Freitag’s latest messenger bag is made out of trash to final

I keep in mind the day: a sinewy bicycle messenger skillfully weaved via honking cars and got here to a cease on the site visitors gentle in entrance of me. But as a substitute 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 anybody may faucet into that free-wheelin’ zeitgeist by sporting a messenger bag — solely conformist dorks wore backpacks.

Switzerland-based Freitag received its begin in 1993 with messenger baggage, and it’s holding that spirit alive with its newest, the F685 Henry. It’s heavy, waterproof, and extremely sturdy as a result of it’s made out of worn seatbelts, recycled plastic bottles, and used tarps that act as partitions on European vans. That means no two Freitag baggage are equivalent in a world of mass-produced homogeny.

Ironically, Freitag baggage are constructed to final regardless of being made out of trash. A Freitag messenger bag that I bought nearly 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 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 each day carryall. So that’s how I’ve been testing it whereas strolling and bicycling to outlets, the health club, prepare, and coworking area.

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 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 free bits of particles over time. But 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 — slightly shoulder sashay let me simply entry the 2 outer pockets, certainly one of which is zippered and incorporates a key lanyard. Another zippered facet pocket permits for fast entry to a pockets or cellphone.

You may 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 automobiles. The bag is accented with reflectors from recycled truck contour markings, which assist with visibility at evening.

Here, I’ll let Freitag showcase 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 greatest with the addition of your personal digital camera cubes and pouches to maintain issues organized. Otherwise, the whole lot will jumble collectively inside the principle pocket. The laptop computer sleeve provides a modicum of padding for cover in opposition to bumps, however not sufficient for me to toss the bag down once I return residence — I gently place it on the ground, as a substitute.

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

The largest downside to the Henry is the stiffness and weight. Most 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 change into malleable over time, however the weight is ever-present. Empty, the Henry suggestions the scales at 3.26 kilos, which is just a few ounces heavier than the a lot bigger 45L model of Peak Design’s Outdoor 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. Perhaps they’re being bought by folks in platform footwear, chokers, and different ‘90s vogue that has just lately returned? Great. Because messenger baggage are wonderful carryalls and the Freitag F685 Henry is an excellent messenger bag… in case you’re okay with Velcro.

Photos by Thomas Ricker / The Verge