Update: TRAKKE BAIRN messenger bag, or, Customer Service Master Class

A few weeks ago, I put Alec Farmer of TRAKKE on the spot.

I wrote a product review on his company's smallest messenger bag, the Bairn, which included criticisms of how the shoulder strap had been fitted and the absence of a few cycling-specific features that I consider essential. And then I published that review for the world to see. And only then did I let him know about my complaints -- by posting a link to my review on TRAKKE's Facebook page.

This was all a bit unfair, I realise now, even considering that Alec and I had several exchanges by e-mail before I ordered the bag and from that, he may already have been aware that I write a cycling blog with a slight fixation on reviewing messenger bags!

In any event, Alec read that review and e-mailed me that very afternoon.

Review: TRAKKE BAIRN messenger bag

I recently purchased the Trakke Bairn messenger bag (referenced at the bottom of my 2 February 2013 post).

Trakke is a small company in Glasgow that hand-makes messenger bags and backpacks aimed at cyclists primarily but also walkers/hikers/outdoor adventurers!  The man at the helm is Alec Farmer and the man at the (sewing machine) wheel is a former sail maker. Their philosophy and aesthetics focus on producing bags that are robust and functional, with a nod to local heritage -- most conspicuously displayed in the use of Harris Tweed. (I love the blog entry written by one of the weavers!)

So after a few weeks, here are my thoughts and impressions on the Bairn messenger bag.