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

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

Switzerland-based Freitag acquired its begin in 1993 with messenger baggage, and it’s conserving that spirit alive with its newest, the F685 Henry. It’s heavy, waterproof, 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 vehicles. Meaning no two Freitag baggage are similar in a world of mass-produced homogeny.

Mockingly, Freitag baggage 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 count on 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 worth 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 every day carryall. In order that’s how I’ve been testing it whereas strolling and bicycling to outlets, the gymnasium, practice, and coworking house.

Like all Freitag baggage, 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 principle compartment makes a loud guttural SHHHRRRRRIIIIIIIIP that can 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 actually jibes with the Freitag aesthetic. Closing the heavy-duty buckles provides percussion to the efficiency.

The factor I like concerning the Henry — and all messenger baggage — is how simply the padded shoulder strap permits the bag to be swung round to the entrance. With the stiff prime materials folded excellent — one thing that comes with follow — a little bit shoulder sashay let me simply entry the 2 outer pockets, considered one of which is zippered and accommodates a key lanyard. One other zippered facet pocket permits for fast entry to a pockets or telephone.

It’s also possible to safe the bag towards your physique with a three-point strap. This labored very properly, however it isn’t actually wanted on Amsterdam’s protected bike lanes, the place I don’t need to dodge out and in of vehicles. The bag is accented with reflectors from recycled truck contour markings, which assist with visibility at evening.

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

As a gear bag, the Henry works finest with the addition of your personal digicam cubes and pouches to maintain issues organized. In any other case, the whole lot will jumble collectively inside the principle pocket. The laptop computer sleeve gives a modicum of padding for cover towards bumps, however not sufficient for me to toss the bag down once I return house — 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 by way of the belts on the outer flap, for instance, or a yoga mat secured beneath with built-in straps. Thankfully, all of the bag’s dangly straps could be stowed inside an exterior sleeve on the underside for a cleaner look.

The most important downside to the Henry is the stiffness and weight. Many of the bag is constructed of a troublesome polyester material 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 just a few ounces heavier than the a lot bigger 45L model of Peak Design’s Outside Backpack.

I don’t thoughts the load 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 to your costly devices.

Freitag tells me that messenger baggage make up simply 30 p.c of its present gross sales however have just lately returned to development. Maybe they’re being bought by individuals in platform footwear, chokers, and different ‘90s trend that has just lately returned? Nice. As a result of messenger baggage are glorious carryalls and the Freitag F685 Henry is an excellent messenger bag… if you happen to’re okay with Velcro.

Pictures by Thomas Ricker / The Verge