The Good
- Made from old semitrucks, seatbelts, and bottles
- Weatherproof and expandable carryall
- Every bag is unique
- Three-year warranty
The Bad
- So much noisy, scratchy Velcro
- Material needs time to loosen up
- Heavy for its size
I remember the day: a sinewy bicycle messenger skillfully weaved through honking automobiles and came to a stop at the traffic light in front of me. But instead of dropping a foot, he balanced high above his fixed-gear pedals for nearly a minute, his crossbody bag bulging against the urgent deliveries within. That was ‘90s San Francisco, when anyone could tap into that free-wheelin’ zeitgeist by wearing a messenger bag — only conformist dorks wore backpacks.
Switzerland-based Freitag got its start in 1993 with messenger bags, and it’s keeping that spirit alive with its latest, the F685 Henry. It’s heavy, water resistant, and incredibly durable because it’s made from worn seatbelts, recycled plastic bottles, and used tarps that act as walls on European trucks. That means no two Freitag bags are identical in a world of mass-produced homogeny.
Like all Freitag bags, the company leans heavily into Velcro fasteners and buckles to hold all that tarp together. There’s so much of the stuff that opening the main compartment makes a loud guttural SHHHRRRRRIIIIIIIIP that will surely draw attention at a meeting or get you kicked out of the theater. I hate that Velcro sound, and the hook and loop material tears at clothing and collects loose bits of debris over time. But this brute-force closure certainly jibes with the Freitag aesthetic. Closing the heavy-duty buckles adds percussion to the performance.
The buckles add extra security. The straps can be tucked into a sleeve at the bottom when not needed.
This side zipper is convenient to store a wallet or phone.
Yes, those are old seatbelts.
The thing I love about the Henry — and all messenger bags — is how easily the padded shoulder strap allows the bag to be swung around to the front. With the stiff top material folded just right — something that comes with practice — a little shoulder sashay let me easily access the two outer pockets, one of which is zippered and contains a key lanyard. Another zippered side pocket allows for quick access to a wallet or phone.
You can also secure the bag against your body with a three-point strap. This worked very well, but it isn’t really needed on Amsterdam’s protected bike lanes, where I don’t have to dodge in and out of cars. The bag is accented with reflectors from recycled truck contour markings, which help with visibility at night.
Here, I’ll let Freitag show off the bag’s features because its no-nonsense, just-the-facts marketing is part of the company’s charm.
As a gear bag, the Henry works best with the addition of your own camera cubes and pouches to keep things organized. Otherwise, everything will jumble together inside the main pocket. The laptop sleeve offers a modicum of padding for protection against bumps, but not enough for me to toss the bag down when I return home — I gently place it on the floor, instead.
There’s plenty of webbing to clip on or tie down items around the bag for external carry. That includes carrying a U-lock through the belts on the outer flap, for example, or a yoga mat secured underneath with integrated straps. Fortunately, all the bag’s dangly straps can be stowed inside an external sleeve on the bottom for a cleaner look.
The biggest drawback to the Henry is the stiffness and weight. Most of the bag is constructed of a tough polyester fabric created from recycled PET bottles. If it’s like my own basic Freitag messenger, then that material will become malleable over time, but the weight is ever-present. Empty, the Henry tips the scales at 3.26 pounds, which is only a few ounces heavier than the much larger 45L version of Peak Design’s Outdoor Backpack.
Conclusion
The Freitag F685 Henry is a very good messenger bag, but it’s not without its quirks. The Velcro can be loud and annoying, and the material needs time to loosen up to its full potential. However, the bag is incredibly durable and made from unique, recycled materials. If you’re in the market for a sturdy, weatherproof carryall that won’t break the bank, the Henry is worth considering.
FAQs
Q: What is the Freitag F685 Henry made of?
A: The bag is made from worn seatbelts, recycled plastic bottles, and used tarps that act as walls on European trucks.
Q: Is the Freitag F685 Henry water resistant?
A: Yes, the bag is weatherproof and can withstand exposure to water.
Q: How much does the Freitag F685 Henry weigh?
A: The bag tips the scales at 3.26 pounds when empty.
Q: Is the Freitag F685 Henry suitable for carrying laptops?
A: Yes, the bag has a laptop sleeve that offers some protection against bumps, but it’s not designed for heavy-duty laptop carrying.
Q: Can I customize the Freitag F685 Henry?
A: No, each bag is unique due to the recycled materials used in its construction.
