REASONS TO BUY
Waterproof
Comfortable
Lightweight
Highly durable
Ambidextrous shoulder strap
REASONS TO AVOID
Tips over easily when set down
Doesn't have very many pockets
A bit pricey
Arc'teryx Granville 10 Review
This sleek, comfortable, and lightweight bag is highly durable and weatherproof with minimal yet thoughtful features
Credit: Arc'teryx
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Our Verdict
The Arc'teryx Granville 10 is a dream come true for commuters who want to keep things simple and streamlined. Thought was clearly put into every part of it, but the designers also employed restraint; that is, none of the features are excessive or overdone. It's perfect for a professional, remote worker, or student that doesn't have a ton of stuff. It's especially ideal for those living in climates prone to more rain as it's highly weatherproof via waterproof material and taped seams. Offering an ambidextrous shoulder strap, cross-body stabilizing strap, body-hugging back panel, and padded laptop sleeve, it's also one of the lightest bags in our review.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Granville we tested is on the left, and the updated model is on the right.
Granville Updated — May 2023
Arc'teryx revised their Granville messenger bag. The updated version is called the Granville Shoulder Bag and features two carrying handles, an outer zip pocket, and a lower-profile front flap. It's also constructed with some recycled materials and is bluesign approved. We haven't yet tested this updated Granville, but we will link to it as it becomes available. The rest of this review tells our account of the previous Granville 10 messenger bag.
Arc'teryx revised their Granville messenger bag. The updated version is called the Granville Shoulder Bag and features two carrying handles, an outer zip pocket, and a lower-profile front flap. It's also constructed with some recycled materials and is bluesign approved. We haven't yet tested this updated Granville, but we will link to it as it becomes available. The rest of this review tells our account of the previous Granville 10 messenger bag.
Sleek, strong, and sophisticated, the Granville is a fantastic bag for those that value both minimalism and bomber craftsmanship.
Performance Comparison
The Granville is sleek, minimal, and highly weather-resistant.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Comfort
The Granville is a comfortable bag due to a few key design elements. The padded back panel conforms nicely to the curves of the body while providing both cushioning and stability. The shoulder strap is wide and comfortable without being super thick and cumbersome. It's also usable on either shoulder, a small but thoughtful feature that many bags do not offer. The cross-body stabilizing strap can connect via various lash points along the strap, and it extends nice and long for a more customized fit. Even the zipper pulls are a custom ergonomic design.
A padded and moldable back panel coupled with a supple and highly adjustable strap make for a really nice wearing experience.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Packing & Organization
The Granville is one of the more minimal bags in our review. This isn't a bad thing and is even a bonus for the right person, but it does limit your options when it comes to small loose items like cords, snacks, chapstick, and pens. Other than the main compartment, this bag only has a padded laptop sleeve and two zip pockets: a large mesh one on the front of the laptop sleeve and a smaller one with a key clip on the outside under the front flap. Unless you carry a ton of random miscellaneous objects, you will be fine, and even if you do, a supplemental accessory pouch is all you need to stay organized.
We liked using our own supplemental pouches for organization since the Granville doesn't have very many pockets.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Electronics
There's nothing ground-breaking here; the Granville does what it needs to do and nothing more. The padded sleeve carries a 13-inch laptop with ease, and the padded back panel helps protect your computer while also providing added comfort. The mesh pocket on the front of the laptop sleeve is large enough to hold a cord and/or mouse. All our belongings felt protected and secure, especially because they were housed in durable waterproof material.
Our 13-inch laptop felt well-protected in this bag. It doesn't boast a ton of pockets for extras, but it's more than sufficient for the more minimally-minded.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Ease of Use
In most respects, this is a wildly easy bag to use. Clips, strap adjusters, and pockets are all straightforward and predictable. There aren't very many pockets, so you won't get overwhelmed trying to decide what goes where. The cross-body strap can be attached to whatever lash point is best for you, though it's a bit tedious as the loops and clip are tight. However, this isn't an adjustment you will need to make very often. The zipper on the small outer pocket is quite stiff, but it keeps water out (which many don't), so that's more than a fair tradeoff, especially if you live in a wet climate. Our main complaint in regards to this otherwise great bag is that, unless it's packed in just the right way, you can expect it to tip over when you set it down. This lessened as the bag broke in, and the stiff fabric softened, but never stopped happening completely.
If the Granville is packed where it's heavier on one side than the other (common when there's a laptop), it usually tips over promptly when set down.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Wear & Tear
High marks here for sure — weatherproof nylon ripstop and taped seams mean the Granville is impervious to water. It slides right off and doesn't look back. The padded back panel and strap do hold onto water when saturated, but if you have a bit of sun, they dry quickly. Sharp twigs, rocks, and concrete have nothing on this bag though — it'll last you for years without showing hardly a scratch.
Even after a full-on shower with the garden hose, water just slid off the Granville, and the pocket beneath the flap was protected and bone dry.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Volume to Weight Ratio
This bag offers an excellent volume to weight ratio, weighing just 1.15 pounds with a 10-liter capacity.
Despite being just a 10-liter bag, we were able to fit quite a lot in the Granville for those long study days.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Value
As you might expect, this isn't a particularly cheap bag. Messenger bags often aren't, and Arc'teryx is a pricier brand, though they do tend to make excellent gear. This bag is no exception. If you know you want something for the long haul that can withstand the gnarliest of weather, then the heftier price tag on the Granville is probably worth it.
Well-executed and customizable features help the Granville be a highly comfortable bag.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Conclusion
The Granville 10 is a well-made bag with thoughtful design features and highly weatherproof fabric. It's straightforward to use, can adjust to be worn on either shoulder, and is lightweight and comfortable. It's weighted a bit oddly and therefore is tippy when set down on a flat surface, but as the stiff fabric breaks in and you learn to pack it strategically, this annoyance lessens. While there aren't a lot of pockets, there are enough for the essentials, and the combo of a padded back panel and a cross-body strap make for a very comfortable wearing experience, particularly on a bike. All in all, this is a great messenger bag that will last, rain or shine, for many years.
Off for a day of adventures with the Granville 10.
Credit: Penney Garrett
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Penney Garrett
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