just walking/bike distance. As soon as i walked in i was welcomed by multiple employees into the shop, love the design of the place. I am very glad i decided to stop by the shop instead of ordering online. I got a full walkthrough from Greg? Ray? on how my soon to be bag was operated and details on warranty and attachments that can be put onto the bag. So more about the bag: -Comfortable the messenger strap does not break my collarbone or make it sore since i have a weak collarbone from bails -everything can be operated with one hand so its perfect for when your riding and just commuting running around BART. -Build quality, i just cant help but just gawk at my bag and its build quality,from the seams that make the bag lock tight from weather to how strong the velcro and even down to how the clips feel when getting in and out of the bag -everything about the bag has had thought put into it, its not just a bag thats thrown together and conflicts with other features of the bag. I have had many bags from The North Face, Timbuk2 and used a Chrome bag for a while and slowly but surely upgraded to my MW messenger. -fits my 15" macbook -Carries more than someone would need to survive for days Cons: -So far i have had it for 2 weeks and not one complaint - i was a little shocked on the price and have done a lot of research on the bag before i made my decision. is the bag worth the money? look at their reviews i wish i would have just paid the amount and gotten this bag first instead of wasting my time with other bags. read more

I owned a big bicycle bag and then later replaced with a smaller one, in my big bag, I had one 2inch clip broken and they replaced it for free, no cost, no shipping charges, free shipping to Canada, later I bough a smaller bag for my laptop and I had a small 1inch clip broken, they provided free clip and $18USD shipping to Canada, it's so ridiculous and I'm little frustrated. Just to let you know, they do not provide lifetime guarantee, the cost included in shipping now. read more

Bag selection is incredible. The quality is unparalleled and to be frank these bags just look pretty dang good! They have so much utility to Ken especially if you're a techie like almost everyone else in the city. These bags are made for all your electronics, oh and not to mention... they are fully friggin waterproof! Go in, check them out but be prepared to invest a penny or so on these beauties! read more

The greatest bags ever !! Mission Workshop is the epitome of comfort, style, durability and craftsmanship. The prices are quite steep, but consider this - the more you use it the more money you get out of it. For example, you buy a messenger bag for 245 but end up using it a 1000 times ( maybe more ) - that's 25 cents each time you used it!! These bags are worth the investment and will eventually become your go to bag. In terms of comfort the messenger bags distribute weight quite evenly and will not cut into your shoulders. Also, the adjustable strap is the best - smooth, easy to use and instantly goes up and down - I never get tired of loosening my strap to swing my bag around and getting out my supplies. Overall, Mission Workshop deserves a strong consideration when shopping for a new messenger bag. read more

Stopped in at this location to drop off a repair for a Vandal purchased at the Rondel location 4 years ago (rep it). I use it 5 or more days a week bike commuting. The outer zipper failed at a corner. Lifetime guarantee. My son and I walked in with the bag - great place for toddlers BTW, clean layout and not much from the waist down. Wish we had moar time, double-parked. Here's the breakdown: - they'll offer you a loaner bag (I was going to bring this up as a joke. No joke, they do it) - They (quickly) ended up giving me a brand new bag on the spot as a replacement. "I already know what the repair tech is going to say about this issue, you want this same bag?" - best customer service experience that I can remember. - Orion shell or similar here I come, please hold an XL read more

I bought my first pair of SPD clip shoes, the Rondells, from MW. Evan, I think that was his name, was a saint, patient, let me try on a half dozen pairs, answered all my questions and assured me I'd figure out how to ride with them in no time flat. You were right. I don't know how I did it before clips. The products at MW are amazing, the shoes, a joint venture with DZR are out of this world and I'll be getting the high tops at some point too. Thanks fellahs for great products, knowledge, easy shopping, a relaxed environment and for helping me get the shoes setup and so forth. But still can't fathom why anyone would want shoe laces for 20 hole doc martin's in a six hole flat?! ha! read more

These guys are so great to deal with. I bought a VX Monty a few months back which needed to go in for a repair. No longer being based in CA I thought this would be a problem. No biggie. I emailed Trystan and he got back to me within a day saying they'd be sending me a new one! Even offered to ship it out the same day so I wouldn't have to wait til they receive my old one. I had the new bag in my hands 2 days later. Yeah their prices are a little steep but I have no problem giving my money to these guys knowing I'm taken care of. I now have 2 MW bags and eyeing another one soon! read more

Great product with awesome service. The guys behind the shop really appreciate good work and craftsmanship which can be seen in the bag. I got the vx sanction backpack which fits me great and has all the room I need for a laptop and etc. Highly recommend for your average day to day bag and then some. read more

