Bairn Messenger

Very well made messenger bag. Not too big or too small and made in the UK. Very happy customer.

Probably my favourite shoulder bag I’ve owned. Materials are superb, cobra buckles a premium bit of fun, and the orange liner is a surprisingly big part of the enjoyment of the bag. Enough organisation without overkill. And it looks wonderful in black. After trying and selling many bags from several companies I’ve realised that for me access don’t have to be quick, just doesn’t have to a labour. This is not super quick access due to two buckles securing the bag and no external pockets. But I find it doesn’t matter. The experience is about the feel and thoughtfulness of the bag as it is, not prioritising speed of access. And actually undoing one buckle gets you into one of the front pockets result and into the top of the main compartment too. I also have the Kelso sling and that’s not particularly quick access either but it’s just great fun to use. Top marks, I look forward to picking this up in the morning on the way out the door and you can’t say that about many bags.

Great except for the strap

Got the black one. It’s very attractive and pleasant to carry around, and the orange interior is lovely (if you’re on the fence because of the color specifically, don’t fret, it’s certainly an upside). The dings that to me add up to the one missing star: - The 2-inch strap feels both too wide and too abrasive. It’s not really something that stands out in the photos, and this is obviously subjective, but to me the strap just feels wrong. Other messengers I’ve tried all have narrower ones made from a soft nylon, and I’m even considering frankensteining one of those. - The cobra buckles don’t open consistently for me — either one tends to get stuck on one side. They’re not broken, they just don’t seem to have enough tolerance, even when taking extra care. No regrets, overall. The thing does feel special, and it’s a worthy alternative to the more typical modern bag styles.