Test: Today we're taking a close look at a messenger bag from the Basil brand: the Portland Messenger. As the name suggests, the bag comes from the Portland collection, which relies on natural materials and was inspired by Paris in the late XNUMXs. In the test, the chic urban companion reveals light and shadow.
application
The Dutch designers created the bag in three colors: cream, dark blue and dark red. The model in front of us was dark blue, which gives the bag a really classy look. Fine cotton fabric is used as the outer material, which thanks to its good impregnation easily keeps light rain off. The coarsely woven shoulder strap also easily withstands light drops. An interesting detail on the bag are the numerous applications that appear to be made of leather at first glance. In reality, however, it is paper. Yes – you read that right: paper! But of course no ordinary writing paper is used here, but so-called washable paper such as B. is also used for labels of jeans. So it's robust and you don't have to worry about light weather here either. Should it rain or snow heavily, the bag comes with a small pouch (also made of 'paper'), which contains a rain cover for the 20l bag. The rain cover is very light, can be folded up to save space and quickly pulled over the rigid bag.
The bag makes a very robust impression on us and looks extremely high quality. Seams are impeccable, applications, rivets and fasteners are very well made and fit perfectly into the overall design. The bracket for mounting the luggage rack also seems to be extremely stable.
All the paper leaves us with a somewhat uneasy feeling at first - but knowing that this is also used as a label on trousers, these worries should actually be unfounded - we'll see.
Seat
If you hang the bag around for the first time, you will notice that this is actually not the primary area of application of the Basil Portland Messenger. The bag usually belongs on the luggage carrier. It is fixed there with the holder on the back, which is very elegantly hidden behind a fabric flap. Although the bag also has a shoulder strap, this is not necessarily intended for long-term use: the padding is uncomfortably thin and unsuitable for carrying it for a long time. Due to the holder on the back, it is also very firm, so that the bag is quite uncomfortable on the back when you sit in the saddle with it. Of course, the waist belt also falls victim to the concept of the bag, which, unsurprisingly, is not available.
Organization
Now the bag gets our test filling:
- A 15″ laptop
- A Tupperware
- A notebook
- Two pens
- A full 1l bottle
The Basil Portland Messenger holds 20l - that's a lot of space and so we can easily fit everything. The computer sits firmly in the well-padded laptop compartment for 15" devices and is secured against slipping out with a small strap. Opposite there are three more compartments, one of which can be closed with a zipper.
There are more compartments on the left and right, but they are less suitable as storage space: They are quite narrow and open at the top - so it shouldn't rain if sensitive things are stowed there. On the front is another narrow compartment in which, for example, a paperback can be accommodated. The inside of the bag is beautifully finished with fabric and, like the entire bag, is excellently finished. Unfortunately, there is no organizer at all: you have to do without pen holders and the like.
At a Glance: Basil Portland Messenger
- Very compact
- Beautiful classic design
- Can be mounted on the bike
Conclusion
Admittedly, the Basil Portland Messenger didn't have it easy with us. In addition to its primary area of application as a bag on the luggage carrier, it also had to be a classic messenger bag. Even if it becomes clear that she feels much more at home on the bike than on the back of the driver, one should give her credit for offering this opportunity at all. In terms of optics and workmanship there is nothing to complain about anyway - both are on a very high level. The space inside is also convincing, although we did miss an organizer a bit.