The shop is tucked away in an alley but very accessible by bike in the Mission. I went to the opening and was amazed at the products they carry. The staff is friendly and the products speak for themselves. read more

I own several pieces of clothing from Mission Workshop, which tells you I like the styles, cut, etc. My issue is with the atrocious quality of the sewing of these garments. On several occasions I have had them essentially reconstructed by a tailor when the seams come apart, the zipper comes off the rail, etc. At this price point, this is not acceptable. read more

I don't write reviews (lazy) but Mission Workshop is a seriously awesome company that makes excellent products. I bought a Sanction backpack from them four or five years ago. The bag's construction is bulletproof! From biking to work to traveling abroad, this bag has been everywhere. Over the years, through heavy use, I've needed repairs. I've never been charged and the repairs were always completed well. My latest was a rip inside the laptop compartment. I would've been happy with them just patching it up, but they've replaced my bag with a completely new one free of charge! Excellent company. Excellent products. Excellent customer service. You guys have earned my business for life. I cannot recommend Mission Workshop enough! read more

This review is based on the customer service and experience I received saturday afternoon. I have been on a journey to sf in search of a quality bag for some time. In sacramento you dont have access to many bags in person, im very big on how a bag feels in your hands, on your back, and how it conforms to ones self. on r/bifl mission workshop popped up as an alternative to timbukl2 and chromebags, so I just had to get to the bay and check it out. I need a bag that I can use for life, not something you buy and end up destroying it in 6 months, looking at you every Chinese bag i owned. I was a bit apprehensive about the location, you pass a dodgy bar down an alleyway, a dog is pooping on the sidewalk and staring into my face while it does its business as if to say "this is my alley, get to stepping". But all of that is cleared up as you get to their store front. its open design and its industrial store front made shopping experience great. Their main bags were displayed prominently. I moseyed around check out the bags when the mission workshop employee asked me if I need help. He helped me answer any questions I had, he showed me how the bags worked and even talked about scenarios that might happen and what bag would be prime for that. I emphasize the customer service in many of my reviews because of the simple fact that I believe customer service is dying. In an age where everyone buys online, customer service has just not been a key in many business strategies. the bags themselves are destruction proof, usa made and lightweight. All of the materials used to make the bag were high quality. The modular system is a great idea not just for the ability to add and remove storage but to allow one to customize the look of the bag, in a sea of timbuk2 messengers and chrome seatbelt buckles, that little option makes one take notice. I didnt make a purchase that day but I will definitely come back and add mission workshop to my collection. thanks for the great products and customer service we will be back. read more

Went to the Mission shop today and while the packs look interesting, it gets a 1 star because the customer service was sub par. Not only were the racks with the addition packs covered in dust, but while my husband was looking at packs all the customer service rep could do was clean his bike. While we struggled looking at packs and trying to figure out how to add the accessory packs, he sat on his computer drinking a beer... While we were ready to buy, I told my husband not today. Why, because if your selling packs that are over $300 I expect some service and some help in modularization of these packs. And instead of cleaning your personal bicycle, why don't you keep the shop shelves neat... honestly. Even when I go clothes shopping the shop girls are helpful, attentive and offer great service... Go get schooled my friend and we will try again another time. read more

I have been watching this company for a very long time. Their products are not readily available in my area. Fortunately a few years ago a local bike shop became a distributor. I was able to touch and feel the packs and other pieces. Coming from a design background with a critical eye for the smaller details, the packs were the best I've seen. Built like a M1 Abrams tank - tough! I'm a stickler for technical gear with LOTS of storage (MIL-SPEC). With their modular system you can adapt and customize your setup to suit the day. I recommend the waist belt as it makes the pack very comfortable. I have yet to get that but tried it on at the store and it makes a huge difference. Worth the $50. Resembling military styling mixed with urban functionality is how I would call them. Definitely not cheap and there's a reason for it. I owned many pieces of outdoor and test the crap out of them. Sometimes buying cheaper-priced versions because I never warranted the higher cost of big-name brands. Most cases one can do without them but in certain cases (like with MW), worth every penny. With a lifetime guarantee, it'll surely last for years. I have the Vandal in black camo. Fricking awesome is all I can say. I commute by bike often and this thing hauls a lot of groceries, extra clothing, and my kid's lunches - all at once. For work, it will definitely do its job with a change of gym clothes (shoes included), a laptop and your lunch. I never used all the attachments as there were more than enough pockets to put everything in. Living on the west coast of Canada we get rain from pretty well October to May. Waterproof gear is a must. MW is my go-to piece. If you are waiting to buy one, don't wait. DO IT. It will be one of the last packs you will ever buy. It's an investment. I can't wait to take this on trips. I did not have this in Indonesia on my last 2 visits. Strap on a PACSafe net over this and you have a sweet, safe bag. I will definitely drop into their store the next time I'm down there. Kudos MW for producing the best gear around. read more

