Freitag’s latest messenger bag is comprised of trash to final

I keep in mind the day: a sinewy bicycle messenger skillfully weaved via honking vehicles and got here to a cease on the site visitors mild in entrance of me. However as an alternative of dropping a foot, he balanced excessive above his fixed-gear pedals for practically a minute, his crossbody bag bulging towards the pressing deliveries inside. That was ‘90s San Francisco, when anybody may faucet into that free-wheelin’ zeitgeist by sporting a messenger bag — solely conformist dorks wore backpacks.

Switzerland-based Freitag bought its begin in 1993 with messenger luggage, and it’s preserving that spirit alive with its newest, the F685 Henry. It’s heavy, water-proof, and extremely sturdy as a result of it’s comprised of worn seatbelts, recycled plastic bottles, and used tarps that act as partitions on European vans. Which means no two Freitag luggage are an identical in a world of mass-produced homogeny.

Mockingly, Freitag luggage are constructed to final regardless of being comprised of trash. A Freitag messenger bag that I bought virtually 20 years in the past remains to be my go-to for errands round city. I anticipate the identical longevity from the Henry, which I’ve been testing as an all-purpose gear bag for the previous couple of weeks. That makes its $330 value level a bit extra agreeable, as does its beneficiant three-year restore guarantee after registering your buy.

Freitag’s F685 Henry is a 13-liter messenger bag that may be expanded to twenty liters, giving it sufficient quantity to operate as a day by day carryall. In order that’s how I’ve been testing it whereas strolling and bicycling to retailers, the fitness center, prepare, and coworking area.

Like all Freitag luggage, the corporate leans closely into Velcro fasteners and buckles to carry all that tarp collectively. There’s a lot of the stuff that opening the primary compartment makes a loud guttural SHHHRRRRRIIIIIIIIP that may absolutely draw consideration at a gathering or get you kicked out of the theater. I hate that Velcro sound, and the hook and loop materials tears at clothes and collects free bits of particles over time. However this brute-force closure definitely jibes with the Freitag aesthetic. Closing the heavy-duty buckles provides percussion to the efficiency.

The factor I really like in regards to the Henry — and all messenger luggage — is how simply the padded shoulder strap permits the bag to be swung round to the entrance. With the stiff high materials folded excellent — one thing that comes with apply — just a little shoulder sashay let me simply entry the 2 outer pockets, considered one of which is zippered and comprises a key lanyard. One other zippered aspect pocket permits for fast entry to a pockets or cellphone.

You may also safe the bag towards your physique with a three-point strap. This labored very effectively, however it isn’t actually wanted on Amsterdam’s protected bike lanes, the place I don’t should dodge out and in of automobiles. The bag is accented with reflectors from recycled truck contour markings, which assist with visibility at night time.

Right here, I’ll let Freitag exhibit the bag’s options as a result of its no-nonsense, just-the-facts advertising is a part of the corporate’s attraction.

As a gear bag, the Henry works greatest with the addition of your personal digital camera cubes and pouches to maintain issues organized. In any other case, every part will jumble collectively inside the primary pocket. The laptop computer sleeve affords a modicum of padding for defense towards bumps, however not sufficient for me to toss the bag down once I return residence — I gently place it on the ground, as an alternative.

There’s loads of webbing to clip on or tie down objects across the bag for exterior carry. That features carrying a U-lock via the belts on the outer flap, for instance, or a yoga mat secured beneath with built-in straps. Fortuitously, all of the bag’s dangly straps may be stowed inside an exterior sleeve on the underside for a cleaner look.

The largest disadvantage to the Henry is the stiffness and weight. A lot of the bag is constructed of a tricky polyester cloth created from recycled PET bottles. If it’s like my very own primary Freitag messenger, then that materials will develop into malleable over time, however the weight is ever-present. Empty, the Henry ideas the scales at 3.26 kilos, which is only some ounces heavier than the a lot bigger 45L model of Peak Design’s Outside Backpack.

I don’t thoughts the burden if it interprets into longevity, and the bag’s already beginning to loosen up with common use. And in comparison with my very own Freitag, this bag is stout, which ought to translate into higher safety on your costly devices.

Freitag tells me that messenger luggage make up simply 30 % of its present gross sales however have not too long ago returned to development. Maybe they’re being bought by individuals in platform sneakers, chokers, and different ‘90s trend that has not too long ago returned? Nice. As a result of messenger luggage are glorious carryalls and the Freitag F685 Henry is an excellent messenger bag… for those who’re okay with Velcro.

Photographs by Thomas Ricker / The Verge