Pac Designs Then & Now

Pac Designs messenger bags appeared on the streets of Toronto in 1989 when the founder of Pac, Pat McGibbon, was off work (from cycle messengering) because of an injury. To fill her idle hands she began sewing messenger bags for friends and co-workers. The bags quickly became popular with the other messengers in Toronto and Pat's sewing career began. She continued to messenger for a total of 9 years, making bags part time. People called the bags "Pat-Pac's" (If you look at the Pac emblem you will see the original "Pat" in the logo.)

Pat from her early courier
days

1995 was the turning point for Pac Designs when it turned up at the Cycle Messenger World Championships (www.messengers.org) held in Toronto, Canada, that year. This was Pac Designs first exposure to the international messenger scene and the business grew quickly from word of mouth, earning a reputation for excellence in Cycle World messenger circles. Since then the original messenger bag has had hundreds of well thought out refinements. Pac Designs original innovations such as the "D" ring adjusting, "anti-sway" straps, padded backs, and Ballistic bottoms are now seen on other messenger bags. Other innovations such as the "X" strap (A removable 2nd shoulder strap), 3 layers Construction, and Deluxe suspension strapping remain exclusively on Pac bags.

Pac's niche in the messenger bag market is producing the highest quality, and most technology advanced bags available. Products continue to improve and new products have been introduced. No longer just producing "professional only" messenger bags Pac Designs now makes a full line of messenger bags catering to all cyclists.

Pac Designs is currently located on Manitoulin Island (the worlds largest freshwater Island) in Ontario Canada. Pat still helps sew the bags and is more than likely the person you will talk to if you call or e-mail. In February of 2006 we moved to our new production facility, which should triple Pac’s production once fully up and running. We have always had the reputation of making the world’s best messenger bags but alas we have also had the reputation of being slow at getting production done. 2006 should change all that.

Our main focus is functional durable items, geared to cycling. Cycling is our big thing, because it is a lifestyle we believe in. Our business slogan is:

"To make life on a bike easier."

Pat from Pac Designs