Came to this store the other day to check out some really cool messenger bags. I was expecting some great and friendly service, since their products are so premium and pricy, but honestly, I was a little bit disappointed. There were two shop assistants. They said Hi, but did not approach me. So I just walked around and checked out their bags. (Before I went, I already did the research on their website, so I knew what bags to look for.) I spent about 45 minutes at their store, and the entire time, they did not approach me unless I went to them and asked for advice. I don't know if that is the way they were trained, but it seems to me that they do not need to approach customers and introduce their products. Their products are truly expensive, and not everyone going to their stores has done research online, so I think it would be better if they can try to help customers by asking what they are looking for and showcase their products. At the end, I decided to buy their classic messenger bag, and the guy just went to get a brand new bag, took my card, asked me to sign. That was it. He did not even explain the return policy or warranty policy or anything like that. I almost felt like they did not care about their customers. Yes, their products are fantastic, but I think shopping experience does matter! read more

Great stuff. The only detriment I find with Mission Workshop is that their Arkiv line is over-built and requires one dump a ton of money for every pocket wanted. I can understand the reasoning behind the componentization - that is, it allows each person to tailor their bag to their needs. But, the over-building seems a bit wasteful and adds a lot of extra weight to the bags. Other than that,... pretty great products. read more

Mission Workshop!!! - It is a cool place to visit on a neat little alley way right off of 16th between Mission and Valencia. If you are looking for handcrafted San Francisco, one of a kind, genuine quality with a great guarantee - you should make a visit before you make a decision. ~ I have a very discriminating consumer daughter - only the best is her motto. Which does not mean that she will not shop at the op shops, Good Will and those great places on Haight Street and in Brooklyn where she now lives and attends UNI at Fordham. But, it has to be the KIND stuff or don't bother. Yes she has Timbuktu and loves them, but she needed a backpack - one that would hold up to her upcoming Euro journey (semester abroad at NUI Galway) - one that would resist easy theft. (She heard that in crowds backpacks can be opened at the back without you even knowing so we heard about Mission Workshop and there we went Saturday, the day before departure and she fell in love with three Backpacks and after about 30 or more minutes she discovered (the one that I loved from the beginning) it was Fatigue Green and waxed - it was modular so you can add or subtract elements depending on the need and it had a neat roll at the top feature that allowed for a vertical expansion. If fit like a glove and the straps were just right for a her lovely adult body. It was not that expensive either - the other she looked at were a little more but this was the ONE and Kevin was very friendly and helpful without being too attentive. And, it turned out he had the same one, except it had an added ability to add modules on the side and as he was a serious bikie kind of a man needed it for some of his projects. So, we are all very happy and, we are going back for the parentals to get some too. read more

I needed a good bag from traveling. I was sick of checking a bag in for flight, so something that can break down and expand was needed. The staff was really friendly and even made me a nice cup of Joe. The bag was not cheap, but it works like a charm. It was worth the investment. read more

Love it. Big fan. Store is funky and just hard enough to find to be cool in that elusive way. Staff is friendly and helpful. Their product is high quality technical gear that's urban enough to look good in town. I've got the wool zip-up (torre), wool pullover (faroe), waterproof jacket (orion), softshell hoodie (zurich), beanies (gobi), backpack (sanction), and everything has performed and held up really well. I am a size 6 female and though designed for men, size Small has worked out great. read more

Really disappointed with this place. No only did they send me a bag with missing parts, they are impossible to reach to find any sort of resolution. Finally spoke to the store a few minutes ago and was treated horribly. When I mentioned what happened, the guy had the nerve to say "well if you want to blame us for the delivery service, then that's fine". Clearly he didn't listen to what I told him. Simply said I was disappointed that they sent me a bag with missing accessories. No apology whatsoever. Totally dismissed when they had an opportunity to provide quality service. Won't be giving them my business again. Lesson learned. Stay away is my suggestion. read more

