Which TUMI Messenger Bag for Work: Midland, Odyssey or Plateau?

The right TUMI messenger bag for an office commute depends on how much you carry each day. The Midland Messenger is the largest on the tag, the Odyssey Flap Messenger is the one in ballistic nylon, and the Plateau Messenger Crossbody is the slimmest and starts lowest, from RM959.

All three are listed in black and are bought new from a TUMI outlet physical store in the US after you order. If you carry less, the smaller Ordinance Crossbody is covered further down.

TUMI messenger bag comparison at a glance

The measurements below are the ones printed on the TUMI tag, copied as they appear on each product page. The Midland and Odyssey pages give two sets of figures. The listings do not label the second set, so both are shown as written.

The tag does not say which figure is height, width or depth. The smallest figure in each set is the natural candidate for depth, and this post refers to it as the third figure.

Midland or Odyssey for a full work bag

These two sit RM50 apart on starting price, so the choice is about shape and fabric more than budget.

The Midland Messenger, from RM1,219, has the largest first two figures of the three messengers: 28cm X 38.5cm X 8.5cm on the tag. Its fabric is listed as 90% Nylon, 5% Spandex, 5% Leather with 100% Polyester lining, which makes it the only bag in this post with spandex in the blend. The second set of figures on its page reads 24cm X 33.5cm X 1.25cm.

The Odyssey Flap Messenger, from RM1,169, is a little smaller on the first two figures at 26.5cm X 35.5cm, and larger on the third: 10.25cm against the Midland’s 8.5cm. The material is 95% Ballistic nylon and 5% leather with 100% polyester lining. If ballistic nylon is the reason you are looking at TUMI, this is the only one of the four whose listing names it. Its second set of figures reads 21.5cm X 33cm X 2cm.

A rough way to split them: if your load is wide and flat (documents, folders, a larger laptop), the Midland’s bigger first two figures matter most. If your load is thicker, the Odyssey’s third figure gives you more room in that direction, going by the tag.

Plateau Messenger Crossbody for a slimmer carry

The Plateau Messenger Crossbody starts from RM959, which is RM210 below the Odyssey and RM260 below the Midland on starting price. On the tag it reads 26cm X 34.5cm X 5cm. That puts it within 0.5cm and 1cm of the Odyssey on the first two figures, with a third figure of 5cm, less than half the Odyssey’s 10.25cm.

So the Plateau suits a lean commute, the kind of day where you carry a few flat things and want less bulk at your side.

Two things to know before you order. The product data for the Plateau does not state the fabric composition, so check the product page or ask us if material matters to you. It also lists one set of tag measurements, where the Midland and Odyssey list two.

Ordinance Crossbody for lighter loads

The Ordinance Crossbody, from RM819, is a different shape from the three messengers. Its tag reads 25.5cm X 23cm X 11.5cm. The 11.5cm figure is the largest third figure of the four bags, while 23cm is well short of the 34.5cm to 38.5cm second figures on the messengers.

Going by those numbers, it is a compact, boxier bag for the days you leave the laptop at home or at the office. Anything longer than its largest figure of 25.5cm belongs in one of the messengers.

Material is listed as 40% Polyester, 55% nylon, 3% PU and 2% leather with 100 % polyester lining. The colour is listed by its TUMI code, A755, so look at the product page to see the shade before you choose.

How to check if your laptop fits

None of the four listings states a laptop size, so we will not guess one. You can check for yourself in a few minutes:

• Measure the body of your laptop in centimetres (length, width and thickness). Screen size in inches is a diagonal and will not tell you whether it fits.
• Compare those numbers with the tag measurements in the table and leave some margin. The listings do not say whether the tag figures are exterior or interior.
• Add the thickness of what travels with the laptop, such as a charger, a notebook or an umbrella.

If the numbers are close, ask us on WhatsApp at +1 603 440 9886 before you order.

RM prices and how ordering works

Starting prices on Amaboxly are:

• Midland Messenger: from RM1,219
• Odyssey Flap Messenger: from RM1,169
• Plateau Messenger Crossbody: from RM959
• Ordinance Crossbody: from RM819

You can see these and other models on our TUMI page.

All four are preorders. We buy the bag new from a TUMI outlet physical store in the US after you order, and estimated delivery is 30 calendar days. You can pay in full or, where the product page offers it, pay a 50% deposit now and the balance later. Checkout shows when the balance is due for your country.

Delivery is free within Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan pay RM21 per item, or nothing on orders over RM2,200. For every other country, the shipping fee appears at checkout, and the shipping fees page has the details.

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. A change-of-mind return must be in new condition, carries a 10% restocking fee, and the cost of shipping it back to the seller is deducted from your refund. Exchanges are only for items that arrive damaged, so settle the size question before you order. If the bag is damaged when it arrives, report it with photos straight away. Full terms are on the refund and returns page.

If you are comparing this with buying in the US yourself, weigh the US list price together with currency conversion, delivery to your country and how a return would work from where you live.