Freitag’s latest messenger bag is produced from trash to final

I bear in mind the day: a sinewy bicycle messenger skillfully weaved by honking cars and got here to a cease on the visitors mild 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 in opposition to the pressing deliveries inside. That was ‘90s San Francisco, when anyone could tap into that free-wheelin’ zeitgeist by carrying a messenger bag — solely conformist dorks wore backpacks.

Switzerland-based Freitag received its begin in 1993 with messenger baggage, and it’s retaining that spirit alive with its newest, the F685 Henry. It’s heavy, water-proof, and extremely sturdy as a result of it’s produced from worn seatbelts, recycled plastic bottles, and used tarps that act as walls on European trucks. Which means no two Freitag baggage are equivalent in a world of mass-produced homogeny.

Paradoxically, Freitag baggage are constructed to final regardless of being produced from trash. A Freitag messenger bag that I bought virtually 20 years in the past continues 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 repair warranty 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 perform as a every day carryall. In order that’s how I’ve been testing it whereas strolling and bicycling to retailers, the health club, prepare, 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 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 unfastened 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 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 high materials folded excellent — one thing that comes with apply — somewhat shoulder sashay let me simply entry the 2 outer pockets, considered one of which is zippered and incorporates a key lanyard. One other zippered aspect pocket permits for fast entry to a pockets or cellphone.

You may as well safe the bag in opposition to your physique with a three-point strap. This labored very properly, nevertheless it isn’t actually wanted on Amsterdam’s protected bike lanes, the place I don’t should dodge out and in of vehicles. 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 and marketing is a part of the corporate’s attraction.

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

There’s loads of webbing to clip on or tie down gadgets across the bag for exterior carry. That features carrying a U-lock by 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 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 tricky polyester cloth created from recycled PET bottles. If it’s like my very own fundamental Freitag messenger, then that materials will turn out to be malleable over time, however the weight is ever-present. Empty, the Henry suggestions the scales at 3.26 kilos, which is only some ounces heavier than the a lot bigger 45L version of Peak Design’s Outdoor 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 baggage make up simply 30 % of its present gross sales however have not too long ago returned to progress. Maybe they’re being bought by folks in platform sneakers, chokers, and other 90s fashion that has recently returned? Nice. As a result of messenger baggage are wonderful carryalls and the Freitag F685 Henry is an excellent messenger bag to hold your gear… in the event you’re okay with Velcro.

Photographs by Thomas Ricker / The Verge