Mission workshop bags are a dream come true. And the fellows that work there couldn't be friendlier, or more helpful. I am a petite lady who carries a big load on my commute across the bay. I had been struggling to find a bag that could carry everything and somehow manage to not drown me. The fellows here helped me pick out my Rambler backpack; which I've owned for a year now and still swoon over. The price may have left me eating ramen noodles for a month, but the quality has been way beyond worth it. I regularly carry the bag at full extended capacity and haven't seen even a hint of wear. To top it off the lusciously padded straps never dig into my shoulders, even when I'm carrying more than I can ride with! I have turned 3 of my friends into new loyal customers of Mission Workshop, and I hope to keep feeding their business as long as I can, they deserve it! read more

can I actually leave less than 1? Apparently not. Bad customer service, would not replace a bag that leaked...blamed me for placing the bag in the water on the ground. I used the bag (The Rambler) twice in the rain..both times the bag leaked, obviously a manufacturers defect, and incidentally the bag was never placed on the ground. I work in an office and it was carefully placed under my desk after my commute. I did get my money back, thanks to the shop, but it was such an ordeal I bought a Chrome Orlov that has been wonderful and no leaks --- even in the worst downpour. -- my clothes were still dry...weird...so no I would not recommend this company to anyone. read more

Sent me the wrong bag. Took multiple weeks to send the right one out. Told me they would give me a $50 coupon for the trouble of mailing the first bag back. Now they won't respond to my emails about the coupon. Very unprofessional. read more

I looked at the backpacks and saw the Rambler that i wanted to buy for christmas was out of stock in black. I emailed them and with in the hour Bart from mission responded and let me know they could get it to me. I went ahead and placed the order (fingers crossed) hoping it would make it in time. To my surprise it arrived 2 days later. My boyfriend loves the bag and couldn't be happier. The bag is backed with a lifetime warranty which is what sold us. It fits great and he's able to fit a ton of crap in it and its water proof! Customer service was great Thanks Bart!!!! and delivery was exceptional! we will order again from here read more

Wanted to try Outliers but stumbled upon this company with comparable reviews. Their technical pants look and feel great but be ready to pay for it. Surprisingly though, customer service isn't included in the price. Could use some improvement there i.e. greeting customers, checking in on them for different sizes, colors, styles, etc. But if you know exactly what you want, no worries. read more

Incredibly bad customer service. I bought the vandal with life long warranty. The zips broke, I got in touch and was told to fix it myself with pliers following a youtube video. That wasn't a long term fix, they simply were worn out and needed replacing. Customer service didn't reply, then kept asking the same questions, this stretched over at least 6 months. Eventually I was sent a coupon to then order a replacement bag. Then the coupon didn't have the correct value, it took another month and various emails to get that replaced with the correct amount. And the, after 6 months, the bag that I said from the very beginning I wanted replaced turned out to be out of stock. Unbelievably bad communication, and when I buy a very expensive bag with a life long warranty, I do not want to deal with such resistance from the company. The story continues, I was travelling for work when they sent the bag WITHOUT informing me they would, and I nearly missed it, I just made it before FedEx would have returned it back to the US. Don't buy there, they are dishonest and unorganised. read more

I've been buying bags from here when their storefront was a loading dock in an alleyway. Expensive as hell, yes. But also the most well thought out with extremely high-quality materials and build, along with the best warranty in the business (or any business for that matter). The relatively new storefront is well designed, the staff are both friendly and extremely knowledgeable​ about the product lines and aren't there to pitch or upsell any particular product (they're actually lowkey about how great their bags and apparel are). One piece of advice - if you live in SF, you'll have better luck ordering online, especially if a product is new. They produce many bags in small batches, and often times you'll find bags that are for display purposes only (I've found this less true for apparel, which is more abundant in stock). What's great though, is that they don't do the typical 'our webstore and storefront are two different retails, so you can't return/exchange/repair between the two' that you might often hear elsewhere. Be careful though, this is a slippery slope. One bag, two bags, three bags... is never enough. You'll soon become a bag nerd and probably a bit of bag snob because everything else will look and feel like a POS. read more

These guys are the best and they really stand behind their products. I bought a backpack over 5 years ago and it started to show signs of wear with the zippers and clips. I took it in for a repair this weekend and they just gave me a new bag. Amazed. read more

The best gear out there, no doubt about it. I had an issue recently with some employees that were working there, but the manager made it right and was really great. I will always buy my gear here. read more

I purchased The Monty messenger bag and was blown away. These bags are the real deal. High quality materials obviously designed by people who actually use the bags. The Extra, Extra wide shoulder strap distributes the weight and makes carry a breeze. These are NOT hipster bags that charge a high price for low quality and poor functionality. I have owned several top tier bags from other manufacturers and I have finally found the best. Dollar for Dollar you are getting a bomb proof bag and a great design. If Mission Workshop keeps the price reasonable and the quality of materials high, I will keep coming back. Highly Recommended! read more