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

I bear in mind the day: a sinewy bicycle messenger skillfully weaved by means of 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 in opposition to 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 constructed from worn seatbelts, recycled plastic bottles, and used tarps that act as partitions on European vehicles. Meaning no two Freitag baggage are equivalent in a world of mass-produced homogeny.

Sarcastically, Freitag baggage are constructed to final regardless of being constructed 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 anticipate the identical longevity from the Henry, which I’ve been testing as an all-purpose gear bag for the previous few 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 perform as a day by 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 primary compartment makes a loud guttural SHHHRRRRRIIIIIIIIP that can certainly 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 — a little bit shoulder sashay let me simply entry the 2 outer pockets, one among which is zippered and comprises a key lanyard. One other zippered aspect pocket permits for fast entry to a pockets or cellphone.

You can too safe the bag in opposition to your physique with a three-point strap. This labored very effectively, but it surely isn’t actually wanted on Amsterdam’s protected bike lanes, the place I don’t must 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 showcase the bag’s options as a result of its no-nonsense, just-the-facts advertising is a part of the corporate’s allure.

As a gear bag, the Henry works finest with the addition of your individual digital camera cubes and pouches to maintain issues organized. In any other case, all the pieces will jumble collectively inside the primary pocket. The laptop computer sleeve affords a modicum of padding for defense in opposition to bumps, however not sufficient for me to toss the bag down after I return dwelling — 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 means 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 may be stowed inside an exterior sleeve on the underside for a cleaner look.

The largest downside to the Henry is the stiffness and weight. A lot 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 turn 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 to your costly devices.

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

Pictures by Thomas Ricker / The Verge